Peace by Choice

Peace is an everyday challenge. It’s often hard to feel calm or safe when so many things happen over which we have no control. Peace exists both on the outside, in the world around us, and on the inside, as reflected in our feelings and emotions.

The world can cover up anxiety and postpone worry, but it’s a temporary fix. Jesus can calm the waves of anxiety and winds of worry that come and go unbidden. Here’s a good example.

The disciples were frightened by a mighty windstorm that threatened their boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was sleeping in the stern, so they shouted, “Wake up! Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Jesus got up and said to the winds, “Be still,” and the winds died down. You can read about it in Mark 4:35-41.   

Jesus’ peace can keep us steady. Sometimes we’re climbing the mountain of anxiety, and other times we’re stumbling into the valley of despair. Hard times come to all of us, but like the disciples, we can call upon Jesus for help.

The world’s way to peace often involves alcohol, drugs, sexual pursuits, or adrenaline highs, but none are long-lasting. Jesus says His peace differs completely from the world’s (John 14:27).

Jesus experienced the peace of God Himself. Consider these examples:

•          Satan tempted Jesus as He does us (Luke 4:1-13)
•          Jesus endured great opposition from religious leaders (Matthew 16:1, Matthew 21:23)
•          He was misunderstood by the people closest to Him (Mark 6:1-5)
•         Jesus was faithful, even unto death (John 19:28-30)
•          He forgave His enemies while dying on the cross (Luke 23:33-34)

How is Jesus’ peace accessible to you? His peace comes through a relationship. Matthew 11:28-30 mentions taking Jesus’ yoke and learning from Him. Walking closely with Him will give us rest for our souls. That kind of peace sounds good to me.

Receive His peace by choice: (1) Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, (2) believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and (3) you will be saved and justified before God (Romans 10:8-11).

You can also read “The Road to Salvation” in Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10, and 10:13.

Pixabay: Lake, Boat, Fisher; huynetsoft.

Wanted: Personal Peace

I need cataract surgery this year. I met the surgeon and his assistant, and I was told to call her with any questions.

After calling her two days in a row and leaving the required details, there was no reply. After my third try, I decided to let it go. I read their information packet, listed my questions, and made the required appointments with my primary care, EKG, and labs.

Friday night, I shared my anxiety with my local Goddaughter.  Even positive reports from those who had experienced it did nothing to calm my fears.

After we watched a DVD, I talked about surgery again. She said, “You’re worrying and not trusting God.” The next thing I knew, she was praying, asking God to calm my fears and give me peace.

God answered that prayer in three different ways:

(1)    Later that night, she sent a scripture. It was *Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in you.

(2)    The next morning, I opened my Bible, and a colorful scripture card fell face up. John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.

 (3)    Sunday, I listened to a favorite TV Bible teacher. His text was Philippians 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing . . . present your requests to God. And the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  

I received a call from the head of the surgery center a few days later. She was very pleasant and answered all my questions. I started to feel better about this up close and personal eye surgery! But God, in His love, had one more message of peace!

In a weekly study, the verse for the week was Psalm 56:3-4: When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God whose word I praise . . . I will not be afraid . . .    

I finally got the message! “Lord, I trust Your word, and I trust in You!” I don’t have surgery dates yet, but it doesn’t matter. I now have God's peace.

*All scriptures are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB, Copyright 2022 by Bible Hub, Used by Permission, All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Pixabay: Woman, Girl, Freedom Image; JillWellington.

Nothing New

Solomon was so right when he said, “There is nothing new under the sun. What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

The Psalms were written centuries before Christ, and we are living centuries after, but the description of the wicked sounds like today’s news.

How about a few examples? Psalm 10 says the wicked consider God a non-essential. They don’t believe He sees, cares, or will call them into accountability (V. 4, 11, 13).

They scheme and catch the needy, ambush the innocent, watch for the helpless, and beat down the lowly even further (V. 2, 8, 9).

That explains their actions, but what about their words? Nothing new there either, just the old mouthfuls of cursing, deceit, violence, and malice (V. 7).

As New Testament believers, we are told to pray about everything. By doing that, we can find peace (Philippians 4:6).

