Da Big Brudder

TITLE: Da Big Brudder
DATE: December 31, 2019
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Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.

TEXT: 1 John 4:16 – ESV - So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

On this New Year's Eve most of us know that 2020 probably won't be much different than 2019.

As that is so, let us find out why nothing will be able to separate us from the Lord of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 A new boy once moved into a new home. Normally, this would mean that he would spend a long time making friends and trying to fit in. Not so for this boy, because he was big and he was strong, and he was a bully.

After he thrashed a few of the other kids in the neighborhood all ran away from him and hid whenever he came around .... all except one little boy. The bully swaggered over to him and snarled,
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"What's da matter wit you? Ain't you afraid of me?"

The shrimp replied, "Course not. My big brudder's the boxin champeen, and if  you touch me, he'll take you to pieces."
So, too, you can be absolutely confident that the devil, the world and our own flesh will swagger up to us in 2020 and demand, "Ain't you afraid?" But like the little boy, we can reply, "My big brudder's the champeen, and if you don't dare touch me."

Martin Luther, I think, said it better: "For us fights the valiant One whom God Himself elected."

Luther's spirit was reflected by a Christian lady who was interviewed by reporters after she had survived an earthquake. "Weren't you afraid?" they asked. "Not really," she replied, "I was kind of glad to know I have a God who can shake the world."

No, with Christ as our friend we need not be afraid of being molested by our enemies.

Instead, we know we  have a God who can shake the world - who can rock Satan and death - who can conquer evil with good. That is why nothing can separate us from the love of God which is ours in Christ Jesus.

You see, you as Christians are privileged and partner to a power that the world can neither understand, possess or utilize.
You are protected by the love of Jesus Christ. You are washed by His innocent blood spilled for you on the cross. And you know that nothing can conquer you because the Holy Spirit has placed that Lord of life into your hearts. He has died so that you might live.

THE PRAYER: Lord, I give thanks for Your handiwork in 2019 and I rejoice that You will be there to assist and guide throughout this New Year. May I gladly place myself into Your hand.  In Your holy Name I pray it. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html