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Dear Saddleback Family,

Use the Message Action Plan below to help put the things you learned this weekend into practice. If you missed last weekend's message, click here to watch it online.

Peace through Praying for Others
Peace on Earth - Part 2
Johnnie Moore
December 12-13, 2015

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14 (KJV)

"He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 'The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, 'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'"                        
Luke 4:16-21 (NIV)

"If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts share its suffering."  1 Corinthians 12:26a (GW)

"Love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31a (NIV)

HOW DO WE BRING PEACE TO THE POOR AND THE PERSECUTED THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Care for THE CHURCH and care for THE WORLD
   
   "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."   Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

2. "Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies." Hebrews 13:3 (NLT)

   "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18 (NIV)

   "'Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?' Jesus asked. The man replied, 'The one who showed him mercy.'" Luke 10:36-37a (NLT)

   ACTION PLAN:  Make it a point to do a deliberate act of kindness for a stranger this week.

3. Fight for JUSTICE, beginning ON YOUR KNEES
   
   "As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice.  He will redeem my soul in peacefrom the battle which is against me, for they are many who strive with me." Psalm 55:16-18 (NASB)

4. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure.'"  Psalm 122:6 (NIV)

   "Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and from evilpeople." 2 Thessalonians 3:2 (NIV)

   "You will live under a government that is just and fair. Your enemies will stay far away; you will live in peace. Terror will not come near."  Isaiah 54:14 (LB)

   ACTION PLAN:During your quiet time this week, pray for the persecuted church and for displaced people who will not be home for Christmas this year.

5. SPEAK UP for the oppressed

6. "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." Proverbs 31:8 (NIV)

   "Rescue those being led away to the slaughter." Proverbs 24:11a (NIV)

   "Soon the God of peace will crush Satan underneath our feet."Romans 16:20
                                                                  
   ACTION PLAN:   Consider getting involved with an outreach ministry (ex. The PEACE Plan, Disaster Relief, Justice & Human Trafficking, HIV/AIDS, Orphan Care, etc.).

7. Give GENEROUSLY to those in need, and always haveHOPE
   
   "The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea." Acts 11:29 (NIV)
   
   "I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison." Acts 22:4 (NIV)

   ACTION PLAN:   Think of a way you and your family could support a family in need this Christmas.  Consider inviting them into your home for a meal, offer to help decorate their home, etc.

8. Show HOSPITALITY to the stranger
   
   "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt." Exodus 22:21
   
   "When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:33-34 (NIV)
   
   "Salt is good. But if salt loses its taste, how will you restore its flavor? Have salt within you, and live in peace with one another." Mark 9:50 (GW)
   
   "Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."  Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV)
   
   ". . . in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  John 16:33 (NIV) 
   
   ACTION PLAN: Invite someone "different than you" to a Christmas Service this season.

Conclusion:

No matter what CONFLICT is inside you, or FEAR is terrorizing you, you can come to Christ for Comfort

Bring someone who is SUFFERING  to Christmas services!