Having the peace of God in our hearts

Jesus encouraged His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” John 14:27.

This Christmas, how is the peace in your heart? Some of you have been very sick. Others have lost their home or are looking for a home. Some have had their hopes and dreams dashed. Many people are overworked and stressed. In a worldly sense there may be little peace.

This Christmas, in Israel and Gaza there is war, pain, and human loss. The birthplace of our Lord, Bethlehem, is not at peace, and the holy city of Jerusalem has been fought over between Muslims, Jews, and Christians for years. Baptists throughout the Middle East have asked us not to light the “peace candle” this year. What is happening in our world? We shouldn’t be surprised really because Jesus warned us of such things in Matthew 24.

But the peace of Christ is not conditional on our personal circumstances. Through our faith in the Lord, we have peace with God. Peace of mind and soul is made possible by our Saviour. This Christmas let’s determine ourselves to “cast all our anxieties on Jesus, because He cares for us,” 1 Peter 5:7. “The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace,” Ro 8:6. When we soak in Jesus we will feel His peace, which transcends all understanding and guards our hearts and our minds. Peace be with you.