Christmas”

Triggering the Implementation of God’s great plan!

This wonderful plan is laid out in Colossians 1:12,13

1.  “…the Father, who has qualified you 

2. “to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

3. “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness

4. “and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

5. “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

All flowing from the birth of a baby!

Picture: the light of Jesus penetrating the dominion of darkness.

joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”

Psalm 86:3,4

I praise you, Lord Jesus, for your warm and loving heart

which makes it possible to always come to you and tell you:

what is bothering me,

where I have failed,

where I am uncertain,

when I am angry,

upset and

hurting.

You are pleased when your children transparently pour out their hearts to you. And with you we can be fully honest, “for you are good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all those who call upon you” (Ps. 86:5).

Nothing surprises you, nothing shocks you, for you know it all already.

Honesty, transparency and repentance please you.

Thankfulness, praise and trust honor you.

Prayer, confession, and surrender bring you joy.

Picture: Jesus is always ready to listen.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7

In a recent theological discussion with a friend, names like Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Calvin and Luther came up, and led to discussing their different views.

Later, thinking about this,  Psalm 19 came to mind. As the verse above says, God’s Word is PERFECTand it is TRUSTWORTHY. That is where we should go to find answers, rather than focusing on the ideas and writings of faulty men.

Look again at what the Word of God does.

         “The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.

         The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

           The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.  

           The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.”

RIGHT. RADIANT. PURE, FIRM.

That’s where we find truth.

That’s how we measure the ideas and writings of men.

Psalm 19 goes on to tell us how valuable God’s words are.

         “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; 

         they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

         By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

In contrast, we are faulty:

         “But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

         Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.

         Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.”

So what should be our response?

         Seeking  to align with the Word of God, not the thoughts of men:

         “May these words of my mouth 

         and this meditation of my heart 

         be pleasing in your sight,

         LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Picture: The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

I love this verse,
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

This is a marvelous and monumental statement of the inscrutability of our God. He has revealed a great deal about Himself in His Word and works–and yet there is much not yet revealed.

Here is a child being given the titles that belong to God the Father, to the Holy Spirit, and to the Son of God. How can that be? It is beyond human conception: one God, three Persons. Each one Wonderful, Mighty, Everlasting, Ruler of Peace.

This mystery shows us what an amazing God we have. The fact that He is beyond understanding is a proof that He is the true God: Magnificent, Marvelous, Majestic, full of grace and truth! Too great to understand, but revealed enough to trust!
Truly Jesus is our great timeless Christmas present.

“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight.” Psalm 119:143

I praise you this morning, Heavenly Father, for you are the Sovereign One, controlling all that goes on, all that comes to me.

You hold back the tide of evil, allowing Satan only so much rope, and you use the fury of his attacks to advance your Kingdom.

The words of Psalm 119:141 come to mind, “Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.”

The negative reactions and hurtful words of people and their rejection of us can easily block Truth from our thoughts.

But our response must be to go immediately to your Word, Lord, to find our comfort, perspective, help and direction in you.

People may not understand us, but you do. We may not understand what’s happening and why, but you do and will help us through it.

So I choose to always make your commands my delight, Lord, not being comfortable.

“Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, LORD, according to your laws.” Psalm 119:149. And you will!

Picture (from the internet): Paul’s time in prison in Philippi where God protected and delivered him in  the midst of real difficulties!