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 here 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
Over the years, God has had me write a number of books. One of them is titled Divine Peace. The sub-title for the book is this: The world didn’t give it, and the world can’t take it away. During the Christmas season, believers need to understand the power of peace in their lives – now more than ever. And here in Luke’s gospel, we see one of the most repeated and commercially exploited statements concerning the Christmas season. PEACE ON EARTH, GOODWILL TOWARDS MEN! How many Christmas cards, banners and advertising paraphernalia have you seen with that line on them or in them? In my lifetime, the answer would be a lot! But do we really know and understand the power of God’s peace? Most Christians don’t, and that’s why God had me write that book. In part, to let people know God’s peace is available to ANYONE who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives. That’s why the world can’t give it, and the world can’t take it away. Divine peace has the inherent power to change us, protect us, strengthen us, or do whatever needs to be done to surround us with God’s presence and anointing. Jesus came to demonstrate God’s peace on earth and show us how to appropriate that peace in our day-to-day lives. That’s why the heavenly host said what they said. In heaven, God’s peace rules and reigns. But how about on earth, where the devil is constantly at work to disrupt and destroy our lives?

At this time of year, more than ever, we need to remind ourselves about the power of God’s peace, and do whatever it takes to find it, enjoy it or re-discover it. No matter what the devil throws against you, if you maintain your peace, you’re insulated from the temptations to fear the future.
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3
 
I know in my own life and ministry, whenever I’m being tempted to fear, if I take the time to get before the Lord and meditate on His promises and faithfulness, the fear I’m feeling gives way to the peace of God – a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:4-8). At Christmas, people sing about peace, talk about peace, and write about peace. But without Jesus, you CAN’T have real peace. Any “peace” outside of knowing Jesus is a lie in disguise – it’s only a temporary FEELING. Why? Because He is the PRINCE OF PEACE
(Isaiah 9:6), NO ONE ELSE! He is the consummate source for peace, no matter who you are or where you are. There is no REAL peace without Jesus. So, if the Lord is YOUR Lord, relax! Let His peace dominate your life in every way. In doing so, you’ll come to the place where Christmas is really appreciated and understood for what it is. 
 
There is no better time than the Christmas season to remind us of the importance of having and enjoying the peace of God. So many times, Christians fail to appreciate all that the birth of Jesus signifies. We run around buying presents, putting up our Christmas tree with all the trimmings, lights, and decorations. We pull out the caroling book and start singing songs about things like the Silent Night, Holy Night. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, if we keep in mind the spiritual reason for why Jesus was born. It is the greatest miracle ever conducted by God and experienced by humankind. God, the 2nd person of the Trinity, emptied himself and came to earth. He took upon Himself a body (Hebrews 10:5), and became a Bondservant to God the Father. That is why we can say MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Our Lord acquired legal peace for us to God. His death and resurrection paved the way for anyone, anywhere, to use their faith to receive salvation by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior (Philippians 2:5-11).
It's popular these days to substitute the phrase “Happy Holidays” for the “Merry Christmas” greeting. Don’t be fooled! This is just one more attempt to wipe out the entire Christmas message from our collective, social conscience. Taking Christ out of Christmas is nothing less than demonic brainwashing at work. Don’t be a part of it! When people give you that “Happy Holidays” greeting, reply with a hearty “Merry Christmas”! Don’t hesitate and don’t apologize for it, either. This is the CHRISTMAS SEASON, not the holiday season. It’s all about Jesus and His miraculous birth - His work to come into the earth as a man to save us from our sins. Period. Nothing else. Not gifts under the tree, or Christmas parties at work. It’s certainly not about Santa Claus and all the deception that goes with him and his reindeers, etc. In this sea of demonic deception, stay on point and stay focused. When you do, Christmas will truly be the time when peace on earth can be peace in your heart and family personally.  

From our family to yours, we wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!  
This is Who We Are. This is What We Do.
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DIVINE PEACE
With uncertainty, fear, confusion and turmoil on the earth, inner and lasting peace is the oasis everyone yearns for but looks for in all the wrong places. How can you live above the fear, pressure and frantic pace of life in these perilous times? Who offers that kind of peace? How do we obtain it, use it and protect it?

In Divine Peace, Apostle Mike explains the principles of knowing and walking in the power of God’s peace every day. He shares how to stand strong in the midst of every circumstance through a peace the world can’t give and the world can’t take away. He directs the reader to the Bible where the keys to unlocking the peace “that passes all understanding” are found.

In these last days, God will move on the earth like never before and the enemy will attack the church like never before. It’s imperative that believers understand the power of God’s peace.
 
Order your copy of Divine Peace today!  Go online at www.mkmi.org to order, or call our Tucson office to place your order directly. 
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