Read 2 Peter 3:10-18
Another year can be said with exhaustion or enthusiasm. Which is it for you? I want all of us to realize the blessings we have. God is good - ALL THE TIME. While I can sit here and give you all the reasons 2009 was difficult, painful and emotional (as all of us can do) I'd prefer looking back and being thankful for God's grace and mercy which are new every day.
You see when our attitudes are focused on Him, who He is and what He's doing in our lives we have a different outlook. We have the ability to live with anticipation instead of hesitation. We have the ability to expect God's faithfulness and therefore we can start seeing His faithfulness beginning to appear more and more in our lives.
Friends all I want us to think about as we face another year is this - think about how you've grown in the grace and knowledge of Him. Together let's make this the year when our love and knowledge of Jesus Christ skyrockets. Let's allow God to do His good work in us until the Day of Christ Jesus. And may God get the glory in our lives!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Advent Devotional - Love
Read 1 John 4:7-11
God's gift of love was given to all when He sent His one and only son into our world. We celebrate the birth of Christ every Christmas season, yet this amazing gift of His love is often missed by us. Think about it, as we check out all the activities and festivities happening around us this time of year do you ever get the sense that we're missing something?
Listen it happens - we get so busy we exchange the gift of God's love for all other sorts and types of celebration. But our focus must return to the love that came when Jesus came into this world. Our focus must return to the excitement and enthusiasm that God loved us so much that He stepped out of heaven and became flesh, lived among mankind and showed all what it really means to love. And since we're called to be ambassadors of Christ we must represent and reflect our Father God's love since He is love.
Too often I think we get caught up in gifts - especially the gifts we receive. But we can also get caught up in the gifts we give. Many of us actually enjoy giving more than receiving. And that's what God is like - He loves giving the right gift at the right time to the right person. The best gift we can ever receive is the gift of His son. It's offered to all and accepted by some. Before we unwrap all our gifts this year and before all the celebration is over, let’s remember the greatest gift we’ve ever been given is that in His love, God the Father sent His son to be the propitiation, the payment for our sins so that we may come into a right relationship with the Father through the giving of His loving Son Jesus Christ.
So as we go to Christmas parties, sing carols, attend church services and give and receive gifts this year remember His love this Advent Season and let's be part of giving the gift of His son's love. That’s what this season and our lives are to be devoted to. Share the gift of Christ – the gift of His Hope, Peace, Joy and Love!!
God's gift of love was given to all when He sent His one and only son into our world. We celebrate the birth of Christ every Christmas season, yet this amazing gift of His love is often missed by us. Think about it, as we check out all the activities and festivities happening around us this time of year do you ever get the sense that we're missing something?
Listen it happens - we get so busy we exchange the gift of God's love for all other sorts and types of celebration. But our focus must return to the love that came when Jesus came into this world. Our focus must return to the excitement and enthusiasm that God loved us so much that He stepped out of heaven and became flesh, lived among mankind and showed all what it really means to love. And since we're called to be ambassadors of Christ we must represent and reflect our Father God's love since He is love.
Too often I think we get caught up in gifts - especially the gifts we receive. But we can also get caught up in the gifts we give. Many of us actually enjoy giving more than receiving. And that's what God is like - He loves giving the right gift at the right time to the right person. The best gift we can ever receive is the gift of His son. It's offered to all and accepted by some. Before we unwrap all our gifts this year and before all the celebration is over, let’s remember the greatest gift we’ve ever been given is that in His love, God the Father sent His son to be the propitiation, the payment for our sins so that we may come into a right relationship with the Father through the giving of His loving Son Jesus Christ.
So as we go to Christmas parties, sing carols, attend church services and give and receive gifts this year remember His love this Advent Season and let's be part of giving the gift of His son's love. That’s what this season and our lives are to be devoted to. Share the gift of Christ – the gift of His Hope, Peace, Joy and Love!!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Advent Devotional - Joy
Read John 15:9-17
In the Bible, joy is a state of happiness in communion with God, leading to celebration of spirit, gladness, and delight. It's a central characteristic of our faith and it exists because of the understanding and reality we have in the power and presence of God in our lives. Joy can relate to praise and thanksgiving in public worship, or in the quiet confidence that comes when we spend time alone with God.
