Hello. I am posting the Sermon today because with tomorrow being New Year's Day, the library where I do the blog posts is closed. I forgot about this last week. Thankfully, next week we will be on a regular schedule.
I had a nice Christmas holiday. I went out for dinner with my brother and his family. We had a nice time. I also got to spend some time with a friend of mine on Christmas Day. I hope that all of you had a happy Christmas.
New Year's Day is not one of my favorite holidays. I have the day off work which is nice. I may go to the movies just to have something to do. I do want to wish all of you a very Happy New Year.
This last year on the blog has been very exciting for me. I thank the Lord that He gave me the opportunity to spread His message another year on the blog. We went through some interesting series together, and I look forward to sharing more messages with you in 2016.
I thank you all for your prayers on my behalf this last year. Starting the new job and making it through 2015 was easier knowing you were praying for me.
During 2015, we prayed for many needs around the world. One of the things we prayed for was an end to the Ebola outbreak. Yesterday, I heard on NPR that there are now no cases of Ebola being reported. Thank God for this answer to prayer.
This week, please continue to pray for peace in this troubled world. Pray for peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Burundi and South Sudan. Pray of the refugees seeking safety.
Let us also pray that the message of Jesus will reach around the world. Let us pray for the nations of Mongolia, China, Taiwan and Algeria.
In keeping with the holiday season and starting a brand new year, I wanted to bring a message today about two characters in the life of Jesus that often go unnoticed. These two people are Simeon and Anna.
When it was time for the baby Jesus to be circumcised, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. As a firstborn son, Jesus was consecrated to the Lord. Mary and Joseph also made a sacrifice of two pigeons. This shows that Jesus was not born to a rich family. This was the offering to be given by those who could not afford to offer a sheep.
While in the Temple, Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus encountered a man named Simeon. Simeon was a righteous man. It had been revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Simeon saw Jesus, he knew that the Messiah was in his presence. Simeon's faithfulness had been rewarded. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and gave praise to the Lord.
Before the Holy Family left the Temple, they encountered a prophetess named Anna. She was eighty-four years old. She had been married for seven years when she was a young woman. After her husband died, she devoted herself to fasting and prayer in the Temple. When she saw Jesus, she gave thanks to God and told everyone that Jesus was the one who would bring redemption to Israel.
What strikes me about Simeon and Anna was that their lives were marked by faithfulness to the Lord. They had both lived many years, and throughout all those years, they believed in the promises of God, and they did not stray from their faith in the Lord.
Simeon and Anna are examples to us to always remain faithful to the Lord Jesus. I know that I often find it hard to keep going in the face of hardship. Sometimes it is difficult to keep doing the things that I believe God has called me to do.
The New Year is a time when each of us can renew our commitment to serve the Lord with all that we have. It is a time to stop and look back at the previous year. We can see what we have done right and where we need improvement. We can seek to lay aside the sin and cultivate that which is good.
The New Year is a time to commit ourselves to loving Jesus with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. It is time to commit to obeying all that Jesus has commanded us to do.
With the examples of Simeon and Anna in our hearts, let us strive to be faithful to the Lord throughout all of our days. We know that Jesus will be with us and guide us in all that we do in 2016.
I just wanted to spend a few moments discussing some of what I have planned for the Weekend Sermon in 2016. If the Lord is willing, and I am still going, I have several different sermon series worked out for the upcoming year. There are four series that I definitely want to do. I want to do a series on the Apostle's Creed, the Ten Commandments, a verse by verse study of II Peter and series on the hard to understand teachings of Jesus. I have other sermons worked up, but I am not sure when I want to do those.
The first series that I want to do for 2016 is a series on the Apostle's Creed. However, before I do that, I want to bring a message next week about what I am calling the first creed of the church. I believe that the Apostle's Creed series will be very beneficial as it will help us to delve into some important doctrinal truths regarding the Holy Trinity.
Thank you all once again for reading the blog in 2015. May God bless each and every one of you. Remember, on Monday, we will begin our Bible memorization for the verses for the week. May you experience the love of Jesus in your heart this week. Amen.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Book Review -- "From Stray Dog to World War I Hero"
Last week, I revealed my picks for the best dog and cat book of the year. Today, we start a new year of reviews with a book that I enjoyed very much. "From Stray Dog to World War I Hero" written by Grant Hayter-Menzies tells the story of a dog named Rags who became a hero dog and mascot of the U.S. First Division forces during the first world war.
Rags began his life on the streets of Paris. He probably would have remained a stray if he hadn't meet a U.S soldier named Donovan. Donovan trained Rags as a messenger dog. Rags also became very proficient at finding broken signal cables. During the course of the conflict, Rags would also locate wounded soldiers, and he warned the soldiers of oncoming artillery barrages.
During one battle, both Rags and Donovan were severely wounded. Orders were given that Rags and Donovan were not to be separated, and they eventually came to the United States. However, Rags had to be smuggled back into the country because the authorities on the medical ship didn't want a dog on board.
After the war, Rags also served in important ways. He was a celebrity dog across the United States.
This is a well-written book that tells the story of great dog and the men with whom he served. There is also a lot of good information in the book about life in post World War I America. I highly recommend this book.
Rags began his life on the streets of Paris. He probably would have remained a stray if he hadn't meet a U.S soldier named Donovan. Donovan trained Rags as a messenger dog. Rags also became very proficient at finding broken signal cables. During the course of the conflict, Rags would also locate wounded soldiers, and he warned the soldiers of oncoming artillery barrages.
During one battle, both Rags and Donovan were severely wounded. Orders were given that Rags and Donovan were not to be separated, and they eventually came to the United States. However, Rags had to be smuggled back into the country because the authorities on the medical ship didn't want a dog on board.
After the war, Rags also served in important ways. He was a celebrity dog across the United States.
This is a well-written book that tells the story of great dog and the men with whom he served. There is also a lot of good information in the book about life in post World War I America. I highly recommend this book.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Verses For the Week -- The Plan for 2016
As those of you who have read the blog for any amount of time know, I post verses on the blog each Monday. These are intended to inspire people and to help make the week a little better.
Starting next week, I want to do a little something different with the verses. Bible memorization has always been an important part of my life. I started to memorize Scripture verses when I was in grade school. We had contests to see who could memorize the most verses.
