Robin J Johnson
Joy to the world the Savior King has been born! Those wonderful words or similar are being declared and sung all over the world during this Festive Season. Whether they are believers or not multitudes are declaring and remembering our Savior’s birth, which is always a wonderful thing.
Recently I was reflecting on my first Christmas after being born again, how waking up that morning and for the first time for many, many years realizing the full meaning and wonder of “Immanuel – God with us” – and the impact of that truth on my life. It was a glorious moment and still is 46 years on.
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:23
Of course Christmas can mean different things to many people, but even among all the commercialism and the ‘Claus’ factor one thing cannot be forgotten, it is the season when the world acknowledges our Savior’s birth. It is this undeniable fact that I want to encourage you with and the impact that this truth can and does have on people at this time.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
In cities and towns all over the world many are holding their own Carols by Candlelight Services and various celebrations. Many will have their secular songs and an appearance of the old jolly man in his red suit. However, all the traditional Carols along with some modern ones will also be sung and the eternal message that Jesus Christ has come will resound and echo around the world.
Please pray for the Carol Service in your city or town. Whether it is a Christian run event or a secular one for the truth of Christ’s birth is being proclaimed and in that we can rejoice.
Be encouraged – press on
I pray God’s richest blessing, strength and renewed hope for you as you remember and celebrate the birth of our Savoir Jesus Christ, Immanuel – God with us. May your Christmas be a time of much joy surrounded by loved ones and that you will enter into the New Year with fresh vigour and a great sense of victory.
Our God is the God who answers prayer!
Though we live in a changing world, one that is often filled with conflict, tragedy and sorrow there is one thing that is constant. We serve a God who does not change and He is the Hope of this world.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
And this Hope dwells in you.
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27
As we enter into 2017 there is no doubt that we will see an increase in hostilities and the intensity of the battle for life will grow. However, rest assured that battle has already been won. The blood has not lost its power and the Word of God – the Sword of the Spirit is still effective today as it has always been.
Remember that at the heart of battle are the lives of men and women who need to come to faith in Jesus Christ. Whatever your political persuasion, whichever government you want or you don’t want, there is only one power that brings about eternal change; the power of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
Whatever the prophetic word you may be holding onto for 2017 consider this. Does the outcome glorify and exalt Jesus Christ, does it result in the extension of the Kingdom of God and will people be redeemed? I am certainly not against prophecy, but that which is self- exalting and self-serving needs to be discerned for what it is. Nice words may be, but not actually the Word of the Lord.
We are celebrating the birth of the Savior of the world, so please begin the New Year with a renewed commitment to talk about Jesus and let a fresh passion arise within you to see the lost saved and added to His Kingdom. While we celebrate the birth of the Savior there are still multitudes all over the world yet to hear that Jesus has come to save them from their sin.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14
Those who have an ear to hear what the Spirit says will find themselves being drawn into new realms of intercession and deeper places of prayer as the intensity of the battle increases. In these last days we must have our ears open and attentive to hear what the Spirit says and our hearts open and prepared to receive Him and to allow Him to flow in and through us as He wills
Finally, let me remind you of one prayer; the five words that can change you and your prayer life: Jesus, teach me to pray.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:26
Thank you for being a part of the great army of praying warriors all over the earth. My hope and expectation for you is, that in the days to come you will see even greater victories in own life, your family and for those who you are praying for.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19
[Scripture quotations are taken from the New International Version (NIV)]
