As our New Year approaches, I hear and read much on the chaos we live in...economically, spiritually, and from a global aspect. There is uncertainty on every horizon, and even nature itself is shaking our environment with turbulent forces of storms, inclement weather patterns, and earthquakes.
I also hear of various "Doomsday Messages", from the understanding of the Mayan Calendar, numerous predictions for 2012, and even the Christian church itself proclaiming the "End is Near"!
Yet, within me that still small Voice keeps repeating: "Don't Lose Hope!...Continue to Believe in Hope!"
In Isaiah, Israel had been facing similar, in fact far worse circumstances than we are today. They had been conquered and given to slavery of the Assyrians. There own "homeland" was devastated and it was thought the Rule of the Assyrians could never be changed...it was a permanent, evil power that had absolutely no weakness.
History proved that train of thought wrong, and during the reign of the Assyrians before their way of life and culture came to an end by the Babylonian Empire, Isaiah makes this glorious announcement!
I am of the personal belief this announcement still holds true today...circumstances have changed somewhat since the time of Assyrian Rule, but His Promise has not!
So, if you are in a state of mind thinking your lives, or perhaps your government, or even your entire nation is beyond any help...all hope is gone...take comfort in the Gleanings of Isaiah 9:1-6,
" Nevertheless, in the midst of His judgment, this time of darkness and despair, take comfort in knowing this will not go on forever.
This sense of anguish, this forecast of gloom, will be replaced by the certainty of our God's great deliverance!
Up to now, lands like Zebulon and Naphtali have been held in contempt, but you must look for yourself and see this: there is a new road being opened, one filled with His glory, and it comes by the way of the Sea of Galilee, beyond the Jordan.
For it is true the people have walked in great darkness, but now, they will see an even Greater Light! The land that has been filled with intense darkness, the shadow of death himself covering the entire land....until..this light suddenly appears... a Great Light!
This will be a time for seeing our nation enlarged, a time given for people to rejoice.
And the reason they rejoice?...because of You, our Heavenly King!
It will be likened to a great and fruitful harvest. There will be joy and great celebration, the sharing of rich gifts, and warm greetings to each one.
For the Yoke of Evil, this heavy burden that has covered this land is being lifted...from our shoulders. The oppression, the abuse, the cruelty of mankind...is being broken.
The muddy boots of war, the blood-stained uniforms...this is a time for this to be burned.
And here is the reason all of this is to happen:
A Child has been born...He is one of us! God Himself has given His Own Son...to us! The Son of God is to be our King and our Ruler. He is accompanied with His Great Titles: "Wonderful Advisor", "All-Powerful God", "Our Father Always", and "Our Commander-who-brings-Peace".
His authority will grow...within us! There are no limits to the wholeness He brings to our lives!"
Note:
The New Testament also verifies Jesus as the "One we Seek"....
1 Corinthians 1:30 "It is from Him we now have our lives in the security of Christ Jesus, who is Wisdom...the very wisdom of God Himself. It's all for our benefit Christ came this way, to reveal a plan once hidden, and now available to all. It is Christ Himself who has made us right with God, we have been made pure and holy...free from sin! All because of Him...the Lord Jesus!"
Philippians 4:13 "Now all of my strength to face life comes from Him, Christ Jesus, who empowers me. I am now ready for anything, equal to anything, can face anything, and overcome anything through this inner strength: Christ in me! The Hope of Glory!"
John 14:21 "When we accept Christ, then His Commands are instilled within us. That is the clearest sign of all...that we love Him...by accepting and obeying His Commands. The fruit of all this is: when we give our lives to the Lord Jesus, the Father loves us as well! And Christ will give His love to us and make Himself plain and clear to our ordinary and daily lives."
Philippians 4:7 " Then, because we are His, in the very heart of Christ Jesus, He blesses us with His Peace, and this Peace cannot be explained, interpreted, diagnosed, or even understood.
And His Peace will go beyond our "four walls", it will guide, guard, and protect our own hearts as well as our minds, which are now focused...on the Risen One!"
