Theme:   All I Want for Christmas is Peace

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church. 

Read: Romans 5:1; Isaiah 9:6; Romans 15:13

Think: Pastor Dave shared a great message about our longing for peace, which is true all year long, but especially so at Christmas. The whole ‘Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men’ really strikes a chord because we all want it so badly. We want it for ourselves, for our families, for our country and for our world. The images of war-torn countries, or watching a family fall apart are so heart wrenching. It feels wrong, because it is wrong. It’s simply not how God designed this world to be. As sin entered the world, pain, suffering and the antithesis of God’s peace has been allowed to reign.

But one day that will come to an end. Our Savior Jesus will come again to make right the things of the world. He will restore the peace that God ordains. We don’t know the time or place but the Bible promises it to be true.

Until then, we can have peace in ourselves and that begins when we individually make peace with God. Pastor Rick Warren says, “According to the Bible when we’re trying to live life without God, we are at war with him… You are at war with God, and you need a peace treaty. You need reconciliation because your relationship with God has been broken. Jesus Christ came to be that bridge, to be the reconciler between God and man.  When you trust Jesus, he makes it all go away. He says, “I’m going to completely wipe out everything you’ve ever done wrong. You’re completely forgiven. Come on home!” 

Jesus is waiting for you to turn to Him. Through a simple prayer and a humble heart acknowledge you need Him. Tell Him you are ready to let Him be the Lord and Leader of your life.  The Bible says, “Now that we have been put right with God through faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Make peace with God, don’t wait any longer.

If you do this for the first time, welcome to the family of Christ-followers. If you’re returning back to Him, welcome home.

Do: Rejoice this week in the fact that though the world may not yet experience His peace, we can! If you aren’t experiencing that peace ask the Prince of Peace, Jesus, to come to you this day!

Pray: God, You are my source of peace. I turn to you today seeking all that you offer… not because I deserve it, but because you give it graciously. Thank you that when I trust You I know that everything that causes me to worry or to be stressed out is under your control and authority. And it all couldn’t be in better hands than Yours! Come, Prince of Peace, both to my heart and to our world. Amen.