God’s Love: How He Loves Us!

When you think about God’s love what comes to mind? How is God’s love different from our love? What is the source and meaning of God’s love? Join me as I encourage you to take another look at one of the most popular Bible verses about the Gospel: John 3:16

Setting and Conversation

It’s vital to consider scripture in it’s context! First, Jesus is speaking with Nicodemus and explaining God’s means of renewal and salvation. Remember Nicodemus’ identity and consider how he would have viewed God and redemption. Nicodemus is a religious teacher well versed in the Torah. From his perspective, redemption comes from obedience to God’s law as revealed in Torah. Nicodemus also would understand that God chose the Hebrew people, sent Moses to deliver them and teach them God’s ways/law. Redemption is through birth or inheritance into the “Jewish” nation which God promises to redeem. He would have understood the Major and Minor Prophets as well and probably was waiting for the promised Messiah to come. Perhaps this is why he sought Jesus out: to find out if Jesus was the Anointed One.

Knowing about God yet not understanding God

For the 1st Century Hebrew, the name God would never be written out of respect for God’s Holy and Righteous Name. For God to become man in the form of Jesus was beyond belief or the considered realm of possibility. When reading the Gospels, have you ever wondered why that the disciples and religious leaders couldn’t understand that Jesus is God? The religious refused to seriously entertain the notion that a Holy God would come in the form of Jesus. This is the real reason that sent Him to the Romans to be executed: He claimed to be God. This is clearly prophesied in passages such as Isaiah 53.

Jesus’ numerous miracles demonstrated His nature to the disciples, yet they struggled to believe and understand. Do we fully understand Jesus? Why is it that people who have been raised and attended church for life don’t really know Jesus even though many know so much about Him?

Why is this?

It’s not enough to know all about God. Just like those before us, we misunderstand and wrongly interpret God according to our culture, past experiences, and how we were taught about God. My desire is to encourage you with truth so you can better understand the wonderful depth and immense greatness of God’s love and grace for us! For specific verses and insights on this concept:

https://www.gotquestions.org/breadth-length-height-depth.html

Jesus engages Nicodemus

Jesus teaches Nicodemus truth. He explains how God’s love sent Him to redeem the world and make eternal life possible for all who would believe. Jesus explains that we must be born again/born of God. Two concepts come to play here: being born again and being born again from above. Jesus clearly teaches that we must be converted and regenerated! Conversion involves believing properly–understanding that we are lost and need a savor. Regeneration comes when Jesus’ grace and redemption transforms us and brings us into saving relationship with God. After being regenerated/transformed, God begins the process of sanctification wherein we become more like Him and less like the fallen world. Key to all of this is the understanding that God reaches out to us with His truths calling us to trust and obey!

https://www.gotquestions.org/born-of-God.html

The apostle John uses the Greek ēgapēsen here related to agapé. This form of love is a divine form of love. For more on this type of love and what it means see below article.

https://www.gotquestions.org/agape-love.html

God’s Love is All About His Nature–we are recipients not the origin of redemption

God’s love is demonstrated in the person, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God exists in a Perfect Trinity. God is Father, God is Jesus Christ (resurrected human/glorified state) and God is Holy Spirit. Each member of the Holy Trinity is God, yet a distinct personality. This Trinity exists in a state of Perfect Love, Agreement, and Power. God the Son loves God the Father and perfectly obeys His will. Holy Spirit loves God Father and God Jesus. We observe this in the Gospel of John. Consider Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John Chapter 17. For more details on this crucial prayer see the following article:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-high-priestly-prayer.html

The apostle John reminds us that love creates obedience. If we love God then we obey Him just as Jesus does. My point here is that the redemption is about God not about us!

I’ve misunderstood John 3:16 myself. Yes, this verse teaches that God loves the world and sent His Son to redeem. The word “Houtos” in Greek also indicates extent by meaning “so, thus, in this manner”. This means that the extent of God’s love is demonstrated when He becomes man in form of Jesus and enters His creation to redeem it. God definitely loves us and desires to save all people, but this is due to His love not our worthiness. We get it backwards. God loves us because He came to redeem us, not because we’re worthy to be loved. Our worth is established and measured by His redemption!

