Christmas in the flesh

One of my favorite verses comes off the page with great meaning. It isn’t because of where the verse is found. It isn’t because of who wrote it or even how was received. It comes with great impact because of what it did for me and countless others.

Here is the verse. And before you read what I say after the verse, take a few minutes to pray over it, think through it and praise God for it and the truth behind this verse.

Here we go …

John 1:14 NASB

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Praise god for this reality of Jesus coming to us and fulfilling God’s plan of redemption, love, forgiveness and abundant life. All that is found in this one verse.

In fact the first and every Christmas is wrapped up in the present that this verse is. Look through. Think through it. Apply the thoughts and facts of Christmas.

Mary was given a promise that became flesh. The shepherds were told of the person after they saw the glory of Heaven. The Magi followed the promise and the glory that brought a star to guide them.

Then there were all the people that Jesus walked among, lived with, showed Himself to. He became human and we enjoyed the presence and glory God God

John 1:14 NLT

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

A different translation provides a few more insights. He was sent from God. We learned of unfailing love and faithfulness.

Again, all this truth from God becoming flesh, taking on the form of a human. That is what Christmas unwraps for us. Then move toward the end of Jesus’ presence on earth…

Philippians 2:7-8 NLT

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to Go and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

May this Christmas we make much of what it truly is all about. God came to us, lived with us and still lives with us for eternity. That is what this season is all about.

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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