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Strange Way to Save the World

/ Gail Johnson / 7 Comments

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

My son, Levi, often fails to hear what I’m saying because he’s too busy trying to figure out where I’m going with the conversation. Through the years, it’s become my habit to begin our conversations with “Just listen. Don’t try to figure out where I’m going. Just listen to what I’m saying.”

As a planner, Levi tries to stay a step ahead. Nothing wrong with that. We need to make some plans. But many times, I find myself doing the same thing when it comes to my faith walk. I ponder where the Lord is taking me, what He is doing with me, and how it will turn out in the end. When all He wants me to do is listen. Not try to figure it out. But listen, and then, obey.

I think of my inclinations when reading  Joseph’s response to his pregnant betrothed in the first chapter of Matthew. I don’t get to hear all his thoughts, but I can speculate what he must have been thinking while lying there. Did he replay the facts over and over like a soundtrack on repeat? Did he question God’s plans the way we so often do amid our storms? Did he think of the prophet’s words foretelling a virgin birth? Or, did he ponder his neighbor’s reaction? Imagine his own reaction when the angel appeared!

 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Matthew 1:18-25

Certainly, God’s ways are higher than our own. For who would have thought to send a babe to save the world? I wouldn’t have. But, I’m so glad He did! Hallelujah!

History:

Songwriters: Donald A. Koch, David Allen Clark, and Mark R. Harris

Favorite line:

Why love had to reach so far

 

 

O Come All Ye Faithful

/ Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:20

History:
Words attributed to John F. Wade
Translated from Latin to English by Fredrick Oakley (verses 1-3 & 6) and William T. Brooke (verses 4-5)
Music Adeste Fideles attributed to John Wade, John Reading, Simao Portogallo, and King John IV of Portugal Wikipedia.com Cyberhymnal.org

Favorite Line:
O come let us adore Him.

Reflection:
Adore means to pay divine honor to; worship

Faithful is defined as true to one’s word, steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: reliable. Dictionary.com

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:15-18

When told of His birth, the shepherds didn’t hesitate but rushed to Bethlehem and worshiped the newborn King. So moved by their experience, they didn’t allow it to remain in the four walls of the stable but told everyone they met. And the people marveled.

Today, we have the privilege to worship the Lord anytime, any place, anywhere. We are so blessed. There is much to praise Him for. Let us not hesitate to give God the glory for the marvelous gift of His Son, our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord. Come, let us adore Him for He alone is worthy to be praised! Let us tell everyone we meet of His goodness and mercies.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

O Holy Night

/ Gail Johnson / 5 Comments

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

History:

Words by Placide Cappeau
Music by Adolphe Adam
Translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight

Favorite line:

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth

Reflection

Do you know your worth?

You are priceless. None compare to you, my friend. You were bought with a price. His precious blood paid the price that everyone could be saved. Rejoice in that fact. It is the reason He came to this world and the reason for rejoicing during this season.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:19

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12