Why we need to understand John 3:16 properly

4 Main Reasons

1.God is our Creator and Redeemer-He is the center of our lives and faith journey. Life of Faith is so much greater than our individual personalities and desires! We are Creatures not self-reliant deities here to please ourselves. God is to be worshiped and served. He alone is worthy!

2. God initiates salvation and grace. God calls people to repent. Consider how Jesus calls the disciples. He calls them and they respond in faith. God calls Abraham and Moses, they respond in faith. So shall we trust and obey for there is no other way!

3. Depending on God frees us from trying to save ourselves! This is the trap of all man-made or human focused religions. We are powerless to redeem ourselves by good deeds or intentions. We also must understand that each person is saved only through Christ.

4.Experiencing and understanding God’s love empowers us to fervently and correctly share His Good News with the lost and perishing souls around us. How many people are around us each day who are lost and don’t even know it? Who will show and proclaim the Good News to them?

Trusting in and depending on God’s love provides a firm foundation when the waves of life come crashing down upon us with sorrows, disappointments, and we face the valley of death. God’s Love is a place of refuge and respite when all else is collapsing around us!

I’m including a link to a well written article by Scott Stein that explains John 3:16 in more detail. I’m also sharing some quotes that will highlight the key points of his article for you below:

https://preparedtoanswer.org/podcast/8366-so-misunderstood-john-316-might-not-mean-what-you-think

Key Quotes to Consider

It reveals to us something about God and the nature of his love, namely that it is entirely boundless, selfless and gracious. It’s not because he needed us that God loved us this way; quite the reverse. It’s because we need him. The Father’s motive for sending Jesus was actually his love for the Son and his desire to glorify the Son.

“Prepared to Answer” Scott Stein “So Misunderstood John 3:16 May Not Mean What You Think”

Quote 2

Salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead is all about the Father glorifying the Son whom he loves.

“Prepared to Answer” Scott Stein “So Misunderstood John 3:16 May Not Mean What You Think”

Other article with explanation of entire chapter and key terms.

https://www.bibleref.com/John/3/John-3-16.html

May God encourage you on your journey! As you experience and grow in His love, be a person who shares God’s love wonderful love with others! For His glory and honor, I write

Practical Reads

As you’re beginning a new year, I want to share some book titles that I have in my personal library that are assisting in my in journey of healing, restoration, and purpose. Reading or listening (audiobooks) is a great way to immerse yourself in God’s Truth!

When I face personal setbacks and relationship difficulties the following books have given me insights and truths:

When things aren’t making sense or working out in my life:

1.Randy Alcorn: If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil

2. & 3. Dr. Larry Crabb: When God’s Ways Make No Sense and Shattered Dreams: God’s Unexpected Path to Joy

Randy Alcorn discusses how to answer the age old issue of how God can be all good and all powerful; yet allowing suffering, death, and evil. His chapters are loaded with numerous biblical passages and insights.

I feel as though Dr. Larry Crabb is a dear friend after reading his books. He clearly understands that we suffer and question the difficult things of our lives. Dr. Crabb passed away couple of years ago. He encourages us to reach out to God during our desperate moments and reminds us that God loves us enough to make us right with Himself.

4.Tullian Tchividjian: Glorious Ruin: How Suffering Sets You Free

Tullian is a grandson of Billy Graham. His story is presented on his website below:

https://www.tullian.net/tullian-tchividjian

I don’t agree with his past behavior, but recognize the truths he proclaims from God’s Word. I am a broken sinner as well who desperately needs God grace in my life! Tullian accurately and passionately teaches about God’s grace.

5. Timothy Keller: Walking with God through Pain and Suffering

Pastor Keller gives us fresh insight into how God walks with us through difficult times.

Good perspectives for daily reading/devotionals

books by Jon Bloom

1. Things Not Seen: A Fresh Look at Old Stories of Trusting God’s Promises

2. Not by By Sight: A Fresh Look at Old Stories of Walking by Faith

3. God’s Ways are Not Your Ways: Don’t Follow Your Heart

Jon Bloom takes well known biblical accounts and uses historical narrative to give fresh insights. Each of his “stories” is packed with truth, encouragement, and insights! He explains how that following our heart leads us away from God and into danger. This book is set up with 31 readings so 1 per day for one month.

