God in Christmas

 

For those who read my posts on a regular basis, know that I don’t write a lot.  So, this is a long one…

John 1:1:  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”

Genesis 1:1-3:  “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  And God said, Let there be light:  and there was light.”

John 1:2-5:  “The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

Luke 1:30-31:  “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou has found favour with God.  And, behold thou shalt conceive in the womb and bring forth a son and shalt call his name JESUS.

Luke 1: 35:  “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

John 1:10-14: “He was in the world, and the world was made by him and the world knew him not.  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

 

I’m no theologian, I’m not a college graduate, I’ve never read the “classics”, I’ve not traveled the world, I can’t program my phone, I don’t understand the remote, I get flustered while driving, I’ve made many mistakes – In other words, I’m not an expert on or at anything! 

One thing I do know, to the core of my being, is that I serve one God.  One God with many names to many nations.  One God who created the heavens and earth.  One God who breathed into man a living soul (Genesis 2:7).  One God who created a perfect garden.  One God who warned man of sin.  One God who provided a blood sacrifice to cleanse that sin.  One God who provided a plan of salvation for our sin.  One God who robed himself in flesh.  One God whose name is JESUS.  Jesus, who lived a sinless life.  One God who was persecuted, crucified on a cross.  One God who paid the price of sin with His blood.  One God who loves this world and all the nations so much….that he suffered and died.  One God who rose from the grave.  One God that conquered sin and death.

Luke 24:46-49:  (Jesus said…) “Thus it is written and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the death the third day; And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem; And ye are witnesses of these things.  And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

One God who fills us with His Spirit.  Acts 2: 32-33:  (Peter said) “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”

One God who is our comforter.  One God whose Holy Spirit fills our hearts, mind and soul.   Acts 2: 37-39:  “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy ghost.  For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” 

This post isn’t meant to be a “I believe this way…and this is the right way” type post.  Or, one to argue biblical theology.  There is enough conflict in the Church with out doing that.  This post is meant to open our eyes to why it is we celebrate Christmas.

Each of us has an opinion, God created us that way.  I don’t want to argue with other Christians about “who” God is.  I just want to believe in Him, understand He came to save me and that I need a personal relationship with Him.  My salvation is not determined by what you believe, rather, what I believe.  And vise versa.  This gospel we should share with others, that through this they might be saved as well.

2012 – this next year – can you believe it?  As I see the fulfillment of prophecy, signs of the times you might say.  One can’t help but think – Jesus is coming soon.   I challenge myself to not be satisfied with my life as it is now, but to pray for a greater desire to witness to others.  You know, the Bible doesn’t say without the “Holy Ghost” no man shall see God.  It says without “holiness” no man shall see God.  Actions speak louder than words they say.  If you are a “believer” let your light shine before men this year.  I will try my best to do the same. 

Merry Christmas Blessings from Wisconsin.