Dear Friends,
Amazingly we are starting into Advent. We are focusing on the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ. The story never grows old, the story never ceases to unleash the power of God, and the story continues to give us new and exciting revelation of Jesus. The Scripture says about the announcement after the birth of Christ, “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. (10) And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." (13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" Luke 2:8-14 ESV
Verse 10 says, “Good news.” The word good is translated, “to announce good news (evangelize) especially the gospel: - declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).” There’s something about the significance of the announcement of “good news.” I think everyone likes good news. Little did the Jews realize that this “Good News” was going to change their lives and change the history of mankind. Little do we know, at times, what good news will do to change our lives. The good news of a new job, the good news of a better than expected test grade, good news about tests we’ve had to take to see if we are sick, and then find out we’re not. On and on the list goes of the effects of good news. However, the significance of the Good News of the Gospel is life changing! The Good News when received lifts a person from the bondage of sin, it can gives us a new attitude, and it can heal the broken-hearted. In fact Jesus said, Luke 4:18-19 ESV “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, (19) to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." This is not just any good news, this is the Good News that is proclaimed by our Lord and Savior. This is life giving, life altering, attitude adjustment, new lease on life, life is worth living Good News!
God knows Christians need to hear it over and over again, and the people that are in the world in which we live need to hear it. We need to be reminded as Christians to keep ourselves in a right relationship with our Lord, and so we will be empowered with the Holy Spirit to continue on the journey that we have embarked upon, our spiritual journey.
I want to, Lord willing, spend time this advent season on Luke 2:10 and see where God takes us and leads us.
There are lots of activities happening here at Liberty Street, please be involved, please pray, please show the love of Christ to those around you. Please spread the “GOOD NEWS” of the “GOSPEL” that will bring “GREAT JOY” to those who are listening.
God bless you all,
Pastor Bruce
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