4. Oswald Chambers My Upmost for His Highest

Oswald Chambers will daily encourage you to think deeply about your relationship and obedience with Christ. His devotionals are online at: https://utmost.org/ click on the resources tab for print, app, and audio versions.

My prayer and hope for you is that these resources will encourage you as they have me! More posts to come in future!

Jesus Will Come Again!

Jesus comes first as a baby in a manger to live, die, and come to life again to save us! He will also come again to finish history. Are you ready for Him? The world and our fallen nature(s) seek to distract from the truth that He is coming again. His Second Coming will be as a Victorious King. He delays to give more people an opportunity to repent and trust Him!

I want to encourage you to consider the Gospel Message as revealed in the Gospels. Jesus doesn’t command us to make a “decision” for Him. He doesn’t manipulate anyone’s emotions to walk a church aisle or come forward to “receive” Himself. I believe in making a public profession of faith, baptism by immersion in water in the example of Jesus, joining a church to love, serve, and grow in faith. I believe Holy Spirit convicts us of our need for a Messiah and Spiritual Regeneration. I also recognize the reality of an emotional response to Holy Spirit’s conviction. Yet, it is Christ alone who saves us–not any act that we do publicly or privately. I am terrified of people thinking that they are redeemed (because they walked a church aisle or any other religious act that didn’t change them) when in fact they are not!

Jesus commands us to repent and believe upon His Name for salvation. His call to salvation is a miracle! His call is effective and transformative. A profession of faith doesn’t save, but trusting and following Christ does. Depending on His grace brings renewal and redemption. No renewal means no redemption. We can’t experience God’ grace and stay the same! Christ holds onto His Children, we go astray but He will bring us back. We can rage and rebel, but His grace and presence will soften our heartened, broken hearts.

The Gospels teach us that we must die to self, take up our crosses, and walk on the narrow, hard path to Him! To walk with the Messiah means that we die to our fallen, human, self-centered nature. Holy Spirit works in our lives to conform us to Christ our Messiah.

Christ is the only way to redemption. His Sacrificial Redemption and Atonement is the only way to experience True, Abundant Life. Life is found in Christ, not in our self-improvement plans/desires, relationships with other humans, careers, or religious notions!

God’s Love is A Strong Refuge

God loves us more than we can imagine! His love and presence transforms us! God’s love is a place of refuge during times of grief and loss. We will dance with joy for all eternity in His Presence giving thanks for His Amazing Grace! During my college years, one of my fellow students suddenly died. His death came as a horrible shock as he was athletic and healthy; yet passed within a few hours of falling ill (fatal bacterial meningitis). As we gathered to remember his life and to grieve his loss, our worship team performed the song: Sing A Song of Celebration: We Will Dance. It was a reminder that death isn’t the end. Our destiny is far greater than anything we endure on earth including the loss of friends and loved ones. It was comforting to know that our friend was dancing in God’s Presence and that his life had meaning and purpose even though it was cut short.

Because He came to Redeem us, we can welcome His Second Coming to Close History

Walk with Christ daily and He will shine through your life as an example to others. We are surrounded by lost and hurting souls. Seize every opportunity to proclaim God’s grace and desire to redeem! God is in the business of saving the lost! No one is beyond His redemption, no matter how “messed” up he or she may seem to be. God chooses the weak and despised to shame the wise and strong of the world. May God’s love and grace shine through you as you compassionately love those you encounter!

