peace on earth or pieces

Peace on Earth is a common phrase at Christmas time. And it is nearly Christmas. Soon you will
see chubby old men in red suits, pine trees covered in fake snow and sometimes a manger scene
in the caption "Peace on Earth". Because we lead directly into holiday season, I want to look at
what this caption is actually talking about, because most people would suggest that seeing Peace
on earth for mankind is something of an incorrect hope.

Luke 2:10-15 (ESV Strong's)

And to discover the angel known to them, "Fear not, for behold, I pull you excellent news of
valuable joy that is going to be for the people. For unto you is born at the present time in the town
of David a Savior, who's Christ the Lord. And you will see it an indication simpler for you: you can
see child wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly really wish using the
angel a lot 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!"

In the event the angels went steer clear from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one
another, "Allow us to give an overview of to Bethlehem and figure out this thing that has
happened, which is something Lord has made known to us."

WHAT PEACE?

As mortals, it seems we have no knowledge of peace at all!

During the last 3,400 many years of human history, there have only been a reported 268 a lot
peace. Within the twentieth century alone greater than 105 million people have been killed in
wars, and also when we speak today men, women and youngsters are losing their lives in
conflicts across the globe, a lot of which are so mundane they do not rate a mention within our
news.

Mankind loves conflict. Just look at families! In the event the Bible says Peace on earth, whatever
is it referring to?
PIECES ON EARTH, NOT PEACE ON EARTH

We have a home in a fallen world, where truly talking often about peace but rarely obtain it. We
strive for peace, but only ever grasp on the illusion of peace, as a mirage exactly where the closer
we arrive at peace, the further away it really seems.

Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain visited Munich in 1938 to consult Hitler, who was continually
posturing towards war through land from surrounding countries like Czechoslovakia. He was
given an assurance that eliminate demands can be made, and he returned to Britain holding aloft
the written assurance and proclaiming "Peace in our own time." Per year later, the biggest and
most devastating war in human history erupted… Peace was never further away!

Even today Peace is illusive. I recollect watching the wall dropped in Berlin, having the demise of
Communism and thinking, "Now we will have peace." The Cold War was over, but enter militant
Islam and of course the war on terror replaces it. And here's the joke… Islam actually means
peace, but I have never ever seen a less peace loving crowd than Islamists!

We don't have peace across the world, we've pieces! Let'a glance at some of the passage

Luke 2:14 (KJV Strong's)

Glory to God in the very best, and on this planet peace, good will toward men.

The KJV, which some believe which happens to be the true translation, gets this very, confusingly
wrong. It demonstrates that peace and good will is proclaimed to every one men, but this isn't the
purport of the passage.
Luke 2:14 (ESV Strong's)

"Glory to God in the very best, and the world over peace among people who have whom he is
pleased!"

This passage is proclaiming peace to those with whom He (God) looks good pleased. The peace
that the angels offer isn't for everybody, it's only for people who have whom God is please,
anyone who has received Jesus Christ into their lives as Lord and Saviour.

We have a home in an evil world, controlled by evil people, as a result there cannot and won't be
Peace on this planet for those men until Jesus returns.

When these words were spoken through angels to the shepherds, Roman Peace (Pax Romana)
was as a result since 27 BC. Prior to this, the Romans had invaded countries, slaughtered many
individuals, enslaved the remaining and declared peace fear ! But the absence of war doesn't
guarantee peace.

The Stoic philosopher Epictetus said, "As the emperor extends peace from war on land and sea,
he has trouble to offer peace from passion, grief, and envy. He cannot give peace of heart for
which man yearns greater than even for outward peace."

The Jewish word shalom (peace) means much above what a truce within the battles of life. It
implies well-being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness. It is required to do
more with character than circumstances, and it happens to be learn more inner peace than the
lack of external conflict. Life at this time was difficult, just as it's today. Taxes were high,
unemployment was high, morals were slipping lower, and to discover the military state was in
control. Roman law, Greek philosophy, in addition to Jewish religion could not meet the
requirements of males's hearts. So, God sent His Son!

I WANT A PEACE OF IT!

Have a look at our society today. There may be war worldwide, but there is war here today as
well.

We happen to face a war against morality, where militant gay activists have just won a battle.
It'can be a war against the sexes, it'could be a war against our children. There's no peace here.
Many of us who hold to God's view of marriage and to discover the family are attacked constantly,
but even among the LGBT community, can you think of peace?

In line with their own figures, and even with society at large totally in their corner, gay kids are five
times more likely to attempt suicide, and transgenders are 11 times more likely. Almost 50 %
transgenders attempt suicide, whether or not they make the transition or possibly not, so you
cannot tell me that these folk have peace on earth. They proclaim their sexual freedom, but inside
they're torn to pieces by conflict, guilt and shame.

