Category: The Word of God

Bible, Christian blog, Christian Writer, Faith, The Word of God

CLOSE ENOUGH TO HOLD HIS HAND

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Holding On

I have two grandchildren and they are a delight. Not that I am biased in any way! My grandson is 3 now and quite the little chatterbox. He is bright, and imaginative and sweet natured (most of the time). My granddaughter is just over a year old, and is already developing her own, very different character. She gives you such a hard stare at times it makes you want to crumple. I think she’s going to be a feisty one!

She is trying to walk now and wants to be on her feet all the time. She stands and takes tentative steps holding onto things, but has not yet been brave enough to try to walk on her own unaided. When she wants to move from one spot to another, instead of crawling, she will look around for someone she trusts and hold out her hand. If one of us responds to  her, offering her our hand, she will use it to steady herself as she stands and then will walk with you to where she wants to go. She doesn’t walk anywhere without holding on to the hand of someone stronger and steadier than herself.

Photo of two small children watching Tv. The smaller one is kneeling with his arm supporting the smaller one who is standing leaning on the TV cabinet.

His Hand

It made me think of how I am with God. I know He is there, and I know He is infinitely stronger than me. He loves me unconditionally and I can trust Him fully. His wisdom is unsearchable. His guidance, His understanding and His protection are there for my safety. I know all this and yet sometimes I forge ahead in life, without waiting to take a hold of His hand first.

His hand offers me strength but is also is there to direct me. If I am walking close to Him, close enough to hold onto Him, then I will not stumble, fall or step off the path that He wants me to walk on. As the song says  ‘He will hold me fast’.[1]

When I am feeling unsteady, weak, vulnerable, unsure of myself, it is perhaps natural to hold out my hand to God and ask Him to help me. But what about when I am doing well? When I feel confident, strong, in control? I wonder even in those times if God is still waiting patiently for me to reach out a trusting hand. How often have I set out on a path, without thinking of reaching out for Him first?

Close enough to Hold His Hand

There will come a day, very soon probably, when my granddaughter will find she can take steps on her own. When she will stop looking for a hand to hold on to. We call it growing up. We will applaud and celebrate it as an important milestone in her development.

But didn’t Jesus ask us to have child-like faith?[2] The faith that trusts without question in the one we know loves us. The kind of faith that knows we can’t walk through life on our own without risk of falling, or being led astray. His hand is strong enough for us to hold on to in every season, good and bad. He desires that intimacy, that connection.

And I need to remember that I am better walking close enough with Him that His hand is always within easy reach of mine.

Phot depicting an adult man's hand with a small child holding onto his finger.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

[1] Keith and Kristin Getty, ‘He will hold me fast’

[2] Matthew 18:2-4

Bible, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Faith, The Word of God

A PARENT’S FAITH

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If you follow and read my blog you will know that I often hear God speak through my interactions with my grandchildren. I love being a grandparent, it is a joy and a privilege. But before I was a grandparent, I was a parent. And I still am! My children might be grown now, but they are still my children. I love them dearly and continue to want the best for them.

THE CHALLENGES

Being a parent is a wonderful God gift. But it isn’t always easy. You do your best to care for your children, and to teach them the best way to live. As a Christian parent you try to show them a real living faith, and point them towards Jesus. At each stage, from baby, through to toddler, schoolchild, teenager, and young adult, there are challenges! Even when they are grown and left home, even when they have children of their own, still the challenges of parenting don’t end. I am blessed to still be needed by my children, to still have involvement in their lives. But when I see them struggling, when I watch them make life decisions that aren’t the wisest, when I don’t see all my prayers for them answered, being a parent is hard.

Image of a photo of an adult with their arms around a child in a hug.
Image courtesy of Canva

God spoke to me in a really special way about that this week.

A PARENT’S FAITH

There are two stories close to each other in Matthew’s gospel featuring parents. In chapter 15 a Gentile woman, a mother, humbles herself before Jesus, pleading for healing for her daughter. She has to persist, but Jesus acknowledges her and honours her faith, and her daughter is healed instantly.

