"The Heavenly Father Hand"

       "I press on, that i may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus

        Has also,aid hold of me."                            Philippians 3:12

        When we cross a busy street with small children in tow, we put out hand and say, "hold on tight." and our little ones grasp our hand as tightly as they can. But we would never depend on their grasp. It is our grip on their hand that holds then and keeps then secure. So Paul insist. "Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me" (Phil.3:12). Or more exactly, "Christ has a grip on me!"

        One thing is certain it is not our grip on God that keeps us safe, but the power of Jesus' grasp. No one can take us out of his grasp not the devil not even ourselves. Once we're in his hands. He will not let go. 

        We have this assurance: "i give the  eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given then to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand" (John 10:28-29).

        Doubly safe: our Father on one side and our Lord and savior on the other clasping us in a viselike grip. These are the hands that shaped the mountains and oceans and flung the star into space. Nothing in this life or the enemy shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Roman 8:39 ). No one this 2016 Happy New to All

"He will reign for ever and ever."

        "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our

         Lord and of His Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."

                                       Revelation 11 : 15

IN WESTMINSTER ABBY lies the sarcophagus of a German musician to whom every music lover is indebted, especially in the Christmas season. His name? George Frideric Handel, one of the most talented yet maligned musician ever to pen a note on paper. Why was he maligned? Most probably because Handel was a foreigner living in England who spoke English poorly and blended it with italian, German and french, he was also overweight and wore an oversized wig.

        Yet this man gave us Messiah, one of the most inspiring, touching renditions of what Christmas is about that the world has ever known. In 1741, shortly before he wrote the famous oratorio, Handel considered giving up and returning to Germany. He was nearly broke, but instead of giving up, he turned to God and began writing, using themes and verse that were dear to his heart.

         This magnificent work was completed in 24 days as Handel wrote almost nonstop, never going out of his house, often leaving the food he was served untouched, papers strewn all over his study. While he was writing the " Hallelujah chorus," his servant discovered him in tears. Handel exclaimed, "i did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself."

         When the Messiah was performed for the first time in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin in 1742, the king caught a glimpse of what Handel saw as well, rising to his feet and remaining standing for the duration of magnificent "Hallelujah Chorus"

         Listen to the message: "And he shall reign forever and ever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end," and realize that the angels who proclaimed the announcement of Jesus' birth in the shepherds' field will forever echo that message

"Emanuel God is with us"

"You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus."            Luke 1: 31(KNV) 

If you ask the man on the street at the what he think of the babe of christmas, you'll be surprised at the answers. Just look at the folks who were there when it happened. The innkeeper was downright indifferent a census had come to town, and he was busy ringing up the cash register. Then there was Herod he tried to destroy everything connected with the Christmas celebration. Consider the shephered in the field only after the angels bent over backward to explain the celestial fireworks were their fears finally put to rest.

The wise men were curious, poking here and there with questions until they found answer that satisfied. Still others, like Simon in the temple, waited. Other people hoped, like Anna the prophetess. Then there were these who, like Mary and Joseph, worshiped the newborn king.

People haven't changed much since Bible times, and the man on the street respond in much the same way. Are you, like the innkeeper, indifferent? Too busy? Are you still searching, looking for answer? Or maybe you're frightened because the baby in the manger asks too much of you. Stop thinking how you would have responded had you been the man on the streets of Bethlehem that night.

There are a thousand different ways to respond to the news 

         that a Savior has been born to deliver man from his sins. But 

         the fact remains that until a child was born, this world was 

         cloaked in utter darkness, abandoned, hopeless, and lost. 

         But for unto, a child is born a son is given! There is only one

         Response: "Come" and worship Him with our joyous praise!. His name is Emanuel God is with us!