“For it is by grace you are saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).
God has given everyone such a wonderful gift in salvation. It is up to us to accept this wonderful gift and live for Him. Some people believe that if they do a lot of wonderful things for people, they will go to Heaven. But if their hearts aren’t surrendered to the Lord, then all the works they do won’t mean anything in the Lord’s eyes because God can see their hearts. After we have been saved then our lives need to portray His love to others as a result of His grace given to us.
After we have received God’s gift of salvation, striving to please the Lord in every area of our lives is so important. Then the works done for others will be God inspired. Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians of what benefits service to others can bring. “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (2 Cor. 9:12-13 NIV). People who are touched by our kindness may be compelled to ask us why we are helping them. It is an opportunity to tell them about God’s wonderful grace and His love for them. This service for others should not stop at Christmas, but we should be helping others every opportunity we get all through the year.
Dear Lord,
Help us to serve others without having selfish motives. We know that the Christmas season gives us many opportunities to serve others, but help us also to serve you by giving to others all through the year. As we do this let us be a witness of Christ’s love to everyone we have contact with so that they will see Christ in us and be blessed by our unselfish service.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Prince of Peace by Ann E. Broughton
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).
Peace. During this hectic season, that word seems far removed from what we see at stores. People are hustling around trying to find that perfect gift and waiting in long lines to check-out. I think the peace that Jesus proclaimed isn't on many peoples' minds during the Christmas season. But the child that was born for us in Bethlehem, was the Prince of Peace. This Christmas I would like for you to have peace in your hearts. During Jesus' ministry he often spoke about peace. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27 NIV). Peace won’t come from buying that perfect gift for someone or receiving the gift you always wanted. The world wants to convince you that having these material gifts will make you happy, but the only true peace and happiness is found through Jesus Christ. The baby born in the manger is a symbol of the perfect gift given to us. It is He that can give you the peace in your soul that surpasses anything the world could give you. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 NIV). This peace is available to everyone who surrenders their life to Christ. This Christmas season may you be filled with the peace only Christ can give. Let that peace permeate everything you do during this busy time of the year.
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for giving us the Prince of Peace. May we take time to remember that we have Christ in us and that His peace is available to us all the time. May His peace be shone through us wherever we are.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Peace. During this hectic season, that word seems far removed from what we see at stores. People are hustling around trying to find that perfect gift and waiting in long lines to check-out. I think the peace that Jesus proclaimed isn't on many peoples' minds during the Christmas season. But the child that was born for us in Bethlehem, was the Prince of Peace. This Christmas I would like for you to have peace in your hearts. During Jesus' ministry he often spoke about peace. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27 NIV). Peace won’t come from buying that perfect gift for someone or receiving the gift you always wanted. The world wants to convince you that having these material gifts will make you happy, but the only true peace and happiness is found through Jesus Christ. The baby born in the manger is a symbol of the perfect gift given to us. It is He that can give you the peace in your soul that surpasses anything the world could give you. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 NIV). This peace is available to everyone who surrenders their life to Christ. This Christmas season may you be filled with the peace only Christ can give. Let that peace permeate everything you do during this busy time of the year.
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for giving us the Prince of Peace. May we take time to remember that we have Christ in us and that His peace is available to us all the time. May His peace be shone through us wherever we are.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Shepherds Worship Baby Jesus by Ann E. Broughton
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:8-11 NIV
The first to hear the news of the Christ child were the shepherds. The scripture says that they hurried off to find the baby, and then they went and told everyone about what the angels told them. Maybe the angels told the news to the shepherds because Jesus would become our shepherd. These shepherds bent their knee to worship the Christ child and later they would be saved through this little baby when He grew up to be the great Shepherd. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me----just as the Father knows me and I know the Father---and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15 NIV). He sacrificed His life to save us from the enemy (Satan) and death. Just like a shepherd who would lay down his life for his sheep, so did Jesus become the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus is our shepherd who loves us. "He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young" (Isaiah 40:11 NIV). I like to imagine Jesus holding me close to His heart when I am having struggles or when life's burdens threaten to overwhelm me. I picture myself in His arms safe and sound, away from the enemy (Satan) and secure in His love.
Jesus calls us by our name and leads us. "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice" (John 10:3-4 NIV). We are referred to in scripture as the sheep..."We all like sheep have been led astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6 NIV). Jesus is our shepherd calling us by name while we wander in the wilderness of sin and hopelessness. It is up to us to listen to His voice and run to his arms to receive his forgiveness and grace. In order to hear His voice we need to be still long enough to meditate in prayer. This is a busy season and sometimes it is easy to be all caught up in the shopping and parties and forget about the baby Jesus the shepherds went to see. Let us remember why we celebrate Christmas and listen to our Shepherd's voice. He is calling to all of us to serve Him.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for sending us Jesus as our shepherd. Help us to listen to His voice and come running to Him when we are lost. Let us never go so far away from Him that we can't hear His voice anymore, because it is then that the enemy will sneak up on us and steal away our peace. Thank you for saving us and holding us close. May we remember that the baby born on Christmas became the shepherd who sacrificed himself so that we can live forever.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
The first to hear the news of the Christ child were the shepherds. The scripture says that they hurried off to find the baby, and then they went and told everyone about what the angels told them. Maybe the angels told the news to the shepherds because Jesus would become our shepherd. These shepherds bent their knee to worship the Christ child and later they would be saved through this little baby when He grew up to be the great Shepherd. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me----just as the Father knows me and I know the Father---and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15 NIV). He sacrificed His life to save us from the enemy (Satan) and death. Just like a shepherd who would lay down his life for his sheep, so did Jesus become the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus is our shepherd who loves us. "He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young" (Isaiah 40:11 NIV). I like to imagine Jesus holding me close to His heart when I am having struggles or when life's burdens threaten to overwhelm me. I picture myself in His arms safe and sound, away from the enemy (Satan) and secure in His love.
Jesus calls us by our name and leads us. "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice" (John 10:3-4 NIV). We are referred to in scripture as the sheep..."We all like sheep have been led astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6 NIV). Jesus is our shepherd calling us by name while we wander in the wilderness of sin and hopelessness. It is up to us to listen to His voice and run to his arms to receive his forgiveness and grace. In order to hear His voice we need to be still long enough to meditate in prayer. This is a busy season and sometimes it is easy to be all caught up in the shopping and parties and forget about the baby Jesus the shepherds went to see. Let us remember why we celebrate Christmas and listen to our Shepherd's voice. He is calling to all of us to serve Him.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for sending us Jesus as our shepherd. Help us to listen to His voice and come running to Him when we are lost. Let us never go so far away from Him that we can't hear His voice anymore, because it is then that the enemy will sneak up on us and steal away our peace. Thank you for saving us and holding us close. May we remember that the baby born on Christmas became the shepherd who sacrificed himself so that we can live forever.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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