Tag: peace

WHY ADVENT?

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

I grew up in a committed Christian home and a bible teaching denominational church where, while Christmas was celebrated wholeheartedly, the concept of ADVENT was never mentioned or considered. (That was also true of other important celebrations like Pentecost and Reformation Day!). These were simply not incorporated into our framework of ministry and were generally left to the more orthodox, ecumenical and liturgical styled churches. After Thanksgiving, the lights came out, every strand checked, and every bad bulb was replaced (our house lights were 100% red). After the lights were up – usually by midday Friday – a tree would be purchased (absolutely nothing fake allowed), then laboriously fully decorated (seemed I always dropped a highly breakable ornament or two). Nonetheless, we weren’t finished until my 1954 Lionel Electric Train & Track set was completely up and running, with track laid out around and beneath the Christmas Tree. Upon completion my dad would then sit at his organ and play a Christmas carol or two and sing with my mom. Then, we were ready for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

However, as I grew in my understanding of Church history and started abandoning those things from my denominational heritage that weren’t founded on biblical / scriptural foundations, I continually discovered significant elements of genuine Christianity that should have the recognition of all believers and should not have been so easily or readily discarded just because styles of worship were different or due to various (generally numerous) doctrinal distinctions. While many of those doctrinal issues were certainly worthy of theological battles, we’ve all heard about throwing out the baby with the baby’s bath water!

At West Oaks Fellowship, we have attempted to recover, or reinstitute, some of the most meaningful, biblically based, historical celebrations such as ADVENT (coming or arrival), in which genuine believers can find spiritual value and truly rejoice!

As an example, one might consider the question, “Why do we meet on Sunday mornings?” On Sundays (for the early Jewish believers in Jesus Christ it was after the sun went down on the Sabbath day, or what we call Saturday afternoon / evening) the first / early Christians gathered to celebrate Christ’s victorious resurrection! Therefore, since the inception of Christ’s Church, believers have continually met on the day after the Sabbath (Saturday), being Sunday, to rejoice in the conquering power of Christ Jesus over sin and death! In reality, that’s exactly what we are doing every Sunday morning when we gather for spiritual enrichment and fellowship as His church! Obviously, that magnificent, unsurpassed event would have / could have never happened without His first ADVENT (coming)!

Consequently, shouldn’t we also celebrate Christ’s incarnation (our Lord’s embodiment as a human being . . . John 1:14–

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth, which in theory, we also do every time we gather in His Holy and highly exalted Name!?

Here are some reasons that ADVENT has become incorporated as a significant aspect of our Christmas worship services (every Sunday In December) at WOF.

The weekly ADVENT themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love are all gifts made available to us (as genuine believers) in and through Christ Jesus, along with the indwelling presence and power of God’s Holy Spirit. Each weekly biblical theme works powerfully within, helping us to fully appreciate and properly appropriate these essential and precious elements of a meaningful Christian life – only permanently acquired in / through faith in Jesus Christ!

By participating (fully engaging) in our ADVENT services, one can emotionally, mentally, and spiritually escape / separate from the paganism and materialism that infiltrates the current American Christmas spirit, allowing a sincere and intentional (direct) focus on the Lord as the single most significant entity of this year’s holiday celebrations!

Advent can serve as a reminder that we are not the center of God’s ultimate plan, even though sometimes we think we are what matters the most! Every week of our ADVENT celebration presents a perfect opportunity to refresh one’s perspective! God has a grand plan that is much larger than any of us can possibly grasp or imagine. In the midst of a cultural holiday that tends to have an emphasis on the sentimentality of enjoyment and pleasure, gift-giving / receiving, we can easily drift to an inappropriate mind-set about the reason(s) for Christmas. So, in the midst of a season that works to distract our central focus, Advent reminds us to pan the camera back out on the big picture, a larger scope of a life lived for God’s purpose(s) and glory!

Biblically speaking, ADVENT brings to mind the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy and of course, promises from the scriptures. Here’s what Jesus said in Luke 24:44 in reference to Himself, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 

God’s faithfulness is at the very center of ADVENT! God promised and He sent Messiah. This provides confidence and assurance for all of Christ’s followers who are living in the anticipation of His next / second ADVENT!

“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” 

Revelation 22:7

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

Matthew 24:42-44

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Matthew 24:14

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

While I can’t point to a particular scripture that says to “celebrate” or “participate” in an “ADVENT” celebration, I can provide numerous scriptural reasons why, as believers, we should exuberantly rejoice in Christ’s first coming, as well as on the day of His second! Therefore, please come to church at WOF every Sunday in December with a specific purpose in mind concerning the HOPE, PEACE, JOY AND LOVE of ADVENT, and a readiness to find delightful joy in Christ’s first coming!

