Christmas Hope

Christmas Hope

 

     “During World War II, a woman took her two little children to visit her parents in Texas because her husband was stationed in Europe. As they got ready for Christmas—setting the tree up, putting the presents out, and preparing dinner—they were experiencing the joy of Christmas, almost forgetting the worry of war. But no sooner had the fun began, than the family heard a dreaded knock on the door and received a terrible telegram greeting.

     The young mother had to tell her children that Daddy wouldn’t be coming home for Christmas...ever. And then she went up to her room to weep alone. Her parents debated and finally decided to take down the Christmas decorations and put the presents away. When the young lady came downstairs, she immediately saw the empty spot. She exclaimed, “Mother, what have you done?”

     Her mother replied, “You’re so broken-hearted, so your father and I decided this is not the time for Christmas.”

     The new widow said, “Oh no, mother, bring it all back. Christmas was made for times such as these.”


A prayer for those in need of Christmas comfort and hope:

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NLT)
    Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, ¹⁷ comfort you.....
 

LIGHT

The following is a devotion I received recently and thought you would enjoy reading it. Ron is an excellent devotional author. Enjoy!



Real Light by Ron Walters

Light is the oldest member of the universe, having been called into being on Day One. Those in the know tell us that light—real light—is rarely seen. And yet, ironically, none of us can see without it.

Researchers are baffled by light, they can’t even agree on how it works. Is it a wave? A particle? And, whereas they’ve sliced and diced every known molecule, they can’t reduce light. That’s because light has no volume.

Confused yet? You’re not alone.

No one can define it, either. When asked by his students to explain the phenomenon of light, Aristotle just shook his head and said, “It’s the activity of what is transparent.”

Say what!?

Plato, ever the innovator, taught his “Fire of the Eye” theory, arguing that, in some strange way, the eye originates its own light. When asked, “Why then can’t we see in the dark?” he confessed his theory had a flaw or two.
Over the years light has been a focal point of scientific breakthroughs:

• Albert Einstein based his Theory of Relativity upon the principles of light.
• Science discovered how to keep light from spreading out—as it does naturally—molding it into a true straight line. They called the process “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” We call it laser.
• NASA used light and mirrors to measure the 225,000 mile distance to the moon within a half-inch.
• Soon, it’s theorized, a single fiber optic (a transmission via light) will be able to put every person on earth on one phone call simultaneously.
• The Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas created “The World’s Brightest Light,” a 40 billion candlepower beam aimed straight into the night sky. The illumination is so powerful that you can read a book by its light ten miles above the earth.
• One enterprising scientist discovered how to make light travel faster than the speed of…light.
• And, medical research determined that one-fifth of the brain does nothing but deal with light.

All this, and still no one can explain what light is.

Ironically, there’s another Light that’s also unknown to mankind: The Light of the World.

Seven centuries before Bethlehem’s biggest event, God told Isaiah that a Messiah would come “as a light…to bring salvation to the world.”

Time passed and the world waited. For centuries the darkness prevailed.

“And it came about that while [Mary and Joseph] were [in Bethlehem] the days were completed for her to give birth…and she gave birth to her firstborn son. And she wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger.”

And, The Light was born.

It was history’s greatest moment; the Father of Lights gave the world a close-up view of Himself. “I have come as light into the world that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” With eyes wide open we’re able to look directly into that Light and see God, “with whom there is no shadow.”

Lowly shepherds came and saw The Light. Wise men saw the same Light. Over the centuries kings and peasants have gazed into His Light and their eyes were opened.

Lovers of darkness have also looked into the Light, wondering, guessing, and ultimately covering their eyes to hide from its brilliance. They’ve run from the Light but they could never darken it. That’s because “His greatness is unreachable and His ways are unfathomable.”

The Light of the World has been born! And the story is ours to tell.

Merry Christmas, Ron Walters

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

   Just some verses and thoughts to meditate on. God's word is always such a wonderful help and encouragement.

John 8:12 (ESV)    ¹² Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 1:4-5 (ESV)   
   ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
 
Life Application Study Bible Note
   "The darkness can never extinguish it" means the darkness of evil never has and never will overcome God's light. Jesus Christ is the Creator of life, and his life brings light to humankind."

In His light of truth, hope and love we find the strengeth to overcome evil. Jesus said: ³³ I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)

1 John 5:4-5 (NLT)    ⁴ For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. ⁵ And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

He is our light, life and hope.

John 14:27 (ESV) ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

LADY LIBERTY WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN

Jeremiah 31:15 (ESV)
¹⁵ Thus says the LORD: "A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rache …(America)is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more."

 Is there anything more shattering and devastating to human sensitivity than the slaughter of the innocent? It is hard to believe that anyone could even imagine committing such a crime as happened today in Sandy Hook School.

How do we account for this?

The Bible says:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jer.17:9 (ESV)

People who commit themselves to evil and wicked acts have so destroyed their soul that they are incapable of human compassion, mercy and do not understand the value of life.

Romans 1:28 (ESV)
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

The disturbing reality is that evil does exist and those who ignore it do so to their own harm and sometimes tragically to the harm of others.

 Is there hope that can give comfort to us in such times of despair?  We begin with praying for those who suffer such evil attacks and for their families. We also weep with them and share words of love and concern. The Bible tells us:

 There is …….⁴ a time to weep, and a time to mourn…. Ecclesiastes 3:4 (ESV)  

 Job was concerned about the welfare of others.
²⁵ Did not I weep for him whose day was hard? Was not my soul grieved for the needy? Job 30:25 (ESV)

 The Psalmist understood and identified with the sorrows and suffering of others:

 Psalm 35:13-14 (ESV)
¹³ But I, when they were sick— I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest. ¹⁴ I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.

 Yes the Bible says: ^“ …weep with those who weep.”  Romans 12:15 (ESV)

 So let us weep with those who weep and pray for the God of all grace and comfort to sustain them during this time of their grief and in the coming days of many tears.

Is Anyone Listening?

Is anyone listening?  Sometimes I wonder if God isn't thinking or saying that.  There is such little Biblical Common Sense being used now days. Values related to life, finances, relationships, health, and basic simple living seem to be no where in use. Take notice of the following verses and consider reading the entire chapter.

Proverbs 4:10-13 (NLT) ¹⁰ My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. ¹¹ I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. ¹² When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. ¹³ Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.

God in His word has given us the answers to life and the wisdom to make the right choices. But we muct search the Scriptures and seek His mind and will. The great adventure of living is discovering what God has for us through faith in His Son, Jesus and His plan revealed in His word the Bible.
Enjoy the good life that God created you for by listening to and trusting Him.