ONLY ONE GOD!
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. —Habakkuk 2:14
What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols! —Habakkuk 2:18
It is a fact that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” We are told in Matthew 24:14 that “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Also in Matthew 28:19-20 we are told to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” And again we are told in Acts 1:8 that “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Yes, “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
Yet there are those who make idols, gods of their own imagination. These are not always made out of wood, stone, metal or some other substance, but can just be an intellectual idea, a god made up in my mind to suit one’s own desires. Usually this is a god of love, which God is (I John 4:7-8), but usually people don’t like the idea that God also is a God of justice, of punishment, of wrath— which He is (John 3:18; 36; II Thessalonians 1:5-11). Unlike man, these characteristics are held in perfection and are carried out perfectly as only God can. Man also wants god to be a universalist— that He accepts everyone and that everyone will go to heaven. But this is a misunderstanding of the nature and holiness of God (Habakkuk 1:12-13).
Are you trusting God as He is revealed to us in His Word, the Bible or are you trusting a god of your own imagination?
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. —Psalm 146:1-5
Christmas 2020— Christmas = Christ- mas = Christ- celebration. Are we celebrating the body and blood of Christ— the birth, but also His death and resurrection– for that is why He came. Let us reflect on that this year.
Dear Father I so thank You that You gave us the Gift of Your Son, Jesus, that we could be forgiven and have eternal life. Out of great gratitude may I live faithfully for You for the rest of my life. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUxI-ynsTnM&list=UUf1NPIFOBwzTLVQiEDnq4Cw&index=6
FIRST CHRISTMAS
And on that night
that starry, starry night
the angels sang in the sky
Blessed be the Son
of the virgin born
whom reigneth from on high
He came to save the world from sin
but the world, it did not know
This One who came to save their souls
would serve them here below
He taught and healed and told them
secrets from above
Gentle, He was , this Lamb of God
with infinite wisdom and love
Truth was He and so He taught
to all that would come near
Many believed and followed Him
this One who knew no fear
Others were angered to hear such things
with which they didn’t agree
He knew to Pilate He would go
but still He would not flee
“To die my Lord,” the disciples said
“can this be really true?”
Jesus answered, “Yes, My flock
this is what I must do.”
You see My Friends to be with Me
I first must die for you
I’ll take your sins upon Myself
and give you life anew
But do not fear or shed a tear
for I will rise again
Victorious, I will be
over the grave and over sin
A cross was given to the Son of Man
to carry on His own
Rejected by His people Israel
his identity is still unknown
At Calvary He was crucified
suffered in the midst of thieves
Yet still, in all that torment
He could continue to answer pleas
“Jesus, remember me in Your kingdom”
the voice of a thief did say
The Son of God did answer
“You will be with Me in Heaven this day”
“Why have You forsaken Me?”
Jesus, of the Father, did ask
All our sins were upon Him
in that moment of His sacrificial task
His followers scattered, confused and scared
Christ’s words they didn’t recall
While the religious leaders of that day
sealed the tomb to ensure His fall
A short time later, first day of the week
out of the grave He arose
He appeared to many who believed in Him
since then the faith still flows
Jesus ascended into Heaven
to the glory He knew before
He promised to be with us always
if only we would open the door
-ted white 1982