Here’s a mathematical equation for you:
God * (Christ * (Bruce + Carla)) = Given to Hospitality!
If you can recall from your school days algebra, that means that Bruce plus Carla’s welcoming ways are multiplied by God’s love working in Christ in them.
Happy New Year! The attached PDF file is the result of more than 15 years of study and examination. My goal and desire is that it will serve you as a helpful tool in studying the New Testament. It shows one way that God emphasizes certain truths, and includes many familiar scripture verses regarding fundamental Biblical truths. Enjoy!
Driving away from our “farm family” in Illinois, it was only a few miles before we were in Indiana where we discovered (after an extremely thorough and prayerful search) that Cindy did not have her driver’s license. But we were thankful to God that she had gotten a good deal with the rental car that allowed for two designated drivers.
Angels know what they are talking about, because they speak what God wants them to announce. Here, the Father is announcing the birth of His Son. This birth announcement is good tidings—wonderful news! And it brings great joy, not just for the shepherds who heard it, but for ALL people!
Luke 2:10,11: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Jesus Christ was sent to minister to Israel while on earth.
Matthew 15:24: But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
But Jesus Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, and making available the gift of holy spirit has far-reaching blessings for ALL people. Today, we can be born-again sons of God with “Christ in” us, the hope of glory!
I John 3:1,2: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God….
Beloved, now are we the sons of God.
Colossians 1:27: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Why are these glad tidings to all people? Because they announce the fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem mankind through the accomplishments of His only-begotten Son. Our loving heavenly Father wants all people to be saved and know the truth. Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and mankind, the savior of the world!
I Timothy 2:4-6:[God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
These glad tidings of great joy are the “game changer.” What Adam lost for all mankind, Jesus Christ got back—and much more!
I Corinthians 15:22: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Romans 5:19-21: For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
By Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, God’s grace abounds to us today. We are saved by grace.
Ephesians 2:8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
We receive eternal life when we believe on Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9,10: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Let’s have a wonderful holiday season, rejoicing in the glad tidings of great joy that our heavenly Father sent to announce the birth of His Son, our lord and savior Jesus Christ! This is the greatest blessing and good news to ALL PEOPLE!
As Jacob sat on the low stone wall
Sharing his evening bread
With Matthew, his fellow shepherdsman,
He savored God’s goodness and said:
I went for a run yesterday along the coast where we live south of Los Angeles. The sky was bright blue and the ocean danced with whitecaps and deep blue waters. The four and a half miles to Pelican Cove from our house has some of my favorite views past Sacred Cove (where I often go swimming with my friend “Sammy,” a friendly harbor seal) and Abalone Cove. These three “coves”—from the English word meaning a cave or chamber—offer protection and a peaceful place to swim. They remind me of the peace we have when we rely on God’s power.
Driving our rented car from Chicago’s Midway airport where Gene and I were joined by sister Cindy, we watched the scenery around us change from the concrete drab of the city to the waving greens and golds of the farmland. At the first stop in our visit to the homeland of my mother’s mother, we joined up with Christine, a second cousin.
THANKSGIVING DAY. Today, we are thankful. We all have plenty to be thankful for. We could each most likely go on for hours about all we have to be thankful for. But can we be thankful in ANY circumstance?
I Thessalonians 5:16-18:
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks…
I remember as a young child wanting to give my Dad and Mom something for their birthdays or at the holidays. I wanted to express my love in thankfulness for them being such good parents. Often, since I had no money of my own, they would give me what I needed to buy them a present. They appreciated my heart to give back for all they had done for me.
Returning from the market to pick up a few things for Grandma Ruth (Gene’s Mom), we were greeted by Debbie (Gene’s sister) and her sweet dog Mongo. I think of Debbie as a “renovator.” As long as I’ve known her, she’s put her heart into helping renew and restore animals, houses, and people, whenever and wherever she can.