Writing On Eagles Wings

Scripture: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” – James 1:17

Observation: James is explaining that true faith will yield good works, not the other way around. Our salvation is not dependent upon what we do, but is solely dependent upon God. It is a gift from the Lord, and once we accept that gift, we will desire to do works that will please God and share His love and message with others.

Application: One wonderful truth about God is that He is the same “yesterday, today and forever” as it is written in Hebrews 13:8. If we read something about God in the Bible, we can know without doubt that it is true. In our verse today, James reminds us of that. Additionally, he makes the statement that every good and perfect gift is given to us from our Father in heaven.

As we head into the new year, we will undoubtedly face challenges and struggles, but God will see us through each one. When our faith begins to weaken, He will strengthen us; when we are no longer sure of which path to walk, He will lead us; when we are brokenhearted, He will heal us. God is faithful to His children, and Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  

Sometimes it is very hard to see any good coming from the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the betrayal of a trusted friend, etc., but God sees the bigger picture, and He knows the eventual outcome. Since we know that all of God’s promises are true, we can know… even when we don’t feel it or see how… that God will ultimately make all things good.

James reminds us that there is “no variableness” with God. He doesn’t change His character mid-stream. Who He was when He created the world is the same that He is today and will be tomorrow! God says this about Himself in Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not;”

Sorrow and hopelessness darken our perspective, but James also reminds us that God is the Father of lights. It is His faithfulness and love that will brighten our hearts and souls as we go through this life on earth. We can have hope and peace knowing God continues to be in control, and His will for us is always the best. As the new year approaches, we can have confidence that no matter what lies ahead, God is with us and will see us through every challenge or struggle. Our hope is secure in the promises of God and the knowledge that “…with God all things are possible.” (Mark 1-:27).

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You for Your Word and its truths. I know that no matter what happens in my life or in this world, Your Word remains true, and I can depend on it always. As this new year approaches, I can rest in the truth that You have me securely in Your hand, and nothing will happen to me that You are not aware of. I trust that You will always make all things work out in my life to be in accordance with Your perfect will for me. That gives me such comfort, and I thank You for that. Help me to trust You more each day. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

God picked up a sparrow that could no longer fly
He brushed off his wounds and then watched it soar into the sky
If He's mindful of creation on this I can depend
I am His child and I can place all my trust in Him

I can trust Jesus, I can trust Jesus
He never once has failed to meet my needs
He is my strong tow'r, the strength in my weakest hour
I can trust Jesus, He takes care of me

(from “I Can Trust Jesus” by Gerald Douglas Crabb)

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“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” – Psalm 37:5

Scripture: “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:7

Observation: Paul wrote this book to Titus, one of his disciples. In it, he is explaining how the practice of our faith is a reflection of what we truly believe.

Application: Christmastime is sometimes referred to as “the season of giving”. Many people exchange gifts as a token of their affection for one another. People also tend to give more to charities during this time of year as well. When we think about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, our thoughts often go to the wise men who came to the young child with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They gave the best they could give as an act of worship. However, the best example we have of gift-giving is God Himself. From the depths of His heart to a lost and dying world, He gave the most precious gift of all… His beloved Son, Jesus. But like any gift, it only becomes yours when you accept it.

When there is a personal relationship between an individual and Jesus, there are so many gifts that come from the Lord. Here are just a few of the gifts that the heavenly Father gives to those who accept His Son as their Lord and Saviour.

1. Forgiveness – All of our sins, past, present, and future, are forgiven & forgotten!

• “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

2. Holy Spirit – The Spirit of God dwells within every believer 24/7 and will be with us forever!

• “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” – Acts 2:38

3. Peace – In a world of chaos, God’s peace is within every believer.

• “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” – Romans 5:1

4. Adoption – Becoming a part of God’s family and a joint-heir with Jesus happens when a person accepts Christ as Lord and Saviour.

• “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” – Romans 8:15-16

5. Eternal Life – Everlasting life in heaven is promised and begins immediately upon salvation!

• “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through   Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

Jesus is the Father’s Christmas gift that keeps on giving! That is certainly a reason to rejoice!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Christmas gift so many years ago! Thank You for all You’ve given me! I am so grateful and humbled that You would choose to come into my life and save me. Thank You that I am a joint-heir with You, and one day, I will see You face to face, when my faith becomes sight! I believe in my heart that it will not be long until You come and call Your children home! Thank You for Your peace that reigns in my heart and the hope I have in my soul! In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls o’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Peace, peace! wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.

What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away while the years of eternity roll.

Peace, peace! wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.

