The Light Of The World

Scripture:
Matthew 4:12-17 (NASB)

Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
“The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light,
And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death,
Upon them a Light dawned.”

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Devotional:

I just love seeing all the different lights shining and blinking in magnificent displays during the Christmas season.  There are some houses that are lit up, their colors blinking in and out.  Some lights stay on never blinking.  There are white lights, blue, green, red, orange lights.  People go to great lengths to get their lights displayed just right.  

Jesus is the light of the world, and through Him we become that light.  Take a strand of Christmas lights.  All together when plugged in the tree is lit up.  But without the wire connecting them providing power they are dim and dark.  The tree remains in the dark.  Jesus is the power that enables us to light up.  

Christ is the hope of the world and that hope is extended through us.  What is the hope that you bring?  Whose life are you touching?  Christmas is a time of hope, joy, and love.  Jesus loves us so much He came to show us the way.  He came to pay the price of sin.  He did so out of love so that we might have hope and that we may be restored into a righteous relationship with God the Father.  Take time out to share that hope with someone, anyone.  It doesn’t matter if you know them or if they are strangers.   Christmas is coming.  Jesus is the light of the world, and we are the instruments that light shines through…

There is Always Hope

Scripture:
Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Titus 1:1-2 (NASB)

Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

Devotional:

Have you ever made plans?  What about the plans you make for your children?  Wanting the best for our children we plan and provide.  We do everything we can for them.  We protect them, we give them all our love, and we what is best for them.  We are God’s children.  He knew us before we were conceived.

Jeremiah 1:5 (NASB)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
And before you were born I consecrated you;
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Because He loves us so much He wants to give us the best.  No matter what is going on no matter what happens we know God is with us.  We know He will provide for us, protect us, and give us blessings.  His love for us is so great His one and only Son was born into this world.  He was and is the perfect sacrifice.  His sacrifice is the final price paid for our redemption.   Our hope lies in Christ.  John 14:6 (NIV) “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”  Through Him we have redemption, we are reconciled with God.  No matter how dark it may seem there is always hope for those that believe…

1st Sunday of Advent: Hope

Isaiah 40:1-3 (NIV)

Comfort, comfort my people,
    says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
    that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
    double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God

Devotional:

The first Sunday of advent focuses on hope.  The advent candles are lit one candle for the first week of advent, hope the light of the world is coming.  Matthew 1:23 (NASB):

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us."

What can give us more hope than knowing God is with us?  Immanuel “God with us” is Christ who is born into this world and lived a sinless life.  God loves us so much He became human, a simple man.  He lived, suffered, and died.  He did this so that we might live with Him for eternity in heaven.  Immanuel “God with us.”  The hope of the world…