What I want to do in 2016 is post two verses each week for memorization. These will be verses that are important for a variety of different reasons. If we are diligent, at the end of 2016, we will have over 100 verses memorized.
Today's verse is just a verse to inspire. You can start down the path of memorization with it if you wish.
Psalm 119:105 -- "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Starting next week, I want to do a little something different with the verses. Bible memorization has always been an important part of my life. I started to memorize Scripture verses when I was in grade school. We had contests to see who could memorize the most verses.
What I want to do in 2016 is post two verses each week for memorization. These will be verses that are important for a variety of different reasons. If we are diligent, at the end of 2016, we will have over 100 verses memorized.
Today's verse is just a verse to inspire. You can start down the path of memorization with it if you wish.
Psalm 119:105 -- "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Sermon -- "He Is Coming"
Welcome to the sermon for this week. Since the library is closed for some days around the holidays, I am posting the sermon today. I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas with lots of joy.
So far, I have had a good holiday season. I went out for a meal with my brother and his family, and we all had a very good time. I am looking forward to a much needed day off on Christmas Day.
In prayer this week, please remember to pray for peace in this world. Pray for peace in Syria, Burundi, South Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and all of the other places in this world that are experiencing warfare. Let us also pray for those who are fleeing from war. Pray that all of their needs will be met.
Also, let us continue to pray for the spread of the message of the love of Jesus around the world. Pray that the gospel might reach Japan, Morocco, Tunisia and Israel.
Today, I would like to focus on the two advents of the Lord Jesus Christ. During this time of year, we who are Christians celebrate the fact that Jesus came to us in the form of a lowly infant born in a manger.
We rejoice in the fact that God came to be with us. Jesus came to live among us. He came to provide us with a perfect example of how to live in this world. He also came to teach us and give us instruction in how to be a true follower of God.
However, that is not all Jesus came to do. He came to be the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Jesus came to die on the cross to set us free from our sins. This is good news for all people all over the world throughout all time.
Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross. He took our place and our punishment on the cross. But Jesus didn't stay in the grave. On the third day, He rose again defeating death and the grave.
Now, Jesus is seated at the right of the Father Almighty making intercession for all of those who have put their faith and trust in Him. He is our Great High Priest.
This is all a result of the incarnation, the first Advent of the Lord Jesus. Because Jesus came to us on Christmas Day, we have a Savior, an example, a redeemer and a friend.
The first time that Jesus came to this earth, He came in a humble way. He was born as a baby to two poor peasants from Nazareth. Jesus was despised and rejected of men. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. The first time that He came, Jesus was rejected by most of the people. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
However, the Bible makes it very clear that Jesus is coming again. When Jesus ascended up into heaven, the disciples were told that Jesus would return. The Bible says that every eye will see Him when He comes again.
When Jesus makes His Second Advent, He will not be coming as a lowly babe born in a manger. He will be coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will come with power and great glory. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
At His Second Advent, Jesus will make all things new. The world will know complete peace, harmony and tranquility. There will be no more sin and suffering. The lion will lay down with the lamb. Nation will no longer rise against nation. Every person will sit under their own vine, and no one will make them afraid. All will be well under the rule and reign of King Jesus. Come quickly Lord.
During this Christmas season we are so thankful that Jesus came to be with us and save us. Let us also look forward to that day when Jesus will come again.
Next week, we will back on a regular schedule. I will post the verses on Monday, and I will tell you about a plan that I have with the verses for the upcoming year. On Wednesday, I may post a review or something else. I haven't decided yet. The sermon will be on Friday next week. Merry Christmas to all. Amen.
So far, I have had a good holiday season. I went out for a meal with my brother and his family, and we all had a very good time. I am looking forward to a much needed day off on Christmas Day.
In prayer this week, please remember to pray for peace in this world. Pray for peace in Syria, Burundi, South Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and all of the other places in this world that are experiencing warfare. Let us also pray for those who are fleeing from war. Pray that all of their needs will be met.
Also, let us continue to pray for the spread of the message of the love of Jesus around the world. Pray that the gospel might reach Japan, Morocco, Tunisia and Israel.
Today, I would like to focus on the two advents of the Lord Jesus Christ. During this time of year, we who are Christians celebrate the fact that Jesus came to us in the form of a lowly infant born in a manger.
We rejoice in the fact that God came to be with us. Jesus came to live among us. He came to provide us with a perfect example of how to live in this world. He also came to teach us and give us instruction in how to be a true follower of God.
However, that is not all Jesus came to do. He came to be the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Jesus came to die on the cross to set us free from our sins. This is good news for all people all over the world throughout all time.
Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross. He took our place and our punishment on the cross. But Jesus didn't stay in the grave. On the third day, He rose again defeating death and the grave.
Now, Jesus is seated at the right of the Father Almighty making intercession for all of those who have put their faith and trust in Him. He is our Great High Priest.
This is all a result of the incarnation, the first Advent of the Lord Jesus. Because Jesus came to us on Christmas Day, we have a Savior, an example, a redeemer and a friend.
The first time that Jesus came to this earth, He came in a humble way. He was born as a baby to two poor peasants from Nazareth. Jesus was despised and rejected of men. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. The first time that He came, Jesus was rejected by most of the people. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
However, the Bible makes it very clear that Jesus is coming again. When Jesus ascended up into heaven, the disciples were told that Jesus would return. The Bible says that every eye will see Him when He comes again.
When Jesus makes His Second Advent, He will not be coming as a lowly babe born in a manger. He will be coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will come with power and great glory. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
At His Second Advent, Jesus will make all things new. The world will know complete peace, harmony and tranquility. There will be no more sin and suffering. The lion will lay down with the lamb. Nation will no longer rise against nation. Every person will sit under their own vine, and no one will make them afraid. All will be well under the rule and reign of King Jesus. Come quickly Lord.
During this Christmas season we are so thankful that Jesus came to be with us and save us. Let us also look forward to that day when Jesus will come again.
Next week, we will back on a regular schedule. I will post the verses on Monday, and I will tell you about a plan that I have with the verses for the upcoming year. On Wednesday, I may post a review or something else. I haven't decided yet. The sermon will be on Friday next week. Merry Christmas to all. Amen.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Christmas Memories
As I said last week, I am not going to be doing a book review this week. Instead, I would just like to tell you about a few of my cherished Christmas Eve and Christmas memories.
