Thursday, December 24, 2009

Love, Peace, Joy and HOPE


John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

It's Christmas Eve. No doubt about this time 2,000 years ago Mary was feeling the pain of the soon birth of her Christ child. I wonder what went through her head? Mary would only have been around 14. Earlier she had been to visit her cousin Elizabeth, perhaps to help with or learn from her during her pregnancy. I wonder what Joseph was thinking? These two people were getting along only on their faith in what they had heard from the Angel of the Lord about this Child. They might still have been reeling about the fact that God chose THEM for this task. 

I'm sure despite all their concerns, Mary and Joseph sensed that all was well because their Jehovah God was behind everything that was happening to them. They chose to obey despite what the world would think. If God's hand was in it, nothing was impossible. We don't always see how He's preparing things in our lives. Not until after the fact, which in itself can bring amazement.

Every moment was well thought out in God's mind. Nothing that had happened was a surprise to Him and nothing that will happen will surprise Him. Not even the situations we are facing either personally or in this world today. Not one piece of the puzzle was out of place or missing 2,000 years ago and nothing will be out of place today. That's an awesome God!

Mary, a virgin, is pregnant and telling wild stories about angelic visits. Her cousin Elizabeth, well past childbearing years, is about to give birth to John the Baptist who was to be the "voice in the wilderness crying 'Prepare ye the way of the Lord.'" Joseph gets yet another angelic visitation. The star of Bethlehem leading the wise men...there are amazing astronomic documentations about this as well. The inn with no room but only a stable with a feeding trough for a bed. The magnificence and the humility...the seemingly inconsequential birth of a small Child...who would become King someday, who would give His life to give life to all who wish to receive it. Births happen every day, yet this was special. Put all these together and only the hand of God could have done this. Only God could be glorified. And only God will be glorified when He brings love, peace, joy and hope into our lives.

Love, peace, joy and hope: four words we hear most about this time of year. These are just a few of the gifts Jesus gives to us when we reach out to accept Him.  And these gifts are not just for this season. I mentioned Tuesday that it's all about the love of God that this birth took place. Love was born that day. God extended His love to all the earth...to each of His creations. It's the same love He has for you.

When you receive His love, peace will follow. That peace will be with you always even when you are in the midst of difficulties. It's hard to explain, but even if you feel stressed when you sit back and remember that Jesus is with you always, the peace begins to rise up. The trials will not always go away, but peace remains forever. 

With that peace in your heart, there will be an underlying joy. That joy, the joy of the Lord, will not be taken away. That joy, knowing that God is alongside you, will get you through a lot of things. If there is pain or confusion in your life, if there is something haunting your spirit that you cannot decipher, this is the time to accept the love of God. When you accept this love, all these other promises will be met. Choose to accept despite what the world might think.

As for hope...Jesus is our Hope. We see changes taking place in this world. If we are fearful about them, God would say, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'' (Isaiah 41:10)  Man fails, God does not. If this world is coming to a point of imploding, God will have His hand outstretched toward us and will raise us up if we have accepted Him. That is the hope we have.

Let this be the most blessed Christmas ever. Receive the free Gift of Jesus and receive His love, peace, joy and hope.  Have a very merry love-filled, peaceful, joyful, hope-filled Christmas!

Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring [Jesus] from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace...You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. (Luke 1:78-79, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 62:5)

Luke 2:14 - "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
 peace, goodwill toward men!"

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