Families are torn apart more than before… that's not Peace across the world might it be? Unions
and employers bicker, husbands and wife's fight, kids and fogeys argue… there is no such thing
as a peace today, even at Christmas!

And Advertising screams at us all the time, "Buy this, obtain this, do this," but none of it offers a
way peace that lasts. You could really have essentially the most wonderful holiday, and you ve
kept to arrive at your place to reality, right?

The way to inner peace just isn't demanding and attaining your own way! One of life's great
paradoxes is that extra you fight, the better you claw and scratch, the greater amount of you
demand, the less peace you get.

Isaiah 48:22 (ESV)

"There isn't any peace," says the Lord, "regarding the wicked."
With no God, in case you don't know Jesus, there is no such thing as a peace! I didn't say it, God
says it. And if you go searching at society this Christmas, you'll be able to verify that it is 100%
true.

But Paul writes this…

Romans 5:1 (ESV)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we've peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ.

True peace, peace with God, and peace within ourselves. That's precisely what the angels
proclaimed at the primary Christmas… Have the promised child and you'll discover true peace.
Look at what has been predicted for your birth of Jesus…

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV Strong's)

For unto us a toddler has been born, unto us a son is given: and the federal government ought to
be upon his shoulder:

brilliant name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,

The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

There's that word again… Peace! In a world full of conflict, full of fear for ourselves, our nation,
our futures, our country's morals, our finances, our families, in a world full of selfishness and sin
and fear, we can find peace. This Christmas, you'll be able to experience true peace, inner peace,
lasting peace.
PEACE FROM WHAT?

Life is filled with worries and anxieties. As Christmas approaches, do you're feeling anxious?
Concerned about finances, worried about family interaction, concerned about being alone this
Christmas?

People fear lots of things. When this is focussed and irrational, we think of it as a phobia. And
phobias are available bewildering variety…

Xanthophobia- fear of the color yellow

Turophobia- fear of cheese

Omphalophobia- fear of bellybuttons

Pogonophobia- fear of beards

Frigatriskaideaphobia- fear of long words (ironic)

Papa phobia- fear no matter the pope

Hylophobia- fear of trees and woods

Coulrophobia- fear of clowns (I think we will all relate to that), and here's a contemporary one…

Nomophobia- fear of getting without cell phone coverage, and professional on this field say, the
majority the buyers in our own country are afflicted by this!

Some of you here fear a surprisingly large number of things as Christmas approaches. Who
among us does not come with financial fear, worried that we find the money for to enjoy
Christmas and start to get presents for the youngsters or grandkids. Many have anxiety about
getting the family together and the inevitable conflicts.
John 14:27 (ESV Strong's)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I offer to you. Less in the country gives do I give you. Let not
your hearts fret, neither allow them to be afraid.

HOW CAN YOU FIND REAL PEACE THIS CHRISTMAS?

You won't find peace across the world on this world. Politicians cannot debate and provides us
peace, lawmakers cannot legislate Peace. Pop stars can't rate it for your requirements by songs,
actors cannot fool you involved with it, and also religion can't create peace in your world (even
when it calls itself peace though it's blowing you up!).

Only Jesus, only a connection with Him, only having His Holy Spirit living within you can give you
peace. So let's consider looking at a few of the anxieties you face this Christmas, and not what I
use the phrase about peace, but what exactly Jesus gives you this morning…

1. PEACE IN LACK

In case you are concerned about finances this Christmas, and I number myself among these,
then Jesus knows and understands. We worry a lot about acquiring and experiencing the things
of this world, but worry is like a rocking horse… it keeps the brain occupied, nevertheless you
don't actually get anywhere.

Matthew 6:25-27 (ESV Strong's)

"Therefore I tell you, don't be troubled concerning your life, what you may will eat or what you may
will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more
than clothing? Try to find the birds no matter the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Have you been not of more value than they?
And which persons when you're anxious can add just one hour to his span of life?
Stop, take a look at your life right now. Are you able to add even a single hour into it by worrying?
Nope, no one can. But I have realized an excellent key towards stopping worry and anxiety about
money and stuff at my life. And I'm not even that clever, as a few verses later, Jesus tells us the
answer…

Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV Strong's)

Therefore don't be concerned, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What we could drink?' or ‘What lets
wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these items, along with your heavenly Father knows that you
ll require them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things
shall be put into you.