The best Christmas memory I have from when I was a young boy didn't start out that well. When I was young, I had extremely poor health. Just before Christmas, I had been sick with a terrible bout of pneumonia. The doctor's weren't even sure that I was going to make it to Christmas.
That Christmas, the gift I wanted more than anything else was a Stretch Monster. This was a type of action-figure that was filled with some type of solution that allowed it to stretch far out and then return to normal size. They were very hard to find, and I kind of doubted that my folks would be able to get one.
That year, my health improved just before Christmas Day. Waiting for me under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning was a Stretch Monster. I kept that thing for 25 years. Eventually, it fell apart.
My best Christmas memories in more recent years involved my friend Toby. I remember one Christmas Eve that was very fun. The two of us were together by ourselves because my parents had gone to a Christmas party with my Dad's children from his first marriage.
For Christmas that year, I received a telescope that I'd wanted for a long time. On Christmas Eve, I decided to assemble the telescope and go out for an observation session. I'd loved astronomy for a long time, and I studied astronomy in college for a little while.
As always, Toby had to be a part of whatever I was doing. While I was trying to assemble the telescope and the mount, Toby kept crawling in and out of the boxes and pushing the packing materials all over the living room floor.
I finally got the scope set up, and Toby and I went out to observe. It was a clear and beautiful Christmas Eve night. We stayed out for hours looking at the stars filled with awe and wonder at the creative power of the Lord.
The last Christmas Eve that I spent with Toby was extra special. Toby had been diagnosed with liver cancer the previous May. He had surgery, but the oncologist had not expected him to live more than six weeks. Toby was still going during Thanksgiving, but when December rolled around, he wasn't feeling well at all.
I thought that the cancer was finally taking its toll, but Toby had a very bad lung infection. It took about three full weeks of treatment, but by the grace of God, Toby pulled through. Since he had been so sick, I chose to stay with him during Christmas Eve.
I love listening to the BBC on radio, and they often have religious broadcasts on. I tuned in on Christmas Eve because I knew that they were going to have a broadcast from a large cathedral in England.
It was a beautiful service. During the message, the dean of the cathedral spoke about remembering those who are important to you at Christmas time. He invited everyone to lay their hand on someone they love and repeat a Christmas prayer of thankfulness. I placed my hand on my friend Toby and thanked Jesus that Toby and I could spend another holiday season together.
By the way, in spite of what the oncologist said, Toby lived for 13 months after his surgery. It was one of the best years of my life.
I hope that all of you who read this blog have some great Christmas memories. I hope that this Christmas season is filled with peace and joy for you all. Give God all the glory this Christmas for the gift of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
P.S. Tomorrow, I will be posting the sermon for Christmas since the library will be closed for several days with the Christmas holiday.
The best Christmas memory I have from when I was a young boy didn't start out that well. When I was young, I had extremely poor health. Just before Christmas, I had been sick with a terrible bout of pneumonia. The doctor's weren't even sure that I was going to make it to Christmas.
That Christmas, the gift I wanted more than anything else was a Stretch Monster. This was a type of action-figure that was filled with some type of solution that allowed it to stretch far out and then return to normal size. They were very hard to find, and I kind of doubted that my folks would be able to get one.
That year, my health improved just before Christmas Day. Waiting for me under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning was a Stretch Monster. I kept that thing for 25 years. Eventually, it fell apart.
My best Christmas memories in more recent years involved my friend Toby. I remember one Christmas Eve that was very fun. The two of us were together by ourselves because my parents had gone to a Christmas party with my Dad's children from his first marriage.
For Christmas that year, I received a telescope that I'd wanted for a long time. On Christmas Eve, I decided to assemble the telescope and go out for an observation session. I'd loved astronomy for a long time, and I studied astronomy in college for a little while.
As always, Toby had to be a part of whatever I was doing. While I was trying to assemble the telescope and the mount, Toby kept crawling in and out of the boxes and pushing the packing materials all over the living room floor.
I finally got the scope set up, and Toby and I went out to observe. It was a clear and beautiful Christmas Eve night. We stayed out for hours looking at the stars filled with awe and wonder at the creative power of the Lord.
The last Christmas Eve that I spent with Toby was extra special. Toby had been diagnosed with liver cancer the previous May. He had surgery, but the oncologist had not expected him to live more than six weeks. Toby was still going during Thanksgiving, but when December rolled around, he wasn't feeling well at all.
I thought that the cancer was finally taking its toll, but Toby had a very bad lung infection. It took about three full weeks of treatment, but by the grace of God, Toby pulled through. Since he had been so sick, I chose to stay with him during Christmas Eve.
I love listening to the BBC on radio, and they often have religious broadcasts on. I tuned in on Christmas Eve because I knew that they were going to have a broadcast from a large cathedral in England.
It was a beautiful service. During the message, the dean of the cathedral spoke about remembering those who are important to you at Christmas time. He invited everyone to lay their hand on someone they love and repeat a Christmas prayer of thankfulness. I placed my hand on my friend Toby and thanked Jesus that Toby and I could spend another holiday season together.
By the way, in spite of what the oncologist said, Toby lived for 13 months after his surgery. It was one of the best years of my life.
I hope that all of you who read this blog have some great Christmas memories. I hope that this Christmas season is filled with peace and joy for you all. Give God all the glory this Christmas for the gift of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
P.S. Tomorrow, I will be posting the sermon for Christmas since the library will be closed for several days with the Christmas holiday.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Verses For Christmas
Isaiah 9:6 -- "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, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
2 Corinthians 9:15 -- "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
Luke 2: 10-11 -- " Don't be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah; the Lord."
2 Corinthians 9:15 -- "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
Luke 2: 10-11 -- " Don't be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah; the Lord."
Friday, December 18, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- "God With Us"
It is good to be with you once again during this Advent season. I hope that all of you are having a wonderful time during this holiday season.
Things seem to be going pretty well at work, and for this I am thankful to the Lord. I received a good performance review yesterday, so I am happy about that. I am also thankful to the Lord that I have been feeling pretty good lately.
