Once they finally returned to the hillside above Bethlehem, they were still the same men on the outside; same looks, same names, same occupation. But they were transformed on the inside. Their life would never be the same because they had seen the Savior. That’s what happens when you meet Jesus.
Tag Archives: advent
Peace on earth
In English, the word peace conveys an absence of strife. It is a passive state of being. Yet peace in this particular passage is anything but passive. The peace God offers is active; it refers to the act of reconciliation between God and man. Jesus laid aside His royal privileges and took on the flesh and limitations of man, in order to tear down the wall of sin which separates mankind from a holy God.
Everyone included
God’s love is not exclusive. It is not provisional. It emcompasses every human being, every soul, every person – the only condition is that they believe in Him and receive His gift of grace.
Jesus
Jesus cannot be confined to just one name. The more we learn about Him, the more He becomes undefinable. Even one-hundred names cannot contain all that Christ is. Jesus – name above all names – our eternal hope and salvation.
Obedient Faith
We refer to Mary as the chosen one, yet God chose Joseph as well. He saw in him a man after His own heart, a man who was qualified to love His Son and raise Him as his own. A man who would stand beside Mary and love her for better or for worse. Joseph’s faithfulness and strength of character would be put to the test over and over again
When life seems to be falling apart
Where was God in Joseph’s darkest hour? Right where He needed to be – in the midst of it – fulfilling His marvelous plan for man’s salvation. In Joseph’s darkest moments, God was nearer to him than ever before.
A willing heart
Mary’s story is one of submission and willingness. She realized life would never be the same again, yet she accepted God’s sovereign purpose because she knew she could fully trust Him.
Weighed down
God is anything but indifferent, fickle, callous, or cruel. He’s not heartless, nor does He look the other way. On the contrary, God is a loving heavenly Father. He cares so much He sent His beloved Son to bear the punishment we deserve. And one day, He will bring justice to our broken world.
Son of the Most High
Jesus’ birth was not just some random act. Long before the world was made, God planned to send His Son. The intricate weaving of history, from God’s prophecy in Genesis 3:15 to the cross itself, are part of God’s wonderful plan. His promise to raise up One whose kingdom would never end – and its fulfillment – offers us hope and confidence that The One who gave this promise will bring to fruition the rest of His wonderful promises both now and forever.
Grapevines and snowflakes
As I snipped here and cut there, I was reminded of God’s work in my life. Sometimes God has to bend my will according to His purpose. Though most times it isn’t a pleasant process, I realize He has a design and a purpose for my future. I need to yield to His hand, assured that His plans are for good and not for evil and that the finished product will be stunning.