In chapter 17 a father has brought his son to Jesus’ disciples to be healed, and they have failed to do so. Jesus steps in, and heals him, with an ensuing discussion about faith. In Mark’s version of the story we have the phrase from that desperate father’s mouth that resonates with us all, ‘Lord I believe; help my unbelief!’. But it was the father’s simple words in Matt 17:15 that jumped off the page for me as I read it this week, ‘Lord, have mercy on my Son!’. I know the heart behind those words. The desperation, the longing, the hope.

Image of a painting of a woman on her knees, with her hands clasped pleading before a figure representing Jesus.
Image Courtesy of Eastgate

GOD HONOURS PARENTS

In both of those Gospel stories Jesus responded to the faith of parents, on behalf of their children. This is such a beautiful truth. God honours parents. We know this, He wrote it into the Ten Commandments! I believe He has a special place in His heart for parents who pray in faith for their children.

I asked God about this and I heard His whisper in response,

‘I love to hear the prayers of parents. I know the pain of loving a child, and seeing that child suffer. Yes, I do have a heart for parents; I have a special place for their tears.

The faith of parents in a powerful commodity in my Kingdom. Don’t ever give up believing for your children, even when they appear faithless. I hear your prayers as you bring them close to me. I call forth your faith and I will respond to it. Don’t give up! Don’t think I haven’t heard. I will answer. I love your children, even more than you do.’

If you are a praying parent, take these words for yourself, and be encouraged! If you are not a parent, but pray for children in your life and family, He hears those prayers too, and sees your faith. Thank you, Father!

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Christian blog, Christian faith, Devotional thought, The Word of God

FIGHTING THE LOVE THAT HOLDS US

joymargetts

This last week we celebrated our beautiful Granddaughter’s first birthday. It was a special time, full of love and full of fun. Naturally I love my grandchildren, and love being with them, and I love what they keep teaching me. Any of you who have read my posts over the last few months will know that God often uses my relationship with my grandchildren to teach me about Himself, and myself, and how we relate to each other.

Photo of a birthday cake with white icing and flowers and a sign saying 'One'. The cake is sitting on a table covered with a white tablecloth, and is surrounded by vases of flowers and plates of cakes.

FIGHTING THE EMBRACE

My little granddaughter is different to our grandson. She is much more timid, and wary. Because her Mummy didn’t go back to work after having her, she has spent less time with us, and she is not so happy to leave her Mummy and come to me. We are working on that, and we have had some lovely play times together, but Mummy is never too far away. That does mean that Mummy doesn’t get much opportunity to do some of the things she loves doing, without her little limpet.

On Sundays though, Nanna has to help out, as Mummy is part of the worship band and loves to sing. So Nanna takes the limpet away from Mummy and much crying ensues. But I have worked out that if I hold her very tightly across my chest, with her hands held firmly and tightly, as she struggles. And once I have her held, if I walk up and down, and sing, eventually she will give up and give in to sleep. (I do take her out of the main church sanctuary and into a side room!) We have usually timed it so that Mummy has fed her and she is ready for a nap.

HELD BY LOVING ARMS

Last week she fell asleep in my arms like this. I love it, even though it is a bit of a fight, at least I get to hold her. And while I am holding her, I am whispering to her that I love her, and that she is safe with me, and that she doesn’t have to be upset. And I am praying that she would realise how much I love her and begin to trust me more, so that she wants to come to me and stay with me. And that Mummy can have more time to herself.

A few days later in my time with God He reminded me of this, and this is what I felt Him say to me,

Sometimes you are like that with me, Joy. You refuse to let me just hold you and love you. You let fear and doubt get in, and you might even feel like you can’t trust me. I tell you that I love you, and that you are safe with me, and yet still you fight against my embrace. You want to push away from Me, not realising that I love you just as you are. My safe strong arms are just there to hold you, and my heart sings over you.  If you would just give in and trust me, then you can rest, and we can enjoy just being together. We might even have fun!

