New creations

I am reading through the Bible in a year, using the M'Cheney Bible reading system.  Today one of the readings was from 2 Corinthians 5, a very appropriate reading coming into a new year.    Paul writes: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation."   People look forward to a new beginning in the new year.  What Paul is saying is that we daily have a new beginning, in the waters of our Baptism.   In Baptism the old has passed away and God creates in us to be His new people, living for Him daily.  So while the world looks forward to a new year, the Christian can not only look forward to a new year but a new day, everyday, in Jesus.

The Resurrection at Christmas

I received word of a death of a member's father yesterday.   What a sad time for the family.   Years ago my Grandma McCormick died on Christmas Day in 1963.   It was a sad time for my mother and rest of my family.    As I thought about families who have loved ones die during the holidays, it is indeed a sad, difficult time.  So many mixed emotions.   And yet, we can have joy because of Jesus.  For the message of Christmas is the God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son to be our Savior.   Christ came to live, die and rise again so that all who believe in Him will rise with Him and live forever with HIm.   Because of Jesus we can have joy in the midst of sadness.  Christ was born, He lived, He died, He has risen. Thanks be to God.

Giving thanks from generation to generation

I was struck by the words of Psalm 79:13, "But we your people the sheep of your pasture will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise."   This Psalm was a lament over Israel.  Babylon had laid waste to the place where God's people dwelt.  God's people were mocked for believing in God.   And yet, the Psalmist remains steadfast and immoveable in his trust in the Lord.   God's people will praise God forever, no matter the circumstance, because God's people continually return to the Lord.   God is always reliable and trustworthy.   In the midst of trial and tribulation, may God keep us in His grace, immoveable in Christ, waiting on Him to help us in time of need.

I am Yours, save me

In the Luther' films, depicting Luther in his life struggles, Luther is heard to be praying the words of Psalm 119:94: "I am yours, save me."   Luther put his hope in the Lord, who saved him by sending His Son Jesus Christ.   It would do us well to look at the verses preceding and following verse 94.  The Psalmist delights in the Lord and His Word, he calls upon the Lord in his trouble by trusting in God's Word.   He takes God at His Word, and in a paraphrase of Luther, the Psalmist reminds God of His promises.   What a model for our prayer life.   Read God's Word, delight in that Word, and then pray God's Word back to God, trusting in God's Word and promises, for this is what God calls us to do.

So What's the Point?

I picked  up a book to read over the Christmas season.  It is titled: "The First Days of Jesus: The Story of the Incarnation."  I have only read the first couple of chapters but it is a very interesting read, the point of the book is that Jesus really did come down from heaven to be our Savior.   The authors carefully read the texts of the Bible, in this case Matthew's and Luke's account of Christmas, to flesh out the details of Christ's birth.  The birth of Jesus really took place.  It happened in history.  And that is the point of Christmas, that Jesus really was born, He lived, died, and rose again all to fulfill the Scriptures and promises of God that He would deal mercifully with His people.  And He has.   For to us a Child is born.  His name is Jesus, and He saves people from their sins.

Faith or no faith?

I was struck by God's Words to Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 7: If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all."   Faith requires taking a stance, trusting in God and His Word and Promises.  If you are not firm in the faith, you faith will be tossed around like the wind.  But if you have faith, you stand on the Lord's promises.   On Christ the solid Rock I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand.

God is on our side

As we approach the Christmas season, one of the themes that sticks me is God with us, Emmanuel.  God is with us and for us.  He is on our side.  He is not out to get us, rather He deals with us in love.   Psalm 30 says: With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes."   God was the ever present help of old for the people of Israel.  He was the ever present help for the people of the New Testament.  He alone is our ever present help today.   With Him we shall overcome our enemies of sin, Satan, death, and despair.   How?  Why?  Because of Jesus.   Jesus has come to beat down our foes.   And as we enter Advent, we look forward to His coming again.  Even so, come Lord Jesus!