PeaceOnEarth | Kristi's Morning Devotional

December 2, 2023December 2, 2023

Take A Break

Yesterday Dave picked me up at work and we headed to town. After all, how busy can it be? It’s just December 1st.

Well, it was busy. We stopped long enough at our favorite Mexican food restaurant to enjoy our dinner and visited with our waitress. It was a nice repose before we headed to the grocery store.

Oh my!

Only a few things on our list but some were necessities so it was a stop we couldn’t skip. Busy, busy, busy.

Home. Put things away and then it was time to sit down and enjoy the quiet. You realize that you don’t have to go anywhere to get caught up in the hustle and the bustle of keeping up with life. It can happen anywhere, especially this time of the year.

The holidays can be so hectic – planning for friends and family to visit; making those favorite treats, decorating, parties, finding the perfect gift – all good things – all things that come from a heart of love but all things that can stress you out and fill your days with things that can test the temper.

A good way to keep your day on track is to start it with a short prayer, thanking God for “The reason for the season, Jesus” and then having an afternoon coffee break to focus once again on things above. Bedtime is one more opportunity to be thankful for the wonderful people in your life and for His love.

A sure-fire way to keep your life on track.

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:14-17 KJV

I’m praying that each of you have a day filled with blessings.

November 25, 2023November 25, 2023

The Christmas Story

A month from today is Christmas.

I’m not rushing the season; the retail merchandisers have already done that. However, I do want to call your attention to the fact that we will have many opportunities in the next few weeks to speak of Jesus, opportunities that we don’t have the rest of the year.

Some people have told me they have a hard time sharing Christ with people they don’t know or that they only see occasionally. I find that Christmas is the perfect time to do that.

Join me in a prayer this morning.

“Father let my heart be filled with prayer and praise this day. Let me focus on You and all that you have blessed me with. Let my eyes see as You see and let my mouth speak as You speak. Let my hands reach out as You reached out to me. I desire to be a living example of You in this world. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Some that we meet are lonely, others are financially stretched and stressed. Some are angry and have no joy. Some are physically exhausted. Our words of kindness and God’s love can make a difference.

“Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts.” Luke 6:35 ERV

May we be like those angels that appeared to the shepherds:

“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ” Luke 2:9-11 NLT

May we speak words of joy and peace. May we be the ones who share good news and hope.

“Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3;17 CEV

Since Christ lives within us, we are His ambassadors to the world. The message is still the same as that first night – A Savior has been born,

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:14 NLT

December 22, 2020December 22, 2020

The Heart of the Matter

Many years ago my writings often came in the form of poetry. Some of those poems were published in a monthly newsletter but most of them were tucked away in a manilla folder in the filing cabinet drawer.

About ten years back I came across that folder and for the first time in a very long while I shared this poem on Christmas. I’d like to share it with you this morning.

Christmas Warms the Heart

Long ago and far away, a child was brought
to earth.

For many years, men had sought, the coming of
His birth.

On quiet hills in pastures green, the flocks
they did sleep.

When shepherds woke from peaceful rest,
heavens glory they did see.

When I hear this story, and remember all
that’s told,

I’d like to have been a shepherd and lived
those years ago.

The angels in their chorus, proclaiming
Peace on Earth

Brings excitement to my soul and my heart is
stirred.

To see the heavens shining bright, a glory
uncompared,

Then walk the road to Bethlehem and find the
Christ child fair.

To kneel before His presence and know that
He was King

What more could I expect from life, His
praises I will sing.

Today I see the tinsel, the glitter and the
toys

The stores are filled with shoppers,
laughing girls and boys,

While streets are lined with trees and
Santas’ ringing bells,

Ovens fill with cookies – oh,those wonderful
smells.

Now it is time to stop from all the things I
do,

To remember Christmas, and it’s meaning that
is true.

It is God’s Son, brought to earth to give
eternal life,

His glory to shine within my heart, not in
the sky of night.

In each of us, Christ wants to live, in
power and in love

Let us proclaim, to men the same, as angels
from above.

Peace on earth can only come, when before
the Son we bow.

We must kneel and honor Him, our lives to
Him we vow.

This year a special gift we give, not like
the kings of old

For it’s not gold or frankincense but a
heart that He can mold.

Many a gift we have received and have given
with joyful heart

But Jesus now this gift we bring, from You
we’ll never part.

O Lord, this is our honest prayer, our gift
we’ll not forget

But that it is a lasting one to which we
will commit.

My heart is warmed by Your love and the gift
You gave to me,

It is in Christ and Christ alone, I find
what Christmas means.

Let’s take this time to recommit our heart’s devotion to our loving heavenly Father, the one who gives us life.

“He said, ‘Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?’ ³⁷Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and most important command.'” Matthew 22:36-38 ERV