GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY!!!

Dave Kistler 2“Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy…for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord!” Those powerful words were uttered by a heavenly messenger almost 2000 years ago.

The “good tidings” was the message that a Savior was born!  That a Savior even needed to be born inherently communicates the reality of sin and its resultant penalty. Into a horrifically sinful world came Jesus–the Lamb, as John the Baptist called Him!  The Lamb, was willing to robe Himself in humanity, live selflessly and sinlessly, and ultimately die the horrible death of a cross!  But, He rose from the grave!  So influential was/is that solitary life, that He split history into BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini–In The Year Of Our Lord)!  A modern world can do its best to diminish and destroy Him, but they’ll never do so!  His sacrificial life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection make Him unprecedented, unparalleled, and unforgettable!

Should such a Savior as this not deserve our unbridled expressions of joy and thanksgiving?  He most certainly should!  Tragically, at this Christmas season, many will miss not only the purpose for the season, they’ll miss, also, the Person of the season–Jesus!  After all, its His birthday!

A wonderful message of great joy, one that liberates the captive, is not possible apart from the willing obedience of those of us who’ve been the recipients of His amazing grace.  So, may we refocus and recommit ourselves to the bold, unapologetic, fearless declaration of Christ’s gospel!  As did the shepherds that beautiful night so many years ago, may we “glorify” and “praise” God for that which we’ve heard and seen!

In the coming year, there is much to be accomplished for the glory of our Wonderful, soon coming Savior!  It is my prayer that 2015 will be the most focused, fearless and faithful year of my life!

I invite you to join me in this quest, and in unequivocally saying, “My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine!  For thee all the follies of sin I resign!  My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou! If, ever I loved Thee, my Jesus tis now!”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)

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