ANOTHER YEAR IS DAWNING

 

January 1, 2025

Frances Ridley Havergal, the well-known British hymnwriter, found that most verses on greeting cards were not very memorable. I am sure you have found this to be true as well. Standing in an aisle of greeting cards trying to find the right words for a loved one or friend. Frances, was known to send New Year's greetings to her friends which would include a poem.

In 1872, when she was thirty-six years old, she wrote “Another Year Is Dawning,” printed it on a specially designed greeting card, and sent it to her friends. Over it was the caption, “A Happy New Year! Ever such may it be!”

Here is the poem she sent, that has become a frequently sung New Year’s hymn. I like to use her words as a New Year's Prayer, today I invite you to join me in praying these words as we begin the year 2025.

The poem is based on the following three scriptures:

 Exodus 33:13-14

13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

 

Joshua 1:9

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

 

Psalm 90:12

12 Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

 

 

Let Us Pray,

Another year is dawning
Dear Father let it be
In working or in waiting
Another year with Thee

Another year of progress
Another year of praise
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days

Another year of mercies
Of faithfulness and grace
Another year of gladness
In the shining of Thy face

Another year of leaning
Upon Thy loving breast
Another year of trusting
Of quiet happy rest

Another year of service
Of witness for Thy love
Another year of training
For holier work above

Another year is dawning
Dear Father let it be
On earth or else in heaven
Another year for Thee

 

CHRISTMASTIDE

 

DECEMBER 30. 2024

Titus 2:11

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Christmastide, is sometimes referred to as the Twelve Days of Christmas, that begins on December 25 and continues until January 6, when the season of Epiphany begins. Christmastide celebrates the coming of the light into the world that has shattered the world's darkness by the birth of Jesus.

As we wonder at the birth of the Christ child, we reflect on the
story’s many surprises: a faithful pregnant virgin, a baby born in a make-do setting, and the announcement, not to monarchs, but to shepherds going about their everyday lives. 

Christmas and the season of Christmastide reveals the mystery of grace and God’s presence with us, coming unexpectedly and intimately. So, the comprehending of the meaning of this great revelation needs more than one day, once a year, to reflect on these things. It takes a season. 

God has come among us. In becoming human, God shows absolute commitment to humanity and creation. Things can never be the same again. 

Over the next few days of Christmastide I want to invite us to reflect on the following questions, 

What can this season of Christmastide mean for us?

What questions would you like to ask God about the Christmas story?

What is your favorite part of the Christmas story?

What part of Christmas most affects your faith?

How does Christmas challenge the idea that God is out there someplace?

GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES

DECEMBER 31, 2024

1 Corinthians 1:20


All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!”
And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
He has anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,
guaranteeing what is to come. Amen!


2 Peter 1:4

[God] "has given us his very great and precious promises"


Well, 2024 is just a few hours away from being history, and a New Year 2025 will be upon us. This is a day that we both look back at the year behind us, and look ahead to the future of a New Year about to begin. What a year this has been! So many things have happened. Some of them have been wonderful; others very heart breaking and sad.

Perhaps an opening prayer today is fitting,

God, I thank You for Your faithfulness throughout this year.
For every blessing, lesson, and challenge, I give You praise.
Your steadfast love has been my anchor, and Your grace has carried me through. Even in moments of weakness and doubt, sorrow and sadness, Your love remained constant. Thank You for being my refuge and strength.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

There is no greater source of hope than God’s faithful declaration to be close to each and everyone of us. Over and over our God declares “I will be with you.” That is our Creator's promise. Today I want to remind you of an important truth which is: “God is Closer than you Think!”

As children of the true and living God, our confidence is founded on God’s promise to be near, close, with us, for us, among us. This "presence" reality should be at the core of our hope. This is indeed one of those "great and precious promises" that are "Yes ... through Christ."

As we make space for God’s presence today, and everyday, I pray that he fills us with a new measure of hope that is based on the reality that we are not alone, God is with us. Know that this presence of God gives us strength and courage in life. I am reminded of Joshua and God's promise to him as he assumed leadership of God's people following Moses death. I believe it holds a promise for all of us. God said to Joshua, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. . . . Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

These are some good thoughts to occupy our minds with on this New Years Eve as we turn toward 2025. I believe Psalm 105:4 gives us some very helpful advice,

Keep your eyes open for God, 

watch for God’s works; 

be alert for signs of God’s presence.

