Listen carefully! Jesus Christ opens the gate, gently looks at you, and says: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are over burdened, and I will cause you to rest.” Just come. His provision is profound, attainable, and right.
From Psalm 32:7: “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.”
The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and learn of Him.
From Matthew 11:29: “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Faith is not in what Jesus says but in Himself; if we only look at what He says we shall never believe.
From Luke 18:41-43: “‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.”
From John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
Imagine receiving one gift
But, never accepting its love
Forsaking Father’s lasting grace
Angels witness all from above
This precious gift brings lasting peace
Why would God’s love remain unwrapped?
Sin continues weaving darkness
Triggering mankind to feel trapped
Spirit moves into heart’s fabric
Cosmic collision stirs within
Christ stepping into this dark breach
Divine love snaps sin’s frail linchpin
For God so loved this fallen world
His Holy Son pays for sin’s debts
Unlocking eternity’s gate
Christ’s mercy saves, without regrets
Now embracing and accepting
Father’s loving gift now received
Trusting in Savior’s greatest gift
Forgiveness, all who believe
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “The greatest gift ever given was the sacrifice of Jesus, and all we must do is accept this free gift in joy forever with Him.”
The town wakes up to a new day. It doesn’t quite seem like any other day. A tranquil, peaceful night has given way to a quiet sunrise.
Few have heard of the overnight excitement at a nearby stable. A babe lies wrapped in bands of cloth, and he sleeps in a simple livestock feed box.
Outside of the sleepy town, shepherds watch over their flocks at night. However, with the rising sun there awakens a buzz among them. A handful of them have returned from a most magnificent and blessed sight.
Directed by an angelic, heavenly host, these simple men were invited to witness the good news of great joy for all of God’s people. An angel of the Lord proclaims, “To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
With haste, the band of shepherds swiftly journey into the town. Their quick pace is filled with overwhelming wonder.
In arriving at a simple scene, filled with livestock, a husband and wife, and a newborn baby, the shepherds pay their respects to this Prince of Peace . . . Wonderful, Counselor, King of Kings. Only a loving Father in Heaven could orchestrate such a joyous and lasting moment for the birth of His Son.
God has heard the distressed cries of His people. In this eternal moment, He forever reminds mankind that He fulfills His promises.
Later in the morning, a young shepherd boy wonders. While he didn’t have the opportunity to see the baby in the manger, he has heard all of the other shepherds talking about their amazing experience while they praise God.
Thinking to himself, the boy quietly asks a couple of questions. Perhaps God will answer them in his lifetime.
He feels astounded and kneels to pray. As he talks to the Lord, he is in awe of all that he has heard this day.
Virgin
Favored One
Mary’s unexpected motherhood
Spirit shares heavenly blessing
Jesus
Joy
Prophecy fulfilled
Prince of Peace
Israel’s King of Kings
Messiah
Emmanuel
Bethlehem birth
God with us
Gift of Gospel’s truth
Salvation
From Colossians 3:1-2: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Living on sin’s island
Forsaking faith in Christ
Breathing in darkest fears
Grace seeming too high priced
Searching far horizon
Scanning each tidal wave
Feeling Spirit’s nudges
Christ Jesus comes to save
Witnessing Calvary
Flooding tears crying out
Asking big question . . . why?
Salvation, still in doubt
Observing blood-stained cross
Watching Christ breath His last
Wrestling with sinful flesh
Evil’s hold, standing fast
Awaking days later
Running to empty tomb
Accepting Christ this day
Leaving sin’s island room
From 1 John 3:2-3: “ Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when He is revealed, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And all who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.”
Yielding to Jesus will break every form of slavery in any human life.
From Romans 6:6: “We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.”
Blessed
Living water
Grace and forgiveness
Walking to eternal life
Jesus
Sinfulness
Seeking redemption
Looking to Jesus
Integrity and character sidetracked
Repentance
Remembering
Every morning
Our baptismal waters
Salvation found in Christ
Promises
From Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Lost in hidden wilderness
Walking gloomy path, alone
Life’s never-ending circle
Frozen in time’s endless zone
Abandoned without refuge
Searching hellish, barren land
Emptiness speaks with silence
Tireless quest, sinking in sand
Days feel as chilling as nights
Shivering, icy outlook
Hopelessness without promise
Shadow circles, pause to look
Eagle flying overhead
Calling out to thee, follow
Sunrise filling empty heart
Journey no longer hollow
Calvary’s cross stands over
Kneeling upon sacred ground
Tears’ cascading emotions
Life no longer lost, grace found
From John 20:18: “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that He had said these things to her.”
Big Sky Buckeye 