And to discover the angel thought to them, “Fear not, for behold, I provide you with excellent news of wonderful joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born at the present time in the city of David a Savior, who's Christ the Lord. And this is going to be a sign simpler for you: you can see an infant wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying inside a manger.” And suddenly there arised with the angel a lot of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the best,
and on earth peace among individuals that have whom he is pleased!”
In the event the angels went prevent them into heaven, the shepherds said one to the other, “Allow us to reassess to Bethlehem and then determine this thing which has happened, how the Lord has made recognized by us.”
WHAT PEACE?
As people in general, it seems like we don't have a clue about peace at all!
Within the last 3,400 a lot human history, there have only been a reported 268 a lot peace. Within the 20th century alone greater than 105 million many people have been killed in wars, and even just as we speak today men, women and youngsters are losing their lives in conflicts all over the planet, lots of which are so mundane they fail to rate a mention in our news.
Mankind loves conflict. Just take a look at families! In the event the Bible says Peace across the world, whatsoever is it talking about?
PIECES ON EARTH, NOT PEACE ON EARTH
We are now living in a fallen world, where truly talking often about peace but never obtain it. We strive for peace, but only ever grasp at the illusion of peace, such as a mirage exactly where the closer we get to peace, the further away it really seems.
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain visited Munich in 1938 to meet with Hitler, who was continually posturing towards war by having land from surrounding countries like Czechoslovakia. He was presented with an assurance that eliminate demands can be made, and he returned to Britain holding aloft the written assurance and proclaiming “Peace in our own time.” Per annum later, the biggest and the majority of devastating war in human history erupted… Peace was never further away!
Even today Peace is illusive. I recall watching the wall cool off in Berlin, having the demise of Communism and thinking, “Now we'll have peace.” The Cold War was over, but enter militant Islam and the war on terror replaces it. And here’s the joke… Islam actually means peace, but I've never seen a less peace loving crowd than Islamists!
We don’t have peace on earth, we now have pieces! Let’looking at passage
Luke 2:14 (KJV Strong's)
Glory to God in the highest, and across the world peace, good will toward men.
The KJV, which some believe is the true translation, gets this very, confusingly wrong. It shows that peace and good will is proclaimed to everyone men, but this isn't the interpretation of the passage.
Luke 2:14 (ESV Strong's)
“Glory to God in the highest, and the world over peace among people having whom he's pleased!”
This passage is proclaiming peace to people having whom He (God) looks good pleased. The peace that the angels offer isn’t for everybody, it's only for those with whom God is please, individuals who have received Jesus Christ into their lives as Lord and Saviour.
We live in an evil world, controlled by evil people, as a result there cannot and won't be Peace the world over for those men until Jesus returns.
When these words were spoken via the angels to the shepherds, Roman Peace (Pax Romana) were ultimately since 27 BC. Prior to this, the Romans had invaded countries, slaughtered a number of people, enslaved the remaining and declared peace! But the lack of war doesn't guarantee peace.
The Stoic philosopher Epictetus said, “While emperor offers peace from war on land and sea, he has difficulty to present peace from passion, grief, and envy. He cannot give peace of heart for which man yearns greater than even for outward peace.”
The Jewish word shalom (peace) means much over a truce within the battles of life. It indicates well-being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness. It has to do more with character than circumstances, and it is study about inner peace than the absence of external conflict. Life right now was difficult, just as it's today. Taxes were high, unemployment was high, morals were slipping lower, and the military state was in control. Roman law, Greek philosophy, and even Jewish religion couldn't meet the requirements of men’s hearts. So, God sent His Son!
I WANT A PEACE OF IT!
Have a look at our society today. There is war around the world, fact is that there is war here nowadays as well.
We happen to face a war against morality, where militant gay activists have just won a battle. It’s a war contrary to the sexes, it’can be a war against our children. There’s no peace here. Lots of people who hold to God’s view of marriage and to discover the family are attacked constantly, but even among the LGBT community, can there be peace?
Based on their very own figures, and in spite of tv and internet totally on their team, gay youngsters are half a dozen times more prone to attempt suicide, and transgenders are 11 times more likely. Almost half of transgenders attempt suicide, whether or not they to get the transition or otherwise, so you cannot tell me that these kinds of folk have peace on earth. They proclaim their sexual freedom, but inside they are torn to pieces by conflict, guilt and shame.
