Month: December 2023

Merry Christmas GrowPoint! Fifty degrees in northern Ohio falls short of delivering Christmas vibes. I know some of you are quite content with what we have, and I’ll be sure to pray for you. Enjoying a white Christmas will have to stay in my dreams this year. 

The theme of Peace was inspired by the angelic song on the night of Jesus’ birth, and Luke 2:8-15 tells the story:

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has beenborn today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

What a divine moment for these common shepherds! Their day started like any other day; meandering through the countryside looking for patches of grass and corralling the rambunctious strays. Their night started like any other night, but it would end like nothing they could have ever anticipated. In an instant, their surroundings were lit up by an angel. The radiance of the Lord’s glory caused the night to become day. Understandably, the shepherds were paralyzed with terror. After putting them at ease the angel shared with them the news of Jesus’ birth. He also gave them a quick list of clues if they wanted to go find the new-born Savior.  

I picture the shepherds looking at one another for comfort and confirmation that they were all witnessing the same thing. The loaded expression on their faces said, “This is wild. This is divine. Are you seeing this? This is crazy. Are you hearing this? Are the sheep ok?” Still trying to make sense of the moment, the skies were immediately filled with more angels! These warrior angels were praising God:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 

This declaration intensified the shepherds’ senses. Faced with an announcement of cosmic proportions, their response was simple yet profound: “Let’s go. Let’s see.” This, from my perspective, marks the pinnacle of their story—a moment encapsulating how God envisions humanity responding to the sending of His Son. “Let’s go. Let’s see” speaks the language of faith. It’s the instant when, I believe, the shepherds transitioned from witnesses to believers, leaving their flock behind as they sprinted toward Bethlehem in search of Jesus.

Now, a question arises: Who are those “with whom God is pleased?” This question holds weight, for peace is promised to those who find favor with God. The answer lies distinctly in Hebrews 11:6:

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Our faith is a source of delight to God, and for those earnestly seeking Him, there awaits a divine reward. It is within this connection that genuine peace finds its home—the not-so-secret sauce that transforms seekers into recipients. Yes, peace belongs to the pursuers! As we step into this Christmas season and every day that follows, let’s actively pursue Jesus. Embrace the pursuit with confidence, knowing that God’s peace will gracefully envelop and safeguard you. May the journey of seeking Him be a path illuminated with the comforting radiance of His peace.

I’m sitting at Sandstone Coffee House with the hope of a few hours of peace-focused productivity. I highly recommend this location for coffee, people-watching, and ruminating. Baristas work diligently behind the counter creating caffeine-infused beverages. A few well-dressed, important-looking people sit around a table having, what I assume to be, important conversations. A humble and confident elderly man with good posture and a strong jawline enjoys his latte on the way out the door. A securely buckled child in a stroller scatters toys and cheddar goldfish while mom relishes grown-up conversations with her friends. Watching this ever-evolving scene, I wonder how (or if) these individuals have been influenced by the peace of God.

This week we look at the Power of Peace. Have you ever considered peace to be powerful or viewed it as a force to be reckoned with?  According to the Cambridge Dictionary, “If an organization or a person is described as a force to be reckoned with, it means that they are powerful and have a lot of influence.” In our world, we recognize giants like Google, Amazon, and governmental entities as influential forces. But what if we perceived peace similarly? What if the Peace of God was regarded as a guiding force, bestowing stability and confidence upon us? It would anchor us amid life’s challenges, offering sanctuary from the world’s burdens and leading us into the awe-inspiring presence of God. 

Throughout the New Testament, echoes of this powerful peace resonate:

• Angels proclaim peace at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:14).
• Jesus imparts peace as a unique gift (John 14:27).
• His post-resurrection greeting is one of peace (John 20:19).
• Apostle Paul and Apostle Peter, in their letters to various churches, invoke blessings of grace and peace upon the readers, reinforcing and reminding early believers of the necessity of this divine gift.  

For us today, peace should transcend mere seasonal sentimentality; it’s a force that is meant to permeate our existence each passing day. Horatio Spafford, renowned for penning the moving hymn “It Is Well with My Soul,” grasped the profound influence of peace. Following the tragic loss of his four daughters during a transatlantic voyage, he penned these opening lines:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul

Watchman Nee, a Chinese church leader of the 20th century, endured persecution and imprisonment throughout his lifetime due to his devotion to Jesus. Despite facing personal challenges, he encouraged his contemporaries with this affirmation:

“A born-again person ought to possess unspeakable peace in the spirit.”

Peace is pervasive. Peace preserves. Peace creates the right perspective. Peace prevails. Peace is persistent. Peace is powerful. How can we be so sure? Because peace is of God. Peace is a force. 