LET US PRAY


Show me, Lord.
Help me notice.Your presence with me.
Surprise me, by your nearness.
Amen


“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

 

December 26, 2024



Luke 4:18-19

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”



When I use the words, the work of Christmas, what do you think of?

Howard Thurman, published a poem called The Work of Christmas which goes like this:

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.

The Poem's work of Christmas, is based in the Gospel of Jesus Christ: “…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)

The focus of the Bible is not on what cannot be accomplished. (Which can be my focus at times) The Bible’s focus is just the opposite. Jesus taught “…all things are possible for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23). Paul wrote “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

Repeatedly the Bible reveals that God is a can-do God: “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” (Ephesians 3:20, The Message).

Let’s be honest, individually, alone we can’t accomplish much of the things we are called to do. However, as a part of the body of Christ, the Community of Jesus, we can do much together.

The work of Christmas requires an attitude that with God, we can do what God calls us to do. The work of Christmas, because it is the work of Jesus, becomes for us a lifelong Christian calling. It begins by caring about the things Jesus cared about. Truly, We CAN do all things through CHRIST who strengthens US.

Luke 1:37
"For nothing is impossible with God."

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 25

 

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Colossians 1:19-20

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

True peace, the peace that calms our souls and anchors us through every circumstance, begins with peace with God. In our world, peace is often sought through temporary fixes, distractions, or achievements. By comparison to the patterns of our culture, Colossians 1:19-20, explains that through Jesus Christ, God has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. This peace, God's peace, not only calms current fears and worries but also transforms our whole relationship with God.

Finding peace with God, the Bible tells us, is realizing that sin has caused a separation between us and our Creator. Without Christ, humanity remains disconnected from experiencing the fullness of God's presence and joy. The Bible doesn't stop there, we further learn that through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, God made a way for us to be fully reconciled, removing the walls that sin erects that keeps us "far off" from God's peace. Placing our faith in Jesus, we are no longer separated for our loving creator, but brought into a relationship of loving acceptance as a child of God.


Jesus’ peace is especially powerful because it goes beyond just calming our fears; it breaks down the barriers dividing us from God and each other. Jesus has reconciled us to God through His sacrificial death on the cross.


Having peace with God doesn’t mean life will be without hardship, what it does provide is an inner assurance that we are not alone, that we are valued and precious, and that our future is held in God’s hands.


Living in Christ’s peace also transforms how we relate to others. This peace with God invites us to live differently. Knowing we are reconciled, we can extend grace to others, forgive more freely, and live with a confidence that radiates from God’s love within us.


Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, breaking down barriers and extending His love to those around us. When we embody this peace, what a witness it is, for we show that true peace is a gift received through Jesus, our Prince of Peace not through circumstances: quiet moments, resolved conflicts, or life’s calm spaces. These external sources are fleeting and can be disrupted at any moment. However, the peace that Christ offers is steady, enduring, and rooted in His nature. It is the kind of peace that remains through both joy and sorrow, victory and trial.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”


This concludes our series of devotions "HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE".

May the hope of God,

The peace of Christ,

And the joy of the Spirit.

Be with you. Amen

Have a Blessed Christmas Day!!

YOU ARE LOVED

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 24

 

December 24, 2024

Galatians 5:22

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

God's peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is a fruit of the Spirit that takes root and grows in our lives as we walk closely with our creator. In the Galatians verse above, peace is listed as one of the key qualities that the Spirit produces in us, reflecting the nature and presence of God within us.

This peace is deep, abiding, and transforms. It shapes how we respond to life's ups and downs, and grounds us in the calm assurance that God is in control. This peace is not fleeting or dependent  on our circumstances, no, this peace stays with us in uncertainty. This Peace is a gift from God, it is the outcome of the surrender of our fears, and the gratitude and thanks to our God for the gift of peace that follows.

The peace God gives us, is a growing peace, it affects not only our own lives but also our interactions with others. God’s peace equips us to be peacemakers, responding to others with patience and grace. When we reflect this peace, we become a living witness to God’s presence, showing others the rest and comfort He offers.

