LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD DECEMBER 19, 2024

 LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD DECEMBER 19, 2024

 

Glorious greetings and salutations to each lovely servant of our Lord, JESUS CHRIST,

Though we are into the Christmas season, which many people of the world believe to be the date of the birth of Jesus Christ, it is still amazing and perhaps even shocking at the number of people, even Christians, even Restorationists who don’t seem to put much emphasis actually on JESUS. It is disturbing to get Christmas cards from church people that don’t even mention Jesus Christ. I was in a public establishment this week and they were playing rap music. When I suggested that they play Christmas music, one of the supervisors said, “We did that and many people complained,” so they gave in to the complaints. The world, at large, especially the western world appears to be “complaining” about anything that is a reference to God and Jesus Christ. Wherein do they have any hope for the future on this earth and beyond?

 

The only hope anyone has is in Jesus Christ and the great sacrifice He made to save us from our sins and alienation from God, if we so choose. In spite of countless pages of research, no one, except God knows when Jesus was really born, but the most important thing is that HE WAS BORN and lives today, to offer us salvation and a place in His Kingdom. We won’t make it to His Kingdom until we are willing to give up “Our kingdoms.” The following hymn is not particularly a Christmas hymn because it is applicable to us every day of our lives.

 

Hope of the world, Thou Christ of great compassion:

       Speak to our fearful hearts by conflict rent;

Save us, Thy people, from consuming passion,

       Who by our own false hopes and aims are spent.

 

Hope of the world, God's gift from highest heaven,

       Bringing to hungry souls the bread of life:

Still let Thy Spirit unto us be given

       To heal earth's wounds and end her bitter strife.

 

Hope of the world, afoot on dusty highways,

       Showing to wandering souls the path of light:

Walk Thou beside us, lest the tempting byways

       Lure us away from Thee to endless night.

 

Hope of the world, who by Thy cross did save us

       From death and dark despair, from sin and guilt:

We render back the love Thy mercy gave us;

       Take Thou our lives and use them as Thou wilt.

 

Hope of the world, O Christ, o'er death victorious,

       Who by this sign did conquer grief and pain:

We would be faithful to your gospel glorious;

       Thou art our Lord! Thou dost forever reign!

 

God bless

Paul Gage

ANNOUNCEMENT: Pastors of Zion, 5th Sunday Service, December 29, 2024. Waldo Avenue RB.

5:45 pm Song Service, 6:00 pm Service. Restoration Branch High Priests presiding.