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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
What has all this today to do with an event in a little town in the Middle East some 2,000 years ago?
It causes traffic jams – and packed shops. It irritates many, and results in serious debt. Yet, families and friends seek to come together. In many places there is a very special menu.
It split our calendar into BC and AD. Is it just a holiday? Is it just about lights and cards and presents? For millions in the western world it is not much more than that.
I am referring to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Read the narrative in the Gospels of what actually happened, and of how this fulfilled many of the Old Testament prophecies.
If you are a preacher or teacher share the truths from the Word of God – people require the truths in the Word of God to live and grow and be strong. Many have scant idea of how Jesus Christ was born.
God planned that it would happen. He planned when it would happen, and where it would happen, and how it would happen.
We have that message of the angels – to shepherds looking after sheep. They were terrified. “DO NOT BE AFRAID” – there is good news of great joy – for all people” - delivered at night – during a period of spiritual and moral darkness – gloom and despair.
God loves you. God is concerned about you. God cares for you – and He has done something about it. There has to be a response to that love.
He loves you on your good days – and He loves you on your bad days. He loves you when you deserve it, and when you do not deserve it.
GOD is with you. EMMANUEL – God with us.
You may not feel God’s presence – that is why we must not act only on feelings – but on facts. I will never leave you not forsake you. God will not abandon you.
There are many lonely people today.
I am with you always. You do not have to face anything by yourself. You can if you want to - but it would be wise to have God with you. When God is near, it can remove your fear.
GOD is for you. He is not against you. He is not out to get at you – or scold you - or make you miserable – but the opposite.
Some are afraid of God. Some get nervous when people talk about God.
Jesus did not come to condemn – or give you a row.
If God is for us, who can be against us? He came to save us, not to scare us.
You matter to God. When you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus and find the true meaning of what God is really like.
This is a massive Rescue Mission. We all need rescuing. We all need to be rescued – rescued from sin and forgiven – rescued from temptations traps and snares.
Through Jesus Christ, the past can be forgiven. You have a purpose for living. That is an amazing gift.
Wherever you can, share the real meaning of the coming of Jesus Christ into our world. Do so – boldly – courageously – graciously.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9 verse 15
ACCEPT it – UNWRAP it – ENJOY it.
“Almighty God, we thank You for all You did in sending Jesus Christ into our world. We thank you for the prophets who foretold His coming, and for those who received and accepted and embraced. Risen living Jesus – draw near us. Father, receive our worship – and help us to reach out to those who know little of the significance of the coming of the Saviour. Amen.”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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