In English, the word peace conveys an absence of strife. It is a passive state of being. Yet peace in this particular passage is anything but passive. The peace God offers is active; it refers to the act of reconciliation between God and man. Jesus laid aside His royal privileges and took on the flesh and limitations of man, in order to tear down the wall of sin which separates mankind from a holy God.
Author Archives: Renee Srch
Everyone included
God’s love is not exclusive. It is not provisional. It emcompasses every human being, every soul, every person – the only condition is that they believe in Him and receive His gift of grace.
Jesus
Jesus cannot be confined to just one name. The more we learn about Him, the more He becomes undefinable. Even one-hundred names cannot contain all that Christ is. Jesus – name above all names – our eternal hope and salvation.
Obedient Faith
We refer to Mary as the chosen one, yet God chose Joseph as well. He saw in him a man after His own heart, a man who was qualified to love His Son and raise Him as his own. A man who would stand beside Mary and love her for better or for worse. Joseph’s faithfulness and strength of character would be put to the test over and over again
God of the unexpected
Oh, that we might have the same attitude when God’s plans capsize our own. May we face disruptions with humble acceptance. May we say, my soul praises the Lord, even when our journey is rerouted, acknowledging that God’s unexpecteds are always far better than our own feeble plans.
When life seems to be falling apart
Where was God in Joseph’s darkest hour? Right where He needed to be – in the midst of it – fulfilling His marvelous plan for man’s salvation. In Joseph’s darkest moments, God was nearer to him than ever before.
A willing heart
Mary’s story is one of submission and willingness. She realized life would never be the same again, yet she accepted God’s sovereign purpose because she knew she could fully trust Him.
Weighed down
God is anything but indifferent, fickle, callous, or cruel. He’s not heartless, nor does He look the other way. On the contrary, God is a loving heavenly Father. He cares so much He sent His beloved Son to bear the punishment we deserve. And one day, He will bring justice to our broken world.
Son of the Most High
Jesus’ birth was not just some random act. Long before the world was made, God planned to send His Son. The intricate weaving of history, from God’s prophecy in Genesis 3:15 to the cross itself, are part of God’s wonderful plan. His promise to raise up One whose kingdom would never end – and its fulfillment – offers us hope and confidence that The One who gave this promise will bring to fruition the rest of His wonderful promises both now and forever.
Say what?
God countered Zechariah’s doubt by working a jaw-dropping miracle; He turned their barrenness into blessing. The woman who was ‘too old’ became a mother. Those empty arms would be empty no more. For she would bear a son. Gloom would be transformed into gladness.