Jesus, Our Prince of Peace
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is the Person we need now more than any other substitute to overcome the anxiety that robs us of the peace of God. At the root of anxiety are three elements: (1) insecurity: “something bad might happen,” (2) helplessness: “there is nothing I can do” and (3) isolation: “there is no one to help me.” These nagging thoughts disrupt peace. If fearful thinking persists, it can cause heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and panic attacks. Anxiety can be mild or severe. Recent brain science reveals that our emotions play an important role in our ability to deal effectively with stress. Simply put, we have an emotional brain and a thinking brain. When our emotions hijack our thoughts, we have to allow the truth of God’s Word to take over. This is why it is important to “not be anxious” but in all things turn to God in prayer who gives His peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:6-7). This peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Believers in Christ must learn to love God with all their mind.
What the mind attends to it considers. What the mind does not attend to it dismisses. What the mind attends to continually it believes. What the mind believes it eventually does. Hence, Paul teaches the Philippian believers to meditate on these things: “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are of good report if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phil 4:8). Isaiah also wrote: “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (Isa 26:3).”
The peace we long for we have; God sent His Son Jesus so that we could have peace with God; Jesus our Prince of Peace provides us with the peace of God in order to enjoy peace in our daily lives and relationships with one another. Let’s not allow anxiety to rob us of the peace that is already ours. We may feel insecure, but we are secure in Christ, we may feel helpless, but we have a powerful Helper, we may feel alone, but we are never alone; prayer invites us to turn to God. He promises peace to those who are willing to commit their anxieties to Him.
Margy Hill
Everlasting Father
Earthly fathers, for good and for bad, shape one’s view of our heavenly father. As 2022 winds down, the two-year mark of my dad’s passing approaches. I learned some good things from my dad. I learned to put my mind to something, learn about it, and then go do it. My dad could pretty much fix anything. No need to pay a professional to come and fix it. I can’t remember ever seeing my dad pay for someone else to fix something. My dad fixed whatever needed fixing. And he did that without YouTube or the internet:
Plumbing
Electrical
Masonry
Automotive
Adding two rooms onto a house. Sure, he could draw up the plans, file those with the city, buy the materials and build it himself.
Dad showed me how to be steady, consistent, reliable, and even keel. He also liked to learn which was probably why it was so hard to beat him at Trivial Pursuit.
Even with all the good, my family wished for more from my dad. I knew he loved me, but he had trouble saying it. My siblings and I hoped for some attention, some affection, some sharing of what was on his mind. We hoped for some validation, some encouragement, some conversation, some kind of reaching out for a relationship. Over my adult life, dad only called me once, when my mom was visiting us after my first son was born when we lived in Colorado. When I answered the phone I was happy to hear my dad’s voice, but instead of conversation, all he asked was, “Is your mom there?” When dad passed away, the hope of any connection or reaching out happening in this earthly life also passed away.
The realities of my relationship with dad taint my perception of my heavenly father, and your realities with yours do too, for good and for bad. It takes training, belief, and trust in Scripture to accept all God is as our heavenly father. One new insight for me is seeing Jesus as an eternal father. This might strike you as odd, but in Isaiah 9:6, the prophet proclaims “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… …and his name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6. Jesus truly is God in the flesh. The roles of the persons of the Trinity are expressed in the names of Jesus on earth; counselor, father, and prince.
Then, in Luke 8:48, in conversation with a woman he had just healed, Jesus “said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Jesus calls her “daughter.” This implies fatherly care for and connection with that woman. That connection is available for all his followers too. A relational connection believers get to experience; an eternity of connecting with their healer, savior, counselor, father, prince, and mighty God!
John Riley
Jr. High Pastor
Spotlight
After pausing for an uncomfortable amount of time and fielding questions from his confused disciples, a woman emerged from the shadows. A woman who had lived in the shadows for 12 years. Most scholars assume that she had a uterine hemorrhage, but we’re not sure. What we know is that she’d been bleeding for 12 years - which meant that she was an outcast from society and unable to be a part of the religious activities in the temple. She was separated from people and kept out of the very place people met with God. This was the woman who sheepishly responded to Jesus' question, “Who touched me?”
