I Am Not Ashamed

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. I am not ashamed of the true Christmas story!

 

Although I know that the true meaning and story of Christmas is seen and heard less and less every year, it does not cease to be very disturbing and sad to see this. When I went to the mall last Saturday, I did not see one Christmas decoration that had anything to point to the birth of Christ. Not surprising, I suppose, since those things seem to be prohibited in public anymore.  And when I was looking on netflix for a Christmas video so that some grands could watch it, I only found two (out of 72) that had anything to do with the true Story. One of those was SO old the quality was terrible and the other was mixed with the secular story so...yeah, the choices were less than desirable.

Well, I am only one person and we are only one family on this huge planet called earth...a drop in the bucket among the 7,057,663,328 people that are living here (as of this writing).  But we are doing our teeny, drop-in-the-bucket part to let the world know that we still celebrate Christmas for the REAL reason that it began to be celebrated: the birth of our Saviour and Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. (You can read more about it here and here and here and here-for starters.)

 

My husband has been giving out some different kinds of evangelistic tracts during this year. Here is his most recent one, a button to pin on something. I chose to put one on my purse, in plain view where anyone can see it...

He also ordered this sign to put in our front yard...

(You can order the above items from here.)

   I also make "fotocards". If you are one of those (few) real people who still send real Christmas cards via real mail using real ink, real envelopes and real stamps (sorry, I had to rub that in), you know how difficult it is to find cards that have something in them that refer to the true story of Christmas. 

I like the fact that I can promote the Story of which I am not ashamed! I am also thankful that I live in a country where this is still allowed (to a certain degree). Some of you who are reading this, because you live in "certain" countries, do not have this liberty...but God has allowed you to have internet (yay!) so that you can read this. THAT is one of my special blessings!

 

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace, good will toward men.

(Luke 2:10-14)

 

I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. (Psalm 119:46)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...(Romans 1:16)

Resurrection Morn

Christ's birth, life, death, burial and resurrection (THE Gospel!) has been more outstanding in my heart and mind this year, for some reason. What assurance and joy it brings to those of us who truly know Him as our Savior and Friend! There are no "ifs", "buts" and "maybes" in our faith (or religion as some of you might call it). That's because we base our beliefs on God's Word, the Bible. Why add to or take from the Truth? Why believe the words of man or tradition or your own untrustworthy feelings and opinions? Personally, I much prefer the Words of the One True God. Period!

Come, my reader, join me in latching onto His Words, embracing His love, believing in His Son and claiming His promises! Let us rejoice more than ever before on this day, this wonderful Resurrection Day of celebrating Life from God!

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he who believes in Me will live even if he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.

Do you believe this?"

(John 11:25-26 - NAS)

Jesus Died For You

                                     

He died for you. Oh, praise His Name!

He died for you, His love proclaim.

He died to save your soul from sin,

He died that you a Heaven might win.

                                                                    

He died for you, His name adore,

Go tell His love from shore to shore.

Proclaim the message that He gave;

Go tell the world that He can save.

(photo above: internet)

He died for you, lift up your voice!

Make every nation to rejoice;

For many souls have never known

A Savior they can call their own.

He died for you; He is your friend.

And He will keep you to the end.

There is no other Name so sweet;

Oh, come, and worship at His feet.

He died for you; He bore the pain,

That you might always with Him reign.

Each day believe; oh, trust Him more!

Soon you'll meet Him on Heaven's shore.

-© Hilda O. McMillan

 

"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."

(John 3:16)



Born To Die

All over the world today many people are celebrating Christmas. Sadly, very sadly, only a small percentage of those are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, which we know is the real reason for this season of joy.

Very often over the past few weeks I have thought of the reason that Jesus was sent to earth: TO DIE. Yes, He was born to die! That does not bring us sadness but, rather, great joy for it was because of His death that we are able to live.  

A forever life with Him...What a precious and beautiful gift He gave to us and that is why we can have such great joy as we celebrate this Christmas Day!

May you know and experience the True Joy of Christmas this year.

Merry Christmas to all!

"For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.

