Jesus Loves Me!

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV)

 

I am amazed at what God would do to be in relationship with me!  Most people look at me and then move away because they are scared of encountering me.  They are unsure about me. They do not think I am interesting or worth the time.  But God knows me beyond the outside appearance.  He made me and did not reject me as a defective product.  He values me so much that He wanted to be in relationship with me.  To do that He had to make a way for sinful Jeffrey to be able to approach Holy God.  Soooo…. He made a way.  He sent Jesus to this world to wash my heart clean from sin.  God gave His best to bring me into relationship with Him.  That is the message of Christmas!

Heaven to the Stable

 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. I John 4:9

 

When I went to my weekly equestrian lesson at a local stable, I noticed a man sweeping and cleaning the walk ways.  They have to clean up all kinds of messy dirt.  Even after they clean the stalls, they are just cleaner, not CLEAN!  I was reminded that Jesus was born in a stable.  It was probably not too clean.  Maybe smelled bad.  What a shock for the senses of the King.  Heaven to the stable.  Talk about culture shock!  Jesus did that for me.  He came to clean up the stable of my heart which was dirty and smelly with sin.  And when He came in it became really clean.  That is the Christmas gift I received from God.  The best ever!

Joy to the World

 

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:10-11

 

I love the music of Christmas!  It is full of joy and hope.  One of my favorite carols is Joy to the World.  Our Gospel choir is singing a rendition of that carol this year.  It is upbeat and full of joy, and I mean full.  When we sing it I just have to rejoice.  I smile and dance to God’s glory. My heart overflows with joy.  Why?

Well, that song tells that Jesus came. It tells us he is a righteous ruler who loves us.  It calls all nature to sing His praise. It calls us to prepare Him room.  Now is the time to rejoice, but also the time to open your heart to Jesus, who stands at your heart waiting for you to invite Him into your heart!  Do not delay! Do it today!  Then you can rejoice like never before!

Immanuel!

 

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

 

One of my favorite names for Jesus is Immanuel!  I like to hold that name in my heart every day!  Why you ask?  Well, it means God with us.  It means I can have a relationship with God.  If He is with me, then not a minute goes by without Him.  My parents stick pretty close to me, but not every minute of every day. Yet, Immanuel does.  So, when I am alone at night, I am not alone.  Immanuel is there – all the time.  Christmas is when Immanuel came.  It began the visible part of God’s redemption plan.  So, at Christmas especially I think about Immanuel.  When you step into relationship with God, Immanuel is there for you, too.  So why not jump into God’s arms and experience Immanuel?

 

Shine Through Me!

 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that^[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

I remember when I was very young, we had a chandelier in our living room.  We live in a small Japanese House.  It is actually average size for Japan.  Every Christmas Mom would hang small Christmas decorations from that chandelier.  As soon as I saw the box come out with those decorations I would stand under the light and point out where those decorations were to be.  I wanted everything to be in the right place.  When they were, it was beautiful!  As I grew older the chandelier came down and those decorations are still nestled in their box.  But I also    came to know the decorations were not Christmas.  It is all about Jesus.  I need to have Jesus in the right place.  When Jesus is in the center of my heart, then I can shine better than any old chandelier.  Lord Jesus shine through me this season, pointing people to You!

The Simple Heart of Christmas

 

 

Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  I John 4:10 (CSB)

 

Christmas is a big celebration in Japan where I live.  It is about trees and lights and Christmas cakes, and chicken legs and thighs. Yes, they like to eat that on Christmas Eve.  Kentucky Fried is a favorite!   But sadly 99% of Japanese do not know Jesus and do not associate Christmas with Jesus.  They have created a romance around Christmas that is totally devoid of God’s love.  So they celebrate a ritual that is empty.  Their hearts remain empty.  Please do not imitate them.  Look to Scripture to find the profound yet simple meaning of Christmas and embrace it for yourself!  God loved us! He sent His son to pay the price for our sins!  That is Christmas!

Ahh, Autumn at Last!

 

At long last we are having autumn weather.  Where we live in Japan the weather quickly goes from hot to cold with a very short autumn.  In northern parts of Japan, the autumn season is more glorious and longer.  Here you have to look quick or miss it.  I love this season and sometimes feel cheated that it is so short.  I remember being on a home assignment in the Midwest in the autumn.  Seeing the glorious colors God displayed was thrilling.  Walking in the leaves was fun.  The air was crisp and refreshing.  Today as I went shopping with mom, I saw colors.  I felt a crispness in the air.  I was glad to be outside with a jacket and enjoy the beauty and refreshment after a very long, hot summer.  Thank you, Lord, for this gift!