Jesus spoke about joy in John 15 when talking with His disciples. He said just as the Father loved me I've loved you. And this is what I want from every one of you - that you do the same. That you abide in My love, that you and I love one another. He said I'm telling you these things because I want my JOY to remain in you - this state of happiness in communion and union with God. Jesus wants us no matter the situation to abide in His love because He knows when we follow Him, when we follow His love, His joy will fill us completely.
This time of year can be a terribly difficult time of year for many of us. Many of us have had a tough, tough year. Many of us have lost loved ones; many of us have loved ones who are sick; many of us have circumstances surrounding us we never anticipated; many of us have circumstances surrounding us we knew were coming but we still wrestle with nonetheless. I believe God wants us to be real with these feelings. To bring them to Him and to ask for Him to turn our sorrow into the joy that only comes from our Father in Heaven. No matter what we're facing God wants us to come before Him and experience the joy of the Lord.
The longer I live the more I realize this world is full of substitutes. It attempts to replace what we really need with something that is less than satisfying. Trials and difficulties are simply a part of life and quite honestly, the longer I walk with God the more trials I seem to face. Maybe this is true with you as well. So how should we react when our faith is challenged by these difficulties? James 1:2 says we're to count it all joy! But what could possibly be joyful about difficult situations?
It seems counter intuitive. Yet, somehow we need to find joy in knowing, and even sensing that God is with us in the midst of our problems — in the midst of our trials. He did promise never to leave or forsake us; and as we look over our lives, we find it to be absolutely true…no matter what crazy situation we're in, God is with us.
We all have this decision: either to complain because of the trials we’re enduring…or to prayerfully lift our souls before him (Psalm 25:1)and rejoice in the midst of our troubles — knowing, believing, and even feeling, that God is with us.
Friends, this advent season experience the joy of the Lord; experience the happiness that comes when we're in communion and union with the Living God. And celebrate in your spirit with gladness and delight knowing that the Lord of all creation delights, takes joy in our praise and thanksgiving.
In the Bible, joy is a state of happiness in communion with God, leading to celebration of spirit, gladness, and delight. It's a central characteristic of our faith and it exists because of the understanding and reality we have in the power and presence of God in our lives. Joy can relate to praise and thanksgiving in public worship, or in the quiet confidence that comes when we spend time alone with God.
Jesus spoke about joy in John 15 when talking with His disciples. He said just as the Father loved me I've loved you. And this is what I want from every one of you - that you do the same. That you abide in My love, that you and I love one another. He said I'm telling you these things because I want my JOY to remain in you - this state of happiness in communion and union with God. Jesus wants us no matter the situation to abide in His love because He knows when we follow Him, when we follow His love, His joy will fill us completely.
This time of year can be a terribly difficult time of year for many of us. Many of us have had a tough, tough year. Many of us have lost loved ones; many of us have loved ones who are sick; many of us have circumstances surrounding us we never anticipated; many of us have circumstances surrounding us we knew were coming but we still wrestle with nonetheless. I believe God wants us to be real with these feelings. To bring them to Him and to ask for Him to turn our sorrow into the joy that only comes from our Father in Heaven. No matter what we're facing God wants us to come before Him and experience the joy of the Lord.
The longer I live the more I realize this world is full of substitutes. It attempts to replace what we really need with something that is less than satisfying. Trials and difficulties are simply a part of life and quite honestly, the longer I walk with God the more trials I seem to face. Maybe this is true with you as well. So how should we react when our faith is challenged by these difficulties? James 1:2 says we're to count it all joy! But what could possibly be joyful about difficult situations?
It seems counter intuitive. Yet, somehow we need to find joy in knowing, and even sensing that God is with us in the midst of our problems — in the midst of our trials. He did promise never to leave or forsake us; and as we look over our lives, we find it to be absolutely true…no matter what crazy situation we're in, God is with us.