In prayer this week, please pray for those who feel lonely and depressed during the holiday season. During this time of joy and gladness, some people don't feel very happy. Let us pray that these folks will feel the presence of Jesus in their lives in a special way in the days to come.
Let us continue to be in prayer for peace in this troubled world. The situation in Burundi is not going well. I just heard this morning that U.N. peacekeepers might have to be sent in to keep the country from deteriorating into further violence. Pray for peace. Also, continue to be in prayer for peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and South Sudan.
During this Christmas season, let us pray that the message of Jesus will reach all around the world. Pray especially that the Gospel might reach Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sudan.
For the past weeks, we have been in a series of message concerning the Advent season. Today, we will continue with that series by looking at a familiar passage of Scripture.
When the angel Gabriel announced the coming of Jesus to Mary, Mary expressed her willingness to be used by the Lord to bring about the Lord's will in the world. However, when Mary became pregnant, this would have caused quite a problem. Mary was betrothed to Joseph, and Joseph was not the father of Mary's baby.
The Bible says in Matthew 1:19 that Joseph had decided to break off his betrothal to Mary as a result of her pregnancy. However, this is not what God had in mind. He wanted Joseph to be the man who would help to bring up Jesus in this world.
One night, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel told Joseph to take Mary as his wife because, "that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." This is exactly what Joseph did. He was faithful in his obedience to the Lord.
Matthew 1 verses 22-23 state that all of these events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ took place in order to fulfill what had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah said that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son. His name would be Immanuel which means God with us.
I would like us to just think about what the phrase "God with us" means. How is God with us in Jesus?
First of all, God sent His Son the Lord Jesus into the world to redeem the world from sin. John 3:16 is the clearest statement of this. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus was literally God come into this world in human form in order to redeem this world from darkness and sin.
To me, this is a concept that is difficult to grasp. The God of all creation left the glories of Heaven to come in the form of a helpless infant. He loved us so much that He identified with us in our humanity. He came to live a holy and sinless life so that He could be the one to bear our sins. He came to show us how to live and how to have a right relationship with the Heavenly Father. God is truly with us in the person of Jesus Christ.
I also think that God is with us in the person of Jesus is a personal sense. I know that Jesus is with me in all of the struggles that I have faced in life. I've had some hard times in the last few years. However, I was able to make it through those rough times because Jesus was with me in the midst of the hardship. He was there to provide comfort and strength even in the darkest moments. Without Him, I would never have made it through.
Jesus is with all of us. He wants each and every person on this planet to put their trust in Him and seek His help, comfort and guidance. Jesus will be with you in the good times and the bad times if you will call out to Him and ask Him to aid and help you.
God with us in Jesus Christ also means that there is hope for this world. The world is really messed up right now. I think that there is no question about that. There are wars in many nations. Many people are trapped in poverty. No country in this world is free from trouble. However, in the midst of all of these problems, there is hope in Jesus.
If the people and the nations of the world would trust in Jesus and obey those things that He has revealed, the world would know peace and goodness. God with us in Jesus Christ lived and taught all that is good and right. If the peoples of this world would look to Jesus, what a difference it would make. Jesus taught the way of compassion and peace.
Because Jesus lived and walked among us, there is hope that people everywhere will turn to Him and follow the path that He has set before us.
God came to be with us in Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that He did. I am so glad that someone told me about Jesus when I was just a small boy. Since that time when I invited Jesus into my life as Savior and Lord, Jesus has lived in my heart guiding me and leading me.
This same Jesus wants to have a relationship with you. God in Christ wants to be your Savior, Friend and Lord. He invites each and every person to put their faith and trust in Him. Jesus invites you to repent of your sins and receive His forgiveness. He invites you to follow wherever He would lead.
When you know Jesus as Lord of your life, you will truly understand the fact that God is with us. You will know that God is with you everyday of this life and into eternity.
Next week, we will conclude our series of Advent messages. Please note, the sermon will appear on Christmas Eve this coming week since the library where I post the sermons is closed on Christmas Day. Next Wednesday, there will not be a review. Instead, I will post a few of my Christmas recollections of special times. I will post the verses as usual on Monday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Things seem to be going pretty well at work, and for this I am thankful to the Lord. I received a good performance review yesterday, so I am happy about that. I am also thankful to the Lord that I have been feeling pretty good lately.
In prayer this week, please pray for those who feel lonely and depressed during the holiday season. During this time of joy and gladness, some people don't feel very happy. Let us pray that these folks will feel the presence of Jesus in their lives in a special way in the days to come.
Let us continue to be in prayer for peace in this troubled world. The situation in Burundi is not going well. I just heard this morning that U.N. peacekeepers might have to be sent in to keep the country from deteriorating into further violence. Pray for peace. Also, continue to be in prayer for peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and South Sudan.
During this Christmas season, let us pray that the message of Jesus will reach all around the world. Pray especially that the Gospel might reach Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sudan.
For the past weeks, we have been in a series of message concerning the Advent season. Today, we will continue with that series by looking at a familiar passage of Scripture.
When the angel Gabriel announced the coming of Jesus to Mary, Mary expressed her willingness to be used by the Lord to bring about the Lord's will in the world. However, when Mary became pregnant, this would have caused quite a problem. Mary was betrothed to Joseph, and Joseph was not the father of Mary's baby.
The Bible says in Matthew 1:19 that Joseph had decided to break off his betrothal to Mary as a result of her pregnancy. However, this is not what God had in mind. He wanted Joseph to be the man who would help to bring up Jesus in this world.
One night, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel told Joseph to take Mary as his wife because, "that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." This is exactly what Joseph did. He was faithful in his obedience to the Lord.
Matthew 1 verses 22-23 state that all of these events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ took place in order to fulfill what had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah said that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son. His name would be Immanuel which means God with us.
I would like us to just think about what the phrase "God with us" means. How is God with us in Jesus?
First of all, God sent His Son the Lord Jesus into the world to redeem the world from sin. John 3:16 is the clearest statement of this. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus was literally God come into this world in human form in order to redeem this world from darkness and sin.
To me, this is a concept that is difficult to grasp. The God of all creation left the glories of Heaven to come in the form of a helpless infant. He loved us so much that He identified with us in our humanity. He came to live a holy and sinless life so that He could be the one to bear our sins. He came to show us how to live and how to have a right relationship with the Heavenly Father. God is truly with us in the person of Jesus Christ.
