Month: December 2013

This past Sunday at our church, Christ Chapel, we had our Christmas service. The Christ Chapel kids sang songs, acted out the nativity and were generally too cute for words. I had a hard act to follow.

I spoke on Love. John 4: 9  says “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one an only Son into the world that we might live through him.”  Love came down to earth! God loves us so much that he sent his Son to the world. Not to condemn us, to yell at us, to beat us over the head, but to LOVE us, to give us life everlasting through Jesus!

The Word says that “We love him because he first loved us.” He has loved us from the beginning of time, he always had a plan.  He sent his son to the earth all those Christmases ago, to show us love, to give us life.  He is the Messiah spoken of in Isaiah 9:6  “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace,”  and he is our soon coming King!

Celebrate his love for you today and share his love with others. Share the love story of Christmas, the amazing love that Christ has for us. Take refuge in his love today, let it overflow from your heart and into your life.

Merry Christmas!

 “Joy to the world the Lord has come!”

Jesus has come! Joy everlasting has come to the world! We are grateful for the gift of Joy that God gave to the earth over 2,000 years ago at Christmas.

Miriam Webster’s dictionary defines joy as “a source or cause of great happiness: something or someone that gives joy to someone.”  Jesus is our source! He can be our constant joy, joy that is not dependent on circumstances, but joy that comes from knowing, way deep down on the inside, who Jesus is, from having a relationship through Jesus with our heavenly Father.
The Word of God says “the joy of the Lord is your strength” Let him be your strength this Christmas. Rejoice that God sent His son to the earth for you and for me, so we could have everlasting Joy and so that we can give the good news of “joy to the world” to others.

I continued our Christmas series this past Sunday with a message on Peace.   Isaiah, speaking of the birth of Christ said:

“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus is Peace. He alone can speak to the storms of our life and say, “Peace be still.” Jesus said  ^“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

Many people go through life afraid, afraid of their circumstances, afraid of what people think of them, afraid of many different things.  If we know Christ, we have no reason to fear. He has given us peace. He came to this earth 2000 years ago so we could know Him, so through Him we would have access to God the Father, (Rom 5:1-2), so we could know Hope, Peace,  Joy and Love. 

If you are struggling to find peace this season, rest in Him; let your heart dwell on the great gift God gave to us on Christmas day so long ago, the gift of His Son, the gift of peace.

It’s that time of year again, the Christmas Season!  I spoke on HOPE this past Sunday, the wonderful hope we have in Jesus. He is the hope of the world. 

The Christmas season is often very busy with shopping, decorating the tree, school performances, visiting family, the list goes on.  While these are all wonderful things to do, we can also let ourselves become stressed, fretful, worrisome, “Did I buy so and so the right present? Did we put enough decorations outside? Did I find the perfect Christmas tree? Did I mail enough Christmas Cards?” We can become so consumed with the preparation of Christmas that we miss the significance of the preparation season, Christmas can pass us by in a blur.

This year, let’s slow down; let’s focus our hearts on the HOPE of the world, the hope that came to this earth as a tiny baby in a stable, and the hope that is coming again as a triumphant king.  

Let’s dwell on that hope this Christmas and let’s give hope to others. Maybe a co-worker, a family member, a neighbor needs your help this Christmas, let them know, their situation is not hopeless.  Many people are hurting and you can bring them hope!

 Feeding The Nations right now is sending hope in the form of food to the people of the Philippines, and many other nations, the need is tremendous friends!  If you feel led to help, the donation link is at the bottom of this post. Thank You, and remember HE is HOPE.

https://feedingthenations.org/donate.html