The Central Moment

The storyline of the Bible pivots around two events -- Creation and Redemption. In other words, the God who created us did not leave us to self-destruct. He intervened in history by stepping into his Creation to save us!

There are two messengers in the story of Christ’s birth who could not have been more different! And yet this world-changing moment is still being announced by millions of people filled with the Spirit of the one born in Bethlehem.

We may rightfully feel patriotic towards our country and be avid fans for our favorite sports teams, but Jesus came to claim our passions and allegiance for a higher cause -- the Kingdom of God!

Even in the story of Christ’s birth we can find our story -- the story of supernatural birth, the story of deliverance and the story of God’s providential care. And Jesus is still at the center of it all!

Fascination has grown in western culture with ancestries and genealogies. We all need a sense of heritage and identity. Not surprisingly, the New Testament starts with a genealogy because, above all, it is the identity of Jesus that redefines history.

Discouragement depletes us but joy energizes us. Anger exhausts us, but joy replenishes us. The joy of the Lord is our strength!

Can you imagine the enemy of our souls losing confidence? His defeat began at the Cross, and Christ’s victory is being worked out in our lives as we let God finish what he has started in our lives.

Every follower of Christ is in a spiritual war, as distasteful as that metaphor might be to some. But denial and naiveness will never win the day, only a faith-filled determination to stand our ground.

Breakthrough praying is possible. It precedes God’s intervention and advances God’s influence in our circumstances and lives. The Key: P-R-A-Y

There is a book in the Bible that never mentions God. And yet, as often in our lives, it is the story of our God sovereignly and secretly working behind the scenes to position us for his purposes.