God’s primary concern always has been and always will be our hearts - do we love him above all else.  Anything that takes God’s place in our lives is a breach of faith (idolatry). 

As we turn from Israel to look at our own relationship with God and the condition of our hearts, let’s look at a true test of love - the test of Sacrifice. 

For God so LOVED the world (read ME) that He GAVE Jesus. So that we might be SAVED through him.

This is true love - God looked not to how we had wronged Him or rejected Him, but to our need and the hopelessness of our situation and HE did what was needed to address our separation from Him.

For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my promise and bring you back to this place.  – Jeremiah 29:10

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.  – 1 Peter 2:11-12

Guard your hearts

Watch how you live

No one’s Family Tree is exempt from the need of redemption and personal transformation through the power of Jesus. 

May God’s divine intervention and his faithfulness through generations be seen in our midst. May we now and for generations to come tell the stories of His work in and through us. May God be glorified through our family tree.

"Stories… stories are integral to the lives of people in all societies. At one level they entertain, but at a deeper level stories shape our lives, especially those stories told and retold within families, churches, ethnic groups, organizations and nations. Such stories tell us where we have come from, where we belong, where we find our values and direction. These stories rehearse the past in order to illuminate the present and point the way to the future. For God’s people, biblical narrative provides images of hope that sustain life and faith, helping us to persist in moving forward.”  ESV Expository Commentary

All in heaven and in earth is the LORD’s…

Look at the list of what is the LORD’s

greatness

power

glory

victory

majesty

EPIPHANY - You may have thought that Christmas was over on December 26, but this Thursday (January 6) is actually the culmination of the Advent Celebration.  January 6 is historically celebrated as EPIPHANY Day. 

EPHIPAHY - THEOPHANY - KINGS DAY is the Christian celebration of the manifestation of Jesus 

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. 

I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. 

So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

John. 10:16

Other Sheep - Gentiles

Not of this fold - Israel

Why? Because Jesus came to bring Joy to ALL PEOPLE.

The Joy of being brought in and included

The Joy of being called, named and valued

The Joy of being protected - even at the cost of the life of the Shepherd!

The Incarnation… This word literally means “to embody, take on flesh”. The miracle of Christmas and the Gift of Advent is that GOD stepped into humanity through the INCARNATION.

"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Luke 1:32

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

But this horrific scene finds it’s true beauty in not only what Jesus came to be, but...

The unique and costly gift under the tree had a name on the package. 

As Mary wrapped her newborn baby a tag was written and fastened to his little fingers and toes.

Jesus came for ME!

Jesus came for YOU!

Looking ahead with ANTICIPATION is only possible because we can look backward with APPRECIATION for God’s dealing with our sin and providing us with redemption. This new standing before God then continues to bring TRANSFORMATION in our lives.

"Our God is not a God who leaves us alone and lets us be just how we are. He is a God who changes us.” - The Gospel of Advent p. 25

In light of Jesus 2nd Advent we are called to WAIT PATIENTLY, WATCH EXPECTANTLY, and PREPARE PURPOSEFULLY

Titus 2:11-14

… waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 

But how do we wait patiently?

The day of the Lord…

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.