Month: November 2022

CHRISTMAS KENOSIS!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

6 Though HE was GOD, HE did not think of equality with GOD as something to cling to. 7 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 GOD and died a criminal’s death on a cross.                                                        Philippians 2:6-8 NLT

CHRISTMAS KENOSIS! What isKENOSIS? Think about your dream vacation. One commercial has a family dreaming of a trip to the beach, then the narrator leads them to think bigger. So, they decide to go to Hawaii. That is their paradise.Imagine living in the most beautiful place you can think of. Look around at all the majestyand glorious mountains, seashores, valleys, or other landscapes that sooth your soul. Now, take your imagination one step further. Picture yourself in charge of everyone and everything there in your paradise! You are in control of it all. You are not merely a resident; you are the king or queen of this eutopia ~ for all time.  Heavenly, right?

You discover a problem. There is another land where everything is in ruin. The people have no hope, no light, no joy, and no peace. You know that you can go there and change all of that. However, in order to help these people, you must become like them. You must take off your title and leave this wonderful home. You know that you will not be respected or honored when you arrive. You cannot arrive as a royal dignitary; you must take on the role of a servant or slave in order to help these people. In fact, ultimately, you will have to give your life to save these people. Is it worth it to you?

My friend, that is KENOSIS! JESUS CHRIST left HIS home in heaven with angels following HIS every command to become a baby born in a feeding trough in a cave because even a shabby hotel would not have HIM. HE was born to very poor parents who could not honor HIM as THE KING deserved. It gets much worse! As we celebrate CHRISTMAS and the birth of THIS BABY who came to save us, never forget that HE was wrapped in “swaddling clothes.” HE did not come to live on earth with us; HE came to die for us on a filthy wooden cross so we could live forever. That is The KENOSIS of CHRISTMAS!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15


PS ~ This illustration breaks down because…. unlike JESUS, you and I could never be:

Omnipotent: all powerful

Omniscient: all knowing

Omnipresent: in all places

JESUS left heaven to became a baby to live and die for you and me! That’s Christmas Kenosis ~ WOW!

CHILD-LIKE FAITH!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

child-like faith!

THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

2 JESUS called a little child to HIM and put the child among them. 3 Then HE said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.”

5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on MY behalf is welcoming ME.”

Matthew 18:1-5 NLT

THOUCHED BY JESUS

13 One day some parents brought their children to JESUS so HE could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering HIM.

14 When JESUS saw what was happening, HE was angry with HIS disciples. HE said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then HE took the children in HIS ARMS and placed HIS HANDS on their heads and blessed them. ~ Mark 10:13-15 NLT

THOSE WHO ARE LIKE CHILDREN

15 One day some parents brought their little children to JESUS so HE could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering HIM.

16 Then JESUS called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to ME. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive THE KINGDOM OF GOD like a child will never enter it.” ~ Luke 18:15-17 NLT

Cheryl’s Momma, Julia Adell Crabb went home on Saturday, November 12th. No more pain! No more fear. She is walking, running, and singing! Her faith is like that of a child. Was she perfect? No. Is she amazing? Yes! She loved her children, grandchildren, and her friends. But, that’s not child-like faith. She loved JESUS simply and innocently. No hard questions… just a deep life-long faith! “JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.”

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

FEAR NOT!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” THE LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

II Kings 6:16-17 NLT

FEAR NOT! ~ II Kings 6:8-23 ~ Does it bother you? Inflation is on the rise more quickly than we have seen in decades. I find myself sounding more and more like my parents… “I remember when a gallon of milk only cost…” We recently considered buying a new car until we grasped the truth that we would have to take on another house payment for the cost of a car. Suddenly, our older cars looked so much better. 😊

Hurricane season has taken a toll on many parts of the world this year. Wars and strife are in the news every day. Concerns about our borders, drug wars, school shootings, and so much more are constantly reported. Violence is on the rise. People seem more and more angry as time goes by. For some, it seems everywhere we look we see trouble on every side. Over the years, it seems little has changed. These truths are exactly what Elisha’s servant saw in his day until his eyes were opened:

15 When the servant of THE MAN OF GOD got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha. ~ II Kings 6:15 NLT

When looking at our troubles, we forget that there is much more happening than we can possibly see with just our eyes. In the opening verse above, Elisha begins speaking by telling his servant: “FEAR NOT!” or “Don’t be afraid!”  Elisha reminds his servant that there are more on our side than theirs. Did you know this is still true today? You are not alone! The GOD WHO created you has not abandoned you to your troubles. HE is watching over you, especially on the days you don’t see HIM. ~ JESUS wins! ~FEAR NOT!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

PS~ The more you miss church, the less you miss church. 😊 (Thanks Mikey)

16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”