Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”
Genesis 1: 31 (NKJV)
“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2: 10-14 (NKJV)
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13: 35 (ESV)
The scriptural passage above in Genesis reflects God’s heart after He created all there is, including His children in His own image—
“God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.”
The scripture above in the Gospel of John shares Jesus’ call on our lives as His followers, as His disciples, when He says—
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Both scriptures wrapped around the birth of God’s Son, the Babe of Bethlehem, the greatest gift ever given.
But if we look around the world today, we have to be moved to ask ourselves—
“So, what happened?”
The world happened. Evil. Greed. Sin. Self-centeredness, selfishness, and pride.
Love seems to have taken a back seat in our lives, and in our relationships with one to another, taking peace on earth and goodwill toward others, with it.
Why not pause as we celebrate once again the Divine birth in Bethlehem, turn toward Him, and embrace again God’s heart, and His Son’s call on our lives, all through the power and encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
Just a thought.
When Lynda and I were Governor and 1st Lady of The Florida District Kiwanis
in 1992-1993—comprised of 350 Kiwanis Clubs, over 16,000 members, 10,000 plus Key Club members in our state high schools, and over 1,000 Circle K member in our colleges—we had a song we adopted as our unifying theme for the year, as together we reached out to “Serve the Children of the World.”
And at the conclusion of each one of hundreds of conferences, meetings, service projects and other Kiwanis functions Lynda and I attended throughout the year all around the State of Florida, we all stood to sing and commit to the message of these words—
“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Let There Be Peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow,
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”
Why not again today?
An unrealistic expectation. Maybe.
But God’s intention was for good, and for peace on earth, and the call of the Babe of Bethlehem, God’s Son, Jesus Christ, on our lives is still there—to love one another. And the power of the Holy Spirit within us is all we will ever need.
So, why not.
Let there be peace on earth.
And let it begin with me.
And with you.
Just a thought. Just a hope. For today, tomorrow, and forever.
What have we got to lose?
We have a lot to gain.
In His Name–Scott
Find a quiet spot to be blessed as you listen to this beautiful presentation of “Let There Be Peace On Earth” by Vince Gill, Michael McDonald, Amy Grant, and Chet Akins.