As we spend time praying, worshiping, and discovering God's Word, the Holy Spirit nourishes us.  Gradually, we will notice a change, that trusting in God's plan will replace fear and the need for control. Through His peace, we gain freedom from worry, and we learn to rest in His promises and presence.

He is our PEACE!!

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 23

 

December 23, 2024

 

Isaiah 9:6–7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. 


Peace, as an idea, is immensely popular. We love talking about it, posting about it, dreaming about it and planning for it.

But it sure can be elusive, can't it?

Despite its universal appeal, peace doesn’t mark our world, and I  don’t simply mean unsettling headlines from Israel, Palestine, Syria, Ukraine, Russia or some other distant lands in conflict. Even in the safest neighborhoods, the highest paying jobs, a strong economy, falling crime rates, for most countries, peace remains out of reach. 

Seven centuries before the Messiah's birth, the prophet Isaiah issued a message of hope. Addressing the Israelites, who were about to be exiled for their rebellion and idolatry, he pointed them to a future time when a solution, would come from God himself. In fact, Isaiah says the remedy would be God himself.

This coming gift is cosmic in proportion and yet intensely personal.  And the gift is divine: the promised child will be the “Mighty God.” We also note that it’s a gift tied to the very thing that eludes us. The promised child will also be called the “Prince of Peace”, a fitting title because, there will be no end to “the increase of his government and of peace.” See that? No exceptions, no elusiveness, no expiration date.

The baby in the manger didn’t stay there, he grew up and obeyed his Father to the point of death, even death on a cross. On the Cross Jesus made peace between God and humankind through his death. (see Eph. 2:14–17).

No other religion teaches anything like this. Each one insists, in some form or another, that a person must achieve the peace of God, which is also why it never happens. In Christianity, however, you can

receive the peace of God, through trusting Jesus;

enjoy the peace of God, through following Jesus;

and spread the peace of God, through proclaiming Jesus.

Bottom line is, if we want to experience the peace of God, we must know the God of peace. And if you want to know the God of peace, you must embrace his only begotten Son.

Real peace isn’t found in a successful job or a secure neighborhood, or any of the other pursuits  the world temps us with. It’s not found in food or exercise or travel or holiday cheer. No, peace is only found in the Prince of it. For Jesus is our peace.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings
Risen with healing in his wings

– Charles Wesley, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

 

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 22

 

December 22, 2024

2 Timothy 1:6-7

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.



Whether the threat is real or imagined, physical or mental, near-at-hand or somewhere out there, our fears exert a powerful influence over us. Fears can drive us inward and downward, deeper into ourselves, rather than upward and outward towards God. When
we are caught in the grip of our fears, the temptation will always be to look to our own resources to save ourselves. Self-dependence comes naturally. God-dependence does not. This is precisely why Paul writes: to speak a steadying gospel word to his struggling
co-worker Timothy.

The name Timothy means “God-fearer.” He had been raised by a Christian mother, mentored by the Apostle Paul, with more than a decade of intense ministry experience under his belt, we might
assume Timothy to be a fearless, a fierce veteran. Instead, what we get from this "God-fearer" is a seasoned pastor wrestling with his own anxieties and fears; uncertain and unsettled about next steps.

We need to recognize that the dangers Timothy faced in Ephesus were real, not imagined. Ephesus had a history of resistance to gospel messangers. Whether it was fierce resistance by the Jews (Acts 19:9), demons overpowering exorcists (Acts 19:16), or violent rioting in the streets (Acts 19:21-41), Ephesus was a tough calling, not a place we might say, for the "faint of heart".

Instead of a spirit of fear, says Paul, God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (self-control). Timothy needed the counsel of the Apostle to remind him that God has given us a stronger spirit, than the spirit of fear. Perfect love, which casts out all fear (1 John 4:18), was displayed most fully at the cross, where Jesus died in victory, at the cross Jesus broke "the power of cancelled sin and set the captive free", as Charles Wesley's hymn says. In his resurrection, Jesus defeated death. 