LET LOVE HOLD US

I knew Just what God was saying. He has promised to always hold us, to care for us, to protect us, but He also wants something of us in return. He wants our complete trust, our willingness to surrender ourselves into His arms, to trust His ways as being best for us. Sometimes our fears, anxiety and even doubts can make us fight against His loving arms. When all He wants is for us to relax and let Him hold us. We can forget how much He loves us, forget how much we need Him, think we’d be better off without Him. We even think that the mistakes we make put Him off.

Image of a small child being held in a woman's arms
Photo courtesy of Canva

But He has promised to never leave or forsake us, whatever we do (Hebrews 13:5). He has promised to carry us close to His heart (Isaiah 40:11). His arms are everlasting, strong and constant (Deuteronomy 33:27). He loves us and wants us to trust ourselves to Him, just as a small child trusts their mother (Psalm 131:2). Or in my case, their grandmother!

And He wants us not to fight against the powerful, all sufficient, never-ending Love that holds us.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Christian blog, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, The Word of God

THE STAIN THAT ONLY I CAN SEE  (FORGIVING MYSELF)

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BAD AT LAUNDRY?

I’m not very good at doing the laundry (or washing as we call it). I collect the dirty clothes, and throw them into the washing machine, sometimes remembering to empty the pockets first. I select the program (one of two, despite the fact that the machine has about 12), tip in the detergent, and press start. I rarely pre-soak items, or pre-treat stains. Which is why I don’t think I am very good at laundry. Despite all the claims of the detergent ads, my washed clothes often still come out of the machine bearing stains. My excuse is that my physical limitations mean that I often don’t have the energy to do more when it comes to the laundry. That my family get clean (and sometimes even ironed) clothes in exchange for their dirty ones, is an achievement in itself.

Image shows a hand reaching into on open washing machine to remove items of laundry

EFFECTIVE STAIN REMOVAL

So why am I talking about washing out stains in a devotional blog? Actually the link to what scripture says is perhaps quite obvious. Isaiah tells us that God takes our filthy rags, our scarlet stains, and makes them white as snow (Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 1:18). We are washed, made clean, completely clean, in the precious blood of Jesus. Our sins stains are removed completely. That is a wonderful truth, but it struck me that sometimes we fail to live in the truth that our sins are completely and eternally forgiven. That they are gone, leaving no mark behind.

STAINS THAT ONLY I CAN SEE

I was thinking about this the other day when dejectedly examining another favourite top that had come through the wash still bearing the fat stains from a spitting frying pan (I’m not good at wearing an apron in the kitchen either!) Actually, I decided, those stains were small enough that nobody but me would probably notice them. Especially if I wore a strategically placed scarf.

You see I think we look at ourselves sometimes, knowing that we have been cleansed and forgiven by God, and insist on seeing stains still. Those stains that no-one else sees, but we know are there. Stains of secret shame, unforgiveness towards ourselves, disappointment in the choices we might have made in the past. The sheer inability to forget what God has already forgiven.

FORGIVING OURSELVES

In my novel, The Pilgrim, I explored the whole subject of how living with shame, and not being able to forgive yourself, can become like a heavy burden, a yoke around our necks. My central character, Brother Hywel, has come to the cross, repented and found forgiveness from God, but he needs to take a step further. There are things he has done in his past that he is so ashamed of that he can’t let go of the guilt. It is the story of another character’s inner healing that speaks truth into Hywel’s life.

