The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10–11)

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:13–14)

Good news of great joy.

Our Savior, Christ the Lord, was born! Celebrate with great joy.

All people are sinners in need of a Savior. We are eternally sunk without a Savior.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

The good news is that salvation is offered to all. To whoever believes in Him.

The invitation is open to all … including those you are praying for.

Glory to God. Peace.

The second message about Christ’s birth, this time from a multitude of the heavenly host, is qualified. The message applies to those with whom God is pleased

Peace from God is for those with whom He is pleased… that is, believers.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. (Romans 15:13)

Rejoice!

Our Savior was born!

Rejoice!

Love your enemies. (Matthew 5:44)

Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)

Love other Christians. (John 13:34)

“Love” in each of these is agape love, the love of decision, choice, will. Agape love isn’t emotion, it is obedience.

The Bible has a lot to say about each of these! Study. Believe! Pray! Obey!

Family

Christmas movies, TV shows, ads, and music picture ideal family gatherings. Ahhhh.

But, of course, families aren’t perfect, they may include believers and non-believers, and often there are various difficulties, trivial to enormous, even total separation.

Family conflict is always based on sin and/or unforgiveness. Unforgiveness includes the full range: mistakes, misunderstandings, and sins. We are commanded to forgive. We are commanded to love.

Love other Christians

If you love the Father, you love other Christians.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. (1 John 5:1)

All will know you by your love.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34–35)

Characteristics of loving other Christians

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. (Romans 12:10)

Accept one another. (Romans 15:7)

Serve on another. (Galatians 5:13)

Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)

Show tolerance for one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted. (Ephesians 4:32)

Encourage and build up one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Live in peace with one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:13)

Seek after that which is good for one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

Do not speak against one another. (James 4:11)

Fervently love one another from the heart. (1 Peter 1:22)

And more!

Reconciliation?

Reconciliation involves at least 2 parties. But in so far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

If reconciliation isn’t wise or possible (but pray, pray, pray before coming to that conclusion), it is still possible to behave in a godly manner (e.g. not calling attention to the issue, not slandering, not gossiping, etc.)

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:18)

Take stock, get ready for the King

There are still 10 days to Christmas. Take stock. Do you love your enemies? Do you love your neighbor? Do you love other Christians? Is there sin in your life that you need to confess? Do you need to ask forgiveness of someone? Do you need to forgive someone else? Do you need to have a loving talk with someone? (I’m talking to myself also, of course!)

Let’s get ready for the King.

Prepare for Christmas – Part 2

Our Savior was born, lived, and died in humiliation.

The eternal Son of God, the Word of God, voluntarily humiliated Himself in submission to the Father, took the form of a bond-servant, was born a baby, obeyed to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)

As we prepare for Christmas, ponder on Christ’s humility. Marvel!

Contemplate how we can have that same attitude in ourselves. (Philippians 2:5)

Remember

The eternal Son of God would not have come in the flesh if we didn’t need saving!

We* are saved but didn’t deserve it.

We* are saved but couldn’t earn it.

Our* salvation is totally of God. Our* salvation is a gift of God and not of works. (Ephesians 2:4-5; 8-9)

Be Humble!

Determine to have the same humility as Christ!

Have this attitude [humility] in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5)

To enter God’s kingdom, we must humbly come as little children, offering nothing, and knowing we are poor in spirit.

Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3–4)

We must be humble. It is NOT about us. It is about Christ. Humbly submit to the will of Almighty God who loves you with an everlasting faithful love. Don’t let pride get in the way.

Acknowledge our lowly state; be overwhelmed by God.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.  (Philippians 2:3)

To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit. (1 Peter 3:8-9)

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. (Colossians 3:12–13)

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time. (1 Peter 5:6)

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*This is for those who have received Christ as Lord and Savior. If that isn’t you, PLEASE repent and believe in Jesus Christ. See Becoming a Child of God.