Families are torn apart more than ever before… that’s not Peace on this planet might it be? Unions and employers bicker, husbands and wife’s fight, kids and parents argue… there isn't a peace in our society, even at Christmas!
And Advertising screams at us all the time, “Buy this, get this, do that,” but none of it emits a sense peace that lasts. You could really have probably the most wonderful holiday, and you ve still got to come home to reality, right?
The way to inner peace is not demanding and getting your own way! One among life’s great paradoxes is that more you fight, the better you claw and scratch, the more consistently you demand, the less peace you get.
Isaiah 48:22 (ESV)
“There is no such thing as a peace,” says the Lord, “regarding the wicked.”
Without any God, in case you don't know Jesus, there isn't any peace! I didn’t say it, God says it. So if you go searching at this world this Christmas, you'll be able to verify that it's 100% true.
But Paul writes this…
Romans 5:1 (ESV)
Therefore, since we've actually been justified by faith, we now have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
True peace, peace with God, and peace within ourselves. That’s what are the angels proclaimed at the primary Christmas… Choose the promised child and you can see true peace. Look at what has been predicted regarding the birth of Jesus…
Isaiah 9:6 (KJV Strong's)
For unto us a toddler has been born, unto us a son is given: and the federal government needs to be upon his shoulder:
and the name must be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
There’s that word again… Peace! In a world full of conflict, full of fear for ourselves, our nation, our futures, our country’s morals, our finances, our families, on a planet full of selfishness and sin and fear, we you could find peace. This Christmas, you possibly can experience true peace, inner peace, lasting peace.
PEACE FROM WHAT?
Life is filled with worries and anxieties. As Christmas approaches, do you are feeling anxious? Worried about finances, worry about family interaction, worry about being alone this Christmas?
People fear lots of things. When that is focussed and irrational, we refer to it as a phobia. And phobias are available in bewildering variety…
Xanthophobia- fear of the color yellow
Turophobia- fear of cheese
Omphalophobia- fear of bellybuttons
Pogonophobia- fear of beards
Frigatriskaideaphobia- fear of long words (ironic)
Papa phobia- fear whatever the pope
Hylophobia- fear of trees and woods
Coulrophobia- fear of clowns (I think we are able to all deal with that), and here’s a contemporary one…
Nomophobia- fear to becoming without cell phone coverage, and experts say, the bulk the individuals in our country are affected by this!
A few of you here fear a surprisingly large number of things as Christmas approaches. Who among us does not have financial fear, worried we simply have the funds for to enjoy Christmas and make presents for the children or grandkids. Many have anxiety about finding the family together plus the inevitable conflicts.
John 14:27 (ESV Strong's)
Peace I leave along with you; my peace I share with you. Not like on the earth gives do I share with you. Let not your hearts be anxious, neither allow them to be afraid.
HOW CAN YOU FIND REAL PEACE THIS CHRISTMAS?
You won’t find peace the world over in this world. Politicians cannot debate and provides us peace, lawmakers cannot legislate Peace. Pop stars can’t give it for your requirements by songs, actors cannot fool you with it, in addition to religion can’t create peace in your world (even if it calls itself peace although it’s blowing you up!).
Only Jesus, only a possitive correlation with Him, only having His Holy Spirit living within you can provide you peace. So let’s consider looking at a few of the anxieties you face this Christmas, and never what I use the phrase about peace, but what Jesus gives you early today…
1. PEACE IN LACK
If you're worried about finances this Christmas, and I number myself among these, then Jesus knows and understands. We worry so much about acquiring and enjoying the things of this planet, but worry is sort of a rocking horse… it keeps the brain occupied, nevertheless you don’t actually get anywhere.
Matthew 6:25-27 (ESV Strong's)
“Therefore I let you know, don't be concerned regarding your life, whatever you will eat or what you may will drink, nor about your body, the things you will put on. Is not life greater than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds whatever the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, but without doubt your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you when you are anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Stop, look at your life right now. Can you add even just one hour with it by worrying? Nope, nobody can. But I have discovered an incredible key towards stopping worry and anxiety about money and other things in my life. And I’m not even that clever, as a few verses later, Jesus tells us the reply…
Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV Strong's)
Therefore don't be troubled, saying, ‘What lets eat?’ or ‘What lets drink?’ or ‘What we could wear?’ When it comes to the Gentiles seek in spite of everything this stuff, and also your heavenly Father knows that you ll require them all. But seek first the dominion of God and the righteousness, and all these items will probably be added to you.
