Posts Tagged ‘ Christ ’
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV
We seek God because He has giving us the gift of grace through faith, saving us from ourselves.
May we share the news of this gift with others!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:6-7, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
We may do horrible things to ourselves, to each other, and against God.
We tend to commit so many injustices against each other, to seek manufactured kindness and perceived justice that still harms others, even intentionally.
His Kingdom is growing in this world, but there is still much work to be done.
Our mighty God is destroying strongholds and bringing peace to individuals and groups.
He became one of us here onthe earth, being born in the natural way, but He is currently reigning from Heaven. He has sent His Counselor to live in and through us to spread His rule across the globe and time.
We have failed time and again, yet He works in and through us – the redeemed of the Lord – to bring about righteousness.
So we do not lose heart in this broken and wicked world, rather we join with our Lord in zealously seeking those whom will be saved and ushering in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
May we seek the Lord who works in us to spread His kindness and grace and justice.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
1 Peter 1:3, ESV
The Father draws us to the Son. By His grace, we seek Him and find everlasting hope.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope
Psalm 130:5, ESV
As we seek God, He grants us peace and we find hope in His promises, including His immenent return.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing
Matthew 6:3, ESV
Seeking God will lead us to want to help others the same way Christ helped us, not so much to bring attention to ourselves but to glorify God, to bring others to faith and salvation.
The people did not turn to him who struck them, nor inquire of the Lord of hosts.
Isaiah 9:13, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
We do horrible things to each other and against God.
We don’t like to believe that God punishes people, either. However, the Old Testament shows how often Israel disobeyed God, and God allowed and even sent disasters and armies to correct them and draw them back to Himself.
But we like to think we know better, so we refuse to go to Him or even blame Him for everything wrong in this life.
How could He allow such bad things to happen? How could a good God let evil happen to good people?
But He has told us that none of us are truly good, that we don’t seek our Maker.
He sends and allows because He has given us the choice to ignore, hate, and refuse Him.
Yes, God sends things that hurt but it to draw us in, and He also sends Himself to hold us.
May we seek the Lord who draws us in.
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
Isaiah 9:4, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
There are many times in this world that we burden and oppress each other.
We either attempt to force our own will on others, add our will (rules) to God’s will, or have the will of others forced on us.
We dare to put ourselves in God’s place or blame Him for the sin of others.
We willingly choose our own path, carrying the burden of our sin, thinking we are good in our own right.
The ways of this world drag us down, and we complain and try to fix things ourselves … or accept that we are nothing and hold onto this view.
And many times we lash out at each other, seeking comfort, even if through burdening others.
And if we blame God, we also say His ways must be more burdensome, not wanting to acknowledge that we have burdened ourselves.
We may still struggle with the problems of this world, but Jesus has promised that we will have troubles. He has given us His yoke of loving others.
May we seek to lead our world to theOne who ends sin’s oppression.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1, ESV
As we seek God, He gives us more faith and more reasons for faith. We may not see all of His promises in this life, but He has shown Himself faithful.
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.“
Isaiah 40:3, ESV
We live in a wilderness of sin and darkness in this world.
Let us make every effort to remove obstacles to the gospel in our own lives and as we share the gospel with others.
May we seek the peace and light of God.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26, ESV
Seek the Lord, and He will bless You with His presence, His grace, and His peace.
a simple man of God 