A Christmas Present from God to YOU!

 “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, good will toward men.” - Luke 2:13-14 KJV

 

On that very first Christmas so many years ago, there was a babe born, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, and because of Him, the angelic hosts were able to joyously proclaim PEACE to YOU!

 

Peace belongs to you, it is God’s gift to you - not just at Christmas time, when it makes pretty quotes on Christmas cards, but for every, single day, 24/7, throughout the entire year!

 

But, what is this peace? Strong’s Concordance defines peace as “prosperity, peace, quietness and rest.”

 

Thayer Lexicon says it this way, “security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony makes and keeps things safe and prosperous.)” Thayer’s also says, “exemption from the rage and havoc of war.”

 

**To all our Partners and Friends in war zones throughout the world, Jesus came to give you EXEMPTION from the rage and havoc of war!**

 

Not only did the angels announce it, but Jesus Himself said it in John, chapter fourteen.

 

“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]” - John 14:27 AMPC

 

Did you notice the second part of that verse though? Jesus said WE have a part to play in receiving the gift He’s given! We have to “not let” ourselves be troubled or afraid! But how do we do that?! The same way He did!

 

'And Jesus answered him, saying, IT IS WRITTEN, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. '

 

'And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for IT IS WRITTEN, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. '

 

'And Jesus answering said unto him, IT IS SAID, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. ' - Luke 4:4, 8, 12 KJV

 

The Word. The Word. The WORD!

 

Jesus lived the Word and it did exactly what Proverbs, chapter 3, says it will.

 

“My son, forget not my law; But let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life,

And PEACE, shall they add to thee.” - Proverbs 3:1-2 KJV

 

Now, we know that law and commandments mean the Word of God and look at how the Amplified Classic translation says what the Word produces in verse two.

 

“For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.” - Proverbs 3:2

 

I want you to notice a couple things that are very important here. Vitally important!

 

First, notice in verse one that the Word has to be BOTH on your mind AND in your heart in order to produce what follows in verse two. James, the half brother of Jesus, called it the “engrafted” Word, the Word that has become part of you, that is able to deliver and protect your mind, will and emotions (soul). (James 1:21 KJV)

 

Second, living in the Word will produce peace all the way THROUGH old age, all the way until death! Praise God! That is essential information to have because it makes no difference what may be going on around you. I don’t know if you have noticed or not but this world is not all sunshine and ice cream!

 

Let’s address a misconception here. This passage does NOT promise to make the world around you peaceful. It says that YOU can be at rest, prosperous, safe, and secure as you go all the way THROUGH the things taking place in the world around you - WHATEVER they may be!

 

This is exactly the picture of Psalms 23!  As you walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, you will experience a restored soul, still waters, and green pastures in the very presence of your enemies. The enemies are still there but they don’t affect you! There can be floods, fire, or violent mobs surrounding you intent on your destruction. The government in the nation in which you live can even be trying to destroy you! It doesn’t matter - YOU CAN WALK ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT IN COMPLETE PEACE!

 

That’s what the Word says in Isaiah 43:1-2. That’s what the three Hebrew children lived out in Daniel 3:27. And, that is what Jesus did in Luke, chapter four.

 

 

“And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing THROUGH the midst of them went his way” - Luke 4:28-30

 

ALL of the people in the synagogue! An angry mob intent on killing Him! But, He didn’t get disturbed. He walked in the Word, knowing He was in PEACE - exempt from the rage and havoc, protected, safe, and secure. He lived out what He has instructed us to do.

 

• “Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.” (John 14:27b AMPC)
• “Do not fret or have any anxiety about ANYTHING!” (Philippians 4:6a AMPC)
• “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (1 Peter 5:7)

 

This Christmas season let’s make a renewed determination to actively receive the Christmas gift that God gave to us all those years ago by purposefully walking these things out every day.

 

Glory to God in highest - PEACE to YOU!

 

As you sow your Partnership seed this month, we want you to realize that, by doing so, you are giving the gift of the Word of faith, hope, and LOVE to people all over the world! Lynn and I love you and make this declaration over you in faith - May the PEACE of God keep and guard your hearts AND your minds, in Christ Jesus, every day of the year!

 

From all of our family to yours, have a very MERRY and PEACE-ful Christmas!

 

And now we want to give you a Christmas gift! For a free download of a confession of peace based on this month’s teaching, click here.

 

Lynn and I love you!

 

Jesus is Lord!