It is a Christian paradox that I testified true persistently… in the event you be worried about, obsess about and desire for the money, things, clothes and food, they appear to elude you. Should you seek first His Kingdom, if you set the mind on loving and forthcoming to God, these items seem to come along almost miraculously. And if they don’t, you don’t care since you are more focusing on God!
Paul wrote
Philippians 4:11-12 (ESV Strong's)
Not that I am with regards to being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I'm it doesn't need to be content. I already know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In a and each circumstance, I got to know the key of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
You will have peace on earth, true peace the world over and contentment whether you have huge amounts or slightly this Christmas!
2. PEACE IN CONFLICT
For those worrying about family conflict, whatever is arrayed the wrong way, you could have peace in the midst of the only thing that conflict. Don't fear this Christmas, but take heed to what the Lord says about conflict…
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV Strong's)
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power with a lot of love and self-control.
A sound thoughts are self control. How many of you be aware that, as soon as the family gets together, it only takes one misplaced word and things escalate from there. Listen, a few of you need to get the power of shutting your mouth. The power of holding your tongue, no matter how offended there is a chance that you are!
No matter what others are saying who you love, you can pick to stay silent and not escalate the situation. This Christmas, in case you are worry about conflict, try being self controlled and remaining silent. Let them rant and rage… if you concentrate on Christ you will be an island of peace is a a lot of stressed conflict!
3. PEACE IN BEING OVERLOOKED
Every Christmas lots of you feel overlooked. Overlooked by family, maybe kids who have family. Some of you are dealing with broken families, separation, and some persons here just feel desperately, desperately lonely, especially at Christmas time.
Psalms 68:5-6 (NIV-WS)
A father as well as the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families, he leads for getting prisoners with singing; however the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
If you feel lonely and overlooked this Christmas, defenderless, fatherless, lonely, remember that, whatever your loved ones situation, you have a church family who loves you, this situation at Ignite.
Please don’t be consumed with worry and loneliness this Christmas. You are required, and you'll not be overlooked forever. God says,
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV Strong's)
Humble yourselves, therefore, by the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
So today, in case you are lonely or overlooked, don’t look at those around you, lookup at He who gave His life quicker for you! And cast your anxieties on Him.
4. PEACE IN PAIN
Hurt people hurt people, and if you are in pain, or near any person who is, chances are you’ve been influenced to or have blamed God and attacked others around you. I’ve seen people battling health problems which can affect our lives, or coping with separation and broken relationships, blame God, when it is His expressed desire to prosper you, not to harm you, to offer another as well as a hope.
Pain, hurt, sickness and separation are not God’s fault. The devil and man’s sinful nature are in charge of all the evil and pain you see around you. Sometimes God allows this to occur, but He always it features a greater intend to construct your life and also your character.
Though this Christmas, how can you find peace on earth, even just in physical or psychological pain?
Psalms 34:18-19 (ESV Strong's)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Turn to Jesus this Christmas and allow Him to save your crushed spirit. Though you might have many afflictions, God could be relied upon to offer stop you from each of them, so you can have perfect peace even within pain and suffering this Christmas. Trust Him, and see your eyes off the discomfort!
5. PEACE IN UNEXPLAINED FEAR
Some individuals only ever feel fear once we consider Christmas, not peace on this planet! Sometimes we are overwhelmed by worry, and we aren't even sure exactly what it is that’s causing it!
When Franklin D Roosevelt discovered power in 1933, he faced the depths of the Great Depression. In her inaugural speech, he said these words… “that being said the only thing we should fear is fear itself,” and that is the very nature no matter the fears and anxiety that plagues us this and each Christmas.
Psalms 91:5-7 (ESV Strong's)
You will not fear the terror of the twighlight, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
One thousand may fall by your side, ten thousand at your own right hand, but it will certainly not come near you.
If you appear like you're afraid of just about everything, perhaps you’re not even sure why you fear, then you have to come just before the Lord in prayer and ask Him to beat the fears and anxieties and surround only the peace on earth…
HOW TO FIND PEACE ON EARTH IN YOUR HEART AND MIND
Peace on this planet can be as elusive for those to seek out directly at heads as it is to find that it is out there within the world. It looks like chasing a rainbow… assuming there’can be a pot of gold by the end no matter what the rainbow, the closer you will have, the further it seems to be away.
So this Christmas, how can you find perfect peace whenever there is a serious christmas brings?