I also think that God is with us in the person of Jesus is a personal sense. I know that Jesus is with me in all of the struggles that I have faced in life. I've had some hard times in the last few years. However, I was able to make it through those rough times because Jesus was with me in the midst of the hardship. He was there to provide comfort and strength even in the darkest moments. Without Him, I would never have made it through.
Jesus is with all of us. He wants each and every person on this planet to put their trust in Him and seek His help, comfort and guidance. Jesus will be with you in the good times and the bad times if you will call out to Him and ask Him to aid and help you.
God with us in Jesus Christ also means that there is hope for this world. The world is really messed up right now. I think that there is no question about that. There are wars in many nations. Many people are trapped in poverty. No country in this world is free from trouble. However, in the midst of all of these problems, there is hope in Jesus.
If the people and the nations of the world would trust in Jesus and obey those things that He has revealed, the world would know peace and goodness. God with us in Jesus Christ lived and taught all that is good and right. If the peoples of this world would look to Jesus, what a difference it would make. Jesus taught the way of compassion and peace.
Because Jesus lived and walked among us, there is hope that people everywhere will turn to Him and follow the path that He has set before us.
God came to be with us in Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that He did. I am so glad that someone told me about Jesus when I was just a small boy. Since that time when I invited Jesus into my life as Savior and Lord, Jesus has lived in my heart guiding me and leading me.
This same Jesus wants to have a relationship with you. God in Christ wants to be your Savior, Friend and Lord. He invites each and every person to put their faith and trust in Him. Jesus invites you to repent of your sins and receive His forgiveness. He invites you to follow wherever He would lead.
When you know Jesus as Lord of your life, you will truly understand the fact that God is with us. You will know that God is with you everyday of this life and into eternity.
Next week, we will conclude our series of Advent messages. Please note, the sermon will appear on Christmas Eve this coming week since the library where I post the sermons is closed on Christmas Day. Next Wednesday, there will not be a review. Instead, I will post a few of my Christmas recollections of special times. I will post the verses as usual on Monday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Dog and Cat Book of the Year
Those of you who have read the blog for awhile know that at the end of each year, I usually recommend the best dog and cat book that I have read in the previous year. I have reviewed several books in each category this year, and today I will reveal my selections for the best dog and cat book of the year.
My choice for best dog book of the year was a pretty easy decision. "Judy" written by Damien Lewis is my dog book of the year selection. This is a tremendous story of courage and loyalty. Judy was the only dog who was an official prisoner of war during World War II. She gave encouragement to the men who were forced to build a railroad for the Japanese. The prisoners rallied around Judy and kept her fed and kept her safe. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
My choice for best cat book of the year was a much harder decision. I have read some really good cat books this year. My pick for best cat book of the year goes to "A Gift From Bob" written by James Bowen. All of the books about James and Bob are good, and this book tells the wonderful story of how Bob the cat made Christmas meaningful for a man that had fallen on hard times. If you have not read this book, it is a good time to read this wonderful Christmas story.
There were many good books to read this year. In the year to come, I will continue to post reviews of good dog books, cat books, animal books and other books from time to time. I look forward to good reading in the year ahead.
My choice for best dog book of the year was a pretty easy decision. "Judy" written by Damien Lewis is my dog book of the year selection. This is a tremendous story of courage and loyalty. Judy was the only dog who was an official prisoner of war during World War II. She gave encouragement to the men who were forced to build a railroad for the Japanese. The prisoners rallied around Judy and kept her fed and kept her safe. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
My choice for best cat book of the year was a much harder decision. I have read some really good cat books this year. My pick for best cat book of the year goes to "A Gift From Bob" written by James Bowen. All of the books about James and Bob are good, and this book tells the wonderful story of how Bob the cat made Christmas meaningful for a man that had fallen on hard times. If you have not read this book, it is a good time to read this wonderful Christmas story.
There were many good books to read this year. In the year to come, I will continue to post reviews of good dog books, cat books, animal books and other books from time to time. I look forward to good reading in the year ahead.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Words From Jesus
Luke 18:7-8 -- "Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly."
Luke 12:35-36 -- "Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him."
John 7:37-38 -- "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
Luke 12:35-36 -- "Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him."
John 7:37-38 -- "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
Friday, December 11, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- "Covenants Fulfilled"
Welcome to this Advent season edition of the Weekend Sermon. It is good to be with you today, and I hope that everyone is enjoying the holiday season so far.
I finally got all of my Christmas cards out, and I have completed my holiday shopping. At my place of work, they are having many activities for the holiday season, so that has been interesting. I would ask that you keep me in your prayers about the work situation. I would like to find a new job as soon as possible.
In prayer this week, please pray for those who are feeling depressed and down during this holiday season. I know from first hand experience that the holidays can be a difficult time. I am glad that during this Thanksgiving that I was able to go out to dinner with my brother and his family. I was getting kind of down too.
There are many other things to pray about this week. I heard this morning that Burundi is on the brink of a civil war. Let us pray for peace there and pray for peace in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are so many countries where there is warfare that it is hard to remember all of them. During this time when we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, let us pray for peace around the world.
We have been praying for nations around the world where there aren't that many Christians. Let us pray this week for Taiwan, Japan, Bahrain and Turkey.
I want to say thank you to the Lord for an answer to prayer. We have been praying about the Ebola crisis in Africa for sometime. I heard a report on the radio a couple of days ago that there haven't been any new cases in quite sometime. This is something to be very thankful for.
In today's message, we continue with our series of messages centering around the Advent season. In last week's message, we discussed why Jesus came to this earth in the first place. In this week's sermon, I want to focus on how Jesus' birth fulfilled two of the covenants God made with two men in the Old Testament.
The whole idea of covenant is important in the Bible. Our Bible is divided into the Old and New Testament or the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. In addition to these larger covenants, God made a covenant with people in the Bible. He made them promises that He was bound to keep. One of the first covenants was the covenant God made with Noah. God promised that He would not flood the earth again as He had in Noah's time.
God made two other covenants with those in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The first of these is known as the Abrahamic Covenant. In Genesis 12:1-3, God called Abraham out of Ur. God told Abraham that He would bless him and make from him a great nation. God said that all the nations of the world would be blessed through Abraham.