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4-5

While I may not get all excited and actually decorate for Christmas the way some of you will, my deepest desire is that you will know Christ Jesus in this Christmas season, and throughout the holidays, as your redeeming MESSIAH – worthy of all praise, glory, and honor that will be properly exalted, and His incarnation will be enthusiastically and gratefully celebrated during ADVENT 2024!

So if you are like me, and did not grow up with the tradition of Advent in your family or church, consider the great benefits this blessing will bring to your walk with the Lord this season by joining fellow believers who have personally experienced great benefits by purposefully preparing during Advent for their Christmas gatherings and celebrations.

May our hearts unite with many, many generations of faithful brothers and sister in Christ who have relentlessly declared, with great anticipation (hope), “O come, O come, Emmanuel!”

His & Yours, because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

– PF

TERRORISM

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

The word terrorism does not appear in our biblical text as one may currently employ the word in modern day English.  Nonetheless, the Bible clearly addresses the concepts behind terrorism and those that “bring” or “strike” terror.  Unquestionably in 21st century America, and perhaps throughout the modern world, terrorism has become a constant on the minds of most individuals, and has worked to alter our lifestyles in one way or another. Psalm 34:14 offers clear instruction to those who resort to these ungodly, almost inconceivable acts, “Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.”  Terrorism is good only in the eyes of those that seek peace through fear, and the destructive power of an ungodly, oppressive, legalistic regime that hides behind the words and works of works-based religious systems, and their false prophets who seek the total annihilation of all their opponents/enemies. Personal peace comes only through a meaningful and dynamic relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ – civil/world peace can only be envisioned and accomplished as Christ is enthroned as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  

Proverbs 6:16-19 reminds us that:

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”  How many of these traits are easily identified as common attributes of modern day terrorists and terrorism?

Conversely, as believers, we uphold these truths from Romans 12:19-21:

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’

To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’” In addition, certainly we cannot discount the message of Nahum 1:2-3 concerning God’s wrath against Nineveh:

The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries and keeps wrath for His enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

The word “terror” appears at least 7 times in the Old Testament, and all of them are derived from the Hebrew word “pachad” which relates to a sudden feeling of fear; by implication something dreadful; great alarm or being filled/full of fear.  That’s the exact goal of modern day terrorism – cause feelings of fear in the hearts and minds of individuals … those being terrorized!  In I Chronicles 14, David overwhelmingly defeats the Philistines, and according to verse 17, all the nations were in terror/great (almost paralyzing) fear (Hebrew text) because of him.  This is the purposed/intended response of terrorism today, seeing whole communities and nations bow in terror/great (almost paralyzing) fear.

So how then shall we live in a world filled with terrorists and terrorism?                    

  • Pray (Ephesians 6:18): When suddenly our culture seems to uncharacteristically crave the necessity of supernatural intervention in the face of evil …  we are the only ones with the direct link! So pray diligently.
  • Help/Take Action (Matthew 25:40): All humans are loved by God and made in His image – a divine creation.  WWJD?  Minister according to the leadership of God’s Holy Spirit in word and deed/action!  A situation of terror will most likely present opportunity for selfless, sacrificial service.
  • Do Not Fear (II Timothy 1:7):  As images of violence, hate, blood and panic flood our computer and television screens, it’s easy to be overcome with fear.  Psalm 23:4 … “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”  Followers of Christ should be seen as sources of mental/emotional/spiritual strength, courage, comfort and peace in times of trials. Unfortunately, Christians too often respond in the exact opposite manner.
  • Have/Demonstrate Hope (confident expectation in Christ):  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope! —  Romans 15:13

In life’s worst situations, we must look to our Lord Jesus — not government, police, military, media, peers, or others — to stand firm in Christ alone.  We live and move by faith in Him under the glorious and far reaching protection of His wings … the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent ONE – TRUE — GOD!  Therefore, prepare now to properly respond should a day of terror rudely assault your life, family, etc.    

