And the angel known to them, “Fear not, for behold, I present you with good news of valuable joy that is going to be for your people. For unto you is born today in the town of David a Savior, who's Christ the Lord. And you will see it an indication quicker for you: you can see a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying within the manger.” And suddenly really wish in the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the very best,
and on earth peace among individuals that have whom he's pleased!”
When the angels went steer clear from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to the other, “Allow us to give an overview of to Bethlehem and see this thing which has happened, which is a situation Lord has made believed to us.”
WHAT PEACE?
As human beings, it appears we have no knowledge of peace in any respect!
During the last 3,400 years of human history, there have only been a reported 268 many years of peace. Within the 20th century alone greater than 105 million folks have been killed in wars, and also as we speak today men, women and kids are losing their lives in conflicts all over the planet, many of which are so mundane they cannot rate a mention in our news.
Mankind loves conflict. Just look at families! When the Bible says Peace on this planet, in any respect is it writing about?
PIECES ON EARTH, NOT PEACE ON EARTH
We live in a fallen world, where truly talking often about peace but rarely obtain it. We attempt for peace, but only ever grasp at the illusion of peace, as a mirage in which the closer we get to peace, the further away it genuinely seems.
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain visited Munich in 1938 to meet with Hitler, who was continually posturing towards war through land from surrounding countries like Czechoslovakia. He was that presented an assurance that forget about demands would be made, and he returned to Britain holding aloft the written assurance and proclaiming “Peace in your time.” A year later, the biggest and the majority of devastating war in human history erupted… Peace was never further away!
Even today Peace is illusive. My memory serves me watching the wall come down in Berlin, watching 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 this planet, we have pieces! Let’a brief passage
Luke 2:14 (KJV Strong's)
Glory to God in the best, and on this planet peace, good will toward men.
The KJV, which some believe which is the simple true translation, gets this very, confusingly wrong. It shows that peace and good will is proclaimed to everyone men, but this is not the purport of the passage.
Luke 2:14 (ESV Strong's)
“Glory to God in the best, and across the world peace among people who have whom he's pleased!”
This passage is proclaiming peace to people who have whom He (God) looks great pleased. The peace which the angels offer isn’t for everybody, it is just for those with whom God is please, anyone who has 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 are not going to be Peace on this planet for those men until Jesus returns.
When these words were spoken from the angels to the shepherds, Roman Peace (Pax Romana) were valid since 27 BC. Previous to this, the Romans had invaded countries, slaughtered some people, enslaved the rest and declared peace! But the lack of war doesn't guarantee peace.
The Stoic philosopher Epictetus said, “While emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he has trouble 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 implies well-being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness. It requires to do more with character than circumstances, and it is study about inner peace than the absence of external conflict. Life at the moment was difficult, just as it is today. Taxes were high, unemployment was high, morals were slipping lower, plus the military state was in control. Roman law, Greek philosophy, and also Jewish religion could not meet the requirements of men’s hearts. So, God sent His Son!
I WANT A PEACE OF IT!
Take a look at our society today. There may be war across the globe, fact is that there is war here in our society as well.
We face a war against morality, where militant gay activists have just won a battle. It’s a war from the sexes, it’may be a war against our children. There’s no peace here. Many of us who hold to God’s view of marriage plus the family are attacked constantly, but even among the LGBT community, there has to be peace?
In accordance with their very own figures, and even with the use of the media totally on their side, gay young people are 5 times almost certainly going to attempt suicide, and transgenders are 11 times more likely. Almost 50 % transgenders attempt suicide, whether or not they to get the transition or possibly not, so you can not have let me know 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 before… that’s not Peace across the world is it? Unions and employers bicker, husbands and wife’s fight, kids and oldsters argue… there isn't any peace in our society, even at Christmas!
And Advertising screams at us all the time, “Buy this, have this, do this,” but none of they provide a feeling of peace that lasts. You could really have essentially the most wonderful holiday, and you ve kept to come home to reality, right?
The best way to inner peace just isn't demanding and getting your own way! Certainly one of life’s great paradoxes is that an increasing number you fight, the more consistently you claw and scratch, the more you demand, the less peace you get.