But how do we pray? Do we say simple rote prayers and move on through our day? Or do we take time to read God’s word to learn His desires, then pour out our hearts to Him in all honesty?

Don’t get bogged down in Psalm 10. Move on to Psalm 11 where we find hope! God is righteous and loves justice (V. 7), We can take refuge in the LORD and trust that He is watching from His heavenly throne (V. 1, 4).

There may be nothing new under the sun, but the good news is that includes hope in God. His faithfulness endures to all generations, just like He established the earth and it endures (Psalm 119:90). Praise be to God!

Pixabay:

  

The Advent of Christmas: Week 2

Wouldn’t it be great if the world could be peaceful . . . calm, quiet, without trouble anywhere? The keyword this week is just that - - - peace.

It’s not always easy to come by. You may be trying to seek peace, and pursue it, as suggested in Psalm 34:14; however, you may experience frustration because of opponents.

Opponents can rough up relationships. Some are like sandpaper, slightly annoying. Others act like a steel fence, cutting us off from our desired goal. The Apostle Paul gave this advice in Romans 12:18 (NKJV): If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

In the beauty of darkness, angels lit up the sky outside Bethlehem. Can you think of Christmas songs without *“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear?”

Perhaps, like me, the first phrase coming to mind is “Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all-gracious King.” It sounds so powerful and majestic,

Their message was God’s . . . offering us a way into His eternal kingdom. In the fullness of time - - - centuries of earthly time, plus the months required for a baby to grow in the womb - - - God sent His Son to be born the Savior of the world. John 3:16 gives the extended invitation.

Jesus, in His ministry, offered personal peace. In John 14:1(NLT) He says: “Don’t let your heart be troubled.” How is that possible? His answer: “Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

During this Advent Season let’s aim for personal peace. Only a few powerful people are called upon to achieve world peace, but personal peace is up to each of us.

Will we trust in Jesus and receive His peace, or will we let our minds focus on the world's lack of peace? It's a major opponent, but we have a choice. Personal peace can be ours.

*Hymnary.org says this song was authored by Edmund H. Sears in 1849 and has been published in 857 hymnals.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Used by Permission, All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by Permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Photo by Theo Crazzolara on Pixabay 

Mom's Secret to Peace

Mom died many years ago. There are many things I wish I could ask her now, but one thing she shared with me has always remained.

She was a faithful daily Bible reader, starting with the King James Version. Then, as other translations came out, she read them, also.

One day I asked, “Mom, what is your favorite verse?” She didn’t just pop one out; she gave it some thought.

I pressed on, “Do you have one?”

She replied, “I have several.”

“OK, what is your absolute favorite?”

She quoted the King James Version of Psalm 119:165: Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.

When I mentioned it to one of her parishioners after mom died, the woman said, “Yes, I once asked your mom that question, and her answer to me was the same.”

The word “offend” has always stuck out to me. Offended people can be angry, exasperated, short-tempered, or impatient with people, but I never saw Mom react to parishioners in any of those ways. As a minister’s wife of fifty years, there must have been plenty of opportunities to be offended.

I have compared that verse in many translations, but the KJV remains my favorite. The New King James Version, the Amplified, the New Living Translation, and the English Standard Version each indicate that nothing causes them to “stumble.”

God sets the example through His personal “steadfast love and faithfulness.” Those two qualities are listed in tandem over and over in the Psalms

Once again, my prayer is this: “Thank you, God, for Mom’s example of a Christian life well-lived.”  

 

Ecumenical Evangelical

That’s a mouthful; I can’t say it very quickly. When I heard the term, I was drawn to it, partially because of my father.

As a minister for over fifty years, he exemplified trying to dwell in unity in his pastorates and the community.

He would always join the local ministerial association. On vacations, we attended churches outside our denomination, and I remember him telling me, “Even if there are no kids from your church in your school, you can always find someone who loves Jesus.”

Thanks to Dad, I grew up with friends from various denominations. Our commonality was faith in Jesus and the Word of God.

