Word of God Speak – How Can We Find Peace this Christmas?
Watercolour by Janis Cox – Reflections
This is the last Sunday in Advent – PEACE. Here is my acronym for peace.
{Aside: Much to my chagrin it looks as if JOY is the last Sunday in Advent, unless our Pastor got it wrong. 🙁 So the last two weeks are reversed}
Put Everything Aside Christ Enters
Although I started studying 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, I decided to memorize another Scripture. It came from my looking at other references and seemed to fit best with this Advent week of PEACE.
We will be memorizing Romans 15:13. See below.
Following my SIMPLE Method of Bible Study I looked at 1 Corinthians 2:4-5.
S – Say the Passage out loud. Check other versions.
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4-5.NIV).
I – Interpret the passage – check footnotes, references and commentaries.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
All of these passages turned me to the true meaning of Christ’s birth. The filling up with the Holy Spirit. Those who lived during His time on earth could see and feel His power. Now we can do the same through the Holy Spirit.
M – Make a list of thoughts, questions and ideas.
The week before Christmas – the birth of our Lord.
We’ve discussed HOPE, LOVE and JOY. and now Jesus brings PEACE too.
How can we find God’s peace?
Through the Power of the Holy Spirit.
At the beginning of 2015 I found my WORD for this year – Intentional. Intentional for Jesus.
I think it funny that at the end of this year I join Intentional Bloggers and Tribe Writers. It has been a year of change, of rethinking, of growing. I had to drop some first loves (Family and Faith Matters, and Under the Cover of Prayer Group Posts) and find my focus which is God’s Word.
I must deliberately give my sanctified life to God for His service, so He can use me as His Hands and His feet (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest).
But it has been God’s POWER that has propelled me forward into uncharted waters:
- Podcasting for Hope Stream Radio
- Fundraising for Ratanak International (against human trafficking)
- Blogging more often
- Building a Facebook Group called Word of God Speak Community Group
I’m very excited to see what God has in store for 2016. I haven’t discovered my WORD for 2016 yet but I am getting some strong ideas. I will get back to you early in 2016.
P – Pray. After all your thoughts are expended – take time to talk to God and then to LISTEN to Him.
This time my prayer time was a jumble of ideas – probably because that is the way my mind has been going lately, – WILD,
L – Life Applications – Write down what you heard God speak.
I see a revival, a passion for hope, love, joy and peace in this world.
Nothing can stop God from moving in His people – NO THING.
Rely on the certainly of God’s redemptive power and He will create His own life in people (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest).
This December has been filled with excitement by following Christ and not the world.
We are not going home to Canada for Christmas this year (we celebrated the family Christmas last weekend – yes a plane ride back and forth). I’m watching and waiting to see what God has in store for us.
I’m shaken by the news of the human trafficking that is happening around the world – and even in my province of Ontario. Watch the video from the Toronto Star and your eyes will be opened. I’m wearing a dress every day in December to remind me to pray and to advocate for those caught in human trafficking.
I’m reminded of one of my favourite scriptures: Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
This is a great reminder before Christmas.
May Jesus be Christmas for you this year.
May you shine for Him.
May you be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s be revived and revive others.
E – Exit the study with a written prayer.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus – for His coming to earth to see, to share to teach. Create in us Your life so we can know You more. We rely on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tweetables:
Rely on the certainly of God’s redemptive power and He will create His own life in people (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest). (click to tweet).
Nothing can stop God from moving in His people – NO THING. (click to tweet).
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