The Only Place To Find True and Lasting Peace

Monday, December 22, 2025

The Only Place To Find True and Lasting Peace

This Christmas season Pastor Jim is leading us through a series titled Peace On Earth, through which we are learning the key truth that peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness. We have learned that the birth of one tiny baby brought us peace with God, peace for the future, and peace with other people. Through his life here on earth, his death on the cross, and his resurrection, Jesus not only gave us redemption and eternal life, but also an invitation to a new way of life as we live out our days here on earth. 

Everyone wants peace. We want emotional, mental, and relational peace, but we look for it in places that often leave us feeling more restless than ever. We look for peace in temporary fixes, believing the lie that the next shiny thing, or new person, will give us what we need. But they don’t. Some work for a moment, but none provide lasting peace.

As believers, we have the Prince of Peace in our hearts. The lasting, true peace we all seek is within our very being, yet we pile idols up in our hearts, stuffing him down and covering him up, trying to create peace on our own. Why do we do this? 

As Pastor Jim quoted Gary Thomas yesterday - Peace is relational, not situational. We take our cues for peace from what is happening around us – at home, at work, in the world, or in our relationships. Even if we find peace in the current situation, it could be gone within minutes. Our situations are ever changing, but Jesus, the true source of our peace, never changes. Gary Thomas also said If we have him, we already have enough. The world we live in contradicts this truth. The world says we should be skinnier, have more, go on more vacations, and upgrade our phones, cars, and houses often. This world we live in is not about Jesus being enough and there are constant reminders popping up on our phones and social media. 

Who is the baby born in a stable at Christmas and how can he give us peace?  In his sermon yesterday Pastor Jim gave us three points about who this baby is.

He is historic – In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. Luke 2:1-3

Luke begins the story of Jesus’ birth telling us that there was a decree that everyone should be registered in the census. This shows us that Jesus is historic, not just a spiritual account.      There was a census, in the pages of history, that tell us what was happening in the world at that time. The pages of the history book line up with the stories in the Bible.

He is prophetic - Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.  While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. Micah 5:2 says But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

Because of the census they had to go to their ancestral homes, therefore Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem because Joseph was of the line of David. Because they had to travel to Bethlehem and Mary gave birth there, the prophecy was fulfilled It is not just a spiritual account, it was a historic world event. There was a census, in the pages of history, that took Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem so the prophecy could be fulfilled. 

He is Salvific – The Prince of Peace was born in a stable in humility and vulnerability, providing salvation for everyone. The people had been waiting for the Messiah to save them for over 400 years. Many missed it because this was not the Messiah they were expecting or looking for. This tiny Messiah would change mankind forever providing a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

How can he give us peace? He himself is peace. Without a relationship with him we cannot ever know true peace. We will seek out the peace the world offers, which is not peace at all. The peace he offers the world cannot provide. 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  It is a daily invitation from him and the more we fill ourselves up with him the more peaceful we will feel. This doesn’t mean we will never have troubles; it means that his peace will be with us no matter what our situations are. 

What about you – do you know this Prince of Peace? 
Are you looking for peace in situations instead of in your relationship with Jesus? 

Peace on Earth - Peace Is A Person

 

Peace on Earth
Peace Is A Person
Luke 2:1-7 (CSB)

 

- Key Truth - “Peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness.”

Main Question: Who is the baby born in a stable at Christmas and how can He give us peace?

 

1.        This person is historic.  vs. 1-3

2.        This person is prophetic.  vs. 4-5

3.        This person is salvific. vs. 6-7

 

After the Message: 
Read Luke 2:1-7. How does the message of the birth of Christ make peace something that we can actually attain? How will you begin to seek peace not based on your circumstances but on your relationship with Jesus?

Invite Jesus Into Your “Impossible” Situation

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Pause and Ponder

That first Christmas, the shepherds came to Mary and Joseph and Jesus in the stable after they had been visited from the Heavenly Hosts. Mary must have been overwhelmed. So much excitement. Can you imagine going through all she had been through? The fear at first, Joseph's reaction, and then the glorious anticipation knowing that she would give birth to the Son of God. And now she cradles Him in her arms. 