— Pastor Frank 

MOHAMMED V JESUS

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

Mohammed was the prophet of war;

       Christ is the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Mohammed’s disciples killed for the faith;

       Christ’s disciples were killed for their faith. (Acts 12:2; II Timothy 4:6-7)

Mohammed promoted persecution against the “infidels”;          

Christ forgave and converted even His chief persecutor. (I Timothy 1:13-15)

Mohammed was the taker of life;

       Christ is the giver of life. (John 10:27-28)

Mohammed and his fellow warriors murdered thousands;

       Christ murdered none but saved mllions. (John 12:46-48)

Mohammed practiced FORCE;

       Christ practiced and preached FAITH. (John 6:29, 35)

Mohammed was a WARRIOR;

       Christ is a DELIVERER. (Col. 1:13; I Thess. 1:10)

Mohammed said to the masses, “Convert or die!”;

       Christ said, “Believe and live!” (John 6:47; 11:25-26)

Mohammed was swift to shed blood (see the evil spoken of in Romans 3:15-17);

       Christ shed His own blood for the salvation of many. (Ephesians 1:7)

Mohammed preached “Death to the infidels!”;

       Christ declared “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Mohammed declared a holy war (Jihad) against infidels;

       Christ achieved a holy victory on Calvary’s cross (Colossians 2:14-15) and His followers share in that victory. (John 16:33)

Mohammed constrained people by conquest;

       Christ constrains people by love. (II Corinthians 5:14)

Modern terrorists derive their inspiration from Mohammed and carry out their despicable atrocities in the name of his god;

Christians derive their inspiration from the One who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)

Modern day disciples of Mohammed respond to the terrorist attacks by cheering in the streets;

Modern day disciples of Christ are deeply grieved by atrocities carried out by those who were   “Christians” in name only (the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, Westboro Baptist Church, etc.).

Many Muslims claim to be peaceful and peace-loving because they are not strictly following the teachings of their founder;

Many Christians are peaceful and peace-loving because they do strictly follow the teachings of their Founder. (Romans 12:17-21)

Mohammed called upon his servants to fight;

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world; if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight . . . but now is My kingdom not from here.” (John 18:36)

Mohammed ordered death to the Jews (see A. Guillaume, The Life of Muhammad, Oxford University Press [1975], p. 369);     

Christ ordered that the Gospel be preached “to the Jew first.” (Romans 1:16)

The Koran says, “Fight and slay the Pagans (idolaters, polytheist) wherever ye find them” (Qu’ran 9.5);

Christ said, “Preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Mohammed’s mission was to conquer the world for Allah;

Christ’s mission was to conquer sin’s penalty and power by substitutionary atonement, (II Corinthians 5:21;I Peter 3:18)

Mohammed claimed that there was but one God, Allah;

Christ claimed that He was God. (John 10:30-31; John 8:58-59; John 5:18; John 14:9)

Mohammed’s Tomb: OCCUPIED!  No assurance of eternal life.

Christ’s tomb: EMPTY!  Full assurance of life.  (John 3:16)

JIHAD VS THE GOSPEL Jihad is the “peak” of Islam, held up by the five and the second greatest command of Muhammad. It is not only commended, but clearly commanded in the Quran. Even though the crusades ended many centuries ago, Islamic Jihad is carried   out right now, to this day! Millions of people have been slaughtered throughout the centuries by Islamic militants – such as in 1915, the slaughter of 1.5 millions Armenians in Turkey. Christians have continued to be slaughtered by Islamic militants throughout the world as well. We don’t kill people because they fail to believe, instead we pray!

Therefore, before faithful New Testament believers buy into the lie of this so called “peaceful religion” or accept some responsibility for the atrocities of the Catholic endorsed crusades, which ended over 700 years ago … it would be extremely wise to first learn from reliable sources what the crusades were all about, study Islamic teachings, and consider the track record of Jihad over the last 14 centuries.

Do it!                                                          His & Yours, Pastor Frank

NEW YEAR’S PRAYER

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

As we approach 2018, may the Lord provide you and yours with a year that’s indeed tremendously fulfilling and genuinely blessed by Him.  A year of distinct spiritual growth and development, a year of increased love for all humanity, and a year with much opportunity to share the life and light of our Savior’s Gospel message.

May you be immersed in the richness and magnitude of His grace, hear His voice more clearly, know the attributes, character, and intentions of His heart more deeply, rest in His promise(s) more fully, trust Him more completely, experience His presence and worship Him more intimately, and distinguish the abundance of His many blessings more accurately!

Lord, I’m not requesting a year completely shielded from any and all pain, sorrow, difficulty, or hardship, but one in which my brother/sister, as a true believer, respectfully comprehends and unashamedly declares that Jesus Christ is their strength, their supreme helper, an impenetrable refuge (fortress, as well as shield), and incomprehensible peace.  I’m also not asking You to make their path too easy, too hard, or overly complicated, but may Your plans be (become) their plans and may Your desires for my brother/sister be fully accomplished in 2018!  May he/she be (become) a sturdy, steady, and faithful sojourner, with eyes fixed on things above and not things of this deceitfully deceiving world.   

