A little girl was working diligently on a school assignment when her father came into the room and asked what she was doing. She told him she was working on a plan for world peace.  Her father said, “Wow, that’s a pretty big task for a little girl.” The girl replied, “Oh, no, don’t worry daddy, there are two other girls in my class helping me with it.”Peace is something everyone wants, yet few seem to find. Peace is often defined as “tranquility, harmony, or security.”Will there ever be world peace? That is a great question…and one we have all wondered about. Yes, there is coming a day in the reign of Jesus Christ when there will be peace.The Bible tells us in Isaiah 9:6 that Jesus would be the prince of peace. The coming of the Messiah had been predicted by the prophet Isaiah around 700 BC. The prophet said that Jesus would be called,  “Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Context - Jesus was born in an era that was considered a “time of peace.” It was called, Pax Romana (“Roman Peace”). It wasn’t true peace, because it existed only because Rome quickly destroyed any form of dissent.Seven centuries before that time of relative peace, hostile armies prepared to invade Jerusalem. During this difficult and tumultuous time, God makes a remarkable announcement through the prophet Isaiah.  “On those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)It was a prophetic word of hope to the people of God that true peace was coming…A Word from God.While the Bible talks about peace hundreds of times, we don’t see a lot of peace today, do we?Everyone wants peace. Whether you're a national leader sitting across a table from other world leaders, or a businessman facing the pressures and deadlines at the office, a parent trying to corral the kids, or a student just trying to make it through the semester, everyone wants peace.  But most of us, if we're honest with ourselves, have to admit that we experience more stress than peace.The greatest peace Jesus brings us is peace with God. It’s an upward peace. Romans 5 tells us that in our sinful state we are enemies of God.  But, while we were sinners, Christ died for us.Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are restored to a relationship of peace with God. It’s an eternal peace. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” (Romans 5:1-2)Jesus came to build a bridge between God and man. The cross is that bridge. Once we are in right relationship with God, we can begin to experience His peace in other areas of life.  But, it’s here that we struggle. It seems as if we are constantly fighting our own inner battles. We constantly worry about our kids, our jobs, our health, our grades at school, our money. Stress has become a way of life.Jesus gives us a peace that goes beyond understanding. It’s a kind of peace that enables us to experience an inner calm in spite of the circumstances that would normally cause us stress. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)Here’s a truth we need to believe: Living with peace requires a mind that is set on God. We cannot allow our hearts and minds to become consumed with the confusion around us. Let’s keep our focus on the one who gives us peace in the midst of the storm.Today’s Challenge: Colossians 3 says we can let the peace of God rule our hearts. Let me ask you…what is ruling your heart? What has consumed your thoughts? Is it Jesus? Or is it the worries of this world and this life. Let’s choose to live in God’s peace.

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