How Else??

Christmas is far more than an excuse to decorate,or buy gifts for loved onesor (over) indulge in favourite foods and drinks...etc. It is more than an arranging of religious figurines... Christmas, for Christians, is the celebration of Christ's first coming to the world!And a celebration of anticipation of His second coming!And hopefully, not simply a seasonal celebrationbut a faithful continuation of the holy joyful expectationof meeting Jesuswhere, each time we open His Word, we do meet Him but not yet face to face!Each time we open his Wordwe meet Him there!Have you met Jesus today? Recently I heard this caution;If you do not read the Word of Godyou will be deceived. If we do not read the word of God we will err in our thinking...Matt.22:29Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. How often the word of God contradicts human logic...To defend sin, no matter how hurt we are/wereor how much we love the sinneris to defend disobedience and ungodliness!....God is light and in Him is no darkness.If we say we have fellowship with Himand walk in darkness, we lie (1 John 1:5-6)Oh, may we ask the Lord as we meet Himin his Word ....that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you/us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your/our knowledge of Him. (I) ask that the eyes of your/our heart(s) may be enlightened, so that you/we may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe.Eph.1:17-19 How can we taste and see God's goodness without knowledge, first, of HimHow, in this world of sin and darkness, can we shine, without His WordHow, without putting on His armour can we face faith's foe, so grim For he masquerades as a charmer, smooth-talking till truth is blurred Mass ignorance and confusion applauds the blind leading the blindAfter claiming Christ's absolution, God's love-light is shed abroadIn our hearts; As His Word reaches joint and marrow of darkened mind His Word alone begins to teach us how to live and love like God How else can we claim to know Jesus, yet not/but to seek Him through His Word?  No other scripture can release us from clutches of sinful choice How, without His Word to win us can faith persevere, undeterredHow, without His Word within us can we begin to hear His Voice? Janet Martin~ Ps.19:7-11The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward... Read the whole glorious chapter