I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY
( John 10:10)
We were all born sinners in a lost and perishing world. Our rebellion made us enemies of God and the price was eternal separation from him. Yet despite our weaknesses, the bible tells us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal love” (John 3:16) That is love beyond measure! Christ left the splendor of heaven to walk among us and give us hope for a life with him. The night that Christ was born, we read in Luke 2:8-11 :
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
What an awesome message to receive! Imagine being in that lonely field and seeing the the glory of God shining all around. Shepherds were considered low class, they were not trusted as witnesses in a court of law, and they weren’t well educated. They lived and worked outdoors, they typically were not able to keep the ceremonial law the way the priests did in the city. As a result, they had a reputation for being unclean. Yet God deemed them the perfect ones for him to witness the birth of the Savior of this world.
Christ became flesh to walk with his creation. He came to bring hope and joy despite the fact that there are many troubles in this world. His birth was the greatest gift that this world has ever known. Jesus came to defeat death and bring new life. He came to shine a light in a dark world. And he came to show profound, amazing love to a world that would reject him.
There is nothing else that we need in this life for Jesus brought us the free gift of salvation and friendship with God. We no longer have to be imprisoned to sin and destruction. He offered us power over all the storms of this life and the promise of glory in heaven. Struggles and pain can no longer defeat those who accept Christ as Savior. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you have done, Jesus brought forgiveness and abundant life for all who seek him.
The enemy wants you to believe that you can live your life apart from Christ and still be okay. That is a lie from the pit of hell for you will face destruction if you reject Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. You will never have victory any way other than the path that God prepared for you before the foundation of the earth. Jesus is the only way to eternal life.
I pray that you will understand that despite what you have done, you can still have a life with promise if you start now to put your trust in Jesus. You have to want to live according to his ways and to turn from the ways that keep you in bondage. Your weakness can be made strong in Christ, and by his power you can overcome all obstacles in your life. But time is growing short and you need to choose to live for Jesus now!
Let this Christmas be the one where you decide to live in the victory of Jesus! That will be the best gift you could ever get and it is one that will last into eternity!
Merry Christmas to all who read this. Whatever you are going through, your God is already there, willing and able to help. Please know that I am praying for you!
12 comments
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December 22, 2010 at 12:55 am
Pat
Amen,amen!!! Wonderful encouraging post Marianne,and how very true Jesus came to give us life and the time to seek him is now,because Jesus is coming again.And this time it’s to judge the world,and if you’re not ready it will be a horrible and sad time for you.
Love ya and Merry Christmas
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December 22, 2010 at 10:09 am
Cindy French
What a wonderful reminder as I sit here trying to balance my bankbook and pay bills. It has been a trying juggling time this year, but my Lord has been there every step of the way as He promised. I have survived physically and financially and that has been pretty amazing.
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December 22, 2010 at 10:24 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Pat, Merry Christmas to you and God bless you for the wonderful truth you write! You never compromise the gospel message. I pray for you, Pat,and I thank you for your support and kindness.
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December 22, 2010 at 10:29 am
Marianne Lordi
Merry Christmas, Cindy. I am also juggling my checkbook and bills! I try to not let that take my focus on the true meaning of Christmas. As you said, Christ has always been there for us, and he is not going to fail us now. I know you went through some tough physical problems, Cindy, yet somehow God did a work and took you through them. And he isn’t done. The fact that God’s Son chose to come to earth and walk among us to give us hope is the reason we should trust that he will do what he promised and bring us to victory in all things.
May God continue blessing you, my friend!
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December 22, 2010 at 10:47 am
Brother Malachi
Thanks for the fresh Christmas message grounded in the Truth of His word.
God Bless and Merry Christmas
Brother Malachi
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December 22, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Marianne Lordi
God bless you, Brother Malachi, and may you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas. I keep looking on your site for a message. I know you are so busy but you are gifted in teaching the word. Thanks for your kindness.
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December 23, 2010 at 9:16 am
Linden
What a beautifully written message of hope. I so appreciate the manner in which you combine the gracious promises and gifts of God with a kind reminded of the dangers inherent in rejecting them. Keep on writing – everytime I read your work I am both encouraged and sense your love for God and “your neighbor.”
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December 24, 2010 at 1:58 am
Marianne Lordi
Thank you so much, Linden. You always bring encouragement to me and I really appreciate it. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
By the way, are you writing any new books? You are such an awesome teacher.
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December 24, 2010 at 9:09 am
Linden
Bless your heart! Since my book on the Sermon on the Mount (Captivated by the King and His Kingdom: A persponal Encounter with the Sermon on the Mount) came out in Sept. I have completed a rought draft of of a devotional work on Colossians. I’m hopeful it will be completed sometime in 2011, Lord willing! -:). The best to you and yours!
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December 24, 2010 at 9:40 am
Marianne Lordi
Linden, that is great! PLease let me know when it is finished – I want to be the first one to buy it! You just put your teachings in such a concise but easy way to understand. I will be waiting to hear from you when it is done!!
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December 28, 2010 at 1:05 am
concernedx2
Marianne, thanks once again for the words of hope and encouragement that you always provide for those who are hurting. The funeral for my Mother-in Law was on the 23rd. of December….she will be greatly missed. I am sorry for not making a reply on my previous two visits to read this post but words do not always come easily. I was blessed with good parents -in-law who were a treasure unto me. I know that they valued me very highly….mostly because of my relationship to Jesus. Jesus was and always will be the central part of all that had value in that family unit joined together through my marriage to their daughter. Without Jesus, all would have been vain. The family circle forever broken here is quickly becoming eternally mended over there. Bless you my Sister
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December 28, 2010 at 10:21 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Rev. York, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother-in-law and I hope you will give your wife my sympathies also. It is hard to lose loved ones, but it is especially hard during the holidays. Without a doubt, your mother-in-law got to celebrate the real Christmas with Christ!
I keep you always in my prayers for God’s blessings and favor. You are annointed to teach his word and you help so many of us to keep the faith despite the times we are in. Until our blessed Savior returns for us, I pray that you will continue in the work that he has set for you. God bless you, my dear friend.
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