Image of front cover of the book The Pilgrim by Joy Margetts

‘I realised that I too was still punishing myself, in my mind at least. I knew God had forgiven me, but I had not been able to forgive myself, brother. That is what weighed me down. As I laid down to sleep I prayed earnestly that God would give me the grace to forgive myself, and to perhaps see myself as worthy to be loved by Him. I asked Him to take away that final part of the burden that I was still choosing to carry.‘

PERFECTLY STAIN FREE

Romans 8:1 tells us

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

If we belong to Christ, then we are no longer condemned. Every stain is gone. If God does not condemn me, than neither should I condemn myself. There is a call to walk according to His Spirit, to not knowingly sin of course. And we need to be truly repentant for our mistakes. But once we have come to the Cross and received His forgiveness, it is a done deal. Accepting and receiving God’s forgiveness in all of its fullness means letting go of our guilt and self-condemnation once and for all. The stain is gone. He no longer sees it, and I don’t need to go looking for it.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, The Word of God

AT HOME IN GOD’S PRESENCE

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A few days ago I was reading Psalm 100. For many it is well known praise Psalm, one that is read often in our church gatherings. We are encouraged to come into His presence joyfully, to enter His gates with thanksgiving, because we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Test of Psalm 100 on a background of a evening beach scene.

SINGING IN GOD’S PRESENCE

There was one line of the Psalm that stood out to me, ‘Come into His presence with singing’. I love singing, especially when together with other Christians worshipping. I’m not so good at singing at home, much too self conscious. But then this Psalm seems to be asking us to come to Him with a song, whenever we are seeking to be close to Him, in church, or at home.

SINGING THE WRONG WORDS?

My grandson is almost 3, his language is coming on fast, and he loves to sing. The other evening I was putting him to bed. We had gone through the routine of milk, pyjamas, and stories, and I had him all tucked up in his bed. He was adamant that I stayed for a bit. ‘Nana, sit here’ he said, and pointed to a spot between his bed and a chest of drawers that was impossible for me to wedge my adult frame into. I got as close as I could, shifting my tired old body until he was satisfied with my position. I sat with him in the semi darkness, resting my head on the side of his bed, so blessed to be able to be with him for those few moments as he put himself to sleep.

And then he started singing,

‘Twinkle, Twinkle, ‘ittle STAR. How I , how I, (mumble) ARE.’

It didn’t matter that he got the words wrong. He wasn’t at all self conscious about singing in my presence. He was happy and secure, and just singing because he loves it. I smiled silently as he finished the verse and then started it all over again. His own version that made no real sense. And the wave of love I felt for him almost overwhelmed me.

Photo showing the silhouette of a small boy hiding behind a curtain.

HE LOVES OUR PRESENCE

It made me ponder. How often do we come to God self-conscious? Maybe we have said or done, or thought, something we are ashamed of. Maybe we think we have to behave, or speak, a certain way in God’s presence. But the truth is that God is always there, and sees and knows us intimately. Not only in the moments when we purpose to meet with Him. He sees our thoughts and knows the words on our tongues even before we speak.(Psalm 139:1-4)

I got the sense so strongly that the way my grandson was with me, was how God loves us to be with Him. Just aware that He is with us. So secure in His love for us, that it doesn’t matter if we get our words wrong when we speak, or sing, to Him. He just loves to sit with us and listen to us. When we direct our words or songs to Him, it just delights Him so much.

SING IN HIS PRESENCE

We may have to say sorry, and He does want us to be free of shame. We may have to ask for forgiveness, which is always freely ours (1 John 1:9). But in those sweet moments when it is just us and Him, He wants us just to be ourselves. He is gazing on adoringly. Reaching out to hold our hand, and whispering to us how much He loves us.

So come into His presence singing! And come with praise and thanksgiving as the Psalmist tells us to. Or if you still prefer not to sing, then speak, or whisper, or talk to Him in your heart. Don’t worry if you don’t think you have the words right. Don’t be so self-conscious that you miss out on the beautiful rest of knowing just how much He loves you and loves being with you.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

advent, Bible, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Jesus, Names of Christ, The Word of God

JESUS, CONSOLATION – ADVENT THOUGHTS (6)

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CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL

So we are nearly there. Christmas is but days away. And how precious it has been to keep Jesus at the centre of out thoughts in the Advent period. His birth meant so much, at the time of His coming, certainly, but to so many more since. He came to make things right, once and for all between man and God. In this last advent thought of the year, we look at how He came to be, and is for eternity, our consolation.

CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL

 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon,

and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel,

Luke 2:25

There is a little story in Luke’s gospel that introduces us to Simeon. Simeon was an old man, a devout lover of God who had waited for years for the promised Messiah. He was led to be in the Temple by the Holy Spirit at just the moment that Jesus’ parents arrived with the infant Christ, and got to hold his Messiah in his arms and to prophesy over Him (Luke 2:25-35).

COMFORT, HELP, AND ENCOURAGEMENT

Luke tells us that Simeon was waiting expectantly for the ‘Consolation of Israel’. Now the word ‘consolation’ can be translated as ‘comfort’, ‘help’ or ‘encouragement’ and that is great. At the time of Jesus’ birth, Israel was in dire need of comfort, help and encouragement and it was no wonder that Christ was longed for. He is the bringer of comfort. Elsewhere in scripture we are promised the comfort of His Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31), the comfort of the Scriptures (Psalm 119:50) and the comfort of God Himself (Romans 15:5).

But a more exact translation of the word ‘consolation’ is ‘advocate’: it has legal implication. It speaks of one ready to stand by your side before the judge and to give evidence on your behalf. Applying this meaning of consolation to the person of Jesus makes much more sense. Yes, He would be the bringer of comfort, but He was also coming as an advocate.

OUR ADVOCATE

He stands today as our advocate before the Great Judge, His Father. He is our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14 -16). What a comfort it is to picture Him standing beside us before God. When we know we need someone to speak on our behalf, because we mess up so easily. What a consolation to our troubled spirits, when guilt and shame threaten, to know that He gave His life, so that we can be free of those once and for all. He is our great encourager, our consolation, our advocate.

~~~~~~

Ask Yourself: Am I slow to take things to Jesus when I feel guilty or ashamed? Is that what God wants – for me to carry guilt or shame?

Ask God: Show me, Jesus, where I have held on to guilt and shame and not come to You for forgiveness. Or when I have been slow to accept that forgiveness, or to forgive myself.

Pray: Thank You Jesus, that You are my consolation. Thank You for the comfort that Your Word brings Me, and that Your presence brings me. Thank You that You are my advocate in heaven. Thank You that I can bring my mistakes to You and ask for forgiveness, and that You defend me, because Your blood covers all my sin.

Help me to be quick to repent when I have failed You, and quick to let go of the guilt and shame you died to free me from.

Thank you that we no longer have to wait expectantly for You to come, but that You have come, and now live in our hearts. Thank You that we can look with expectancy for Your second coming, knowing that You will come to make all things new.

Amen.

Further Reading: Luke 2:21-40

This devotional thought is an extract from:

Christ Illuminated: Seeing Jesus for who He is, an Advent Devotional

Purchase a copy direct from the author here

Or in paperback or ebook, from the publisher here

Christian faith, Christian Writer, Jesus, Names of Christ, The Word of God

JESUS, SON OF DAVID – ADVENT THOUGHTS (4)

joymargetts

‘Once in Royal David’s city’ we sing. It is a well loved and familiar carol, one of many that I love, being quite a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas music. Bethlehem was the birthplace of King David, and of course became the birthplace of King Jesus. Another great carol ‘While Shepherd’s watched’ has the line, ‘born of David’s line’, and the hymn, ‘Hail to the Lord’s Anointed’, describes Jesus as ‘great David’s greater son.’ But why was it so important that Jesus was born of David’s line? Here are my thoughts.

SON OF DAVID

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”

Matthew 21:9

The genealogies in both Matthew 1 and Luke 3 show that Jesus was physically descended from King David. This was the fulfilment of the prophetic promise given to David through Nathan the prophet,

‘And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever’. (2 Samuel 7:16)

When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary he told her that her son, although the Son of God, would also be given David’s throne,

 ‘He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.’ (Luke 1:32)

WELCOMING A KING

The people of Jesus’ time knew that the Messiah would earn the title ‘Son of David’. It is what the multitudes cried when they flocked to welcome Jesus as He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9). As a descendant of David’s royal line, in human terms He had a right to the throne of Israel. As they cried their hosannas they believed they were welcoming a king.

A MAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART

But why was it so important to God that Jesus was called the ‘Son of David’? God chose David to be King of Israel, because he was ‘a man after His own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14).

David was far from perfect, but held a special place in God’s affection, and knew a closeness with God that was ahead of his time. He was obedient to God, sought His will and direction, submitting himself to God’s care and protection. David was a warrior King who brought peace to Israel and established a strong Kingdom. But He was also a worshipper, giving us many of the Psalms, establishing 24/7 worship in the Tabernacle, and overseeing the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Jews of Jesus’ time would have looked back and revered both David and his reign.

THE HEART OF GOD PERSONIFIED

And then the ‘Son of David’ appeared. I believe David was a picture of Christ, albeit an imperfect one. Jesus was a man whose heart was completely and perfectly after God’s heart, He lived His life in submission and obedience, a life that worshipped God. Our warrior king, He would fight, to the point of giving up His life, in order to establish a new and eternal kingdom. David brought the Ark, the presence of God back into the heart of the kingdom of Israel. Jesus came to bring the presence of God into the heart of all who would receive Him.

David was a man after God’s own heart; Jesus was the heart of God personified.

