WORD From The Woods
Isaiah 53:1-5
“Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.”
Matthew 1:21
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Well, Christmas is almost here! The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is coming to and end. As you gather together with family and friends this week, or however you plan to celebrate, I hope and pray that you won’t forget reason we celebrate Christmas. I hope that you will be mindful that the reason for the incarnation of Jesus Christ is for the salvation of sinners. The very name Jesus, embodies salvation. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning “Yahweh Saves.” The entire bible is God’s unfolding plan of salvation from the fall in Paradise to the promise of Paradise restored. This coming year I hope that you won’t forget the reality that God has chosen you and I as the means through which the free gift of the water of life is dispensed to a parched and thirsty world, and the world needs it now more than ever! Perhaps you yourself are thirsty! If so, the concluding words of the last book of the bible have direct application to your life, “And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Revelation 22:17). If you haven’t put your trust in Christ for salvation, don’t let another Christmas pass without without really knowing the true reason for the season! And if you do truly know Christ, don’t miss this opportunity to share the good news of the true Christmas story with your family and friends. The gospel is really the greatest and most valuable Christmas gift that has ever been given! Here’s a great and clear way to share the gift of salvation through Christ this Christmas.
First, you need to realize that you’re a sinner. If you don’t realize that you’re a sinner you wont recognize your need for a savior. Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Second, you must repent of your sins. Repentance is an old english word that describes a willingness to turn from our sin toward Jesus Christ. It literally means making a complete U-turn on the road of life. It’s a change of heart and a change of mind. It means that you are willing to follow Jesus and trust Him as your Savior and Lord. Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15).
Third, to demonstrate true belief means to be wiling to receive. To truly receive is to trust and depend on Jesus Christ alone to be the Lord of our lives here and now and our Savior for all eternity. It takes more than knowledge, the devil knows about Jesus and trembles at the thought. It takes more than agreement, the devil agrees that Jesus is the Son of God. What it takes is knowledge, agreement and trust in Jesus Christ alone. The requirements for eternal life are not based on what you or I can do, but on what Jesus Christ has already done. He stands ready to exchange His perfection for your imperfection.
According to Jesus, those who realize they are sinners, repent of their sins, and receive Him as Savior and Lord are “born again” (John 3:3), not physically, but spiritually. The reality of our salvation is not dependent on our feelings but rather on the promise of the Savior who says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24).
If you have confessed your faith in Jesus Christ, then you can rejoice in the angelic proclamation of salvation given to the shepherds on that very first Christmas, “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) If you have never confessed your faith in Jesus Christ, then do so today and start the new year off right as a new person in Christ! If you have already done that, then take this moment to renew your faith and commit to share the good news of salvation with the world around you throughout the coming year!
God bless, have a great week, and Merry Christmas! -Terry-
Isaiah 53:1-5
“Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.”
Matthew 1:21
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Well, Christmas is almost here! The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is coming to and end. As you gather together with family and friends this week, or however you plan to celebrate, I hope and pray that you won’t forget reason we celebrate Christmas. I hope that you will be mindful that the reason for the incarnation of Jesus Christ is for the salvation of sinners. The very name Jesus, embodies salvation. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning “Yahweh Saves.” The entire bible is God’s unfolding plan of salvation from the fall in Paradise to the promise of Paradise restored. This coming year I hope that you won’t forget the reality that God has chosen you and I as the means through which the free gift of the water of life is dispensed to a parched and thirsty world, and the world needs it now more than ever! Perhaps you yourself are thirsty! If so, the concluding words of the last book of the bible have direct application to your life, “And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Revelation 22:17). If you haven’t put your trust in Christ for salvation, don’t let another Christmas pass without without really knowing the true reason for the season! And if you do truly know Christ, don’t miss this opportunity to share the good news of the true Christmas story with your family and friends. The gospel is really the greatest and most valuable Christmas gift that has ever been given! Here’s a great and clear way to share the gift of salvation through Christ this Christmas.
First, you need to realize that you’re a sinner. If you don’t realize that you’re a sinner you wont recognize your need for a savior. Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Second, you must repent of your sins. Repentance is an old english word that describes a willingness to turn from our sin toward Jesus Christ. It literally means making a complete U-turn on the road of life. It’s a change of heart and a change of mind. It means that you are willing to follow Jesus and trust Him as your Savior and Lord. Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15).
Third, to demonstrate true belief means to be wiling to receive. To truly receive is to trust and depend on Jesus Christ alone to be the Lord of our lives here and now and our Savior for all eternity. It takes more than knowledge, the devil knows about Jesus and trembles at the thought. It takes more than agreement, the devil agrees that Jesus is the Son of God. What it takes is knowledge, agreement and trust in Jesus Christ alone. The requirements for eternal life are not based on what you or I can do, but on what Jesus Christ has already done. He stands ready to exchange His perfection for your imperfection.
According to Jesus, those who realize they are sinners, repent of their sins, and receive Him as Savior and Lord are “born again” (John 3:3), not physically, but spiritually. The reality of our salvation is not dependent on our feelings but rather on the promise of the Savior who says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24).
If you have confessed your faith in Jesus Christ, then you can rejoice in the angelic proclamation of salvation given to the shepherds on that very first Christmas, “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) If you have never confessed your faith in Jesus Christ, then do so today and start the new year off right as a new person in Christ! If you have already done that, then take this moment to renew your faith and commit to share the good news of salvation with the world around you throughout the coming year!
God bless, have a great week, and Merry Christmas! -Terry-