The Second week of Advent is when we light the 2nd candle, the Candle of Peace.

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Inner peace begins with a relationship with God, and it continues as we focus on his strength and trust him to fill us. We can exchange our weakness for his strength in any area of life. God’s Word says, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is focused on you because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3). Personalize that verse with your own name in it: “God will keep me in perfect peace as my mind focuses on him and trusts him.” Inner peace hinges on your trust in God.

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If inner peace is eluding you these days and anxiety is spilling over in your life, choose to trust God. You can choose to put your hand in his and draw from his patience and wisdom as you take each step. He will guide you through the maze of life if you ask him. Choosing to trust God with those blind corners in your life will take you down the road to inner peace. Choosing not to trust him will take you down the road to stress and worry. Inner peace is there for the choosing.

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PEACE WITH OTHERS

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.” 

Matthew 5:9

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Peace with others begins as we understand that God has called us to be peacemakers in our world. Is there somewhere in your own world where you can be a peacemaker this Christmas? Is there an invitation that needs to be extended to smooth over a fractured family relationship? Is there an apology to be made or a silence to be broken that has stood as a barrier for too long? Don’t miss the blessing God promises in your life as you respond to his call to be a peacemaker in your own circle. We can help bring peace to our world one heart at a time.

 

Taken from "The Life" by Gail Rodgers

 

May this week fill your hearts with the Hope and Peace of Christ.

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“A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
   make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”

Isaiah 40:3

 

Advent has begun.  A time of preparation for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  The prophet Isaiah is clear, it is time to get ready.  Do not wait!  The time is NOW!  Too often we procrastinate thinking we will have time, later.  Putting off what we should have done weeks ago.  When it comes to preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus, there is no time to waste, as none of us knows what tomorrow will bring.  So, as you begin to think and make preparations to celebrate the upcoming Christmas season, do not miss the opportunity to prepare your heart for the greatest gift ever given.  Do not get so caught up in the decorations, busyness, or gifts that you miss the real reason we celebrate in the first place.  May this season of Advent be filled with the hope, love, joy and peace that only God can provide!

 

Advent Blessings,

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Pastor Kris

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NEW BEGINNINGS

 

As we walk the Prayer Path, we frequently stop at meditation station number thirteen to read the prayers entitled "New Beginnings". There we are reminded of moments when we need to start over. What a blessing this time of year is, the season of Advent. A time to remember that we prepare for new beginnings.

 

We begin making arrangements for the celebration of Christmas and the birth of the Precious Baby Jesus. This Baby that we prepare for has made it possible to have many new beginnings. For His disciples, their new beginning came when He said, "Come, follow Me."  We have the same opportunity.

 

We all received new beginnings when Jesus was hung upon the cross opening the door for us to have a relationship with our Lord. How blessed we are that through Jesus we have direct access to God with nothing to block the way.  We all have new beginnings when we pray and receive forgiveness with a humble and contrite heart.

 

As we prepare to celebrate God's gift to us, through the birth of Christ, may we be thankful in our celebrations that remind us of the story of Christ from beginning to end.  We are assured that we can approach God any time and be confident that God hears our prayers and answers us.  What a wonderful promise of new beginnings at any time throughout our lives.

 

Prayer:  Lord, may we be full of prayerful moments and daily spend time with You.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

 

-  Sheila Preston

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