Jesus: Our Prince of Peace

Jesus came to reconcile us to the most Important Person we need to be right with: Our Heavenly Father! Jesus’ death and resurrection opened the way for salvation and restoration for what was broken in our human rebellion against God. I explain this concept and more in the following brief video:

In Depth Explanation

Got questions explains this well with plenty of scriptural references!

https://www.gotquestions.org/Prince-of-Peace.html

Key Points

  1. Jesus restores the “broken” relationship between fallen creatures and our Creator. Jesus’ forgiveness, grace, and mercy flows through us as well to others.
  2. Consider the concept of “shalom” Shalom is a Hebrew salutation. Doug Hershey explains this term:
  3. Jesus and God send us Holy Spirit, who is key to maintaining our peace with God and others. Consider that peace is a fruit of Holy Spirit. Spiritual fruits are “signs” or evidence of God’s presence actively working in our lives.
  4. Peace guards our hearts and minds in our relationship with Christ.

May God grant you peace as you consider His Role as Prince of Peace!

Missing the Messiah

How was the coming of Christ received? Join me for a podcast wherein I encourage you to open your heart to receive Christ.

Reflection Questions:

1. What is the meaning of Christmas?

2. Why was Jesus born in a manager instead of a palace or temple?

3. Why did the most educated and professional religious leaders reject Christ?

4. Is your heart open to receive Christ?

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/q3YabEnCQvb

The Gift of Joy

For week three of Advent, we will be focusing on the theme of joy. I will daily post videos with a focus on various scripture passages. Video introduction to series below:

Terms for Joy and Meaning

Joy and happiness go together! The Bible doesn’t separate these terms. One can’t express joy while having a sour mood! But we can experience and express joy and happiness even in difficult moments. I recommend that you read What is Joy in the Bible by Aubrey from Words of Faith, Hope, &Love to better understand the words/concepts. Aubrey’s article accurately and concisely explains the Hebrew and Greek terms as well as the cultural connection.

https://www.wordsoffaithhopelove.com/what-is-joy-in-the-bible/

Got questions explains how happiness and joy are related:

https://www.gotquestions.org/joy-happiness.html

Thoughts on Joy

Joy is a Gift!

The angels and later Prophet Simeon and Prophetess Anna rejoice in seeing Christ as a baby coming into the world. God’s Presence and coming Redemption gave them reason to rejoice. The presence of God brings great joy because of His Incarnation and Boundless Grace! God doesn’t leave us lost in the darkness of sin and death. He comes to save us and make us His children! Let’s prepare our hearts to receive Christ each day!

Joy is a gift from God Holy Spirit brings into our lives. I will explain this in greater detail this week in a discussion of Joy as fruit of Holy Spirit. God gives us joy as we trust, obey, and become more like Him in our journey of faith. Want to know how to have more Joy? Got questions explains:

https://www.gotquestions.org/joy-Christian.html

Joy is found in community

God the Father, God’s Only Son Jesus Christ, and God’s Holy Spirit have perfect fellowship, unity, community, and love. All Three Persons of the Holy Trinity are present and active in creation. God creates humans in His image. You can find the concept of Trinity when God says “let us create.” The source of our joy is communing with Jesus, God the Father, and Holy Spirit. God made us for His glory and for us to fellowship with Himself! The very act of creation was God sharing His glory, joy, and love with all of creation! God is Awesome and eagerly desires that we experience His presence in our lives! He is so Good and Perfect that He finds joy in sharing His presence with His creatures. God delights in us coming to Him! Consider the great rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents!

We also find joy in community with fellow believers and our social groups. Have you ever considered why and how joy can be contagious within a group of people? Think about your friends and loved ones who “brighten” up the entire room with his or her presence!

Joy enables us to persevere and press ahead

Even when facing death and difficulties, we can experience Joy. I’ve seen joy even in others’ darkest moments, because he/she was fully trusting and depending on Christ. These saints knew that death was entrance into Eternal Life in Christ’s presence. Just as nothing can separate us from God’s love, God’s joy and peace are present where He is! I will be discussing specific scriptures for this point later this week. May God increase your joy in His Presence during this third week of Advent!

Monday, Dec. 12 The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength

Psalm 16

Tuesday, Fight for Joy Romans 15:13

Podcast: Fighting for Joy

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/hjy7NdoROvb

Wednesday, Christ’s Joy in Us

Thursday, Friday

Saturday, Luke 2

God Is Love!

