Tag: Love

Mary Remembered – A Christmas Eve Reflection

By Leigh Ann Crainshaw

Sometimes, when I think about that first Christmas night, I begin to imagine what it was like for Mary.

Not in the way we picture it on cards or in nativity sets — but the real, human moment of it all.  The weariness.  The uncertainty.  The awe of holding something holy, and realizing it’s alive in your arms.

This was the night the world changed, a night you’d never forget. Not because of the angels — though their voices filled the heavens — and not because of the star — though it burned brighter than any she’d ever seen.  You remember because you held Him.

I imagine the air was cold that night, the wind carrying the scent of hay and dust.  Mary was so young… so unsure.  And yet, in her arms, peace itself was breathing — the Savior of all — His tiny fingers curled around hers as if to say, “Do not be afraid.”

And she wasn’t, because she felt it – heaven was nearer than it had ever been.  

Years passed.  The child became a teacher, the teacher a sacrifice, and the

sacrifice — salvation.

But that night in Bethlehem, it was just a mother and her son. God’s light entering the world through a mother’s love.

And that light reaches us still.  Through every shadow, every heartache, every quiet moment where faith is all we have.

So tonight, we remember what Mary remembered — that the Light of the World was born into the ordinary, and changed everything it touched.

And it can change us still.  So let it begin again, Lord.  Let Your light be born again — in us, tonight, and always. 

The Main Course

Ephesians 3:14-19 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

New Birth – Heaven

Today we will talk about the “–” which represents our life from the new birth to our going home.  We learned last Sunday that it starts with Jesus (the new birth) and ends in Heaven around His throne.  Eternity is what we all are longing for as believers.  This whole life that we as believers live is always with eternity in view.  Let us look at what this dash is all about.

It should be all about Jesus

Philippians 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Romans 8:35-39 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It should be all about surrender
  • Jesus lived a life that was all about surrender. – Luke 22:42  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
  • We are to surrender our will for His. –

Romans 12:1-2 –  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

    2 Corinthians 6:14-17 – Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

    This is a very blessed life

    Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that  walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

    This life is lived with the kingdom in mind

    Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

    Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

    Matthew 6:19-20   Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

    God’s Plan of Salvation:

    GOD LOVES YOU –

    John 3:16 –For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

    ALL ARE SINNERS –

    Romans 3:10, 23

    10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

    23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

    SIN HAS A PRICE –

    Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
    Romans 6:23

    TWO DEATHS – PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL –

    Revelation 20: 14-15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

    JESUS ONLY DIED FOR SINNERS –

    Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him

    ONE CAN NOT EARN HEAVEN –

    Ephesians 2:8,9 – 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

    ONE MUST BELIEVE JESUS DIED FOR THEIR SINS TO BE SAVED –

    Romans 10:9-10 – 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

    CONFESS YOUR FAITH IN HIM –

    Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
    Romans 10:13

    INVITE CHRIST TO LIVE IN YOUR –

    I John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

    A Prayer Of Faith –
    Dear Heavenly Father, I truly believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead for my sin. I confess that I am a sinner deserving of hell and I realize I can not save myself. I from this very moment on confess Christ as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for making it possible for me to be part of your family through Christ. Father, lead me through your Word to what you have me to do with my life. Help me turn from my sin and surrender everything I have to Jesus. I pray in Christ name, Amen.

    CHRIST PROMISES TO NEVER LEAVE YOU –

    Hebrews 13:5 - Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
    Hebrews 13:5

    The Keys to Real Joy

    Isaiah 41:10-13
    Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. 12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. 13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

    I) Put first things first –

    Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

    A. Learn it is ok to leave somethings undone each day.
    B. Prioritize each day.
    C. Remember, what is at the top of your list should be God, Family, Others

    II) Set aside time for praise each and everyday

    Psalm 92:1-10 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: 2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, 3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.4 For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. 5 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.6 A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.7 ¶ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

    A. Begin by counting your blessings from yesterday.
    B. Add to that the blessings of family and friends.
    C. Add to that the fact that God wants to bless you today too.
    D. Ask for an attitude of praise to follow you all the day long.
    E. Look for someone to encourage during the day; you will.
    find them everywhere.

    III) Do not hold grudges –

    TO DO SO IS TO LET OTHERS CONTROL YOUR JOY

    Matthew 6:9-15 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

    • A. Be quick to forgive – Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
    • B. Remember, God forgave you ALL your sin.
    • C. Often, we get angry with others who do the same things we do. (angry people tend to get angry with others who get angry, greedy people tend to get upset over other greedy people, proud people get angry over other proud people, etc)
    • D. Trust others in your life to point out your weak points without getting offended

    IV) Learn to relax

    A. Use your time to refresh yourself spiritually, mentally, and physically.

    Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

    Mark 6:30-32 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.


    B. Slow down, do not be in such a hurry.
    C. Anxiety is a huge reason for many illnesses.

    V) Be in love with your spouse and your family, do not just love them.

    A. Love is more than just providing material needs.
    B. Love is time.
    C. Love is sacrificial.
    D. Love is encouraging.
    E. Love is guiding.
    F. Love is willing giving, not grudgingly yeilding.