Did Jesus come to be a little baby on a bed of straw, forever sat on your mantel? NO!!!
Jesus came with a purpose and a task. He came to destroy the power of death and release us from the bondage of Sin. He didn't do that in a manger as a babe, or on a hillside as a teacher. He did it as an innocent man dying on the cross for you, in your place. And He didn't do it on accident either, it was a choice he made, because he lives you.
So remember, Christmas is about the God of the universe invading Earth to save you, by dying on the cross. That's the true meaning of Christmas.
Right, Welcome to the first of hopefully a series of Christmas Posts. Wish me Luck.
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, New King James Version)
So sorrow and depression have been on my mind alot lately, which makes sense with my dad passing away and the "happiest" season of the year coming up. I love Christmas. The music, the lights, the red hats (spent a whole December wearing one), and the fact that Jesus stepped into history. Just gets me going.
Despite all the parties, the presents, and the "good cheer"; there are still alot of sad stories and sad songs about Christmas. Stories about being alone, losing someone, stories about loss. They are everywhere this time of year, like a shadow of the "joy" that surrounds us.
I was listening to one of these sad songs when I realized it wasn't the same, it was somehow different. Here is that song from Relient K.
and here are the lyrics. (I've tried to link, if that doesn't work copy and paste the address) lyrics http://www.superlyrics.com/lyrics/kGRUvnaPBM@H@x/Merry_Christmas,_Here's_To_Many_More_lyrics_by_Relient_K.html
Go ahead, listen, read. I'll wait...............
Dude was having a crappy year, not the worst but darn close. It was Christmas time and he had come home to his friends and family celebrating. He had to go in and face all this "cheer" and "joy." Not only that, but he'd be expected to join in. Now note the change in the middle of the 2nd verse:
And living out my days alone, well, that had been my deepest fear But you promised you won't leave
That turn isn't based off the the behavior of the people or Dude, because we return to the chorus and everything is the same. Not Dude, he had changed his perspective. Dude remebered that his joy didn't come from things or people. His joy came from his hope, placed in his Savior Jesus Christ.
I rejoice not because my father died, but like Jesus, he and I will rise again. There we will worship the one who came down to earth to save us from our sins, forever.
Care to join us? It's easy just believe the last paragraph. Done. Now rejoice or mourn this Christmas in a new way. Not like the world does, but having hope that you will be raised with the one who was born into a manger.
Just in time (barely) for Thanksgiving, I give you my thankfulness petpeeve: “I’m thankful for…”
I know thankfulness is a great thing, but most people miss the most important half of giving thanks. What is this important part you ask… the WHOM. When you get a present from a friend, you thank your friend for the present. When a stranger opens a door for you, you thank the stranger for opening the door. You have to thank someone for something.
But then there are the times people say they are thankful for things that are not given by a person, like family. You can’t be thankful for your family, unless there is someone who has given it to you. If there is no God or that God is not a personable thinking person, you CAN’T be thankful about these things.
If there is a personable thinking God, then you, like Paul, can thank Him for things.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. (Romans 1:8, New King James Version)
I thank my God and King for: My mother, who taught me who He was My father My siblings, who allowed me to live into adulthood My in-laws, who took me in like a son My church family My accountability partners- bellybutton, toenail, dj, and the Russ-es that means you! My wife, who still puts up with me after 14 years And most importantly for sending His Son to live and die for me.
I have told many people that. Very distinctly I remember saying that. I've told friends that. I've told pastors that. I've told God that. And today God gave me a really uncomfortable response, "Really?!"
I saw the need in front of me. I saw the obstacles I've had trouble overcoming before. Not one obstacle, but TWO. Then God opened the window. There was no time to think about the obstacles, there was only time to react. For once in my life I did.... and the obstacles melted away.
Believe me, there was no me in this. I am just a clay jar, but God put something valuable inside me. And for one moment, the cracks in my pot lined up and allowed God to do some good.
So you can't? Wait till God lines your weaknesses up and does something great.
Wish me luck, there's more to do here... I can feel it.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. John Newton
So many people, including way too many Christians, think Christianity is about being perfect. They think if they get it together, work hard enough, or just don't do the really bad things; then they'll be OK. Yet my favorite hymn in the whole world reminds us that Christianity is not about being perfect. If I was perfect, Jesus wouldn't have needed to come. If I could just "try harder," Jesus wouldn't have been nailed to the cross. If I could stay away from the bad stuff, Jesus wouldn't have had to die.
When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick."(Matthew 9:12, New King James Version)
If I were able to do it, I don't need Jesus! But I can't. I'm a wretch, a poor terrible sickling whose soul desperately needs a doctor.
Are you perfect? Maybe you need a doctor. Call on Jesus, He is the Great Physician!
As for me, I'll steal someone else's tag line: I'm Josh, and I'm the wretch the song refers to.
This is going to be a blog about saying things I need to say. I need to say it because it's burning my heart and my bones. I shall start at the begining. These aren't my words, but are some of the most important words I know.
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36, New King James Version)
So there you have it. Whether you believe it or not God has made Jesus "both Lord and Christ." Will you acknowledge that, or live in denial?
