"And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened....And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire....And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (From Revelation 20 & 21)
Our text is some of the Advent reading for today from The Book of Common Prayer. It reveals the contrast between those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ, who are "washed in the Blood of the Lamb," whose sins have been removed, "as far as the east is from the west," whose names are written in, "the Book of Life," those in whom Jesus Christ lives, and those who have known none of the aforementioned. To the agnostic who cannot resolve the "God question," I say, "Err on the side of caution." The Bible declares two possibilities, "The lake of fire," or, "God will wipe away every tear"; the choice is ours.
Christmas is not about a date, no matter who ultimately set it. It is about, "The Coming One," whether December 25 or whatever. Those who refuse to celebrate Christmas because of some religious jangling are robbing themselves of a great festive season. What is important is that, "The Coming One," Jesus Christ, foretold by prophets, came into the world in a very small town just a short distance from Jerusalem and, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." And, because of Father's Gift of Jesus, all my sin is forgiven, and there is a day coming when, "There shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away."!
Our text reminds us of the blessing and the curse of His appearing, blessing to those who "receive Him still," and curse to those who reject Him still. Christmas: "This is how God loved the world; He gave His Only Son" (literal translation of John 3:16). The greatest reason to give gifts at this time of year is not so much that the "wise men" gave gifts to Jesus, but that Father gave us the Gift of Himself in Jesus Christ.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with Paul, "thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift." Amen.
Our text is some of the Advent reading for today from The Book of Common Prayer. It reveals the contrast between those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ, who are "washed in the Blood of the Lamb," whose sins have been removed, "as far as the east is from the west," whose names are written in, "the Book of Life," those in whom Jesus Christ lives, and those who have known none of the aforementioned. To the agnostic who cannot resolve the "God question," I say, "Err on the side of caution." The Bible declares two possibilities, "The lake of fire," or, "God will wipe away every tear"; the choice is ours.
Christmas is not about a date, no matter who ultimately set it. It is about, "The Coming One," whether December 25 or whatever. Those who refuse to celebrate Christmas because of some religious jangling are robbing themselves of a great festive season. What is important is that, "The Coming One," Jesus Christ, foretold by prophets, came into the world in a very small town just a short distance from Jerusalem and, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." And, because of Father's Gift of Jesus, all my sin is forgiven, and there is a day coming when, "There shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away."!
Our text reminds us of the blessing and the curse of His appearing, blessing to those who "receive Him still," and curse to those who reject Him still. Christmas: "This is how God loved the world; He gave His Only Son" (literal translation of John 3:16). The greatest reason to give gifts at this time of year is not so much that the "wise men" gave gifts to Jesus, but that Father gave us the Gift of Himself in Jesus Christ.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with Paul, "thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift." Amen.
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Unreached People of the Day: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
Read of the Danger in North Korea: www.apf327.blogspot.com
Unreached People of the Day: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
Read of the Danger in North Korea: www.apf327.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