(from “Wonderful Peace” by W.D. Cornell)

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“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” – Titus 3:5-6

Scripture: “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 5:21

Observation: This chapter of Romans explains the reason for Jesus coming to mankind. It details the sinful state in which we exist and the hope that we gain through a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Application: As the Christmas season moves toward its conclusion, it is important to remember that the birth of Jesus is just the beginning of the story of God’s amazing grace. This first chapter of this divine story details the circumstances surrounding the virgin birth and the glorious revelation by the angels of the coming of humanity’s Saviour.

The second part of this story provides many incredible highlights of the life and ministry of Jesus. In the Scriptures, we read of how He lived without sin, how He revealed Himself through His miracles and teachings, how He loved everyone unconditionally regardless of social status, religious affiliations, personal wealth, intellect or power. He was the personification of God… the Word made flesh as it states in John 1:14. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

The third part of the story focuses on the death, burial, and glorious resurrection of Jesus! This is the gospel, and it is wherein our hope lies! Paul summarizes this in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Jesus was born to die as Matthew 20:28 states, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” The destiny of God’s precious Son took Him from the manger to the cross to the empty tomb and provided the gift of salvation to anyone who chooses to believe and accept Jesus as their personal Saviour! He made a way for you and me to be saved from our sins… to be “born again” into His family! Accepting Christ as one’s Saviour is the only way to be forgiven and reconciled to God.

As you reflect on Christmas, remember it’s not just history, but it is the first chapter of HIS story, and the rest is yet to come! By the way, I’ve read the last chapter, and the ending is absolutely amazing!

Prayer: O Father in heaven, Almighty God, Creator of the universe and all that is therein, Sustainer of all life, I praise Your name! Your mercy truly endures forever, and Your love is everlasting! I love Your Word and its promises! You are my hope, and I rejoice in God, my Saviour! Thank You for Christmas and what it means to me, my family, and so many others! You came to redeem Your people and save us all from our sins! Such love is unfathomable! Thank You so very much for Your goodness to me, Your mercy to me, and Your gift of salvation through Your precious Son. I know I am so unworthy… simply a sinner saved by Your amazing grace, and for that, I am eternally thankful, now and forever. In Jesus’ most holy precious name, I pray. Amen.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we first begun.

(from “Amazing Grace” by John Newton)

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“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” – Romans 5:10

Scripture: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” – Luke 2:14

Observation: In the quiet of the night, on a hillside just outside of the village of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds heard an announcement from heaven regarding the birth of the Saviour.

Application: The fulfillment of God’s plan for mankind’s redemption was set in motion by the birth of His only Son, Jesus. So incredible was this event that the angels rejoiced in the heavens! The shepherds watched in stunned silence as the angelic choir sang praises in the night sky!

It is impossible to ignore the truth that God truly loves us so much that He sent His only precious beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be the Saviour of the world! We have been given the best Christmas gift we could ever receive, but like any gift, it only becomes ours when we accept it.

The Bible explains so clearly why we should welcome the Saviour into our hearts.

1. We are all sinners and we need a Saviour!

• “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” – Romans 3:23

2. Our sin must be dealt with.

• “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

3. God loved us so much, He paid the debt we owed, but couldn’t pay.

• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

4. God made a way for us to be forgiven and saved from our sins.

• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” – Romans 10:9

5. God made His plan of salvation simple so anyone can be saved.

• “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13

God loves each one of us and wants a personal relationship with us. He sent His Son to be the One to reconcile us to Himself. It undeniably was, and continues to be, the very best Christmas gift you will ever be given!  

Today, we celebrate that glorious birth of long ago when the angel declared, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”(Luke 2:10-11) If you have never trusted in Christ as your Saviour, why not do so today? It will be the best Christmas you’ll ever have, and then you will be able to say from your heart, “Rejoice! The Saviour has come! Emmanuel! God with us!”

Merry Christmas!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, I celebrate You today! My heart rejoices in the truth that You loved Your creation so much You left heaven to become the Saviour of the world! Christmas is so much more when You are in the center of it! What unspeakable joy fills my soul to know that I am Yours, and You are mine! Thank You so much! Happy birthday! In Your precious name, I pray. Amen!

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing.
Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo.

(from “Angels We Have Heard on High” by James Chadwick)

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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

Scripture: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

Observation: In this chapter, Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, comes to visit Jesus under the cover of darkness. He seeks to understand who Jesus is and the meaning of His words.

Application: John 3:16 is perhaps the most familiar verse of the New Testament, and Christmas is its actualization. At the moment that God’s heart was broken in Eden, when Adam and Eve chose to disobey Him and brought sin into the world, God set in motion His plan to redeem all mankind.

