Have you ever noticed that the day before can be a day of great anticipation that something good is going to happen tomorrow, or a day that we might dread to happen? For instance, we love Christmas Eve because Christmas Day usually means opening gifts, dinner with the family and time to relax.

The eve of a wedding is usually filled with excitement, joy and asking the question, “Am I marrying the right person?”  Through the years I have had people tell me that the day before they almost backed out and now were extremely happy they didn’t. On the other hand, I know of others who had the same feeling, didn’t back out and later faced divorce.

The eve of a big event, such as buying a home or vehicle where one has to sign the proverbial dotted line, is always filled with confident thoughts or a lot of questions about doing the right thing.

The eve of a surgical procedure can be filled with stress concerning the outcome.

The eve of a major business meeting is often met with dread as to whether you can make the “perfect” presentation.

The eve of a big test in high school or college makes one nervous as they consider the questions they will have to answer.

There are many days before a big event that we know are coming and how we face them will determine our future.  There is a DAY coming as described in this scripture, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV), “For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

If we read and study the Bible we know that this time must be near.  Many people who have prophetic insight are saying the Lord’s return is close at hand.  Therefore, His coming will be some DAY; my question is, “Do we understand that the eve of this event is today and everyday until our Lord returns?”  My advice is be prepared by being ready. Actually, there will be no time to think things over, no opportunities to reconsider, no questions about right or wrong, and no hoping the next day can be be postponed. If Jesus comes back today, we should have been ready yesterday on the eve of His return. Should He come tomorrow then be ready today. Getting ready is truly accepting Jesus as the Savior of your soul. Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

May your Christmas Eve be blessed as well as the Eve of the return of Jesus!

Hearing that someone is going through personal turmoil at this time of the year reminds me that God’s plan, through Jesus Christ, was for us to have a personal grasp on His peace for our lives.

You can’t read the Christmas story in the gospels without reading verse fourteen of the second chapter of Luke in the New Testament.  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE, goodwill toward men!”  God intended we live with His PEACE each day of our lives.  Jesus was giving direction in the book of John 14:27, “PEACE I leave with you.  My PEACE I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  Actually, as a believer we are walking in the PEACE He gives us.  There is no way that our fleshly peace can win, only His.  The Book of John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have PEACE .  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  Here in God’s Word are several scripture references to His PEACE:

Romans 5:1, “…we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 7:15, “…But God has called us to PEACE.”

2 Corinthians 13:11, “…Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in PEACE; and the God of love and PEACE will be with you.”

Philippians 4:7, “…and the PEACE of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 3:15, “And let the PEACE of God rule in your hearts…”

Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS for they shall be called sons of God.”

Declare to your spirit man that you will not allow turmoil, friction and offense rule you. Speak these scriptures into the depths of your being and rid your heart of anything that does not manifest the PEACE of God. This is Christmas 2015, so please enjoy every moment it brings. The saying, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season,” is so true.

A PRAYER:  “Lord Jesus, let me walk in your PEACE and be a PEACEMAKER!”

Blessings to all!
(All scriptures are NKJV)