And Anyone Who Believes In God's Son Has Eternal Life

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And Anyone

Who Believes In God's Son

Has Eternal Life

Scripture

John 3

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. KJV

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. NIV

36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

Observation

Jesus' command to you and His command to me is simple, “Come follow me”. Do you believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died a criminal's death on a cross, was buried and on the third day came back to life again and will one day soon come back to this earth to reign forever? Do you believe?

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ it was God Himself who opened up your heart to spiritual things and gave you the ability or the capacity to believe. It is only God who saves. Eternal life is a gift. We can't earn it. We can't be good enough to obtain it. Only God saves!

I am so glad that at 19 years of age God opened up my heart and I placed my faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for my salvation.

Has there been a time in your life when you asked Jesus Christ to come into your life and forgive you of your sins?

Application

I will always be ready to share with someone else how Jesus changed my life.

How about you? Has Jesus changed your life?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing someone into my life who shared with me the Good News about Jesus. I am so glad that You have allowed me to become one of Your children. I am blessed. You have given me eternal life and I know that I will live forever with You. It was nothing that I did to deserve it. I realize that I am a sinner who deserves to go to Hell, but because of Your mercy and Your grace You have given me salvation even though I don't deserve it.

I pray for any person who may read this blog today who has still not trusted You for his or her salvation. I pray that You open up their heart and I pray for their salvation.

Daily Bible Reading: John 2,3,4

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We Are Made Right With God By Placing Our Faith In Jesus Christ.

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We

Are Made Right With God

By Placing Our Faith In Jesus Christ.

Scripture

Romans 3

22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.

Observation

Most people believe, and this might even include you, that if a person is good enough then God is going to let them into Heaven. I hear people say that all the time. The only problem with that kind of thinking is this … it is wrong!

I recently heard the spouse, at the bedside of someone who had just died say this, “He was so good that if God is going to let anybody into Heaven then God is for sure going to let him in! I thought to myself when I heard this grieving woman's statement, I thought, “How sad … no one no matter how good a person he or she is, or how good their loved ones think they are, will ever be good enough to get into Heaven.”

You and I are sinners. We deserve to go to Hell. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to this earth to sacrifice His life for ours. You and I must place our faith in Jesus Christ, faith in what He did for us on the cross.

We are made right with God when we trust in Jesus and place our faith in Him.

The week before this man's death I had the opportunity to share the Good News about Jesus with both he and his spouse. I don't know if the man placed his faith and trust in Christ before he died and I don't know if the spouse will either. She did tell me at his bedside that night that she was going to get back into church and it was obvious that God was at work in her life!

Application

I will always try to help people see that they can never be good enough to get into Heaven.

How about you? Do you think that you are good enough?

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Titus 3:5

he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me share the Good News about Jesus in a way that people can understand. I know that You are the only One who can save them. Give me the right words to say and help me to have the right heart attitude as I talk to people about their relationship with You. I am a sinner saved by Your grace. I deserve to go to Hell but because You are rich in mercy You have provided a way for this sinner to be made right with You. I am one of Your children. I have been born again. I have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. I am precious in Your sight.

I pray for any person who may read this blog today. Help them to understand that they can never be good enough to get into Heaven by being good. Open their spiritual eyes so that they can understand that is only by faith in what Jesus has done for them that allows them to become a child of God.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Daily Bible Reading: Romans 1,2,3,4

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Do You Think You Can Persuade Me To Become A Christian So Quickly?

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Do You Think

You Can Persuade Me

To Become A Christian So Quickly?

Scripture

Acts 26

28 Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”

29 Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”

Observation

The Apostle Paul was having the opportunity to witness to King Agrippa and to everyone else that was listening. The Gospel Message is for everybody, rich/poor, black/white, it doesn't matter. Jesus Christ died for all of us.

What you and I must do ... is believe!

King Agrippa was confronted with the Good News about Jesus. What he did with that Good News we don't know. But we know that he is without excuse. One day he will face his Maker and God will ask him what he did about Jesus!

Is Jesus Christ Lord and Savior of your life?

Application

I will look for opportunities to tell people about Jesus!

How about you!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to share my faith. Give me the boldness, the love, and the wisdom to communicate the Good News about Jesus in a clear way. Don't let me miss an opportunity.