The most magical moments are sitting and holding a newborn baby. Mary thought about all this, and then listened to the shepherds tell their experience and she treasured it all. Jesus is the true treasure for all of us. The simple yet extravagant story of the Savior’s birth is good news of great joy for all people. And that baby she cradled in her arms, now He cradles you and me. 

 With your family read the Christmas story in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 and talk about and ponder the deep meaning of what it means that Immanuel, God with us, has come to dwell in us. 

Invite Jesus into your “impossible” situation 

 What is it that you’re worried about today? What situation seems so overwhelming that you’re losing sleep at night? Everything seems to be so enhanced by the "good" stress of the holidays. Christmas brings out a lot of emotions for all of us and for some of us, some past memories that make us very emotional. 

For some there are personal problems that are keeping you from experiencing the joy of the season. It is hard to shrug off the weight of financial strain, illness, or relationship problems for Christmas because deep down inside you know it won't just disappear in the "magic" of the season.  Still others have lost a loved one or are ill and having a hard time feeling that this is the most wonderful time of the year. For others, you feel like one crisis after another has run you over. The car broke down, the furnace needs repairing, the refrigerator died. And with such an avalanche of problems it is hard to have a holly, jolly Christmas. Some of you are so busy and working so hard that there is no time for sitting around a fire roasting chestnuts. Some are just struggling with depression and may not even really know why. The "joy" of Christmas adds to the heaviness. 

I cannot promise you that if you take every step with Jesus and breathe every breath with Him that you will wake up tomorrow and all your problems will be solved. I can promise you that every step you take with Him and every breath you breathe with Him will be so much easier and His grace and peace will wrap you up. Invite Him to come with you on this impossible journey - whatever it is. He will be with you every step of the way if you ask Him. 

Remember this – Live expecting miracles of God to take place. I love the words of Gabriel to Mary found in Luke 1:37: For nothing is impossible with God. After you invite Jesus into your impossible situation, lay it in His hands. Give it to Him. He is right there with you waiting to take it. 

A Path of Peace

Monday, December 15, 2025

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of 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 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 1: 76-79

 

A Path of Peace

This Christmas season Pastor Jim is leading us through a series titled Peace On Earth, through which we are learning the key truth that peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness. As we learned last Sunday, the birth of one tiny baby brought us peace with God, peace for the future, and peace with other people. Through his life here on earth, his death on the cross, and his resurrection, Jesus not only gave us redemption and eternal life, but also an invitation to a new way of life as we live out our days here on earth.

 

Jesus is our Prince of Peace, and we not only find peace in him, but we can also have peace in our hearts through him. He invites us to walk in that peace every day, in all the circumstances and challenges we face. It is not something we only find in church on Sunday or during one season out of the year, but it is a path of peace that we can journey on our whole lives. 

 

The passage above is an excerpt from Zechariah’s song in Luke. Zechariah was a priest and he and his wife, Elizabeth, were unable to have children. In the temple one day, Zechariah was met by an angel who announced that he and Elizabeth would have a child, and he was to name him John. Zechariah did not believe and as a result God made him unable to speak. Elizabeth did conceive a child and had a son. When it was time to name him, Zechariah wrote on a tablet that his name is John, and suddenly his voice returned. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah wrote a song prophesying about the life of his newborn son.  John would have the very special role of testifying to the world about the Messiah: There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:6-9 (CSB) 

 

John testified to a dark and lost world that the light had come to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. The light of the world had come inviting all who would believe and have faith in him to a path of peace, and so much more. In him we find anything and everything we ever need. 

 

Are you looking for this path of forgiveness, salvation, mercy, eternal life, and peace? All this and more can be found in the Prince of Peace if you will put your faith and trust in Him. The goodness of a life lived in him is with us always, not just at Christmas. His peace is a peace beyond what we could ever imagine, and it stays with us forever. 

