Colossians 1:15-17; Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can and the things we can’t see- such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.
He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Christ is born, so what does that mean to us? First and foremost, God keeps his promises. The prophets foretold of a coming Savior and God did not disappoint, but more than that He fulfilled in us the security we need to have hope, be filled with Joy and be at peace. The love of God accomplished this in the birth of Christ.
Hope; What is Hope? A trust, a reliance; a desire with the expectation of or belief that it will happen. What is True Hope? True hope can only be found in something or someone who has the power and authority to change things. Where do we find True Hope? True Hope is found in no one else but Jesus Christ!
Joy; What is Joy? Joy is what we have inside us when our priorities are in line with God’s direction. Joy is not happiness. Joy is not circumstantial; It does not matter where we are, what is going on around us or who is with us. Joy is present; When we have God first in our lives; When we put others above ourselves; When we humble ourselves and serve others instead of serving ourselves.
John 14:27; Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Peace; Where can we find Peace? Lasting Peace is impossible without Christ, man knows no peace apart for Christ. Christ came so that we might have peace. Peace is the eternal security that comes from a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Love; One of the most difficult things to grasp is the love that God has for us. First off, we have done nothing to deserve it; that is difficult for us to understand because we live in a world that doesn’t provide love/value to each other unless we earn it. What we were powerless to do God did for us. Love initiated actions by God to atone for our shortcomings through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
God’s desire is for his creation to live with him, that is what he created us for, fellowship with Him. God does not desire that we are separated from him, but he does not force us to have a relationship with him. He made the sacrifice that was necessary to remove any obstacle that we put in place that separated us.
Only one thing that can separate us from God, free will. God does not desire that we are separated from him, but he does not force us to have a relationship with him. Christ made the sacrifice that was necessary to remove any obstacle that we put in place that separated us. We, however, can still choose to be estranged from God.
We must receive the gift that God offers out of love for us. We must put the corrupt desires of our old self to death and live through the guidance of the love of God, manifested in Jesus. Our lives become not our own, but a life lived for the benefit of others.
What then shall we do? How shall we respond?
Philippians 2:5-8; You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Let me encourage you to start the new year off right, seek God while He can be found, accept the gift He offers and live life in the Hope, Joy and Peace that only knowing Christ as our Savior can bring! Happy New Year!
Until next time, God Bless and Thank You.
