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December 25, 1998, Friday "Merry Christmas"
"Peace On Earth and Goodwill Towards all Mankind"
What do you think of the gift of peace that Jesus gave
to all those that trust Him? Out of all the gifts that
you receive at Christmas, are all of them useful or will
some be returned? In what way could we ask the Lord to
help us be agents of peace in a world without peace?
Isaiah explains that the peace that God gives is one that
doesn't fade away or change, but is without any blemish--
"You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their
purpose firm and put their trust in You. Trust in the
Lord forever; He will always protect us" (Isa 26:3-4).
That gift of peace is an assurance for the believer that
will comfort him in every circumstance of difficulty.
Paul explained that the peace that God gives us is like
some other things in life, you either use it or lose it-
"Use the practice of peace with everyone, and try to
live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord
without it. Guard against turning back from the grace
of God. Let no one become like the bitter plant that
grows up and causes so many troubles with its poison"
(Heb 12:14-15). His peace is useful to keep us from the
defilement of the poison of sin by accepting His grace.
Wise King Solomon exhorted His brothers to continue in
praise to God for His continued faithfulness. He voiced
his deepest hope to his fellow countrymen that they
would continue to live a life that would please God---
"Praise the Lord who has His promise of peace, as He said
He would. He has kept all the generous promises He made
through His servant Moses. May the Lord our God be with
us as He was with our ancestors; may He never leave us or
abandon us; may He make us obedient to Him, so that we
will always live as He wants us to live, keeping all the
laws and commands He gave our ancestors" (1 Kin 8:56-58).
To honor the Lord who brought us peace by being an agent
of peace, would be a gift to God that He would be proud
to receive on His birthday.
Let us remember who is the God that is our peace. God's
name is Jehová Shalom. He is the God that puts His peace
all around His people. He is the God that is helping us
learn His ways. He is meek and humble and will teach us
the fear of the Lord to make us wise. He will soon crush
Satan under our feet and instruct us to say no to the desires
of the flesh. Lift your hands to Him and Praise Him today for
the fact that He is the God that guards us with His peace!
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