The story of the Old Testament reveals to us how God was faithful to keep His promise to Abraham. In spite of the fact that the Israelites often turned away from God, God was faithful to them. He kept them as a nation, and He kept His message of truth alive through them.
Then, on that first Christmas Day, the Abrahamic Covenant received its ultimate fulfillment. Jesus, a descendant of Abraham was born in Bethlehem. Because Jesus came to this earth, all of the nations of the world have been blessed just as God said in Genesis 12.
Because of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, people from all over the world have been freed from sin and have come into a right relationship with the God of all creation. The final fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant will occur at the Second Advent when Jesus reigns. All the nations of the world will known peace, goodness and prosperity because Jesus is on the throne.
God also made another important covenant with someone that had its fulfillment in Jesus. The Bible says that David was a man after God's own heart. Unlike many of the other kings mentioned in the Bible, David never turned his back on the Lord and worshiped idols. David was far from perfect. He actually did some pretty horrendous things. However, David always repented and asked the Lord to forgive him.
II Chronicles 6:16 records the promise that God made with David. God told David that he would always have a successor to sit on the throne of Israel. On Christmas Day, this promise received its ultimate fulfillment. The Bible tells us that Jesus was born in the line of David. He was a literal descendant of David.
While He was here on this earth, Jesus did not establish a physical kingdom. His kingdom was established in the hearts and minds of all those who believed in Him and made Him the sovereign Lord of their lives. However, the Davidic Covenant will have a complete fulfillment when the Second Advent comes.
When Jesus returns to this earth to rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus will sit on the throne of David as ruler of all the nations. God's promise to David is completely fulfilled in Jesus.
When I study the way the God honors His word and keeps His covenants, it thrills my heart. I know that I can take God at His word. I can trust what Jesus, who is God come in the flesh, tells me. Jesus promised that He would give eternal life to all who would call upon His name and believe in Him as Savior and Lord.
Jesus said that He has gone to prepare a place for us who are His followers. If we trust in Him, Jesus has promised that we will be with Him forever and forever.
Jesus also promised that He is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Jesus though he were dead, yet shall he live. Whoever believes in Jesus will never die. Jesus said that those who die in the faith will be with Him for all eternity.
I can believe these things because I have seen it clearly revealed in Scripture that God keeps His word. He kept His word to Noah and Abraham and David. He will keep His word to us.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Since Jesus was trustworthy when He was on earth, we can trust each and everything that He has revealed to us in His word.
I hope that during this Christmas season that you will reflect on the ways that God has kept His promises. Think of the ways that God has kept His promises to you.
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday. On Wednesday, I will reveal my picks for the best dog and cat books of 2015. On Friday, we will continue with our series of Advent messages. May God bless you all . Amen.
P.S. -- I would like to ask you all to pray for a writer that I know. His good cat was savaged by a dog and is in a bad way. Please pray for this man's pet that she will fully recover. Thank you.
I finally got all of my Christmas cards out, and I have completed my holiday shopping. At my place of work, they are having many activities for the holiday season, so that has been interesting. I would ask that you keep me in your prayers about the work situation. I would like to find a new job as soon as possible.
In prayer this week, please pray for those who are feeling depressed and down during this holiday season. I know from first hand experience that the holidays can be a difficult time. I am glad that during this Thanksgiving that I was able to go out to dinner with my brother and his family. I was getting kind of down too.
There are many other things to pray about this week. I heard this morning that Burundi is on the brink of a civil war. Let us pray for peace there and pray for peace in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are so many countries where there is warfare that it is hard to remember all of them. During this time when we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, let us pray for peace around the world.
We have been praying for nations around the world where there aren't that many Christians. Let us pray this week for Taiwan, Japan, Bahrain and Turkey.
I want to say thank you to the Lord for an answer to prayer. We have been praying about the Ebola crisis in Africa for sometime. I heard a report on the radio a couple of days ago that there haven't been any new cases in quite sometime. This is something to be very thankful for.
In today's message, we continue with our series of messages centering around the Advent season. In last week's message, we discussed why Jesus came to this earth in the first place. In this week's sermon, I want to focus on how Jesus' birth fulfilled two of the covenants God made with two men in the Old Testament.
The whole idea of covenant is important in the Bible. Our Bible is divided into the Old and New Testament or the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. In addition to these larger covenants, God made a covenant with people in the Bible. He made them promises that He was bound to keep. One of the first covenants was the covenant God made with Noah. God promised that He would not flood the earth again as He had in Noah's time.
God made two other covenants with those in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The first of these is known as the Abrahamic Covenant. In Genesis 12:1-3, God called Abraham out of Ur. God told Abraham that He would bless him and make from him a great nation. God said that all the nations of the world would be blessed through Abraham.
The story of the Old Testament reveals to us how God was faithful to keep His promise to Abraham. In spite of the fact that the Israelites often turned away from God, God was faithful to them. He kept them as a nation, and He kept His message of truth alive through them.
Then, on that first Christmas Day, the Abrahamic Covenant received its ultimate fulfillment. Jesus, a descendant of Abraham was born in Bethlehem. Because Jesus came to this earth, all of the nations of the world have been blessed just as God said in Genesis 12.
Because of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, people from all over the world have been freed from sin and have come into a right relationship with the God of all creation. The final fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant will occur at the Second Advent when Jesus reigns. All the nations of the world will known peace, goodness and prosperity because Jesus is on the throne.
God also made another important covenant with someone that had its fulfillment in Jesus. The Bible says that David was a man after God's own heart. Unlike many of the other kings mentioned in the Bible, David never turned his back on the Lord and worshiped idols. David was far from perfect. He actually did some pretty horrendous things. However, David always repented and asked the Lord to forgive him.
II Chronicles 6:16 records the promise that God made with David. God told David that he would always have a successor to sit on the throne of Israel. On Christmas Day, this promise received its ultimate fulfillment. The Bible tells us that Jesus was born in the line of David. He was a literal descendant of David.
While He was here on this earth, Jesus did not establish a physical kingdom. His kingdom was established in the hearts and minds of all those who believed in Him and made Him the sovereign Lord of their lives. However, the Davidic Covenant will have a complete fulfillment when the Second Advent comes.
