For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death. In giving up His Son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift.
Through that gift there comes to us day by day the unfailing flow of Jehovah’s goodness. Every flower, with its delicate tints and sweet fragrance, is given for our enjoyment through that one Gift. The sun and moon were made by Him; there is not a star that beautifies the heavens which He did not make. There is not an article of food upon our tables that He has not provided for our sustenance. The superscription of Christ is upon it all. Everything is supplied to man through the one unspeakable Gift, the only-begotten Son of God. He was nailed to the cross that all these bounties might flow to God’s workmanship.
In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” He gave Him not only to bear our sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He gave Him to the fallen race. To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave His only-begotten Son to become one of the human family, forever to retain His human nature. This is the pledge that God will fulfill His word. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder.” Isaiah 9:6. God has adopted human nature in the person of His Son, and has carried the same into the highest heaven…. Heaven is enshrined in humanity, and humanity is enfolded in the bosom of Infinite Love.
Christ bowed down in unparalleled humility, that in His exaltation to the throne of God, He might also exalt those who believe in Him, to a seat with Him upon His throne.
The Faith I Live By p. 45
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Prayer Requests
—–I will like to request prayers on behalf of a friend (her name is Joenne ) who was yesterday diagnosed with throat cancer. She begins treatment shortly. Please pray that God will intervene and do what He alone can do. Klara
—–I have an unspoken prayer request. L
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Dear Friends,
Although we realize that December twenty-fifth was not the actual date of Jesus’ birth, it does give us a day to rejoice that our Loving Creator set aside His kingly robes to be born in a smelly stable, suffer all the abuse that wicked men spurred on by the devil could heap upon Him, live a perfect life, and lay down His life to be crucified (the most shameful and painful of deaths) that we might have eternal life. What a sacrifice! What wondrous love!
There are many Christmas carols that have much more beautiful tunes, but the words of “Thou didst Leave Thy Throne” written by Timothy Matthews in the late 1800’s give us food for mediation.
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown When Thou camest to earth for me; But in Bethlehem’s home Was there found no room For Thy holy nativity. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heaven’s arches rang When the angels sang Proclaiming Thy royal degree; But of lowly birth Didst Thou come to earth, And in greatest humility. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee.
The foxes found rest, And the birds their nest In the shade of the forest tree; But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee.
Thou camest, O Lord, With the living word That should set Thy people free; But with mocking scorn, And with crown of thorn, They bore Thee to Calvary. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee.
When the heavens shall ring, And the angels sing, At Thy coming to victory, Let Thy voice call me home, Saying, “Yet there is room, There is room at My side for thee.” My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, When Thou comest and callest for me.
May we look beyond all of the commercialism that surrounds us at this time of year and focus on the Son of God “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14 May we, each day as well as at this time of year, look “unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2 May we continually “praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Ps 107:8
Rose