Isaiah 48:22 (ESV)
“There is no such thing as a peace,” says the Lord, “for your wicked.”
With no God, should you not know Jesus, there isn't any peace! I didn’t say it, God says it. And if you look around at society this Christmas, you can make sure it is 100% true.
But Paul writes this…
Romans 5:1 (ESV)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
True peace, peace with God, and peace within ourselves. That’s what the angels proclaimed at the primary Christmas… Choose the promised child and you'll discover true peace. Look at the thing that was predicted for 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 ought to be upon his shoulder:
amazing 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, stuffed with fear for ourselves, our nation, our futures, our country’s morals, our finances, our families, on a planet stuffed with selfishness and sin and fear, we you'll find peace. This Christmas, you may experience true peace, inner peace, lasting peace.
PEACE FROM WHAT?
Life is full of worries and anxieties. As Christmas approaches, do you feel anxious? Worried about finances, concerned with family interaction, concerned with being alone this Christmas?
People fear numerous things. When that is focussed and irrational, we it is known as a phobia. And phobias come in bewildering variety…
Xanthophobia- fear of the colour yellow
Turophobia- fear of cheese
Omphalophobia- fear of bellybuttons
Pogonophobia- fear of beards
Frigatriskaideaphobia- fear of long words (ironic)
Papa phobia- fear no matter the pope
Hylophobia- fear of trees and woods
Coulrophobia- fear of clowns (I feel we will all deal with that), and here’s a contemporary one…
Nomophobia- fear of getting without cell phone coverage, and professional on this field say, the bulk the individuals in your country suffer the pain of this!
Some of you here fear a surprisingly large number of things as Christmas approaches. Who among us lacks financial fear, worried that we all have enough money to really enjoy Christmas and aqcuire presents for the children or grandkids. Many have anxiety about acquiring the family together plus the inevitable conflicts.
John 14:27 (ESV Strong's)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I share with you. Not as on earth gives do I offer to you. Let not your hearts worry, neither allow them to be afraid.
HOW CAN YOU FIND REAL PEACE THIS CHRISTMAS?
You won’t find peace on this planet in this world. Politicians cannot debate and provides us peace, lawmakers cannot legislate Peace. Pop stars can’t provide it to you personally by songs, actors cannot fool you involved with it, and also religion can’t create peace in your world (even when it calls itself peace although it’s blowing you up!).
Only Jesus, only a hurtful relationship with Him, only having His Holy Spirit living within you can give you peace. So let’s consider looking at among the anxieties you face this Christmas, and never what I use the phrase about peace, but what exactly Jesus brings you early today…
1. PEACE IN LACK
In case you are worried about finances this Christmas, and I number myself among these, then Jesus knows and understands. We worry so much about acquiring and experiencing the things of this planet, but worry is like a rocking horse… it keeps your mind occupied, nevertheless you don’t actually get anywhere.
Matthew 6:25-27 (ESV Strong's)
“Therefore I inform you, do not be concerned of your life, what you may will eat or what you may will drink, nor of your body, whatever you will put on. Is just not life greater than food, and the entire 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 persons by being anxious will add one single hour to his span of life?
Stop, look at your life right now. Can you add even just one hour to it by worrying? Nope, nobody can. But I have realized a great key towards stopping worry and anxiety about money and other things in my life. And I’m not even that clever, because a few verses later, Jesus tells us the reply…
Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV Strong's)
Therefore don't be troubled, saying, ‘What we could eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What lets wear?’ When it comes to the Gentiles seek in spite of everything these items, plus your heavenly Father knows that you want them all. But seek first the kingdom of God brilliant righteousness, and all these things will be added onto you.
This is a Christian paradox that I have proven true again and again… in the event you bother about, obsess about and strive for the cash, things, clothes and food, they appear to elude you. Should you seek first His Kingdom, if you decide on your mind on loving and approaching to God, this stuff seem to come along almost miraculously. And in the event that they don’t, you don’t care since you tend to be more focusing on God!
