And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,       “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”  Luke 2:8-14  ESV

Can you imagine, just sitting out there at night guarding your sheep and this angel appears?  This angel initially scared the shepherds, but then told them that he had great news.  He said that it was for all people.  God wants all of us to be at peace.  He wants us to all enjoy a close relationship with Him and the wonderful benefits that it brings.  However, we have to choose this.  We have to choose to follow Christ, just as those shepherds chose to go and look for this baby that the angel told them about.  When the angels sang, they proclaimed peace for those who please God.  We have to choose to please God if we want peace in our lives.

We would like to believe that there can actually be peace on earth, however, it is important to understand that a universal peace on earth is not promised to us.  That would be heaven, right?  We are promised peace in heaven.  But remember that in Philippians 4:7 we are instructed to let the peace of God guard our hearts and our minds.  

I don’t know about you, but years ago, I chose to have peace in my life.  You see, we have to seek peace.  We have to choose to have peace in our lives.  Hebrews 12:14 tells us that we are to strive for peace with everyone so that we can show them the Lord.  Our pastor often says that we may be the only bible that some people will ever read.  So are they seeing peace in you?  Or are they seeing anxiety and worry? I have learned that living in that zone that keeps me close to God, keeps me worry free.  It keeps me filled with His peace which at times, truly does surpass all understanding.  The drama that used to be a part of my life is gone.  Now some of you are reading this and think that I live some fairy tale existence, but this is not the case at all.  I have my fair share of problems like anyone else, but they are problems and not worries.  I have things that cause me heartache and pain, but I know in my heart that whatever comes my way, Jesus has this.  He came that we may have peace and we have peace through a close, loving relationship with Him. 

When you love someone, and I mean, really love someone, you put their needs above your own.  You want to do all that is within your power to please them.  And, if you love God like that, you are thinking before you speak and before you act.  You are trying your best to make sure that what you say and do lines up with His word.  And if you are doing that, then you have peace in your life regardless of your circumstances.  And when you love Him in that way, He takes good care of you.  Because He loves us in a way that we cannot comprehend and He wants good things for us.

So, though the wars may rage around you, there is peace on earth in your space.  We are told in Psalm 91:7 that while a thousand may fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand that it will not come near us.  Verse 8 tells us that we will only see the reward of the wicked.  God’s got this!

When we trust in Him and rest securely in His protection, then we can be at peace.  When we strive to please Him, we can live in peace.  

We can have peace in our lives if we keep our focus on Him.  If you want those you love to have peace in their lives, then share God’s love with them today.  Encourage them to please God, so that they too can have peace.

I can tell you from personal experience, that once you experience the peace of God that you never want to be without it.  

So today, my prayer is that we can truly have peace on earth.  This can only be accomplished by each and every one of us striving to please God.  Wouldn’t that be an awesome Christmas gift? I can’t control what others do, but as for me I choose peace.  I choose to serve a God that is mighty and can give me joy and peace throughout the year.  I pray that you will too!

Have a great day!