Luke 11:28

But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”

Personal Challenge…

We live in the age of the printed word, whether on paper or on a computer screen. It has become such a prevalent part of our lives that we neglect the spoken word, the stories, the traditions, and the history that is passed on from generation to generation. Written words can become just as distorted as spoken words that are not tempered with truth and grace. When Jesus spoke these words there was no written scriptures of His life and actions. When He referenced hearing the word of God and keeping it, He was talking about His spoken word and His personal character. We must always remember that we worship Jesus, the living Son of God, and not a book written about Him.

Matthew 5:37

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Personal Challenge…

That which comes out of our mouth so clearly demonstrates that which is in our hearts. We are called to speak truthfully and to act according to that truth. The modern world has become so skillful at saying one thing and meaning something different. Have we as followers of Christ started doing the same? Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Malachi 3:1-5

“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come into His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom you desire. Behold, He is coming,” says the Lord Almighty. “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can withstand His appearance? For He enters like a refiner’s fire and as soap in one’s wash. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver and gold. He will purify the sons of Levi and pour them out as purified gold and silver, and they will bring an offering to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord, as in the days of old, as in former years.

“And I will draw near to you in judgment, a swift witness against sorcerers, adulterers, those who swear falsely by My name, those who exploit wage- earners, those who oppress widows and afflict orphans, those who pervert the justice due foreigners, and those who do not fear Me,” says the Lord Almighty.

Encouraging Words and Personal Challenge…

In the day of Malachi (~500 years before Christ) a new temple had been consecrated and the people restored. And yet, they were grumbling and complaining against God. Here Malachi prophecies of the coming messenger, the forerunner John, who will be proclaiming the coming of the Son of God, both the Redeemer and the Judge. We live in the age of redemption where we have the opportunity and responsibility to proclaim His love, redemption, and grace to all those around us. This is also an age of refinement where we are being cleansed and purified through our trials and tribulations to be more like Him. Now is the time to live for Him. Now is the time to humble ourselves before Him. Now is the time to follow in His steps and to love our neighbor and take care of the the widow, the orphan, and the poor amongst us.

Isaiah 45:25

All the seed of the children of Israel shall be made righteous by the Lord, and glorified in God.

Encouraging Words…

We, the seed of the King of Israel, who is Christ our Lord, will be made righteous by Him and His work. We cannot do this on our own, but in Him, and through Him, and within the community of His Bride, the Church. Glory be to Him!

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Encouraging Words…

We have all been created with a desire, a yearning, to be connected with our creator. When mankind fell from the presence of God in the garden of Eden we still had in our beings the image of God and the experience of walking with Him in that garden. when Jesus came to us as both God and man He opened the door for us to once again experience life and the ability to walk with the Father again. Glory be to Him!

Isaiah 42:1-4

“Jacob is My Servant; I will help Him. Israel is My chosen; My soul accepts Him. I put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard outside. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; but He will bring forth judgment in truth. He will shine forth and not be broken until He establishes judgment in the earth; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Encouraging Words…

What a blessing our Lord Jesus Christ is He was fully within His right to come to earth as a conquering King to destroy all that was against Him and yet He came as a humble baby and lived a humble life so that mankind would be redeemed and all of creation would be freed from death. He suffered a horrendous death having committed no sin or wrong in His life and even went into the depths of hell for us. He is our Lord! He is our King! He is our Savior and Redeemer! Glory be to Him!

John 15:5

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Personal Challenge…

We often wonder why we stumble and fall in our Christian walk and sin. Part of the answer is that it is because we freely choose to do those things that we know we should not do. Another reason is that we pull away from our source of life, the true Vine, and loose our nourishment that gives us the strength and power to stay true to our Lord. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends here on the Internet. May you have a very blessed year.