Paul wrote
Philippians 4:11-12 (ESV Strong's)
I am not saying I am these are being around need, for I got to know in whatever situation I am it really does not have to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I already know how to abound. In different and each circumstance, I got to know the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
You could have peace the world over, true peace the world over and contentment whether you have a lot or a little this Christmas!
2. PEACE IN CONFLICT
For all those worrying about family conflict, whichever is arrayed against you, you can have peace in the midst of all that conflict. Don't fear this Christmas, but listen to precisely 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 and love and self-control.
A sound mind is self control. How lots of you be aware that, whenever the family gets together, it merely requires one misplaced word and things escalate from there. Listen, some of you have to learn the power of shutting your mouth. The power of holding your tongue, regardless of how offended you could be!
It doesn't matter what other people saying who you love, you can choose to stay silent and not escalate the situation. This Christmas, if you are worried about conflict, try being self controlled and remaining silent. Let them rant and rage… if you concentrate on Christ you can be an island of peace this is definitely a lot of stressed conflict!
3. PEACE IN BEING OVERLOOKED
Every Christmas many of you feel overlooked. Overlooked by family, maybe kids who have their own family. A few of you're coping with broken families, separation, and some persons here just feel desperately, desperately lonely, especially at Christmas time.
Psalms 68:5-6 (NIV-WS)
A parent beyond just the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in her holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families, he leads to get prisoners with singing; however the rebellious have a home in a sun-scorched land.
If you feel lonely and overlooked this Christmas, defenderless, fatherless, lonely, do not forget that, whatever your family situation, have the ear of a church family who loves you, the following at Ignite.
Please don’t be consumed with worry and loneliness this Christmas. You are required, and you will not be overlooked forever. God says,
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV Strong's)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God in order that at the correct time he might exalt you, casting all of your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
So today, if you're lonely or overlooked, don’t look at those around you, search for at He who gave His life simpler for you! And cast your anxieties on Him.
4. PEACE IN PAIN
Hurt people hurt people, and if you are in pain, or near a person, likelihood is you’ve been lured to or have already blamed God and attacked others around you. I’ve seen people battling health issues, or coping with separation and broken relationships, blame God, when it is His expressed yearning to prosper you, to not harm you, to offer an additional plus a hope.
Pain, hurt, sickness and separation aren't God’s fault. The devil and man’s sinful nature take care of all of the evil and pain you notice around you. Sometimes God allows this if it affects, but He always it provides a greater have plans to build your life plus your character.
Though this Christmas, how are you going to find peace across the world, 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.
The majority are the afflictions whatever the righteous, however the Lord delivers him out of which all.
Turn to Jesus this Christmas and allow Him to save your crushed spirit. Though you might have many afflictions, God might be relied upon to produce prohibit you from all of these, so you will have perfect peace even in pain and suffering this Christmas. Trust Him, and see your eyes off the discomfort!
5. PEACE IN UNEXPLAINED FEAR
Us only ever feel fear once we think of Christmas, not peace the world over! Sometimes we are overwhelmed by worry, and we're not even sure what it is that’s causing it!
When Franklin D Roosevelt came to power in 1933, he faced the depths no matter what the Great Depression. In inaugural speech, he explained these words… “the single thing we should fear is fear itself,” and this is now the same nature no matter what the fears and anxiety that plagues us this and each Christmas.
Psalms 91:5-7 (ESV Strong's)
You won't fear the phobia of the dark, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, 10000 at the right hand, but it won't come near you.
When you appear like you might be afraid of almost everything, perhaps’re not even sure why you fear, then you should come prior to a Lord in prayer and ask for Him to beat the fears and anxieties and surround just peace on earth…
HOW TO FIND PEACE ON EARTH IN YOUR HEART AND MIND
Peace the world over is really as elusive on our behalf to find directly at heads while it is to see it to be out there within the world. It is chasing a rainbow… if there’could be a pot of gold in the end no matter the rainbow, the closer you get, the further it appears to be away.
So this Christmas, how are you going to find perfect peace regardless of what the winter holiday brings?
Picture this… it’s after midnight, you might be worry about tomorrow’s troubles, you may’t sleep. You are trying to still your mind, nevertheless it races at 100 miles an hour.
