Mark 1:14-15
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel."
The song calls us to "receive our King"....
That every heart should be in preparation to welcome Him.
For He is a King who comes in power. Power to destroy the works of our enemy, the devil. A King who steps down into the darkness of this world, with light and presence and power to undo everything the devil has brought forth through his work here on earth.
The Kingdom of God is the dynamic rule and reign of God in the hearts of men and women. Yet the rule and reign He brings is one that is steeped in action and power. It isn't a thought that God places in your mind or heart. It isn't a religious exercise that we are called to go through like some dead, dry ritual. It is a head on collision with the Holy Spirit of God that cuts through every bit of darkness.....blows away every bit of hardness that has captivated our hearts.....and brings the light (understanding) of who God is to the very core of our being. Coupled with this is the power to heal, to restore....the power to break off and cast away demonic spirits. The power to bring salvation to those whose hearts are prepared to receive it.
Take recovery for instance....
Yesterday, as I was studying and contemplating on some verses (makes me sound real spiritual doesn't it.) I had a thought, that I believe came from God, form in my mind. "Recovery must not be reduced to a set of static teachings---it must always be shared as a proclamation...that the presence and power of God has come making recovery the end of one way of life and the beginning of another. A new way to live that Jesus Himself classified as "More abundant" leading to "Eternal" life."
Such a thing can only be accomplished by power.
And that power can only be found in Christ.
The greatest Christmas gift you can ever give or receive begins with the simple act of looking to your own heart. Seeing with new sight that you truly are powerless. You've tried to move beyond the darkness of the cumulative bad choices that have piled up all around you. Evidence of such choices can be found in the damage relationships you have entered into with someone else. The financial mess you find yourself in....where you have more month at the end of your money. Looking inside is not a pleasant thing to do, but as the song says...."let every heart prepare Him room".
Next comes the believing that Jesus is that missing piece in your recovery. He is the power...He is the purpose....and He is the one who will lay hold of you and take you on the greatest journey you could ever hope for. More than just sobriety...He will take you to a new level of life. Now even as I mention this, some may get pictures in their mind of new cars, houses, money and all the stuff that the world says makes us successful. I'm not saying that God won't provide for you...He will. I'm just saying that there is more to life than the bling of the world. I do believe God is all up in the "Bling". The world will suck you dry and leave you Tum-BLING.....while God's desire for you is to show you the value of Hum-BLING yourself to His will and His presence. I choose the latter. To be humble simply means you are agreeing with God who He says you are. That you can be in a crowd and be perfectly at peace being in the crowd. No need to be the center of attention or stand out from all the rest.
Now that you've looked inward and found nothing...
And you've looked outward and found a Power greater than yourself with the ability to restore you to the ability to make sound decisions.....
You have prepared your heart to receive Christ.
With your whole heart....your whole mind (including whatever doubts you may have about this whole "salvation" thing) you turn your will toward receiving Jesus as the Power you've been searching for. You present your will and body (mind, spirit, heart and soul) to Him, and you become open to learning this new way of living.
Such a movement and acceptance of Jesus into your life will truly assure you that you'll have the best Christmas ever.
It's more than presents and decorated trees...
It's more than snow and Hallmark cards...
It's life..
Real life...
Who could ask for a greater present.
Merry Christmas from the "B's" in Attalla...
God on you..
mb
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