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THE MOST JOYFUL NEWS EVER

12/9/2018

As was spoken to the shepherds by the angel that first Christmas night: "I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!" (Luke 2:10-12)

The message of Christ represents a far greater joy than we can conceive. But unless we understand who Jesus is then we cannot understand the joy behind this message, let alone, have the audacity to call it the greatest news ever to be announced. However, this IS the greatest news ever to be announced. This message is universal and timeless and some 2000 years later, still brings hope, promise and joy to the world. Come and see for yourselves how to experience true and lasting joy then we can all sing along with the heavenly hosts the most joyful and greatest news ever announced... Christ is born in Bethlehem!

LONGING FOR SOMETHING MORE

12/6/2018

Hope is a longing for something more; for something better. Hope says, "I'm not satisfied with the status quo." Hope is the drive within us to achieve, to outperform, to become or experience something more. This drive is also part of our sinful nature. It is prideful, boastful, selfish, covetous and envious. Although hope is a very good thing our sinful nature blinds us of what true hope is all about. If everything we know of will pass away, including our very lives (and we know we can't take anything with us when we go), then there must be a greater hope than this.

When Jesus came 2000 years ago, He brought hope. That hope is not found in "stuff." The hope He brought was the promise of eternal life. For people who can always get what they want, and who are living comfortably, maybe eternal life does not sound that impressive (unless they can take all their goodies with them). But for the other 88% of the world who are in poverty, oppressed and treated unjustly, eternal life might be their only hope... their LAST hope. I don't know what you place your hope in, but for me, eternal life with Jesus is the greatest hope I can possibly think of. Even greater than all the comforts and money in the world. Why? Because all this is temporary. This Christmas, may you find what true hope is all about. It's not about the presents, it's about the presence.

HOPE IS BORN

12/5/2018

So how did Jesus bring hope 2000 years ago when He came as a little baby? History AND the Bible shows us that Israel was under Roman rule during the time when Jesus was born. Evil King Herod oppressed the Jews with high taxes. This kept Israel as slaves in a land that was their own. On top of that, God had been silent for 400 years. The last words ringing in their ears were that spoken through the prophet Malachi on the judgement of Israel due to their turning from God's ways. Israel's oppression seemed to be evidence that God had forsaken them. Yet in the bleakness of every passing day, a faithful remnant remained, those who would not give up hope, those who knew that God would deliver Israel. Then John the baptist shows up shouting, "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" The long awaited, promised Messiah was coming.

What is holding you down today? What burdens do you carry that keeps you bound and oppressed? The promises of Jesus brings hope. These promises are more than wishful thinking. It is God telling us, "I love you so much that I sent my Son to die for you." All you have to do is believe. Read God's word for yourself. Get to know Him and claim those promises and you will soon see the hope that Jesus brings.

GOT HOPE?

12/3/2018

What is HOPE? Hope is not "wishful thinking." It has to be something solid. Something that never fails. Any and every thing in this world WILL fail us because any and every thing in this world will come and go. And we all know this because over and over we have placed our hope in things only to have lost it. The only true hope we have is that of an eternal God with an eternal plan. Yes, we can enjoy life and our loved ones but there is something more to all of this that consumes our daily thoughts and activity.

Christmas is all about HOPE. Christmas is about the God-child: Jesus, the Messiah (the One who saves); Immanuel (God with us). Jesus IS our HOPE. We have an everlasting hope through Jesus. When we truly understand who Jesus is and why He came to earth 2000 years ago then we can truly understand what HOPE is. THEN we will truly see the full scope and the HOPE of Christmas.

GIVING THANKS - GOD'S WILL

11/24/2018

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Now that we've shared our Thanksgiving day celebrations, let us remember that giving thanks is an ongoing habit that we should develop. As Christians, our very goal is to understand and know what God's will is. Quite clearly, He says it here in this verse... be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you.

If we know that God is sovereign, in control of all things and He is good beyond measure and if we trust Him as we say we do, then we should be able to be joyful and give thanks no matter what comes our way. I'm not saying we should be laughing or happy in the midst of tragedy. I'm also not saying we need to be happy and giving thanks FOR the tragedy. What this is saying is while IN whatever circumstance that comes our way, it is God's will that we trust Him through these situations. As we trust Him, as we reflect on His perfect righteousness, love and goodness we can experience the soothing calm and comfort of resting in the Father's loving arms. As we continue this pattern of turning to Him we develop faith and perseverance through the daily struggles that come our way. In other words we benefit through our struggles because we grow closer to God by learning to trust Him and His goodness.

