Do you even believe?

 Do you even believe?

In Lukes Gospel we read,

Simeon took him (Jesus) in his arms and praised God, saying: 

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:28-32.

Mary and Joseph had taken Jesus to the temple as was required by law to dedicate him to God. While there Simeon the prophet came over took the child in his arms and proclaimed that, Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. Proclaiming, 

  "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 29-32.

Christmas is but a few days away as I write this. For me Christmas and Easter are the most important days on the Christian calendar. One, Christmas, is the day God through His one and Only Son Jesus Christ came into the world. Beginning the process that would end at Easter thirty-three years later with Christs death and resurrection. For the salvation of all who would believe in Him.

In Jesus we see God in his grace reaching down to His creation. The apostle Paul pointing out,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

As Jesus put it,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.". John 3:16,17.

Thus the questions I have for you dear reader is,

Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? 

Do you believe that Jesus came into this world to Give you eternal life?

Do you even believe in Jesus?

Please think about it.

Images of Love

Images of Love

Today is Easter Sunday the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the peace He brings to all who would accept Him as their Lord and Saviour.
The poet wrote,
                                                                   Images of Love
                                          

                                    Mary:                                         

What would she do now?  

Her mind vacillated, uncontrollably between joy and uncertainty.  

She could hide it, at least for a while.  

But, then tongues would wag.  

It was a small village.  Everyone knew everyone.  

Word of her condition would spread along the gossip highway.  

She’d be disgraced!  And...And what of her fiancé? 

What of Joseph?

 He’d have no choice, but to let her go.  

He hadn’t done a thing, yet, he’d get the blame.  

Just for the sake of his reputation, she’d have to go. 

She’d have to face this alone.

For a moment, her racing mind slowed, as she thought about what she’d been told. ELIZABETH!

Elizabeth.

 The angel had said Elizabeth was with child. 

 She would understand, she would know what to do.  

She’d go to Elizabeth.

Joseph:

PREGNANT!  

What has she done!  

How could she have done such a thing!  

He loved her.  

He thought she loved him...

For a moment, his mind became a whirling dervish of thoughts and emotions out of control.

How could she bring such a disgrace down on both of them, like this.

  How was it possible...

Then as suddenly as it started, the tirade in his mind abated, 

allowing the love he felt for her to surface.  

Despite what she had apparently done, he still loved her.  

Yet, her condition seemed to say, she did not love him.  

Perhaps, by divorcing her quietly, it would make it easier for her. 

 Joseph lay back on his bed and fell asleep.

O what joyous night!  

What blessed revelation!  

What blessed assurance!  

He would make  Mary, his wife!  

Just as the angel had commanded.  

Together, they would rejoice that Mary had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah.

The Two:

Together, they would rejoice with the shepherds, 

as they told of the visit from the heavenly host.

They would give praises to God with Simeon and Anna,

 as they gave thanks for the fulfillment of His promise to Israel!

They would make haste fleeing along the dusty roads to Egypt 

and weep with the mothers of Rama as their children died.  

Mary,

 would feel the anguish of a mother 

 watching her own son die in agony on a Gentile cross 

under a blackened sky.

She would also experience the elation of 

the empty tomb!

the resurrection of her LORD !

and the love of her God.

Have you?
Jesus speaking of himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
           John 3:16,17
The apostle John states,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” 
                     John 1:12,13.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                                             Matthew 11:28-30
On this day Easter Sunday 2016 would you consider accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour That you may have rest for your soul?
Please think about it.