----- Original Message ----- From: Steve Stewart To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2008 11:26 PM Subject: HELD BY HOPE, A CHRISTMAS GREETING
Have you ever wanted to travel back in time to be an eyewitness of the celestial celebration that took place in Bethlehem the night that Jesus was born? Imagine what it would be to see angels fill the sky, to hear the voice of God through the cries of a baby, to catch a glimpse of the brilliant Star and to hear the host of heavenly angels sing? Oh, and to talk to Mary! Wouldn't that be amazing to hear what she was thinking as she witnessed, and took part in, the greatest miracle ever known to man? This baby she gave birth to was God made flesh, a true bundle of love. What do you think she treasured in her heart as she took it all in? I'm struck by this thought: As she held the Hope of the world, the Hope of the world was also holding her. Consider that; the baby born in a barn that holy night long ago is the Hope of the world - the Grace that saves us - the Love that heals us. Jesus is Hope that changes our worthless into precious, our guilty to forgiven, our hungry into satisfied, and our empty into full. His presence is inescapable. We cannot flee from His stubborn grip. The Psalmist, David said: "If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast" (Psalm 139:8-10). The Bible tells us in the New Testament that Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God, the Father in heaven. God's Word clearly shows us that Jesus "holds us fast." Relish that thought. The Hope that holds us is Jesus Christ. We are held by Hope. In the Old Testament, God told Joshua that He would "never leave or forsake" him (Joshua 1:5). God says the same to us. He will never leave us or forsake us; no matter the circumstances, no matter the diagnoses, no matter the financial struggle. Our faithful LORD is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We can rest assured that in everything, we are held by Hope. After His resurrection and before His ascension into heaven, Jesus said, "Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). He is always with us. Always loving us. Always wanting us to find comfort, refuge, joy and satisfaction in Him. As Christmas approaches and a New Year dawns, let's be mindful of God's promise. We are never alone. If you are in Christ, you are held by hope! Steve Stewart C n D moderator E-mail; [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.173 / Virus Database: 270.9.19/1859 - Release Date: 12/20/2008 2:34 PM --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