This, in my humble opinion is....the Message of Christmas...for today...2011!
Merry Christmas!
I also hear of various "Doomsday Messages", from the understanding of the Mayan Calendar, numerous predictions for 2012, and even the Christian church itself proclaiming the "End is Near"!
Yet, within me that still small Voice keeps repeating: "Don't Lose Hope!...Continue to Believe in Hope!"
In Isaiah, Israel had been facing similar, in fact far worse circumstances than we are today. They had been conquered and given to slavery of the Assyrians. There own "homeland" was devastated and it was thought the Rule of the Assyrians could never be changed...it was a permanent, evil power that had absolutely no weakness.
History proved that train of thought wrong, and during the reign of the Assyrians before their way of life and culture came to an end by the Babylonian Empire, Isaiah makes this glorious announcement!
I am of the personal belief this announcement still holds true today...circumstances have changed somewhat since the time of Assyrian Rule, but His Promise has not!
So, if you are in a state of mind thinking your lives, or perhaps your government, or even your entire nation is beyond any help...all hope is gone...take comfort in the Gleanings of Isaiah 9:1-6,
" Nevertheless, in the midst of His judgment, this time of darkness and despair, take comfort in knowing this will not go on forever.
This sense of anguish, this forecast of gloom, will be replaced by the certainty of our God's great deliverance!
Up to now, lands like Zebulon and Naphtali have been held in contempt, but you must look for yourself and see this: there is a new road being opened, one filled with His glory, and it comes by the way of the Sea of Galilee, beyond the Jordan.
For it is true the people have walked in great darkness, but now, they will see an even Greater Light! The land that has been filled with intense darkness, the shadow of death himself covering the entire land....until..this light suddenly appears... a Great Light!
This will be a time for seeing our nation enlarged, a time given for people to rejoice.
And the reason they rejoice?...because of You, our Heavenly King!
It will be likened to a great and fruitful harvest. There will be joy and great celebration, the sharing of rich gifts, and warm greetings to each one.
For the Yoke of Evil, this heavy burden that has covered this land is being lifted...from our shoulders. The oppression, the abuse, the cruelty of mankind...is being broken.
The muddy boots of war, the blood-stained uniforms...this is a time for this to be burned.
And here is the reason all of this is to happen:
A Child has been born...He is one of us! God Himself has given His Own Son...to us! The Son of God is to be our King and our Ruler. He is accompanied with His Great Titles: "Wonderful Advisor", "All-Powerful God", "Our Father Always", and "Our Commander-who-brings-Peace".
His authority will grow...within us! There are no limits to the wholeness He brings to our lives!"
Note:
The New Testament also verifies Jesus as the "One we Seek"....
1 Corinthians 1:30 "It is from Him we now have our lives in the security of Christ Jesus, who is Wisdom...the very wisdom of God Himself. It's all for our benefit Christ came this way, to reveal a plan once hidden, and now available to all. It is Christ Himself who has made us right with God, we have been made pure and holy...free from sin! All because of Him...the Lord Jesus!"
Philippians 4:13 "Now all of my strength to face life comes from Him, Christ Jesus, who empowers me. I am now ready for anything, equal to anything, can face anything, and overcome anything through this inner strength: Christ in me! The Hope of Glory!"
John 14:21 "When we accept Christ, then His Commands are instilled within us. That is the clearest sign of all...that we love Him...by accepting and obeying His Commands. The fruit of all this is: when we give our lives to the Lord Jesus, the Father loves us as well! And Christ will give His love to us and make Himself plain and clear to our ordinary and daily lives."
Philippians 4:7 " Then, because we are His, in the very heart of Christ Jesus, He blesses us with His Peace, and this Peace cannot be explained, interpreted, diagnosed, or even understood.
And His Peace will go beyond our "four walls", it will guide, guard, and protect our own hearts as well as our minds, which are now focused...on the Risen One!"
This, in my humble opinion is....the Message of Christmas...for today...2011!
Merry Christmas!
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