Picture this… it’s late at night, you're concerned about tomorrow’s troubles, you possibly can’t sleep. You are attempting to still the mind, however it races at 100 miles an hour.
Does that ever happen to your account? You know that 90% of whatever you concern yourself with never even occurs, but you can't tell the mind that, right?
1. PRAY
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV Strong's)
do not be troubled about anything, however in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made believed to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts plus your minds in Christ Jesus.
So step 1 is to wish, when you are worried and anxious, consider taking your eyes off the circumstances and put them firmly in Jesus. Praying is merely speaking with God, but at first to pray, if you confess your worries (because in any case, they are sin), and the moment you hand the whole situation as much as God, you can experience perfect peace flooding your soul.
2. READ
The very next verse in Philippians shows you how to obtain this perfect peace. It’s not by watching TV, it’s not by taking medication. The peace that truly guards your hearts and minds and protects you in opposition of worry and anxiety…
Philippians 4:8 (ESV Strong's)
Finally, brothers, whichever is true, anything that is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whichever is lovely, everything that is commendable, in case there is any excellence, if there is anything merit praise, take into consideration these things.
If you read His Word, when you meditate on all the things. You start to think about what it says. Then you definately bring your eyes off the circumstances and put them on Christ, and you will experience peace. Reading the Bible every day slowly but surely changes how you're thinking that, speak and behave. Having Scripture in the heart guards it against attack, and allows peace to settle.
It sets the brain on God, and as you you develop eyes upon Him, everything near you grows strangely dim.
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV Strong's)
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
How can you trust someone you have no idea? If some guy in the street asks me for $50, I’m more likely to say no. If my other half asks me, I’m likely, indeed compelled to say yes. What’s the distinction? One I do know and trust, the other is unknown.
Read God’s Word and chat with Him, and peace will flow through you this Christmas.
3. FELLOWSHIP
When we join the circulation together, there is a supernatural strength. That is what Church is about. It’s not about singing, preaching or raising money, it is focused on worshipping together and supporting one another.
People often advice me, “I really like Jesus but hate Church.” I understand this , but they are forgetting on a rate of faith and peace you simply cannot find by yourself. God made us to become His body, joined together. So this Christmas, don’t hate Church, just find the correct because your peace shall be increased if you do.
People often think Church concerns a fascinating time, and huge churches have lights, smoke machines and top class entertainment. You participates, sneak out afterwards and not have to do anything. Though it’s Christian entertainment, folks, not Church. Church is focused on being connected, not being unit!
But exactly what nearly all people today really want just isn't a great experience , they should get a breed of believers who stand with them. The believer is encouraged to placed on the full armour of God…
Ephesians 6:16 (ESV Strong's)
In every circumstances require the shield of faith, with which you'll extinguish all the flaming darts no matter the evil one;
The shield Paul has in mind this is definitely Roman shield, which has been not used by itself but with other soldiers, forming a wall of shields. Your faith can protect you somewhat if you find yourself isolated and by yourself, but when joined web-sites in the church you have a lot of serious protection against the enemies flaming darts.
PEACE, MAN, PEACE
So this Christmas, on the earth cannot offer you peace on earth, but God can. You may let the peace on this planet which passes understanding guard your heart and the mind right now.
But you have to understand this… The peace of God is a present; it is not something we can manipulate and this’s not something we can preorder from a list or an internet site, because it's you should of could constitute one with Him. It's the result of disengaging and letting God control and worry about what is going on within your life.
When our relationship with Jesus is powerful and adversity strikes, we are not obliged to crumble or give in to worry and anxiety. We can pick, and notice that it is just one choice, we may choose to have a home in the steadfast and strong confidence of His love, His wisdom, His power, and His provision.
This is the basis of His unshakable peace across the world—not which we able to do to your house controlling circumstances, but that His assistance is ever-present and perfect to offer us in nearly every challenge we face. True peace is inner peace with God, regardless of the circumstances, and also in war we can be at peace.
So this Christmas, let not your heart be troubled. Let the peace of God flood your life.
In case you are dreading something about this particular Christmas, when you've got fear, anxiety, worry or anything else, you moment to obtain us stand along with you and pray for peace across the world to people who have whom He is pleased.
However if you simply don’t think God is delighted with you, when you don’t know Him or in case you have been running from Him, or ignoring a Him, then we have to solve that first. If you're far from God, or have never asked Him within your life, this will be your moment
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