Tag: Christianity

Good News of Great Joy

On By BrianIn PASSION ReflectionsLeave a comment

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 (ESV)

In the midst of all the bad news of shootings, strife, sorrow, struggles, and suffering, God offers us good news.

At this Christmas time, when everyone is searching for a great deals, great presents, great Christmas goodies, great decorations, great warm fuzzy feelings, and great family time, God offers us great joy.

In a world full of “haves” and and “have nots,” God offers this good news of great joy to all the people.

And what is this good news of great joy for all the people? It is the birth of a baby, who is called a Savior, King, and Lord.

He is a Savior from the penalty and power of sin, and one day from the presence of sin and all its miserable results.

He is a King, who will one day usher in a glorious eternal kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace.

He is the Lord – God become man. Immanuel – God with us.

This Christmas may you embrace this good news of great joy for all the people. Embrace Jesus, your Savior, King, and Lord.

God Is Love

On By BrianIn PASSION Reflections

God is love (I John 4:8). God is eternal (Jeremiah 10:10). God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). When you put those three truths together, we find that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a perfect loving relationship for all of eternity. He is radiant glorious love in action for all eternity.

God is love in Himself. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever loving each other. Which means He didn’t need to create us to have someone to love. Instead, He chose to create us, and this eternal love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit spilled over to people like us. That ought to boggle our brains!

And when we sinned against Him, rejecting His amazing love, He chose to show the extent of His great love by saving us through the cross. He went to great lengths to save us, so that He might continue to extend His love to us forever. Not because we are lovable, but because He is love!

So how should we respond to His amazing love? Jesus sums it up in Matthew 22:37-40. Love God with all your being. Love your neighbor as yourself. In other words, love as God loves. Here is our challenge. Here is our purpose. Here is what life is all about. Love as God loves.

God and Our Vision of Life

On By BrianIn PASSION Reflections

We believe in the one true and living God,
who eternally exists in three unique persons –
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Each one is identical in nature and substance,
with the same attributes and perfections.

Our culture tells us that it is all about you.
You create your own story,
your own identity,
your own reality.
You do whatever you want to do,
because you are center,
everything revolves around you.

Is it not obvious that this doctrine of God refutes this vision of life?
Flips it upside-down?
Or rather right-side up?

There is one true living God, and I am not Him.
So everything revolves around Him, not me.
He is center, not me.
I am to do whatever He wants.
Because this is His great story.
He determines reality.
He gives me my identity.
He makes me part of His story.
So I am going to live for Him, not me.

This doctrine totally changes our vision of life,
and so will change how we live each day.

Introducing OT Journey 2.0

On By BrianIn OT Journey 2.0

I am excited to introduce you to OT Journey 2.0 this summer. Bible Journey studies and reflections have been on this site for quite a while. This summer I am launching OT Journey 2.0 which is a reworking and revising of that earlier material. It is designed to help you take a group through the entire Old Testament (except Psalms) chapter by chapter in three years (150 lessons). You can find all the details for this new study (as well as the older one) on the Bible Journey page here. I plan to start posting studies next week. It would make a great study to start this Fall with your Sunday School class or small group Bible study.

My God Is All I Need

On By BrianIn Sing A Song, Songs to Sing

At our VBS a few weeks ago, we taught the children the kids song, “My God Is So Big,” which CityAlight embedded in their song “My God Is All I Need.” That Sunday we introduced CityAlight’s song, and when we came to “My God Is So Big” we had the kids lead us with the motions. A great way to get the kids involved in the worship service. And great lyrics to encourage all of us.

Lyrics, chord charts, lead sheets, places to listen or buy, and more are available on their site here.

Show Me Your Love

On By BrianIn PASSION Reflections

Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
– Psalm 17:7 (ESV)

Wondrously show me your steadfast love. 
In our suffering, isn’t that in many ways what we most need?
To know God’s love? 
To know that He still cares?
Like a young child running to his mom after hurting himself.
All he needs is a hug, to know he is loved and safe.
And we run to God in our suffering.
All we need is refuge in His steadfast love.
O God, wondrously show me your love!

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 6:4-12

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

Heed the warning to not fall away
Don’t be careless of your salvation
Beware a hard heart that goes astray
Breeding contempt, wicked rebellion

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

Now be encouraged to keep going
Persist in faith, always maturing
Bear real fruit leading to God’s blessing
Full assurance of hope enjoying
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)