God With Us

John 1:9-14 “The one who is the true light (Jesus), who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” NLT

Last Sunday marked the return of your Pastor from his honeymoon and the final Sermon message on this year’s Christmas series “Advent Conspiracy” that covered the topics of Love All, Spend Less, Give More, & Worship Fully. The bulletin states: It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to God. It’s a season where love wins, Peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It’s a party of the year. Entering the story of the Advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest. Some 2000+ years ago, a baby who would change the world was born. Emmanuel or Imanu'el (Hebrew עִמָּנוּאֵל "God [is] with us" consists of two Hebrew words: אֵל (’El, meaning 'God') and עִמָּנוּ (ʻImmānū, meaning 'with us'). But have we lost His message amidst the chaos of the holiday surrounding Jesus’ birth? Where does Jesus dwell in your life?

Mark 4:19 “The cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.”

How many let the greatest news in world history get lost and go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of worldly desires and pursuits? John 3:16-18a “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him.” People lose Jesus, but Jesus wasn’t lost. We have the opportunity to have a relationship with the Creator of the Universe! Who can say, “Where is my motivation?” Jesus, the Christ, the promised Messiah, the Son of God with us, has pay the price for our sins in His atoning sacrifice, offers and provides transformed hearts and lives unto life eternal in heaven. He alone is worthy of our praise and worship. May we grow spiritually in regular & faithful reading of the Word of God, a consistent prayer life, a humble and compassionate hand reflecting the loving and true light of Christ, and share our faith with others that do not know the Lord. More of the same does not bring change. Let's improve. Romans 8:31b "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Rejoice, God is with us! Now, let’s start living out our faith to the fullest in 2011.

Romans 12:10-13 “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”

Happy New Year – in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ – 2011
Brian