"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." Psalm 105:4
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Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
We don’t have to continue in our old ways. We don’t have to struggle and try to save ourselves. A Savior has been born to us. Through His death, Jesus did what we could never do. He brought us righteousness and life.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7
This Christmas season, take a few minutes to reflect on the fact that a Savior has been born to us. The angel’s message is one we need to hear every day of our lives.
Note: This is a fictitious story based on the account of the Magi in Matthew 2.
What were those magi thinking? Levi wondered to himself as he hurried home from the temple. He had passed a whole caravan of magi from the east who kept asking everyone they could find, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Surely these men were not implying that they thought the Messiah—the long awaited King of Israel—had been born? How would they know? They were pagans! Why would God reveal himself to them?
Yet the thought continued to trouble Levi, especially after King Herod summoned him and the other teachers of the law and asked them where the Christ—the Messiah—was to be born.
Levi knew the prophecy nearly as well as he knew his name. Micah, the very last Old Testament prophet, had said,
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2
Had this long-awaited King really arrived? The Magi obviously thought so. They immediately set out on their way to find the king they felt certain had been born. To their great delight, the star that had led them from a distant land showed the way once again.
At last, the Magi’s long journey came to an end. There, in his mothers lap, lay the infant King they had left their country, family, and friends and crossed miles of rough terrain to seek. These wise men bowed before the King, offering Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They had sought and found the King of kings.
Meanwhile, Levi and his fellow teachers of the law tried their best to forget about the Magi and their strange mission. They continued working in the temple and praying for a Deliverer, all the while missing out on God’s very Son.
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6
--By Cris Loop
This month, we have been looking at what it means to serve and love one another in light of Hebrews 10:19-25:
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (NASB)
God has made a way for us to serve and love in a new and living way, and His faithfulness enables us to do things differently. I’ve been asking myself: Am I living in the new way? Am I serving and loving in God's strength?
Serving is like all other areas of the Christian walk--a matter of the heart. Things may look the same on the outside, but there is a vast and eternal difference in the heart when we’re serving in God’s strength verses our own.
This heart difference can be seen in these two phrases: "have to" and "get to." Think about it--because God has done everything for us we don't really "have to" do anything. Yet, everyday, we "get to" do something. And what we do is important to God. How we respond to Him matters. God tells us that our faith and deeds should work together.
Recently I found myself asking the Lord, "do I have to?", and He reminded me of all the times my children had asked me, "do we have to do school today?" And of my response, "No, you get to do it!" God was saying I don't "have to"-- I "get to"! What a difference this thought has made for me! Although God is bringing some difficult things into my life, I am amazed at how much joy I have knowing I get to do what God has placed before me! It is still hard, I sometimes think in terms of have to, and I do not always walk it right, but God is slowly helping me think in terms of get to.
This month instead of thinking, I have to __________(fill the blank), try thinking I get to _______! It is sure to make a difference for you and your children!
A Savior has been born to you—
Let those words dispel all fear.
The prophets told of His arrival
And now He’s finally here!
A Savior has been born to you—
Oh, won’t you come and see?
The Mighty God, the Prince of Peace,
Immanuel—yes, it is He!
A Savior has been born to you—
Bringing joy for everyone.
Who will choose to trust Him?
For He the work has done!
Unless otherwise indicated, articles are written by Katherine Loop, © 2006. Feel free to pass these e-mails along to others in whole or part (please include a link to our website when you do). If you do not regularly receive Christian Perspective's monthly e-mails and updates and would like to receive them, please send your e-mail address to info@christianperspective.net or sign up on our website, www.christianperspective.net. If you would like to be removed from the e-mail list, simply let us know, and we will promptly remove you. We'd always love to hear from you. Drop us a line sometime and share with us your thoughts and suggestions.
Unless otherwise indicated, scripture taken from the Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Where marked NASB, scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.