Through Jesus, we have this Power at work in us. The word "power" comes from the Greek "dynamis", from which we get the English word for dynamite. This power given to Jesus followers blasts the insecurities that threaten us. I think of the words from 1 John 4:4 "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” And a sound mind/self control comes from the peace of a healed relationship with the Prince of Peace, God himself.

That is a reminder for us today, we are God's beloved people, so let us fan into flame the gift of God.

Almighty God,
direct my gaze away from my own resources and
toward the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

 

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 21, 2024

 

December 21, 2024

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. 

And be thankful

Have you ever noticed that the Apostle Paul loves to compare the past and the present in his letters through his use of “were” and “are”: We were one thing, but now we are another. He does this even as he warns Christians still caught in the practices of the past, to remember who they are and live a new life. Something has happened to the Christian, and it’s serious. A change has happened, which leads to more changes, which are the fruit of this new relationship.

In this chapter of Colossians 3, Paul writes about the Christian life. It’s the Christian life not just because the Christian lives it, but even more because it’s lived in Christ. Christ is our life, and our lives are hidden in him.

We were. We were a lot of things. At times, we may still feel like we are those things. But, we are not those things. We have been liberated.


Truth is, that "were" (Old Life) is indeed a persistent nuisance. It attaches itself to us, lingers in the recesses of our minds, and whispers in our ears. We must remember that we are someone who is being made new in Christ. We are, here and now, God's new creation and Jesus is making all things new including us.

Today, be thankful, because that is what we are. We are God’s own children and that is our peace, the peace of Christ that passes understanding but stands guard over our lives.

Lord Jesus,
there is much that we once were that still plagues
and tempts us. That is not who we are now because
we are yours. Rule in our hearts and make us ever new.

Amen

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 20

 

December 20, 2024

Colossians 1:19-20

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to
dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.



The eternal God, creator of all things, the righteous and holy One, took on flesh and became human. Incarnation. Everytime I read the above passage I am struck by one word in particular. It is the word "pleased". God's attitude toward the Incarnation, becoming human, was that he was "pleased." I think if the passage above said God was "willing" that might have been the best we should have hoped for. But no. Paul tells us that God was pleased to dwell in human flesh in "all his fullness". This should leave us all amazed!

Why would God be pleased to take on flesh and give his life on the cross for people who .... well for people like you and me. People who, as the Hymn writer puts it, are "prone to wander". A father willing to die for his child is something we understand. But Jesus is pleased to lovingly die for his enemies, that they might receive his gift of love and sacrifice, that they might be among those who receive the "right to be called children of God." I believe this tells us something important: God is all about peace and reconciliation.

In Hebrews 12:2, we are told that Christ endured the cross “for the joy set before him.” That joy is creation’s reconciliation and peace with God. This promise of peace is the message that was spoken to Adam and Eve after the fall. This is the message delivered to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is the message placed in the mouths of the Old Testament prophets and sung by angels to shepherds. And this is the gospel that Christians proclaim and cling to today. Out of incomprehensible  love, God was pleased to become human and shed his blood to bring peace and reconciliation to the world. The Incarnation, Christmas, is the declaration that God is not only willing to make peace with you and me, he is pleased to do it.

Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 19

 

December 19, 2024

 

Philippians 4:7

 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

What are you anxious about? Take a moment and give the question some thought. 

Chances are, you woke up to anxieties this morning, or you laid down with them last night. According to recent statistics from StatsCanada in a 12 month period, 6.7% of the population experience anxiety in varying degrees. That is around 2 million of our fellow Canadians.

We can feel anxious for ourselves,  anxious about the well-being of
a loved one, anxious about a relationship, anxious about our job, our church, our country. Whatever it is, Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything.” 

If the Apostle ended things there we would all be in trouble. We have just established the ongoing reality of anxiety that pervades our lives. 

The good news is that Paul doesn’t end on this command. Instead, he gives us one more command, and then finally, a word of proclamation: Do not be anxious, submit everything in prayer; in other words, “Cast your cares on the Lord” (Ps. 55:22). Do these things not for the peace of God, but because of the peace of God.