Now, in the powerful name that’s above every name, Jesus Christ, may fear be removed from hearts and minds, enabling my brother/sister to wholly embrace Your miraculous presence in each and every endeavors of life.   Lord, please help them to continue living by faith in You, rather than the infusion of doubt and confusion brought about by the all the enemies of the Truth and Your Gospel. 

In addition, may everything that hindered (encumbered) one’s spiritual walk and relationship with You be laid aside, as things of the past … anything and everything that negatively impacted my brother’s/sister’s worship, testimony, and/or service of the Lord in 2017.  May they purposefully, with intention, run with endurance, as well as diligence the race of living their faith out loud! Considering with full attention that which You have set before them … Not looking back, not turning back, nor gazing to the left or to the right, but peering straight ahead with all eyes fixed upon You, JESUS CHRIST, the Author and Perfecter of faith!

Lord, you’ve given my brother/sister a brand-new year, a new start up — 52 weeks — 365 days of choices are ahead and not one of those decisions or determinations is insignificant or meaningless! Actually, help them to understand that every choice holds the potential for Your glorious name to be exalted and magnified in and through their selections. Therefore, I beseech You, and humbly plead for You to guard their hearts and minds through the uncompromising Truth of Your Word and the powerful presence of God’s Holy Spirit.  Grant each one wisdom from above to do what’s right in Your eyes, courage to obey You in all things — no matter what selfless sacrifice may be required, and grant them knowledge that comes from the Omniscient One, the One who knows all things — much greater than anyone’s individual or any group’s collective experience(s).

Let each of Your faithful followers live at peace with one another, be steadfastly committed to encouraging one another, always remembering to continually pray for each other, and without restraint, minister (serve) the manifold grace of God (through the implementation and empowerment of their spiritual gift(s) and callings) to one another. 

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5-6

May the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christ spread from each of my friends to all those surrounding them in their home, at work, or at play until You have gathered us all together to meet You in the air.  

This I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

 – His & Yours, PF     

JERUSALEM

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

In 1995, the US Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act, which declared that “Jerusalem should be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel” and provided for the relocation of the American embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem within five years.  However, President Clinton opposed the Jerusalem Embassy Act, and signed a waiver every six months delaying the move.

During the 2000 election campaign, George W. Bush criticized Clinton for not moving the embassy as he had promised, and said he planned on initiating the process himself as soon as he was elected.  However, once he took office, he backed away from his promise.

In 2008, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called Jerusalem the “capital of Israel” and on June 4, 2008, Obama, in his first foreign policy speech after capturing the Democratic nomination, told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) that “Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided.”  However, he backtracked after the election.

During the 2016 US Presidential election, Trump promised to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.  Nonetheless, on June 1, 2017, President Trump signed a waiver on the Jerusalem Embassy Act, delaying the move for another six months, as had every president before him since 1995. However, on December 6, 2017, President Trump formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and stated that the American embassy would be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and explicitly stated his support for maintaining the status quo of the holy sites within the Old City. 

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, welcomed the decision and praised the announcement.

On May 14, 2018, the 70th birthday of modern day Israel, the US Embassy officially opened in Jerusalem recognizing it as Israel’s capital.   

One of the great ironies throughout the centuries of history is a town, which name means a “city of peace,” has experienced so little peace! Indeed, many rivers of blood have been shed for the possibility of occupying and/or controlling this ancient middle eastern capital.  With regard to the meaning of the original name there is no scholarly concurrence of opinion. The oldest known form, Uru-sa-lim, has been considered by many to mean either the “City of Peace” or the “City of (the god) Salem,” but other interpreters, considering the name as of Hebrew origin, interpret it as the “possession of peace” or the “foundation of peace.”

Biblically speaking, Jerusalem is first mentioned in in Genesis 14:18 after Abram (later Abraham) rescues his nephew, Lot, from  Chedorlaomer and brings the spoils of his victory to Melchizedek, who is the king of Salem and a priest of “God Most High.” (See Hebrews 7:1-2) Salem, aka Jerusalem, is also referenced in Psalm 76:2, being the place of God’s Tabernacle.