Why does Jesus stop and ask? Why does he make her step into the light? Why does he shine a spotlight on someone who’d rather just slip into the background and become part of the scenery rather than the main character in the drama that was developing? Jesus calls her out because he isn’t interested in drive-by healings. He’s interested in relationships. He isn’t interested only in restoring this woman’s body, but he wants to repair the fractures in her soul. He makes her stand up and stand out in the crowd because Jesus knows that love for the world is comforting, but love given specifically is transforming. He shines the spotlight on her, not to shame her, but to shower her with love.
There’s a way to brush up against Jesus that makes no difference, but there’s a way to ferociously, passionately, grasp for him that changes everything. That kind of longing is called faith, and it’s faith that heals and restores this woman because it brings her face-to-face with Jesus. Let me encourage you to reach for Jesus with that same kind of passion today, and know that when you do, he pauses and asks, “Who touched me?”
Ryan Paulson
“Trust Him”
As Advent presses on, I’m filled with warm memories of Christmases past. I remember my grandfather (who went to be with the Lord this year) reading the Nativity Story (Luke 2) as the grandkids piled around him. I remember the thrill the next morning as I charged down the stairs in my PJs to open presents with my parents and siblings. My grandmother cheerfully reminded us, “Jesus is the reason for the season!” (She was right.)
But, chief among the yuletide memories is a feeling difficult to describe. A hope. A sincere faith that dwelt in my heart, even then. The baby Jesus my Grandpa read about really was Immanuel: God with us. I didn’t yet possess the theological categories to understand the concept in-depth. I didn’t have to. I just knew that this Jesus, “away in a manger”, was actually God the Son. He created everything–and somehow loved me too. That was enough.
That innocence, that child-like faith isn’t just for kids at Christmastime. Jesus is calling everyone to a tender trust and intimacy with him. During his earthly ministry, he urged his disciples, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus wanted his disciples to follow him like little children, full of trust and amazement.
This doesn’t mean shutting off the mind and forgetting reason. Far from it! C. S. Lewis wrote: “[Jesus] wants a child’s heart, but a grown-up’s head. He wants us to be simple, single-minded, affectionate, and teachable, as good children are; but He also wants every bit of intelligence we have to be alert at its job, and in first-class fighting trim.” In other words, Jesus is seeking people who are radically dependent on him. Child-like faith says, “I don’t know. But, Jesus does.” At the same time, we are to be “shrewd as serpents” (Matthew 10:16). The best way to spot a counterfeit is to know the real thing. Wise Christians have a tender, childish dependence on Christ that discerns truth from error by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So, trust him this Christmas. All my fears, hopes, and dreams pale in light of his next Advent–when he comes again. Maranatha!
Jake Solis
She is my Daughter
April 2, 2005, will forever be imprinted on my heart, mind, and soul. After battling cancer for almost a year, my dad qualified for a new experimental chemotherapy treatment that had an increasing success rate. We were so hopeful this might be his cure! But three weeks into the treatment, something went incredibly wrong. In one week’s time, he went from running around with his grandkids to each organ shutting down and landing him in the hospital on dialysis. As I entered his hospital room in the early morning hours of April 2nd, I feared what I would find. My dad’s nurse saw me first and said, “Milt, someone is here to see you. Do you know who it is?”
My dad barely turned his head, squinted his eyes, and said with the most endearing voice, “It’s Lynette. She is my daughter.” No words could have expressed a more relational, heartfelt, compassionate love. As his daughter, he called me by name, the name he and my mom had given me. And he called me his daughter, a word that spoke volumes about my identity in relation to him as my dad.
In Luke 8, when the woman with the issue of blood reached out to Jesus, he didn’t scorn her or tell her to leave. He didn’t even ignore her. He looked deep into her eyes and declared her identity. Jesus called her “daughter” and proclaimed that her faith had healed her. Calling her “daughter” set aside and completely refuted every pretense, every bit of judgment, all scorn, and all shame. "Daughter" was her identity.
Later that same day, my dad passed into the presence of his Everlasting Father, where he was ushered in as a child of God; a son of the King. His words spoken earlier were his last here on earth, yet, “she is my daughter” will forever ring in my soul. It is part of my earthly identity. Yet how much more precious is it to be called a daughter of the Almighty King? To be called children of God is our identity. It defines whose image we bear. It speaks of our value as being more precious than silver, gold, and fine jewels. It tells of our future as heirs. It proclaims us recipients of immeasurable grace, forgiveness, and abundance.
