The Gift of Christmas!

The life of Jesus the Christ(Messiah) is one of Miracles. Hundreds of Prophecies are fulfilled with His Birth.

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between yo u and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

This was the first Prophecy of the LORD God sending His Son to crush the head of Satan. When Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, died on the Cross and rose from the Dead, this verse was partially fulfilled. It will totally be fulfilled at Christ Return!This was promised several thousand years before He was Born!

Isaiah 7:13-1 4 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house o f David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Fulfilled totally when Jesus was born some 700 years after this prophecy.

Matthew 1:20-23 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you ar e to give him the name Jesus , because he will save h is people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” –which means, “God with us.” Luke 1:30-35 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” If the Angels Proclaimed His Glorious Birth we should as well!

Isaiah 9: 6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He w ill reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and up holding it with justice and righteousness from tha t time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

The fulfillment of this prophecy is in Luke 2:11-35 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 m en on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Have you received the True Gift of Christmas? You do know it is rude and arrogant to have a gift given to you and you not receive it. God’s Gift is being offered to all mankind. Hear is how you can receive the Gift of Redemption, Eternal Life: Good News! Gospel means good news. Here it is; everyone is a sinner and deserves Hell, but God sent His Son Jesus to the Cross to pay our sin debt in full. Then He Rose His Son from the dead to seal the deal for Eternal Life. Here is the part that many reject; in order for the Gospel to save you from Hell the sinner must turn away from sin and trust in the work of Jesus. Have you ever heard of better news than that? What a deal! Ask Jesus to save you, He will you know? This Gift from God is free. Jesus paid our sin debt in Full! Ephesians 2:8&9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. Romans 5:8&9 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Receive this Gift Today!

REMEMBER:

Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.

JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh

JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year

JESUS is an ever- present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies

JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited

JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa

JESUS is as close a s the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap

JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, W hat’s your name?”

JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too . He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

JESUS has a heart full of love.

JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says “You better not cry”

JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.

Santa’s little helpers make toys

JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but

JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree,

JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It’s obvious there is really no comparison. We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in Christmas. Jesus is still the reason for the season. May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas

And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year.

Favorite Quotes

I had a friend on facebook who copied and pasted these quotes from my profile to hers as a way to share with her friends. I have many favorites and thought some of you might like to read my selection of quotes.

Quotations

Repent for Kingdom of God is Near! -Jesus

If you Love me, obey my Commands! -Jesus

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the Father but through me! -Jesus

If I had three hundred men who feared nothing but God, hated nothing but sin, and were determined to know nothing among men but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, I would set the world on fire. --John Wesley

There isn't anything quite so chilling, quite so disheartening as a man without the Holy Spirit preaching about the Holy Spirit. -Tozer

The Spirit of God first imparts love; he next inspires hope and then gives liberty; and that is about the last thing we have in many of our churches. -Moody

Don't let scoffers laugh you into hell; they cannot laugh you out of it. -D.L. Moody

Set yourself on fire and people will come just to watch you burn! D.L. Moody

This law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out. -D.L. Moody

It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. Lighthouses do not ring bells and fire cannon to call attention to their shining-they just shine. -Moody

There may be sin in your life which you will never speak to anyone, but there is no sin for which the Blood of Jesus can't wash away! -Charles Spurgeon

There is no sin for which it is worth your while to be damned. -Spurgeon

Plunge into the "fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel's veins," and in an instant you are whiter than snow. Every speck, spot, and stain of sin is gone, and gone forever. -Spurgeon

Trust Christ and you shall live. The bloody sacrifice of Calvary is the only hope of sinners. -Spurgeon

"If sinners will be damned, at least let
...them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them
perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell
must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions,
and let not one go their unwarned and unprayed for." - Charles Spurgeon

It is shocking to reflect that a change in the weather has more effect on some men's lives than the dread alternative of heaven or hell. -Spurgeon

True repentance hates the sin, and not merely the penalty; and it hates the sin most of all because it has discovered and felt God's love. -Taylor

Constant complaint is the poorest sort of pay for all the comforts we enjoy. -Franklin

My memory is almost gone, but I remember one thing: that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior. --John Newton, author of "Amazing Grace"

If Socrates would enter the room we should rise and do him honor. But if Jesus Christ came into the room we should fall down on our knees and worship Him. --Napoleon Bonaparte

Is America still Free?

What is Freedom? Is it worth fighting to keep it for next Generation? What does the Bible say concerning Freedom? What does history teach us about Freedom? Let me start by quoting an American President a few years ago; “If we (America) loose Freedom here, there is no where to escape too, this is the last stand on Earth!” Ronald Reagan I will tell you right up front, this is not political and I could care less if like Ronald Reagan or not! What he said is absolutely True! God is the Author of Freedom and as the Bible says; Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. And again in verse 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” It should grieve our hearts to the core of our being knowing America is far from practicing this principle set forth in verse 13! If we as Christians do not revere and stand firm on Freedom, No one will! The unsaved and the Worldlings think Freedom is the ability to do whatever they want, when they want and how they want! The fact is, Freedom is Given by our Creator and has responsibilities attached! The Principle responsibility is to do what is Right! Not what I think is right or what you think is right, but what God thinks is Right! Listen again to Scripture; 1Peter 2:16 “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”

Let us consider for a moment how God feels about how we have handled His Freedom, given by His Son Jesus Christ. His Son Jesus Christ is now mocked and ridiculed by the masses in America! Instead of Christians standing and proclaiming Freedom and forgiveness to all who would repent and believe in Jesus Christ, they sit in their homes and pews and complain and grumble about the Countries Moral decline. Let us consider something else; Is He (God) happy how we have handed over our Freedom for the sake of security? That is exactly what we as Americans have done. Example, look at how much Freedom has been lost since 911. A Freedom loving, law abiding, God fearing citizen gets profiled wherever we go! Bible carrying Christians are now on the spotlight of Home land security. Sounds almost like USSR or China! But Americans have surrendered to the pressure of fear and therefore handed over God's Freedom to other men for protection! If God brought us to something, do you not think He will bring us through it? One of our Founding Fathers warned us about complacency, apathy and giving up Liberty for the sake of security! “If we (Americans) give up Liberty for sake of security, we will loose both.” Ben Franklin It is so very true, if you give a rat a piece of cookie, he will then want some milk!

Is Freedom something to fight for and protect? Absolutely! Do you want your children and grandchildren to live under the oppression of Big Government? I pray not! Do you want your children checking in with the State to see if it is ok to have a Bible Study or even start a mission to help the homeless? I think Not! Then I say Repent of your slumber and immoral attitude towards Freedom and come back to Christ! I will close with this statement of Scripture; "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Job 1:21