Month: December 2016

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Peace in a Dark World

Can we have true peace?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…”
Isaiah 9:2a

Violence, ignorance, corruption, betrayal, lies, hatred, and every sin conceivable darken our world and our lives.  The shadow of sin falls upon every heart and we have lost our way.  Is there anyone who can lead us out of this darkness?  Can we have peace in such a dark world?

And in the midst of this dark world, we light our fourth Advent candle, the candle of Peace.  In the face of darkness we proclaim the Prince of Peace, the Light of the nations, the glory of His people Israel!

Only our Lord Jesus Christ can bring true peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding, the peace that gives us light in the face of sin, darkness, and death.  Frightening as darkness can be, there is no fear when I hold a light in my hand.  And when the Light of His star fills the night sky, all fear is driven away and true peace on earth has come.

This is not a false peace, a temporary cease fire, a short cessation of hostilities.  This is the peace through the blood of God’s Son that has put an end to the enmity between sinners and God.  God has brought about true peace through the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ.  God has ended the conflict I have with him and this gives me true peace inside of me and with others around me.

Can there be peace in the darkness?  Yes, for the Light of the World has come.

“How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming; but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him, still the dear Christ enters in.”

Picture and Text Copyright Steve Nickodemus

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Peace Be with You

Following in the Footsteps of Jesus.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“…to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:79, New International Version

The song of Zechariah, known to us as the Benedictus, concludes with the title words, “peace be with you.”  It is the image of the Way of Peace, the Way that is Jesus.

In Psalm 139 the Psalmist says of God, “even darkness is as light to you.”  We are the people on whom light has dawned.  Any darkness we experience must be defeated by the Light of Christ.  Christ is coming, to break upon us like a golden dawn, to spread light over us like a blanket.

Is there ‘darkness’ of any sort in your life today?  Christ is coming.  You don’t have to wait for Christmas.  But you know that already.  If you are like me, you may however need a reminder that Christ the Light is here today.

One of the most powerful and blessed experiences of the Light of Christ is peace.  “No Jesus, No Peace; Know Jesus, Know Peace.”  The Day Spring from on High, Jesus Christ, guides our feet not just to peace, but into the way of peace.  He teaches us to walk in peace.  That way, with our feet planted on the Way of Peace, we won’t wander.  We Follow Jesus!

He shows us the Way to walk peaceably in this world.  And the world, like any age in the history of humankind, needs the people of Christ following in the peaceful footsteps of Jesus.  What is the Way of Peace?  It is the Way of mercy, of grace, of a forgiving spirit, of a heart at true rest in the everlasting arms.  It is the Way of Christ’s servanthood, gifted to us and through us to the world.

I am often privileged to speak the words, “Peace be with you.”  And the people of God bless me in return, “And also with you.”

Holy Jesus, Coming Savior, come today with peace.  Amen.

Text and picture, Copyright Don Schatz

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Tied to Fear’s Tracks

Jesus brings us true peace.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Many melodramas and silent films had a story line that involved a beautiful young maiden, usually the daughter of the richest man in town, who was kidnapped for ransom by the most evil man in town, who often wore a top hat and a menacing mustache. Even if the ransom was paid, the evil man tied the young maiden to the railroad tracks. Of course, an oncoming train threatened to be her demise. Just in time, the most handsome and brave man in town becomes her hero as he rescues her and sweeps her away to a happily ever after.

Don’t we often feel tied to the tracks by our own mind? It’s hard to have peace when we worry about our future, fret over critical decisions, struggle over a loved ones’ life choices, or are frightened for our safety. There seems to be no escape from the fear that ties us to the railroad tracks.

It’s hard to get rid of fear. It takes a total surrender of all that ties us down. That surrender doesn’t come easily. We fight wars within ourselves and with God until we learn to surrender to Him.

Thankfully, we have a Savior who fought for us to give us His peace. Jesus loved us so much that He left His kingly throne and came as a baby into a chaotic world of violence, hate, and need. He surrendered to the will of His father so we could ask for – and receive – a peace so unimaginable that it far surpasses any fear we will ever know. He will return in His perfect time to sweep us into His arms, to live with Him happily ever after.

Pray for that peace to fill your heart this Christmas. It will be the best present you’ll ever receive.

“You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
    for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 New Living Translation

Text and photo copyright Desiree Bustamante