Merry Christmas!
I’ve recently realized that I wasted many a Christmas joy. I was sad and felt unwanted believing I was devoid of two things that were often preached during Christmas: Peace & Love.
PEACE
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
2 Peter 1:2 NKJV
Jesus and His Father, God, came up with a game plan to save us even before creating us, because they knew we would sin (and yet created us anyway…mind boggling) and need saving in order to live eternally with them. That plan was Jesus coming to earth as a human. That’s the “simplified” version of it.
If we accept His (Jesus) sacrifice, we accept Him into our lives. Peace is attached to Him, so we then have peace. No matter what’s going on around you that is in no way peaceful, if you have Him, you have peace. Internal peace.
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33 NKJV
In the past, my peace was attached to people’s actions and situations. If there was turmoil around me, I absorbed it like a sponge and moving forward, was fretful and anxious asking God what I needed to do to fix things. If I didn’t have a special person in my life, I was lonely and depressed. I had read my Bible several times but didn’t claim the power and promise of every word; and, many times, didn’t believe they really pertained to me.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NKJV
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
LOVE
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 NKJV
Jesus chose to remove His kingly robe and become a human like me (you), living a sinless life walking through the temptations I (you) would walk through so I (you) could accept Him and have His strength to get through; His blood for forgiveness whenever I (you) fall. Now that’s LOVE!
Life
Life can bring you down during the holiday season, but you don't have to stay there. I hesitated blogging today because honestly, there is so much going on in my life that I'm waiting on God for. I didn't even think I could celebrate Christmas. My faith has been tested, I feel, to the limit. But the Lord has shown me during my quiet time with Him (which I hesitated to do because I feel so weary) that His perfect Gift is something to celebrate and spread to others no matter what's going on around me.
What about you? Is this a hard holiday season for you? Do you have things you've been waiting on God for wondering if He's forgotten you or your family? Don't believe the enemy when he tells you there's nothing to celebrate. Believe the Lord and His Word, His promises! And you can have peace in the midst of the storm and feel (physically feel) His loving arms around you!
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39 NKJV
May the Lord bless you and keep you today and always! Happy Holidays!