Devotional 12-11-21

 Philippians 4: 4-7

⁴Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! ⁵Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. ⁶Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. ⁷Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.

Every year as we move into the season of advent, feelings of Peace, Hope, Love, and Joy find their way to the surface of our lives.  These feelings are with us always, but during Christmas they rise to the surface through the stories of planning and preparation for the birth of Christ.  These feelings help us to see the best in others, and brings out the best in each of us.  On the other hand, there are events to plan, family dinners to arrange, and decorating that needs done to prepare for the Christmas season.  While these events are full of fun, excitement, and love, usually feelings of hope and joy are replaced with stress, anxiety, and frustration.  

There are many verses and stories in the bible about giving our troubles over to God.  This week, from Philippians, we read we should not be anxious about anything, but bring our worries to God through prayer.  This will help us to know the peace of God and allow the spirit of Christ to truly live within each of our hearts.  As we pray and share in the advent season, we are prepared again to receive Christ through his birth.

I heard a song recently called “There is Peace in Christ”.  As I listened to the words, I was reminded of how Christ is our strength and our peace.  The chorus reads; “He gives us hope when hope is gone, He give us strength when we can’t go on, He give us shelter in the storms of life, When there’s no peace on Earth there is peace in Christ”.  This advent season, take time to focus on the Peace, Hope, Joy and Love of the season.  Remember to bring your anxieties, fears and frustrations to God, and all things can be done through Christ.

God Bless you all

Hulse Budd