You may not have experienced the adoring love of an earthly father, a sorrow that brings about deep anguish and grief. Please know that the love of your Everlasting Father unconditionally claims you as his heir; his precious child. And if you did or do have a loving dad, look for opportunities to remind others of their identity as sons and daughters of the Eternal King!
Lynette Fuson
Care & Counseling Director
Fatherly Love
Growing up my dad was a police officer and my hero. Dad was the oldest of seven during the depression and never really had a childhood but instead had too much responsibility at a very young age. His dad was a drinker and not a great example of fatherhood either. Though dad was the best guy in the world in my young eyes, compassionate and kind, when he drank he became a different person. It was very scary and the fights between my parents weren’t pretty. I learned early that my dad wasn’t a reliable force in my life and since my mom wasn’t either, I grew up with many trust issues, no understanding of boundaries, and definitely abandonment issues. Somehow, through it all, God kept his hand on my life and around my heart. My paternal grandmother was a believer, and when things got crazy in life, I would pray that she would come and rescue my sisters and I.
I pray you had a godly dad who exemplified God's great love. In many ways, mine didn’t and maybe yours didn’t either. Mark Batterson said, “God (the Father) is great not just because nothing is too big for Him. God is great because nothing is too small for Him, either.”
I accepted Jesus at thirteen thanks partly to my grandma and my heavenly Father’s great love for me. I then began to learn about a father who loved us so much that he would give his only son Jesus to die so we could have a personal relationship with him.
This verse reminds us, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1 As a child of God, I’m cherished, treasured, and cared for. He knows everything about me and loves me unconditionally. Miraculous. No matter what my issues were through the years, he forgave me and lovingly taught me to trust him more.
I still miss my dad and I choose to remember his sense of humor and compassion, He taught me consideration for all people and I knew he loved me. I am forever grateful that God the Father is my rock and fortress and I love this scripture. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4
Father, thank you for your enduring, patient love that always pursues, and forgives, and lifts us from darkness into light. Help us show that love and light to others.
Christmas blessings to you,
Deb Hill
His Might Stops Flight…
Growing up when I would stay the night at my grandparent's house, I loved it most of the time, but there was always one moment that I was scared of. If you had to use the restroom in the middle of the night, the bathroom was located at the end of a long dark hallway. I remember my routine; I would pray, I would run, and the hallway would get longer and longer in the dark of night. In actuality, the hallway was not that long and not that scary, but I could not get past it because my fear would cause me to take flight instead of trusting in Jesus’ might. Of course, I’ve grown to realize how my mighty God would take care of me in those moments of fear.
Our Savior is not only a wonderful counselor, but he is also mighty (Isaiah 7:6). Usually I think of brute force or physical strength, but really I have a Savior who will be there in the dark hallways of life, watching over me, and protecting me. I do not have to be afraid or flee, instead, I can trust in his might. Paul explains in Ephesians 6:10 that we can be strong in God’s mighty power as he tells us about how to put on the full armor of God. When I understand his might, I don’t have to run or hide, I can trust him instead. I didn’t fully grasp that as a child and even now I can feel fear begin to rise at times, but then I look to the Lord and realize with him there is nothing to fear.
Maybe you are facing a decision to flee and take flight, maybe this is a little reminder of how we can trust Jesus’ might in those moments of fear. Take a moment and think about those things that might cause you to want to take flight, are they bigger or stronger than Jesus? Is there something he can not do to help? As we think about this advent season and what we need, take time to let our Lord know, he is mighty and can help. If you need any encouragement, we are here as well.
Jeremy Johnson
Family Pastor
His Might brings Light
I want to suggest that there are at least three ways in which we can make sense of the title of this devotional, “His Might brings Light.” In fact, we will see that Jesus’ might brings light, light and light.
The first is quite literal. We can actually see things in this world with our eyes because his might has created light. John 1:3 tells us that “Through [Jesus, the “word,”] all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” In other words, Jesus is both the one who spoke and what was spoken when God said, “Let there be light.” His might brings light. Colossians 1:16-17 takes it a step further and tells us that all things “visible and invisible” were created by Jesus and that he continues to “hold together” all things. In other words, His might brought life and it continues to bring light.
