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Bible

In The Beginning

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Where have you seen Gods power?In the beginning God created. . . (NIV) Genesis 1:1

The story of creation gives perspective to the Biblical story as a whole. And although Genesis 1 and 2 may appear to be different accounts of creation, they actually stand in a complementary relationship to one another as they reveal the supernatural and the personal natures of God.

Two different Hebrew names are used for God in the first 2 chapters of the Bible. . . “Elohim” in Genesis 1, which conveys the idea of power and transcendence. . . and “Yahweh” or “Jehovah” is used beginning in Genesis 2:4, which conveys the idea of mercy and compassion, implying His immanence and His personal concern for man. Therefore, when the 2 stories are viewed together, we see God who is transcendent over His creation (Genesis 1) . . . and God who is personally involved (immanent) in it (Genesis 2).

When was the last time that you saw God’s power demonstrated in your life? When you think about God does it bring a sense of awe of who He is? A deep reverence? How do you see God as an active presence in your life? How often during the day do you think about Him? Converse with Him?

The same God who had enough power to create and give life, has the power to change any circumstance, any impossible situation and any person! And the same God who was personally concerned with Adam and Eve, is actively concerned and involved in your life. He knows your past, your present and your future. He knows what you need right now. He knows your thoughts. . . and He still loves you with an everlasting love!

Read through the Bible in a Year

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Revealing God to Man

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. . . he had come from God and was returning to God; (NIV) John 13:3

“For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (NIV) John 12:49-50

“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.” (NIV) John 8:42

“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (NIV) John 5:19

Prior to Christ’s birth, God spoke “through the prophets at many times and in various ways,” (Hebrews 1:1). But, it was through Jesus incarnation that we see the exact representation of God’s being (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus knew that His Father “had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God” (John 13:3). And now with the physical presence of Jesus removed from the earth, WE, as Christians, are called to complete Christ’s mission. . . to continue to reveal God to the world.

Are you doing the will of the One (God) who has sent you? Are you speaking what the Father tells you to say? or are you words of your own choosing? Are you doing what Jesus would do if He were in your shoes? How are you representing God? What does your life reveal about God? Throughout today remember that you are the living representative of the Almighty God for those around you!

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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The Greatest Gift of All

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For God so loved. . .

  • His love is immutable, incomprehensible, immeasurable, impartial, and irresistible.
  • His love is a source of strength and a stronghold in times of trouble.
  • His love is faithful, flowing, fulfilling, final, forgiving, and forever.
  • His love never relinquishes, never fails, never disappoints, and never forsakes.
  • His love is unconditional, uncontainable, undeniable, unchangeable, unparalleled, and unprecedented.

For God so loved the world. . .

  • He loved all men, all women, all children, all personalities, all races, all ages, and all nationalities.

For God so loved the world that He gave. . .

  • His gift reconciles, redeems, and rescues.
  • His gift is an act of grace and an act of mercy.
  • His gift is undeserved and irresistible.
  • His gift is grounded in His love.
  • He gave His very best, sacrificially — He gave His Son.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. . .

  • His only Son:  The Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, Christ!
  • His only Son:  The Faithful and True, the Great High Priest, the Holy One of God, Immanuel!
  • His only Son:  The Lamb of God, Messiah!
  • His only Son:  The Prince of Peace, the Ransom for many, the Suffering Servant, Savior!
  • His only Son. . .Jesus!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes. . .

  • All who believe bear His Name and are adopted into His family.
  • All who believe are near to God, are new creations in Christ, and have God’s Spirit living within them.
  • All who believe have peace and riches in Christ and are strong and transformed in Christ.
  • All who believe are forgiven and saved.
  • All who believe have eternal life and a hope for tomorrow.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  (John 3:16)

  • All who believe have victory over death in Christ, a hope and an inheritance, and eternal life with God.
  • Heaven will be the city of the Living God, a better and lasting possession, an eternal inheritance, the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom that cannot be shaken, the Kingdom of God and Christ, and the paradise of God Almighty.
  • In Heaven we will enjoy complete moral purity and divine sustenance, and will be free from sin and death.
  • We will have glorified bodies, immortality, and joy beyond measure.
  • All our needs will be satisfied, we will share in Christ’s Glory, we will be like Christ, and we will have intimate, eternal fellowship with God, with Christ, and with those who love Him.