This can be a Christian paradox that I have been demonstrated true many times… if you concern
yourself with, obsess about and desire for the cash, things, clothes and food, they seem to elude
you. In the event you seek first His Kingdom, if you choose the brain on loving and coming near
near to God, this stuff appear to come along almost miraculously. And in the event that they don't,
you don't care since you are more focusing on God!

Paul wrote

Philippians 4:11-12 (ESV Strong's)

Not which I'm with regards to really are need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am it really
does not have to be content. I have any idea where to be brought low, and I have any idea where
to abound. In most any and every circumstance, I have learned the key of facing plenty and
hunger, abundance and need.

You can get peace the world over, true peace across the world and contentment whether you
have huge amounts or somewhat this Christmas!

2. PEACE IN CONFLICT
For anyone worrying about family conflict, anything that is arrayed counterintuitively, you can
have peace in the midst of all that conflict. Do not fear this Christmas, but listen to what the Lord
says about conflict…

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV Strong's)

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and having a great deal of affection and self-
control.

A sound thoughts are self control. How many of you think that, in the event the family gets
together, it only takes one misplaced word and things escalate from there. Listen, some of you
need to here are the power of shutting your mouth. The ability of holding your tongue, it doesn t
matter how offended you could be!

No matter what other medication is saying near you, you can select to stay silent and not escalate
the situation. This Christmas, in case you are concerned with conflict, try being self controlled and
remaining silent. Allow them to rant and rage… if your core mindset is Christ you will be an island
of peace this can be a a lot of stressed conflict!

3. PEACE IN BEING OVERLOOKED

Every Christmas many of you feel overlooked. Overlooked by family, maybe kids who have
family. A few of you're coping with broken families, separation, and a few persons here just feel
desperately, desperately lonely, especially at Christmas time.

Psalms 68:5-6 (NIV-WS)

A parent to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in holy dwelling.

God sets the lonely in families, he leads for getting prisoners with singing; but the rebellious have
a home in a sun-scorched land.

If you are feeling lonely and overlooked this Christmas, defenderless, fatherless, lonely,
remember that, whatever your family situation, you have a church family who loves you, listed
here at Ignite.

Please don't be consumed with worry and loneliness this Christmas. You are required, and you
will not be overlooked forever. God says,

1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV Strong's)

Humble yourselves, therefore, below the mighty hand of God so that at the correct time he may
exalt you, casting all of your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

So today, in case you are lonely or overlooked, don't take a look at people around you, search for
at He who gave His life for you! And cast your anxieties on Him.

4. PEACE IN PAIN

Hurt people hurt people, and in case you are in pain, or near someone who is, chances are high
you've been influenced to or have previously blamed God and attacked others around you. I've
seen people struggling with health problems, or dealing with separation and broken relationships,
blame God, while it is His expressed desire to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you another
along with a hope.

Pain, hurt, sickness and separation will not be God's fault. The devil and man's sinful nature take
care of all the evil and pain you notice around you. Sometimes God allows this to come about, but
He always it provides a greater have plans to construct your life along with your character.

Yet this Christmas, how will you find peace the world over, while in physical or psychological
pain?

Psalms 34:18-19 (ESV Strong's)

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

The majority are the afflictions whatever the righteous, however the Lord delivers him out of those
all.

Turn to Jesus this Christmas and allow Him to save your crushed spirit. Though you could have
many afflictions, God can be relied upon to offer stop you from these individuals, so you will have
perfect peace while in pain and suffering this Christmas. Trust Him, and consider taking your eyes
off the suffering!

5. PEACE IN UNEXPLAINED FEAR

Some people only ever feel fear when we think of Christmas, not peace on earth! Sometimes we
are disturbed by worry, and we are not even sure exactly what it is that's causing it!

When Franklin D Roosevelt came to power in 1933, he faced the depths no matter the Great
Depression. During inaugural speech, he said these words… "the single thing we have to fear is
fear itself," and it really is precisely the same nature no matter what the fears and anxiety that
plagues us this and every Christmas.
Psalms 91:5-7 (ESV Strong's)

You will not fear the terror of the evening hours, nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

Many may fall as your faithful companion, ten thousand at the right hand, but it will certainly not
come near you.

Should you feel that you might be afraid of almost everything, maybe you're not even sure why
you fear, then you should come just before the Lord in prayer and ask for Him to overcome the
fears and anxieties and surround you on peace on this planet…

HOW TO FIND PEACE ON EARTH IN YOUR HEART AND MIND

Peace across the world is really as elusive for us to seek out right at heads as it's to find that it is
out there in the world. It is like chasing a rainbow… if there'could be a pot of gold at the end
whatever the rainbow, the closer you will have, the further it seems to be away.

