Advent Week 2–PEACE
By Rosie McGough, Worship Director, Tree of Life Church
Luke 1:67-79 NIV
Zechariah’s Song His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Praise to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us- to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet to the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising of the sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of PEACE.”
Luke 2:14 TPT
“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is PEACE and good hope given to the sons of men.”
Luke 7:50 TPT
Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith in me has given you life. Now you may leave and walk in the ways of PEACE.”
Matt 5:9 AMP
Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of PEACE, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.
Gal. 5:22-23 TPT But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: Joy that overflows, PEACE that subdues, Patience that endures, Kindness in action, A life full of virtue, Faith that prevails, Gentleness of heart, and Strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.
Invite Him In
By Rosie McGough
There is a lot of demand on this mama of 3 during the holidays, and I am (usually) here for it! This time of year has classically been a fun and exciting time to prepare for. I come at it with such excitement, expectation and preparedness. This year feeling the expectation and excitement has a damper on it and I’ve been asking myself why. Perhaps it is all the unexpected interruptions. Everything from the kids needing more homework help, or pauses on financial plans, to my dad’s heart attack or seeing the attack on Israel. It was all piling up and I was becoming irritable. It was trying to steal my peace.
This season, I feel Him asking me to co-labor with Him in ways I’ve seen as my things to do. He wants to partner with me even more in the routine ways of life. When I’m practicing my carols or meal planning for the family…invite Him in. When I’m working on the budget or working out my body… invite Him in. Sitting in a hospital room? Invite him in. When I am wrapping the presents or explaining lowest common multiples…invite Him in. It’s like He’s whispering to me, “Hey, I’d like to share in this with you. I have ideas for you to pursue that are life giving.” The Prince of Peace is inviting me into more inner peace. So here I am, practicing more pauses in my day to connect with Holy Spirit to make sure we are on the same path of peace. And you know what? It’s already turning things right with a side effect of more efficiency.
So how am I preparing this Advent? Being peace-FILLED has nothing to do with your circumstances. The peace of God is accessible to you at anytime, anywhere. Just know where to look and know how to connect with it. Being peace-FILLED is attractive to be around, and points the way to the ultimate Giver of good gifts, Jesus.
This Christmas, my prayer for us is this:
“Now may the God of PEACE sanctify ‘us’ through and through. May ‘our’ whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls ‘us’ is faithful and He will do it.” (I Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV). May we guide others into the path of peace. And we pray for the peace of Israel; cover them and guard them, Lord. – Amen
🎶“Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!”🎶
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