When Jesus returns to this earth to rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus will sit on the throne of David as ruler of all the nations. God's promise to David is completely fulfilled in Jesus.
When I study the way the God honors His word and keeps His covenants, it thrills my heart. I know that I can take God at His word. I can trust what Jesus, who is God come in the flesh, tells me. Jesus promised that He would give eternal life to all who would call upon His name and believe in Him as Savior and Lord.
Jesus said that He has gone to prepare a place for us who are His followers. If we trust in Him, Jesus has promised that we will be with Him forever and forever.
Jesus also promised that He is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Jesus though he were dead, yet shall he live. Whoever believes in Jesus will never die. Jesus said that those who die in the faith will be with Him for all eternity.
I can believe these things because I have seen it clearly revealed in Scripture that God keeps His word. He kept His word to Noah and Abraham and David. He will keep His word to us.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Since Jesus was trustworthy when He was on earth, we can trust each and everything that He has revealed to us in His word.
I hope that during this Christmas season that you will reflect on the ways that God has kept His promises. Think of the ways that God has kept His promises to you.
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday. On Wednesday, I will reveal my picks for the best dog and cat books of 2015. On Friday, we will continue with our series of Advent messages. May God bless you all . Amen.
P.S. -- I would like to ask you all to pray for a writer that I know. His good cat was savaged by a dog and is in a bad way. Please pray for this man's pet that she will fully recover. Thank you.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Book Review -- "Great Soul of Siberia"
Several weeks ago I recommended a great program to watch called "Siberian Tiger Quest". That program, which appeared on Nature on PBS, tells the story of Sooyong Park's study of the Siberian Tiger. The camera work in this film is stunning.
Sooyong Park has now written a book called "Great Soul of Siberia" about his work with the Siberian tigers in Russia. This book adds a great deal more information than what is available in the PBS film.
In this book, Park explains the way in which his research is conducted. Half of the year is spent mapping out the areas where the Siberian tigers are active. The second half of the year is spent in small bunkers where Park waits for days on end for the tigers to appear so that he can capture them on film.
The book is very well-written. When Park describes the time three tigers were attempting to enter his bunker, the reader will feel all of the emotions Park was experiencing at that moment.
Like all books written about critically endangered species, this book contains its moments of tragedy. However, it is also a book of hope for the future of these magnificent animals.
One other interesting aspect of this book that I want to mention is that Park also gives a lot of information about the people who live in Siberian tiger country. This makes for a well-rounded and informative work.
Next week, I will reveal my picks for the best dog book and the best cat book that I have read in 2015.
Sooyong Park has now written a book called "Great Soul of Siberia" about his work with the Siberian tigers in Russia. This book adds a great deal more information than what is available in the PBS film.
In this book, Park explains the way in which his research is conducted. Half of the year is spent mapping out the areas where the Siberian tigers are active. The second half of the year is spent in small bunkers where Park waits for days on end for the tigers to appear so that he can capture them on film.
The book is very well-written. When Park describes the time three tigers were attempting to enter his bunker, the reader will feel all of the emotions Park was experiencing at that moment.
Like all books written about critically endangered species, this book contains its moments of tragedy. However, it is also a book of hope for the future of these magnificent animals.
One other interesting aspect of this book that I want to mention is that Park also gives a lot of information about the people who live in Siberian tiger country. This makes for a well-rounded and informative work.
Next week, I will reveal my picks for the best dog book and the best cat book that I have read in 2015.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Verses For the Week -- Some Favorite Verses
John 10:14-15 -- "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."
Philippians 2:10-11 -- "At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."
James 1:27 -- "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Revelation 1:17-18 -- "Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hades.
Philippians 2:10-11 -- "At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."
James 1:27 -- "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Revelation 1:17-18 -- "Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hades.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Weekend Sermon -- "Why Jesus Came"
Hello, I am glad to be with you once again to post the Weekend Sermon. Thank you for joining me again this week. It is my prayer that all of you are doing well.
Winter was definitely here in my part of the world this last week. We had a small ice storm, but the roads didn't get bad. Thank the Lord for that. I am just about finished with the rough draft of the book I am working on. All is still on target for a release sometime in the middle of 2016.
In prayer this week, please pray for the families touched by the tragic events in California this week. Pray for an end to the violence, war and terrorism that plagues our world. Pray that many will come to know the Prince of Peace for He is the only one who can bring true peace. Please pray for peace in Syria, South Sudan and Iraq this week.
We have been praying for the last several weeks that the message of Jesus might reach nations where there are not many Christians. With this in mind, let us pray for Jordan, Nepal, Comoros and Qatar.
This is the beginning of the Advent season. It is the time that we celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ came to this earth. As we go into this Christmas season, resolve in your hearts to keep Jesus at the center of your holiday celebrations. It seems to me more and more every year that Jesus is being crowded out of His own birthday celebration. Let us never lose sight of what Christmas is really all about.
As we start our series of Advent messages for this year, I want to focus on the topic this week of why Jesus came to this earth in the first place. As believers in orthodox Christian doctrine, we believe that Jesus is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Before He came to this earth, Jesus lived in the unity of the Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:6-8 gives us a clear picture of Jesus before and after His incarnation. These verses state, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death --- even death on a cross!"
So, why did Jesus leave the glories of Heaven and take up human flesh. Why did He come to this earth to suffer and die on the cross?
Our sin and need for redemption and forgiveness is what brought Jesus to this earth. When God created man, He created him in a perfect environment. There was no sin in the world. God placed Adam and Eve in the garden. All that God asked of them is that they would not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Humanity in its rebellion, disobeyed the commandment of the Lord. Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden.
Because of Adam's sin, a sin nature has passed down to all human beings. There is none righteous the Bible says. Romans 5:12 makes the situation quite clear. It says, "Wherefore as by one man, sin entered into the world and death passed upon all men for all have sinned."
The sinful state of humanity brought separation between God and the human race. Because of sin, death and destruction permeated the entire universe. Because of sin, God in His holiness and justice had every right to pass judgment on this world.
However, I John 4:16 tells us that "God is love." Because of His great love for us, God wanted to bring us back to Him. He wanted to redeem us and free us from sin and death. So, immediately when humanity fell into sin, God announced the first promise to the human race that a redeemer was on the way.