Christmas is coming. The King is coming. Are you ready to meet Him?

Repent

Jesus started His ministry with “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2); “Repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

Christ came to call sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32)

If you haven’t yet agreed with God that you are a sinner, that you have violated the commands of your Creator, please take stock, repent, and turn to Jesus Christ in belief and trust. (See Becoming a Child of God)

If you have received Christ as your Lord and Savior, Hallelujah! Your sin has been forgiven and you are on the path to heaven (John 6:47; Romans 6:22-23)

Confess

Yet we all still sin (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8, 10).

Believers, having been bathed, still need to wash their feet! (John 13:10)

Take this time before Christmas to ask the Lord to:

Reveal your sins (e.g. Psalms 26:2, 139:23-24),

Confess them,

Receive His forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9), and

Resolve to walk in righteousness. (Romans 6:11-13, 19)

Prepare for Christmas with a clean conscience.

Peace with God

Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

Christmas is coming, be ready!

Joy At Thanksgiving

Joy? Now? Don’t you know the problems I have? The sorrows I bear? My unsolvable difficulties?

Yep.

But, for the Christian,*  joy is not only possible, joy is commanded.

Jesus is Joy

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (John 15:11)

Stay in His joy by abiding in Him. (See John 15)

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23)

We are commanded to rejoice.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

Joy in our lives is both a work of God and our responsibility.

But how?

Get and keep (fix) your eyes on Jesus.

Jesus told us to:

rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven. (Luke 10:20)

As a believer* remember and meditate on truth, for example:

Christ—right now—is interceding for you. (Hebrews 7:25)

The Holy Spirit is praying for you. (Romans 8:26)

You are a co-heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)

Your inheritance is guaranteed. (1 Peter 1:4)

Christ is with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

There is a lot to be joyful about!

Remember that Christ endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).

You can too. I can too.

Rejoice!

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If you haven’t yet received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, please repent and turn to Him in belief and trust. See Becoming a Child of God.

When I lost my job, the Lord made it clear that I had been reassigned. He had to take me out of my company in order to bring me into a new set of responsibilities.

He brought us out from there [Egypt] in order to bring us in, to give us the land which He had sworn to our fathers. (Deuteronomy 6:23)

I hadn’t lost God’s purpose for me; I had been reassigned to different work.

We have purpose in this world as long as we are alive.

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep.  (Acts 13:36)

Empty nester? You are still Mom and Dad, but you have new ways to use your time.

Significant illness for you or a family member? You probably can’t do what you used to, but you have a new God-given function.

Living through a “natural” disaster? You can’t do what had been routine, but you do have new responsibilities to serve the Lord.

And on and on…  (See also Reassigned)

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Thank You, Father, that You are our loving sovereign and that You have given us a purpose in this world. Help us do the work You have given us, for Your glory.

Yes! God is love. (1 John 4:8)

God is love, but He is not only love. Those who think that He is only love are apt to think God would never condemn them (for example).

Instead, all God’s attributes work together all the time. While He is never not loving, He is also never not a righteous judge. His holiness and sovereignty are eternally present as are all His attributes.

Here is what God said about Himself to Moses:

Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” (Exodus 34:6–7)

God is beyond our comprehension. We don’t even understand all that He chose to reveal about Himself in His Word. As J.B. Phillips book said: Your God is Too Small.

As His created men and women, let’s continue to seek Him. Ask Him for a more complete understanding of Him. Praise Him for all we do know.

Some of you are dismayed about the election results. Some of you are thrilled.

For both groups: The Sun Still Came Up!

God is still on His throne.

The fundamental issue for America is spiritual. Spiritual, not political, not ….

The issue for believers is: How are we to live?

Our God-given purpose does not change.

We have been created to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7).

We are charged with making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).

God has given us work to do (Ephesians 2:10).

