Today I shared some Monday Motivation from writer John Blase that fits perfectly into the start of 2021. As we think about what we can do differently this year, it might be wise to take a look at our foundation. What is it we are standing on? What is holding us up?
Today’s Monday Motivation continues with a Christmas theme:
The word Immanuel means, as we learn in Matthew 1:23, “God with us.” The coming of the Christ child fulfilled what Isaiah wrote in chapter 7, verse 14: “the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
In his book Hidden Christmas, Pastor Timothy Keller shares that for centuries, the Jewish religious leaders and scholars had known that prophecy, but did not think that it should be taken literally. They thought it was simply predicting the coming or arrival of some great leader through whose work, God would be present with his people.
However, Matthew writes that this promise is greater than anyone imagined! It did not come true figuratively, but literally. Jesus Christ is “God with us,” because the human life in Mary’s womb was a miracle performed by God himself. Then Jesus, with his life, his claims and his resurrection, convinced his closest followers that he was not just a prophet telling them how to find God, but God himself coming to find us.
Keller writes that this claim, that Jesus is God, gives us the greatest possible hope. Why? Because it means this world is not all that there is…it means that there is life and love after death and it means that evil and suffering will one day end.
And it is not just hope for the world, but hope for you and me personally. A God who was only holy would have not come to us in Jesus. He would have just demanded that we pull ourselves together and be moral and holy enough to be worthy of relationship with him. But our God is fully holy and fully human – so he doesn’t send someone else – he comes himself! Jesus is one of us – and that should give us all hope!
Christmas Gift Exchange winners today: Becky from Howard and Krista from Howard! Remember the grand prize drawing is Thursday morning on The Morning Thing!
Today’s Monday Motivation comes from Isaiah 9:2, 5-7 (NIV)
2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For unto 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. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
One of the first indications of the Christmas season is LIGHT. The appearance of lights seemingly everywhere – on trees, with candles, above streets; there is radiance all around us.
Lights are not just for decoration of course, they are symbolic.
In his book, Hidden Christmas, Pastor Timothy Keller says one of the most important spiritual truths at Christmas is this: the world is a dark place, and we will never find our way or see reality unless Jesus IS our light.
Keller writes that the word ‘darkness’ in the Bible refers to evil and ignorance. The world has evil and untold suffering. The world also has no one who can cure the evil and suffering. We look towards the earth and our human resources to try to fix the world. We think we can end darkness with intellect and innovation. That’s the ignorance.
So the message of Christmas is NOT, “we will be able to put together a world of unity and peace.” The message, instead, is a humble one: “Things really are this bad and we can’t heal or save ourselves. Nevertheless, THERE IS HOPE.”
Notice the verse in Isaiah doesn’t say the light comes from the world…it says that upon the world a light has dawned. It has come from the outside, and Jesus has brought that light to save us! Because, as John 8:12 says, He IS that light!
Today’s Christmas Gift Exchange winners were Pam from Fredericktown and James, also from Fredericktown.
Today’s Monday Motivation comes from our friend Adam Holz (yes, the guy from Plugged In). It’s called ‘Lord of the…Nails?’ and deals with control and trust. Click here to read it!
Name a gift kids DON’T want to open on Christmas morning! 1 – underwear (31 votes) 2 – socks (27) 3 – hygiene products (12) 4 – books (6) 5 – handmade sweater or scarf 6 – puzzles
Congratulations to Becky from Fredericktown who guessed the top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!
Today’s Monday Motivation starts with a reminder of how we can control the flow of a rumor mill. Author Amy Boucher Pye shares her devotional , inspired by Exodus, from Our Daily Bread. Read it by clicking here.
Our second is called “Run Towards Challenge,” from author Mike Wittmer and inspired by II Kings. Read it by clicking here.
Name a reason you might not leave your house all day…
1- bad weather 2- being sick 3- watching a TV show 4- you have a day off 5- you’re waiting on a repair 6- you’re tired
Congratulations to Cathy from Zanesville, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.
Today’s Monday Motivation comes from author Monica Brands, who says the enthusiasm of a three-year-old can sometimes be a great reminder…read “Love You – Whole World,” by clicking here!
Name something with teeth. 1- a dog 2- a human 3- a shark 4- a crocodile or alligator 5- a comb Congratulations to Laura from Mount Vernon, who wins the $5 gift card from Everlasting Cup – she guessed the top two answers correctly.
Driving Notes 