Don’t get lost in the cultural hype. Remain free from the pressure to buy and spend and charge. Slow down, breathe deeply, listen closely and discern the voice of a Father saying, “I love you…so very much.”
Christmas week is here and it’s another chance for you to throw down some deeper roots of gratitude for the priceless gift given to you – and me – by God. God the Father wasn’t a moment too late nor a split-second too soon when He sent His only Son to enter the human race. Since Adam’s fall in Eden, humankind had one desperate need; we needed to be saved, to be rescued, to be redeemed. Had we been graced to be Jews living before the time of Christ we would have wondered when and how and through whom this salvation might come. Our prayers would have been offered in hope that our generation might be the one to see His face and hear His words. Centuries passed, one upon another, with no answer to the ultimate cries of God’s people. The faithful waited and prayed and watched…but many of them did not live to see His day. Then…
“…when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…” – Galatians 4:4
At the precisely appointed moment in earth’s history God chose the year, the month, the day, the place and the person through whom He would reveal the greatest gift He would ever give. He sent His Son. He sent your Savior. Angels heralded His obscure birth to blue-collar shepherds working an overnight shift near Bethlehem. The religious elite batted not an eye in Jerusalem as their long-promised Messiah broke the night sky with infant cries. They couldn’t hear because they had left off listening for Him a long time before. The scandalized virgin, Mary, alongisde of her much maligned husband, Joseph, held infinity wrapped in swaddling clothes. Nothing would ever be the same.
There was another fullness of time which God appointed. This date had your name on it. I’m reminding you of the occurence of the day on God’s divine calendar when you bowed your heart to His Son. He is immensely pleased with your decison to trust Christ and has forever granted you a perfect standing before Him. This gift will outlive every Christmas tree and every fond memory of Christmases past with loved ones and friends. Should you find yourself all alone one Christmas to come – no decor, no songs, no gifts or no friends…it is impossible that you could ever be truly alone. Jesus Christ is THE Christmas gift.
He has been given once to be held forever.
We listened to your teaching on Josiah this weekend. I haven’t listened to exponential teaching in several years and it felt very secure to be able to trust what was being taught. My middle child was transfixed and kept rewinding the broadcast to ask questions. He wanted to clearly understand. What was exciting is that I could actually confirm what you were saying was true. I’m no scholar – for certain; but I was taught very well in my early belief. I will contribute this ministry. I want to be a part of, however small or big, supporting Truth. Thanks for bringing it to us
So very thankful that He is my Savior… and that he is not only the God of Second Chances, but for my sake, the God of Multiple Chances!! I do so love Him and am thankful that I do not have to dwell on any past (or future) sin as those thoughts would consume me completely.
Also, I’m very happy to see that at exactly the right hour, Jeff Lyle is back in the saddle bringing us the Word! Hope that you are feeling better