Dec

25

Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace…everlasting…

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With our finite minds, it’s hard to conceptualize the awesomeness of the nature of Jesus. There are so many names for Him because no one name can describe, define, nor contain Him! Though we’re all familiar with the Christmas story, the concept is not so easy to fully comprehend. An infinite God who came to earth for our sakes yet was born of a virgin and lived a human though Godly life…it defies all logic.

Jesus was tempted, hungry, and scripture says that He identified with man’s sufferings. But that He humbled himself to endure such a low existence for the years He walked on the earth is such a study in contrasts for the human mind to fathom. For how can the limited mind of man claim with any authority the process of an infinite God?

That He always was and always will be the great God of all Creation is too immense to fathom. It’s not so much a matter to consume and comprehend through logic but more of a respectful apprehending through our faith. Thanks be to God for sending us Jesus!

                                        

Nov

26

Thoughts @Thanksgiving

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When we stop to think about all that we’ve been blessed with as believers, having Jesus as our Lord and Savior is at the top of our list. He is our fruitful bounty. Everything else is but a garnish.

In America, our blessings are so abundant that even the poor are considered rich compared with many other nations around the globe. The word tells us in 1 Timothy 6:8 that if we have food and raiment, we should be content.

While gathered together with family and friends to enjoy food and fellowship this Thanksgiving holiday, let’s also take time to remember the ones who are suffering for their beliefs and pray God would abundantly bless them with his peace and provision.

With thanksgiving in their hearts, the early settlers gave praise and honor to the Lord for many things, most notably, a liberal harvest. William Bradford wrote:

“…And afterwards the Lord sent them such seasonable showers, with interchange of fair, warm weather as, through His blessing, caused a fruitful and liberal harvest, to their no small comfort and rejoicing. For which mercy, in time convenient, they also set apart a day of thanksgiving… By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine, now God gave them plenty … for which they blessed God.” 

May your Thanksgiving be a joyous reminder of all that is Jesus!

 

 

Jan

09

His light in the New Year

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The world is a dark place. Without God, there would be no light. When we walk in darkness, how can we not stumble? With God to provide the light to see, our paths remain clear to travel as we draw nearer to Him.

Even as we are sanctified, every day trials can get us off track, despite the Holy Spirit living inside. Our minds often race to quell the storms, and our tongue’s reactions to life’s situations can be fleshly and prideful.

In an effort to deal with what comes before us, the only thing that will steer us in the right direction and bring us peace is leaning on the everlasting arms. When confronted with tough times, God’s word tells us to be slow to speak and slow to anger because “man’s anger cannot accomplish the righteousness of God” ~ James 1:20.

When we put on Christ, we are renewed by and through the Holy Spirit. We have freedom now to be different from the world. Confronted with trouble? Pause. Take a deep breath and yield to the spirit inside with prayer…it goes a long way.

As the new year is upon us, let’s take our first steps of the year being fully clothed in Christ.

Happy New Year!

 

Dec

13

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory~ John 1:14

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The advent season has begun. They joy of everything Christmas-y has begun in the streets and the shopping malls. Though for the believer, Christ’s birthday celebration is alive in our hearts every day—not just in December.

In thinking about our Lord, we understand his ways are certainly not our ways, and the more we dwell in his word and contemplate his birth, the more we can appreciate the sacrifice of the suffering servant, who came to fulfill his father’s wishes—to save the lost and dying.

How unfathomable to comprehend the path of Jesus to reconcile us to the Father. What a marvelous mystery that he would condescend to earth but to come here in the form of a man and live among us? Is not his glory too superior? He left paradise for this?

At some point this winter season when our little town of Phoenixville is glistening in a blanket of whiteness, may we understand that because of Jesus’s blood, a believer’s sins are even whiter than the brilliance of the snowfall.

May every step you take be with Jesus…adopting his examples of love to the brethren, especially, and aslo to the world as you travel the rest of your life.

Sep

29

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

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The world has been— from the beginning of time—a place where man seeks his own predominance. Love of one’s self began in the Garden when the serpent tempted Eve to become a self-seeker and deny God’s commandment. The battle continues today to gain ground when we take our eyes off of our Master.

Cultural clashing of one group over another is more than ideologies butting up against each other. It’s not just about civil unrest vs. civility, racial fairness vs. inequality. It’s more about man’s idea of wanting to take the reins of power upon himself to live, rule, and dictate toward these same ends. It’s all about domination and dictating as man sees fit and not seeking God in the process. This isn’t only a worldly issue; it can happen, sadly, even within the walls of a church congregation.

In the midst of cultural warfare, there is but one weapon that needs to be used. It’s God’s truth shared in love. If man were to take his cues from the Almighty maker of heaven and earth and keep his eyes focused on Him, there would be no necessity for war, rioting, societal upheaval, nor division in the church. What’s not done in the spirit of love is all but dross.