God with Us!

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Hi!  Yes, it has been a LONG time and I don't even know why.  What I do know is that today I read two verses in 1 John that amazed me and I wanted to share them with someone - and I picked all of you!

 Here they are:

 "All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.  We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love."  NLT

 "Have God living in them"..... "they live in God"....  this is incredible, amazing, and true!

 God abides - continuously remains - in us and we abide - continuously remain - in God.

 I don't really know how to talk about the significance of this but want us to try grasp it.
Phrases that come to mind for me...
- never alone
- having a home
- being a dwelling place
- always in the light
- this treasure... in jars of clay
Take a moment and ask yourself - what is the significance for me that the Lord lives in me and I in Him?

 = = = = I'll give you a moment to do that = = = =

 Whatever it is, I now want you to try link that to this holiday season*.

 *Yes, I am consciously using the term "Holiday Season" as this is what we are living in right now - parties and concerts and decorations and music that have nothing to do with the coming of Jesus but rather with a winter festive time and memories of our past. 

 The good news for those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God is that we don't have to go through the busy (often very hectic) holiday season apart from God.  God is with us.  Whatever we came up with as we reflected a few moments ago, it true for our office parties, shopping, and family gatherings.  Looking at my list, I can imagine heading into an awkward gathering of coworkers.  As I go, it is with the confidence that I have a home in Christ and I don't need to change, flex, or pretend in order to fit it.  I can live in the light of God's love as verse 16 says, "We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love."  Not only does this transform the "holiday season" for us, it may even bring the light of Christ into other's lives.

 And isn't that the whole point of Christmas?  "The light shines in the darkness..." (John 1:5)

 Wishing you a blessed Advent Season,
Tracy

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