We all have this decision: either to complain because of the trials we’re enduring…or to prayerfully lift our souls before him (Psalm 25:1)and rejoice in the midst of our troubles — knowing, believing, and even feeling, that God is with us.
Friends, this advent season experience the joy of the Lord; experience the happiness that comes when we're in communion and union with the Living God. And celebrate in your spirit with gladness and delight knowing that the Lord of all creation delights, takes joy in our praise and thanksgiving.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Advent Devotional - Peace
Read Isaiah 9:6
I love this passage in Isaiah. And as we enter this Christmas season it's a great reminder of God coming into our world in human form. We sing this verse during this season to proclaim the wonderful gift we've been given in Jesus Christ. His name - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. Take a moment and just reflect on these amazing names of our Lord Jesus.
I love them all, but this last one - Prince of Peace - really stands out as something different than what so many of us experience in life. Peace is elusive. It's difficult to get a hold of because there can be so much conflict we face in our relationships. Yet Jesus is called the Prince of Peace for a reason.
If you read through the gospels and check out Jesus' ministry He often talked about peace. In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:9, Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." In John 14:27 Jesus said to his disciples - "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." And over in Colossians 3:15 the Apostle Paul tells the church - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
We are to represent Christ as His followers. Since He is the Prince of Peace we're called to be ambassadors of His peace in this world. How are we doing with this calling? Are our lives reflecting the peace of God?
Jesus says in John 14:27 that He’s given us His peace; it’s a gift that is ours. And no matter what happens we can experience the peace of God by letting it reign in our lives. When I hear this I can’t help but think we have a choice. We can allow our hearts to be troubled and afraid or we can take the advice Jesus offers and live in peace. But how does this work? How can we let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts? Friends, it begins with knowing Jesus and the gift He is. When we realize this gift of peace, His peace given freely to us it changes our spirit. When our spirit gets up close and personal with God’s Spirit we begin to reflect the character of God Himself. This week take time to reflect on our great Prince of Peace. Take time and just spend time with God - get in His word and talk and listen to Him; and give thanks for the peace we have with God because of Jesus Christ and all that He’s done for us by His life, death and resurrection. Take time to understand the promise of God’s peace every moment of every day is possible when we remember our calling in Christ as members together of one body of believers, the Church of Jesus Christ.
I love this passage in Isaiah. And as we enter this Christmas season it's a great reminder of God coming into our world in human form. We sing this verse during this season to proclaim the wonderful gift we've been given in Jesus Christ. His name - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. Take a moment and just reflect on these amazing names of our Lord Jesus.
I love them all, but this last one - Prince of Peace - really stands out as something different than what so many of us experience in life. Peace is elusive. It's difficult to get a hold of because there can be so much conflict we face in our relationships. Yet Jesus is called the Prince of Peace for a reason.
If you read through the gospels and check out Jesus' ministry He often talked about peace. In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:9, Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." In John 14:27 Jesus said to his disciples - "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." And over in Colossians 3:15 the Apostle Paul tells the church - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
We are to represent Christ as His followers. Since He is the Prince of Peace we're called to be ambassadors of His peace in this world. How are we doing with this calling? Are our lives reflecting the peace of God?
Jesus says in John 14:27 that He’s given us His peace; it’s a gift that is ours. And no matter what happens we can experience the peace of God by letting it reign in our lives. When I hear this I can’t help but think we have a choice. We can allow our hearts to be troubled and afraid or we can take the advice Jesus offers and live in peace. But how does this work? How can we let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts? Friends, it begins with knowing Jesus and the gift He is. When we realize this gift of peace, His peace given freely to us it changes our spirit. When our spirit gets up close and personal with God’s Spirit we begin to reflect the character of God Himself. This week take time to reflect on our great Prince of Peace. Take time and just spend time with God - get in His word and talk and listen to Him; and give thanks for the peace we have with God because of Jesus Christ and all that He’s done for us by His life, death and resurrection. Take time to understand the promise of God’s peace every moment of every day is possible when we remember our calling in Christ as members together of one body of believers, the Church of Jesus Christ.
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