2005 Advent
 
Daily Devotional Guide 
 

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6 KJV
 

 The Prince of Peace

You are the source of true delight,

A Prince of Peace we all adore.

May we follow close beside You.

Each day, may we love You more.

You calm us in our times of trouble,

You give us guidance that is best.

Amid life’s worldly cares and failures,

You give to us untroubled rest.
 

The Prince of Peace, oh what a title,

Peace, the world needs more of.

You provide it for us daily,

With the sharing of Your love.

Layman Cash - 2005

Sunday December 18, 2005                                                            Advent IV: Prince of Peace

Wow! Talk about God’s perfect timing; I signed up for this Prince of Peace devotional a couple of months ago and then just by coincidence, some would say, we happened to focus on the same topic in this week’s small group discussion.

Now the question is, do you believe that it was a coincidence; or do you believe that God looked into the future and planned the schedule of our small group topics such that this devotional would thereby include something that He knows you need to know, or revisit, regarding Christ’s peace?

You see, if you don’t believe that God is personally involved with your own life, and that He can and does alter the events of your life to suit His perfect purposes; then you are left with only yourself to resolve life’s endless stream of problems. That indeed would be cause for anyone to worry; and worry excludes Christ’s peace which He has made available for all believers who purposely choose it over worry.

Philippians 4:6-7 makes it very clear that believers are not to worry about a single one of life’s infinite problems; but instead we are to place them before God in prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7;  6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

You say you have prayed and the worry remains while the peace that transcends all understanding still eludes you? I remind you of what Jesus asked the blind men seeking to be healed in Matthew 9:27-29; “Do you believe that I am able to do this.” Jesus told them, “According to your faith will it be done to you”.   Do you believe that Christ is able to give you peace that transcends all understanding, even as life’s unending parade of problems confront our humanness? Or will you choose to focus your mind on how big the problem is, and experience the churning stomach of worry. The choice really is yours; but here is a little something to help - - Take note that God, our Creator who purposely designed our brains such that we can not focus on more than a single thought at once, immediately follows Philippians 4:7 with this:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

Pray earnestly, and then focus your thoughts on the positives! Don’t allow worry to creep back into your thoughts after you have given your problems to God through prayer. Give each and every one of life’s problems to Christ in prayer, believe that He is in control of every issue you face and that His plan for you is perfect. Then focus your thoughts on the positives, be thankful for the blessing you receive daily; and you will then experience Christ’s peace that transcends all understanding. 

Benjy Triplett

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Monday December 19, 2005                                              Advent IV: Prince of Peace

(This is an extract from the 1999 Advent Devotional Guide; Justin touched our lives by his purposeful living; thanks for the memories)

A Testimony

Basically all of my life I have been a Christian. But during my teen age years there were events that really deepened my faith. I went with the Youth Group from Southeast on a mission trip to Georgia, I attended Promise Keepers with some of the adult men from the church and enjoyed attending regular church services. Then my mother and I were in a terrible accident involving an eighteen-wheeler. I do not believe that God caused that accident, but I do believe He used it for His glory. As a result of that wreck, my faith grew tremendously over the next few years.

It was in my freshman year of college that I began to see my faith slipping. I still believed in God and knew that He was there, but something was missing. During that summer, I told my mom that I wanted to transfer to Gardner-Webb University.  I wanted this change for several reasons, one being that I knew it was a Baptist school and I just felt that God wanted me there. I did transfer and attended for the next two years. I was supposed to return on August 17, 1999, but something happened on August 13 that would keep me from beginning the classes just four days later. This would be something that would, and still does, challenge my faith.

On this date we found out that I have an AVM, which stands for a big word meaning that I have tangled blood vessels and ventricles in my brain. Before the doctors could proceed with plans for that particular problem they first had to put a shunt into my head to remove the fluid from my brain which was not draining properly. As most of you know, it has been a tough road since that first surgery. I have been going back and forth to doctors and at times it has been frustrating.

In spite of all of this, "I am strong and courageous, not afraid or terrified because of this, for the Lord my God goes with me: He will never leave me nor forsake me." (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV) I know without a doubt that God is with me in everything I will face.

…. God does not cause tragedies, but He can and does use them for His glory.

Justin Alston  -  1999  (used by permission)

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Tuesday December 20, 2005                                              Advent IV: Prince of Peace

Isaiah 11 tells us of the time on earth when peace will totally rule.  The wolf will live with the Lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

This is the life we, as Christians, look forward to when Christ returns.  In the meantime we find ourselves in a world of conflict.  Wars and rumors of wars are the rule rather than the exception.  All levels of interactions between men are filled with conflict at every turn and it is difficult for us to have peace.

In examining my own life, I’m convicted of the many times I have willfully pursued what I considered to be my own best interest.  It’s my nature to “fight rather than switch” as the saying goes.  For a Christian to live this way is certainly not pleasing to God.  Despite our circumstances the Lord has promised us peace.  In John 14:27 Jesus tells us  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and be not afraid.”

I can think of at least six times in my life when I thought there might be a good chance the Lord was calling me home.  I can also truthfully testify that during those periods I had the peace that passes all understanding.

We as Christians should live confident lives and not be caught up in the worries of life.  Our Lord and Savior has sent us a Comforter to provide us with all the guidance, support and love we need to lead lives that reflect well on our Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-6 tell us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” I do know the Lord has never failed me in any way.

My prayer is that, as in the old hymn, He gives me the grace to trust him more.

David Hannah  -  2004  (used by permission)

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Wednesday December 21, 2005                                                      Advent IV: Prince of Peace

The meaning of Peace was never more real to me than when I experienced the illness and death of my Grandmother.

