Mindy Lee Hopman

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:7

Prepare our Hearts 

May we prepare the way for the Lord by preparing our hearts for His coming, and we need Him to come. We realize we need The Word when words can not heal broken hearts. 

…the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’ ” ~Luke 3:2b-6 (NIV)

The Word brings peace. Peace is the presence of God. 

We realize we need The Word when words cannot make sad hearts happy again.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ~John 1:1

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~John 1:14

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:7

We realize we need The Word when words can not heal broken hearts.

From God, through a woman’s womb, The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
Jesus was fully God yet fully man. He came to show love, kindness, and mercy to a hurting world. 

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he ws crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. ~Isaiah 5:3, 5 (NIV) 

Peace is Found in a Person 

By His wounds, we are healed. God offered forgiveness to a hurting world through the sacrifice of His Son. When we turn back to Him, we make room for the peace of God to enter our hearts. The Word is the place where peace for hurting hearts is found. 

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. ~Colossians 1:19-20 

His presence brings PEACE to our hearts. 
His presence is God’s present to the world.

Second Sunday of Advent

On this second Sunday of Advent, we light a candle for peace.
May your heart find peace in Him. He came for you. 

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to be children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. ~John 1:12-13 (NIV)

Receive, believe, and become a child of God. The Father gave peace to His children’s hearts when He sent His Son into our world to redeem us, and in Him, peace is found today. 

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. ~Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6 

Peace Has Come

God with us ~ Immanuel ~ Peace has come

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace. On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. ~Isaiah 9:7

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 14:27 (ESV)

Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. ~Luke 1:78-79

God gives the greatest gifts. 
On Christmas, He gave us the gift of His Son, who offers grace and peace to this hurting world. 

What child is this who laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping? 
Whom angels greet with anthem’s sweet, 
While shepherds watch are keeping? 
This, this is Christ the King,
Wome shepherds guard and Angels sing; 
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary. 
~William Chatterton Dix (1865) 

May the peace which transcends all understanding fill your hearts today! 

Happy Sunday! 

To read the rest of this devotional book  Faith Roots: An Advent Family Devotional, please purchase it from Amazon or by emailing the author.