Advent Week 2: Daily Scripture Podcasts

Monday: 1 John 4:7-11

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ZlwEocPEwvb

Tuesday, Ephesians 2:1-10

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/K2kg2x4myvb

Wednesday, Romans 5:6-8

Thursday, 1 John 3:1-4, 11-19

Jesus was born to die for us!

Friday, God’s Love Romans Video 1

Because He lives we have hope!

Saturday, God’s Love Romans Video 2

Gift of Love: God is True Love!

Introduction:

This blog will serve as introduction for this week’s Advent theme of love! You will need to check back daily as I will be placing links for podcasts for daily scripture sets! I want to thoroughly, yet concisely explain each scripture reference in its proper context and proper application! All scripture will be from the Berean Standard Bible.

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB
Copyright ©2016, 2020 by Bible Hub
Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

God is Love: Old Testament Context and Language

The primary biblical language of the Old Testament is Hebrew. The Hebrew word for love is Hesed. Like many biblical words, hesed translates to mean various “English” language concepts depending on how it’s used and the words/meaning around it. For an insightful explanation, please check out the blog post below by Avital Snow:

The Meaning of Hesed: Hebrew for Love

We can find examples of God’s love all through out the Old Testament! The key to understanding God’s love is to remember that God’s love is active wherein God initiates. God’s love is part of His Character and Nature. He loves because He is True Love! This love moves Him to act with grace, mercy, compassion, and patience toward those in relationship with Him. The Biblical narratives demonstrate God “reaching” out and establishing covenants with His chosen people.

However, we need to understand that hesed is love expressed in a covenantal relationship! This is a relationship that God as Father King establishes with a lesser being. He is the Creator and we are the creatures. The New Testament uses the Greek word agape to describe God’s love. Michael Hunt explains hesed and agape with multiple references in his thorough explanation of this concept:

https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/Is%20Hesed%20the%20same%20as%20Agape.htm

When Yahweh forms a covenant with an individual or with a people, He unites Himself to them, not only as Bridegroom to Bride as in the sense of the corporate covenant with Israel at Mt. Sinai, but in the case of the Davidic covenant. God became David’s and Solomon’s father, and David and Solomon became God’s sons (2 Sam 7:14; 1 Chr 17:11-14). God shows His hesed for his covenant children by the blessings he confers upon them and, similarly, God’s covenant children “know God” when they observe the covenant obligations and show their gratitude for God’s blessings by returning His love:

Michael Hunt, Agape Bible Study “IS “HESED” THE SAME AS “AGAPE”?
GOD’S LOVE DEFINED BY COVENANT IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS”

What does it mean to know God? We know God intimately!

Knowledge of God is not merely an intellectual assent that God exists. To “know” in the language of the Bible indicates an intimate knowledge of the person either in a sexual sense or in a covenantal sense. Biblical covenants form families, in marriages and the sense of extended families.

Michael Hunt, Agape Bible Study “IS “HESED” THE SAME AS “AGAPE”?
GOD’S LOVE DEFINED BY COVENANT IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS”

This is why that Abram, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, King David, and the Prophets are radically transformed when God calls and begins His Mighty Work in their lives! They’re touched and forever changed. Love is part of this process. All the great men and women of faith realized that God would be true to His promises (hesed) and that he/she could rest in this truth while waiting on God’s timing!

First instance of God’s love in Genesis

Recall when Eve and Adam disobey God and God pronounces His curses upon them. What does God do? He includes a promise, specifically that:

15And I will put enmity between you and the woman,and between your seed and her seed.

He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Don Stewart explains this:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_756.cfm

Later in verse 21,

21And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them.

God provides for their nakedness. Is this not an act of love? Perhaps even the first animal/blood sacrifice? God provides for them even though they had disobeyed and plunged creation into rebellion and darkness! God promises a future “seed” who will crush the serpent. The serpent is defeated!

The Flood: Noah

Why does God save Noah and his family? The entire world is contaminated with wickedness, death, disobedience, and rebellion; yet God find a righteous man and allows him 120 years to preach and build an ark. God could just as easily wiped every human out! Have you ever considered that God knew that no one would repent and believe, but He still gave Noah years to preach? For more, see article below

https://www.gotquestions.org/preacher-of-righteousness.html

God’s Love is Patient

He calls us to repent and come to Him

The New Testament warns us Jude and 2 Peter that God’s patience is a chance to repent before the finality of His Judgement! Is it His love and desire for people to repent that stays His Righteous Wrath and Coming Judgment?

