Isn’t it something how quickly our Christmas celebration came and it is now over! My prayer, though, is that you took personal quality time to reflect on the “Reason for the Season” – Jesus Christ. I pray that you did not allow the world’s insatiable craving to take Christ out of CHRISTmas to overcome you, or to negatively influence you. (By the way, did you state “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” to those you greeted?) I pray that although Christmas has passed, you now have a new resolve to place Christ first in your life. I pray that Galatians 2:20 reflects your new resolve. For it states,
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Shortly, all of the Christmas displays will be taken down, and all of the ornaments will be re-boxed and stored away until next year. We have now entered a new year. For a child of God, although the “displays” will have been put back in the attic, [Christ] should still be ever present and be displayed in our daily lives. For a child of God, this New Year should be looked upon as one of Hope – and an opportunity for greater service unto the Lord. Our Hope is bound in “expectation” that this may be the year that the Lord returns. It should be noted that there are many who are predicting that 2019 will be the year that the anti-Christ will be revealed. They site the movement to a “One World Government” due to the instability being seen in several European countries – as well as the financial volatility of and the division within the United States. Could it be that this is the year? It could be, but only if the Lord chooses to allow it to happen. However, until such time, our Hope is still bound in “expectation” in that the fruit of His Spirit will be greatly manifested in our lives through our daily walk with Him.
Notice the words found in Titus 2:11-14,
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
As children of God, we should purpose in our hearts and lives to share Christ’s love with those who don’t personally know Christ as Savior. One way that we can share Christ with others is to let others see Christ living within us. “How?” – you might ask. By bearing the fruit of God’s Spirit within our lives.
Galatians 5:22-23 speaks of the fruit of the Spirit,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Furthermore, Galatians 5:24-25 details the instructions for one to manifest the fruit of the Spirit in their life. For it states,
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Likewise, as children of God, we should be quick to proclaim God’s great love for all of mankind.
John 3:16 states,
“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.”
I pray that you will set some goals for your life for greater service unto the Lord in 2019. I pray that you will ask the Lord to allow you to witness a lost person receiving Christ as their Savior. Note, however, that this prayer will only be realized if you are willing to witness for the Lord. For you see, those who do not have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ will view this New Year as “just another year” – without any “expectant” Hope. May we earnestly pray for our lost loved ones – and may we loudly proclaim, Romans 10:12-13,
“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Now that’s “expectant” Hope!! I challenge you to share God’s Great Hope with someone else.
