Vineyard Church | Weekly Update December 3rd, 2025

Hey Vineyard Fam,

As the holiday season grinds its gears, I hope your week has a little bit of margin in it, even if that’s just a few quiet minutes in the midst of the hurry. Advent has a way of reminding us how loud the world is… and how deeply our souls crave peace that can’t be manufactured.

This Sunday we will sit with Zechariah; a man whose whole life was shaped by waiting, silence, and eventually, a peace he never could’ve created on his own. His story gives us a surprising reminder:

God’s peace doesn’t wait for perfect conditions… it grows in the places where we finally stop trying to control everything.

That’s not exactly the Christmas card version of peace, but it’s the one Scripture actually gives us. It’s the peace that disarms us. Peace that grows in surrender. Peace that settles the heart, not because life suddenly cooperates, but because the King has already done the heavy lifting.

So here’s our mid-week nudge: a little invitation, a little challenge, and a few practices to shape our week.

THIS WEEK’S DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
“Peace begins where striving ends.”

Most of us don’t strive outwardly, we strive internally. We grind. We grip. We hold our breath without even knowing it. Advent peace is God gently prying our fingers off the things we’re trying to hold together in our own strength.

Zechariah’s first words after months of silence weren’t, “Let me explain myself.” They were worship; a posture of peace. The holy exhale that comes from trusting the One who already knows the whole story. Where do you need that kind of peace this week?

Name it. Let yourself be honest (pro tip; He already knows! This honesty is a movement of surrender that invites the peace that transcends all understanding). Bring it to Jesus in prayer.

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE PRACTICE
Set aside a few minutes, once or twice this week, and read: Luke 1:67–79 and Isaiah 11:1–9
Read slowly, out loud if you can. Let the imagery do the work; wolves lying down with lambs, light breaking over those who sit in darkness, the King who rules with equity and mercy. Ask the Spirit: “Where do You want to guide my feet this week?”

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES FOR THE WEEK
These are simple. Doable. Formational.
1. The Breath Prayer. Once a day, pause long enough to take a single, deliberate breath. Inhale: “Lord Jesus…” Exhale: “…You are my peace.” Let your body preach to your soul.

2. A Small Surrender. Pick one area where you’ve been gripping too tightly... a situation, a relationship, a worry, a fear. Before bed each night, pray: “Jesus, I release this into Your hands.” And actually, release it... You can pick it back up tomorrow if you want but give Him your grip for these few holy hours.

3. A Peacemaking Act. Ask the Spirit to show you one person you can bring peace to. This doesn’t mean solving their problems, it means being present, calm, steady, and kind!
A text: “Thinking of you; praying peace over your week.”
A five-minute call.
A coffee drop-off.
A listening conversation.
A gentle word where there could have been heat.
Peacemakers change atmospheres... Let that be you this week.

A FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
If your week feels chaotic, if your heart feels restless, if you’ve been holding your breath, you’re exactly who Jesus calls close during Advent. He is not asking you to get your act together, He is asking you to trust the work He’s already done.
The King has come. He is disarming His people with love, and He will guide our feet onto the path of peace.
Take the breath, say the prayer, let Him do the shaping.
With love during this season, I’m praying peace over your homes this week. 

Adam Greenwell
Lead Pastor
Vineyard Church
www.billingsvineyard.org