I pray the same for any person reading this blog. If they are not sure about their salvation help them to nail down their decision by talking to You. And give them boldness to share their faith!

Daily Bible Reading: Job 17; Acts 24,25,26

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Sirs, What Must I Do To Be Saved?

 

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“Sirs,

What Must I Do

To Be Saved?”

Scripture

Acts 16

22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods.

23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape.

24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 

28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 

32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household.

33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.

34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

Observation

They were severely beaten, then they were thrown into the deepest darkest place in the jail and their feet were clamped in stocks and to the amazement of all of the other prisoners Paul and Silas were singing and praising God and all of the other prisoners were listening!

Then there was a great earthquake and all the prison doors flew open and the chains on all of the prisoners fell off, but nobody tried to escape. In comes the jailer and was about to kill himself with his sword thinking that all of the prisoners had escaped, but the Apostle Paul tells him that they are all still there.

Then the jailer comes and falls down trembling before Paul and Silas and says, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”Paul's answer to the jailer in the middle of all of that chaos is still the answer that you and I desperately need to hear and heed today - “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

Paul and Silas with their praying, singing and praising God at midnight brought down the jail, but the earthquake was never intended to set them free. It happened to get the jailer's attention and set the jailer and his family free from sin and eternal damnation.

I do also think that the other inmates realized that the earthquake was something that God did because none of them tried to escape.

Application

God wants everyone to be saved. He will go to extreme measures to see that the lost have the opportunity to hear about Jesus and be saved. Yes, even if it means that His children suffer, like Paul and Silas did, so that others have the opportunity to be saved.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me Your heart for those who do not yet know You. Paul and Silas knew just what the jailer and his family needed. Help me to be sensitive to the needs of others like they were.

I pray for any person reading this blog today. Open his or her eyes, Lord, so they can see spiritually. Guide them. Direct them. Help them with every detail of their life. Show them just how powerful You are. Show them that they can trust You just like the jailer did!

Daily Bible Reading: Job 11,12; Acts 15,16

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We Are Here To Proclaim That Through This Man Jesus There Is Forgiveness For Your Sins.

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We Are Here

To Proclaim That Through This Man Jesus

There Is Forgiveness For Your Sins.

Scripture

Acts 13

38 “Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.

39 Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do.

40 Be careful! Don’t let the prophets’ words apply to you. For they said,

41 ‘Look, you mockers,
    be amazed and die!
For I am doing something in your own day,
    something you wouldn’t believe
    even if someone told you about it.’

Observation

What was true then is still true today – when people hear the Good News that through Jesus there is forgiveness of sins there are some who believe and some who will not! As you read this let me ask you ... which is true for you?

Don't continue to go down the road of unbelief … make the decision to believe today!

It is not good people that go to Heaven and bad people that go to Hell it is only those who have found forgiveness of their sins by trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior who have eternal life!

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Application

I will continue to pray for the salvation of people I know who are living life like God doesn't exist.

How about you? Do you believe?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for any person who may read this blog today. Help them to believe! Reveal to them that Jesus Christ is the only way to have a relationship with You. Put a desire in his or her heart to turn and to place their trust totally in Jesus for their salvation. Help them to openly declare that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of their life. Give them boldness.

Romans 10:9-10,13

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Daily Bible Reading: Job 9,10; Acts 13,14

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There Is Salvation In No One Else! God Has Given No Other Name Under Heaven By Which We Must Be Saved.

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There Is Salvation In No One Else!

God Has Given No Other Name

Under Heaven By Which We Must Be Saved.

Scripture

Acts 4

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people,

9 are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed?

10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.

11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected
    has now become the cornerstone.’

12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Observation

I am sure that you have heard people say something like this, “As long as the person believes in God that is all that matters”, and usually they are talking about someone that believes in either a god of another religion or someone who just casually acknowledges the existence of God.

We, as followers of Jesus Christ, often get accused of being narrow minded simply because we believe what the Bible says about Jesus.

What does the Bible say?

The Bible says that there is only One God. And the Bible says that there is only one way to know Him and that one way is through Jesus Christ alone.

Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus also said, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.” John 10:28

Just a casual belief that there is a God is not enough.