~~~~~~

Ask Yourself: Is my heart after God’s heart? Even when I get things wrong, does my heart want to be after His?

Ask God: Show me Jesus, any areas of my life where my heart goes after things that are not of You.

Pray: Thank You Jesus, that Your heart was so completely in tune with the Father’s heart. Thank you that You came to earth willingly, out of obedience to the Father’s will, but also to show us how much the Father loves us. You lived a life that worshipped God and honoured Him.

Help me to tune my heart into Yours, so that my life is lived after Your own heart, in every area of my life. Forgive me when I set my heart on things that are not pleasing to You. I want my life to reflect You and to be known as someone who loves and serves You well.

Amen.

Further Reading: Luke 2:1-20

This is an extract form my Advent Devotional, Christ Illuminated.

Christ Illuminated: Seeing Jesus for who He is, an Advent Devotional

Purchase a copy direct from the author here

Or in paperback or ebook, from the publisher here

advent, Bible, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Jesus, Names of Christ, The Word of God

JESUS, IMMANUEL – ADVENT THOUGHTS (3)

joymargetts

One of my absolute favourite descriptions of Jesus, is Immanuel, God with Us. This advent it is good to know that even in the busyness, He is right with us. And when we feel alone or overwhelmed, Jesus is still our Immanuel.

God With Us

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son,

and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matthew 1:23

In Matthew 1:18 -21 we are told the story of Joseph, and his dream encounter with an angel of the Lord. Joseph is told that He should not be afraid to take Mary as his wife, as the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Then in the following verses Matthew adds a quote from Isaiah (Matthew 1:22-23). Jesus’ birth is going to fulfil another messianic prophecy. He will be called ‘Immanuel’ which means ‘God with us’ (Isaiah 7:14). It wasn’t to be His actual name, rather an expression of what His coming meant.

A God Who Understands

God Himself, in the person of His Son, descended into humanity so that He could live among us. We can put from our minds all thoughts of a distant, uninterested God. Jesus was born into poverty, hardship, shame, fear and uncertainty, under Roman oppression. He chose to experience these things, as well as injustice, hatred, misunderstanding, loneliness, physical torture and death. Jesus suffered these willingly, for our salvation, but also so that He could fully understand our pain and suffering (Hebrews 4:15).

