Focusing on My Faith . . . Christmas Message

12/25/2020

Isaiah 9 goes on to read . . .

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.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace . . . what a glorious description of Jesus Christ! Before Jesus there was no hope for any of us . . . now because He died on the cross for our sins, we have eternal life with the Lord Almighty! Can't you just see it? Standing beside God without fear, without pain, with our loved ones as we shall see them again! What a glorious day that will be!

God provided for all of us the opportunity to be saved. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

From my studying of the Bible, while here on earth we are encouraged to do good deeds and act as Jesus would, but it is clear that our salvation isn’t given by anything we have done . . . but is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Does that give us the freedom to act as we please? No! Just the opposite for as Christians it is our responsibility to bring others to Christ and follow His commandments. We should be a blessing to others because we love the Savior and want to obey His commandments. And as we show our Christian “light” others will see God’s goodness and will ask us about Him in turn giving us the opportunity to help bring them to Him. For Matthew 5:16 instructs us, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Today, my question to you is simple . . . have you given your life to Jesus? Have you asked Him to come into your heart and forgive you of your sins? No matter what you have done, if you truly seek forgiveness and ask Him, he will forgive! He will clean your slate and wash you as white as snow! One of my favorite songs I listen to on my walks that a good friend sent to me is Beauty for Ashes (click here for the link to listen to the entire song). The song starts with “No longer ashamed, no longer afraid. You have washed me white as snow.” He will give you a fresh start each and every day . . . a fresh start of hope and goodness with a promise for eternal life!

But we have to ask Jesus into our hearts! John 14:6 tells us, “Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.” Jesus is the only way! If you haven’t asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, why not do so today? Today of all days . . . Jesus’s birthday! All you have to do is say a prayer asking Him to come into your heart and forgive you for all your sins. Below is a Salvation Prayer that you can say right now . . .