Genesis 3:15 states, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." One day, a savior would be born who would bring redemption to the human race.
Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord was working to bring about His plan of redemption. There are many prophecies in the Old Testament that point to the coming of the Messiah. One of these is a favorite verse recited during the Christmas season. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. And he shall be called wonderful, counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace."
Hundreds of years went by from the first promise of the Messiah in Genesis 3:15 until the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. But as Galatians 4:4 tells us, "But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son."
Jesus came on Christmas day to bring about redemption for a world that was lost. He came to live a perfect, holy and sinless life so that we would know the way that we ought to live. Jesus came to bring light into the darkness of the world. He came to bring hope.
Jesus came to die on the cross so that He could bear our sins in His body. He was the Lamb of God come to take away the sin of the world. By His death and resurrection, Jesus came to free us from the curse of Adam's sin. As I Corinthians 15:22 tells us, "In Adam all die, but in Christ shall all be made alive."
Jesus came to free us from sin and the consequences of sin. He came to offer life and light to all who believe.
Jesus has provided all of us with the free gift of salvation and redemption. Now we must decided whether or not we will accept Jesus' offer of salvation. We must decided whether or not we will repent of our sins and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. We must decided whether we will let Jesus be the Lord of our lives.
Today is the day of salvation. If you have never done so, I pray that you will turn to Jesus today.
Next week, we will have another message in our Advent series. I will post the verses on Monday and a review on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Winter was definitely here in my part of the world this last week. We had a small ice storm, but the roads didn't get bad. Thank the Lord for that. I am just about finished with the rough draft of the book I am working on. All is still on target for a release sometime in the middle of 2016.
In prayer this week, please pray for the families touched by the tragic events in California this week. Pray for an end to the violence, war and terrorism that plagues our world. Pray that many will come to know the Prince of Peace for He is the only one who can bring true peace. Please pray for peace in Syria, South Sudan and Iraq this week.
We have been praying for the last several weeks that the message of Jesus might reach nations where there are not many Christians. With this in mind, let us pray for Jordan, Nepal, Comoros and Qatar.
This is the beginning of the Advent season. It is the time that we celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ came to this earth. As we go into this Christmas season, resolve in your hearts to keep Jesus at the center of your holiday celebrations. It seems to me more and more every year that Jesus is being crowded out of His own birthday celebration. Let us never lose sight of what Christmas is really all about.
As we start our series of Advent messages for this year, I want to focus on the topic this week of why Jesus came to this earth in the first place. As believers in orthodox Christian doctrine, we believe that Jesus is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Before He came to this earth, Jesus lived in the unity of the Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:6-8 gives us a clear picture of Jesus before and after His incarnation. These verses state, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death --- even death on a cross!"
So, why did Jesus leave the glories of Heaven and take up human flesh. Why did He come to this earth to suffer and die on the cross?
Our sin and need for redemption and forgiveness is what brought Jesus to this earth. When God created man, He created him in a perfect environment. There was no sin in the world. God placed Adam and Eve in the garden. All that God asked of them is that they would not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Humanity in its rebellion, disobeyed the commandment of the Lord. Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden.
Because of Adam's sin, a sin nature has passed down to all human beings. There is none righteous the Bible says. Romans 5:12 makes the situation quite clear. It says, "Wherefore as by one man, sin entered into the world and death passed upon all men for all have sinned."
The sinful state of humanity brought separation between God and the human race. Because of sin, death and destruction permeated the entire universe. Because of sin, God in His holiness and justice had every right to pass judgment on this world.
However, I John 4:16 tells us that "God is love." Because of His great love for us, God wanted to bring us back to Him. He wanted to redeem us and free us from sin and death. So, immediately when humanity fell into sin, God announced the first promise to the human race that a redeemer was on the way.
Genesis 3:15 states, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." One day, a savior would be born who would bring redemption to the human race.
Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord was working to bring about His plan of redemption. There are many prophecies in the Old Testament that point to the coming of the Messiah. One of these is a favorite verse recited during the Christmas season. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. And he shall be called wonderful, counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace."
Hundreds of years went by from the first promise of the Messiah in Genesis 3:15 until the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. But as Galatians 4:4 tells us, "But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son."
Jesus came on Christmas day to bring about redemption for a world that was lost. He came to live a perfect, holy and sinless life so that we would know the way that we ought to live. Jesus came to bring light into the darkness of the world. He came to bring hope.
Jesus came to die on the cross so that He could bear our sins in His body. He was the Lamb of God come to take away the sin of the world. By His death and resurrection, Jesus came to free us from the curse of Adam's sin. As I Corinthians 15:22 tells us, "In Adam all die, but in Christ shall all be made alive."
Jesus came to free us from sin and the consequences of sin. He came to offer life and light to all who believe.
Jesus has provided all of us with the free gift of salvation and redemption. Now we must decided whether or not we will accept Jesus' offer of salvation. We must decided whether or not we will repent of our sins and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. We must decided whether we will let Jesus be the Lord of our lives.
Today is the day of salvation. If you have never done so, I pray that you will turn to Jesus today.
Next week, we will have another message in our Advent series. I will post the verses on Monday and a review on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Book Review -- The Tale of Rescue
The book I'm reviewing this week is entitled "The Tale of Rescue" written by Michael J. Rosen. This is a book aimed at younger readers, but I think that people of all ages would enjoy it. The color illustrations in this book are especially well done.
"The Tale of Rescue" is the story of a cattle dog who is on a mission. The cattle dog works on a farm and performs her duties remarkably. One evening, only she hears the calls of a family crying for help. This family has been stranded by a blizzard as they were hiking in the forest. It is up to one brave and resourceful cattle dog to rescue this family. The cattle dog goes all out to complete her vital mission.
I found this book to be well-written and paced out nicely. The ending was very good, and I would recommend this book for readers of all ages.
"The Tale of Rescue" is the story of a cattle dog who is on a mission. The cattle dog works on a farm and performs her duties remarkably. One evening, only she hears the calls of a family crying for help. This family has been stranded by a blizzard as they were hiking in the forest. It is up to one brave and resourceful cattle dog to rescue this family. The cattle dog goes all out to complete her vital mission.
I found this book to be well-written and paced out nicely. The ending was very good, and I would recommend this book for readers of all ages.
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