This peace is Christ himself. This peace transcends all understanding. Think about it this way, If this peace were limited to our understanding, it would be limited to our experience and feelings. However, Christ’s peace will always be more trustworthy than the changing winds of our circumstances. He is a peace that meets us in our need, sustains us in our suffering, and provides answers to our problems. He is the Prince of Peace, born for you and me. This is the good news, "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Yes, we will have anxieties, sometimes intense anxieties, but because of the Peace of Christ, these anxieties will not rule and reign in our lives. The hymn O Holy Night is a favorite at this time of year. The lyrics say, “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn,” highlighting the sense of peace and renewal that comes with the Savior’s birth.

Heavenly Father,
we hand over our anxieties to you, 

NAME Your Anxieties here

knowing that you care about them,
you have suffered for them,
and you have answered them through Christ, your
son, who is our peace.

Amen.

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 18

 

December 18, 2024

 

Romans 8:15

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

 

What comfort these verses hold for us. In the Old Testament there are many titles for God, Creator, LORD, or Shepherd all of them great names with powerful meanings. In the New Testament the name or title for God that stands out is the name "Father." Jesus taught us to use this name for the God of Creation. Jesus was decribing for us the intimacy and familiarity that we can have with God.

We are invited, one might say even commanded to call God, Father. Think about it the person through whom we are brought into the family of God, Jesus, tells us this is the way to address our Creator. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he did not say, “When you pray, say, "O Omnipotent Power" or even "Lord God Almighty." No, he said to them, “Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven…" (Matt. 6:9). 

To call God “Father” is to live in the space which Jesus created for us. Through Jesus death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb we have been liberated from all condemnation, and, more good news, we are also led by the Spirit of God as daughters and sons, children of our Father-God (Rom. 8:14).

Our verse today tells us that we are more than servants of God, more than even friends of our Heavenly Father, for "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ." 

Because in Christ, God has become our Abba, our Father. Do we get the implications of this? We do not live before God as slaves to fear, trembling before the God of creation. No, we stand with boldness and confidence before the Our Father in heaven, as children, his sons and daughters, co-heirs with Jesus. Hear that? Our Heavenly Father loves us as he loves Jesus. Our Father sees us as he sees Jesus. Our Father cares for us just as he cared for the Christ child.

What a comfort it is to know that we are not guests or strangers in our Father’s house, but his dearly loved children. 

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 17

 

December 17, 2024



Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.



So often, we are experience anxiety over the quality or quantity of our faith. Our peace is compromised when we begin to think that faith is something we provide or contribute to our salvation.  God takes peace seriously and has not attached it to something in us or something that we created. Our peace flows from the unchangeable, unshakable, completed work of Jesus Christ for us.

"It is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not of yourself it is the gift of God", the Apostle Paul wrote.  Salvation then is from start to finish is an extravagant gift of grace. Any questions about deserving God’s love and acceptance are swept away in the flood of that grace. Any fear that we haven’t done enough or that we have doubted too much is laid to rest because of the grace of God in Jesus. We are forgiven, justified, and declared righteous, all by grace through faith. This is our hope. This is where peace is found.

What do faith, peace, grace, and hope have to do with the glory of God? Everything. Paul says that we have been justified by faith, and because of that, we have peace with God. The object of that faith is Jesus Christ. He is not only the object of it but also the creator of it.
All faith comes through hearing the good news of what Jesus has done to reconcile all people to God (Rom. 10:17).

This peace declares to the world that the love of God in Christ has the final say. This is why Jesus came. This is why he was born. Christmas is about peace, and peace is about the glory of God. 

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 16

 

December 16, 2024

 

John 20:19-21

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Put yourself in the disciples of Jesus' place for a moment. Think about it this way: You have been a part of an extraordinary movement led by an inspiring leader Everywhere you go, lives are transformed. The Promises of the Messiah you have heard about from your youth are being fulfilled. But what your leader is saying and doing provokes anger in many people. So much so, that they are actively plotting a way to "take him out."

And then it happens. All of it seemingly comes to an end, as your leader is arrested and killed. And now you fear they are coming for you. Things are crumbling down around you. What do you do?

Generally, in such circumstances you choose one of two things: you hide, or you fight. Fear sets in, and leads us away from trusting others,  and into relying on ourselves. And if we rely on ourselves, well, I think we all know the result of that endeavor is not one of peace but rather a time of disorder, confusion and chaos.