Christmas Eve is a time to remember that plan. A young couple on their own sought a place of refuge to bring a baby into this world. Think of Mary and Joseph as they grasped the truth that this would be the night God’s Son would be born. They had no comfortable room in which to labor and deliver the baby, no one to help them through the birthing process, no one to calm their fears of how to care for a newborn. But they had their faith in God, and they trusted Him completely.

A few hours later, a baby’s soft cry would fill the night sky, and angels would be rejoicing in the shepherd’s fields. Joseph would prepare a manger to serve as a crib, filling it with fresh hay as Mary swaddled her newborn Son. Then, as baby Jesus slept in her arms, Mary would see Joseph welcome their first visitors.

A small group of excited shepherds would gather around the baby in awe, and with hushed whispers, they would tell their amazing story to the new parents. They would explain that their fears turned to astonishment upon hearing the angelic proclamation from heaven stating, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11). Imagine how Mary and Joseph must have felt hearing this confirmation from the shepherds. Perhaps they cast a knowing look at one another and simply smiled. Perhaps, to the shepherds’ delight, Mary quietly asked if they would like to hold the baby for a moment! Imagine the unspeakable joy of holding the newborn Saviour! Imagine that glorious night!

Christmas Eve ushered in a new dawn for humanity. It brought hope into the world. That hope was the Light of the World… Emmanuel… God with us!

Prayer: Dearest Father in heaven, thank You for Christmas Eve! Your precious Son left heaven to come to our world to save us! Your only Son would become the sacrifice for our sins so we could be reconciled with You forever! Thank You for the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph, whose faith reminds me that You are truly the faithful One. You are our Protector, our Deliverer, our Saviour! My heart sings with joy as I celebrate the birth of Your Son, Jesus… my Redeemer and Saviour! Hallelujah! Christ is born! In His precious name, I pray. Amen!

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child! Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, darkness flies, all is light;
Shepherds hear the angels sing, "Alleluia! hail the King!
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born."

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

(from “Silent Night” by Joseph Mohr & Franz Gruber)

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“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:7

Scripture: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” – Philippians 2:9

Observation: This chapter in Philippians describes the Lord Jesus Christ’s humble spirit as He willingly left the glory of heaven to become God’s servant and walk the road to the cross to save His creation.

Application: The Bible has many different names for Jesus. Some of them are very familiar, while others not so much. Here is a short list of some of the names of the One whom I call Lord.

• Messiah – One who is the promised Deliverer of Israel
  • “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:” – Romans 11:26
• Emmanuel – God with us
  • “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” -Matthew 1:23
• Christ – Anointed One
  • “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” – Acts 10:38
• Son of God – One who is of divine origin
  • “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” – 1 John 5:20
• Redeemer – One who pays a price (a ransom) to buy back or set free someone from bondage, debt, or oppression
  • “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” – Ephesians 1:7
• Saviour – One who delivers from spiritual death
  • “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11
• The Word – One who reveals Himself through the written Word of God
  • “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
• Lamb of God – One who is the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind
  • “And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” – John 1:36
• Light of the World – One who is the source of all spiritual truth
  • “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” – John 8:12
• The Way, the Truth, and the Life – One who is the sole path to God and eternal life
  • “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6
• Good Shepherd – One who cares for His people
  • “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11
• Lord – One who has supreme authority, divine power, and sovereignty
  • “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” – 2 Corinthians 4:5
• Jesus – The Lord is salvation
  • “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:23

This Christmas season, remember the sweet little baby, the precious Lamb of God, that came from heaven to become our Saviour, and rejoice with great thanksgiving for Jesus!

Prayer: O gracious Lord Jesus, Blessed Redeemer, my Prince of Peace and Saviour! How I love You and offer You my words of worship! Creator of all things, Master of the universe, I exalt You, O God! May Your name be lifted high and praised forever! I bow before You, O Lord, as humbly as I know how, and thank You for Your love and mercy that endureth forever! In Your name and with eternal gratitude, I pray. Amen and amen!

Master, Redeemer, Savior of the world
Wonderful, Counselor, Bright Morning Star
Lilly of the valley, Provider and Friend
He was yesterday, He'll be tomorrow
The Beginning and the End

But the Angel called Him Jesus
Born of a virgin
Mary called Him Jesus
But I call Him Lord!

(from “I Call Him Lord” by Mark Lowry)

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“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” – John 11:25

Scripture: “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” – 1 John 4:14

Observation: John is writing as an eyewitness to all the events in which he was a part in Jesus’ ministry. Here he is proclaiming Jesus as our Saviour!

