One of my favorite things to do during the month of December is to sing along with all the Christmas songs. That mostly happens while I am in my car that way I can make a joyful noise. PHOTO 1 is on our kitchen table, with the reminder to always be thankful. I was recently in a mega store with 1000’s of Christmas things to buy, when I finally asked an employee if there was any Christmas displays with the manger scene, etc.. We looked and looked and found none. Yes, how sad and yet I will do my part with family and community to remember the REASON FOR THE SEASON. PHOTO 2 is along highway 14 west of Rochester on a McNeilus building. No better reminder, “JOY to the world, the Lord has come.” I will remind you the way to have JOY in your life is to remember J –Jesus O – others Y – you. PHOTO 3 is a copy of my recent book. The title is taken from the number of days from my accident until the book went to the publisher. If you are looking for a gift that will provide encouragement, inspiration and challenge, look no further. I was inspired to write this book in an effort to provide hope to those who are starting over, those who are searching for their purpose and steps to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Contact me by email Bob@ironwoodsprings.com if you would like to buy a copy. Merry Christmas!
During the Christmas season, these four words seem to be the theme of most of the Christmas songs. Oh Holy Night has all these words except JOY, but it comes close by using the word Rejoices.
LOVE: Love is one of the greatest of all of the words in the English language. “We love Him because He first loved us”. The greatest verse on LOVE is John 3:16 “ For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE us his son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. If you have not received the free gift of eternal life by inviting Jesus Christ into your life, today is the day. If it is not a practice to use the word lOVE in your family. Start today.
SONG: Oh Holy Night - Truly He taught is to LOVE on another. His law is LOVE…
JOY - CHOOSE to live a joy-filled life. J - Jesus – Put Him first. Matthew 6:33 tells us to Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things (food, clothes and shelter) shall be added to you. O – Others and Y – You. I can promise you that 2021 will be a blessed and fruitful year if you follow the order of the letters in the word JOY. Of my collection of many hats, my favorite one says JOY on the front.
SONG: Joy to the world, the Lord has come.
PEACE: Probably the most sought after emotion and yet eluded by the majority of the people in the world. WHY? Because they have never invited the Prince of Peace into their lives. Peace can only come with a right relationship with your creator. Knowing Him as your Personal Lord and Savior. No God, No Peace: Know God, Know Peace.
SONG: Peace on earth, good will toward men by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
HOPE: Jesus is the hope of the world. …A thrill of HOPE the weary world rejoices… “May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in Him” Romans 15:13 “…Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Many things this year have been canceled or postponed which leads to disappointments, but LOVE, JOY, PEACE AND HOPE are available and fresh to us each day; however, you must intentionally embrace them.
Merry Christmas!