This is where the disciples find themselves. Overwhelmed by their fear, they lock themselves away. They seek to save themselves by any means necessary. Locked doors may temporarily keep fear at bay, but they cannot prevent Jesus from entering. And so the risen Jesus appears in the midst of their fear and hiding to proclaim his peace.

“Peace be with you.” Jesus says. This is the same promise sung by angels at his birth, for Christ’s peace alone is  a reality, not just some wishful thinking. We need to always remember that no matter what fear has caused you to do or say, Jesus stands present with us, our resurrected leader, and in his power and authorty, says "Peace be with you." 

Our faith in Christ means fear is no longer coming from you. Fear is no longer running our life. So we don’t have to hide, nor do we have to fight it on your own. Jesus our Savior has granted us his peace. Now, let us go and live freely as God intends. Come out from our hiding place, drop our weapons, and go and live freely in the peace of Jesus. 

Thank you, Jesus, 

for freeing us from our fears 

and giving us your peace 

to live, to work, and to love those around us. Amen

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 15

 

December 15, 2024

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.




One of things you notice in John's gospel is the dramatic contrasts: Light versus darkness, flesh versus spirit, the world below versus the world above, conqueror versus the conquered. The language throughout his Gospel is profound, and in the case of  Gospel of John, it's evident that much is at stake.

John's Christmas story sets the tone. There is no baby meek and mild or nor even genealogies. Instead, he begins by making the claim that Jesus is the "logos" (Creative Word). Simply put, Jesus is the divine answer to everything.

Jesus is the ordering principle of the universe. Jesus breaks into our world shattering our ideas about who we are and who God is. Jesus is the light that frees us from the darkness that has held us captive by overcoming it. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus has overcome. As New Testament scholar R. C. H. Lenski comments, “How foolish to be afraid of a crushed and conquered foe.”

It is interesting to take notice that Jesus speaks these encouraging words to his disciples immediately after his prediction that each would abandon him. He was right. As his crucifixion approached, they were overcome with fear and they scattered. They gave in to their deepest anxieties and abandoned their Lord. Something I am convinced of is that our deepest fears reveal our lack of trust in God. They reveal that our fear of the Lord, that holy WOW and WONDER, has been eclipsed by some other, lesser fear. I do not like to admit it, but I abandon Jesus at times by not trusting in him above all things. You Too?

Yet the good news is that God’s love is greater than our fear. He came to bring peace through the shed blood of his son, who forgives us and graces us with faith. The dramatic tension we feel within our own hearts, can only be stilled by Jesus "sure and steady nail-scarred hands." Thanks be to God!!

Heavenly Father, forgive my attempts to overcome
the world on my own.
Help me rest in the all-sufficiency of your gifts.

Amen.

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 14

 

DECEMBER 14, 2024



John 14:25-27

These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.




Did you notice that we are told that the Holy Spirit assists our memory, bringing to remembrance what Christ has said and done. The work of the Spirit of God has been likened to sitting next to your grandparents as they leaf through a photo album, narrating the past with each picture, unfolding your story, and reminding you of your identity. Rather than photos, however, the Holy Spirit uses promises, the promises of Jesus. Through the Spirit's work, we gain a deeper understanding of God as we listen to His words and recall that he has spoken his promises to us.

The Spirit brings peace. This isn’t peace like the world gives. This isn’t some moment of quiet or escape from the normal conflict of life. His peace is firm and lasting. This peace transcends all the conflict of life, surpassing understanding.  This peace is a gift: that embodies forgiveness and the mends relationships; it is a peace that dispels fear. Truth is this Biblical Peace represents what many long and search for during this season.

I have read that "if you want to find someone’s idol, you should follow their fears." Can I ask,  What do you fear? I wonder if we follow our fears, if we may uncover some idols. if we do that is Ok, that is the work of God's Spirit, it is a way the Spirit helps us. See the Holy Spirit casts out fear, our instinctual, frightened, here and now fear, and replaces it with the fear of God, which is faith. The Spirit ensures we are not held back by fear, for the Holy Spirit keeps us steadfast in Christ's embrace, an embrace that never falters, never fails us. This is the essence of peace.

