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The four calling birds calling out the Christmas message. The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John bring the Message of Hope. The word “gospel” (euangelion in Greek) means “good news.” Paul writes that “our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.”  1 Thessalonians 1:5. We understand that the stories told in the gospels are not simply words, but life-transforming through the exemplary life of the Saviour, who was fully God and fully human, able to empathise with human weakness. He was considered a rebel in the culture and society of His times, yet He did no wrong. Through the Gospels, we can understand His teachings and model His works.

The Gospels are accounts of four very different persons telling the story from different perspectives. Luke is a doctor and writes for the non-Jewish audience. John writes from a totally different perspective from Matthew, Mark and Luke where he begins the story with “In the beginning…”, emphasizing the divinity of the Saviour. The Gospels quite frequently refer to the Old Testament to infer the fulfilment of the prophecies.

Jesus was never in a hurry, never worried, and always in time (even to raise the dead). He talks to different audiences, addressing their needs, speaking with love. He reveals who He is and who God is. He responds to different situations, not react. We often react without thinking. based on fear and insecurities. These reactions might not always be the best course of action, and can make others unhappy, make things worse for us, make the situation worse. Responding, on the other hand, is taking the situation in, and deciding the best course of action based on values such as reason and compassion.

#12daysofchristmas #fourthdayofchristmas #gospel #goodnews

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Faith, hope, love – these virtues last forever and should be our pursuit. We should always guard our hearts and never let the traps of life strip away our faith and our hope, which makes us forget to love as we struggle to find a new starting point. We should never let bitterness and fear lead us astray from our quest. To walk in faith, to reach our hopes, and grow big love – these are the three principles that allow us to live joyfully even in the midst of suffering. Life is too short to worry or hate. We need fill our hearts with love and to serve others with love. Are we and our community known for our faith, hope and love?

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthian 13:13

Faith leads us to know the heart of God and guides us to trust in His ways which is always higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). We need to come to a point where we can say “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) or like Job “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:31). Surely, the Giver (God) is more important than the gifts blessings in life). Faith leads us to know the heart of God, not to seek more comfort for ourselves. Faith is what helps us to step out of our comfort zone into the great unknown filled with adventures and trust His plan.

Hope is the fuel that keeps our faith alive in our quest for love. Love is the result of our faith and hope. Love is the goal. It gives us the power to be of true service to other. But what exactly is love? The definition of love is best summed up in 1 Cor 13:4-8.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” 1 Cor 13:4-8

Replace the word “love” in the verse with a person’s name (or yours), and you can see if that person has qualities of real, unconditional love. Finding faith, hope and love for ourselves is not the end, it can be the beginning for others who are in broken places. Depression, divorce, addiction, diseases are all part of the world we live in and in which we are called to be ambassadors of love. Show kindness and belief in someone who needs comfort and lead them to belief there is still good in the world and spread the love.

In our work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope, we will produce the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

Further reading: Ninth day of Christmas – Fruits of the Spirit

#thirddayofchristmas #christmas #12daysofchristmas

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The Great Big Story of Creation, Fall, Redemption and Restoration

The Old Testament describes the creation of Earth and all living things, and the fall of mankind. The New Testament tells the redemption story where the Saviour provides the way for mankind to return to fellowship with the Creator once again, and ultimately a new Creation where everything is made right.

In the Old Testament, the stories were told through prophets (language: Hebrew and Aramaic) starting from Creation to -400 B.C. In the New Testament, the stories unfold with the Saviour in human form as the main character (language: Ancient Greek) between 0 -100 A.D.

#12daysofchristmas #seconddayofchristmas #christmas #speaklife #inspiration #faith #hope #love