11th Day of Christmas ~ Saturday, January 4, 2025 (5:27 a.m.)
Blessed God,
Again I say, “Thank You!” Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son to teach us how to love one another.
(6:46 a.m.)
Or did You?!
Thank You for this time to explore exactly why it is You sent us Your Son. I found so many conflicting ideas. Various people sharing their own understandings. Thank You God that You want to right the wrongs of this world.
Jesus preached Your Good News (Mark 1:14-15). The wonderful gospel/glad tidings of Your kingdom. Your Message.
And what exactly is this Good News? According to The Message it’s, “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe The Message.”
Oh, but it keeps getting better! How many times have I heard or read this verse myself through the years? And THIS is the morning I’m barely getting a clue of it’s depth?!
Jesus speaking. The kingdom of God is at hand! “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” (Common English Bible).
EasyEnglish Bible. “Now is the time when the kingdom of God has come very near. You have done many wrong things. Turn away from them and change the way you live. Believe God’s good news.”
Jesus called Your people [of whom I am one] to “Repent and believe in the gospel!” Yes please Blessed Father. Teach me to do exactly that. Turn from my sins “and act on this glorious news!”
J.B. Phillips New Testament tells us, “The time has come at last - the kingdom of God has arrived. You must change your hearts and minds and believe the good news.”
We are to change the way we think and act. Are we do this on our own? No way! It’s only in, with, by, through and for You, Your Son and His Holy Spirit that we have any degree of redeeming power.
Because of Jesus’ willingness to give His life for us, we are able to be sorry for our sins, turn from them and believe Your very Good News. Thank You God!
“Jesus: It’s time! The kingdom of God is near! Seek forgiveness, change your actions, and believe this good news!” (The Voice).
Father, I thought I was coming here to learn more about:
- Loving You, others and myself (Mark 12:30-31)
- The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12)
- Forgiving as You have forgiven me (Matthew 18:21-35)
Thank You for leading me instead to scratching the surface of Jesus’ extravagant generosity. Just look at all He was willing to do so we would come to repent and believe in Your glorious Good News.
Do all You must that I will fully live this day (Psalm 118:24a) as You would have me. Rejoicing and being glad (v. 24b). Repenting and believing (Matthew 1:15).
Forgiving and seeking forgiveness [ouch!]. Changing my actions [double ouch!]. There is so very much to take in. Thank You. Praise You. Amen!
(512 words ~ 7:48 a.m.)
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