He truly made Himself God with man, and this is our comfort. There is nothing that we can face that He has not experienced Himself. We can never believe that He does not care, because He truly knows how we feel. He also had no problem identifying with the undesirables – from the shepherds, to tax collectors and prostitutes. He came to be with those who needed Him most, God ‘with’ every person, whatever their status.

Our Battle Cry

But ‘Immanuel’ occurs elsewhere in Isaiah, in chapter 8 and verses 8 and 10. Here it is not a name but a cry of trust, from a nation facing humiliation and defeat; it is a yell, ‘God is With Us!’. Immanuel is our comfort but can also be our battle cry.

Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;
Speak the word, but it will not stand,
For God is with us (Immanuel).           Isaiah 8:10

Whatever we face, He, our Immanuel, is truly with us. ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ is His promise (Hebrews 13:5). We too can cry ‘God is with us’! Our protector and defender stands victorious in heaven, but also lives within us by His Spirit. We never have to face anything without Him.

~~~~~~~

Ask Yourself: Does it comfort me that Jesus suffered as a human being, or do I find it hard to accept that He understands what I am going through?

Ask God: Show me Jesus, how and when to use ‘Immanuel’ as my battle cry.

Pray: Thank You Jesus that You are Immanuel, God With Us, in every sense of the word. You made Yourself as one of us in coming to live on earth. You are with me still, living within me by Your Spirit. Thank You that You promised to never leave me to face difficulties alone. I can stand in the face of hardship, knowing that the Victorious One stands with me. Almighty God is on my side, He is with me.

Help me to take comfort from the fact that You know what it means to suffer and that You truly care and understand. Help me to trust You to fight for me and with me.

Amen

Further Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

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Christ Illuminated: Seeing Jesus for who He is, an Advent Devotional

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JESUS, BELOVED SON – ADVENT THOUGHTS (2)

joymargetts

Advent is well on the way. We are making our lists, attending Christmas events, maybe even switching on our Christmas lights. Let’s take a moment today to remember the One this is season is all about. Jesus, the Beloved Son.

The following is a an extract from my recently published Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated: Seeing Jesus for who He is‘, 24 daily devotions based on the names of Jesus.

BELOVED SON

The Angel Gabriel came to Mary and declared that the child she would conceive by the Holy Spirit would be called the ‘Son of the Highest’ (Luke 1:32). On two further occasions God Himself speaks confirming Jesus as His Son: at His Baptism (Matthew 3:17), and at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). On both occasions God declares ‘This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’.

Loving Parent

Can you picture God the Father, looking down with His heart bursting with love and pride for His Son? Those of us who are parents can perhaps understand that feeling. I know that we can’t wait to tell people how wonderful our children, or our grandchildren are, and how proud we are of them. We see beyond their mistakes and imperfections and love them fiercely and unconditionally. Seeing God as a loving parent dispels the idea of Him being a distant figure. He was completely and utterly besotted with His son, His perfect Son, and was totally invested in what Jesus was doing. Isaiah 42:1 tells us that Jesus, His servant, delights God’s soul.

Loving the World

But not only did God the Father love His Son, He loved the world that He sent His Son to (John 3:16). So much so that He willingly gifted His only son to the world. Jesus, the Son, came, sharing the very nature of His Father. He became the expression of the Father’s love for us: love incarnate, willing to lay down His very life for us.

As parents we love to give our children what they wish for, especially at Christmas. If we could afford it, we would give our children the world. Funnily enough that was exactly what God the Father promised His Son,

‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.’         Psalm 2:7-8

That inheritance includes you and me! Because Jesus came willingly and obediently to earth, and humbled Himself to death on the cross, God exalted His Beloved Son to the highest place. And every knee in heaven and earth will one day bow to His beautiful name (Philippians 2:8-11).

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Ask Yourself: Do I find it hard to see God as a loving father? Why is that?