Application: During the Christmas season, much of the world focuses on the religious aspects of the holiday. There are many nativity scenes on display where we see Mary, Joseph, and the baby in the manger. Some include shepherds and wise men worshiping in the stable area with the new family. We hear many beloved Christmas hymns playing throughout the month of December wherever we go, and of course, there are endearing Christmas plays performed in many schools and churches that bring the joy of season close to home. But there is much more about Christmas that we must consider and cherish in our hearts always.

John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Christmas happened for a very specific reason. That reason was to provide redemption for the sins of humanity. God’s plan of redemption for His creation necessitated His own Son, Jesus Christ, to be born as a baby, live His life without sin, and ultimately sacrifice Himself on a cruel Roman cross. There is nothing we could do ourselves to purchase our salvation. It is only the precious sinless blood of Jesus shed on that cross that could settle the sin-debt mankind owed. Hebrews 9:22 explains, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” In order for us to be saved from the eternal punishment we deserved for our sins, Jesus had to be born… to die.

This Christmas as you gather with family and friends, opening presents and enjoying time together, take a moment to remember that the manger was merely the first step on a long road that would culminate at Calvary, and rejoice! Why? Because without Christmas, there would be no Calvary. And without Calvary, we would never have the opportunity be forgiven of our sins and live eternally with the Saviour that John so boldly proclaimed!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for sending Your Son, Jesus, to us! Thank You for Christmas, when I can celebrate His birth, and the great love You have for me and all people. You sent Jesus to become our Saviour. You sent Him knowing He would die on the cross one day to shed His precious blood to redeem us all. I haven’t enough words to express my gratitude for all You have done, but I lift my voice and my heart to You in worship and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ precious, sweet, holy name, I pray. Amen.

On the night Christ was born, just before break of morn,
As the stars in the sky were fading,
O’er the place where He lay, fell a shadow cold and gray
Of a cross that would humble a King.

Born to die upon Calv’ry,
Jesus suffered my sin to forgive;
Born to die upon Calv’ry,
He was wounded that I might live.

(from “Born to Die” by Ron Hamilton)

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“Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:” – Acts 13:23

Scripture: “And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” – John 1:36

Observation: John the Baptist was sent by God to be His messenger preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah. Mark 1:3 describes him as “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” When John saw Jesus approaching the Jordan river for baptism, he declared Jesus to be the “Lamb of God”.

Application: Passover is the Jewish celebration and remembrance of God’s salvation of His people from Egyptian bondage. During the first Passover, God instructed the Israelites to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb in order for the angel of death to “pass over” their homes. There were very specific instructions as to the type of lamb that could be slain. It is no coincidence that there are several amazing parallels between Jesus and the Passover lamb.

1. First, the Passover lamb had to be “without spot or blemish”.

•  “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year…” – Exodus 12:5
• Jesus was without sin; He was the perfect Son of God “without spot or blemish”.
  •  “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21

2. Second, the blood of the Passover lamb saved the Israelites from God’s judgment.

• “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” – Exodus 12:13
• It is the blood of Christ that became the offering to God for the sins of the world.
  • “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” – Ephesians 1:7

3. The Passover lamb was slain to provide redemption and salvation for the Israelites.

• “That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.” – Exodus 12:27
• Jesus was slain on the cross, and His death purchased salvation for everyone.
  • “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24

4. The Passover lamb provided freedom from Egyptian slavery.

• “I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” – Deuteronomy 5:6
• Jesus frees us from the bondage of sin when we accept Him as our Saviour.
  • “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” – Galatians 5:1

When John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God”, these were not just idle words. The words spoken had great significant to the Jewish people. As the Lamb of God, Jesus would become the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the entire world.

This Christmas, take time to thank God for His precious gift… His own beloved Son who became “…the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Jesus, Your beloved Son to become the sacrifice for my sins. He bled and died on that cross for me, so I could be forgiven. Thank You for the gift of Your great love that provided salvation and eternal life for me. I pray that You will help me to never take that for granted, and I will have the boldness to share this “Christmas gift” with others. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Your only Son, no sin to hide,
But you have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God

Oh Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God,
I love the holy Lamb of God.
O wash me in His precious blood.
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

(from “Lamb of God” by Twila Paris)

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“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” – Revelation 5:12

Scripture: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Observation: Throughout this book, John reveals the divinity of Jesus. He begins with a simple declaration of who Jesus is before continuing his narrative on the life and ministry of Christ.

