Peace - Advent Week Two

 Sunday, Nov 27:  John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

Question to ponder:  Where do you find the peace of the Spirit in your daily living?

Monday, Nov 28:  Isaiah 26:12  O Lord, may you ordain peace for us, for indeed, all that we have done, you have done for us.

Question of the day:  Is there a relationship in your life which needs restoration?  What can you do to reflect the peace you have in the Holy Spirit with that person to bring them closer to God?

Tuesday, Nov 29:   Matthew 11:28  Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Question of the day:  Is there a difference between spiritual peace and earthly peace?  If so, how do you model that spiritual aspect to entice others to want the same thing in their lives?

Wednesday, Nov 30:  John 16:33  I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!”

Question of the day:  Everyone has their own cross to bear in life - problems are part of being human.  What actions can you take in the midst of life’s chaos to restore your spiritual peacefulness?

Thursday, Dec 1:  Romans 5:1-2  Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.

Question to ponder:  Do you find that the hardships you have experienced in life build up your faith or disrupt your faith?  

Friday, Dec 2:  2 Thessalonians 3:16  Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.

Question to ponder:  Do you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit within when you are going through hard times?  Do you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit within when life is going well?  How does the Holy Spirit restore you to a right relationship with God in either situation?

Saturday, Dec 3:  Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Question to ponder:  What does the peace of God which surpasses all understanding mean?  If we cannot understand it, what are we guarding against?

Advent Candle Lighting for Week Two:

Hymn:  It is Well With My Soul   346 LBW

Today, the Second Sunday of Advent, we light the Candle of Peace.  Through this week, we have been thinking about how we find peace within ourselves through the presence of the Holy Spirit, and also how we can share that restorative spiritual peace with others so they, too, crave a right relationship with God, the true source of spiritual peace.  Even in the midst of worldly chaos and heartache, even when bad things happen to us, we know that God will overcome all the evil and restore us to him if we submit to him and present ourselves in faith.  Spiritual peace is not a lottery win - there is no winning combination that we can pick and hit the jackpot of our own doing.  Jesus has already paid the entire price for our restoration to a right relationship with God, and when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are reminded that while we are in the world, we belong to God.  Good works are a reflection of our desire to show the love of God to others, but caring for our own spiritual well being by giving ourselves time to read the Word and reflect on it is our opportunity to be in the presence of our Lord.

Let us pray.  Dear Heavenly Father, help us to calm our hearts and minds so we are receptive to the peace that can only be found in you.  Allow us to rest in your Word, to find comfort and solace in your love through the Holy Spirit, and to act with grace towards others so that they, too, can be restored to you.  In Jesus name we ask this.  Amen.