This is a post regarding an email that I received from the White Horse Inn. It speaks of our true blessings in light of our God. God is truly good and merciful and loving beyond measure.
Sometimes during the holidays, it's easy to feel sad and to lose site of what is really important. The email went on to detail the blessings that we have in Christ, for which we have so much to be truly thankful.
For God and so rich a salvation.
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For Christ’s active and passive obedience.
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For God’s Word that is powerful to save.
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For the “feet of those who preach the good news!”
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For Christ’s Church, for both a people and a place.
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For our vocations.
Merry CHRISTmas!
I've been a little (OK a LOT) lax in posting entries. I plan on remedying this. Until my next post...
Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
- Luke 2:1-20
Luke 23... that's what the Lord woke me up with last night. I don't know why yet, but it was so heavily impressed on my heart. I've read it over and over today and am praying that the Lord reveals what it is that He is trying to show me.
For those who are unfamiliar with Luke 23, it is the story of Jesus before Pilate through his burial and the women coming to see him and then preparing spices.
Merry Christmas!
"...the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord'"
- Luke 2:10-11
Do we do nothing at all for obtaining this righteousness? I answer, Nothing at all. For this is perfect righteousness, to do nothing, to hear nothing, to know nothing of the law or of works, but to know and believe this only, that Christ is gone to the Father not as judge, but made unto us righteousness, holiness, redemption that He is our high priest entreating for us, and reigning over us and in us by grace,in his righteousness and life I have no sin I am indeed a sinner as touching this present life but I have another righteousness and another life which is Christ.
~Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians
Here is an interesting video that I came across. I pray that whoever listens to this would examine yourself in light of the Word of God.
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
-I John 2:15
May God be glorified in all that we say and do.
Because Truth matters,
George
It's been a long time since I've posted and while there have been numerous things that I would like t talk about, the one that stand out the most is that on July 3 at 9:25pm , our youngest daughter prayed to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior!!!!!!!! Thank you Lord for Your love and mercy!!!!!!!!
What an incredible feeling it is to have her come to her mom and I and ask us about what being a Christian means and how she goes about doing it.
I know that the angels in Heaven are rejoicing over her decision as are mom, dad, friends and church family!
Yesterday, we started going through a workbook for younger children that helps explain what a Christian believes, why it's important to read the Bible, etc.
Thank you again Lord for your love and mercy.
Because Truth matters,
George