While preparing tax papers this week, I listened to PRAISE interviews. I DVR these programs on TBN and watch them when I can. It was interesting to hear Dr. Ed Young share his life and ministry at Second Baptist Church in Houston, TX.

I haven’t heard of many churches named “Second” anything. In my mind, it speaks of humility. He said the goal of this church has always been unity in the community. His congregation has many different ministries to meet the needs of people in their city. With over eighty thousand members and many campuses, I’d say they are meeting that goal quite well.

In speaking about being in fellowship with other churches, Pastor Young said, “We need to be Ecumenical Evangelicals.” Immediately, Dad came to mind.

My NKJV Study Bible titles three awesome prayers in John 17: (1) Jesus Prays for Himself, (2) Jesus Prays for His Disciples, and (3) Jesus Prays for All Believers.

That third prayer (verses 20-21) says, “I do not pray for these alone (the people who believed on Him while on earth), but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

In Psalm 133:1, David declared, “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” It doesn’t happen automatically. Each of us has to choose to be concerned about others, not just ourselves.

Christian unity is the power behind many organizations meeting needs all over the world. Glory to God! May this continue!   

Conflict: You Can Count On It

I look forward to dinner with my Goddaughter on Friday nights. People who work routine hours Monday through Friday seem to take special pleasure at the end of their week. Listen closely. You might overhear, “Thank God, it’s Friday.”

Before retirement, even on jobs I enjoyed, I looked forward to Friday!

We have a little routine. First comes dinner with light conversation. More serious discussions come after we eat. She usually says she’s ready for a movie when I make my nightly cup of tea.

Whether it’s on DVD or DVR it’s fun to make comments while the movie plays out. We know there will always be a crisis or conflict of some kind.  

Conflict is part of life, real or otherwise. Writers know a story without conflict is boring. Movie producers know there’s no punch in a happy ending if there’s no conflict to overcome.

Even peaceful persons cannot avoid conflict. Do any of these words ring a bell? Struggle, strife, disagreement, differences, or misunderstanding? OK, so you have experienced conflict!

Conflict is tricky. Sometimes conflict is with another person or group of persons, but sometimes your conflict is with yourself.

Conflict can be overcome, but you must look it in the eye and not flinch. It requires honesty. It may also require humility, and/or some clarification of communication, especially if it’s in texts or emails. Sometimes it’s a matter of releasing expectations and allowing a fresh start.

Conflict resolved brings peace; God is on the side of peace. In fact, in the “Be-Attitudes,” Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God” (Matthew 5:9*). The Amplified Bible explains blessed as being happy and spiritually prosperous.

Psalm 120:7* says, “I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” Romans 12:18* says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”  

I hear the call, do you?  “Peace . . . Party of One!”

*All Scriptures are from the New King James Version, Thomas Nelson, Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1982.

 

Pursue Peace

Not everyone desires peace. All of history is filled with conflict. Even King David wrote I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war (Psalm 120:7 NKJV).

You can find whole books about peace, but I’m offering a few ideas, so let’s get started.

If you think of peace as absence of conflict, you’re on the right track. It could mean not arguing, not fighting back or not demanding your own way. But let’s look at some other options.

Psalm 34:12 (NKJV) asks a question? Who is the (person) who desires life, and loves many days, that (they) may see good?  

The answer is in verses 13 and 14 (NKJV): Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.

You must seek before you pursue. You won’t just drift into peace; it will require some effort. To seek means to focus on a goal and pursue it wholeheartedly.

Before mining was done with heavy equipment, gold miners went out with pans and shovels. Even a little gold was worth the effort. So, let’s consider four seemingly little efforts with peaceful payoffs:

1. Keep your tongue from evil: According to James 3:1-12 the tongue can easily set things on fire. It’s easy to speak without thinking, or to want to prove yourself right. Sometimes the only way to make peace is to agree to disagree.
2. Keep your lips from speaking deceit: Lasting peace never comes through trickery, duplicity, or partial truth. “White lies” are a myth. Truth will out and leave you squirming.
3. Depart from evil: Evil means different things to different people, but here it means avoid words that are harmful, malicious or mean. Dictionaries prove you have plenty of word choices, so don’t limit your mindset or vocabulary.
4. Do good: Use your words to build bridges, not walls. We humans will never agree on everything, but that doesn’t mean we can’t seek peace by being tolerant of, or truly accepting of, another’s point of view. Even a few words, spoken kindly, can have a positive impact.

