Happy Jesus's Birthday

Christmas Day. Faith and family coming together and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The Ultimate Christmas Gift

This morning my heart is filled to overflowing with the knowledge that God is good. The moment I turned my life over to God, he sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within me making me a part of himself. Holy. His.

His son, Jesus Christ made all of this possible. I am so thankful, grateful, and peaceful knowing how much God loves me. He sent us the gift of his Son.

But the gift is not like the trespass (Adam and Eve's), For if the many died by the the trespass of one man (Adam), how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!   Romans 5:15 NIV

Jesus loves me - three little words, packed with so much meaning. The ultimate Christmas gift is the one that came by the grace of Jesus Christ. God is at peace with man. Angels proclaimed it to shepherds at night.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:13 NIV

Merry Christmas - A Message of Faith

Matthew 1:18-24; Matthew 2:1-2; Luke 1:26-56; Luke 2:1-20

Mary, a virgin, was told by the angel Gabriel that she would give birth to a son.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed, "...blessed is the child you will bear."

Rejoicing together, Mary sang a song of praise to God.

Returning home, Mary was found to be with child.

"You will name the child Jesus." said the angel Gabriel.

 

Considering a divorce from Mary, Joseph had a dream in which an angel told him the truth about Mary's pregnancy.

Heartened by the angelic message from God, Joseph took Mary home as his wife.

Registration for a census was decreed by Caesar Augustus for the entire Roman world.

In obedience, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem and could find no place in an inn, only in the stable of an inn.

Silent animals watched Mary give birth to the baby Jesus.

The newborn babe was wrapped in cloths and laid in the manger.

Magi from the east saw his star and began a journey to come and worship him.

Angels sang to shepherds, "Glory to God on the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Shepherds spread the good news when they went to Bethlehem and found Mary, and Joseph, and the baby.

 

By Sallee Bonham

12/08/2013

Psalm of the Week - Psalm 20:4-5 - Week of December 8, 2013

4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed

5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.

Shape Me and Mold Me Lord: Part Three

The Lord led me to study "clay" about four years ago. This post is the third in a series of three articles about the instruction that I received, and continue to receive, from studying the scriptures relating to the "clay of God" and how He, the potter, relates to us.

 Romans 9:20-21

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this:' "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

Rebuked

In Part One, I talked about having been rebuked. Romans 9:20-21 is the scripture that God rebuked me with two weeks after I had angrily questioned him about why he created me the way I am.  As I stated in Part One, I haven't forgotten the feeling of profound shock I felt as I read God's printed answer for my angry outburst. That internal sense of shock was quickly followed by a sinking feeling of dismay at how wrong I had been. Quarreling with my Maker, in anger, isn't something I care to repeat.

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from

God and not from us.

We Are Weak, But He is Strong

Jars of clay are inherently weak, because even after being fired in a kiln, they remain brittle and breakable. Clay jars have to handled carefully. God wants to take care of us, strengthen us, and use us. The Holy Spirit is our treasure and it connects each of us to God and Jesus. We have this all-surpassing power when we devote ourselves to doing God's will and not our own. All good comes from God, not from ourselves. 

2 Timothy 2:20-21

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, he clearly knew that the followers of Christ Timothy was working with were at many different places in their faith, in their usefulness to the Master, and in their commitment to do any good work. However, Paul makes it clear that God and Christ can use every article that furnishes God's house. Even an article that has been dishonorable is of use the the Lord, if that person will cleanse themselves from the dishonor. Dishonor, or ignoble purpose, can be cleansed by following the steps listed below.

1. God wants to be in a personal relationship with you. Without this relationship, you are completely separated from Him. Romans 3:23, 6:23
2. You must believe that Jesus is who He said He is - the Son of God. Jesus can forgive you for the wrongs you have done to yourself, or others. Romans 10:9-10
3. Confess your wrongs to God in prayer. He will hear your heartfelt prayer and forgive you. Forgiveness is yours, all you have to do is ask. Acts 3:19, Ephesians 2:8
4. Change your life. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you will want to live differently. Luke 13:3, Ephesians 5:8
5. Never doubt that God loves you. He wants you to know that you will be living in Heaven with Him forever. John 3:16, 1 John 5:13

Have your read the five steps carefully? Are you ready to receive God's free gift? Then let's pray.

Lord Jesus,

I want to have a personal relationship with you. I've done wrong and am a sinner. I need your forgiveness.I know that you died on the cross for my sin and that only through faith in your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn away from sin and invite you into my heart and life as my Savior and Lord. I will follow you by living a life that pleases you. I now trust you as Savior and follow you as Lord. Thank-you for saving me.

Amen.

Now, go tell another follower of  Jesus about the important decision that you made. Follow Christ's example and be baptised. Find a church family. Grow you faith by reading the Bible and attending church regularly. You will find others who will love and support you.