It all happened throughout the weeks of Thanksgiving last year.  Maw-Maw had recently been diagnosed with cancer and my grandfather had taken her to have a device placed in her chest to allow chemotherapy treatment to be administered to her.  The nurse had just given her “Happy Medicine" when her heart stopped.  They worked on her and got her breathing again, but she never regained consciousness.  Two days later, on my Dad’s birthday, the doctors informed us that she would not recover.  We had her life support systems removed the next day.  I felt unbelievably sad and had no peace.  I was so worried.  For nine days we waited.  On December 4, 2004, Maw-Maw passed away.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18, it states “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

In those weeks of mourning, we did little rejoicing.  It was hard to believe that God, being Prince of Peace, had a plan for Maw-Maw. But I believe that God took Maw-Maw at the time He did so she would not suffer with the cancer, but live at peace with Him eternally.  God also had a plan for my family.  He put PaPa Don and Carolyn Hooker in our lives, who have been like grandparents to us.  I still miss Maw-Maw and always will, but I am at peace with God’s plans.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for giving us life on this earth and also eternal life with You.  I pray that each and every one of us today will be at peace with your plans and remember that You are the Prince of Peace!  I love You!  AMEN

Lauren Starr

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Thursday December 22, 2005                                                          Advent IV: Prince of Peace

Jesus, in Isaiah 9:6, is called our Prince of peace.  As a Christian, that was an easy concept to understand but a lot harder to put into practice.  When I became a Christian in college in 1993, I was a headstrong proud young man.  I always told myself I could handle any situation.  My decision-making ability was enough.  Soon after graduating I got married and encountered a flood of decisions that not only influenced me but also my growing family.

The author of Ecclesiastes faced some of the same challenges.  He searched for meaning and peace in everything he could find. 

In chapter 2 of Ecclesiastes it says:

¹⁰I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my
labor.  ¹¹Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had
toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.

The author failed to find meaning and peace in everything.  He was left wanting more.  In the final chapter, meaning is found in something other than everything under the sun - God.

In my life as a Christian fresh from college, I accepted Jesus as my Savior but I refused to give up control, to make Him Lord of my life.  Surrender to God was the hardest choice and a choice I have to continually make everyday.  Only when I relinquished control did I experience true peace.

Where are you today?  Are you overwhelmed with responsibilities?  Are you searching for meaning in a worldly pursuit and failing?

Surrender.  Find peace.  Accept the full nature of Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life.

Christopher Bronson

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Friday December 23, 2005                                                           Advent IV: Prince of Peace

…For he hath visited and redeemed his people, LUKE 1:67

He speaks in a still small voice we are told,                    A voice that dispels all fear,
And when I’m in doubt or troubled in soul,                            That still small voice I can hear.
He whispers “Have faith” and “Trust in my Grace,”                  Though no way out can I see,
The voice, soft but clear, still falls on my ear, He whispers sweet peace to me.

(adapted from Ramsey)

Christmas Fire

They say when the Mid-west was first settled that the grass was as high as your head and stretched on for a hundred miles. In the fall a dry wind would kill the grass, and if a spark fell to the ground, a wildfire would sweep across the plains faster than the fastest horse could run. Travelers had no hope, but one. If they stood still and lit a fire in front of them it would consume all of the grass ahead and they could follow this fire and be saved from THE fire.

What greater peace could you have than to be standing where the fire had already passed, knowing it could not pass that way again?

Only this: To kneel at the foot of the cross where God’s justice and judgment have already fallen on Jesus, knowing that there we are safe from judgment.

When we see a Christmas fire or a Christmas candle burning, let us remember, with a heart overflowing with thanks, that Jesus came to turn the destroying fires of God’s judgment into the beautiful displays of light and peace, illustrated by these heart-warming flames.

In one of his songs Bob Hartman wrote:

I've missed the mark I can't deny it,

I don't condone or justify it,
But I've done nothing that His blood can't wash away,
When I take it to the cross and start to pray.

Where are my accusers, nowhere to be found,
They all dropped their stones when the Master came around.

Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten us, and the glory of thy people Israel.   Luke 2:29-32

Ronnie May 

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Saturday December 24, 2005                                                            Advent IV: Prince of Peace

Christmas Eve!   We all anticipate this day with great emotion.  We can’t wait to fellowship with family around a table set with delicious casseroles, meats and desserts.  We may dread the loneliness that’s here because we don’t have any family or friends around us.  We could be excited beyond words because we know we are getting that perfect gift.  Perhaps we are totally exhausted because of all the preparation this season brings.

No matter what emotion we are experiencing today, peace can surround us.  How? As we were looking up Scripture that go along with Peace, we noticed that they all point to the same thing.  We can have Peace because Jesus is with us all the time through the Holy Spirit.  In John 14:27, Jesus says “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”.

As you read in Lauren Starr’s devotional, last Christmas our hearts were troubled.  We had just buried Frank’s mom and we were grieving.  As we look back, we see how He sustained us and ultimately gave us great Peace.  We miss her terribly and even helping Lauren with her devotional, stirred our emotions, but we have no doubt Frank’s mom is in Heaven and we long to see her again—there is Peace in that.

Today we anticipate Jesus’ birth, the Savior of this world,  Son of God, Prince of Peace.  What a great time to remember who He is and what blessings God has given us.

So, as you are busy making those last minute preparations,  just climbed into bed exhausted, or are just waking up lonely and afraid, dwell on His presence and the Peace He brings to you!

Dear Heavenly Father, You are so very precious to us.  Your Peace is so real.  Continue to show us Your presence in the day to day happenings.  Especially today, Father, as we get excited about celebrating Your sons’ birth, help us not to let our emotions forget why He came-so that we can have forgiveness of our sins and live eternally with You!

We love You!  AMEN

Frank and Linda Starr

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