Pastor Joy
From Christine Caine, Unshakeable.
A Change in the Atmosphere
1 Peter 3:11 Seek peace and pursue it.
When you think of a holiday atmosphere, what comes to mind? Perhaps it's baked goods, family laughter, warm fires crackling. Or, maybe what comes to mind is not the perfect snow-globe Christmas, but an atmosphere of tension that comes from past hurts, strained family relationships, loneliness, or loss. I want you to know today that whatever atmosphere you're walking into this holiday, you can change it. You can carry in a new atmosphere--one of joy and peace.
No matter what is going on around you, remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). By making Jesus the center of this season, you can experience the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7). You can be the peacemaker, the joy bringer, the carrier of a different atmosphere--because you carry the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). You can point others toward the Light that dawned at Christmas so long ago: Jesus Christ.
Fill your heart and home with His love, joy, peace, kindness, generosity, laughter, warmth, and celebration. Think of family or friends who need to be forgiven, embraced, included, and loved. Why not determine to make this the year you cross that threshold and make a move toward forgiveness, restoration, and reconciliation? In His strength, you can bring the good news to the world around you.
Jesus, I am so grateful You came. Please help me bring peace into every situation I enter. Amen