Messiah: could you ever imagine that a baby could save the world? Well we know when we look at the bible that this happened. Jesus came as the messiah, which means promised deliver. He came to save His people from there sins Mathew 1:21. Jesus came to change hearts.
Did you know that the people Jesus came for wanted Him to be something different? Have you ever looked at a present and thought it was something amazing and inside it was just pajamas or socks? Well these people wanted a King to fix all their problems but what they needed was a savior to pay for and forgive their sins. These people were not happy with Jesus because he was not a warrior King.
We know why Jesus came because the Bible tells us, to save his people from their sins. Have you been saved from your sins? Do you want Jesus to be something he is not? Jesus is not a magic genie where you can make wishes and they come true. Jesus is the God of the universe who came as a baby to save people from their sins. He was what the world needed but not what they wanted. When you look at the Christmas tree or you look at baby Jesus in the manger ask yourself what do you want from Jesus, and then ask does that fit with what He came to do?
The question to ponder: How does knowing the Messiahs true meaning help to prepare your heart for the day we celebrate Jesus birth?
Monday, December 21, 2009
Advent: Immanuel
Immanuel: What an amazing name for Jesus. The angel said this was to be His name because it means God with us, you can find it in Matthew 1:23. God desires relationship with us. He wants to be with us. When you look at the beginning and God was spending time with Adam and Eve in the garden it must have been wonderful. Man’s sin changed this relationship until we look at the end of the story and see God dwelling with man in heaven. God knew this end would not happen apart from Jesus. That is why Jesus had to come as a baby to be with us, to live the life we could not live and to die the death we could not die so we could one day dwell with God forever.
Did you know you could have God with you now? Jesus was on earth for 33 years, Immanuel, God with us was here only a short time but God had a plan for us to have Him all the time. Did you know it was through a gift that we could have God all the time? When Jesus was telling His disciples he was going to leave they were sad that they would not have God with them anymore. Jesus told them not to be sad but that something better was coming, and that something is the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of men. God knew he was going to be with us, through the Holy Spirit. What a wonderful
picture of God with us always.
When you think about the presents under the tree you can think about the gift that God gave you in the Holy Spirit if you follow Him. What must it have been like to here Jesus say there is something better coming than Him? What a joy to know God did not leave us empty but He gave the Holy Spirit.
The question to ponder: How does having Immanuel with you help to prepare your heart for the day we celebrate Jesus birth?
Did you know you could have God with you now? Jesus was on earth for 33 years, Immanuel, God with us was here only a short time but God had a plan for us to have Him all the time. Did you know it was through a gift that we could have God all the time? When Jesus was telling His disciples he was going to leave they were sad that they would not have God with them anymore. Jesus told them not to be sad but that something better was coming, and that something is the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of men. God knew he was going to be with us, through the Holy Spirit. What a wonderful
picture of God with us always.
When you think about the presents under the tree you can think about the gift that God gave you in the Holy Spirit if you follow Him. What must it have been like to here Jesus say there is something better coming than Him? What a joy to know God did not leave us empty but He gave the Holy Spirit.
The question to ponder: How does having Immanuel with you help to prepare your heart for the day we celebrate Jesus birth?
Monday, December 14, 2009
Advent: Love
Love: Love is an amazing word. It is a word the Bible uses to describe why Jesus came as a baby. Did you know that we celebrate love on Christmas? We celebrate the love that God had for His people that he would send His son to die. Think about John 3:16 for God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Wow what a verse, did hear all the Love that was in that verse.
The Bible tells us in 1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. The true Love of Christmas is that Jesus would give himself for us. God knew when he was sending his only son that we would have to die. This love is big and real and so wonderful that God would give his child for us.
On Christmas we celebrate the birth of a baby who would one day die for us. We celebrate the love of God for His people. We celebrate the amazing gift of Jesus. When we think of Love we should automatically have Jesus come to mind. Love is such a wonderful word because it is a word that describes our Gods affection and attention towards us.
Take some time this year when you wake up on Christmas to think about the Love that was given for you, the birth of a baby who would grow up to die so that we could be forgiven and made new. God knows how to give good gifts and what better way to celebrate Christmas then to remember and think about the best gift ever given.
The question to ponder: How is the true love of God helping to prepare your heart for the day we celebrate Jesus birth?
The Bible tells us in 1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. The true Love of Christmas is that Jesus would give himself for us. God knew when he was sending his only son that we would have to die. This love is big and real and so wonderful that God would give his child for us.
On Christmas we celebrate the birth of a baby who would one day die for us. We celebrate the love of God for His people. We celebrate the amazing gift of Jesus. When we think of Love we should automatically have Jesus come to mind. Love is such a wonderful word because it is a word that describes our Gods affection and attention towards us.
Take some time this year when you wake up on Christmas to think about the Love that was given for you, the birth of a baby who would grow up to die so that we could be forgiven and made new. God knows how to give good gifts and what better way to celebrate Christmas then to remember and think about the best gift ever given.
The question to ponder: How is the true love of God helping to prepare your heart for the day we celebrate Jesus birth?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Advent: joy
Joy: What makes you happy? Christmas makes me happy; music makes me happy, what a wonderful feeling to be happy. Can you think of something that can make you happy forever? I think the only answer that can truly fit for that question is Jesus. Joy is one of the best emotions and feelings that God could have given us.
