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John 14:27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts Be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

I love this time of year! The lights, the shopping, Christmas music on the radio, and singing them with my family is something I just enjoy doing during this season. It brings back so many beautiful memories I’ve had as a child, and over the years with loved ones etc. It also breaks my heart that some of those loved ones are no longer around.  For many, Christmas may not be the same as the years past, and maybe we even begin to question God Why? How can we have peace in such a time as this? Especially when we find ourselves in the middle of a pandemic, that we can’t even see our loved one’s face to face?  We may even ask Him “what is the meaning of this peace that you left and gave to us?” 

One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that peace isn’t something we feel because everything is working our way. But peace is something I have inside of my life because I know everything is going to be alright. Often times, whenever we experience something difficult in our personal life, we are tempted to blame God. But we are the ones in the wrong not God. Blaming God is evidence that we are refusing to let go of some disobedience somewhere in our lives, and as soon as we let go, everything becomes as clear as daylight to us. That is why our attitude must be one of complete reliance on God. Once we get to this point there is nothing easier than living the life of a saint.  

I’ve learned that God’s mark of approval, whenever you obey Him, is peace. He sends an immeasurable, deep peace; not a natural peace, “as the world gives”, but the peace of Jesus. This is why peace is something we either wait for to come or something we seek to find out why it’s not coming.  

Many of the questions I have about life and situations arise whenever I cease to obey Him and his Word.  I also learned that when I do obey God, problems come, not between me and God, but as a means to keep my mind examining with amazement the revealed truth of God. But any problem that comes between God and me is the result of disobedience. This doesn’t mean that I will have no problems when I’m right with God, because problems come all the time. But when I am in obedience to God and problems come, there will be a sense of inner peace and joy because I know that my father knows and cares. This then allows me to wait with anticipation that HE will unravel my problems.  

The other day I heard some disturbing news about a good friend and their battle with cancer. I expected to hear them distraught with fear or anger, but instead all I could hear was their voice of concern with not being able to serve the people, all while having perfect peace with their future.  This is the type of peace Jesus came to give us. The type where nothing can interfere with our faith and hope in HIM.

 “Lord, I pray that these next 24 days till Christmas, will fill our hearts with the Joy and Peace that only Jesus Can Give!  May each person that reads these devotions be encouraged and make their life right with you and begin to obey your word, so that they can experience the type of Peace you desired for us to Live.   Amen!”