What Are You Searching For At Christmas This Year?

“Dear Santa: There are three boys living in my house. Jeffery is two, David is four and Norman is seven. Jeffery is good some of the time and David is good some of the time but Norman is good all the time. I am Norman.” Who of us could say we are like Norman, good all the time? Let me ask you if we had a big screen up here and it could show what you have thought, said or done would you be comfortable? Most of us, if not all live with a sense of regret for our past lives. God knew this and sent Jesus. A Savior was born to save us from our past sin and it is a gift from God. How does this happen? Acts 10:43 “In addition, all the prophets testify that people who believe in the one named Jesus receive forgiveness for their sins through him." To get this gift we need simple believe in the name of Jesus. Many of us know that when one is drowning he needs help form a life guard to help them. Those who have been lifeguards know that they can not be of help until the person who needs helps surrenders. As long as they try to save themselves little can be done to help. Mankind has tried many ways to please God and save himself but all fall short. We need forgiveness of our sins and that can only be found in the Savior. We have to surrender to receive this gift.

2. IF YOU SEEK YOU WILL FIND PEACE OF MIND. Psalm 119:165 “Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble.” Peace seems to be word that is used a lot today. The trouble is most people have no clue what it means. Some think peace come from drinking until they are numb. For others it’s going from one relationship to another hoping a person will fulfill the empty space in their life. Others it’s staying busy to give them peace for when the day is over they fall into bed exhausted from what they have done but when all gets quiet and they think about their life they feel so lonely. Others seek peace from working and working. They have the attitude if they become a success they can prove they are somebody. With all they do they still come to the thinking, “I really don’t feel I am worth anything.” Recently there have been those who chase after New AGE. I can make myself better by sitting with my knees crossed and humming some chant. Ultimate peace for many is that we have no more wars.

None of these are the peace of mind God has for us as a gift. Real peace comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. One man in prison said, “Thank you prison for it made me know that I could find God when I had nothing.” He found a relationship with God that he had missed with his life before prison. Real peace is, knowing that God loves me no matter what happens to me. That no matter what I do, God will never stop loving me. Real peace comes from knowing God’s word. It is the Word of God that will direct me from avoiding things that will hurt my life.

I have read there are three things that rob us of peace of mind. Do you know them or have you experienced them? They are remorse, misery and bitterness.

The first is remorse which means we walk around with guilt. Jesus came to give us a clear conscience. He takes away our sins like when one uses an Etch-A-sketch. Just turn them upside down and all is wiped away and you can start again.