This Christmas, join me in focusing on our God, the Greatest Gift-Giver of all, who gave the Greatest Gift to all. . .Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas!

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The Light of Men

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In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (NIV) John 1:4 & 9

During Christmas time in America the lights are on. Decorations dot the landscape that are ablaze with light. As we approach our fourth week of advent, we anticipate the arrival of the Light of the World. And yet how many people are truly “a-light” with Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. Whoever follows Him “will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (John 3:19-20)

Jesus said: “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”  (John 12:46)

Jesus said: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  (John 9:5)

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; (John 11:25)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14:6)

Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.”  (John 6:47)

There is no greater love than the love we see in God sending His Son to become man. . . and to lay down His life for His friends, for us. In Jesus is life, and that life is the light of men. As Christmas approaches share that Light today with someone who is in the darkness.

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Forever Faithful

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Christ will be the incarnate God –
Prophecy: Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (NIV)

Fulfillment: Matthew 1:23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”– which means, “God with us.” (NIV)

Christ will be a descendant of Abraham –
Prophecy – Genesis 12:3; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 22:18 Genesis 18:18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. (NIV) Genesis 22:18″. . . and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (NIV)

Fulfillment – Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:8, 16 Galatians 3:16  The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. (NIV)

A Prayer: Father, as I work through some of the prophecies concerning Jesus’ birth, I am amazed at the specifics which You gave…and fulfilled. You planned all of it in such a precise manner and fulfilled it to the letter. You are faithful to Your Word. Nothing changes Your plans. When You speak, nothing changes what You say…and therefore, I can rest assured that what You say will happen in my life, will occur. . . Your promises are sure!

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Symbols of Christmas: Candy Canes

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The candy cane was first made by a candymaker from Indiana, USA, who wanted it to be a witness to Christ. He started with a stick of white, hard candy. White which symbolizes purity, pointed to the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Christ. The hardness or firmness of the candy symbolized the firmness God’s promises. The shape of the candy, a “J,” represents the name of Jesus, and also depicts the Good Shepherds staff. The red stripes in the candy, symbolize Jesus’ blood shed on the cross, and the stripes of scourging He received prior to His crucifixion. The candymaker incorporated symbols of Jesus’ birth, and His life and death.

Although today’s candymakers and supermarkets look at the candy cane as another money maker at Christmas time, God continues to give us reminders of His Son’s purpose here on earth. Are you losing site of Christ as we come closer to the celebration of His birth? What do you need to do today to give Him His rightful place at Christmas? Reflect on the purity of His character? Claim the firmness of God’s promises? Proclaim the Good News of the gospel to a neighbor? Rest in your Good Shepherd’s arms? Accept His death on the cross as payment for your sins? How will you live out Jesus Christ for those around you today?

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The Straight Way To Our Hearts

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John the Baptist prepared the Jews for the coming of the Messiah. John’s message was: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him” (Mark 1:3). So we should prepare by “making straight the way to our hearts,” so that we are prepared to worship Christ who gives us His graces of life and freedom.

Are you prepared to worship Christ this Christmas? Or have you been so enveloped in the tasks to do. . . the presents to buy. . . the parties to attend. . . that your heart’s “focus” is on other things and other people? This year I have made a commitment to re-commitment – I am determined that each time my focus gets distracted, that I will re-focus on Christ. I want this to be the most worshipful Christmas that I’ve had in a long time, but my heart needs to “be prepared” each day to worship Emmanuel!

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (NIV) Zephaniah 3:17

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A Gift That Makes A Difference

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If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (NIV) I Jn 3:17-18

A part of the Christmas celebration in America is gift giving. Throughout the years I have given gifts to each of my nieces and nephews. For years I have felt like the central message of the Christmas story, God giving us His Son, has been greatly diminished as I hunt for gift ideas.

A few years ago my gift giving changed…instead of giving gifts that others don’t really need, I had them choose what gifts they want to give the children in Africa. The money I would normally use to buy gifts I used to help needy kids in South Africa and Lesotho in honor of those at home that I loved.

Here are a few ideas for special gifts for some very special children:

  • School Shoes:  $20
  • School Jumper:  $30
  • School Pant:  $20

We purchase the items and distribute them directly to those who are the neediest. Would you prayerfully consider adding a gift this year for a child in South Africa or Lesotho?

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