THE SANDALS OF PEACE

…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15

The cry for peace is as old as the dawn of history and as fresh as the morning newspaper. Several centuries before Christ, the prophet Isaiah said, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace….”(Isaiah 52:7)

When the Hebrew prophets foretold the coming of a divine deliverer, they said one of his names would be“Prince of Peace.” When the Savior was born, the note struck by the angelic chorus in the nativity story of the shepherds was “…and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

The Man Who Was a Dresser of Sycamore Trees

Amos [Ā'mos]—burden-bearer or one with a burden.

1. This prophet of “judgment,”; which is the key word of the book he wrote, was a citizen of Tekoa, west of the Dead Sea (Amos 1:1; 7:8-16; 8:2).

Although he was one of the oldest of the prophets, we know little about Amos save what he himself tells us. He does not appear to have belonged to any rank or influence. The opposite is the case, seeing he styles himself a herdsman (Amos 7:14). 

He was no “professional prophet, speaking for a living.” Amos did not belong to the order of the prophets, nor had he been educated in the school of the prophets. The prophetic office was thrust upon him (Amos 7:14, 15). When the call came he exchanged the life of a shepherd and cultivator of sycamore trees for that of a prophet.

Do You Fear the Birth of Jesus?

by Jeremy Ham, AiG–U.S

The historical account of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem in preparation for the birth of Jesus is no stranger to many of us. On Christmas, we celebrate Jesus Christ’s birthday, remembering why He had come (John 3:16–17). Although what God has done through the Lord Jesus Christ gives us the reason to be joyful always, do you also fear God in light of Christ’s birth? The birth of Jesus Christ should either make you afraid or make you admire and revere our awesome God.

Admiration for Christ’s Birth

Christians have no need to be afraid. In fact, on Halloween, we discussed the topic of the fear and the proper response to it. We have God on our side, so why should we be scared (see Psalm 118:6)? However, this does not negate the need for a fear of God. In this article, we are referring to two different definitions of fear in this context—to be scared of something or to have a reverent fear in awe of God. When we fear God, we submit to God as our Creator and Savior, and we will praise and glorify Him for who He is and what He has done for us.

The Treasure Box

Written by Kristi Huseby

“[B]ut Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” (Luke 2:19, NLT)

Did you have a treasure box growing up? I did. In my treasure box I had a very old dollar coin that my Mom had given to me, some chapstick, and various other items that you might have considered junk but to me they were valued possessions.

In Luke 2:19 (NLT) we get the idea that Mary had a treasure box of sorts, only her treasures were memories of Jesus and how his life intersected with hers. Look at what it says, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

What were those things she stored in her “treasure box”? Could it have been the time when the Angel came to tell her that she would bear a child even though she was a virgin? Or what about when she visited with Elizabeth who was old, wrinkled and very pregnant? Did she treasure watching God’s miracle growing within her?