Application: The celebration of Christmas is more than just a joyous occasion to recognize the birth of a baby named Jesus. The significance of His birth begins with the realization of who Jesus actually is. John made that very clear. He begins his book stating, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (1:1) We begin to get a glimpse of the second person of the Trinity in this statement… the Word was WITH God, and the Word IS God. In today’s verse, we see the Word becoming human and living with mankind. Because of the biblical writings of Matthew and Luke, we know that Jesus, the Son of God, was born of a virgin and lived as a man for approximately 33 years. Thus, when we read John’s writings, we can know with certainty that the Word to whom he refers IS Jesus.

With this understanding, we read in the first few verses the truth that Jesus is God. He is the Creator. He is eternal. Jesus was more than a baby born to die. Jesus was God Himself who chose to leave the glory of heaven, be born as a human baby, live among us… showing us God in the flesh… and then sacrificing Himself on the cross for our sins to provide for us eternal life with Him if we so chose. All we have to do is believe and accept!

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? That’s because it is! God’s plan of salvation does not involve tasks that we must perform to prove ourselves to God. It does not require us to memorize and recite specific prayers. It does not demand that we find ways to atone for our sins ourselves. It does not require any work on our part. The Bible… the WORD… gives us the way to salvation in Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Ephesians 2:8-9 explain it clearly, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

When you put your faith in Christ, in who He is and what He did for you, He will forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. His sweet Holy Spirit will come to reside in your heart and your soul will have the peace of God that passes all understanding! Jesus will be with you now and forever as your Lord and Saviour! This is the reason we celebrate Christmas! Emmanuel! God with us!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, Blessed Redeemer, Saviour of my soul, how I praise Your holy name! Thank You for coming to us and living among us showing us God. Thank You for dying for us and providing salvation to anyone who calls upon Your name! Thank You for the promise of everlasting life through You! You are my hope! You are my joy! You are my peace, and I lift up Your holy name! Blessed be the name of the Lord! Amen and amen!!

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.

(from “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” by E.S. Elliot)

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“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” – John 1:12

Scripture: “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:” – Matthew 2:14

Observation: Joseph was instructed by God to take Mary and the baby Jesus to Egypt in order to escape Herod’s mandate to kill all babies two years old and younger. The tyrant did this to eradicate any threat to his own throne from the birth of the “King of the Jews” of whom the magi spoke. This was the fulfillment of a prophecy made by the “weeping prophet” six centuries earlier.

Application: Approximately 600 years before the birth of Christ, Jeremiah was inspired by God to write these words, “Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.” (Jeremiah 31:15). The Old Testament connection most likely refers to the nation mourning its Babylonian captivity, however, there is also a New Testament prophetic connection.

Matthew tells us that Jeremiah is also prophetically writing in regard to the lamenting of the mothers whose babies would be slain. “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” (Matthew 2:17-18). The fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy was twofold foretelling the weeping in Judea from the slaughter of the babies and the great sorrow experienced when God’s children were forced into captivity under Nebuchadnezzar.

God’s plan of salvation for all mankind necessitated a “once-and-for-all” sacrifice that only His Son could complete. God knew He would need to protect Jesus centuries before the actual physical threat arose as Satan had been consistently trying to thwart God’s plan to reconcile mankind to Himself since Eden. God’s plan for Jesus could not and would not be stopped by Satan.

This is the same for you and me. As we go through life, we face struggles that shake our faith and threaten to draw us away from God, but He walks with us through every heartache, every hardship, every sorrow and upholds us with His mighty hand. God promises in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy in God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” With God by our side, we will emerge from the tunnel of despair victorious and moving forward in His plan for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” We can have sweet peace regardless of the circumstances when we walk with God.

Remember, we all began as a thought in the mind of God, and from that moment, He had a plan for each one of us. No matter how much Satan wants to pull us away from that plan, if we have trusted Christ as our Saviour, we are held firmly in the hand of God. Jesus affirmed that in John 10:29, “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” Like a gift wrapped in beautiful paper, we are wrapped up in the mighty and loving hand of God! That is a reason to rejoice this Christmas season!

Prayer: Father God, how wonderful to know that I am held securely in Your hand! Such blessed assurance to know that whatever I face in this life, I do not face alone because You are with me. Even when I feel alone, I am not. You have promised to never leave me, and You have promised to do a good work in me! I am so blessed to be Your child! The best Christmas present I ever received was Jesus! It truly is the gift that keeps on giving! Thank You for Your great love! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

I heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat of peace of earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, of peace on earth, good will to men.

(from “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by Henry W. Longfellow)

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“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.” – Psalm 5:11