Happy Sunday!
Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached "Help Is On The Way!" He used Luke 2:7-14.
Bishop told us that he watches the news almost religiously. Lately, the news stories have been sad and disturbing. He thought perhaps "evil" had reached a peak years ago, but he is beginnning to believe that evil has no peak. Now, before we get too proud and think evil only resides in "those other" people, Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.” (Message Translation) Even the Psalmist prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 (King James Version) We must examine ourselves and allow God to change us from the inside out.
In the meantime, we need some encouragement! HELP IS ON THE WAY! Luke Chapter 2 tells the story of the birth of Jesus. "About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel." (Message Translation)
It's seems like the people in that time had problems and issues just like we do. They had problems with government, problems with taxes, and they even had trouble finding a room for the night. But something wonderful happened, "There were sheepherders 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." (Message Translation)
You are probably thinking, "Where is the encouragement in that? I've heard that story a hundred times." Well you're right! But look at the story one more time. The angels hid the secret in their song. The King James Version says, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (vs 14)
1) Glory to God in the Highest! - Give God the highest priority in your life. Give him the respect, and adoration that he is so Worthy of. Glorify him in everything you say and do. Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven." (Amplified Version)
2) On Earth Peace - There is no peace, without the Prince of Peace! When we glorify God in the highest, we will find true peace. Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." (Message Translation)
3) Good Will Toward Men - When we have peace in our personal lives, we share that peace with others. Paul encouraged Timothy, "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone." 1 Timothy 2:1-6 (New Living Translation)
Help is on the way! Whatever you may be facing, Give God the Glory, enjoy his Peace that surpasses understanding, and share that Peace and Good Will with everyone you meet!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached "Help Is On The Way!" He used Luke 2:7-14.
Bishop told us that he watches the news almost religiously. Lately, the news stories have been sad and disturbing. He thought perhaps "evil" had reached a peak years ago, but he is beginnning to believe that evil has no peak. Now, before we get too proud and think evil only resides in "those other" people, Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.” (Message Translation) Even the Psalmist prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 (King James Version) We must examine ourselves and allow God to change us from the inside out.
In the meantime, we need some encouragement! HELP IS ON THE WAY! Luke Chapter 2 tells the story of the birth of Jesus. "About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel." (Message Translation)
It's seems like the people in that time had problems and issues just like we do. They had problems with government, problems with taxes, and they even had trouble finding a room for the night. But something wonderful happened, "There were sheepherders 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." (Message Translation)
You are probably thinking, "Where is the encouragement in that? I've heard that story a hundred times." Well you're right! But look at the story one more time. The angels hid the secret in their song. The King James Version says, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (vs 14)
1) Glory to God in the Highest! - Give God the highest priority in your life. Give him the respect, and adoration that he is so Worthy of. Glorify him in everything you say and do. Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven." (Amplified Version)
2) On Earth Peace - There is no peace, without the Prince of Peace! When we glorify God in the highest, we will find true peace. Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." (Message Translation)
3) Good Will Toward Men - When we have peace in our personal lives, we share that peace with others. Paul encouraged Timothy, "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone." 1 Timothy 2:1-6 (New Living Translation)
Help is on the way! Whatever you may be facing, Give God the Glory, enjoy his Peace that surpasses understanding, and share that Peace and Good Will with everyone you meet!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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