WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST WE WOULD HAVE NOTHING TO CELEBRATE

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 May I continually celebrate Jesus Christ in my heart   ~ The One who saved me from sin and eternal death (Rom. 3:10, 23; 5:8-10)

In my life   ~ Because He not only preserves my life, but gives life more abundantly (Jn. 10:10)

In my service ~ Because He gives wisdom and strength through His Holy Spirit to serve Him adequately (Josh. 22:5)

Jesus Christ is worthy to be celebrated by a life of surrender and praise, not just  during the Christmas season, but all year long.

“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” (Eph. 3:16)                                       Dec. 2023

Our celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday has come and gone, but may a heart of gratitude for Jesus Christ and all that He provides never wane. 

*Prince of Peace ~ The peace He provide through salvation and constantly looking to Him is eternal. 

(see Rom. 5:1; Phil. 4:7)

*God of All Comfort ~ Through His indwelling Spirit, we can receive comfort in the depths of our soul, where nothing else can penetrate. 

(see 2 Cor. 1:3-5)

*Life Giver ~ Eternal life is a precious and sacrificial gift, possible ONLY through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Receiving eternal life is the prerequisite to praise, otherwise we cannot experience all that He was born to provide to each receptive heart of faith. 

We cannot celebrate the birth of the Savior in sincerity without a grateful heart. May we, each day, express our thanks and praise for His matchless gifts.

Psalm 100:4 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”

We have much to thank God for as followers of Jesus Christ every day and all throughout the day. At this time of year, there is a special emphasis placed upon thankfulness and appreciation for all that He has blessed us with as we enter the holiday season. Beginning with our Thanksgiving festivities, which culminates with celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas time. We cannot fully appreciate Jesus’ birth without looking forward to His sacrificial death and resurrection. That alone would be more than enough to praise Him for, yet there is exponentially more our Heavenly Father has provided and promised for all who trust in Jesus Christ. “For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.” (Ps. 117:2)

Eternal life is a gift that no one else can offer or take away. The God of heaven alone has made it possible, as a gift received by grace through faith. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Eph. 2:8-9)  This gift changes the entire life for all who receive it. We are immediately destined for a new home.  “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8) We are promised a new glorified body, just like that of Jesus after His resurrection.  “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (Phil. 3:20-12) We have been adopted into a new family. “Wherfore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Gal. 4:7) We have a new hope that outshines all the discouragement and darkness this world can throw our way. Because of all these precious promises we can approach each day with a new eternal perspective. “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel…we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…” (Heb. 6:17-19)     November 2023