He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and
The Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be…
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can’t understand him,
The armies can’t defeat Him,
The schools can’t explain Him, and
The leaders can’t ignore Him.
Herod couldn’t kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him, and
The people couldn’t hold Him!
Nero couldn’t crush Him,
Hitler couldn’t silence Him,
The New Age can’t replace Him.
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me.
He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and
He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and
He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and
His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
The power of the powerful,
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,
The leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and
The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
He will never leave me,
Never forsake me,
Never mislead me,
Never forget me,
Never overlook me.
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
God is in control, I am on His side, and
That means all is well with my soul.
(edited, author unknown)
KEEPING CHRISTMAS
There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.
Are you willing…
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to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you;
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to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world;
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to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground;
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to see that men and women are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy;
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to own up to the fact that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life;
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to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness.
Are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.
Are you willing…
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to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children;
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to remember the weakness and loneliness of people growing old;
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to stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough;
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to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts;
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to try to understand what those who live in the same home with you really want, without waiting for them to tell you;
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to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you;
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to make a grave for your ugly thoughts, and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open—
Are you willing to do these things, even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.
Are you willing…
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to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world—
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stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death—
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and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?
Then you can keep Christmas.
And if you can keep it for a day, why not always?
But you can never keep it alone.
–By Henry Van Dyke
THE SON OF MAN
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”–Luke 19:10
“For the Son of man—” That’s Christ!
At first glance this seems to be a title unbecoming of our Lord. After all, could this not be said of every man? We only see the significance of this title when we realize that it is the title He chose for Himself. Out of great humility He identifies Himself in terms of His humanity.
Concerning His ancestry He is called the Son of Abraham and David. Concerning His maternity He is called the Son of Mary. Concerning religion He is called the Son over His own house. Concerning His deity He is called the Son of God. But, in regards to His humanity He calls Himself the Son of man.
“—is come—” That’s Christmas!
Throughout the ages, one prophet after another took up the harp of prophecy and assured their generation that the Messiah would come. But,each generation went to their grave without having seen this prophecy fulfilled. “But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Gal. 4:4-5)
At long last it could be said, “the Son of man is come”. He came down from the adoration of angels to the abominations of earth, from the blessedness of heaven to the burdens of life, from the comfort of glory to the condemnation of men. Think about it–He came from delight to decadence, ecstasy to execution, glory to gloom, joy to jeers, majesty to misery, peace to pain, and nobility to nothingness. And He did it all for you!
“—to seek—” That’s Compassion!
Although “there is none that seeketh after God” (Rom. 3:11), Christ came in search of man. Just as God came to Adam while he was hiding in the garden, He took the initiative to search us out and reveal Himself to us in the person of Christ. Just as Jesus came to the place where Zacchaeus was and called him, He is calling for you.
“—and to save that which was lost.” That’s Conversion!
Jesus didn’t come to see the seven wonders of the world, or to reform corrupt governments, or to start a welfare program to feed the poor, or to heal man’s physical ailments. He came to meet man’s greatest need–“to save that which was lost.” The Son of God became the Son of man that the sons of men might become the sons of God.
By nature we are all lost. We are sinners separated from God and dead in our trespasses and sins. Yet Jesus came to save us–to give us life and reconcile us to God. That’s a love story without equal! This is the true Christmas story. –HDS
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? –Proverbs 18:14
During World War II, a woman took her two little children to visit her parents in Texas because her husband was stationed in Europe. As they got ready for Christmas—setting the tree up, putting the presents out, and preparing dinner—they were experiencing the joy of Christmas, almost forgetting the worry of war. But no sooner had the fun began, than the family heard a dreaded knock on the door and received a terrible telegram greeting.
The young mother had to tell her children that Daddy wouldn’t be coming home for Christmas…ever. And then she went up to her room to weep alone. Her parents debated and finally decided to take down the Christmas decorations and put the presents away. When the young lady came downstairs, she immediately saw the empty spot. She exclaimed, “Mother, what have you done?”
Her mother replied, “You’re so broken-hearted, so your father and I decided this is not the time for Christmas.”
The new widow said, “Oh no, mother, bring it all back. Christmas was made for times such as these.”
Many people have overwhelming problems which make it hard to get excited about the holidays whether they be financial difficulties, physical ailments, loneliness, or emotional pain from the loss of a loved one. Christmas is certainly not about the presents, lights, and decorations, but it is surely a time when we can lean on the goodness of God and rejoice in Christ’s birth.
Try serving someone else this season and God will bless you (see Acts 20:35). Jesus came to this earth to serve others and to give His life for you (see Mark 10:45). Among all of the other difficulties this time of year, that is reason to celebrate! –From Senior Living
THE CONQUERING SEED
Whom resist stedfast in the faith. – 1 Peter 5:9
You’ve heard it said, “The Devil never takes a vacation”, and it certainly seems so. Amid the gaiety all around us at Christmas time many are lonely, fearful, and depressed. It is then that we need to remind ourselves of the purpose of Christ’s coming. He, “the seed of the woman”, by way of the virgin birth, came to destroy the works of the devil and deliver us from his clutches.
James Smith said it well, “Satan is the Christian’s unwearied foe, he is the enemy of all righteousness, and aims at our destruction. He is especially the enemy of our faith–comfort–prosperity–
He is our enemy before God, and he gets access to our hearts; he excites to sin, accuses of sin, and terrifies for sin. We are called upon to resist him, stedfastly believing God’s word, faithfulness and love. Stedfastly believing what Christ is to us, as Satan’s grand opponent.
Is Satan a deadly serpent?–Jesus is the brazen serpent which heals. Is Satan a roaring lion?–Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah who prevails. Is Satan an adversary?–Jesus is a Friend. Is Satan a wolf?–Jesus is the good Shepherd. Is Satan a tempter? – Jesus is a Deliverer. Is Satan a deceiver and a liar?–Jesus is the truth. Is Satan an accuser? – Jesus is an Advocate. Is Satan the prince of darkness?–Jesus is the light of life. Is Satan a murderer?–Jesus is the resurrection. Is Satan god of this world?–Jesus is God over all.
Resist the devil in the faith of this. Jesus is all you need.”
All power is to our Jesus given;
O’er earth’s rebellious sons He reigns :
He mildly rules the hosts of heaven,
And holds the powers of hell in chains :
Jesus, the woman’s conquering seed,
Shall bruise for us the serpent’s head.
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