Let's be real though, this doesn’t mean we never tremble or have late nights of fretting. Yet in these real moments, the Holy Spirit comes along side of us, as our helper and comforter and reminds us of God's good will toward us and that his promises are "Yes!" in Jesus Christ. 

May we find God where he’s promised to be; where he reveals himself in the advent of Christ. Remember what Christ has said and done. Take heart. Cling to Christ. Be taught. Be forgiven. Be renewed. Be at peace as your idols colapse and fall and the true God, by the Spirit, declares you his own, again and again. This is why Christ was born.

Lord Jesus, you have sent us your Spirit as you promised. Teach us all things and keep your person, words, and works always foremost in our memory, so that we live without fear and in peace.  Amen.

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 13

 

December 13, 2024

 

Luke 12:32

Fear not, little flock, for it is your
Father’s good pleasure to
give you the kingdom.



When we read the Bible, we might think it tells us that fear is irrational. But such a notion couldn’t be further from the truth. The Scriptures repeatedly tell us not to fear exactly because there are so many reasons to be afraid. However, there is a lot of comfort for
us Jesus followers packed into the sixteen words Jesus speaks in Luke 12:32. 

Why shouldn’t you be afraid?

You have someone watching over you. You are part of the flock of God’s own sheep. You have Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leading, and tending you. He has given his life for you. He has overcome all that seeks to harm us. And when you stray or flee, he forsakes the ninety-nine to find you and return you to the fold.

You don’t need to be afraid.

You have a Father who loves you. He has promised that nothing can separate you from his love because of what Jesus has done for you. And he takes great pleasure in giving you all these good gifts. You don’t need to be afraid.

You have been gifted the kingdom of God. This isn’t just entrance into heaven. You have been given the kingdom itself. You have been given Jesus. He belongs to you, and you belong to him. This is God’s gift to the world. 

Is there much to fear in this world? Yes. But all of it has been "swallowed up" in the good gifts of God’s promises.

What an indescribable GIFT!!

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 12

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on
whom his favor rests.

The first and earliest mention of God's "good will or good pleasure" in Luke's gospel was on the night Jesus was born, when “a multitude of the heavenly host” praised God and sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

Those who heard the song were not the high and mighty but the humble and lowly: shepherds. This is not because the lowly of this world are especially deserving of God’s good pleasure. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Rather, I believe they are singled out because God’s way of working in this world is to bring all of us low, to diminish us, to empty us of ourselves, that we might receive in humble faith his good pleasure toward us in his Son, who fills us and enriches us with himself. John the Baptist put it well, I must decrease that he might increase." As the mother of Jesus sang, “He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (Luke 1:52).


“Glory to God in the highest heaven,” the angels sang, for he alone is worthy of glory.

And how does God show his glory? In sending His favor and goodwill, the Father's glory from the highest heavens comes down to earth through Jesus, a flesh-and-blood baby born into humble conditions, to grant us peace. Peace in Jesus is not simply the absence of conflict or fear, but the fullness of love. This fullness of love fills us when we are brought down from our mighty thrones and emptied of self. The fullness of love, the Bible talks about draws us into the life of God so that we might be the children of God. 

The good pleasure, the favor of our God, rests upon us as we rest in Jesus, born for us that we might be reborn in him; this is true peace.

So, today we hear the invitation “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 11

 

December 11, 2024

Luke 1:67-79

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”



Zechariah had been unable to speak the entire time his wife, Elizabeth, was pregnant. The angel Gabriel had "zipped his lips shut" for disbelieving the good news that his elderly wife would conceive (Luke 1:20). After more than forty weeks of silence, Zechariah’s
mouth finally opened, and he was able to speak again, and he blessed God with a Spirit-inspired song traditionally called the Benedictus. The message of the song is this: All that God promised in the Old Testament is now being fulfilled.

The Lord promised David that he would raise up a son after him who would reign over an everlasting kingdom (2 Sam. 7:12-16). Zechariah sings that God “has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:69). Promise fulfilled.

Through prophet after prophet, the Lord promised to come to his people and save them. Zechariah blesses “the Lord God of Israel for he has visited and redeemed his people…that we should

be saved from our enemies” (Luke 1:68, 71). Promise fulfilled. 