James 2:19

19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.  Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 

1 John 5:12

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

Application

Whenever I have the opportunity I want to share with people that Jesus is the only way for them to have a personal relationship with God and that He is the only way for them to have eternal life.

How about you? Do you know Him?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the ability to communicate clearly the Good News that Jesus saves each and every time that You open up the door for me to share.

I pray for any person that may be reading this blog today. Help them to see that placing their faith and trust in Jesus is the only way for them to have a rich and abundant life here on earth and the only way for them to have eternal life. Don't let them miss out on Heaven.

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1,2; Acts 4

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But Everyone Who Calls On The Name Of The LORD Will Be Saved

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But

Everyone Who Calls On The Name Of The LORD

Will Be Saved.

Scripture

Acts 2

21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
    will be saved.

Joel 2

12 That is why the Lord says,
    “Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
    Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
    but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
    He is eager to relent and not punish.

32 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
    will be saved,

Observation

When I introduced myself as a chaplain to a patient last night he quickly said, “You can talk to me but I want you to know that I don't believe that there is a God!” So for about 40 minutes we enjoyed talking about the God that he said that he didn't believe in.

I don't know if anything I said touched his heart, but I am praying for him this morning. I did tell him the wonderful story of Kathy's Dad, Clayton Bearden who at the age of 67, gave his heart and life to Jesus and was radically changed forever!

Maybe this man was in the hospital to be challenged about his belief or lack of belief in Jesus! He was the one that opened up the door to talk about the Savior – so we did!

How about you? Have you repented, have you turned from your sins, and have you called on the name of the LORD?

John 3:16

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 5:24

24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

Romans 10:9-10,13

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Application

I will always look for opportunities to share about Jesus!

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that You open up this man's heart so that he can understand how much that You love him. Where he got his ideas about You and what You are like must have come from a hurtful experience in the past, but I pray that You open up his eyes so that he may see the truth. I pray for his salvation.

And I pray for the salvation of any person who may be reading this blog. Open up their eyes, Lord! Help them to understand how much You love them. I don't want them to miss out on Heaven because of his or her unbelief.

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 9,10; Acts 2

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And Jesus Replied, “I Assure You, Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise.

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And Jesus Replied,

“I Assure You, Today

You Will Be With Me In Paradise."

Scripture

Luke 23:32-43

32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 

33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 

36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 

37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 

38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 

41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Observation

Serving as a chaplain in a hospital has forced me to have to deal with the subject of death and dying almost every time I go in to work. I dread the announcement of a Code Blue because I know that I will be trying to help a loved one or loved ones as they wait to see if their loved one pulls through or his or her life has come to an end.

Death is not a topic that normally occupies one's mind, in fact, most people will go to great lengths just not to have to talk about that subject. But the truth is that Kathy and I are, whether we want to admit it or not, we are both getting closer and closer to Paradise!

Oh, and since we are on the subject, “Where will you spend eternity when you die?”

There were two theives on the cross next to Jesus. At first both of the criminals were hurling insults at Him, but then something happened and one of the criminals realized that Jesus was who He claimed to be and so in desperation he cried out to Jesus, and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus' response to the one thief was this, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Both criminals were guilty. Both criminals deserved to go to Hell, but one of the criminals is in Heaven because he trusted in Jesus to save him.

It is not good people who go to Heaven and bad people that go to Hell. It is forgiven people that go to Heaven.

Have you been forgiven of your sins?

Application

I will always be ready to share with the people that God brings across my path the Good News that Jesus saves!

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Jesus talked about His death a lot when He walked on this earth. Peter and the other disciples didn't want to hear Him talk about His death. They didn't understand the importance of why He had to die on the cross until after the resurrection of Jesus. I am grateful for every day that I have breath, but I realize that every day I move closer to being in Paradise. Help me to redeem the time. Help me to use it well.

I pray for my family. I pray that each one of them will call out to You for forgiveness. I don't want any of them to be left behind.

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 3,4; Luke 23

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Quick, Come Down! I Must Be A Guest In Your Home Today

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“Quick, Come Down!

I Must Be A Guest

In Your Home Today.”

Scripture

Luke 19

1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.

2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.

3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.

4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.

7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Observation

Zacchaeus, you come down, for I am going to your house today! It is a fascinating story that every kid learned if he or she went to Sunday School when they were young.

