THE GIFT
Christmas is a favorite time of year for most of us. It’s a season of joy and good cheer, family reunions, and wonderful food. But, Christmas is also a time of pain. Loneliness and depression hit their highest points during the holiday season. Family dysfunctions become more evident despite attempts to soothe relationships during the holidays. It makes people want to ask, “Is this all there is?” And the Bible’s answer is an emphatic NO! The Christmas story reminds us that the simple, and free Gift of Jesus can change everything.
500
God moved in miraculous ways in the lives of pastors and average Christians and the spiritual foundations of the world shook 500 years ago. With that, the Protestant Reformation began. People are still being shaken every time they come into contact with the powerful truth that we’re saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. Maybe God wants to shake you!
Strong
Everyone wants to be STRONG or at least appear STRONG, but in reality we are really very WEAK in our own strength . . . all of us! But the good news of the Gospel is that Jesus offers us His STRENGTH in exchange for our WEAKNESS. Our weakness doesn’t scare God and it’s not too much for Him to handle. If we will come to Jesus in our WEAKNESS – in brokenness, humility and trusting faith – then he will inhabit our lives with His STRENGTH. And we will build our lives on His STRENGTH through the gracious ways he has provided us through sabbath rest, prayer, His Word, community and service in His name.
It won’t make all of our problems go away. But as we face them we won’t be doing so in our STRENGTH anymore, but with the power of the cross of Christ. That is true STRENGTH that transforms our lives.