Tis the Gifting Season

Friday, December 12, 2025

Tis the Gifting Season – James 1 - Submitted by Kay Crumley

We have been bombarded since at least Halloween with ads for the perfect gift to buy for our loved ones this year.  I thought that was bad enough but then Black Friday ads, emails, texts, etc. started with a vengeance.  That was quickly followed with Cyber Monday sales promotions.  Man, so of those lasted all week with extensions and even bigger savings.  I am beginning to think the best gift I can get is for the advertisements to STOP!.  It sounds like my inner bah humbug self is surfacing.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not opposed to giving or receiving gifts, especially those that I know come from a heart of love.  But I suspect we have become the victims of gifting contests to see who can give the best, biggest, most costly, or the hardest to find of the season.  Who are we trying to impress?  The truth is that most of our families and their children already have all they need and more.  The commercialism of Santa has sucked us in to believe we must prove our love and concern for each other with expensive ‘things’.  That leads me to wonder what the Bible says about gifts.  I am not just talking about the Gifts of the Spirit.  I am finding some verses about gifts that I want to explore so that we can get a better understanding of gifts. 

The book of James was a letter written by James the half-brother of Jesus.  James was not an apostle but became a believer and strong leader of the Jerusalem church.  He witnessed Jesus’ resurrection and joined the disciples as a believer.  He wrote the book of James to deal more with Christian ethics than Christian theology.  Its theme is the outworking of faith—the external evidence of internal conversion. 

He introduced himself as a servant to God and the Lord Jesus Christ in verse 1 of chapter 1, not as the half-brother of Jesus.  He humbly understood his position was because of his relationship with God was not based on his family ties but on the sacrifice of Jesus.   

James used the first 12 verses teaching about trials and that God uses those to build our faith.  He also tells his readers that wisdom is available from God just for the asking so that we can make sound decisions.  He informs us that we are blessed with the promises of God when we endure trials and have stood the test, remained faithful to godly standards, and avoided the temptations.  

James 1 

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. 

Now in verses 13-15 we see that God is not the author of temptations.  He does not tempt anyone.  Instead, temptation comes from the desires we have in our heart.  It’s like when we look at that item for sale and we covet it.  We know it’s not something we can afford or should have but, what at great mark down in price!  Overspending or spending that deprives our family of their needs is sinful.  The more we desire and are greedy for those things that bring us glory rather than glorifying God, the more we are enticed to follow through and commit the sin.  That will lead to death, perhaps not physical death but death of our relationship/fellowship with God.  Satan is the author of temptation because he desires our downfall while God desires our development of relationship with our Father, God. 

He then, in verses 16-18, gives us hope and encouragement.  We must not fall into the trap of greed or desire to impress.  Why?  Because the only truly good gift is from God, the Father of lights.  He will not lead us astray, He is trustworthy, not changing His teachings to fit the world’s idea of value or prestige.  Our worth is in Him alone.  He is our creator and sustainer. He knit us in our mothers’ womb.  We are His by new birth through His Word of Truth.  We are His creation and are fruitful through obedience to Him. 

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 

That good gift is the one that Jesus freely gives to all who will believe in Him and place their trust in His promises.  Nothing we can buy, no level of honor by man can equal the eternal gift that can only come from God through Jesus Christ the Son. 

This Christmas let’s all keep our focus on what is truly important and of value.  All the material positions will rot and become useless.  Only our hope in Him has lasting value.  

Who Are You Not At Peace With This Christmas?

Thursday, December 11, 2025

For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh…Ephesians 2:14

Who Are You Not At Peace With This Christmas? 

Paul was speaking to the Ephesians, explaining that part of Jesus’ purpose was to specifically tear down the dividing wall of hostility between the Jews and Gentiles. The Jewish people had looked down on the Gentiles for centuries because they were “God’s chosen People”, and therefore considered themselves better than Gentiles. This attitude of superiority drove a wedge of hostility deep between the two nationalities. Jesus’ message was they were all one united community of believers as the body of Christ. As Paul stated in the passage above, Jesus himself was their peace – making two groups one and tearing down the wall of hostility between them. 

When Jesus died on the cross he reconciled all of us, as the body of Christ, to God – ending our hostility toward each other. In him we are all the same and have the same spiritual standing - 
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

Paul told the Ephesians, “Jesus Himself is our peace.” By grace through faith in Jesus Christ, God made it possible us to be reconciled to God, and also for all of us to live at peace with one another. Jesus is the Prince of Peace - the ultimate provision of peace for all humanity. That applies to us personally – in our relationships with friends, acquaintances, and family. We can sometimes make peace with everyone else except family, making family gatherings tense, or non-existent. 