When Zacchaeus placed his faith and trust in Jesus all his wealth meant nothing to him compared to his new relationship with Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Jesus wanted to be a guest in Zacchaeus's home. Jesus wants to be a welcomed guest in our homes too!

If I were to walk into your home would it be evident that Jesus was a welcome guest. Does anything in your home point out that you are a follower of Jesus Christ? Has salvation come to those living in your home?

Luke 19:10 gives us the reason that Jesus came to this earth …
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Application

Zacchaeus, I am sure was glad that Jesus found him up in that tree. I am so glad that Jesus found me too.

How about you? Have you invited Jesus into your life?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Jesus went to the outcasts, to the prostitutes and tax collectors. He sought to reach both the poor and the rich. Help me to do the same. Help us have a home that points people to Jesus. Show us who needs our attention today.

I pray for our President and for all of our leaders in our government. Give them wisdom. I pray for healing. Healing for our president and healing for our country. Turn the direction of our country around in Your direction.

Daily Bible Reading: Esther 9,10; Luke 19

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In The Same Way, There Is More Joy In Heaven Over One Lost Sinner Who Repents And Turns To God

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In The Same Way,

There Is More Joy In Heaven

Over One Lost Sinner Who Repents And Turns To God …

Scripture

Luke 15

7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Observation

Heaven, we don't know that much about the place actually, but this we know for sure – we know that every time someone repents and surrenders his or her life to Jesus Christ it is a cause for celebration in Heaven.

So the obvious question is this, have you given those who are already in Heaven something to celebrate and rejoice about?

I am so glad that someone told me about Jesus and at the age of nineteen I said yes to Jesus. I know it caused my Granny to celebrate from her mansion in Heaven when she saw me repent and turn to Jesus!

I talked to a young man at the hospital this week who was so angry at God because his godly grandmother suffered so much right before she died.

He said as we talked, “Maybe right before I die I will trust in God so I can go to Heaven.” I smiled and said, “You don't know if you will have that chance right before you die.”

The young man needs to repent now while he has the chance, while he has the opportunity to cause joy in Heaven.

Yes, I believe that Heaven is watching! Let's bring them joy!

Hebrews 12:1-2

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Application

I will always point people to Jesus because it is the most important decision that they will ever make.

How about you? Have you caused a celebration in Heaven?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing us a way for us to have eternal life. I am so thankful that I don't have to be good enough to get into Heaven. I just need to have Jesus as my Lord and my Savior. Thank You for allowing me the privilege of understanding why Jesus came to earth. Thank You for bringing godly people like my Granny into my life so I could have the opportunity to repent of my sins and cause joy to erupt in Heaven!

I pray for that young man. I pray for his salvation.

Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 13,14; Psalms 147; Luke 15

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The Savior – Yes, The Messiah, The Lord – Has Been Born Today In Bethlehem, The City Of David!

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The Savior – Yes, The Messiah, The Lord –

Has Been Born Today

In Bethlehem, The City Of David!

Scripture

Luke 2

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 

9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 

10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 

11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 

12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 

17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 

18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 

19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 

20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Observation

I have written in the cover of my Bible, “The Gospel is only Good News if it gets there in time!” The Good News about Jesus Christ is only Good News to you if you have heard about Him and have trusted Him as your Lord and Savior.

If you haven't made the decision to trust Christ then you can't even really celebrate Christmas – for you it has no real meaning at all. It is just a very expensive party!

I just looked it up there are 97 days before Christmas … start getting ready for Christmas now by inviting Jesus into your life as your Lord and your Savior. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and ask Him to come into your life.

I was nineteen years old when I prayed and I surrenderd my life to Jesus Christ. I have never ever regretted making that decision. And that was when I truly began to understand and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Application

I am like a kid … I can't wait until Christmas!

How about you? Do you understand what you are celebrating?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for gifting me my salvation. You shower us with good things. Kathy and I are blessed. Give me boldness to share the Good News with those around me. Help my children and my grandchildren understand and be able to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas this year.

I pray for anyone who may read this blog. Help them to be able to really celebrate Christmas this year. If they are followers of Jesus I pray that You give them boldness to share their faith with others.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 47,48; Luke 2

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