| Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. — Colossians 3:15 ESV  Stay Connected by Carrie Marrs, from Calm Your Anxious Mind 
 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. — John 15:5
Have you put up Christmas decorations yet? Twinkle lights are my favorite part. It makes me so happy to see all those bulbs give a beautiful soft glow at night.
Think for a minute how those strands of lights are like our relationship with Jesus. If you have one of those little bulbs all by itself — disconnected from a strand — it won't do anything.
But if it's secured into a socket on a strand that's plugged in, it'll light right up. Jesus is the strand, and we are the light bulbs. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. We need to live connected to Him in order to bring His light and fruit into the world.
Anne Graham Lotz said, "The first secret to loving others is to immerse yourself in a love relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit — and abide there."1
Remember that you're not supposed to be a light in your own strength. Remain in Him. Live with Him as your power source.
Let your love flow from His love.
I'm going to keep turning my heart and mind toward You, God, welcoming Your light and power.
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Be a Peacemaker
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God… Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. — Matthew 5:9, Matthew 5:44
Megan had a family member named Susie who was extremely antagonistic toward her. Susie regularly criticized Megan and complained about her to others.
Megan felt hurt, but she kept a soft heart toward Susie. She thought of Jesus' words about loving people who don't love you and being a peacemaker. She actually began going out of her way to serve and encourage Susie. Not only did it often defuse the tension between them, it also made Megan feel stronger. She felt closer to God.
God loved us when we were His enemies — that's how lovely and strong He is. And He says to us,
Come join Me in My life. Love and bring peace like I do. Be My children.
That's why He tells us to make every effort to do what leads to peace and edifies others (Romans 14:19). To bear with people and forgive them instead of being quick to grumble or fight.
When we feel pretty far from all that, we can start here:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. — Colossians 3:15 ESV
When we've gone to Him to receive peace, we'll be able to offer it.
Heavenly Father, I want to live like Your child. Bring peace to my part of the world through me.
Excerpted with permission from Calm Your Anxious Mind by Carrie Marrs, copyright Zondervan.
Your Turn
None of us can be the light of Christ on our own strength. It's not possible! But, we believers have the Holy Spirit within us who will light us up and empower us to do His will as we stay connected and follow Him! Come share your thoughts on our blog. Share this devotion with someone who needs it today. Don't Stress Out in the New Year
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by Carrie Marrs  Paperback, Regular: $16.99 eBook price: $9.99 + free U.S. shipping* on orders $35 or more When left unchecked, our thoughts can spiral out of control. We try harder and worry more as we watch the headlines and fill our calendars. But only God can bring us the relief from anxiety that our souls long for. Even in difficult times, we can experience God's presence. Calm Your Anxious Mind offers daily invitations to embrace the peacefulness God gives us no matter our circumstances.
In Calm Your Anxious Mind, men and women will find:
With a topical table of contents, research-based strategies for easing an anxious mind, and continual reminders of God's love, this yearlong devotional will help you:
Calm. Quiet. Settled. No matter what is happening in your life or around you, you can receive a spiritual peace that is beyond understanding. Find daily comfort and inspiration in this timely devotional designed to ease the anxieties of your heart and mind. 
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