To pursue peace requires effort. Detectives don’t solve cases by sitting at their desks, staring out the window. They put their feet on the ground and get moving, thinking, analyzing, pursuing their goal.

To pursue peace is such a worthy goal that even God takes notice. Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9).    

Pursuing peace will not become a habit overnight, but consistent effort will pay off noticeably in time.

No Magic Peace

Life is not a fairy tale; therefore, happy endings are not guaranteed. Real-life happy endings come when people choose to focus more on others and less on themselves.

In real life, there are peacekeepers and peacemakers. Which one are you?

Our military personnel act as peacekeepers on a grand scale. I’m thankful for men and women who serve around the world in such a mighty capacity. They’re definitely focused on others and not on themselves.

Peacemakers serve on a more individualized basis. Children and adults both fit the words of this well-known song:   Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be . . .

It seems Vince Gil is the popular singer of this song, written in 1955 by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller. I learned it in elementary school, and its basic message has always stuck with me.

Have you ever noticed how peace can be so seasonal?

Think about it. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day these characteristics gradually appear - - - empathy for people in need, more volunteers for food banks and soup kitchens, an increase in charitable giving, and upbeat seasonal greetings outside our normal friendship circle.

Isaiah prophesied a baby would be born carrying the title Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). This baby was Jesus, whose birth we celebrated once again this December.

Some of His most famous teachings are called The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). When I was growing up some called them “the BE attitudes.” Number seven, in verse nine, says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”  

Notice there’s no time frame or season attached. We can be a peacemaker all year long. Be alert; be creative! Don’t be afraid to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5).

The fact that there’s no magic peace solution, no one-size-fits-all, simply increases its importance.

Who Wants to be a Fool?

I don’t know anyone who would rush to raise their hand. In fact, fools often think their identity is hidden when it’s really on full display.

Here’s a big clue: A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back (Proverbs 29:11 NKJV). You could say a fool has a short fuse, but a more accurate description might be they lack self-control.

Can a fool ever appear wise? According to Proverbs, the answer is yes, but I wonder how often that happens? King Solomon’s observation was this: Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive (Proverbs 17:28 NKJV). 

Though we communicate with words, they’re not always spoken. Our modern world floods us with written words, as well.

Would I like to return to a pre-internet world? No, thanks. I appreciate my handy cell phone and laptop communication. How about you?

Faceless communication can be a boon or a barrier. In its early stage, telephones were set up on party lines. People would get upset when they knew people were listening in on their conversations.

I’d say modern internet communication might be an advanced version of those old party lines with a new twist. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to name a few, let us connect with others, but now we not only expect people to listen in, we want them to.

There is one problem, however, that can’t be ignored. Too many people jump to conclusions, belt off a negative wordy reply, then pat themselves on the back. “I really let them have it!” Like Solomon says, “a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16 NKJV).

Just remember he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32 NKJV).  

 Who wants to be a fool? Don’t raise your hand. I won’t either. I want to use my words to build people up, not tear them down. To quote mom’s adage: “If you can’t say anything good, don’t say it.”

Keep the Peace

 

It’s a nice slogan, isn’t it? But it comes with questions: Who should keep the peace? How often? With whom? Let’s face it. . . there are no simple answers.  

I still remember a poem written by a little girl in my first-grade class years ago. It said: The sky is blue, the grass is green, and all the people, are different.              

That difference in people, plus a never-ending variety of situations, is what makes peace so elusive.

Some people are perpetual porcupines. You can’t be near them without getting pricked. I generally get along with people, and I’ve met all kinds. But years ago, I met a man who enjoyed being prickly to the point of exhaustion.

He always seemed on edge, coming up with negative views, and pushing back if you tried to remain positive. I finally gave myself permission to avoid him. It was my final solution, not perfect, but it worked most of the time.

It may be that peace with others comes after making peace with yourself.