And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me...that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life..."  -John 6:38-40

The Cross

Over the past few days I have been impressed and stirred once again by the importance, power and beauty of Christ's death on the cross. What mercy, grace and love was shown there on that day long ago...for everyone, but also (and this boggles my mind) just for me!

Because of His death and resurrection we have all we need for salvation. We are complete in Him! He has promised this and His promises never fail.

I heard this song the other day and it touches my soul every time I hear it. It's beautiful!
"And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:10)

A Salvation Story

Sadly she lay by the side of the road, near the gutter, thrown there by its previous owner who had no use for her anymore. She had not been sold, was beginning to lose some of her beauty, was not wanted, so she was rejected... But along came someone who noticed her, noticed that she still had life, that there was potential for revived beauty. With joy she picked her up and took her home. There she set her upright again, gave her water to drink and cut off the dead leaves and wilted flowers. It wasn't long before she had totally revived and her beauty was stunning. I set her on the coffee table admiring her beauty...

I took at least a dozen photos, just couldn't get enough of her beauty! From every angle she was beautiful...

I did not know her name so I researched and found out that it is Canterbury Bells. Isn't that a lovely name befitting this beauty queen? After a few days of being enjoyed at home, she was taken to the Bible college to bring beauty and joy to others, too.

Many times during these days of watching a thing of beauty come out of my efforts to save this flower, I have been reminded of God's work in human lives. I'll let you make the comparison.

"(The Lord our God) raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that He may set him with princes, even with the princes of His people." (Psalm 113:7,8)

Angels' Joy!

                   Forty-four years ago today I was the cause for bringing joy to the angels.

And who can describe or even imagine HIS joy

when a sinner repents?!

I believed in God's Son....therefore I have life. Eternal life!

So simple, so true, so wonderful. No wonder this gives joy to the angels!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosover believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life"
(John 3:16)

Water!

I already wrote specifically about the rain but I'd like to mention water in general. We all know the benefits of water...or should know. We cannot live without it, it's as simple as that. Who ever dreamed that this (usually) colorless and tasteless thing could be such a maintainer of life?! I'm amazed when some people say that they never drink water. Hellooo...? NEVER drink water? How can you be so cruel to your own body? Sooner or later, you will have negative results from such a habit. OK, so I'm not a doctor. But I have proven to myself the benefits of water to my own body.

Water, in its natural form, is free. That's because it's one of those perfect gifts, as are all of God's gifts. So is water's counterpart, salvation. Jesus said He can give us living water. He can give us salvation. We don't have to buy it, we don't have to work for it, all we have to do is accept it. When we believe in Him, we are accepting His free gift of salvation-that living water that is necessary for our spiritual life. The benefits are not only here and now, they are eternal!

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him  shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)

An Indescribable Gift!

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" (II Corinthians 9:15). What IS this gift that's such that we cannot describe it? You mean, it's beyond beautiful and precious and wonderful? Can it be that it is beyond even...PERFECT?? More wonderful yet, is that it is a gift! A gift is something that is freely given. No payment, no strings attached, you don't even have to deserve it. You just accept it and it's yours. This gift is Jesus Christ. And all wrapped up in Him is His love and salvation for us-the most beautiful and perfect gift ever. Oh wait, that doesn't fully describe it...it's unspeakable and indescribable! What a beautiful gift for us to receive this Christmas! So, how do I receive it? By faith. By believing on Him. By trusting Him, that what He says is true, that what He promises will come to pass. He said believe in Him and He will save us (Acts 16:31). Forever. It's as simple as that. What a...gift!

The Perfect Gift For Everyone

Pink roses are equal to perfect gifts and I would like to let you in on what mine are. You may have some of the same ones or yours may be totally different. God blesses each of us in different ways but at least one of these perfect gifts is the same for everyone who receives it: SALVATION through Jesus Christ. This gift became personally mine on August 19 many years ago when I was 13. I placed my faith in Christ to save me and I became His child. Peace, joy, forgiveness of sins, the certainty of a home in heaven, the companionship, help, friendship of my Lord...all of these things and more combine to make this the most perfect of all gifts!
"I know in Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day..." (IITimothy 1:12)

                                                                                    (cross photo: fotosearch.com)