Ask God: Reveal to my heart, Jesus, just how much you love me personally.

Pray: Thank You Father that You loved the world enough to send Your Beloved Son to live among us, and to die for us. Thank You that just as You delighted in Jesus, so You delight in me as Your child. Even when I make mistakes, it doesn’t change how You love me, and You demonstrated that love for me in sending Jesus. Thank You that I am part of Jesus’ inheritance, and that one day I will worship at His feet, knowing that I belong to Him.

Help me to see how much You love and delight in me. Help me to love Jesus as He deserves to be loved, and to walk in His love.

Amen

Further Reading: Luke 1:26-38

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Christ Illuminated: Seeing Jesus for who He is, an Advent Devotional

Purchase a copy direct from the author here

Or in paperback or ebook, from the publisher here

advent, Bible, Christian Writer, christmas, Jesus, The Word of God

JESUS – THE WORD. ADVENT THOUGHTS (1)

joymargetts

I love Advent. I love the excitement of preparing for Christmas; gift shopping, cake baking, tree decorating. But the main reason I love Advent is that it is a time every year when we can contemplate the wonder of Christ’s coming.

This year I am so excited to have my own Advent Devotional in print. I have decided to take some of the thoughts from ‘Christ Illuminated: Seeing Jesus for who He is‘ and publish them here on my blog. If you want all 24 daily devotions to inspire and encourage you, you will have to purchase the book!

THE WORD

John’s gospel begins with the familiar words, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ’ (John 1:1). To know he is speaking of Jesus we only have to jump down to v14, and to these words, ‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.’

Logos

I wonder if you have ever struggled to understand this description of Jesus? I certainly have. I love words, I love reading them and writing them. I love the beauty words can portray when used creatively. So how does this relate to Jesus? The Greek meaning of ‘word’ here isn’t so much the written word but the spoken word, or ‘logos’. It is the expression of a thought. It makes much more sense to describe Jesus in this way, as the spoken, outward expression of God’s thoughts. The manifestation of all that He is.

His spoken message

Scripture tells us that ‘out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks’ (Matthew 12:34). God had so much in His heart that He wanted to express to mankind of His love, joy, truth, holiness, grace and mercy, that He sent us His spoken message in the person of Christ. In effect Jesus was the embodiment of all that God wanted to say to us. How beautiful is that!

The Word of Life

But there is more. John 1:1-3 tell us that Jesus was there in eternity with God and through Him all creation happened (Colossians 1:16). We know that God spoke creation into being (Genesis 1:3). It was in His heart already, but speaking the words had the power to bring what was in His heart to life. In and through Jesus, God speaks the desire of His heart, to bring life, eternal life, life in abundance to all who will believe.

Jesus is ‘the Word of life’ (1 John 1:1). In Revelation John describes Jesus as the all victorious One riding on a white horse, bearing the words ‘faithful and true’. He gives Him the name ‘The Word of God’ (Revelation 19:11-13). This is the One who shed His blood and rose again to purchase life for us. He wears the victor’s crown.

As John declares, of Jesus, the Word,

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:4).

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Ask Yourself: How does seeing Jesus as God, the One who created the world, and who is the human expression of God in all His fullness, change the way I understand the nature of God?

Ask God: Show me, Jesus, how powerful my words are. They have the power to bring life or to bring death (Proverbs 18:21).

Pray: Thank You Jesus, that You are the living Word. You are the full expression of God and You came to earth to show us the Father. Thank You that as God’s Word you offer life to all who will accept You. You are the Word of Life.

Help me to see You as God, to acknowledge You as the creator of the world, and to worship You as the victorious One. Help me to understand that just as Your words have power to create, and to express God’s heart, so do mine. Help me to speak of God’s love and mercy with my words, but also with my life, as You did.

 Amen.

Further Reading: John 1:1-18

Purchase a copy

Christ Illuminated: Seeing Jesus for who He is, an Advent Devotional

Purchase a copy direct from the author here

Or in paperback or ebook, from the publisher here