I love the analogy of Jesus’ teaching on this subject. He compared criticizing others to looking at a small speck in someone else's eye while ignoring the log in our own (Matthew 7:1-5 NLT). 

The basic concept is beware! You will be judged by the standard you use to judge others.

We are to deal with ourselves first. After clearing out our problem log, we might have a clearer (less critical) view of that speck of wood in the eyes of others.

Another way to keep the peace is to avoid sharing your initial reaction. Unfortunately, life is not like Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy where your first response may win you a prize.

In real life, our first response, whether spoken or written, sometimes shuts people down. The result may be regret, with no option for overs at the moment.

Like the little girl said, “All the people are different.” That includes you!

Try to keep the peace for your own sake. Regardless of the outcome, knowing you tried is what really counts.

 

Modern Anger

Anger seems to always result in negative spillover. I don’t think there’s a person alive who has never experienced it. Sometimes we see it coming and other times it takes us by surprise.

While cleaning files the other day, I found a paper where I had written about my father’s great anger toward me over several issues he had never mentioned before. In fact, he never mentioned them again, but I still wonder what brought that on?

Anger’s bottom line is emotional displeasure. Someone has mistreated us, misinterpreted our intentions, or opposed us in some way. Our first thought is retaliation.

Social media has done many good things. I can’t imagine our world without it, but I’m blown away by how it brings out the worst in so many people.

I’ve seen for myself some of the rabid responses to the most non-controversial postings. I always wonder why do people respond so harshly? Would they say that face-to-face?  I have my doubts.

Is it possible to have peace on social media? I read the other day that we are to forgive even those who have a difference, a grievance, or a complaint against us (Colossians 3:13 AMP).   

My first thought was are you kidding me? Forgiveness seems more important for those who have cheated, lied, or physically hurt me or my family. Then I had another thought.

In middle school, our choir sang, “Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin With Me.” That message stuck with me.

Can one person really create peace? Try this: Think of one media post as one penny, one hundred pennies add up to a dollar. Spread those pennies out over the world and you have a whole lot of dollars doing good.

Have you been accosted unfairly on social media? Ask yourself, “Is this negative or cutting comment really worth my response?"

Since modern anger seems easily played out in words, perhaps your lack of words (no response) could be a source of peace, even personal peace.

  

The Search

I had just completed a lovely visit with long-time friends. Now it was time to fly home.

We arrived early at their small airport. As expected, I was first in line. What I didn't expect was to be the last one out.  

I was “wanded,” no surprise there. The big surprise was being pulled aside and wanded again.

Next, I was asked to step to the far side of the room where they pulled a curtain while a lady patted me down. 

Then I watched while someone unpacked every item in my suitcase and another emptied my purse into a tray.

Thankfully most people ignored me as they came through the line. One lady, however, looked at me and said, “That happened to me once, too.”

Tamping down anger, I said, “If I knew what I did wrong, I’d never do it again.”

“I noticed you rolled everything up instead of laying it in your suitcase. My kids told me that’s considered suspicious because things can be more easily hidden.” She moved on.

I have yet to fly again, but when I do, I’ll try her suggestion.

King David wrote a famous psalm regarding a different search:  Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV).

His goal was more important than passing through airport security. He wanted to pass God’s inspection. When made aware of things he needed to change, David humbled himself with another prayer.  

It had six requests: (1) Create in me a clean heart, (2) renew a loyal spirit within me, (3) do not banish me from your presence, (4) don’t take your Holy Spirit from me, (5) restore to me the joy of your salvation, (6) and make me willing to obey you (Psalm 51:10-12 (NLT).

I hated every moment of the airport inspection. In a small space, it was public and humiliating. But, like King David, I am open to a search of my heart by almighty God.

God’s search is a private matter, and I’m grateful. It’s a source of peace, not humiliation. 

The Can-Do Challenge

Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy! That’s the title of a book by humorist Barbara Johnson. It’s not that she had an easy life, either. It’s just that she chose to encourage both herself and others with humor.

This popular speaker and author also published a perpetual calendar. You can’t help but smile just seeing the illustration of Barbara on every page. There she is, “the geranium lady,” trying to make the lid of a box stay down by sitting on it.

