LET US ADORE HIM

 

LET US ADORE HIM

Our preparation for Christmas comes to a close this week. I like others are wishing you a merry Christmas. As I think of the original time when Jesus was born, celebration had just begun. The first recorded visitation with Jesus as an infant were the shepherds. How they found out is amazing. The announcement came directly from God by an angel surrounded by a bright light in the dark of night. There were no phone calls or emails or texts – instead, angels! So personal majestic and elegant with a choir of angels!

Their response after hearing, was to immediately go and see if it was true. They went with adoration for the Christ child. As we celebrate His birth, let us imagine being at the manger bed of Jesus like the shepherds. Let us adore Him singing songs, worshipping, meditation, and thanking Him for this love sacrifice that came to earth to bring salvation for mankind.

Luke 2: 8-18  (MSG) There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them, and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing.

By: Joy Pedersen

Dear Beloved

 

Dear Beloved, 

I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have entered the holiday season that calls us in so many directions. Friends, family, and fellow brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ unite to celebrate with thanks for all that God has blessed us with. This climaxes to the birthday celebration of our King Jesus. As this happens my heart overflows giving thanks for each one who has been part of ministering through prayer, teaching, encouraging, and expanding in other Christ centered arenas. As I think of each person, it is as though you have been gift-wrapped with a beautiful bow and given to me. You are priceless gifts. My love is deep. 

Appreciatively, 

Joy Pederson 

Immanuel

 

Immanuel

 

Many years before Jesus birth, God promised a sign to reveal the fact that He would be making a personal appearance. At that time prophets and priests were the only ones who communicated directly with God. Isaiah was one of those prophets and he received the news that Immanuel was coming and there would be a sign to announce His coming – and let’s just say it  was unexpected!  Isaiah 7:14(AMP) tells us: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us).” The ancients must have been puzzled at the sign recalling previous signs given by God. Hope and fear must have been stirred at the thought of God being with them.

When I ponder the truth of God with us, I know that it was not just for the time of his life on earth. Rather His name is eternal, Immanuel, forever. His presence is ever with us. The Holy One in the triune person of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For me, reflecting on His being with us at all times and in all ways brings comfort, peace, and joy knowing His love and care are close at hand. May this bring clear hope as you consider Immanuel, God with us.

By: Joy Pedersen

Matthew 1:23(AMP) “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”—which, when translated, means, “God with us.”

The Christ of Christmas

 

The Christ of Christmas

 

Singing the old hymns of Christmas is one of the favorite things of this season. They tell the story of Christ the Messiah, Jesus, birth and the miracle of how He came to earth. Reading Matthey 1 reveals the fact that Mary was miraculously impregnated by God himself by His Holy Spirit! This virgin mother willingly bore this child full term, with no clear understanding of what was ahead. God used a human to deliver Jesus as human. Amazing!

When I think of this plan devised to open the world to salvation, God’s love for mankind shatters pride and causes me to sing the messages of truth and blessing. With awe. How grateful I am for God and His love that humbly came to earth to make a needed salvation for mankind. How grateful I am for the willingness of Mary to parent Jesus (along with Joseph) here on earth. The Christ of Christmas is worthy of our praise..

By: Joy Pedersen

Matthew 1:18 (ESV)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

A Walk through Christmas

A Walk through Christmas

The hustle and bustle of this season can be split between great delight and difficult demands. The shopping, the parties, the church activities, people, and decorating vie for our time and energy. The joy of this season is best found when we take time to pause and reflect on Jesus through Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and music. 

Matthew 11:28–29(AMP) “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.”

By: Joy Pedersen

Celebrating Jesus

Celebrating Jesus

Though we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, He has always existed – just not in human form. John wrote a book in the Bible to let us know who Jesus was from the beginning to the end of time on earth. This book helps us understand the character and heart of God through Jesus.

John reveals Jesus as the Word, Logos, who was with God and was God. So the first thing we find out about Jesus was not his birth but his eternal existence. As we enter this Christmas season, we are celebrating an eternal God in his humble state as a man. He revealed Himself and lived His life in a broken world so that we can experience His image – which we are made in.

Imagine! He lived what is taught throughout scripture, died the death of a martyr, and was resurrected. In many ways Christmas is a celebration of the wonderful mysterious gift of eternal life. He has made spiritual life possible for those who accept Him and they (we) will be with Him eternally.

John 1:1-3(ESV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made”.

By: Joy Pedersen

Be Thankful

Be Thankful

The Thanksgiving holiday season is close at hand. Historically we have been told the first one was celebrated with the American Indians and sojourning Pilgrims who were thankful for a bountiful harvest. This came after a hard year for those from England on the Mayflower.  Seeking a newfound freedom, the passengers of the ship lived - and many died from disease, hunger, and cold weather – waiting to find sanctuary.

Beginning in 1827 Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned for 36 years to establish a national holiday for Thanksgiving and it was declared in 1863. She became the Mother of Thanksgiving when Abraham Lincoln conceded to make it a holiday here in the United States. At the height of the Civil War, he wrote a letter of proclamation asking everyone to pray to God “to commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners and sufferers in the lamentable civil strife and to heal the wounds of the nation.” (Sounds like something Jesus said!)

1 Thessalonians 5:18(AMP) goes even further in a letter: “In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

Interestingly enough, Lincoln did not proclaim thanks in the situation they were in. Romans 5 declares the purpose of suffering. Reminding us that there is purpose in the previous suffering in our lives. So much to be thankful for in the time of distress that comes in opposition to Christ. He provides inner strength, confidence in His presence, peace in the middle of the storm, salvation in Christ Jesus that gives us hope for all eternity and promised compassion and care.

We are each called to give thanks even when the difficulties of life seem too much to bare.  What have you suffered and yet give thanks to God this season?