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Jeramy And Sherry - Marshal and Leisa
We are Proud of Yall!! |
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This Is My Reason
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Christmas is once more upon us. It is a season celebrated with many traditions, family gatherings, and the exchange of gifts. We decorate our homes, we talk to people we have not spoken with all year, and we enjoy eating all kinds of goodies. Is that what it is really all about, though? I believe we often get so caught up in our celebration that we forget what the meaning is of the holiday. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of One unlike any other, the Savior of the world. Christmas is the commemoration of Jesus Christ’s great act of love when He came to Earth to redeem mankind. Jesus had the best birthday party ever. How would you like to have angels announce your birth? They did so for Jesus. Would you have liked the best singers anywhere to have come to your party and raise their beautiful voices in honor of your birth? A great multitude of angels gathered to do just that for Jesus. On top of all that, a star in the East brightly shone so people could navigate their way to where the Christ child lay. That sure beats printing directions from the Internet to the party, doesn’t it? Christmas is not just about the birth of a baby in a manger. It is the celebration of the beginning of something wonderful—the salvation of the world. You have known Jesus as an infant. I would like introduce Him to you as a man? The reason Jesus was born was not just so we could have another holiday. Instead, it was so you and I could have eternal life. Many have sought to extend their lives. They exercise, they eat healthy, and they spend a great deal on healthcare. Although they have done all they know to prolong life, the inevitable still happens: they still die. No matter what technology or new cures come about, and no matter what progress we make to hold onto life, we still cannot achieve eternal life by our own means. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). No ambiguity exists in Jesus’ bold statement—only one way exists to attain Heaven, and that is by doing it God’s way. That way is through Jesus, and the reason Jesus was born was to fulfill that scripture. Do you know that being a churchgoer does not guarantee you eternal life anymore than walking into a barn makes you a cow. Do you realize that just trying to live a good life falls far short of what is required for entrance into Heaven? “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), and “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Are you aware that simply believing in God is not enough to receive salvation? If it were enough, why did Jesus need to come and suffer such a brutish death? If all it took was to believe in God, Jesus never would have needed to be born to become the Savior of the world. Celebrating Christmas without personally knowing Jesus is much like attending a birthday party of someone you do not know. After all, Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday. You may know about the person being honored just as you might know about Jesus—but is it not better to have a personal relationship with that person rather than just knowing about him? If you have not been introduced to Jesus but would like to be, He would like you to get acquainted with Him. He does not care if you are red, yellow, black, or white. It does not matter if you are rich, poor, or in between. Whether you have lived a life full of treachery or one of great morality does not interest Him. He wants you to have a personal relationship with Him regardless of your current status or what you have done in the past. After all, He gave His life for you, so does it not make sense that He would like those for whom He died to know Him? How about making Jesus the Lord of your life? How about receiving Him into your heart, and he can become your best of friend. He will always be there for you, day or night, in good times and in bad. He will never let you down. To receive Jesus into your life, pray a prayer from your heart like this: Dear Jesus, thank you for being born in a manger for me, living your life for me, dying for me, and being raised from the dead for me. You have truly given me the best gift ever. I ask you to forgive me for my sins, accept me as I am, and come into my life. I have known you as a baby in a manger, but now I desire to know you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me. Amen. If you just prayed that prayer, angels are rejoicing even now for you. We would like to also partake of the festivities of your new life in Christ, so please contact us. We would love to send you free materials as our present to you this Christmas. We love you, God bless you, and we pray this is the best Christmas ever for you! |
