What happened in Bethlehem didn’t stay in Bethlehem.
From Luke 2:10-11: “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'”
From Ephesians 2:4-6: “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Unconditional love
Grace descends from God’s heart
Connected to Him above
Man receives renewing start
Heavenly grace flows out
With Savior’s rising tide
Nourished with God’s love aglow
Righteous mercy always guides
By grace, man’s salvation
Hung on Calvary’s tree
Forgiveness loves each nation
Enemy’s darkness shall flee
Faith’s fabric now strengthened
Harvested grace unites
Redemption’s spirit deepens
Steadfast love remains in flight
Father’s grace positioned
Journey of peace begins
Mankind’s hope reconditioned
Christ’s love forever weighs in
From Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Every single person you see today was created by God and for His pleasure. Each one is a gift. Pay attention to the people you meet, talk with them, pray for them, and encourage them.
From Romans 12:16: “Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.”
Davis Love III (born 1964) is an American professional golfer. He has openly shared his Christian faith with others.
From Psalm 89:1-2: “I will sing of Your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations. I declare that Your steadfast love is established forever; Your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.”
Transformation of peace
Gathered in God’s hands
Fulfillment of His Word
Messiah comes to stand
Hearts filling with truth
Opened in God’s light
Hope stirring from darkness
Calvary’s welcome flight
Never forsaken
Loved through God’s caring
Steadfast grace now descends
Savior’s forthwith sharing
New covenant’s breath
Charged from God’s boldness
Praises full of wonder
Christ transforms sin’s coldness
Enemy trembles
Quashed by God’s own hand
Holiness lives throughout
Redemption comes as planned
From Psalm 89:5-6: “Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord, Your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord.”
We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining–they just shine.
From John 8:12: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'”
D. L. Moody (1837-1899), also known as Dwight Lyman Moody, was an American evangelist and Christian teacher. He is frequently credited with inspiring modern mass revivalism.
From Romans 13:11-12: “Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
Turning away from temptation’s path
Following God’s Holy, righteous road
Transforming self into Christ’s image
Experiencing His love, bestowed
Breathing, yet lost in evil’s darkness
Hiding in shame, past sinful landscape
Reaching for Salvation’s lasting grace
Wearing armor of light, faith reshapes
Sharing His Father’s Word, Christ teaches
Loving one another, sharing peace
Witnessing His greatest commandment
Living with openness, life’s new lease
Leaving His advocate, Christ assures
Coming Holy Spirit, lifts each life
Overcoming sin’s flesh-filled desires
Growing in submission, without strife
Offering path to new life, Christ comes
Forsaking life’s bold truth, darkness flees
Walking in faith, stepping into light
Remaining steadfast, in what He sees
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “When we rely on Him [God] instead of ourselves, He produces godly desires within us, empowers obedience, and transforms our character into Christ’s likeness.”
Originally published March, 2021.
We ought to behave ourselves every day as though we had no dependence on any other.
From Psalm 113:4-6: “The Lord is high above all nations and his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?”
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was an American revivalist pastor, Christian theologian, and philosopher.
From James 1:22: “But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.”
Father’s expectations
Obedience to His Word
Man’s imperfect faith
Heaven’s light remains blurred
Father addressed as Lord
Mankind’s trust remains distant
Shallow commitment
Actions inconsistent
Father’s observations
Each believer falling short
Every fool’s errand
Without Heaven’s passport
Father’s forthright guidance
Witnessed journey of His Son
Righteousness of Christ
Obedience of One
Father’s harmony breathes
Through Savior’s perfect actions
Unblemished lamb’s grace
Source of sin’s retraction
From Romans 5:19: “For just as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”
It is only the fear of God that can deliver us from the fear of man.
From Psalm 18:2: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
John Witherspoon (1723-1794) was a Scottish-born, American pastor, educator, and Founding Father of the United States.
Discovery
Waiting
Patience breathes
Unlocking God’s goodness
Prayer opens willing heart
Peace
Invitation
Trusting
Morning’s light
Nourishing with hope
Daily bread of grace
Love
Journey
Receiving
Word’s truth
Replenishing faith’s roots
Risen Christ welcomes all
Joy
Big Sky Buckeye 