The second way that we can understand this title is a bit more metaphorically. His might brings light to my heart and to the world. This is the way that John uses the word “light” in 1 John 1:5, when he says, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” He is not suggesting that God is hard to look at like the sun. He is suggesting that God is the source of all that shines the light of truth on our world. In scripture, “light” is a metaphor for wisdom and knowledge. This is the way that the psalmist uses the concept in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” It is by the might of God’s words to us in scripture that we are able to see reality. His might brings light.
But finally, the third way that we can understand this title is by noticing that the title still makes sense when we use it with another definition of the word light. Light is something that shines, but it is also something that doesn’t weigh much. Therefore, when Jesus says, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30), he is telling us that “His might brings light.” By his might, because of what he does for us on the cross, the burden that we need to carry is light!
So, to put it all together, His might brings the light through which we see, it brings the light by which we know, and it brings lightness to our souls because our burden is lessened. Praise the Lord for our Mighty God!
Josh Rose
Discipleship Pastor
His Might Brings Delight
For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. Isaiah 9:4 (NLT)
One joy of prophecy is that it often has a double-fulfillment, as many of you know. As the nation of Israel interacted with Isaiah’s words, they were no doubt thinking of their current situation and were looking for a literal breaking of their yoke of slavery and a lifting of their heavy burden (See Isaiah 7-8). They had real problems and needed their mighty God to deliver them.
So do we.
And while we all have issues and needs where we really need God to step in and deliver us, I’d like to point to our more ultimate needs that this “child…born to us, (this) son…given to us” meets.
You know where I am going with this.
We don’t have King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah bearing down on us. But we are in the laser-focused sights of sin, death and the devil. And it is from these things that we are delivered by our faith in this “child…born to us, (this) son…given to us.”
I hope we can remember and reflect on that in fresh ways this Christmas. Our Mighty God has delivered us from the things that really matter when eternity is taken into consideration.
So, perhaps it might be helpful to re-read the verses with these double-fulfillment realities in mind. If you were to do that, here is what you would get -
For you will break the yoke of their slavery (to sin) and lift the heavy burden (of guilty and the fear of death). You will break the oppressor’s (Satan, or the devil) rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
And because we are on the other side of the Incarnation, the “you wills” of this passage are changed to “you haves” for those who trust in Christ.
Emmanuel Faith, may the (perhaps) well-known realities of what Christmas means for your spiritual life become real to you in some new ways this day!
Scott Smith
Care Pastor
His Might Corrects Sight
“…and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God…” Isaiah 9:6b
Before teaching a Bible story lesson to children, we prepared an experiential activity for them to engage in that would cause a question in their minds related to the lesson aim. One such activity was like a human Gordian knot! The children would stand in a circle and be instructed to grab a hand of someone not on either side of them. As the kids scrambled to do this they might climb over or under the clasped hands of others. When they were all connected, they were told to untangle themselves back to a circle without breaking hands. It was a giant frustrating human Gordian knot and the kids could not do it….on their own! They would have to call on a leader to stand on a chair and tell them how to untangle themselves and he/she also had the power to unclasp hands as needed. Afterwards, we would ask them what it would mean to them to know there is such a powerful person who wants to help them in their own lives.
When we cannot see a way out or a direction to go, we have an Almighty God with us! In Isaiah, one of the newborn’s names was and is Mighty God, the one who rescued the Hebrew people time and time again when there was literally no way out but for Him. Both the Nicene and the Apostles Creeds name in their first lines the Father as Almighty God. This foundational truth is needed especially in the darkness of today’s hopelessly confused and broken culture. Our Almighty God wants us to call upon Him so we can be lights to give people hope and salvation where they see none. It is in knowing the Almighty God that we get our sight corrected.
There is a famous book by Elizabeth Elliot entitled In the Shadow of the Almighty. In it she tells the true story of what happened when her husband Jim and four other missionaries tried to bring the truth of the gospel to the Waodani (Auca) Indians in Ecuador’s jungle. From the world’s perspective (sight), it ended tragically in the death of all the men. But in the sight of our Almighty God, the purpose was greater, not only in the eventual turning to Christ of the Waodanis (even the killers), but also in the calling of hundreds into the harvest as laborers in the field.
The title of her book comes from Psalm 91:1
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”
When we don’t know what or how or why, we can still act on the truth our God is Almighty and rest in His purpose. After all, we have read the end of the book! So let us remind each other we can “rest in the shadow of the Almighty” and see correctly!
Francie Overstreet
