Who Do You Say He Is?

Scripture:
Matthew 16:13-16 (NASB)

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Devotional:

Who do you say Jesus is?  Does it really matter who he is?  What difference does it make anyway?  Well to tell you the truth it matters a great deal.  In fact you could say all eternity hinges on the answers.  Jesus came so that we might have life.  Not just living here on earth as we are now.  But He came so that we might have eternal life.  John 3:16-17(NASB),

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”

Peter’s answer should be our answer as well.  The two greatest celebrations we can ever have are the birth of Christ and the resurrection of Christ.  In His birth Jesus became a man completely human.  He showed and taught us how we should live our lives.  His death and resurrection brought us new life in heaven. 

This Christmas and Easter pause to reflect His birth, life, and resurrection.  Reflect on the impact this has on the world.  Finally reflect on how it has impacted your life…

Merry Christmas
Happy Birthday Jesus…

Happy Birthday Jesus

Scripture:
Luke 1:26-33 (NIV)

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Devotional:

Sometimes I think it would be wonderful to see and hear an angel come and give us messages from God.  But then I pause and think of Mary’s response. In just about every case of an angel appearing the response is the same.  In response to Mary’s response the angel stated “Do not be afraid.”  You hear those words almost every time angels come down.  I have often wondered why people’s first reaction is fear.  

Here we have a young woman, probably not much more than a girl, being told she will give birth to the world’s savior.  Instead of favor and good standing with society she faced ridicule, abandonment, and possible death.  After all she wasn’t married yet and she was going to give birth to a baby. Yet the angel said “don’t be afraid.”  Mary had found favor with God. God chose her to give birth to the most wonderful and awesome person to ever live.  I wonder what Mary and Joseph must have thought and felt those nine months before Jesus was born.  

The savoir of the world, our counselor, our comforter came into this world as a baby.  The Prince of Peace came to show us His love for us.  I can’t think of anything better to celebrate for than this.  Celebrating Christmas we are celebrating the birthday of Jesus our savior.  This Christmas we will have a birthday cake for desert and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  We will pause in our celebration to honor Him.  After all it is His birthday.  This Christmas take a moment to do something specific and special for Christ on His birthday.

Happy Birthday Jesus…

Thank You Santa...

Thank You Stanta…

Scripture:
Matthew 2:8-15 (NIV)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Devotional:

My parents just gave me a new book on the origins of Christmas traditions, Stories Behind The Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins.  The introduction talks about before Christmas celebrations became what we know.  I had read in the past about how December 25^th became the date in which we celebrate Christmas.  The date was chosen because of winter celebrations and pagan holidays.  In fact it wasn’t until the 1800s that we really began celebrating Christmas as we know it.  Most churches didn’t even hold services.  Not much thought came for the celebration of Jesus’s birth.  It was used as another excuse for sinful acts and abuse. 

It wasn’t until commercialism came about that reverence started to appear.  The night before Christmas and A Christmas Carol are large influences in our current celebration of Christmas.

I know we tend to look at commercialism as ruining Christmas.  Now I look at it in a different light.  True we are losing the true meaning of our celebration.  If we are not careful we can slip back into paganism.  But Good ole Saint Nick helped us find Christ in Christmas.  Charles Dickens helped us to see Christmas for what it really is.  Thank you Santa and thank you Mr. Dickens.

Remember Christmas is not about shopping, gifts, lights, and all that fancy stuff.  It is a time to gather with our families and celebrate the birth of Christ our Lord and Savior…

The Greatest Gift of All...

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-13 (NIV)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Devotional:

Christmas is truly a very wonderful time of year.  I love the lights and atmosphere.  Seeing all the decorations everywhere can be a beautiful sight to behold.  I also love to shop for gifts for family and friends.  But there is a danger.  If I am not careful I can get caught up in the commercialism and want more and more.  Not necessarily for myself but to give more to others.  

Paul shares that being content with what you have is important.  We need to rejoice to the Lord in all things.  I know it can be hard to rejoice when you are going through difficult times.  Even the Christmas season can be difficult for someone who have lost a loved one.  But regardless it is important to refocus from ourselves to God.  How can we rejoice through bad times?  Start by letting go of our anxiety, by prayers and petitions, and with thanksgiving to God.

 

As we approach Christmas try letting go of your anxieties and worries.  Let of the commercialism and refocus on God.  Be content with where you are and what you have.  God’s peace and joy will come.  In the end think about what the true meaning of Christmas is.  It isn’t about gifts or having stuff.  It is about love.  It is about Jesus coming for our redemption.  The greatest Christmas gift of all is the gift of Christ…