Lamentations 3:22-23 12/26/2017*23*

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

God is a God of new beginnings.

He is not refurbishing you…you were totaled.
You died with Christ and have been raised as a new creation, and each morning you start renewed.

When you accept the blood of Christ your sins are not only forgiven, they are forgotten.  The old passes away, and there is no connection to the failures of the past. His steadfast love insures that this is a never-ending process.

New Year’s resolutions often deal with what we plan to do in the coming year, but this year let’s talk about what we are NOT going to do… like continue to fight battles that have already been won, or carry baggage that is no longer our responsibility.  Let’s decide not to entertain guilt that has been obliterated by the costliest redemption in all of history.

Then let’s resolve to pass this on to others by forgiving the offenses they have inflicted on us. 

Determine to give a new beginning to anyone in your life who needs one.  If the blood of Christ eliminates your sin, shouldn’t it do the same for theirs?

Grant them forgiveness and you will be amazed at the relief you experience by setting yourself free from all the accounting…the Cross means there is no longer any need to keep score.

He is a God of new beginnings.

So, start again.

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” —J.P.  Morgan

Ephesians 1:7 12/19/2017

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”

What a great Christmas verse. It explains the reason for his coming.

The excitement a gift can bring on Christmas morning is fun, but it is unrelated to what we celebrate.

The joy we celebrate is more akin to the emotion felt by prisoners in a death camp when they see liberating forces approaching. It is not a shallow happiness, it is a deeply emotional bliss.  It is a joy that borders on unbelievability because of the outlandishness of what God did.

Jesus didn’t come to visit on Christmas. He came to pay a debt.

God’s only Son offered himself as payment for my trespasses. His blood for my sin. Not because I deserved it, but because He loves me.

The most impactful act of love known to mankind took place in a manger in Bethlehem, and it is where all human history divides.

Enjoy the Holidays, but set aside some time to contemplate the true gift of Christmas…because that gift changed everything.

“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.”
- Alexander Smith

Luke 5:15-16 12/12/2017*28*

“Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

When was the last time you withdrew to a lonely place and prayed? 

Is it even possible today? 

Apparently, Jesus did it regularly. Have we somehow missed the importance of this habit? Though He was God in human form, He still “often” withdrew.  If Christ thought it important for Him, how much more important is it for us?

The holidays are incredibly busy.  The days are filled with shopping, decorating, and Christmas parties.  But have we overlooked the reason we celebrate? 

Christmas was a rescue mission launched with one goal…to restore the fellowship we had with the Father in the garden. 

As we celebrate the success of that mission don’t forget to take advantage of the result. 

Withdraw to a quiet place today. Spend some time communicating with God and thank Him for Christmas…which liberated you from bondage, and reestablished the relationship you were created for in the first place.

“Most Christians do not have fellowship with God; they have fellowship with each other about God.”- Paris Reidhead

Romans 12:10 12/5/2017*30*

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above

yourselves."

What is the best way for us to love and honor each other during the holidays?

Christmas has nothing to do with Black Friday, Cyber Tuesday or any other shopping strategy.   It is a time to show your appreciation to God for the family and friends He has given you.

Devotion and Honor are not expressed by buying the latest gadget ... that is only a distraction.  In fact, not having time to spend with your family because you are busy trying to get a good deal on their gift is the antithesis of Christmas.

This year purify your holiday.  

Don’t allow materialism to pollute your celebration.  Don’t spend your time looking for trinkets, but instead think of ways to truly honor those you love. 

The best gifts are not the most expensive.

The gifts that are remembered are the simple ones given from the heart. Don’t just buy presents, invest time. Spend more time this Christmas communicating with those you love, and less time shopping for them.

Nothing “online” will compare to a quite conversation with a loved one where you express how valuable they are to you, and how grateful you are that God placed them in your life…don’t miss that opportunity.

“Appreciation can make a day - even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” 
-- Margaret Cousins