Here we are in the first week of the new year, as we set our hearts on making a fresh start, let us anchor ourselves in God’s love, grace, and protection. With Him guiding our steps, the path ahead, though unknown, leads to a future full of hope and promise. Let us…..“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Your desire to start new each year is …
“While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:54-59)
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen stood firm in his faith even as he faced hostility. His courage and steadfastness in proclaiming the truth remind us that our faith may sometimes lead us into difficult situations, yet it is in these very moments that our faith can shine the brightest. As Stephen …
(Luke 2:10-11)…..Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
What kind of statement was this? “Great joy…to all people.”? Many people on earth have never even heard the “Gospel of Jesus Christ,” or good news, as the term gospel means. We are supposed to tell them. God is a Savior, one …
(Luke 2:25-35)
Simeon gives us some reasons for praising our Lord, because of who he has seen (v.26-30). Simeon had been told that he would not die until He had seen the Lord’s Christ, and so when he did Simeon begins to praise the Lord because of Who had entered the world. Just who was this Baby? He is identified here as “the Lord’s Christ.” Simeon understood Who He was because the Holy Spirit was upon him. The shepherds knew Who He was also, and the angels in heaven knew …
When a gift has your name on it you know its yours. So you wait with anticipation for the day you get to open the gift. Do you remember that when you were a kid? You couldn’t even sleep the night before, because you knew Christmas morning was the day. When the morning came you tore into the present like there was no tomorrow. So what do you do when theft to be had was salvation in Jesus Christ. The long awaited gift that has now been given to you. Are …
The word “Christmas” has become to offensive to many in this world. Why? Because it contains a reference to Jesus Christ. So the name of Christ must be removed. We can call it a happy holiday, but not Christmas. We can call it a winter break, but not Christmas. We can call it whatever you want, but don’t mention Christ, that is to narrow minded. Yet the United States claims to be over 85% Christian. I guess that is measured by what we call “new math.”
The depth of our Christianity …
There is hope for the grieving soul, for the lost and alone, the hurting and dead. This hope was promised several thousand years ago, and yet even today many miss it. If you are wondering what or who this hope is, the Bible declares just who HE is. The word of God to you declares that she (Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had …
Early Christians in the early days did not celebrate the birth of Jesus as an annual observance. Most Protestant churches did not begin celebrating Christmas until the 19th century. Now this does not in any way demean the importance of the birth of Jesus Christ, because it is something we should think about often (certainly more than once a year). After all, His birth was prophesied by…..
The significance of Jesus’ birth is that God has dwelt among men, and established His kingdom …
Simeon had been told that he would not die until He had seen the Lord’s Christ born into this world. But just who was this Baby? He is identified here as “the Lord’s Christ. Most would not understand such a magnificent truth, but Simeon did. Simeon understood Who He was – because the Holy Spirit was upon him. The shepherds knew Who He was because they were told. The angels in heaven knew Who He was because they saw what God had done, and were sent with the good news. But …
He calls us to be messengers of the gospel. But the struggle to share the gospel of Jesus Christ is real. It’s a very real spiritual battle that we fight because the enemy is always trying to shift our focus. Not everyone is going to celebrate what we are called by God to do. Not everyone likes the “good news!” Like many Christians before us, we may be ridiculed and slandered for our faith and message. And that is okay. Our suffering is nothing compared to how Jesus suffered for us. …
