I have a suggestion for a resolution.... that this blog site would have more postive and encouraging blogs such as the following:
When we look beyond the manger
To the cross of Calvary,
We will know the reason Christmas
Brings such joy to you and me.
Harvest is Ready – December 26, 2005
The Baby Grew Up
Matthew 1:18-25
"You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." – Matthew 1:21
Even Christians can miss the point of the Christmas story if they aren't careful. Halford E. Luccock warned of that danger in a thought-provoking essay. He wrote: "We can become so charmed with the story of a baby that we grow sentimental about it. It does not ask that we do anything about it; it does not demand any vital change in our way of thinking and living.
"The great question for us is this: Is our Christmas still only a story about a baby, or is it more, a . . . story about a Person into whom the baby grew, who can redeem the world from its sins, and who calls us into partnership with His great and mighty purposes?"
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, he said, "You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). It is only as we see the birth of Jesus in light of His crucifixion and resurrection that we are able to grasp the full meaning of Christ's coming.
With your eyes wide open this Christmas, respond to God with love and commitment for the gift of His Son. Focus your thoughts and actions and motivations toward honoring the Baby who grew up and died for all our sins.
Christ the Savior is born!
When we look beyond the manger
To the cross of Calvary,
We will know the reason Christmas
Brings such joy to you and me.
The mission of the cross is hidden in the message of the cradle.
Read carefully and meditate:
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!
"The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace."
-- Numbers 6:24-27
December 30, 2005
The Battle Belongs to the Lord
...Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
—2 Chronicles 20:15
Are you struggling with issues in your life, and frustrated because you never get a breakthrough no matter what you do? You will never win if you are fighting your own battles.
God never loses a battle. He has a definite battle plan—and when we follow it, we always win.
Perhaps you are in a circumstance right now and you need to hear God say, "The battle is not yours, but Mine!"
Worship is a battle position! As we worship God for Who He is and for His attributes, those attributes are released in our lives.
Worship God for His ability and might, and you will see them released on your behalf.
Try bowing down a few times a day and giving thanks. Just be sure your heart is in what you are doing. Working formulas or entering into "dead works" never produces anything of value.
I am sure your heart frequently fills up with love and worship for God. If you are not already doing so, take an extra step and add some outward action to your heart attitude.
Follow God's battle plan. It is enjoyable, unique, and effective. Praise and worship confuse the enemy. Take your position, and you will see the enemy's defeat.
Do This:
Bow before God and thank Him for His goodness and mercy. Worship Him for Who He is, not just for what you need from Him.
As we enter this new year, let's hold on to God's promises. Wait on His will and go where He wants us to go for if we do this then our year will be full of the joy and happiness that only God can truly give.
