CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 670

“Reason to Rejoice”

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Romans 7:18-25 (NIV) …I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out …So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me … waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! …
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Jesus was born to die.

Jesus’ birth was for a specific purpose: He was born to die in our place for our sins.

He was born to die so that we may be born again and have eternal life with our Father in heaven.

During the Christmas season people shop for gifts and take advantage of sale prices. The world hustles about to prepare for parties and other festivities. Songs are sung with lyrics about a holy night, joy to the world, Emmanuel-God with us and many others that have become merely traditional background noise – a sort of Seasonal lip service.

What is our reason to rejoice? Is it because we got that flat screen TV at a ridiculously low bargain price after waiting in line in the cold the night before black Friday?

Perhaps during the Christmas season we should reflect upon our sin nature and how utterly impossible it is for sinful mankind to be reconciled and have fellowship with a Holy God. Perhaps during this season we should allow the oil of the Holy Spirit to soften our calloused hearts so that we can acknowledge our sin and repent before God. It does not matter how heinous or minor in the eyes of society your sin is. Once your heart becomes tender and you come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit with respect to your sin you will cry out as Paul did ‘What a wretched person I am! Who will rescue me? You will feel unworthy to be rescued at all. You will question whether you can ever be forgiven for what you have done. This is when the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus calls the Comforter will come along side of you and lead you to repentance and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

If you can relate with Paul’s lament regarding his wretchedness you need to also identify with his rejoicing in the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to die for all the sins of mankind, past, present and future until the end of time. He was born to bear the punishment for your sins and mine once for all on the cross. God offers each of us the gift of salvation and justification through His Son, Jesus. In His grace and mercy God offers us the free gift of eternal life if we will but repent and turn from our sin and accept Jesus’ sacrifice and declare Him as our Lord and Savior.

Jesus was born to die for your sins and mine. Now that is the reason for the season. Now that is reason to rejoice.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God