Christmas


Finding Favor
December 14, 2021 | Christmas, Devotionals

He came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:28–30, esv).

Mary was just a regular human being. She wasn’t full of grace; she needed grace. She wasn’t sinless; she was a sinner, just as all of us are. The reason she said, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47) was because she, too, needed a Savior. Even in this amazing passage from Luke 1 where we first meet her in Scripture, we see her perplexed and “greatly troubled.” We see her freaked-out afraid in the presence of the angel Gabriel. We see her expressing real doubts—“How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34)—like any regular person would ask.

But here’s all that matters. We also see her finding “favor with God.”

And finding favor with God makes everything else okay.

Make the favor of God your focus, and everything else will fall into place. Please God with your life, and you’ve found what’s key. The Bible doesn’t say Mary found favor with her parents or with her fiancé or with her neighbors. Those are all fine things to do. But when you’ve found favor with God, you’ve found everything.

Now it doesn’t mean everything in your life is going to be perfect as a result. Is that what it meant for Mary?

Mary found favor with God, but it didn’t mean her husband wasn’t pretty misunderstanding of everything that was happening. Mary found favor with God, but it didn’t mean her Son wasn’t going to be born in a barn. Mary found favor with God, but it didn’t mean she wouldn’t experience some lonely times when Jesus left home, going off to dedicate His life in service to His Father. Mary found favor with God, but it didn’t mean this Son she loved wouldn’t be hated and rejected and beaten and crucified before her very eyes.

Finding favor with God doesn’t mean everything becomes wonderful and rosy and beautiful and bright. But here’s what it does mean. It means God Almighty has laid His hand upon your life, and He is going to use you for His eternal purposes.

It means having ongoing hope—hope that you can overcome all the obstacles you’re facing.

I promise you, Mary is having a great day today. She hasn’t spent one minute bemoaning what a rough plan God laid down in front of her when He sent His messenger to Nazareth, telling her she would be the mother of her Savior. God is fully capable of rewarding those He has favored, those He has placed His hand upon to use.

And if you, like Mary, are faithful in this hope, you won’t need to wait until eternity before being able to look back without resentment toward the hard things He took you through. As one who’s found favor with God, you can thank Him and praise Him right now for all He’s allowed in your life, knowing He’s working something special in you.

God’s favor isn’t easy, but God’s favor is good.

It means you’ve put all your hope in the only right place.

Journal

  • What’s the biggest obstacle right now that’s blocking your view of hope?
  • Who are you trying the hardest to please, and what is that effort producing?

Pray
Lord, thank You for the promise that You will make all things right. Thank You for the assurance that all those You’ve redeemed through Christ will spend eternity with You. But thank You for providing a way for me to experience Your favor even now, despite the difficulties I’m facing. Help me look to You above all others, especially above myself, knowing You are the sole source of my life and my hope. I come in the name that is above every name, the name of Jesus. Amen.

King Forever | We Welcome Kings [01]
December 12, 2021 | Christmas, King Forever, Series, Sermons

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We Welcome Kings
Various Scriptures

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In the lows of difficulty and despair, Christ offers you hope for your hopelessness. In the highs of feeling like you don’t need Jesus, He gives grace for your strong will. He is a Savior who levels the ground between the mountains and valleys in your life and guides you as you prepare your heart for His triumphant return. Listen and find out how to get ready to give Him a welcome fit for a King.

Advent 2.0: Simplicity
December 26, 2020 | Advent 2.0, Christmas, Incarnation, Savior, Sermons

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It’s time to celebrate… Hear the Christmas story afresh from Pastor James in this new teaching on the Simplicity of God’s incarnate love in Jesus Christ.

Advent 2.0: Humanity
December 24, 2020 | Advent 2.0, Christmas, Incarnation, Sermons

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Need help getting your heart ready for Christmas? Grab your Bible and learn from Pastor James in this new teaching on the Humanity of our Savior, who loves you exactly where you are…

His new series, “Advent 2.0 | Four New Christmas Words” is a fresh take on the timeless Christmas story, straight from God’s Word.

Advent 2.0: Accuracy + Humility
December 18, 2020 | Advent 2.0, Christmas, God's character, Incarnation, Series, Sermons

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Need help getting your heart ready for Christmas? Grab your Bible and learn from Pastor James in this new teaching on the perfect Accuracy and awesome Humility of our Savior, who loves you exactly where you are…

His new series, “Advent 2.0 | Four New Christmas Words” is a fresh take on the timeless Christmas story, straight from God’s Word.

When You Get it You Get it (Silent Night)
July 19, 2020 | Christmas, Series, Sermons, Singing Christmas

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When You Get it You Get it (Silent Night)
Luke 2

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