Thought For Today- Dec. 19

[JULIE]

Hope for Tomorrow By Overseer Christopher J. Harris This week's topic: The Real Meaning Of Christmas In many places around the world, there are people who have been in the Christmas mood for a number of days and in some cases, weeks. Gifts, dinners, shopping, sports and a number of other things seem to signal this annual holiday season. But have you ever really stopped to think about what Christmas is really all about? Beyond just saying, “Oh, it’s about Jesus’ birth.” What is that really about? I believe the real meaning of Christmas is about hope. Hope is the expectation of a promise being fulfilled. It is the anticipation that a specific circumstance will be met with a different outcome than what currently exists. Bad relationships without hope lead to divorce, separation, and irreconcilable differences. Unemployment without hope leads to stress attacks and headaches. An unfavorable medical diagnosis without hope could lead to suicide or depression. And as we inspect our own lives, we can see the truth of Proverbs 13:12, “hope deferred makes the heart sick…” Moments and seasons where our hope was weaning, we all can confirm that we were headed for a destination that we really did not desire. We had to find a way to fight to restore the hope that lay deep within us. The birth of Christ, his reason for coming and the lasting legacy that Jesus has established, is all about us living lives of hope. Without Christ being born or willingly leaving a legacy, which includes His Word and the Holy Spirit, we would not be able to have any sense of hope about our faith, finances, families, friends or future. But with His birth, everything stands the chance to be defeated as it attempts to stand between us and the realization of God’s promises. With Jesus leaving His legacy, we have the opportunity to keep a lifted head in any circumstance. 1 Peter 1: 3-4 (NIV) tell us, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.” The Message Translation of this same verse helps us understand clearly why we have hope through Jesus Christ. It says, “What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!” The truth of your future starts right now. In most Christmas traditions, you have to wait until Christmas day to open your gifts and presents. The good news is that you don’t have to wait for hope, you have it right now. The gift has been presented to you and ready for you to receive it. Your future, faith, family and finances all have just been injected with hope. Today, hope is alive! Scripture Of The Day: "Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!" - 1 Peter 1:3-4 (MSG)

[King George]

Happy Festive Seasons
During this time of Christmas we should share the gospel with others.
Jesus Christ is the main reason for the season.

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HAPPY FESTIVE SEASONS