Christmas Letter

Welcome to our December blog chain post. The theme is "Gifts of the Heart"  More than any other time of year we stop to reflect on those who are important to us with gifts of food, notes or special objects that show our affection, but none is as important as the gift that God gave us--His own son. That one gift from the heart of God should resonate in our hearts everyday for the rest of our lives! I hope you enjoy my contribution to the  Blog Chain and hope you visit the others listed on the side bar. 

 Over the past decades the Christmas letter has become a tradition with many families scattered all over the country or in many parts of the world. These special communications draw loved ones closer by sharing events that have shaped their lives over the past year, including pictures of events or even videos further bridging the miles.

As I sat down to write this year's letter, I am reminded of the eternal Christmas letter-- the one that still shapes our lives today. This letter was penned from the heart of God as a lasting communication of His love for us. The Bible, Old and New Testaments are comprised of many events including our separation, our need for His council, His standards for living and of course His power. Within those pages we see His heart, His love for humanity and His plan to restore us to right standing.

Although the specific day we celebrate the savior's birth is not the actual day of Jesus birth, we celebrate in spirit and in truth. He came as announced long ago by the prophets. Everything about His arrival was predicted thousands of years before. The challenge for us in not only to read the letter, but to believe it. So how can we believe if we weren't there? How can we know if these things are true? What kind of evidence do we have to support this letter?The truth never changes, it stands the test of time, through all scrutiny and ideals-- it remains solid.

We have the benefit of hindsight, the whole story is told to us through the pages of scripture. We didn't live through each of those days as the authors did. We didn't face the challenges and dangers as they did, but we know in our hearts that those things happened as told. How do we know? Though the presence of the Holy Spirit, the legacy of Jesus coming to earth. So what happened that first Christmas? 

“That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don't be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The savior—yes the messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: you will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God; Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace on earth to all whom God favors” Luke 2: 8-14 NLT

The Holy Spirit confirms to us the truth that Jesus came just as the scriptures detail. He convicts those who have not believed that Jesus is who He said He was and that they need to accept the gift of Christmas. Just like a picture of events or a video, we can see the love of God through the ages of history, His faithful love endures forever.

As you write your Christmas letters this year to those you love, don't forget to read the letter sent to you!

May the love of God and the Peace of His presence fill your homes and hearts with love!!

copyright©2011 tathorpe-All Rights Reserved-

What is Salvation?

Salvation means-“Deliverance from slavery or from some great distress by the intervention of God”

The scriptures say we were all helpless and hopeless without God intervening on our behalf. 

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fallen short of God's standard” No one can live according to God's standard.

Romans 6:23“For the wages of sin is death” (separation from God's blessing) “but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Total restoration)

Romans 3:22 “We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sin. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done” There is only one way of to receive salvation.

God has intervened on our behalf by sending Jesus to pay the penalty of our sin

Romans 3:24-24 God sent Jesus to take away the punishment of our sins, to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe in what Jesus did.”

Romans 8:1 “Therefore there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” We will never face judgment or wrath from God once we trust in Jesus.

Hebrews 9:12 “Once and for all time he (Jesus) took blood into the most holy place, not the blood of goats and calves, He took his own blood and with it secured salvation forever” All our sins were placed on Jesus- His blood paid more than enough of the sins of all mankind.

Psalms 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west that's how far our sins are removed from us” Forgiveness is complete- 

sins never to be remembered.

What wonderful news! No longer is God holding any sin against us – but there is only 1 condition- we have to believe it and receive it by faith.

Romans 10:9 “If we believe in our hearts that Christ paid our debt and confess with our mouth Jesus was raised from the dead you will be saved”

Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the confident assurance that what we hope for will come to pass.” Without hope faith can not blossom.

Hebrews 11:6 “so you see it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him”

Psalms 32:1-2 “Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty"

Hope is the seed that brings faith to life. Where does hope come from? Hope comes from the eternal voice of God. He spoke all things into being. He spoke from the heavens to declare his truth and he sent Jesus as a living example for all to see.

Have you hoped that you could be forgiven completely of the wrongs you’ve committed? Can you believe that God loved you enough to forgive all your many sins through Jesus payment with his own blood? Have you received Jesus as your savior? If not do it today.

Salvation package- What you receive when you trust Jesus.

Not only has all your sins been forgiven, but you are joint heir with Jesus. All the blessing that God spoke to his people, belong to us. Health, Wealth, and a Glorious future.

Matthew 28:18-19 “Jesus said to his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Teach the new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you” We have been given the authority of Jesus

Ephesians 1: 3 “How we praise God who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.” We are blessed with the same blessing as Jesus.

Ephesians 1:14 “We have the Holy sprit as a down payment that all the promises of God will come to pass in our lives” We have assurance that the word of God is true-we are saved.

Galatians 3:9 all the blessings of Abraham are ours too! The irrevocable blessings God spoke to Abraham belongs to us.

1 Peter 2:14 “By his stripes we are healed” We have total healing in our bodies

Matthew 12:18 “We are fully pleasing to the father” We have the same standing with the Father that Jesus has.

Galatians 3:8 “Christ become poor so that he could make us rich in God's blessing and favor” We are blessed with financial prosperity. 

These blessings are eternal, not only here on earth, but forever. God doesn't make promises he can not keep. Our future and blessings are fully secure by the love and sacrifice of Jesus.

Copyright©2011 tathorpe-All Rights Reserved-