One of the Christmas songs that we have sung for a long time is Joy to the World. What a great title. I love this song because it says that happiness has come to the world because Jesus came to the world. Jesus came into the world to be the savior of the world. He came to bring life, to wake up our dead hearts and make them work. Jesus is the true picture of Joy.
When we think of Christmas joy we think of family, friends and presents and to tell you the truth they do bring Joy but not the Joy to the world joy we are talking about.
The true Joy is in Jesus coming as a baby to be our Savior to be our King. True happiness that we can be saved from our sins and be able to live for Jesus here on the earth. The angels in Luke 2:10 tell us that this Joy is great and will be for all the people. Christmas songs should have a wonderful new meaning to us when we think about the Joy that we can have because Jesus came as a baby.
When you spend time with your family this year at Christmas be happy enjoy them but know that the greatest Joy is in knowing Jesus as your savior. Think about what it would look like to be happy and joyful everyday because you remember what Jesus gave for you.
The question to ponder: How is true joy helping to prepare your heart for the day we celebrate Jesus birth?
One of the Christmas songs that we have sung for a long time is Joy to the World. What a great title. I love this song because it says that happiness has come to the world because Jesus came to the world. Jesus came into the world to be the savior of the world. He came to bring life, to wake up our dead hearts and make them work. Jesus is the true picture of Joy.
When we think of Christmas joy we think of family, friends and presents and to tell you the truth they do bring Joy but not the Joy to the world joy we are talking about.
The true Joy is in Jesus coming as a baby to be our Savior to be our King. True happiness that we can be saved from our sins and be able to live for Jesus here on the earth. The angels in Luke 2:10 tell us that this Joy is great and will be for all the people. Christmas songs should have a wonderful new meaning to us when we think about the Joy that we can have because Jesus came as a baby.
When you spend time with your family this year at Christmas be happy enjoy them but know that the greatest Joy is in knowing Jesus as your savior. Think about what it would look like to be happy and joyful everyday because you remember what Jesus gave for you.
The question to ponder: How is true joy helping to prepare your heart for the day we celebrate Jesus birth?
16 Daddy tips for Christmas:From Mark Driscoll
’Tis the season for Dad to drop the holiday ball, stress out as the money is being spent for presents, and miss yet another providential opportunity to lovingly lead his family. So, this blog is intended to help dads not fall into the same old rut of holiday humdrum, sitting on the couch watching football and eating carbs, but rather intentionally plan out the upcoming holiday season. Our children grow quickly and if we miss the sacred moments God opens up for us to connect with and bless our families, everyone suffers and we set in motion generations of missed opportunity.
Dad needs...
1. a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?
2. to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family. In Seattle it’s here.
3. to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?
4. to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?
5. to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?
6. to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?
7. to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?
8. to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?
9. to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?
10. to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?
11. to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?
12. to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?
13. to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?
14. to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?
15. to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?
16. to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?
Dad needs...
1. a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?
2. to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family. In Seattle it’s here.
3. to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?
4. to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?
5. to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?
6. to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?
7. to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?
8. to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?
9. to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?
10. to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?
11. to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?
12. to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?
13. to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?
14. to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?
15. to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?
16. to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?
Monday, December 7, 2009
Advent: Peace
Peace: Do you ever feel worried or scared? Do you not know where to find peace? What is peace? Is it no more war? Is it quiet and stillness? Well yes it is both of these things but it is so much more when it is the peace that comes from Jesus.
When we sing Christmas songs we see this word a lot. Why is that? Well when Jesus came into the world it had been at war against evil and darkness. When Jesus came he said that the kingdom of God was here. Jesus came to end the war; He came to bring peace, peace unlike anything that had ever been seen before. Jesus was coming to make things right. He came to save people from there sins and to give them the peace of God.
This is not just world peace, which will come when Jesus returns but this is inside peace. This peace that we sing about is the peace that God gives to His children. This peace means we do not need to worry or be scared and that we can be comforted and loved forever by God. When we have the peace of God we do not care how the world looks at us because we know what God thinks of us and He loves us.
The angels when the came to the shepherds told them: “ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. (Luke2:14)” No one had heard this before it was all new. God giving peace to His people through Jesus what an amazing gift and how special to experience Gods love this way.
The question to ponder: How is true peace in Jesus helping to prepare your heart for the day we celebrate Jesus birth?
When we sing Christmas songs we see this word a lot. Why is that? Well when Jesus came into the world it had been at war against evil and darkness. When Jesus came he said that the kingdom of God was here. Jesus came to end the war; He came to bring peace, peace unlike anything that had ever been seen before. Jesus was coming to make things right. He came to save people from there sins and to give them the peace of God.
This is not just world peace, which will come when Jesus returns but this is inside peace. This peace that we sing about is the peace that God gives to His children. This peace means we do not need to worry or be scared and that we can be comforted and loved forever by God. When we have the peace of God we do not care how the world looks at us because we know what God thinks of us and He loves us.
The angels when the came to the shepherds told them: “ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. (Luke2:14)” No one had heard this before it was all new. God giving peace to His people through Jesus what an amazing gift and how special to experience Gods love this way.
The question to ponder: How is true peace in Jesus helping to prepare your heart for the day we celebrate Jesus birth?
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