God With Us

In Matthew’s gospel the angel comes to Joseph and makes an astonishing announcement that the child his bride to be is carrying is indeed from the Holy Spirit. Referring to Mary he said, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us) – Matt 1:21-23. The mystery and marvel of the incarnation is a wonder to behold.  That God would enter into our world is beyond amazement.  Jesus is the one who make the invisible God visible – the eternal God entering into time – the ever-present God is with us locally in flesh and blood – the all-powerful God is with us in our weakness and shares in the limitations of our humanity.  But not only is God with us he is for us.  Jesus comes to reveal the holy Father.  He comes to redeem sinful man. He comes to build His eternal kingdom and makes it possible for us to be a part of it through his death, burial and resurrection.  God came to be with us so that we could forever be with Him.  As you celebrate this Christmas season, may the wonder of the Incarnation fill you with hope, love, peace and joy. – Dr. Gary Mathes

Similar Posts

  • How is Your Vision?

    I was in second grade when our whole class had to go and take a vision test.  After having difficulty determining the direction the “E”’s where facing, I was sent home with a note for my parents to take me to the eye doctor.  Ever since then I have worn glasses or contacts. I remember…

  • Association – Operation

    This week as I continue articles on the association, I will address two questions. First, how do associations operate today? Today, both associations and churches remain autonomous and self-governing. The association has no authority over the practices of any member church. Even though churches are independent bodies, they are interdependent by choice through membership in…

  • Healthy Targets

    Healthy Foundations – Gospel Today I share the fourth of nine targets for healthy churches. The next category is that of Healthy Foundations and the three targets in this category are Gospel, Scripture, and Prayer. Every structure that is built to last must have a solid and secure foundation. The gospel is an essential foundation…

  • Thy Kingdom Come

    I recently was at one of our churches and the minister declared, “Thy kingdom come.” and the congregation responded, “Thy will be done.”  It was a good reminder that regardless of the political agendas and in the aftermath of a recent election day, it is God who is sovereign over the affairs of our world,…

  • Healthy Targets

    Healthy Structures – Membership This week I share the eighth of nine targets for healthy churches – Membership.  The three targets under the category Healthy Structures are Leadership, Membership, and Discipleship.  One of the New Testament images of the church is that of a Body made up of many members (1 Cor. 12:12-14, 27).  Paul goes on…

  • Adaptive Leadership

    I recently finished the book Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger.  The author shares how Lewis and Clark had to adapt their leadership strategy to accomplish the mission they had been given from President Thomas Jefferson.  Hoping to find a water way to use from the Mississippi to the Pacific they instead…