Through the Bible - Nahum 2-3, Revelation 13
Good morning,
Christmas is a season of hope. Some will place their hope in the magic of Christmas to restore relationships to bring healing and to bring joy.
It is not Christmas that can bring these things. The hopes and fears of all the years, as the song "O Little Town of Bethlehem" tells us, are met in Thee, met in Him.
Pastor Greg Laurie writes:
Christmas cannot be all that we want it to be. It's only a holiday. Christmas cannot bring harmony to your home. Christmas cannot bring peace on earth. Christmas cannot bring happiness.
But Christ Himself can do all of this and more. That is really what we are longing for deep inside.
But Christ Himself can do all of this and more. That is really what we are longing for deep inside.
- Not Christmas, but Christ.
- Not merriment, but the Messiah.
- Not goodwill, but God.
- Not presents, but His presence.
Anything or anyone short of this will disappoint. But God never will.
That's what I want for Christmas—Jesus Christ.
That's what I want for Christmas—Jesus Christ.
For today's verse we'll go once again to Colassians 1 where Paul has told us that we have access to God, access to our longings, our true hopes through Christ. Why would we place our hope in anything or anyone else?
Colossians 1:23 (New Century Version) This will happen if you continue strong and sure in your faith. You must not be moved away from the hope brought to you by the Good News that you heard. That same Good News has been told to everyone in the world, and I, Paul, help in preaching that Good News.
Luke 2:10-11 (New International Version, ©2010) But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
The angel spoke of the good news which is for all people, Paul preached the good news, may we spread the good news that it is Jesus Himself, Immanuel, God with us, that can fill our longing if we will come to Him and continue in Him.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Colossians 1:19-23 (New King James Version)
Reconciled in Christ
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
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