Good News of Great Joy

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people (Luke 2:10)

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Your prayers have been heard! God’s promises will be fulfilled at the proper time. The word of God will never fail! The day is coming when you will say “How kind the Lord Is! The Lord has done this for me.” You have nothing to fear, the Lord is with you! The Lord’s hand is upon you! Exchange your fear for peace and joy – The Savior – yes the only one who can deliver you from your sin, the Messiah, was born in Bethlehem.There is no need to worry – He is risen from the dead!

Lay at the foot of the cross your past,your shattered dreams, your wounded heart and broken toys. Allow Christ to fashion you into the person he created you to be. Surrender yourself-centeredness your pride, your dreams, your hopes and fears to the Lord of the universe and you will find peace and joy. Exchange your self-pity, regret, guilt, remorse, resentments and frustrations for glorifying and praising God. Then you will know the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.

Hallelujah! He is Lord in each and every situation that you find yourself in today. He is Lord wherever you go. If you rise on the wings of the dawn, or settle on the far side of the sea God’s hand will guide you, and his right hand will hold you fast [1]. Don’t allow yourself to be cheated out of peace and joy by planning and preparing for every contingency so that you cannot hear the baby born in Bethlehem say to you “I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope [2]. Firmly and confidently place your future where it belongs in the hands of your Savior and Lord.

Merry Christmas!

James Bruyn

  

[1] Ps 139:9-10

[2] Jer 29:11

Servants of God

Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you! (Luke 1:28)

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What a privilege it is to be a servant of the Lord, to know that you have a unique contribution to make in God’s Kingdom at this time, in this place. What a privilege it is to be a servant of the living God, right here, right now in the midst of your everyday, ordinary life experiences. God did not choose you because of your job, your skills, your financial status, your marital status or where you live. God chose you to be His servant and has filled you with the Holy Spirit because He created you and because He loves you.

God is mindful of you. God has done great things for you. God takes the initiative morning by morning to show you His mercy. God has given you sufficient grace for where you are right now in your life. God will bless you with sufficient grace for what lies ahead. You don’t need to have all the answers, trust that God knows all the answers. 

Today you have a choice – you can focus on all that has to get done between now and Christmas, or you can thoughtfully reflect on what you hear God is saying to you today through his Word. You can choose to worry about what lies ahead next year or you can choose to humbly trust that the Lord will fulfill his promises to you. You can choose to be troubled about all that is broken in this world, or you can choose to glorify the Lord. 

And Mary said: 

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. 

From now on all generations will call me blessed, 

for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name. 

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; 

He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 

He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 

to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1:46-55) 

Prayer

Lord our spirits rejoice that you are mindful of each one of us. You have done great things for each of us, forgive us for the times when we forget or are blind to what you have done for us. Thank you for your mercy, and the mighty deeds you have done. Keep us humble, purify our inmost thoughts. Amen

Merry Christmas!