A Child is Born

https://wallpapercave.com

For unto us a child is born,

to us, a son is given

and the government shall be on his shoulder.

Isaiah 9:6a

Isaiah prophesied the birth of the Savior. What does he say in these words?

unto us

Can we imagine what the original hearers or readers thought when Isaiah communicated these words? “Why would God choose to share anything with us?” “Who are we to receive anything from God?” We now know that God chose to send us this gift because of His love for us.

a child is born,

God chose for a child, His child, to be born into our world. God had previously sent emissaries in the form of prophets to carry His message to the people. It was God’s desire that the people would receive this child, listen to His teachings, and live the life God intended for them. 

the government shall be on his shoulder.

This child was to be the source of all governments. It was God’s desire that all laws were to be based on God’s Word.

As we try to live for Jesus in our daily lives, do we understand the concept that all of our laws should have their basis in God’s word? Even our individual conduct should reflect God and His Word.

Grace upon Grace

http://www.surprisingtreasures.com

For from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17 (ESV)

When we accept Jesus into our hearts and learn to live for Him, we receive great love from Him. We don’t deserve His love. We all are sinners. When we accept Him we become sinners saved by grace. The only thing that can help us through the hardships of this life is what He does for us because of His eternal grace.

We receive His grace many times throughout each day. We awaken each morning because He chooses to allow us to. We have food to eat because we can purchase it or it is provided for us.

Recently, I noticed my distance vision was not as clear as it should be. I was able to get an appointment the same day I called my vision care provider. I received a thorough exam. I was not eligible to get new glasses through our vision insurance for six more months. God’s grace allowed me to order and cover the cost of new eyeglasses. They should be ready for me any day.

God’s grace is free to us. All we have to do is ask His Son, Jesus, into our hearts and rely on Him.

Have you experienced God’s grace in your life lately?

He Lived Among Us

http://www.pray4zion.org

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (ESV)

John says it very well. Jesus lived among His people. Do we truly realize what John says here? God came to earth and ate, worked, traveled, and experienced grief and happiness as we do. He chose to live among us.

God doesn’t sit on his throne, shaking his head and waits to see what kind of mischief we humans get into. When we do get into trouble and sin, He doesn’t say,” You’re on your own.” If we ask Him, He forgives us. He understands us because He lived here on earth.

Jesus came to earth as a baby to show us how to live for God. He taught the people of Israel about His Father. Once we accept him, He lives in our hearts and guides us through life here on earth. He will come again and live with us forever in the New Jerusalem.

Children of God

 

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of the blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John1:11-13 (ESV)

John states something very basic to our belief here. When we receive Jesus we each become a child of God. Jesus’ earthly family did not believe in Him nor did a lot of those from the area where he grew up. When he spoke in Nazareth, they thought of whose earthly family he was a member not of what he said.

When one accepts Christ as Lord of his or her life, Jesus claims that person as His own.  His acceptance of us gives each of us eternal life. And He calls us his sons and daughters.

Cohen's Hallelujah, Christmas Version

The True Light

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. John 1:9-10 (ESV)

John calls Jesus the true light. When something is true, we know it to be real. We know that fact to be as stated. In present-day language, we know something that is true to be the real deal.

However, John lets us know that the world, which was made through him, did not know Jesus. The Pharisees and the Sadducees chose not to believe his message. We have this condition here in the present age. Some people have chosen not to believe in Jesus and some have never had the opportunity to meet Him.

As we come to know Jesus as the King of our lives, we learn to wait on Him and His direction for our lives. Sometimes have to search the scriptures for His words to tell us what we must do. We may have times when all we can do is follow His leading and wait for the outcome He has planned. 

Do You Hear What I hear?

The Light

the preachersword.com 

                In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4-5 (ESV)

John uses the word light as a way to make us think about the importance of Jesus Christ in our lives. Light guides us as we travel. It brings comfort as we relax after a long day.

John tells us the light of Jesus shines in the darkness. Who among us had not had a condition or an issue in our lives that we could not handle on our own? However, when we sought Jesus’ guidance or comfort, He led us through to the right resolution.

As we celebrate Jesus, let us always remember Him and all He does in our lives. He is present for us never leaves us or forsakes us. He saved us from our sin. He sustains us through the difficulties this world brings to us. He provides us with food, shelter, and clothing.

In our traveling as a family, we toured a few caves along our trips. In each of the tours, the guides allowed us to experience total darkness. In two of those settings, there were small children in the group. Those children cried and screamed because they were scared. I can imagine what it would be like for people who live without Christ when they face “darkness” in their lives. The Bible refers to a time of screaming and gnashing of teeth. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matt 13:49 (KJV)

However, if we know the Lord Jesus as the King of our lives, He has spared us from that.

In the Beginning-The Word

thegoodnewstoday.org 

This month, we will be looking at Jesus. Who He is, what He did, and how he was not accepted by many.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1-2 (ESV)

The Apostle John observed the ministry and teachings of Jesus as the Lord traveled and preached throughout Israel.

He attests to His belief of who Jesus is. He tells us the very basic facts about Jesus Christ.

• He was present in the beginning. He assisted God in making man “in our own image.”

• He was with God. God sent Jesus to earth to teach the people about our heavenly Father.

•He was God. (He still is God.)

When we celebrate Jesus’ birth, we celebrate God incarnate. God’s coming to earth.

When Jesus returned to heaven, He received the honor of sitting at the right hand of God.