Already in Genesis, God had given his word to Abraham that in his seed, “all the nations of the earth [would] be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).Zechariah sings that God is now showing the mercy he promised to our fathers, remembering his covenant and the oath he swore to our father Abraham (Luke1:72-73). Once more, promise fulfilled.

The fulfillment of all these promises comes in Jesus, whom John, the son of Zechariah, would announce as he goes “before the Lord to prepare his ways” (vs. 76). In Christ, we are “delivered from the hand of our enemies” that we “might serve him without fear” (vs. 74).

Those two words, “without fear,” signal a profound shift, for the threatening fears that encircle human life.  All fears, cower and retreat before Christ the Lord, our Lord. In him, we are safe. Whatever this world throws at us can do us no everlasting harm since we are in him who is life, forgiveness, and love manifested. All of God’s promises are not only yes in him (2 Cor. 1:20), but yes for us!

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 10

 

 

December 10, 2024

 

Mark 6:49-51

But when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said,“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded.

 

The story of Jesus walking on water would serve as an excellent opening to any suspence movie, don't you think? Think about it for a moment: the disciples are fighting strong winds as they try to make their way across the Sea of Galilee. Out of the darkness, they see something, moving above the water toward them. Not hovering, not gliding, not floating, but walking on a surface that should not be able to bear any weight. The only conceivable conclusion is that what is approaching is a spirit, a ghost, something or someone not human. And this unknown being is heading straight for them. I guess given all these details about this experience, terrified really is the only appropriate response.

Indeed, the disciples are experiencing something profoundly supernatural. The figure they initially perceive as a ghost is not only divine but also fully human.

And yet, the disciples know this God-man, Jesus. Jesus, who is both their God and their friend. It is true, they have already seen him perform miracles of healing, but they have also seen him eat and drink and do the things we all do. They know he was born in a small town to an ordinary couple. They’ve heard his voice teach, drive out demons, and forgive sins. They know his voice. And they trust his words because what he proclaims is truth.

It’s Jesus’ voice, his proclamation of who he is, that calms the disciples’ fears. Do you know what? His voice still speaks today as he comes to us in the most astounding ways. Jesus loves nothing more than to continue to announce himself to us: “Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid.” Jesus speaks to calm our fears and give us the truth that we know him and we also know we are his.

In moments of uncertainty, fear, or the unknown, listen closely and we will hear the comforting voice of God and our friend, Jesus saying "Take heart. It is I".

HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 9

 

DECEMBER 9, 2024

 

Mark 5:36

But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

 

Sometimes, Jesus says things that are best described as simply impossible. Simple words to say but impossible to do. A ruler of the synagogue’s daughter has been declared dead, and Jesus tells him not to be afraid, only to believe. How could anyone do this?

One thing that stands out about the ministry of Jesus, perhaps you have noticed this, is how little power he gives to death. He almost never even refers to it as death unless he is speaking of his own death on the cross. Jesus’ go-to name for death is sleep. We see that in our story today, as he finds people weeping and wailing over the death of this man’s daughter Jesus says to them:

“Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping” (Mark 5:39).

We have been thinking in this series that the opposite of fear is peace, but many times, Jesus contrasts fear with faith. This is because true Biblical peace is born out of faith in Christ. Without faith in Jesus, there is no peace. “Do not fear, only believe” are Jesus words to this grieving father.

This is not a command to replace fear with a faith we have created in ourselves. Jesus knows we can’t do that. So, instead, he speaks faith into the hearts of his fearful creation. Notice Jesus doesn’t wait for the weepers and mourners to believe before he raises this little girl from the dead (after all, we are told that those hearing these words from Jesus laughed at him); instead, he does it in the presence of fear and doubt.

“Taking her by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha cumi,’ which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement” (Mark 5:41-42).

Here we see that Jesus overturns death with a word. Fear has now been replaced by faith, and where there is faith, there is peace. Do not fear; only believe. Simple to say but impossible to do. Agreed?

The good news is Jesus is Lord of the impossible. Jesus arrival, his coming, his Advent, in a world marred by sin, confusion, disorder and fear instills faith and peace in hearts that lack both. On the day of his second Advent, he will take us by the hand and say, "Talitha cumi!!" "Child of God, ARISE."

What a day that will be!!