, Jesus we have “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” to guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). He brought peace on earth, and as believers we are called to continue being peacemakers as well.  We do this by living and loving like Jesus, and sharing the gospel of peace: “He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.” Acts 10:36  We also share his gospel of peace by living in peace with one another. Because Jesus Himself is our peace, we can extend that peace in our relationship with others.

Who are you not at peace with? 

What relationship can you bring the peace of Jesus into this Christmas?

Walking In Peace In A Chaotic World

 Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.  John 14:27

 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world. John 16:33

Read John 14:27 and John 16:33. What does is it mean to receive Jesus’ peace? How should we live in the world as a result of receiving His peace? 

Trust leads to Peace

Everyone is seeking peace. “Peace of mind” can be defined as rest of mental anxiety.  Peace in our heart is something different.  It is rest in our soul in relationships and emotions. A basic soundness of life – wholeness – everything is in its proper place. Not something you have or do but something you ARE.  

It seems like we talk a lot about peace.  It truly is the relentless pursuit of what seems just out of our reach. Just when we get what we think will bring us peace, peace flies out of our grasp and in the direction of the next thing we think we need.  What will bring you peace? Financial security?  Healing from a chronic health issue?  Having a specific spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend?  The perfect car, or house, in the perfect neighborhood? Maybe it’s all the pretty things around you.  Whatever it is that we think will finally bring us peace - if it isn’t God - we will be pursuing it our whole lives.

Peace is not a goal of life but a fruit of the spirit according to Galatians 5:22:  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… Peace is the result of what Jesus did for us – not on what we do or achieve.  It is a direct result of having a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and learning to surrender and trust him in everything.  

This peace is a special peace:  

It Guards Our Hearts- And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It Rules Our Heart - And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful

It is Not the Peace the World Gives- Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. John 14:27

Jesus offers us a different peace than the world gives because what the world offers is not peace at all but a cunning imposter to peace.  It seems like peace but is quite the opposite.  Like a morsel of food to a starving animal, the worldly peace we chase only leaves us longing for something else.  The peace He gives satisfies, forever.  It drowns out the trouble of this world and overcomes all fear. Sin, fear, uncertainty; doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our heart and life to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Jesus says He will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from Him.

Peace is resting in God's sovereignty – when we are suffering; when the walls are coming down; when the money is gone; when the diagnosis is unthinkable – the hardest times to rest in the unknown. But we know who holds the unknown and we know what his promise is - I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world. John 16:33 He knew everything we would be faced with in this world when he first said those words. He gave us those words so we would know that we can find peace trusting in his sovereignty because he has already conquered this world and every painful part of it that tries to take our peace. But when our peace is rooted in him, nothing can take it away. 

This world is an unstable, broken, and sometimes dark place – where no lasting peace can be found. Jesus’ presence in our life brings deep and lasting peace that provides assurance in every circumstance. He is our only hope of true peace in every circumstance. Leaning into his peace and away from the false “peace” the world offers will give us the strength and assurance we need to walk through everything – and to share some of his peace with a lost world that is desperately seeking.   

Where Can I Find Peace?

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 CSB 

Where Can I Find Peace?

It is the Christmas season, and peace is a common and recurring theme. Many things about Christmas can bring us peace, such as the warm glowing lights of Christmas trees, the familiar traditions, gatherings with family and friends. For some, these holiday activities actually steal their peace. Life change from year to year can also made Christmas and all the traditions feel very different, and all of sudden, the peace we think we will find in all the traditions and decorations is nowhere to be found. The real peace we are so desperately looking for cannot be found in trees, decorations, gifts, cookies, or traditions. There is only one place to find true peace. 

