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Tuesday, December 6, 2005

"Great Joy"

"The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).  "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10).

Look around today, this week, this season.  Do some people-watching at a local mall or on the roadway.  I suppose you will see a lot more impatience, stress and inconsideration than deep and abiding joy. Recently there was a story that told of the shoving and fighting that took place at a store.  Greed was certainly at the heart of such actions.

Nehemiah challenged the people of his time with the familiar words of our first Scripture reference. This call to joy was in response to the people's weeping at the reading and their understanding of God's Word. Nehemiah wanted them and us to realize the greatest source of joy is the Lord and this joy will result in strength.

The very heart of the gospel is the message from the angel to the shepherds expressed in the second verse.  Just ponder the aspect of "great joy" these lowly shepherds received in the message of the Gospel.  This event had none of the normal trappings we associate with joy today.  No flashy consumer goods, no big win at the lottery, no great buy at the mall.

But it is joy of an entirely different nature.  This great joy is the result of the birth of Jesus.  The angel's message went on to proclaim, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."

This season I urge you to remember the real source of great joy.  Let us express that deep and abiding joy as a testimony of what Christ has done for us.

Joy to the world
The Lord is come
Let earth receive her king!
Let every heart prepare Him room.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer: Jesus, the media is usually devoid of good news, but rather corruption, murder, greed, and bickering politicians are at the forefront of the daily news.  How marvelous that an announcement made by an angel some 2000 years ago would bring great joy not only for the people of that generation, but it continues to resound even to our generation and those that will follow.  Your coming to earth brings great joy and provides eternal hope to all who believe on You.  Today I will not walk under the cloud of bad news but I will soar above the clouds because my steps are ordered by You, not by the news of the day.  You are my strength, my hope and my joy!




Recently Brooksyne picked up a book at the Christian bookstore titled "The Case for Christmas" by Lee Strobel. I have enjoyed his other books in "The case for" series and this is no exception. This is an excellent book for gift-giving and evangelistic outreach. I found an inexpensive online edition.

54762: The Case for Christmas
The Case for Christmas  By Lee Strobel
You never know who may start asking life-changing questions this Christmas. Here's a great way to share the gospel---and the true reason for the season! The Case for Christ author and journalist Strobel investigates the facts behind Luke 2:8--18 and asks: Was it all a hoax---or truly the pivotal event of human history? 112 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

 

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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