O Holy Night

O Holy Night

Bible Reading: Luke 2

Focus Verse: "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." (Luke 2:8)

The familiar Christmas hymn is about the coming of our "dear Saviour". The world is full of sin and error and is not doing well without a saviour.  The coming of Jesus brought great hope and rejoicing!

The song begins with

"O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."

 

The whole world struggles in need of a Saviour.  It is cursed with sin and the longing is for a full redemption, renewal and fellowship with God

The song says, "Long lay the world in sin and error pining. ’Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth."

"And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field." (Genesis 3:17-18)

The song says, "A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."

"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (Romans 8:19-21)

Does your soul feel it's worth?  Yes, let us rejoice and worship the Lord for Jesus, our Saviour and our hope. Worship with me this season with this hymn.  His power and glory evermore proclaim.

~Page Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

O Holy Night Lyrics

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from the Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

Video of O Holy Night: https://youtu.be/JHAFT2i5h5w?si=xaCfOek67Uc_GwJu

Our Wonderful Counselor

Our Wonderful Counselor 

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

Focus Verse: Isaiah 9:6  “And He will be called Wonderful Counselor.”

Do you know that God has a plan for your life, and He wants to reveal that plan to you?  Psalm 73:24 says, “You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”   

 

People go to many different places to get advice on how to live their lives, but the Bible, God’s Word is the best place you could go.  The Bible says, “God is our counselor and He wants to give you counsel for your life.  He wants to give wisdom as you make decisions for your life.  James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”  God is never too busy to spend time with you.  

 

Jesus took time with Nicodemus one night when he had questions about life.  Jesus took time with a Samaritan woman at a well when she had issues in her life.  God will take time with you and help you with whatever issues you are facing.  The Bible blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 is  “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”  

This Christmas season let us continue to go to “The Prince of Peace”, the only One who can bring true peace in our lives when we have issues.   And His name is Jesus the Wonderful Counselor.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

God Has Chosen You

God Has Chosen You

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Focus Verse: 1 Samuel 16:12b  “And the Lord said, This is the one, anoint him.”

God likes to use humble ordinary people for His purposes.  In our scripture reading God chose David, a shepherd boy tending sheep, to be the next king of Israel.  

 

Maybe you’re thinking right now that you’re not very important.  Let me tell you God wants to choose you for a task.  It might not be to serve as king or president of a country.  But God has a special task just for you.  God has chosen ordinary people throughout history to do special things.  When God called Gideon to deliver Israel, he was threshing wheat.  When Jesus called the disciples to change the world, they were mending their nets and fishing. God doesn’t look so much at your ability or what great talents you may have, but He cares about your willing availability.  Your purpose may seem insignificant, but to God it is serving His purposes.

 

Are you willing to be used by God for whatever He is asking you to do?  If you were to ask the disciple Peter on the day that Jesus called him,  “can you see yourself leading the Christian movement in Jerusalem?”  He would have said “no”.  As I look back on my own life it surprises me what God has done.  And I can look at many other ordinary people that God has done some amazing things through.  So don’t underestimate what God can do when you say “yes”.  Remember a little boy said “yes” and gave his lunch to Jesus and more than 5000 people had all they could eat.  God has chosen you to do great things, will you say “yes” to Him?

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministry