Friday, December 20, 2024

Why Christmas Means So Much To Me

 Isaiah 7:14

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call his name Immanuel". This prophecy was fulfilled when the angel Gabriel visited Mary


It is not about the exact date or time of Jesus’s birth, it is not about the parties and the time off from work. It is not about the money to be spent to celebrate the holiday: it is all about Jesus!



Jesus is the reason for the season. As a child, I loved Christmas and new years celebrations because  I had time off from school, I would get presents, and I would visit with relatives that I would not see on the regular during the year. What I loved most was to see the laughter and the joy of the holidays, but ultimately these things are not why Christmas means so much to me.



I believe in the baby in the manger. I believe in His parents' joy for the birth of their child, who was born in the most humble of circumstances. I believe in the shepherd's joy as they beheld the baby Jesus, that they were amazed by the grace and mercy of God, who allowed them  to see their messiah and redeemer. They knew that God was not a respecter of persons because He allowed them to see the baby Jesus first, before those who had more power and higher status in their society.


I believe in the dream, the dream that God dreamed for His people, the savior that was promised throughout the scriptures, the one who would come to save all mankind, born to save all of us from our sins.



Salvation was the purpose for the birth of Jesus Christ, Love was the motivation for this blessed manifestation. Jesus is the only hope that we can hold onto, the only solution that makes sense in this dark and fearful world. No one will ever love you as much as the Lord Jesus, for He was willing to be born into the world, to be seen as a human, and to become the redeemer of all mankind.



That is Why Christmas will always be my favorite holiday, because it celebrates the love of God and the passion of His son, Jesus Christ. This is why we give gifts to each other, because Father God gave us the greatest gift of all time, His Son Jesus upon the cross.



Take the time to give something to someone or give some of your time and resources this holiday season, because you know that Jesus Christ  will never leave you nor forsake you, and His love will always set you free…

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

The Great Distractions

 Peter 5:8


Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour




Be sober, which means to be alert to the devil's temptations and distractions. We have all been subjected to the vanity of power, wealth and greed. Everyone who is honest with themselves will admit that they have desired something that was not good for them to have. The real winners in life are those who choose to live for God rather than for themselves.



They are great distractions in the world, and I have come to understand just how powerful those distractions can be in my own life. Every addiction, every strong desire, every tempting smile from a handsome man or pretty woman could distract even the best of us to entertain what it would be like to pursue these things, completely outside the Providence and Grace of Jesus Christ.



What is the solution for distractions that would derail us from fulfilling our God given destinies? The love and grace of Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can help us with our weaknesses. He is the only one who understands fully what it's like to be tempted and tortured by trials and tribulations and yet still succeed wonderfully, defeating the darkness, the devil and his demons once and for all, because of His love and passion for you and me.



What is it like to believe that you have everything that you ever wanted and needed and yet still lose it all because of a deep and terrible destiny?  This is the judgment of every unbeliever who will never accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Every soul that comes into the world has the choice to live for God or for their own desires,  to receive the gift of everlasting life, peace, joy and love, or to die away from the presence of God into the darkness, existing in fear, suffering, and self hatred forever and ever…



What are the great distractions in this world? Anything or anyone that would prevent you from accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savoir over your life. You know what it is that is keeping you from believing the truth. Those desires are stirring within you right now as you read these words. Has your life really been as fulfilling and as perfect as you have claimed it to be? 


Take time to listen to the word of God and then decide if Jesus’s peace, love and grace for you is worthy of your attention and praise. Does Jesus love you? What can you do to return that love and grace that He has for you?  The only thing that you can do is accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior right now:




Prayer of salvation:



Dear Lord Jesus, I need you, please come into my heart right now. I am sorry for all of my sins, I give you my life and all of my hopes and dreams. I am willing to live for you. Thank you Lord Jesus, I believe that I am saved… HALLELUJAH!     AMEN