Does that ever happen to you? You know that 90% of whatever you bother about never even occurs, but you cannot tell the mind that, right?
1. PRAY
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV Strong's)
do not be anxious about anything, yet in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made regarded by God. And of course the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts along with your minds in Christ Jesus.
So 1st step is to hope, if you end up worried and anxious, bring your eyes off of the circumstances and put them firmly in Jesus. Praying is exactly actually talking to God, but once you begin to hope, when you confess your worries (because in spite of everything, they're sin), and when you hand the whole situation approximately God, you'll be able to experience perfect peace flooding your soul.
2. READ
The following verse in Philippians demonstrates the steps to to acquire this perfect peace. It’s not by watching TV, it’s not if you take medication. The peace that truly guards your hearts and minds and protects you against worry and anxiety…
Philippians 4:8 (ESV Strong's)
Finally, brothers, anything that is true, anything that is honourable, anything that is just, everything that is pure, anything that is lovely, whichever is commendable, if there happen to be any excellence, if there is anything merit praise, take into consideration these things.
In the event you read His Word, should you meditate on all of those things. You start to think about what it says. Then you definitely take your eyes over the circumstances and position them on Christ, and you will experience peace. Reading the Bible daily slowly but surely changes how you think that, speak and behave. Having Scripture in the heart guards it against attack, and allows peace to settle.
It sets the mind on God, and as you you transform your eyes upon Him, everything who you love grows strangely dim.
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV Strong's)
You retain him in perfect peace whose thoughts are stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
How will you trust someone you do not know? If some guy in the street asks me for $50, I’m likely to say no. If my spouse asks me, I’m likely, indeed compelled to say yes. What’s what i mean? One I do know and trust, the other is unknown.
Read God’s Word and spend time with Him, and peace will flow through you this Christmas.
3. FELLOWSHIP
Once we join our hearts together, there's 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 like Jesus but hate Church.” I understand this , but they also are forgetting on a rate of faith and peace you simply cannot find by yourself. God made us to get His body, joined together. So this Christmas, don’t hate Church, just find the best possible because your peace will be increased should you do.
People often think Church is focused on a lovely experience, and large churches have lights, smoke machines and first class entertainment. You goes to, sneak out afterwards and avoid having to do anything. However the status quo’s Christian entertainment, folks, not Church. Church is about being connected, not being a person!
But exactly what many people today actually need is not a fascinating time , they should get a group of believers who stand with them. The believer is inspired to put on the complete armour of God…
Ephesians 6:16 (ESV Strong's)
In all of the circumstances require the shield of religion, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts no matter what the evil one;
The shield Paul has take into consideration this is definitely Roman shield, that's not used singly but with other soldiers, forming a wall of shields. Your faith can protect you a little if you end up isolated and by yourself, but when joined with others in the people of god you have some serious defense against the enemies flaming darts.
PEACE, MAN, PEACE
So this Christmas, on the earth cannot give you peace across the world, but God can. You may allow peace the world over which passes understanding guard your heart and one's mind right now.
But you should understand this… The peace of God is a present; it isn't something we can manipulate and it’s not something we can preorder from a listing or a web site, because it's you can of is one with Him. It is the result of disengaging and letting God control and concern yourself with what is happening in your life.
When our relationship with Jesus is robust and adversity strikes, we do not have to crumble or give up to worry and anxiety. We can pick, and find it is a choice, we can pick to reside in the steadfast and clear confidence of His love, His wisdom, His power, and His provision.
Here is the basis of His unshakable peace on this planet—not that we able to do to your house controlling circumstances, however the status quo His help is ever-present and perfect to produce us in almost any challenge we face. True peace is inner peace with God, whatever the circumstances, and also in war we may be at peace.
So this Christmas, let not your heart be troubled. Allow 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, this applies to you moment to have us stand together with you and pray for peace on earth to individuals that have whom He is pleased.
But if you don’t think God is satisfied with you, if you don’t know Him or when you've got been running from Him, or ignoring a Him, then we have to solve that first. If you're removed from God, or have not asked Him inside of life, this have you noticed your moment
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