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Week Four of Advent is a Candle of Peace

Scroll down for “Advent Candle” and “Piano’s Pause” Videos

We light an Advent candle each Sunday leading up to Christmas to prepare our hearts by renewing our hope, growing our love, rejoicing in Christ, and finding rest and peace.

In case you missed it:
Advent Candle 1 – HOPE: Prophecy Gives Hope
Advent Candle 2 – LOVE: Promise Reveals Love
Advent Candle 3 – JOY: Jesus Is Our Joy

Pause to Find Peace

As we draw nearer to Christmas day, many are overwhelmed with all the holiday “necessities” yet to be completed.  Gifts still need to be purchased, wrapped, and some delivered.  Cookies need to be baked.  Plans for church services on Christmas eve need to be finalized. Food for Christmas meals needs to be planned, purchased, and some pre-prepared.  Oh my! So much to do and so little time.  People are making a list, and they’re checking it twice.  

On the top of every Christmas to-do list should be one word — PAUSE.  No matter the length of the list or the urgency of the tasks, it’s important to be still, to pause, and to find peace. 

Peace with God vs. the Peace of God

We have peace with God, but the peace of God is a choice and it’s only found in the “pause.”

Peace WITH God

Peace with God is an objective peace. It doesn’t come from within ourselves. It’s not something we obtain. It is something we are freely given.  It is a gift from God — a gift given to us by Jesus.  

Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross and,  when we repent and trust in Him, He is faithful to forgive our sins and save us.  Jesus absorbed the wrath of God that should have been ours. He made peace WITH God for us and He gives us that peace with God in our salvation. This peace is a fact, not a feeling.  It is finished and it never changes or diminishes.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Peace OF God

Peace of God is a subjective peace. We have it when we experience the peace that comes through trusting Jesus. This peace is also given to us by God, and it produces in us a feeling of well-being. Having peace WITH God, we know that we have the Holy Spirit and that Jesus’ grace is sufficient in all things. Therefore, when we keep our eyes on Jesus and we rightly remember Who He is, what He has done for us, and who we are in Him, we experience the calm, and peace, of resting in Him.  That is how we receive the peace OF God. Sadly, when we allow anxiety and fear to set in, our peace dwindles and our joy is diminished.

Paul warns us against such worry and he tells us that it is “with thanksgiving” we are to come to God.  We are to remember all that God has given us and give Him thanks.  Then we find rest in Jesus and experience the peace of God.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Jesus IS Peace!

When we read the account of angels announcing Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, we read that they praised God by proclaiming:

Luke 2:14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The angels proclaimed peace, but not a condition of peace on earth as some say.  They proclaimed that “on earth”  there was peace and that “Peace” was Jesus born in Bethlehem.  They also proclaimed that “on earth” there was “good will toward man” and Jesus was that “Good Will.”  His entering into our world was the greatest expression of God’s good will toward us.

Jesus’ birth brought peace, because He is Peace.  His presence was “on earth Peace” but not peace on earth.  There was much unrest during Jesus’ earthly life.  Throughout the centuries there has never been peace on earth (at least not since the Garden), but there is “on earth peace” because Jesus is dwelling in the soul of every born-again believer through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Jesus is our peace on this earth and for all eternity.  He opened the way to peace with God and He desires that you choose to pause and receive the peace of God.  That’s true rest

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. (Psalm 40:16)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. . . (John 14:27)

Pause and Hear an Incredible Message of Joy and Hope Found in the Pause

Christmas-themed GOT QUESTIONS?

Christmas-themed Articles

Christmas Word Search Puzzles

Scripture from: Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, and John.  A Christmas message from “In the Bleak Midwinter”

Christmas-themed Videos

Have You Heard About This Baby Boy?  A most beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, with a Christmas message to touch your heart and give joy to your soul.

Cohen Hallelujah Christmas Version

 

 

 

 

 

Make Some Scripture Cookies – Fun for the Whole Family!

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Jesus is the Reason this Ministry Exists

At  Reasons for Hope* Jesus, we are committed to equipping, encouraging, and empowering Christians to know Jesus better, love Him more, and share their faith. We also reach the lost through our Salvation Page. 

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***A Hidden Message in Psalm 23?***  

Hidden in the six verses of Psalm 23 are 11 names for Jesus.  When you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll send you The Names of God in Psalm 23 PDF that reveals all 11 names and Scripture verses of comfort and hope (link will be sent in your confirmation email).

A Room with a View of Eternity—The Last Will & Testament of Jesus Christ   Take a seat at the Master's table. Learn about the riches He gives to all who are His. This book will bless and encourage you, give you hope, and help you live in the joy of your salvation and the riches of Christ that are yours.

The Top Ten Got Questions? in 2023 

  1. The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
  2. Was Jesus CRUCIFIED on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
  3. How was Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the CRIMSON (OR SCARLET) WORM in Psalm 22?
  4. How are the Shepherd’s ROD and STAFF Different?
  5. How long did JOB SUFFER?
  6. What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS? And were they kings?
  7. Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 DAYS AFTER JESUS’ BIRTH? Or Was It Much Later?
  8. Jesus’ Last Days TIMELINE: the Cross and the Resurrection
  9. The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
  10. Did Jesus Fight Satan to Take Back the KEYS of Death and Hell?

There is much to be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith.  Check out our Cloud of Witnesses category that features the words of departed saints who are now with the Lord in glory.  Their words equip and encourage us even to this day.  Take a few minutes to hear...

  1. ONLY ONE LIFE, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
  2. “The Love of God is Greater Far” by Frederick M. Lehman (1917)
  3. Prayers from Billy Graham
  4. Who Was Robert Robinson? What’s the Story Behind “Come Thou Fount”
  5. “Immanuel” — A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
  6. Who Am I? A Poem by Deitrich Bonhoeffer (1905-1945)
  7. Understanding the Everlasting Arms of God, by J.R. Miller (1840–1912)
  8. 24 Reasons Why I Love America, by John Wayne (1907-1979)
  9. Give Me Perpetual Broken-heartedness (from The Valley of Vision)
  10. Abide with Me, by James Smith, 1859

This remains one of our most popular pages viewed.

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TOP TEN Videos from Reasons for Hope* Jesus
  1. Memorial Day BAGPIPES TRIBUTE: Amazing Grace 
  2. RISE AND SHINE and Give God the Glory, Glory!
  3. WERE YOU THERE When They Crucified My Lord?
  4. PAUL HARVEY: THE BIRDCAGE
  5. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: A SOLDIER'S PLEDGE
  6. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing -- CHARLIE BROWN Christmas
  7. JOHN WAYNE ~ WHY I LOVE AMERICA
  8. Jimmy Stewart - Nativity Scene Prayer: Mr. Krueger's Christmas
  9. THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE - A Christmas Story to Share 
  10. Not by Might, Not by Power, But BY MY SPIRIT says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6)

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