Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ....
27  But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
28  God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29  so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
30  And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
31  so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23  Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,
9:24  but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

2 Corinthians 10:17  “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 12:9  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Galatians 6:14  But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

James 3:14  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
James 4:16  As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Live in peace and harmony with one another

                                                                     Tired of Winter?
                                                       FEAR NOT!  Spring will come
                                REMEMBER! Behind every cloud the sun/SON is shining!

ROMANS 12:16-21  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 
17  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 
18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 
19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 
20  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

With our differing gifts --- Love one another -- Bless those who persecute you

Romans 12:6-16  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
7  if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
8  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Marks of the True Christian
9  Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
10  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
11  Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Jesus baptism -- "This is my beloved son."

                                                         The Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:13-17  Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
14  John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15  But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
16  And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

God's Word (Bible) not to be changed -- Wise men visit Jesus not at the manger --

         Proverbs 30:6  Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

                                                         The Visit of the Wise Men
Matthew 2:1-12  Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
2  saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3  When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
4  and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5  They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6  “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7  Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
8  And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
9  After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11  And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12  And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Happy New Year!! Giving thanks to God

                                                     HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019
          When making New Year resolutions, you may want to consider the following:

Colossi ans 3:17  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always,
17  pray without ceasing,
18  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Peter 2:15  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

And always remember: WITH GOD nothing is impossible!!
                                   WITHOUT GOD nothing is possible!!!

             So, at the beginning of 2019, we wish you a HAPPY ETERNITY!!! 
             May God bless you and your loved ones with peace and mercy. 

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