The Angels Declared, “Peace on Earth”

The holiday season is in full swing, with the Thanksgiving feast tomorrow, Christmas decorations going up, and Christmas carols playing everywhere. We all know the theme of Christmas as “Joy to the World” and “Peace on Earth”. But somehow, the source of this joy and peace, that is the saving grace of Jesus Christ, is replaced by shopping crowds and disgruntled people everywhere.

Romans 12:15-18 says, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” God calls us to live in harmony with all people. Peace is difficult to achieve, but we can do our part by remaining humble, loving each person, doing good for all, and not considering ourselves as above others in any respect. But more importantly, we can seek the source of peace, which comes to all people through the salvation found only in Jesus Christ.

Better Way

Have you ever been deeply involved in some task only to begin thinking that there must be some easier way to do what you are doing? Then, you stop and do some research. And you find some instruction with the keys for doing your task simply.

Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The essence of God’s desire for us is simply to treat people with love and kindness and to humbly worship God. When we love others as we love ourselves and love God with our whole heart, mind, and soul, we will live life abundantly and fruitfully.

Read the Manual

Men are often accused of not reading the instructions when assembling something. I have first hand knowledge of this weakness from trying to assemble toys on Christmas Eve when our children were young. I could have avoided hours of frustration by simply following the instruction manual. When we want to put something together or work out some process, it is always good to go to the instruction manual or contact the maker/source directly.

Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Faith increases as we read and study God’s Word. Then, godliness increases with understanding and following God’s Word. If we really want to have an abundant life, we must go to the Creator and Sustainer of all life and read His instruction manual, the Bible.

Faith Grows When Tested

One thing that we can be sure of in life, is that storms will come. Often they come when we are already overwhelmed and don’t know what to do. God promised to never leave His children. And we know that He is sovereign over all things, with nothing outside of His knowledge and ability to rule over it. Therefore, we can trust Him, not to take away the storm necessarily, but rather to take us through the storm to the other side. Then we will find that our faith is stronger and more vibrant.

On a ship tossed by hurricane winds and a raging sea, Paul said to those aboard ship, “Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” Faith grows best when it is put to the test. In the storms of life, we can put our trust in God because He is sovereign over all things, He is good, and will not leave us.

Toxic Relationships

I don’t know about you, but I am discouraged by all the angry, hurtful, and unforgiving words that I hear on a daily basis. Yes, some of them are directed at me, but most are published by some form of media. Many, even, come from our leaders, who quite honestly should be setting a much better example. As a result, many people talk about abandoning toxic relationships. While I understand the emotions and sentiments expressed in the reasons for abandoning relationships, God has a much better way for us to live. Maybe if we walk in God’s way and according to His love, the world might become a bit more friendly.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” With all the angry and accusatory words that we hear everyday, let us be lights of love in the world. Let us be kind, loving, tenderhearted and forgiving, and thereby demonstrate God’s love and forgiveness to a broken world.