Category Archives: Christ
When Light Flows, VI
Matt.5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (NRSV, emphasis added).
Matt.6:1-4 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Read the rest of this entry
On Trial
Matt. 1:18 “This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit”
The first joy killer in our lives during Christmas and beyond is anxiety, and the second is resentment over hurt or bitterness. When Mary told Joseph that she was pregnant, Joseph was hurt because he knew the baby was not for him. So, what did Joseph do when he was hurt? Read the rest of this entry
Only Jesus
Gal. 1:10 “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”
“Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. So the angel said, ‘Do NOT BE AFRAID, Mary, for God has decided to bless and use you! You will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus . . . and he will be the Son of God, and his Kingdom will never end!’ Then Mary asked, ‘But how can this be?’” [Luke 1:29-34 paraphrased]. Read the rest of this entry
Fear Not!
Luke 1:29-30 “She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you.” (MSG)
When we look at all the joy, the celebration, and all the blessings at Christmas, we sometimes forget the reality of even what the people at the first Christmas experienced. The fact is that there was fear during Christmas and over two thousand years after in our little corners we have the fear that we Read the rest of this entry
Immanuel
Luke 2:10-11 “but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
To be positioned for blessings this season, we have to be like the shepherds and celebrate that God is with us. Joseph cooperated; the shepherds celebrated. Luke 2:16&20 “They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger… The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” (emphasis added). Read the rest of this entry
Male & Female
John 20:16,20,27 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” … As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side… Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side… Believe!”
Jesus used voice recognition with Mary but showed His scars to the disciples and Thomas. Why? Did you do your homework? When Jesus resurrected and made Himself known to Mary, He used His voice and Mary responded “Rabboni!”. But when Jesus showed up to the disciples, the men, Read the rest of this entry
Loaded Benefits I
John 20:21 “Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you”
John 20:17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Jesus made it possible for His Father to truly be our Father. Read the rest of this entry