In Isaiah chapter 9, the prophet Isaiah told of the coming Messiah. During this time, God’s people were in serious rebellion, so Isaiah delivered both good news of hope and bad news of the devastation they were sure to invoke upon themselves. Part of the good news was that message of hope of a coming Messiah who would save them. In this message Isaiah told them that this coming King would be a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The Prince of Peace is the only one who can fulfill the empty places in our hearts. Jesus is our Prince of Peace, born so long ago, to bring peace on earth and for our hearts. As Pastor Jim taught us yesterday, his coming as a baby and his death and resurrection is the only way to peace with God, peace for our future, and peace in relationship with others. 

We try hard to fill our empty places with many things believing that we can create our own peace, each idol the missing puzzle piece we need for completeness. As Pastor Jim told us Sunday, the word used for “peace” means wholeness, or completeness. It is his peace that is the missing puzzle piece we are searching for that brings completeness to our hearts.

Whether you realize it or not, none of those things bring the contentment, peace, or life you are seeking. They all sound like the answer, but we plug them in and try to make them fit in the empty, aching space in our heart, only to have the same, and sometimes worse, aching feeling again and again. 

So what does this life of peace look like and how does the “Prince of Peace” establish this peace in our lives?

Jesus is the Prince of Peace that brings peace into our relationship with God. In our sinful state we are enemies with God therefore we cannot have with Him. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we are justified and reconciled with God – holy, faultless, and blameless before him. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and his shed blood, we are made complete and have peace with God.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace that brings peace regarding our future. When we have peace in our relationship with God, we know him. We know he is faithful and promise keeping. We have seen him work in our lives and other people’s lives as well and we know we can trust him. We can surrender our fears and desires about the future to Jesus and know that he will always do what is best for our good and his glory. Our faith in Him cannot be based on our feelings or circumstances and neither can our peace. We can have faith in God and trust Him, knowing that whatever happens, He is in control, He loves us, and wants the best for us.

Jesus brings peace to relationships with others. When we are in a relationship with him we are being transformed by him, we will live and love like him. His love and character will flow from us to those around us. The peace we receive from our relationship with him brings peace to other relationships in our lives. If there is strife in our relationships, it is only his peace that can lead to forgiveness and reconciliation.

When we see Jesus as our Prince of Peace and trust him to fill the holes in our heart allowing his peace to make us complete, we have found what we have so desperately been seeking. We will never find this peace in any earthly object, person, or place. Jesus is the only place we can find true peace.

Are you leaning into Jesus to be your Prince of Peace? 

Peace on Earth - “The Promise of Peace"

Peace on Earth
“The Promise of Peace"
Isaiah 9:1-7 (CSB)

 

- Key Truth - “Peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness.”

Main Question: So what does this life of peace look like and how does the “Prince of Peace” establish this peace in our lives?

 

1.        Peace in relationship with God.

2.        Peace regarding the future. 

3.        Peace in relationship with others. 

 

After the Message: 

Read John 14:27 and John 16:33. What does is it mean to receive Jesus’ peace? How should we live in the world as a result of receiving His peace? 

Above All

 Friday, December 5, 2025

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.  Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15

Above All

As we read about earlier this week, Paul was talking to the Colossians, reminding them of all the ways they were different now that they belonged to God – and to remind them to be thankful for who they were now in Christ. He reminded them of their new life in Christ, and how they put to death earthly practices and put off their “old person” to put on the “new person” they are in Christ. 

As Christians Paul said there were things we needed to put on after we put to death what belongs to our fleshly nature. We take off those things that are not part of a Christian life, and replace them with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Paul continues saying, Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  

One of the distinguishing traits of a disciple of Christ is how we love others. Jesus told his disciples in John 13:34-35, during the last supper with them: “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” We have been shown the greatest love of all time by Jesus, who gave his life for us to pay for our sin and give us forgiveness and eternal life. We know love because of his love for us and that love, given to others, not only tells the world we are his disciples, but tells the world the gospel story. Love is above all, covers all and conquers all. Love is the outer garment that holds us all together - the perfect bond of unity.

How Can God Transform Us?

Thursday, December 4, 2025

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB

Every day that we live is a day of transformation.  There is not a day that goes by that God is not doing something in our lives, even though we not feel like anything is happening.  Some days it even feels like God has left us altogether, but that is never the case. 

