Theme:   All I Want for Christmas is Peace

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church. 

Read:  John 14:25-27, Galatians 5:22, John 15:4-6, Philippians 4:4-9

Think: Pastor Dave delivered another amazing Christmas message this past weekend about the one gift that so many are praying for this Christmas, peace.

I have been a seeker of peace my whole life, from learning to cope after watching my six year old brother choke to death when I was four, to my flower child teenage days, to my young adult visits to the Vedanta Temple where saffron robed monks taught me about it, to my life changing Biblical discoveries.

One of Pastor Dave’s foundational scriptures was John 14:27 where Jesus spoke of leaving us His gift of peace. But if we go back a few verses (starting in verse 25) we find the context of this gift being the Holy Spirit. In my search for peace I have found my relationship with the Holy Spirit to be the critical key to my peace.

Galatians 5:22 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It speaks of the fruits of the Spirit, one of which is peace. I know that I cannot grow this fruit on my own as John 15:4-6 teaches, but it is the natural outcome of being in the vine (in close relationship to God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit). I have found that one of the ways to come close to them and for me to experience peace is to pray as in Philippians 4:6; bringing all my requests to God and expecting the promise in this verse of peace that passes all understanding to guard my heart and mind.

This verse doesn’t promise to fix all my problems but it promises peace in the midst of all my problems and ultimately that’s the peace we need. When we don’t have problems we generally have peace, it’s the miracle of peace in spite of our troubles that is this great Christmas gift. Because as Pastor Dave reminded us God is capable to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think and in that is our peace.

Do: If you are in need of peace this Christmas, read Philippians 4:4-9 and celebrate your blessings. (They are there if you spend some time thinking about them!) Pray as it instructs and then meditate on the things listed in verses 8 and 9.

Pray:  Father, thank you for Your gift of peace. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit, I lay all the enemies of my peace before You. I know that as I remain in You I will have Your peace that passes all understanding. Amen.