THE GREATEST EMBRACE OF ALL!!!
Last night, I dreamed of hugs.
Today, I awoke to words from my daughter about hugs.
HUGS.
FULL–BODIED HUGS.
Who we love, we hug.
We love our friends, so we hug them and hold on, feeling their love for us, inside their arms.
We love our moms and dads, so we hug them until we no longer cannot. . . HUG them tightly!
We hug first and then we may kiss.
Or as in some countries, we may kiss and then HUG.
Kiss and Hug—OR—Hug and then Kiss—-Either way, they become a package embrace of love.
Not too many days ago, I participated in a Christmas parade with Campbellsville University, walking familiar streets in my hometown, walking the parade route—not once, not twice, but walking three times throughout the crowd of people, thoroughly enjoying my evening. Others have since asked me if I enjoyed walking the parade route, and I have replied with affirmation, “Yes, for one distinct reason—-It was night filled with HUGS.”
HUGS from Former Students.
HUGS from Close Friends.
HUGS from Family Members standing along the parade route.
HUGS from Current Students.
HUGS from My Siblings & My Mom.
HUGS from My Best Friend.
Yes, most assuredly, I returned home that Saturday night feeling more loved than ever, and it was ALL BECAUSE OF THE HUGS GIVEN & RECEIVED!!!
Since that night, I have wondered: Have we ever received a bad hug?
That’s right. Have we ever received a hug and felt the sense of “NOT BEING LOVED” inside that hug?
That’s a horribly, sad hug. Why open our arms, if we know those hugging do not love us? Why give someone a hug, when clearly, our heart filled with love is not fully engaged?
Why reach out when others shrink back?
Why care, when others clearly do not?
THAT’S HOW THE MESSIAH WAS RECEIVED.
HE WAS FEARED, AND THOSE WHO FEARED HIS KINGSHIP TRIED TO DESTROY HIM FROM THE BEGINNING.
THIS MAKES ME WONDER: Here at the end of 2021, WHY DO SOME STILL FEAR GOD’S LOVE AND SALVATION, PREFERRING TO WALK IN UNBELIEF, RATHER THAN WITHIN GOD’S SECURE EMBRACE?
THE BIBLE REVEALS JESUS’ WORDS, SPEAKING OF THE TRUTH OF THAT FUTURE DAY—WHEN JESUS RETURNS AS HE PROMISED.
“And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true;” and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bondservants [those who believe in & accept God’s Salvation] the things which must soon take place.
“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
(Revelation 22: 6-7)
We may wonder: Why are we still here—Those Who Believe?
Truly: What’s our reason for sticking around—IF NOT—-TO HUG OTHERS & TO POINT THEM TOWARD THE SAVIOR & HIS HOLY EMBRACE? !!!
In the Bible, John was the prophet born as the forerunner to Jesus, the one who came to point others toward Jesus. The Bible is clear.
People who lived before us, point us through words, through their painted works of art, and through their sung songs—Toward the Messiah!
It’s as if they have collectively wrapped their arms around us in a supernatural HUG.
It’s as if they reached out toward us through time and space, extended their arms toward us, and allowed us to step into their personal space, and enveloped us, cocooned us inside the warmth of their HUG, the gift that only Almighty God has the Power to Give: GOD’S AMAZING LOVE, MERCY, & GRACE!
God Is So Good!!!
Yes, So Amazingly GOOD!!!!
The Father of the world reaches down and in His infinite mercy, offers us something we never deserve to receive because of our sinful nature.
Then, while we are full of repentance, acceptance, and confession, God gives us Himself—-HIS AMAZING GRACE!
HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH
HALLELUJAH!
JESUS CHRIST HAS COME!!!
AND HALLELUJAH, JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!!!
We are instructed in God’s Holy Word how to live, once God has taken hold of us, once we are enveloped within God’s Embrace.
That’s right. It’s no longer a mystery. See with me this truth found in the place where ALL TRUTH IS FOUND—GOD’S WORD.
“But you are a CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
(1 Peter 2: 9-10)
For you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”
***The capitalized portions are direct prophecy from the Old Testament.
***The regular lower & uppercase are already-fulfilled prophecy as seen in the New Testament.
Jesus came as a babe, grew to be a man, willingly gave His life on the cross of Calvary, and then arose from His grave three days later to new life, preparing the Only Way for US to Know GOD!
There’s the HUG from Almighty God!!!
He makes us (normal, imperfect people) into something wonderfully worthy! JESUS DOES THAT!!!
“A royal PRIESTHOOD,”
(1 Peter 2:9-10)
“A HOLY NATION,”
“A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION,” &
“A PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED MERCY” [from God Himself].
I heard a beautiful melody this morning, a Capella from The Blenders, harmonizing to sing “O Holy Night.” Please listen and allow their melodious words to envelope you this day.
Today, on this 20th day of December, when we are a mere five days away from the celebration of our Savior’s birth: Let us ask ourselves these questions as we take serious our lives & our eternity:
What do we need to let go of today so that we can allow God to take ahold of us?
What have we hung onto so long, hugged too long, pulled close too many days—Because we are so afraid to let go & accept the most wonderful NEWS of ALL? !!!
This Season of Advent, we must ponder: What do we continue to hold onto to, that which will devour us totally in the end?
AND
What can we see as we allow our Eyes to be Opened, What must we desire more than life itself?—WHO is standing there?—READY TO TAKE HOLD OF US & READY TO FULLY EMBRACE US IF WE WOULD ONLY STEP FORWARD AND EXCLAIM, “YES, LORD, I BELIEVE!!!”
Two huge actions are required of us.
1. Let go (of the fears which entrap us—Our unbelief, Our fear, and Satan’s lies &
2. Step forward as Jesus’ open arms envelope us, as we are EMBRACED by the arms of Almighty God Himself!!!
Unbelief to Belief is a Step of Faith and one that God never makes us take alone.
Jesus stands there ready with open arms, waiting for us to turn and to look toward Him.
One day soon, I am going home to eternity, and on that day, Jesus Himself will walk me there (home to eternity within God’s presence), holding me tightly (as He has continually done), walking me home.
That’s God’s Mercy and Grace all wrapped up together.
That’s God!!!
Won’t you today join the “royal PRIESTHOOD, THE HOLY NATION, & [choose to become] THE PEOPLE OF GOD’S OWN POSSESSION”?!!! (1 Peter 2:9)
It’s so simple.
Let go.
Allow God to Take Hold (of us) & Allow Him to Wrap His Arms of Love Around Us & Allow Him to Pull Us Into His Everlasting Embrace.