As Christians, the Bible tells us that we have “the mind of Christ” and that His “divine nature” lives in us. Peter, without the indwelling Holy Spirit, asked Jesus to allow him to walk on the water with the Savior. It took much courage for Peter to get out of the boat and to try to walk on the water with Christ. All believers are called to be like Christ. Even when we fail, we must ask the Savior for help, and then we must be courageous enough to keep moving forward in and by faith.

God's love never fails. The healing power of God's love in Christ never fails. Today, we see the compassion of Christ as he brings healing to a blind beggar. That same compassion is with us today. He is healing our wounds. He is healing the land. We must give praise, even now.

On today, the Church celebrates the Transfiguration of Christ. The New Testament tell us that after Jesus told his disciples that he would be condemned to death in Jerusalem, he climbed Mount Tabor in the Galilee along with Peter, James and John. Once there, he was “transfigured.” What does this matter to us today? In Romans, Paul tells us that a day will come when we will be transformed in his image.

God requires us not to forsake our relationship, true relationship, with God. We must not deceive ourselves about our piety. Rituals such as prayer and fasting are not necessarily evidence of devotion to the ways of God. When our hearts truly want the things of God, we shine as lights for Christ. That light shines brightest when God works through us to bring His healing touch to this broken world.

This year, let every day of your life be lived as a witness to this fact – Christ has come. Salvation has come. As you testify to this fact all of the armies of heaven will stand with you.

God loves us so much that he named his only Son, “Emmanuel” — meaning “God Is With Us.” We must never forget this fact — God is with us. God is with you, but only you can choose to respond to God.

Isaiah's task was to encourage the exiles. The message was the strengthen the exiles with the "good news." What was the “good news” for them? God is on the way! There would be this “highway” made through the wilderness. The “highway” is Jesus.

When Jesus draws near lives are changed. When Jesus draws near the lost are no longer lost. When Jesus draws near love never fails.

We must work now! Heaven isn’t our only goal. We have work to do here. When Jesus comes again that return will be swift, fast. Will you be ready?

Most of us can appreciate a gift. This is especially true when that gift is unexpected or undeserved.