News

There is great blessing from God that flows to the one whom He forgives. That person knows God. And by God’s grace, that person is you, and that person is me. By God’s grace, we know and trust Him. We know that He is our hiding place. He hears our cry. He preserves us from trouble. He protects us. He instructs us. He teaches us in the way we should go. He calls us to turn to Him. He calls us to rejoice in Him.

There is great blessing from God that flows to the one whom He forgives. By God’s grace, that person knows God and knows that he can turn back to God when he sins. And so, when the godly person does sin, he is honest with himself. He is honest with God. He admits his sin to God. He doesn’t hide it anymore. He confesses his sins to the Lord. Then, he rests in God’s blessed forgiveness.

God’s timing is perfect. He works in amazing ways to bring people and events together for His glory. God sends His Son in the fullness of time. By His wisdom and might, God brings people face to face with Jesus. He shows them His salvation in His Son. Like Simeon, may we remain attentive to God’s work among us. May we live righteous and devout lives for Him. May we continue to walk by God’s Spirit. May we behold the glory of God in Jesus. May we see Jesus for who He is.

What’s the best news you could get this year? What news would bring you great joy? What news would leave you changed forever? Please listen closely. Please take this to heart. God brings good news of great joy for you. What does He say? A Savior is born, who is Christ the Lord.

Here Luke tells of John’s birth. Luke shows that there is great joy here. There is a focus on God’s faithful promise here. God speaks, and God keeps His word. He does as He says. Luke continues to point out that God keeps His word. Just as the angel said, John is born. Just as the prophets foretold, Jesus is soon to be born. Out of His great, tender mercy, God is at work to send forth His Son. God—in a dazzling tapestry of His steadfast love—intertwines the lives of John and Jesus.

When you know who God is, and you know all He’s done for you, then you’re going to praise Him. You’ll make much of Him. So, do we make much of God? Do we point others to God? Do we encourage others’ faith in God? Do we speak timely words about God’s work? Do we notice God’s work in our midst? Do we make haste to be part of His work? Do we join God in what He’s doing? Do we hear His word? Do we obey His word? Do we praise God? From the depths of our being, do we magnify Him?

Though they didn’t see it at the time, God was at work in amazing ways in the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Though they were faithful servants of God, and though they were righteous before God, and though they had a godly heritage, this couple had no children. They took this as a reproach. They carried it as shame. They were broken people. Yet, they trusted God, and they would grow in that trust in the days set out before them.

By God’s grace, you, who are in Christ, marvel at your new relationship with God through Christ. You are in awe that Christ lives in you. By God’s grace, you prove your faith in Christ is real. By God’s grace, you live to please Christ. You shine the spotlight on Christ.

In this concluding part of the letter, Paul speaks of his love for the church. It’s a love that shines forth Christ’s love. Paul pursues this church with a love like Christ. Paul gives to this church with a love like Christ. Paul strengthens and grieves and confronts this church with a love like Christ. Paul loves this church, and he wants the best for them. He loves them with Christ’s love. He loves them because of Christ’s love. How about us?

By God’s grace, I am not the person I used to be. I am in Christ. And as one who is in Christ, I know that Jesus is always with me. His grace is enough for me. Jesus’ power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, like Paul, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with trials. For when I am weak, then I am strong.