God loves us unconditionally, no matter what.  He died for us before we even knew who He was.  But His heart for us is to be changed.  It is what He can do for us that no one else can – not in the same way.  He can help us grow and become more like His Son, Jesus. 

How Can God Transform Us?

New Thinking – The way we think affects the way we feel and the way we feel affects the way we act.  Sometimes instead of changing our thinking, we just change our actions.  When we do this without allowing God to change our way of thinking, we are just putting a band aid on the problem. True change happens from the inside out.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  ...to be made new in the attitude of your minds; Ephesians 4:23  

The Right Community – We need a community that will encourage and enable us.  The right community will make a difference in our lives and will be a direct source of growth for us. 

Truth - Truth is not simply a principle – it is a person.  Jesus said, “I am the truth.” (John 14:6) Because Jesus is the truth you can trust what He says.  Why does God say you’ve got to know the truth if your life is going to be transformed?  Because Every self-defeating behavior in your life, is based on a lie you’re believing.  It may be a lie about my past, worth, present or future.  It may be a lie a lie about God other people.  But what Jesus says is truth we can build our lives on and if He loves us and thinks we are worthy, then we are worthy.  That truth has to drown out every lie of Satan and the world. 

Make Room - throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Ephesians 4:22 NLT 

We have to clean out our mind, body, and spirit, and make room for the new thoughts and ways we must adopt for true transformation to happen. We need to get rid of old ways of thinking and also take a look at the people and situations that we allow to take up our time.  Are they godly influences?  

Faith - Transformation begins with faith.  We must believe we can be different - with God’s help – or we won’t be different.  Motivation is an emotion and like other emotions it is fed by fear or faith. Fear produces negative motivation responses - restricts, inhibits, tightens, protects.  Desire is positive - opens, reaches, encourages plans, achieves.  Fear looks to the past and desire to the future.

Here’s what the Bible tells us in Ephesians: Now, by his mighty power at work within us, God is to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.  All good things in us come from God. Only His power is strong enough to transform us. In our own power we cannot change anything. Notice none of that has anything to do with will power; you are not forcing yourself to change - this is God working in your life! 

Finding Thankfulness in Renewal

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.  Colossians 3:8-10 CSB

Monday we talked about Paul speaking to the Colossians, reminding them to be thankful of their new life in Christ and that their lives should look different because of their relationship with him. In today’s passage, Paul continues with the ways of the flesh, or “old man,” which we “put off” to “put on” our identity in Christ. When we “put off” these things, it means we put them away - out of our lives. We leave them behind to become the new and transformed person we are in Christ. These old habits and ways are no longer a part of who we are. Becoming a Christian means repentance of sin – turning away from sin and not allowing it to be a part of our lives. 

Now we are being renewed in the knowledge of Christ in our new relationship with him. As we are being renewed we will still face temptations and trials. Renewal is not easy. Transformation is change from the inside out - becoming a whole new person. We may not feel thankful about it at times, but the goal - being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator... is worth every step along the way. As long as we live will always struggle against our old ways and our fleshly desires. But 2 Corinthians 4:16 tells us Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. We must be intentional about being renewed every day. Christ does the renewing but we do the work of making sure we are reading his word, fellowshipping and worshiping with other believers, praying and learning all we can. 

Today remember how Christ is renewing us day by day, even though we struggle and fail at times. We do not give up. He never gives up on us. When we come back in repentance, he forgives us, and continues to renew us day by day. His forgiveness strengthens us and encourages us to continue to “put off” our fleshly ways and to continue to be renewed by him. 

We can be thankful that we have been forgiven, redeemed, and are constantly being renewed by Christ as we walk with him, learning to live and love like him, and pointing others to him. 

When was the last time you thanked God for saving you and renewing you day by day? 

In this season, who can you love like Jesus and point them to him? 

How Do We Get A Bad Attitude?

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

How Do We Get A Bad Attitude?

During the holidays it can be especially easy to have a bad attitude. We can become disgruntled because things are not like we expected them to be. Our beautifully imagined family dinner ends in a full blown argument. Maybe someone forgot to bring the desert. It can be spurred on by many things when our hearts and desires are not focused on God. 