Jerusalem is also called, “Ariel” (the Hearth of God) in Isaiah 29:1, then in verse 26, “the City of Righteousness.” The prophet also declares that Jerusalem is the “Holy City” in 48:2 and 52:1. Nehemiah fully concurs with this terminology for the capital, Jerusalem, in Nehemiah 11:1-2.  Then in the New Testament Gospels (Matthew 4:5 and 27:53) Jerusalem is also referred to again as the “Holy City.”

Furthermore, Jerusalem became known as the “City of David” after his (David’s) victorious conquest in II Samuel 5:6-10, and that reference occurs 45 times in the Old Testament scriptures.  However, in the New Testament, Bethlehem is also called the “City Of David,” being David’s home town/place of birth.    

While many people oppose Jerusalem being considered the capital of Israel, they fail to consider over 3000 years of history, as well as things to come!  Someday, which may not be in the too distant future, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ will rule and reign in righteousness from His glorious throne in Jerusalem!

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:7

Perhaps this is not a political maneuvering or politics at all, but instead, our great God instigating a change, a step of preparation for His earth, the nations, and our world for its perfect and just ruler!

— Just think about, PF    

WHY ADVENT? PART 2

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

The word Advent means coming in Latin. In our context as believers, Advent refers to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into the world. At West Oaks Fellowship, we will use 4 Sundays in December to prepare and remember the value, as well the authentic meaning of Christmas. 

This year’s focus is “God With Us” and each Sunday we will use a young lady from our congregation to symbolically light a candle representing the specific emphasis of each worship service (Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love).  Then, at our candle light service, another young lady, in costume as Mary, will light the final “Christ” candle in the finale of our Advent celebration worship services.

Why young ladies?   According to Genesis 3:15, God, “put enmity” between Satan and Eve, as well as between her seed and that of the evil one. In that same prophetic statement, speaking of Christ’s 1st Advent, “He” – being Christ Jesus, will “crush” the head of Satan, while Satan will bruise His heel!  Therefore, as a reminder of God’s design to use a young lady (see Isaiah 7:14) without the concurrence of man to instigate His plan of humanity’s redemption, we choose young ladies to light each Sunday’s candle which distinctly represents the true Light coming into our world. (see John 1:4-9)   

  • HOPE – Psalm 33:17 declares, “A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.”  As believers, we become as foolish as those in the world when we place our hope (confident expectation), or strive to find hope in/from the things of the world! Proverbs 10:28 announces, “The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked perishes.” “How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” — Psalm 146:5
  • PEACE – As far back as I can remember in my 64 years, I do not recall a time/season in our world absent from conflict.  Back in the “Jesus Movement” the Imperials, an early contemporary Christian Band had a song (during the Vietnam War peace movement) that declared, “there will never be any peace until God is seated at the conference table.” While Christ will certain maintain a Peaceable Kingdom after His 2nd Advent, the purpose of His 1st Advent was primarily attentive to reconciling the conflict between God and sin-separated humanity! “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” – Colossians 1:19-20 Undoubtedly, Romans 5:1-2 offers some additional explanation, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”
  • JOY – Christ’s 1st Advent bring a deep seated, lasting delight far beyond any momentary pleasure or happiness!  “The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.  Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.  Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”  – Luke 10:17-20 Now there’s a reason to continued celebration … after all, just as the prophet proclaimed, “the joy of the Lord is your strength!”  – From Nehemiah 8:10  
  • LOVE – “Is a many splendored thing” so the proclamation of a popular Billboard hit from 1955. In the essence of this song, book, and movie — love is indeed full of many magnificent features and/or marvels.  In reality, it is also a magnificent marvel that God is both able and desirous of genuinely loving all of humanity.  This love is demonstrated even in spite of all our corrupt thoughts and errant behaviors!   I John 4:10 articulates, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (full/complete payment) for our sins.” You may recall the old hymn lyrics, “How marvelous, how wonderful is my Saviour’s love for me.”  Indeed, God’s love for His most prized creation, humanity (made as no other in His image and likeness) is an everlasting, inexhaustible fountain of love flowing from the heart of God to the life and soul of human beings!  Indeed, “How will we escape if we neglect (Gk – ameleo: make light of, have no regard for) so great a salvation?” – Hebrews 2:3  John 3:17, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge (or condemn) the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” 

Christ Himself brought all these things, Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, into the world and made them freely available to all who believe/trust in Him as their Lord and Saviour!  So, a simply answer to the initial question is another question … WHY NOT? 

“To them He gave the right to be children of God!” – John 1:12

ADVENT … more than just something to think about!              – His & Yours, PF