One thing I like about Barbara is her honesty. She carefully credits others if she uses one of their inspirational or witty sayings.

Here’s one that stuck with me this week:

    Do all the good you can

        By all the means you can

            In all the ways you can

                In all the places you can

    At all the times you can

        To all the people you can

            As long as you ever can

It is credited to John Wesley, a famous minister in an earlier century, but it’s good advice for us today.

Seven times we are told, “You can.” And why not? It’s a choice. We can!

It doesn’t take a scholar to know what’s good and what’s evil. It simply requires a little personal honesty. What do we want to pursue? How do we want to impact those around us?

I like the advice in the Amplified Version of Psalm 34:14: Depart from evil and do good; seek, inquire for, and crave peace and pursue (go after) it.

Peace is a by-product of doing good. I could give you a list of good things to do, but it’s more important that you make it personal.

What are the ways, means, places, times, or people you can do good for today, or any day? It won’t be your thoughts that count, but your actions.

A Comforting Oasis

If you’ve ever traveled in a desert, you know how encouraging an oasis can be. At the very least it would provide water. For further comfort, it would offer some shade.

Years ago, someone introduced me to the music of David Ingles. I play it often for a couple of reasons: (1) His voice is as soothing as his accompaniment, and (2) all his songs are scripturally based.

One of my Ingle’s favorites is *I’ve Found an Oasis of Love. One day I pulled the word booklet out of the front of the CD and was surprised to read how it came to be written.

He was at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, then pastored by John Osteen, Joel Osteen’s father. While encouraging his congregation not to treat visitors as strangers, he said, “Let’s just love ‘em to LIFE! We want them to know that they have found an oasis of love in a troubled world.”

Those words struck a chord in Ingle’s creative heart. The result was a beautiful song that always draws me in on the chorus:

I found an oasis of love,

The pastures are green year around;

A new life is mine with peace from above;

I found an oasis of love!

“Pastures are green year around” always reminds me of Palms 23. It opens with The LORD is my shepherd. Then verse two says He makes me lie down in green pastures. If that doesn’t create a picture of peace and provision, I don’t know what will.

Psalm 23 is a favorite of many people. A great devotional book, now published as a small paperback, is **A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.

The first dictionary meaning of oasis is shared at the top, however, there is a second meaning in my New World Dictionary: any place or thing offering welcome relief from difficulty, dullness, etc.

I’m suggesting an oasis in music. Scriptural songs come in a wide variety of styles. Peaceful listening!

*Oasis of Love is on CD2 of The Best of David Ingles. Find his personal story and available music at www.diministries.org

**A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, W. Phillip Keller, Zondervan Publ., 2007 paperback, available from Christianbook.com or your favorite book source.

  

Gifts That Keep on Giving: Happy New Year

No matter how you look at it, gifts are a fun part of the Christmas season. To me, a gift represents love, whether I give it or receive it. It says, “I was thinking of you. I thought you might enjoy this (item).”

Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birthday, and in His honor, many charitable works are done. After all, He taught his disciples that feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, visiting the sick, and those in prison were all ways of honoring Him, though they might not realize it (Matthew 25:32-46).

I always enjoy reading about the wise men in Matthew chapter two. Their gifts were expensive but there was a gift given to us that cost even more. Not only was it one-of-a-kind, but it was also free. It could never be earned or purchased.

Let’s do a little Q and A: This gift is explained in John 3:16-21:

Who gave this gift? God.

Why did He give it? He loved the world He created, and sin had corrupted it.

What was the gift? A Redeemer, His one and only Son.

Why did He give it? To save the world, not condemn it.

Who can receive it? Anyone who chooses to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus.

Gift-giving does not end with Christmas. 

Jesus is God’s gift that keeps on giving. One of His special gifts is peace.

He said, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

I haven’t seen any long-lasting peace coming from our world, have you? Not one-on-one, and certainly not in any public setting.

I still say, “Happy New Year” because of Jesus’ offer of personal peace.

Do you want it? 

OK, just believe, ask, receive . . . and . . . remember to say, “Thank you, Jesus.”