#1202 2012

            Christmas is all in the heart; it is where trust on God starts.  God in the flesh visited our world.  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” John 1:14. 

            When we are willing to believe, the Holy Spirit is given as a gift, Who enlightens us to know that Love Came Down to us at the birth of Jesus.  God loves us and He “demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8.

            Only a few took the time out of their busy lives to visit when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, even though it was an event of monumental important because only Jesus, as God in the flesh, can forgive our sins and change our heart.

            The story begins Matthew 1:21-23 when the angel said to Joseph, “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his 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.’”

            God wants to give us everything a loving father could give his children.  The prodigal son was separated from his father by his own willful choice to leave home, so he became hungry and lacked many things because of that decision.

            When the son decided to return, his father could do many things for him; so when we choose to turn back to God in trusting faith, He is able to do many things for us—healing without drugs, daily needs without laid-up money, protection without insurance, and eternal life by believing and trusting in faith on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

            The name Jesus—Jehovah will save—is a testimony of God's divine love.  The importance of Jesus’ name is that Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  That is why the angel said “You are to give him the name Jesus.” Only by trusting in faith on the Atonement blood of Jesus, can our sins be forgiven, and our heart be changed.

            Jesus—as God in Person—came to deliver us from sin, self, Satan, and Hell.  God has promised to heal us when oppressed of the devil, if we will confess our sins, put believing faith in the Atonement of Christ, and reject the world’s plans, pills, procedures, or prescriptions. 

            God has promised to guide our spiritual path to Heaven, if we will trust Him in faith to do that.  And He promises to save us from the lake of fire, by His grace through our faith in His Son, if we will believe Him.  John 11:25-26 “I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in me, even if he has died, he shall live; and every one who is living and is a believer in me shall never, never die.”

            All of these gifts in this life are from God,  and are appropriated by faith in the Blood of His Son.  God is doing everything possible to give these gifts, but the world rejects them, because it refuses to trust Him in believing faith.

            Although many sing peace and good will during this season, too often it is soon forgotten.  The true meaning of Christmas is to have Christ in our heart every moment, trusting in His Atonement sacrifice every day, and showing divine love to everyone throughout the year.

            Christ came to this earth for a specific reason, and we must know what He is able to do for those who choose to trust in His sacrifice of Atonement for sins.  Jesus would want us to recognize His birth, and to know why He came to earth, but He would not want us to profit financially from the season by selling things.

            Christmas introduces the world to the Son of God whose life can change lives forever, if the individual is willing to believe in their heart that He is God in the flesh, and that He is to be trusted in faith for real life issues. 

            The birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of God's promise of a Savior.  Isaiah 9:6 “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.”

            The child who would be born, would be a Savior for all people of every nation—for anyone who would choose to accept Him as Lord, and would allow Him to convert their heart from rebellion and unbelief in Him, to submission and trusting faith on His Atonement.

            “Unto us a child is born” means that He began life as an infant, and He met with temptations familiar to all.  Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”

            Jesus suffered excruciating pain, as He took on Himself, the sins of the world.  He was crucified on a cross, to pay for the sins we committed.  Jesus came as God in the flesh to conquer Satan and sin, and now He gives spiritual light to those in spiritual darkness—if they will believe Him and trust Him in faith.

            Zechariah 14:9 “The LORD will be king over the whole earth.  On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.”  Jesus is the absolute Ruler of our life because Luke 17:21 “The kingdom of God is within you.”  Christ in our heart means His Spirit inspires faith in us to depend on His sacrifice of Atonement for everything—health, healing, provisions, protection,  justice, and every other need.

            Love came down to teach us God’s Truth, to give divine guidance, and to save our soul from eternal suffering.  The world will trust in anything and anyone but the very One they should trust—Jesus Christ.  He is “the way and the truth and the life” John 14:6.

            Jesus is called the Son of the Most High because He is God in nature.  The angel announced Luke 1:32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”  Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” John 14:9.  Also “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God” John 7:17.

            Jesus came to give us the Truth that we are believe and put into practice every day for everything.  John 15:12-14 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.”

            All things are possible with God Matthew 19:26, so it is our Atonement right to believe and trust Him in faith for healing without medicine, supplies without welfare, protection without insurance, justice without lawyers, and for every other gift God wants to give, if we will trust Him in faith, and get rid of rebellion.

            Jesus, as God, can forgive our sins, heal our body, supply our needs, protect our loved ones, and answer every prayer placed before Him in believing and trusting faith.  Romans 5:1 “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

            The Messiah’s arrival was a proclamation that divine peace, healing, protection, provisions, and justice is available to anyone who will truly repent and trust Him in faith.  Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 

            God’s favor rests on those who love Him with all of their heart, and who are committed to trust Him in believing faith for all things—healing, provisions, protection, justice, forgiveness, and eternal life.

            God promises salvation if we will turn from our sins, repent, accept His Son Jesus into our heart, and place a trusting faith in His Atonement work on the cross.  John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.”

            Those who truly believe and trust in the Atonement Blood of Jesus, and endure through every trial or test, will enter His Father’s kingdom.  James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

            It is time to reflect on God’s love that gives us spiritual life, divine healing, protection, daily needs, and many other blessings.  It is time to be considerate of others and to help someone feel wanted and loved.  It means giving and wanting nothing in return because “It is more blessed to give than to receive” Acts 20:35.

            The Creator of the universe is here today in the presence of His Spirit—ready to do great things for those willing to trust Him in believing faith.  Most professing believers do not give God anything to do, or they limit His power in some way; nevertheless, He is present here on earth to do great things for His children, if we will ask Him in faith.  “I will never leave you nor forsake you” Hebrews 13:5.  Anything we could need spiritually, physically, or materially is available from God—by faith in Christ.

            God Incarnate gave us His Son.  Our responsibility is to believe Him and claim our Atonement rights in faith John 14:13 “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.”  Romans 4:16-17 “All depends on faith, and for this reason—that acceptance with God might be an act of pure grace, so that the promise should be made sure to all Abraham’s true descendants.”