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Showing posts from December, 2019

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

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For the holidays, I'll be taking a short break. The devotionals will begin again on Monday, January 6th. Have a Blessed Holiday! May the joy of Christ spread throughout the lives of both you and yours this season. Merry Christmas from Deacon Allison & family

Who is the X?

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. ~ Revelation 21:5-6 Christ is seated on the throne. Alpha and Omega. What does that mean about the identity of Christ?

Who is the X?

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;  for in  him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. ~ Colossians 1:14-16 Who is the Christ? What does it mean to be the image of the invisible God?

Who is the X?

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” ~ John 1:12 What does a light do? So who is the Christ?

Who is the X?

But just when (Joseph) had resolved to (dismiss Mary quietly), an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,      and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” ~ Matthew 1:20-23 Who is Emmanuel? Who then is Christ?

Who is the X?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God .  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. ~ John 1:1-3a Who is it that John says the Word is? Who is the Word? What does this mean?

When/Where the X?

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. ~ Ephesians 4:4-6 What does it mean for the Christ to exist as One?

When/Where is the X?

"Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.”  Then the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”   Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I AM.” ~ John 8:56-58 Here is one of Jesus' clearest claims of being the eternal Christ, rather than simply Jesus localized in a specific time and place. In Exodus, God gives God's name to Moses as "I AM." What does this tell us about the Christ?

When/Where is the X?

In the beginning when God created  the heavens and the earth,  the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God  swept over the face of the waters. ~ Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. ~ John 1:1-2 When is the Christ? Where is the Christ?

When/Where is the X?

  He himself is before all things, and in  him all things hold together. ~ Colossians 1:17 What does it mean that the Christ is before ALL things?

When/Where the X?

When John heard in prison what the Messiah  was doing, he sent word by his disciples  and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”  Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers  are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.  And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?  What then did you go out to see? Someone  dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces.  What then did you go out to see? A prophet?  Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,      who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen great

Why the X?

I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,  the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints.  To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ  ~ Colossians 1:25-28 Why is the mystery of Christ made known to the Gentiles (whom most of us are!)?

Why the X?

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,      and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,      the spirit of wisdom and understanding,      the spirit of counsel and might,      the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see,      or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,      and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,      and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,      and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb,      the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together,      and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze,      their young shall lie down together;      and the lion shall ea

Why the X?

(John the Baptizer said) “I baptize you with  water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with  the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” ~ Matthew 3:11-12 Why the Christ here? What will he do?

Why the X?

  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end. ~ Hebrews 3:13-15 Why would God want to be partners with us?

Why the X?

O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up;      you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down,      and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue,      O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before,      and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;      it is so high that I cannot attain it. ~ Psalm 139:1-6 Why is the Christ present here? What is it that God is doing?