My hope and prayer is that you will develop the habit of running to the Father whenever going through difficult situations and that you would spend time with Him daily reading His word, hearing from Him and seeing how good, gracious and glorious He is. May our thanks-giving not only be a day to remember but rather part of our daily lifestyle... for this is God's will for us.

A FULFILLED LIFE

12/7/2017

In John 10:10 Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." Did you hear that? Jesus said "I HAVE COME SO THAT... you may have LIFE!" The word "life" used in this verse, in the Greek is zoe. Zoe is not speaking about mere existence. Zoe means abundance of life, exuberance, blissfulness, fulfillment and contentment... THRIVING! When the bible talks about eternal"life", its not speaking of merely existing for eternity, it is speaking of the greatest abundance of LIFE forever and ever. That’s what Jesus brings. He came to SET US FREE from sin and its power over our lives giving us victory over sin AND death. The enemy, Satan, on the other hand, comes to steal, kill and destroy. He doesn't want you to know God or the power we have through Christ. He doesn't want us to experience the fullness of life. He deceives and tempts us to believe that we don't need God, we just need more stuff. Satan's whole plan is to STEAL ANY HOPE you have for this life as well as the next. DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!! Instead, listen to the truths of God's word. Read it, learn it, memorize it, apply it and watch the VICTORY that comes through it. THAT'S OUR HOPE! And that's the HOPE Jesus brought with Him 2000 years ago when He came as that little baby born in the stable.

ADVENT - COMING

12/1/2017

During the month of December we celebrate ADVENT - The English term "advent" comes from a Latin word meaning “coming," particularly the coming of Christ. It is celebrated four Sundays before Christmas. Each Sunday themed with one of the blessed promises of God: Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. With eager anticipation for the coming of Christmas the goal is to realize its all about the Christ child coming and the blessings He brought some 2000 years ago and still brings to those who believe today. May we all be richly blessed during this Christmas season as we wait with joyful anticipation for His arrival.

The Dilemma

10/14/2017

As we get older we gain more and more "stuff." It may come through experiences, possessions, or things we see and hear. All of these things feed our desires for something more. It awakens our bored and tedious lifestyle with the flare and exuberance that comes with new ideas, experiences and goals. Our eye gates are constantly allowing things into our minds where we will either reject or approve and retain these new ideas and concepts. Far too often, the world and all it has to offer becomes an unseen force drawing us away from God like gravity. The goal is to stay focused on God and to weigh everything out according to His desires, and we know this by reading His word (the Holy Bible). He should be the one setting the standard for our lives NOT the world and its ever-changing views and desires. We need to remember that all of life will be a pursuit of something more until we learn and see that God alone, the One who created us for a purpose, will fill us and give us the life that we long for; a life of love, contentment, wisdom, exuberance and joy. Seek Him today. Message me if you have questions.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." --JESUS (John 10:10)

BEING THANKFUL

10/7/2017

"Being thankful in the midst of hardship." Is that an oxymoron? Not at all. It's more of a matter of perspective. When we live in a society that is so self-seeking and self-absorbed with an unwavering belief of entitlement, being thankful does not come easy. That's why we need to count our blessings daily. When was the last time you thanked God for your sight? When was the last time you thanked God for the clean air you breathe? When was the last time you thanked God for even getting out of bed or waking up in the morning? Many will not wake up tomorrow. Many will lose their sight as well. Tomorrow is never promised and God does not owe us anything. So really, what are we entitled to?

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

9/30/2017

When riding in a plane we are warned, in case of an emergency that the parent should put the oxygen mask on themselves before they put it on their child. The parents' health is vital to their child's well-being. What good is it if the parent passes out while their child is okay. But the other way around if the child passes out the parent can assist the child.

The same goes with our walk with God. It is vital for the child's well-being that the parents are first connected to the life-source of Christ. That way they can assist their children. Instead we have parents who are trying to assist their children through life without the life-giving "oxygen" of Christ and everyone ends up falling short.

Friends I encourage you to put on Christ daily so you can not only save yourselves but then you can assist those around you who are perishing.

"Remain in me and I will remain in you. Apart from me you can do nothing." -JESUS (John 15)
#bringingJesushome #khcn

Pastor Stephen

Snippets are what pops in my head while having my daily quiet time with God. I write it down to maybe encourage, challenge or inspire others to read God's word. Please feel free to share your snippets as well. Enjoy and God bless!

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