 

Sunday Pastor Jim gave us an example of how a bad attitude starts and grows. 

Misaligned heart/desires – When we have unmet or unrealistic expectations they can cause our perceptions of people or situations to be distorted. One thing is not the way we want it, so everything is wrong. We may blame others. Family members are fighting, the turkey is dry, and the tree is crooked. Our hearts and desires are not focused on God and what is really important.

Negative Thought Cycles – Our misaligned heart/desires lead us to have negative thoughts about the situations we are in or the people we are around. 

Rationalization of behavior – Our misaligned heart/desires and negative thoughts can lead to rationalizing our own bad behavior.  We may believe that we deserve something (such as eating something or buying ourselves something) because we are upset, or that someone else deserves something (such as something bad to happen to them) because of their actions or upsetting behavior.

Poor Communication – A misaligned heart and desires lead to negative thoughts, which lead to rationalization of behavior.  Next on the downward spiral is poor communication. When we have a bad attitude, we may begin to blame and shame ourselves and others and use sarcasm in a negative way. 

Impact On Others - Our bad attitudes will always affect others. When I was a child I was in a dance class where the teacher would always say, “What you feel within, you give without.” It must have made an impression on me to still be able to remember that, and it is so true. Whether we want to or not, what is on the inside will spill out to those around us, even if it is just the look on our face or our disposition. 

When we have a bad attitude we can miss some of the greatest blessings of God. When our heart and desires are misaligned, we can miss the whole season – and it goes so fast. Most importantly we will miss the reason for the season. No matter how many Christmases we have seen, God can always show us some miracle of his story we never noticed before if we are focusing on him. 

This season we should take care to be sensitive to those we come across or those we know in our lives who seem to be a Scrooge. We never know what is going on in someone else’s heart or what circumstances they may be in that is causing their bad attitude. The holidays are hard for a lot of people. For some, it is easier to stay in a bad attitude than to face the pain that comes with the season. Maybe is it is a broken relationship with family, the loss of a loved one, or just being alone during a time of the year when the focus is on gatherings with family and loved ones. Remember when you encounter someone who has a bad attitude to love them like Jesus and point them to him with your words and actions. 

A Life of Thanksgiving

Monday, December 1, 2025

And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17 CSB

A Life of Thanksgiving                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Last week was thanksgiving and most are moving on the Christmas already. Let’s pause for a moment to consider exactly what thankfulness is, and how we can live a life of thankfulness every day. 

Thankfulness grounded in love is the combination of attitude and action in response to God’s presence and promises. Eucharisteo is a Greek word that means "I give thanks." It is an outpouring of gratefulness, rooted in the Greek words for "grace" (charis) and "joy" (chara).  This encompas                                                                                                                                                                                    ses the feeling of thanksgiving and the act of giving thanks.

Most of us feel like we are thankful for our lives – the people we love, the blessings we have been given, our jobs, the provision of God for our needs. There is a difference in the occasional nod to God for all our blessings and living a life of thanksgiving. Yesterday Pastor Jim gave us three points that will help us in living a life of thanksgiving every day. 

Remember Your Past and Future - So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

Paul reminded the Colossians that they were new in Christ and that they should be seeking things above, not on earthly things. Like the Colossians, we belong to Christ, dead to the old man and old ways, living transformed lives that look different that before. As we grow and mature in our relationship with Christ, we are transformed by the renewing of our mind so learn to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

We remember our past, where we have been and now redeemed by Christ, but also our future. We are no longer our own but Christ’s as we live in him.  Our identity is in him and our future is through him. When he returns, we will be with him in heaven. Our future is secure. 

Recognize Your Blessings - Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as God’s holy ones chosen and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  Colossians 3:5-14

We need to remember that we are only where we are by the grace of God. When we were dead in our sins, we could have gone a really wrong way, but God protected us and brought us to where we are today.  We have been bought by his shodded ir evee

 

Respond With A life of Gratitude - And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of th2:

e Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

How do we live a life of thanksgiving? We live a life of thanksgiving by living our lives in him and through him.  When this happens everything we do – in word or in deed – glorifies God and points others toward him. Everything we do or say should be for him and his glory.