We are to live our lives in a manner worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

We are to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, make it our aim to please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1; Hebrews 11:6), live in hope, and press on (Hebrews 12:2-3;  Philippians 3:12-14).

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Thank You, Father, that You are working Your holy plan. Help us be pleasing in Your sight.

in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

In everything…..

Last week, Cultivating Thanksgiving gave some examples of thanksgiving during the issues of routine living. Those steps are useful, but what about giving God thanks in disasters?

What if you lost family and friends, your home, all your possessions, power and/or water during Milton and Helene? What if a loved one rejected you, betrayed you, abandoned you? What if you or a loved one became seriously ill or injured? What if something totally (and big) unfair happened … What if … What if …

It’s helpful if you—if I—become habitually thankful to God during the routine difficulties of life. We then are better equipped to have an attitude of gratitude when catastrophes happen.

Giving God thanks in disasters requires knowing who God is and who you are to Him.*

Remind yourself: God is sovereign over everything and everybody all the time (including the disaster you are in). God, for His own holy purposes, allowed this to happen. He has a purpose for you right here and now. God loves you so much His gave His Son to die for you that you might live. Christ will never leave you or forsake you. The Holy Spirit dwells in you, guiding you to all truth.

Thank God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—for His glory, His almighty greatness, His lovingkindness, His justice, His holy plan. Thank God that disasters are calls to repentance and that some will be saved during that time. Thank God that He is urging you to lean on Him.

Thank Him for those responding to medical issues, for people working to restore power and water, for people clearing the roads, building temporary bridges, for the resources you have to move forward (regardless of your disaster).

Thank Him that He is with you and guiding you. Thank Him that you have the opportunity to demonstrate your faith, glorifying Him. Thank Him that you have the opportunity to tell others about Him (did you notice after 9/11 how open people were to hear about Christ?). Thank Him that you have the opportunity to serve others, demonstrating your faith in Almighty God.

Thank God that He is using this disaster to perfect you, making you into the image of His Son. Thank Him that obedience brings joy. Thank Him that hope is in Him. Thank Him that He is strengthening your endurance. Thank Him that He is increasing your trust in Him.

This isn’t easy, we’ll have to “dig deep,” but it is the path of righteousness. Thank You, Father, that You will help us.

Press on.

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• This post is for believers, those who have received Christ as Lord and Savior. (See Becoming a Child of God)

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Thanksgiving is a command. Concerning you. Concerning me.

This command was my primary resolution for years with very limited success. I didn’t have a plan to actually make it happen.

I’m trying again … with prayer … with a plan.

Step One: Determine throughout the day to keep up a stream of thanksgiving. On our drive this morning: Thank You, Lord, for a beautiful day, for perfect walking weather, for golden leaves, for a  reliable car, for the health and ability to walk, for a pleasant walking path, for ….  Do this every day, making it a habit. This makes thanksgiving easier when things are not as nice.

Step Two: Become conscious of what I say to myself or out loud.

Step Three: If my thoughts or words are grumbly or critical; if my thoughts or words are not thankful, I resolve to stop myself and replace grumbly/complaining with thanksgiving.  (This is NOT saying I should ignore  godly discernment of issues and the appropriate response, just my all-to-normal failure to thank God.)

Step Four: There are ALWAYS reasons to thank the Lord. ALWAYS. But here are two examples of irritants of life where I have opportunities to thank.

• Stop and go traffic. Instead of grumbling, thank God that I have a car and the ability to drive. Thank God He has kept me safe on the drive. Pray for the other drivers. Pray for myself to be thankful!
• The furnace failed. And it is snowing. Thank You Lord that the power is still on and we have portable heaters. Thank You that we have a reliable, local company to call. Thank You that I have the opportunity to show my faith.

Step Five: Repeat and repeat and repeat until it becomes a habit to give God thanks rather than grumbling or complaining.

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I am determined to make thankfulness a characteristic of my life. And to be ready to explain if someone asks me how. Lord, help!