In the last episode, we established that God is the God of hope. In Christ, we have the hope of eternal life, glorified bodies, and the permenant friendship of God. In this episode, we are looking at the God of Peace, and how we can find peace even amidst the chaotic busyness of the Christmas season.

Though the holidays and the Christmas season is often seen as the merriest of seasons, there are plenty of stressful aspects that can quickly become overwhelming. People are rushing to meet deadlines. There are presents that need buying, wraping, and delivering. There are family get-togethers that may be awkward or frusturating or any assortment of unpleasant emotions. How, in light of all these things, can we live as Christ would have us live, full of peace? He is, after all, the Prince of Peace.

The answer to this question is found in remembering Jesus Christ. Only he can give us lasting peace. There is no amount of effort that can carry us undisturbed through the turbulence of the holdiays, nor any tradition that will deflect all the stress that assails us. It is only through Christ, the little child of Bethlehem, who has come to give us peace on earth.

More than just a helpless baby, Jesus is our powerful saviour. He can and will protect us from all real harm in this life. More than a frail, needy child, He is our great provider. In good times, in hard times, Jesus watches over us and will make sure we have all we need. We have no need to be afraid.

Jesus Christ was the perfect gift. He gives us all we need. He is not short of gifts, as we will see in the next two weeks. He loves us. More than his own mother Mary loved him, Jesus loves us. He is the visible image of the invisible God, and He came to show us the love of the Father and to bring us peace.

Let this podcast be an encouragement to you as you go through this Christmas season. Let the memory and truth of Christ be the source of your peace. He will keep you. He can comfort you. You have nothing to fear because your God is a God of power, and He loves you.

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"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. "

God is the God of hope. He desires to fill us up completely with hope, that we would abound with peaceful, joyful hope. In Christ, this is not just a fanciful wish, but a reality. The sentiments of hope are never closer in our minds than at Christmas. The birth of Christ is the basis of Christian hope. Jesus is the hope of our salvation, the hope of our bodily resurrection, the hope of redemption from our sins, the hope of eternal righteousness and eternal life.

Not only is Christ the hope for our future, but he is the hope in our present. In every difficulty, every trial, Christ is there to provide our every need, for He said "I will never leave you nor forsake you." He is the hope of provision, the hope of healing, the hope of fulfillment.

There are seasons of life where we feel full of hope, and there are seasons when hope seems a million miles away. Sometimes we feel like the Psalmist who said, "Why are you downcast, o my soul, and why are you in turmoil with me?"

When we need hope, we must look to Jesus. In this episode, we will look at the nature of hope, the basis of our hope, what to do to regain our hope, and all of the benefits of hope. May this season and God's Word reveal God's desire for you to experience abundant hope.

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Don't forget to send comments to strengthenmyhands@gmail.com for comments, questions or future podcast ideas!

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In this episode, we are looking at God's loving discipline for us. Sons of God must be disciplined by their Heavenly Father.

"It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. " - Hebrews 12:7-8

The purpose of his discipline is that we might share in his holiness and produce the peaceful fruit of rigtheousness. (12:11)

The peaceful fruit of righteousness strives for holiness and peace with everyone, ensures that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springs up amongst the believers, that no one is sexually immoral or unholy, trading temporary pleasures for future blessings. (12:14-17)

It is not easy to be disciplined, but there is no other way to experience the fullness of God's blessings. Imagine that living your life is akin to building a castle. Each step you take, every hard decision, every sacrifice you make for the Lord's sake is like placing another brick on the magnificent monument of your life. God wants your life to represent Him well, so we must strive to produce the most beautiful life we possibly can. This can only be done when we are disciplined.

But God is gracious, and He transforms us into the people we are to become, if we only submit to Him. He will renew our minds by the Holy Spirit. He will give us opportunities to serve Him and bring glory to His name. He will give us the desires of our heart as our will aligns with His.

I hope this episode encourages you to seek the Lord with even more passion and excitement!

Thank you for listening to the Strengthened Hands Podcast!

Don't forget to send comments to strengthenmyhands@gmail.com for comments, questions or future podcast ideas!

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