-


John 4:43-54  - Christmas Faith

        As we approach Christmas this year let’s encourage each other to believe in and trust God.  Let's follow the example of the government official in this passage who believed Jesus could do the impossible - he believed in Jesus and Jesus healed the man’s son who was about to die.

        I pray for my family and friends this Christmas season - but much more than that, for revival in the Church.  As we approach 2025, let's increase our faith in God and trust Him more to hold our families in His hand for blessing and protection, provision, and providential opportunities to do the impossible.  2024 was quite something.  Let’s trust God to lead us as we follow Him this coming year.

        “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith” (Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4:3).  In your heart today and in every challenge you face, trust God.  Believe He will come through - for He will and He wants us to believe and ask Him for what is on our hearts.

        The Christmas story, nay, the entire Bible, is a love story of God’s love for His prized possession, His children.  We are God’s children when we are in the right relationship with God.  The Bible tells us that we may be in the right relationship with God right now, by faith.  God’s promise to give His children the whole earth is based on faith - not on obedience to the law of Moses.  We are obedient because we are in the right relationship with God and because we know who Jesus is and what He’s done for us.  It is by faith that we are saved.  And by faith, we show God through our thoughts, motives, words, and deeds how much we love Him.  So, like Abraham, and like the government official who begged Jesus for His healing let’s take God at His Word this Christmas.

        When we think back over our lives we can see God’s hand of grace and provision.  Do you recall what it took for you to believe in Jesus?  For me, it was His Word.  I had tried to do life on my own and I was more than sick of myself and my sin - a 19-year-old sinner, home alone and needing a miracle.  God was there.  He always had been.  I read via a small Gideons' Bible that all people are sinners (Roger that!) and that God loved me (wow!).  That part I could not get over - and now at 53 I still can’t.  How can God love us so much?  I was broken by God’s love and I still am - in a good way.  Jesus' truth, power, and love are overwhelming.  Through every age and every season and as God builds His glorious Kingdom Jesus shows His power and His love for all people.

        In this story of the government official with a very sick child, we see a man of power and authority.  Yet despite all the trappings of success when it mattered most, in his time of need, he was helpless.  He had no one to turn to - not Rome, not Jerusalem, not family members, no one.  Their family needed a miracle; they needed God.  He was desperate for his child’s sake.  He humbled himself and went to the healer he’d heard about.  He went to Jesus and told Jesus his situation and asked Jesus for healing.

        Jesus told the government official the truth about right standing with God.  Jesus told him that a faithless generation won’t believe unless they see miraculous signs and wonders - they demanded to see before they would believe.  But that’s not what God desires.  God desires as with Abraham, for us to believe.  First, we trust in Jesus.  Then we see.  And when Jesus told the government official that his son would live what happened?  He believed.  He trusted Jesus.  Trust Jesus today.  Right now.  Trust Him for everything - but most importantly trust Him for salvation, trust Him for eternity.

        Let’s believe God is who He says He is.  He is.  God does the impossible.  He brings the dead back to life.  God creates new things out of nothing.  Even when there is no reason for hope - keep hoping!  Keep trusting God (Romans 4:18).

        Never waver in believing God loves you and wants the best for you.  Encourage others to increase their faith in Jesus this Christmas for God can do whatever He promises.  God removes the corrupt, judges sin, heals, restores the upright, forgives, presents just the right opportunity for growth, and revives nations.  God is the author of the comeback and He has one planned for you.  God is more than able to do more than we can think or imagine.  God does it all in His way and His timing.  Don’t waver  Be honest with yourself and be honest with God.  Keep believing in God, our God who raised Jesus from the dead.  Jesus died for our sins and was raised to life to make us right with God (Romans 4:25).  Blessed are those who believe in Jesus.

        Jesus, we too are desperate for help.  We are needy sheep.  We take you at Your Word.  We believe You live and reign in Heaven.  And we believe You will return to judge all people and to create a new heaven and earth for Your dear children (2 Peter 3:10).  Please answer our prayers for our loved ones this morning.  Please bless this nation and help us all to give You honor today.  Thank you for cleansing us from our sins.  Thank You for your promised inheritance for we believe Your Throne O God endures forever and ever.  Amen.



Lynchburg Turkey Trot 2024


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

-
Image
 Leadership in Crisis           In times of tariffs and market volatility, we naturally worry.  Yet Jesus commands us not to worry (Matthew 6:25).  These are times to depend on God, increase our productivity, store up treasure where it ought to be stored, and grow.           Christ-commissioned leaders seek to advance God’s Kingdom in all spheres of our lives.  And in good times, and bad.  Green market days and red.  So in these troubled waters let’s lead with confidence in Christ.  It’s not too hard to see when a storm is coming, but when you are amid a gale the calm seems far off.  Depend on God.  Pray.  Lead.  Serve others.  And keep checking your priorities.  Are they world-focused or Kingdom-focused?            Jesus says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need...
Read more
-
Image
 John 10 - Growth Mindset Through the Gate           Jesus says His purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life.  I’m in!           Have you ever felt more than ready for a change and a reset?  I was by Christmas and I am now.  I’m gladly watching what I eat and exercising.  It’s shocking how much more energy you have when you cut out the junk for a few weeks.  By reaching your 50s, you ought to know well what your body, mind, and soul need.  That's true, but like a child, I still feel like I’m learning new things - and need to do so.           I’m praying we all learn in this breakthrough year.  As Christians it is necessary to recalibrate weekly, nay, daily, to ensure we do not drift off course.  Shipwrecks are real.  No one can snatch you from God, but you can indeed for lack of fear of God and intentional neglect and disobedience take your ...
Read more
-
Image
 John 2:13-25 - Beer with Vance or Brunch with Baker           The church is desperate for authenticity, and genuine Christ followers.  Americans are desperate for good leaders, those who lead selflessly with hard work, intelligence, and grit.  We are sick of being lied to and sick of the hypocrisy.  It’s the same in the church.  The good news is that God shows us the way to authenticity and how to be good leaders.           I heard a local pastor a few years ago tell the congregation that if they ever see him drinking alcohol in a restaurant they should call for his resignation.  I too am for moderation and I have no problem with those who don't drink.  Good, great actually.  Yet the same legalists who preach legalistic messages are sometimes gorging themselves at the buffet and care nothing of transparency and living above reproach.  We all need to walk the walk.    ...
Read more