Dec

13

For unto you is born a savior

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The moment in time when baby Jesus arrived in Bethlehem, he was on a mission. That he would leave heaven for earth boggles the mind. To come though the humblest means possible to begin his life in a feeding trough in a lowly stable is unfathomable.

Out of his humble estate, the baby grew to become prophet, priest, and King of Kings. His thirty-three years on earth created a mark in history that would be forever a turning point. For everything vile, despised, and eschewed by man, Jesus, our Emmanuel—God-with-us—gave his life. He became the sacrifice to bring all who believe in him into an everlasting fellowship with the Father. A gift to all men…and one that keeps on giving.

We celebrate the savior’s birth this season and in our hearts all the year through. Like the angels sang in their celebration on that fateful, joyous day, we, too, rejoice. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

Nov

29

Who’s your best friend forever?

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A “best friend forever” is great. Their support in our lives is lovely and much appreciated. Sometimes, though, our friends desert us and fall away.

As believers, there is nothing more valuable than our faith…the faith to believe there is a God and that he loves us. He created our bodies, has a plan to fulfill a glorious future for us, and then he died for all, so that we could inherit an eternal glory on the coattails of his blood sacrifice.

What’s comforting to know is that Jesus is both our savior and our eternal best friend, and he will never depart from our lives. Even if we forsake him, he’s always true to remain faithful to us.

How many names does Jesus have? Prince of Peace, Bright Morning Star, the Alpha and the Omega…the list goes on. But with all of the titles Jesus owns, we can also add friend.

We may ask what has the Lord done for me, lately? As it stands, what he accomplished on the cross while doing his father’s will is all we need. The rest of his bounty is just gravy.

“My grace is sufficient” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

His grace of an eternal pardon and payment for our sin, which lends to the gift of our salvation, is the most valuable treasure we’ll ever receive, courtesy of our only true BFF, Jesus!

Nov

22

The Bounty Is Christ

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In America, our blessings are so abundant that even the poor are considered rich compared with many other nations around the globe.

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.” 

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 as he is our fruitful bounty. Everything else is but a garnish. The word tells us in 1 Timothy 6:8 that if we have food and raiment, we should be content.

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

Nov

15

A time for everything

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The book of Ecclesiastes speaks about the seasons of life. With everything under the sun, there is a time—a time to reap and a time to sow; a time to mourn and a time to laugh; a time to gather and a time to cast away.

With everything the Lord brings to us as believers, whether to our delight or adversity, it’s for his purposes. Whether it pleases or not, there is really nothing to lose or gain compared to the fulfillment of a God-centered life as only God brings us true contentment even apart from our circumstances.

Whether in good times or bad, the blessing of his hand in our lives is what sustains us. The surpassing joys or sorrows will fade in time, and our spirits are sustained through it all as we remain focused on the power of his presence in our lives.

As with anything earthly, it passes. Though the riches of the spiritual gifts designed by God for us are meant to be life sustaining and everlasting.

To everything there is a season…winter, spring, summer and fall. Each is part of the pattern of life which God has established on earth.

Nov

08

Freedom in Jesus

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This Veteran’s Day, we salute the courageous men and women who fought to preserve our nation and its sovereignty. America is fortunate to have a unique position in the world through the sacrifice of so many patriots who’ve bled and died defending America’s liberty. One nation, under God, indivisible. The land of the free and home of the brave is the only one of its kind and was established first and foremost on the principle that only God holds the reins of power. This nation was established to be under God always.

There’s another who gave up his life sacrificially and shed his blood for our liberty. Jesus committed the highest act of sacrificial love for not just America but for the world. He came to earth from his heavenly home to bridge the gap between his father and sinful man. His battlefield was the cross, and he died there to pay the high cost of our sins in order that we may have freedom and liberty in Him forever.

Thank you, Vets, for your strength and bravery. Thank you, Lord, for your selflessness in battling the war we could never fight alone. To God be the glory.