And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Col 1:20

Some of my fondest memories of church are when the people would stand, sing, and worship together. The congregational hymns allowed the people of God to sing praises unto Him, proclaim His presence, and possess His promises. The words of one particular hymn that seem to stir hearts and invoke joyful praise and adoration were the words that sang “There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r, in the precious blood of the Lamb” (Baptist Hymnal #132). The people of God seemed to sing with more gusto and loudly proclaim the personal testimony of these words that expressed the salvation and redemption that dwelt in their hearts and souls. It was as though they were saying “let the redeemed of the LORD say so” (Ps 107:2). The scripture passage reminds us that we enjoy the peace of God and peace with God by Jesus Christ who “having made peace through His cross…to reconcile all things unto Himself.” The Prince of Peace came into the world to reconcile with God the payment for all sin, for all eternity. Through the shed blood of Christ, God was willing to deal with men on new terms under a covenant of grace, and for the sake of Christ, and His death upon the cross, to pardon and accept all who believe in Him. Jesus “made peace through His cross” and in the words of the song writer “sins stains are lost in its life-giving flow. There is wonderful pow’r in the blood.” Dear friend, it seems appropriate that the shepherds are the first to visit “the Babe lying in a manger” (Lk 2:16) for He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29). Jesus was born into the world that “by Him to reconcile all things to Himself.” My friend, do you know the wonder working power that “made peace through the blood of His cross?” That is Christmas. That is God’s peace on earth through His Son, the Prince of Peace, “Immanuel, God with us” (Mt 1:23). That is peace and goodwill to all men (Lk 2:14). Father, thank You for Your love and the peace that You made through the shed blood of Your Son. We glorify and praise You for all Your wondrous work and the wonder working power of His blood. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Jn 20:21

Past troubles and fears can bind and suppress us from moving forward. Especially when it concerns our livelihood, health, and wellbeing. The scripture passage is a reminder to us that Jesus is aware and empathetic to our cares and concerns as He sends us out with the message of the gospel. He is well-aware of the power that fear can play in one’s faith. Jesus’ first words to the disciples were “Peace be with you!” The disciples had locked themselves in a room “for fear of the Jews” (vs. 19) and Jesus entered the room even though no one had let Him in. Before going to the cross, His final conversation with the disciples in John 14, He promised them the Holy Spirit would be with them, and that He would be their Helper and Comforter. On this occasion He says, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn 14:27). He later concludes by saying, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace” (Jn 16:33). These scriptures remind us how is the Prince of Peace. His words reassured them, as it does for us, that we can face our fears and troubles, be reminded of His promise that He would not leave us as orphans (Jn 14:18). He promises to send the Holy Spirit, the indwelling presence of God, to comfort and guide His children. Dear friend, our Father is the God of peace. He comforts and assures His children to carry out His task though they may seem difficult and scary. When Moses doubted God could use him to deliver the Hebrew out of Egypt, God responded with, “I will be with you” (Ex 3:12). Following Moses’ death, God urged Joshua not to be afraid or discouraged because “the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Josh 1:9). When Jeremiah hesitated to follow God’s call to be His prophet, God repeatedly said to him, “I am with you” (Jer 1:8). There are many examples in scriptures of how God was with His children. The birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of His promise of “Immanuel, God with us” (Is 7:14). His presence with us and in us. My friend, this is our greatest motivation and assurance that our Father, the God of peace, and His Son, the Prince of Peace, will always be with us (Rom 15:13, Is 9:6). Be comforted by this truth and don’t allow fear to bind you and hinder your faith in Jesus. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Lk 19:10), to save us from our sins (Mt 1:21), to redeem us to the Father (Jn 14:6), and to give us eternal life (Jn 10:10). Jesus came to restore our peace with God, with each other, and peace within our souls. Dear friend, will you carry the message of peace wherever you go? Will you prepare yourself with “the gospel of peace” (Eph 6:15), not only to embrace the peace of God given to you but share His peace with others? The Father with us, “let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn 14:27). Father thank You for Your love and the presence of Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Help me to walk in Your peace that other might see Jesus through me. In the blessed Name of Jesu. Amen.

O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. Ps 63:1

When have you exhausted yourself to the point of thirst and hunger? Have you been at a point where your body began to shut down due to depravation? It screamed of thirst. It screamed for food. The absence of food and water consumed more than your thought, it overwhelmed your every desire. Everything within you, all your energy, all activity hinged upon the deep desire for what was absent and necessary for life to continue. The Psalmist expressed his need and desire for the nourishing presence of God. He yearned and thirst with all his being. “My soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee.” He found himself at a wilderness place in his life and desired a visitation with God. Though he was king, he was alone, desolate, wanting, wandering, and quite at a loss for what to do. As he looked at the barren wilderness, it reflected the craving of his soul for God. Dear friend, there are many people like the Psalmist. Though they are surrounded with activity, busyness, and noise, within them is “a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” There is a God-size emptiness that only God can satisfy. It is a satisfaction that will flow “rivers of water” (Is 32:2) and “a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (Jn 4:14). The thirst-quenching water is for all by faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus says, “He who believes in Me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (Jn 7:38). My friend, have you tasted the goodness of God? Do you thirst for His presence? Does your daily living seem like a wilderness, a barren wasteland? Satisfy your thirst by faith in Jesus Christ and your appetite in the word of God. Resolve within yourself to seek God with all your heart and know His favor and grace. “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Ps 1:3). Father, thank You for Your love and the living water that satisfies my every thirst. At the beginning of everyday “early will I seek Thee” to be filled with Your flow of Living Water. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.