Now and again we’re all bound to feel hurt by others. However, God doesn’t want us to be trapped by the hurts we’ve suffered. Nor does He want us to be so crushed by our experiences that we feel worthless. Those who know the Savior will find comfort, healing, and trust in the Father’s love. Then, painful experiences can make us more like Jesus so we can glorify Him with our responses.
Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, March 18, 2022.
Wishing each of you special joy as you celebrate this most special birthday today!
Jesus, the only Savior, is both the birthday boy and the gift.
If you can, close your eyes and lose yourself in this amazing version of O Holy Night, by John Berry:
A gift, by God’s grace alone. Not by man’s will, but by God’s will alone.
~Colossians 1:19-23~
Man is reconciled to God when God restores man to a right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. This text does not teach that, as a result, all will believe; rather it teaches that all will ultimately submit.
Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Colossians 1:20.
~Colossians 1:19-23~
Man is reconciled to God when God restores man to a right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. This text does not teach that, as a result, all will believe; rather it teaches that all will ultimately submit.
Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Colossians 1:20.
What about where I live, and where you live?
Enjoying the moment would be all that mattered if death were the end of it all. Living as if God does not exist would also be no problem if that were the case. Those who accept Jesus as their Savior know that there is life beyond the grave and that our life on earth is only a preparation for our life that does not end. What you do today matters eternally. In light of eternity, sin and defiance is a foolish game. How foolish? It is a game that cannot be won.
Revelation 12:5
Many people go through the motions of the holidays, buying gifts, baking cookies, and sending Christmas cards; but after it is all said and done, they are left with a longing in their heart, a vast emptiness that was not filled by all the merriment of the season. December becomes a month in which credit cards and stress levels are maxed out. And though precious memories are made on Christmas morning, there is no lasting meaning for the celebration.
For Christians however, Christmas is a time to celebrate and rejoice that Jesus came down in the form of a baby and brought salvation to an undeserving world. Today, focus your thoughts on the only true and lasting meaning of Christmas, that Christ came down from heaven to bring us gifts that remain even after the day is over: hope, peace, and love.
Wishing each of you the merriest Christmas this year!
Portions of commentary from David Jeremiah’s Pathways Devotional, December 25.
-Word- pictures by DLink 