So this Christmas, how can you find perfect peace regardless of what the christmas season
brings?

Picture this… it's late at night, you're concerned with tomorrow's troubles, you possibly can't
sleep. You are trying to still your mind, however it races at 100 miles an hour.

Does this ever happen to your account? You are aware that 90% of whatever you be worried
about never even occurs, but you cannot tell your brain that, right?

1. PRAY
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV Strong's)

do not be troubled about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts along with your minds in Christ Jesus.

So bad is to wish, when you're worried and anxious, see your eyes off the circumstances and
position them firmly in Jesus. Praying is merely actually talking to God, but when you begin to
hope, when you confess your worries (because after all, they're sin), and once you hand the
whole situation as much as God, you can experience perfect peace flooding your soul.

2. READ

The next verse in Philippians demonstrates you how to obtain this perfect peace. It's not by
watching TV, it's not by taking medication. The peace that actually guards your hearts and minds
and protects you in opposition of worry and anxiety…

Philippians 4:8 (ESV Strong's)

Finally, brothers, everything that is true, anything that is honourable, everything that is just,
anything that is pure, everything that is lovely, anything that is commendable, if you have any
excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Should you read His Word, when you meditate on all the things. You begin to consider what it
says. Then you definitely see your eyes off the circumstances and position them on Christ, and
you may experience peace. Reading the Bible every day slowly but surely changes how you're
thinking that, speak and behave. Having Scripture within your heart guards it against attack, and
allows peace to settle.

It sets one's mind on God, and as you you transform eyes upon Him, everything near you grows
strangely dim.

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV Strong's)

You retain him in perfect peace whose method is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

How are you going to trust someone you do not know? If some guy in the street asks me for $50,
I'm likely to say no. If my other half asks me, I'm likely, indeed compelled to say yes. What's the
biggest difference? One I do know and trust, the other is unknown.

Read God's Word and spend time with Him, and peace will flow through you this Christmas.

3. FELLOWSHIP

After we join the circulation together, there's a supernatural strength. That's what Church is about.
It's not about singing, preaching or raising money, it concerns worshipping together and
supporting one another.

People often notify me, "I like Jesus but hate Church." I understand this , but they also are really
missing out on a level of faith and peace you simply cannot find by yourself. God made us to
become His body, joined together. So this Christmas, don't hate Church, just find the best
possible because your peace shall be increased should you do.

People often think Church is focused on a wonderful time spent, and large churches have lights,
smoke machines and world class entertainment. You attends, sneak out afterwards and not have
to do anything. However the status quo's Christian entertainment, folks, not Church. Church
concerns being connected, not being a buyer!
But exactly what nowadays most people really need isn't a wonderful time spent , deserve a
variety of believers who stand with them. The believer is encouraged to placed on the total
armour of God…

Ephesians 6:16 (ESV Strong's)

In all of the circumstances use the shield of religion, with which you'll be able to extinguish all the
flaming darts whatever the evil one;

The shield Paul has take into consideration this can be a Roman shield, that was not used singly
but with other soldiers, forming a wall of shields. Your faith can protect you slightly if you find
yourself isolated and by yourself, however when joined online websites in the people of god you
have serious defense against the enemies flaming darts.

PEACE, MAN, PEACE

So this Christmas, on the earth cannot give you peace on earth, but God can. You'll be able to
allow peace on this planet which passes understanding guard your heart and your mind right now.

But you have to understand this… The peace of God is a gift; it's not something we are able to
manipulate and it also's not something we are able to preorder from a listing or an internet site,
because it's the fruit of being one with Him. It is the result of leaving and letting God control and
bother about what is going on in the life.

When our relationship with Jesus is robust and adversity strikes, we are not compelled to
disintegrate or throw in the towel to worry and anxiety. We may choose, and discover it is just one
choice, we can pick to live in the steadfast and rock solid confidence of His love, His wisdom, His
power, and His provision.
Right here is the basis of His unshakable peace on earth-not which we are capable of controlling
circumstances, however the status quo His help is ever-present and excellent to provide us in
each and every challenge we face. True peace is inner peace with God, regardless of the
circumstances, and not to mention in war we can be at peace.

So this Christmas, let not your heart be troubled. So be the peace of God flood your life.

In case you are dreading something in regards to this Christmas, when you've got next page,
anxiety, worry or anything, this applies to you moment to own us stand on you and pray for peace
the world over to people who have whom He's pleased.

But if you don't think God is content with you, when you don't know Him or if you have been
running from Him, or ignoring a Him, then we have to solve that first. If you are removed from
God, or still haven't asked Him into your life, this is your moment