Plans 2 Prosper U Blog

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
       “Glory to God in the highest,
                  and on earth PEACE to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13,14, NIV)

 Isn’t it interesting that when the Angels appeared in the skies to the shepherds that this is the verse that they sung: “..Peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  That is what God offers us through His Son, Jesus Christ.  He offers us PEACE.  Do you have Peace? Do you offer others PEACE- the PEACE of Christ?  That is our calling; to know PEACE and to offer it to others.  And of course the only way to know PEACE is to know Christ. 

 Merry Christmas everyone!  May you experience the PEACE of Christ and share it with those around you.

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7, NIV)

Imagine that. There was no room for God at the inn. It’s almost hard to believe. Of course it’s not like the inn keeper knew that Jesus was God but still it is strange. You’d think that they’d make room for a pregnant woman somewhere- it’s not like Mary and Joseph were going to be picky about it. They did afterall give birth in a barn.

It becomes really easy to make judgements about this situation and wonder how there could be no room for Jesus. Could it be that this was in God’s plan as a metaphor of what was yet to come. Every year billions of dollars are spent in November and December in the name of Christmas. People drive like maniacs. Stores are open till all hours of the night. People end up working like dogs. All of this happens because of Christmas. And then we fill up our lawns and yards and roofs with lights and Santas and snowmen. And then the irony hits us. There is once again no room for Jesus on the lawn. Or in the shopping. Or in our attitude.

During this next week  as you go through your holiday routine, I ask you to make room for Jesus.

This is the how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child  through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  (Matthew 1: 18-19, NIV)

Isn’t it interesting that the Christmas story actually begins with adversity.  What was supposed to be a happy time for this couple, Mary and Joseph, as they were to plan their marriage, actually involved a major obstacle.  That obstacle was Jesus.  Isn’t it funny how Jesus can take our plans and our world and turn it  upside down.  Just when you think that you have it figured out, Jesus comes into the picture and changes everything. 

Will you let Jesus into your life this Christmas season?  How will you allow Him to change your plans and your world?  Think about it…

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:15,16, NIV)

Psalm 139 tells us that God saw us when we were in our mother’s womb. Not only did He see us at that time, but He saw every day we would ever live. All at an instant He knew exactly what was going to happen to us and perfectly equipped us to handle every obstacle. Actually, the truth is that this didn’t solely occur at our conception.  Oh no.  God knew all of this from eternity past.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

Think of a time in your life when you were encountering a tough situation and God provided you with the perfect amount of resources, strength, and people to get you through that time.

When I think of my son, now 5 months old, I can’t help but wonder what God has in store for Him. I know that He has great plans for my little Adam and I can’t wait to see them unfold.