God’s call to repent Joel 2:12-14

12“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart,with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” 13So rend your hearts and not your garments,and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. 14Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him—grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

and again in 2 Peter 3:8-9

8Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

The Truth of Christmas and Jesus’ Coming

Jesus came as an infant, but He will return as a Conquering, Victorious King. His first coming was to die to satisfy God’s Righteous Judgment on sinner. He conquered death and rose again to make all things anew. He is coming back in Judgment and to Restore/End human history. Peter instructs us:

10But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness 12as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.

BSB 2 Peter 3:10-14

Sunday’s Podcast

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/HlGjZuhuuvb

Gift of Hope!

Podcast: read aloud and commentary:

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/wx1sREZZivb

What is hope? Where should we “rest” our desires, dreams, and mindset about life? Join me as I seek to encourage you with truths about how Jesus is the best gift! All scripture is from the Berean Standard Bible:

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB
Copyright ©2016, 2020 by Bible Hub
Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Join me at anchor page as I will be releasing podcasts this week entitled “Journey of Hope”

Quotes are presented from Got Questions in accordance to Got Questions’ copyright guidelines.

The Candle of Hope–First Advent Candle

What is advent? Click link below for detailed description/explanation

https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-Advent.html

This week’s article is all about hope! Take a moment to reflect on what you are hoping for in your life. Some questions for you to consider:

  1. What is hope? How do you define the concept of hope? What does it mean to have “hope”?
  2. Why is hope essential to faith? Why is faith essential to hope?
  3. Can you explain how hope in God/Christ is different from worldly/secular hope?
  4. Is the hope in your life evident to others who daily encounter you?

For a practical definition and explanation of hope, please read:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-hope.html

Christ is The Promised Root and Branch! Isaiah 11:1-5

The Root of Jesse

1Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse,

and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.

2The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and strength,

the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

3And He will delight in the fear of the LORD.

He will not judge by what His eyes see,

and He will not decide by what His ears hear,

4but with righteousness He will judge the poor,

and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth.

He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth

and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.

5Righteousness will be the belt around His hips,

and faithfulness the sash around His waist.

How does hope and prophecy work together? They go hand in hand! The Gospel writers make a point to connect recorded events of Jesus to promises made in numerous prophecies. The apostle Paul also includes various prophecies in his numerous letters. In the passage above, Isaiah clearly teaches that a new “Root” and “Branch” will come forth from a dead stump. The idea is that even what seems to be dead is actually alive!

Multiple times in the Old Testament the lineage of King David was nearly exterminated! It came down to just one person/one survivor. Ultimately, Joseph (New Testament earthly father of Jesus) was a descendant of King David. Have you ever considered the many things that God set in motion to fulfill prophecy? Here are two events to consider:

First, Caesar (a pagan ruler) decreed a census that required that a late term pregnant Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem so the Messiah would be born there! Second, God sends Joseph and Mary to Egypt to preserve the young Jesus’ life. For more on the significance please take a moment to read this article:

https://www.gotquestions.org/out-of-Egypt-I-called-my-son.html

For a more complete list of prophecies:

https://www.gotquestions.org/prophecies-of-Jesus.html

Christ is our Light Of Hope!

Jesus’ coming to earth is part of God’s redemption plan. Included in this glorious hope is Jesus’ life, ministry, death, resurrection, and sending of Holy Spirit to His redeemed people! We can have hope because God redeems us. Christmas is a miraculous “invasion” of hope! Have you ever considered what the angels proclaim when Christ arrives?

Luke 2:9-14 BSB emphasis mine

9Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! 12And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:

14“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men

on whom His favor rests!”

This is the appearance of our hope! God sends His Only Son to redeem and restore what went wrong in the garden of Eden. This is God’s answer to our sins and all that is wrong with the world. God comes Himself through and in His Son to bring redemption!

