A Fresh Start With A Gifted Living Tree Of Life…Free of Charge
Okay! So now that Thanksgiving is over, let us now enter wholeheartedly into the Yuletide Season. No, that’s not a biblical scripture verse, but it could be. However, I don’t recall the Holy Spirit directing me to compile a ‘Gospel According To Mother Fowler’. No way! No how!
I’m just calling your attention to the coming 2018 Yuletide Season (which, as you know refers to Christmas) because our Lord and Savior reminded me in my prayer time to take “A Fresh Start” in celebrating His birthday this year and not to become complacent.
Most of us enter the Yuletide Season with great expectation of receiving and/or giving gifts. Sending Christmas cards to friends and loved ones or perhaps visiting them whether near or far is another activity normally scheduled.
But if the truth was told, how many of us actually stop to ‘count the many ways’ principal norms were forever changed when that little bitty Baby was born to Joseph and Mary in a stable over 2,000+ years ago in Bethlehem. How many people realize that such an Event would offer the world “A Fresh Start”?
Let us count the ways….
One of the most famous discourses in scripture given by Jesus is the Sermon on the Mount (better known as the Beatitudes) which is recorded in Matthew and ends with the following verse: “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” vs. 7:28
For one thing, the teachers of the law of Moses quoted other rabbis to support their own teachings, thus validating their teaching authority as coming strictly from human beings and traditional norms. Jesus, on the other hand, spoke with divine authority and credited all of his actions, thoughts and instructions as coming from his Heavenly Father, God.
What can we learn from Matthew 7:28 and how can we apply “A Fresh Start” for this upcoming 2018 Yuletide Season.
For one thing, we cannot overlook the word ‘amazed’ in the verse. The amazement was not a good thing. Jesus’ presentation style and new way of teaching and to whom he cited as his authority left the people perplexed and bewildered. So when Jesus had finished teaching these people on the mountainside He moved on from there and eventually returned to his own hometown of Nazareth. He begin teaching in their synagogues and (you guessed it) they, too, were not only amazed [vs. 13:53], but they took offense [vs. 13:57].
“But Jesus said to them, ‘Only in their own towns and in their own homes are prophets without honor.’ And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” (vs. 13:57b-58)
Epilogue: You and I may not be ‘prophets’, but we are called ‘Children of God’. And what Jesus may be trying to tell us Kids is we should make “A Fresh Start” this season by not only giving and receiving gifts; visiting and socializing with family and friends; and giving ourselves “at-a-boys” at the close of the day. But just maybe we should take the time to revisit the true ‘Reason for the Season’ and Who made it all possible and why.
So, when you wrap that gift, slip a scripture verse within the folds of the wrapping paper. Or during your visits, ask if you can bless their home or the food that will be served by mentioning the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Announce to your family and others that you love them just as Jesus loved us.
Make a sacrifice this season by making “A Fresh Start” in spreading the Good News about that Little Bitty Baby born in Bethlehem. Amen!
Make A Fresh Start by spending time with Him. Refresh your memory. Then share.
Scripture Verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
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