Immanuel – God’s answer to the lonely, the outcast, the shunned, the rejected, the ostracized. Immanuel – God’s promise that we will never be alone. Immanuel – God before us, behind us, beside us, within us – it doesn’t get any more personal than that.
Guest Post by Jan Kent “Even in darkness, light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.” Psalm 112:4 I love seeing the red and
The common thread running through his family line is one of redemption. Finding worth in the worthless. Pouring grace upon the unworthy. Loving the less-than.
Everyday Marys render themselves available to God, knowing their greatest gift to Him is not in the ‘being’ but in the surrender.
“Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded.” What an epithet! Obedient to God, no matter the cost. Oh, that the same might be said of us!
Our story would have ended very differently had Christ not come to rescue us from spiritual darkness. Without Him, we would be lost forever. He is the Light that brings hope and guides us safely home.
Zechariah likely felt the same about his life– ordinary, run-of-the-mill, middling, mediocre – especially given that he and his wife were childless. Then all of that changed when Zechariah’s name was chosen to enter the sanctuary of the Lord. Life as he knew it would never be the same.
Friendship in Christ is a blessed gift. My church family offers encouragement to become more Christ-like by reminding me and others of who we are and who we can become.
How striking the contrast between Herod, a choleric despot inflicting death, versus Jesus, our Deliverer, come to impart life. The former instilled fear, but Jesus instilled hope.
Through Jesus, we have eternal life. When He died on the cross, He removed that perishable state for all those who confess Him as LORD and Savior.
