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Jesus, Prince of Peace

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6, NASB

Jesus,_Prince_of_Peace_picturePeace.

It can be an elusive feeling … like last night when I turned into the Krispy Kreme parking lot. Cars looped around the building as people purchased donuts in a crazy mad rush. Or when I drove down the road, vehicles clogged my typically quiet route. The closer Christmas gets, the more I want to be done “out there” so I can retreat into the solace of my home.

Yet even in our homes—especially in our homes—peace can elude us. Familial tensions, simmering slowly and erupting suddenly, can invade the very place we expect to find peace … particularly during the holiday season.

Then there’s us: individuals filled with purpose or numb without purpose. Pressing and pushing through each day, we crave peace. Sadly, some never reach or attain it. Internal rest eludes them as they stumble along life’s pathway, hoping they’ll eventually find what they’re looking for.

But peace isn’t a feeling—it’s a Person. Peace isn’t a dream—it’s a reality.

On a hustling, bustling night over 2,000 years ago, peace came to earth wrapped in the skin of a tiny baby Boy. In the midst of a government ordered census that created crowds of weary travelers, into a world full of family dramas, and into the human realm comprised of seekers and finders, Peace entered.

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:14

His name is Jesus, Prince of Peace.

The Savior of the world IS our peace. We can search our whole lives through, wrestle with truth, and deny ourselves of this pure and perfect One who grants peace. Or, we can place our faith in Him and allow His peace to wash over us. Like gentle water flowing into a parched land, Christ pours peace into the cracked places of our hearts and lives.

JESUS, Prince of Peace. He’s the Way, the Truth, and the Life who reconciles us to God, restoring our relationship with Him.

“For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross…” Colossians 1:19-20

Dear one, are you seeking? Christ is the only One who can blanket your heart with lasting peace. I pray you come to Him today, just as He came to earth so long ago. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31).

May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts today. Despite the world’s unrest and whatever turmoil exists in our lives, let’s trust the Prince of Peace to settle and sustain us.

Christ’s peace, secured through His blood, eternally wraps us in our Father’s embrace.

Until next time,

Emily

photo credit: Sunset Through Trees via photopin (license)

Jesus is Sending Us

 “Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.”
Luke 10:3 (NLT)

3d illustration: Land and a group of suitcases. To take a vacation rental

 

Before they leave, Jesus tells His disciples to “remember that I am sending you.” Like these disciples, we are not stepping out and leaving our comfort zones to satisfy our own agendas, but because we have been called and sent by God Himself. What a privilege we have to be the hands and feet of Christ to those around us. There is no greater honor than to be used by God to further the work of His kingdom. Let’s praise God today for the opportunities He sets before us to show other’s the love of Christ, and ask Him to use us to accomplish His purpose. May His will be done and may His name alone be glorified.

Prayerfully,

Madison

 

Photo credit: http://www.freeimages.com/photographer/Kolobsek-78179

WHAT DO DIETS & ELEPHANTS HAVE IN COMMON? PART 2

Romans 6:14-16a NLB

“Sin need never again be your master, for now you are no longer tied to the law where sin enslaves you, but you are free under God’s favor and mercy. Does this mean that now we can go ahead and sin and not worry about it? (For our salvation does not depend on keeping the law, but on receiving God’s grace!) Of course not! Don’t you realize  you can choose your own master? You can choose sin (with death) or else obedience (with acquittal)

So, as I said yesterday, when tempted to follow our propensities, we need to refocus! Quick! Before our thoughts of ice cream and chocolate fudge syrup get the best of us! You see, what we think about it is what we will do. Paul gave us the secret in verse 14, when he reminds us we are free from sin…from poor choices… after we’ve received God’s forgiveness through Christ Jesus.

But we forget that we are free.

file0001097846332Like the baby elephant named Dufus, a cute and energetic little guy, born into the circus. At birth, the keeper chained Dufus to a stake in the ground. With a desire for freedom, he pulled against the chain and felt the painful resistance.  Having no idea God created him to overcome the resistance, Dufus soon submitted to the insignificant power of the chain. He gave up his freedom and submitted to a lie.

The lie we often submit to is one straight from the pit of hell!  You know, the lie that says we can’t break free from the chains of our past, or the sin that beckons us today.  Unlike the circus elephant, we can know the truth, and that truth will set us free! The truth is this:  Jesus already paid the price for our sin, and the moment we accept Him, He sets us free. Our chains to sin have been broken. The power to overcome is in us, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Sin need never again be your master, for now you are no longer tied to the law where sin enslaves you, but you are free under God’s favor and mercy.”

So, let’s you and I not be a Dufus. Let’s recognize that we are free from the power of sin. We are not tied to it anymore. Because once the Son has set us free – we are free indeed!

 Until next time,

Your Traveling Partner,

Brenda