Skip to main content

The Birth of a Sacrifice and a New Reign

Thank God for the privilege to celebrate in remembrance the birth of His Son, Jesus, this season. It’s 25th already, and final merry routine checks going on; tree lights on - check, oven's hot - check, presents wrapped - check, cards sent - check, … - check, check. So, Merry Christmas.

Matthew 1:21, Luke 1:31-33.
...and you shall call his name JESUS;
- for he shall save his people from their sins. (True sacrifice)
- And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (New Reign)

And that is the good tidings of great joy we have in celebrating Christmas - the birth of the Saviour: a sacrifice and a new reign. (Luke 2:10-11)

Today as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may we keep in our hearts these words that reveal the purpose of His birth. He was born to save from sin as many as believe, and establish his reign in our hearts for a living relationship with God. If you have never made a prayer of faith to accept Jesus into your heart, you can do it today (here) and begin your new walk in His reign.

Merry Christmas and God bless you.
Further reading: Titus 2:11-14.
Remember to share this season.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Disciples are Blessed

Matthew 5:1-12 NIV. [Series on: The Blessed] How would you describe a blessed and happy life? One of my friends believes there’s only one happy person each week, the lottery winner, and the rest of us just have make-believe happiness. Maybe you share my friend's view or have your own picture of happiness. The Bible also has its own picture, and in this short series on the Blessed we'll see who are the blessed of Scripture. In today's passage, Jesus gathers His disciples to the mountainside, away from the crowd and teaches them what a truly blessed and happy life—beatitude—looks like. Jesus shows that a blessed life is the life of a disciple, those who are: Poor in spirit (v3, Psalm 42:1; 63:1): who depend on God in everything. Mourning (v4, Isaiah 61:2-3): who seek God’s rescue/forgiveness by repentance. Meek (v5, Psalm 37:9-11): who humbly wait for the Lord amidst life’s ...
Read more

In trials, Be Holy!

1 Peter 1:13-2:3 NIV. Knowing the joyful truths from the last session about our faith, Peter then goes on to say, therefore...be holy! (v13). Being holy means to live a God-centred life. It looks like not conforming to ungodly desires (v14, 2v1) but setting our minds on the eternal things of God (v13, 2v2), living in reverent fear of God (v17) and loving God's people (v22). This cuts against the grain of the me-centred worldview of life. It is, therefore, no surprise that every trial and distraction in life combats any attempt at living a God-centred life. So how do we respond? Peter's encouragement in verse 15 is: be holy in all you do — keep being holy, continue (2 Timothy 3:12-13). In trials, be holy for three profound reasons - all based on the very nature of God. In trials, we are to be holy (keep being, continue to be) because: God is holy. Verse 16 says "Be holy, bec...
Read more

In trials, Rejoice!

1 Peter 1:1-12 NIV. Have you ever been in a situation where you've been mistreated or made to feel awkward because you're a Christian? Or you're aware of a worldly pattern in your circle - maybe with work or peers - that makes it hard to live as a Christian. These and similar are examples of trials. The challenge of trials is to lose heart or give in. So Peter writes in his epistle to encourage persecuted Christians in his day and us today. Peter addresses believers as God's elect exiles (v1), chosen by God but exiles to the world, facing all kinds of trials (v6). And in the face of trials, what do we do? Rather than lose heart or give in, Peter says Rejoice! Rejoice and be thankful to God because of the kind of new birth - the kind of faith - He gave us. When you undergo trials, rejoice because: Your faith is awarded! (v3-6) Peter begins by praising God for our living hope,...
Read more