So, if the peace of God is in you, this means you have God-given ability to influence with the pervasive, preserving, prevailing, and persistent force of peace. So here is the question for you this week: 

In moments of unrest, how will you be a force of peace? 

Pastors Josh & Sumer

“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:5-7

Actively pursuing peace closely resembles engaging in prayer. When we converse with Jesus about the burdens on our minds and hearts, we actively seek peace. In essence, peace is cultivated through ongoing dialogues with Jesus—profound wisdom derived from the verses in Philippians.

The author of Philippians, Apostle Paul, relied heavily on prayer. Despite enduring imprisonments, beatings, near-death encounters, and various hardships, his moments of trial did not breed panic or anxiety. On the contrary, prayer was Paul’s secret formula for pursuing peace.

I’ve faced seasons where life felt suffocating. During those times, my heart bore a heavy load, my mind was flooded with “what ifs,” and peace seemed elusive. A significant health breakdown became a major obstacle in 2023, marked by an ER visit due to chronic nosebleeds, four knee surgeries, and two infections within six months. Our home transformed into a makeshift hospital, stocked with essentials like milk, eggs, and antibiotics. Frozen foods were replaced by ice packs. The impact on our home dynamics was challenging, as I transitioned from a strong, capable man to a weak and fragile couch occupant. My daughters’ unspoken concerns were evident in their expressions:

• Dad needs to rest.
• Dad needs ice.
• Dad needs to heal.
• Dad needs medicine.
• Dad needs to elevate.
• Dad needs a shower.

Gratitude fills me as I’ve moved past those challenges. Conversations with Jesus acted as my anchor, preventing me from succumbing to depression and hopelessness. These talks kept me from sinking into the quagmire of despair and darkness.

Prayer, therefore, is the active pursuit of God’s peace. Paul, intimately familiar with anxiety and stress, turned to prayer in response to any unforeseen circumstance. Despite life’s interruptions and challenges, he knew that peace was within reach. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything” became his mantra for living in peace. Philippians 4:7 serves as the icing on the cake, assuring that not only will divine peace be experienced when praying about everything, but this peace will also safeguard your heart and mind as you navigate each day following Jesus.

Reflect on the overwhelming challenges you currently face. Identify areas where you feel unguarded. Dedicate time this week to talk to God, expressing your concerns and thanking Him for His covering. Spend a minute (or more) in silence, concluding each conversation by saying, “God, I need your peace to guard my heart and mind today.”

Last week, our prayer was simple: “Lord, I need your peace! I receive it!.” I trust that those moments when you paused to acknowledge your need for His peace were genuinely filled with His presence. Carry on with this practice throughout the upcoming week!

Now, let’s explore the profound relationship between peace and deliverance. Recall the angelic proclamation at Jesus’ birth:

“May glory be given to God in the highest heaven! And may peace be given to those he is pleased with on earth!” (Luke 2:14)

Following Jesus’ birth, a host of angels illuminated the sky, glorifying God and proclaiming peace over humanity. The phrase “peace be given” suggests a depth of peace bestowed by God alone. This unique peace comes to humanity in an unimaginable way, a concept we’ll revisit shortly.

It’s worth noting that the angelic announcement of peace in Luke 2 was not the first of its kind. The virtue of peace has ancient roots, stretching from the Garden of Eden to the present day. Several pivotal announcements of peace are recorded in the Old Testament:

“May the Lord bless you and take good care of you.May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

“What a beautiful sight it is to see messengers coming with good news! How beautiful to see them coming down from the mountains with a message of peace.” (Isaiah 52:7)

“Look at the mountains of Judah! I see a messenger running to bring good news! He’s telling us that peace has come!” (Nahum 1:15)

These verses share a common theme of peace following deliverance from adversaries. After God delivered His people from the Egyptians, settling into a period of calm, He gave Moses a prayer to be spoken over the Israelites—the “priestly blessing,” loaded with peace.

The vibes in the Isaiah and Nahum verses resonate similarly, both tied to the deliverance of God’s people. Imagine being the one running down the mountains, shouting good news of deliverance and peace—declaring an end to bloodshed, battles, anguish, suffering, and bondage. Peace is the new reality!

These Old Testament instances foreshadowed the peace Jesus would bring. Recall the “unthinkable way” peace would be given to us! Jesus, our promised Deliverer, not only freed us from sin but also delivered peace. In other words, peace was proclaimed at Jesus’ birth, and when He died on the cross, our peace was purchased. Unthinkable, right? Yet, it was the divine plan all along. Need proof? Jesus said it himself in some of his final moments with the disciples:

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:25-27)

Jesus, the supreme deliverer, is also the giver of peace. Take a few moments each day this week to reflect on (and jot down) the ways Jesus has been your Deliverer. What has He set you free from? Then, consider (and write down) how His peace has filled those areas of freedom.