Good
Morning All,
Romans 9:16; “So then
it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”
I never really know how I feel when I read some of the stuff that comes
out on social media. I don’t know if I
should be mad, or frustrated or just plain sad.
It seems like every time I turn around someone is lamenting the “fact”
that “they” are trying to take away Christmas or not letting me celebrate
Christmas or some such poppycock. No one
can take away Christmas from anyone.
Christmas depends on God, it is entirely from Him and his wondrous mercy
which He pours out upon his redeemed children (you and me).
Our joy is not dependent upon anyone.
It is entirely dependent on God.
There is no government, no atheistic neighbor, no gruff speaker who
removes the joy that Christ places in our heart. The only way we lose that joy is by turning
our backs to it and focusing on the world and not on Jesus. The Roman Empire could not take away the joy
that the early Christians had no matter what the form of martyrdom. The cruel butchery of ISIS does not take away
the joy that the Syrian Christians know and know. True joy is knowing that as Christ died and
rose again, for us, we have everlasting life.
The events of today do not define us or our destiny. Jesus did that when he left the tomb
behind. Our destiny is with Jesus. Paul wrote in Romans 6 that in baptism we
died with Him and we will surely rise with Him.
That is the source of our joy and nothing in all of creation can
separate us from it.
Unfortunately, it seems that too many are looking at the earthly realm
and letting that control their joy. When
we do this, we will always fall short. They
are falling for the lies and deceit of the devil who seeks to destroy the true
joy that all the redeemed have by his lies and distortions. We have joy because we know, that through it
all, we have Jesus and maybe better than that; Jesus has us. Your joy does not depend on human will; it
depends upon God’s love. A love that He
showed us by Christmas. The time when we
remember that God became man. We
remember that Jesus experienced everything that we do. He knew the pain of losing a parent or a
friend. He knew the pain of hunger, of
loneliness, of being tormented by the devil and the seduction of a world that
is filled with sensual pleasures. He
knew it, felt it, lived it, conquered it and gave the victory to us.
Don’t let anyone ever tell you “they” are destroying Christmas. God created Christmas, with the birth of
Jesus so that you and I would know hope, so that you and I would know of His
peace, comfort and above all; the joy of everlasting life in His eternal
kingdom. That is the source of your joy-
Jesus, God incarnate to bring you forgiveness of your sins.
Father, in a world
of lies give us truth. Keep us ever
mindful of your great love and mercy.
Keep our thoughts and our emotions in check because of your great love
and promise. Help us to always know that
nothing can separate us from your love.
Help us to know the pure joy of your love. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret
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