Consequently, we have hope because He came and will come again! Our hope is alive because Our Savior lives! 1 Peter 1:3-5 emphasis mine:

A Living Hope

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Our Hope and Perseverance Honors Jesus!

6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials 7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

8Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

This hope enables us to persevere and rejoice! The knowledge that He is saving us and coming back to complete human history makes this journey worthwhile!

The Longing of the Prophets! 1 Peter 1:10-12

10Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, 11trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the numerous other prophets longed for the coming of the Messiah! Jesus was the fulfillment of many longings and hopes! They lived lives of faith, hope, and trust in God knowing that God would fulfill His promises.

How faith and hope work together

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as:

1Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.

Hope is vital to faith! Got questions explains this:

https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-faith-hope.html

Biblical hope is built on faith. Hope is the earnest anticipation that comes with believing something good. Hope is a confident expectation that naturally stems from faith. Hope is a peaceful assurance that something that hasn’t happened yet will indeed happen. Hope must involve something that is as yet unseen: (Romans 8:24). Jesus’ return is our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13)—we can’t see Him yet, but we know He’s coming, and we anticipate that event with joy.

Got Questions, “What is the difference between faith and hope”

Hope is a form of trust! We believe God’s Word and what He promises! This hope is made possible by faith.

Faith is a complete trust or confidence in something. Faith involves intellectual assent to a set of facts and trust in those facts. . . This means we completely trust Jesus for our eternal destiny.

Got Questions, “What is the difference between faith and hope

Faith and hope work together!

Faith and hope are complementary. Faith is grounded in the reality of the past; hope is looking to the reality of the future. Without faith, there is no hope, and without hope there is no true faith. Christians are people of faith and hope. (Titus 1:2).

Conclusion and Prayer for you!

Ephesians 1:16-21

16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.

18I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 20which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

May God increase your hope and faith as you consider His vast mercy and love for us in Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord! For His glory and honor and your edification, I write these words!

God Is At Work!

God is at work in your life as He brings you closer to Himself!

Podcast:

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/7QxGtBjKdvb

1. The Goal of Our Lives!

God is over every single event of your life! His power and wisdom are on display in our lives and what we go through! God uses events and struggles to make us useful to Him. Have you encountered someone who is truly gentle, compassionate, and kind? What about a friend, family member, or coworker who understands where you are at or what you are going through? This is God at work!

We best understand others’ sufferings and difficulties when we have suffered and struggled ourselves. God is at work in your life–especially when things are hard and you daily seek Him because you have no other alternative. This process keeps us humble and leads us to be more compassionate and understanding of others. Are you walking with God through your struggles and difficulties?

2. God teaches us in our present difficulties

God gives us opportunities to learn each day. Are you seeking His wisdom and guidance as you face difficult people and situations? Are you growing in your compassion for others, or turning away and seeking your own good or easy way out?

3. Relationship with Christ is our source of understanding

We want to know what God’s purpose is before the storm of suffering comes. This isn’t the right way. The right way is through fellowship with Jesus–growing in our love, trust, and dependence on Him as we daily obey His leading! Properly knowing God comes through reading, and applying His Living Word to your present circumstances. God has graciously provided us with the books of Job and Psalms for us to read and pray through.

4. There is no shortcut, take the long road not the easy path!

Just as Christ suffered and labored for His Heavenly Father, so must we in our journeys of faith! There is no easy or quick way to become like Christ! We become like Him as God works through our lives-molding and shaping us into new creations!

Closing Thoughts

We can’t follow God and our ambitions/selfish plans! We daily submit to God trusting that He will supernaturally renew and transform our minds.

Walking through uncertain and difficult times have an important purpose: to keep us humble and dependent on God! We (as finite, fallen humans) can’t fully perceive what God is doing in our lives, but we can trust and depend on Him! We can lean on His everlasting arms, knowing that God is working for the best. The best for us is for us to be radically transformed and made anew in Him!

What if the things that you are grappling with today have a future purpose? God is teaching, shaping, and renewing you! God is also preparing and equipping you to love and serve others! May God bless and encourage you in your journey of faith. For God’s glory, honor, and your edification, I write these words: