I just finished reading the book "The Promise of Heaven:  31 Reasons to Get Excited About Your Eternal Home" by Dr. David Jeremiah.

The last couple of pages of the nearly three hundred page book concludes with these several paragraphs:

"Whoever believes in Jesus will be saved. There is no doubt in that promise No wiggle room. We can be confident of our salvation simply by confessing with our mouth and believing in our heart. That's all it takes.

He then encourages readers to say these words:

"Lord Jesus, I trust You have offered me a place in heaven. I trust You have offered me eternal life---and I accept that gift. Right now I choose to believe in my heart that You died on the cross for my sins and were raised from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that You are Lord. You are Lord of my life. I confess that I have sinned against You throughout my life, and right now I repent of every one of those sins. I accept Your forgiveness for every single sin.

"I speak this prayer in Your name, Lord Jesus. Amen."

He continues:  "I didn't write this book so you would be smarter about heaven. I wrote this book so you would GO to heaven--so you would be sure of your eternal salvation. That way we can meet up one day along the streets of gold within New Jerusalem and talk together about all the wonders we've experienced and all the wonders that still await us in that perfect place. That eternal home.

"I look forward to seeing you there!"

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A reading shared by a friend at a recent prayer group. It's a writing by Helen Steiner Rice and taken from "Somebody Loves You":

"In God Is My Strength"

"'Love Divine, All Love Excelling'
Make my 'humbled heart YOUR DWELLING,
For without YOUR LOVE DIVINE,
Total darkness would be mine,
My earthly load I could not bear
If YOU were not there to share
All the pain, despair, and sorrow
That almost makes me dread tomorrow,
For I am often weak and weary
And life is dark and bleak and dreary.
But somehow when I realize
That HE who made the sea and skies
And holds the whole world in HIS HAND
Has my 'small soul' in HIS COMMAND,
It gives me STRENGTH to try once more
To somehow reach 'THE HEAVENLY DOOR'
Where I will LIVE FOREVERMORE
With friends and loved ones I adore!"

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Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

"And while they were there,
the time came for her baby to be born;
and she gave birth to her first child,
a son.
She wrapped him in a blanket
and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them
in the village inn."

~ Luke 2: 6 & 7 LAB

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Comments on these verses:  'Although our first impression of Jesus is as a baby in a manger, it must not be our last. The Christ child in the manger makes a beautiful Christmas scene, but we cannot leave him there. This tiny, helpless baby lived an amazing life, died for us, ascended to heaven, and will come back to this earth as King of kings. He will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about him. Do we still picture Jesus as a baby in a manger ---or is he our Lord? We need to make sure we don't underestimate Jesus. And let him grow up in our lives."

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A couple of verses from Psalms to celebrate the beginning of a new week and as we march toward Christmas:

"Sing to the Lord, all earth!
Sing of His glorious Name.
Tell the world how wonderful He is!

How awe-inspiring are Your deeds, O God!
How great Your power!
No wonder Your enemies surrender!
All the earth shall worship
You and sing of Your glories.
Come, see the glorious things God has done.
What marvelous miracles happen to His people!

He made a dry road through the sea for them.
(Red Sea opening up).
They went across on foot.
What excitement and joy
there was that day!

Because of His great power
He rules forever.
He watches every movement of the nations.
O rebel lands,
He will deflate your pride!

~ Psalm 66:1-7 LAB

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This morning I received this Anne Graham Lotz email in my computer inbox. It talks about 'turning on the light'.

Here in north central Iowa, we have lots of snow cover! While it is dark in the early evenings now; with longer nights and shorter days, I noticed the first evening of the 'white covering' how much lighter it was! The 'white' tended to make the 'dark' lighter! Sort of like the difference God makes in each of our lives!

TURN ON THE LIGHT

"The unfolding of your words give light;
it gives understanding to the simple."
~ Psalm 119:130 NIV

"In the beginning there was no dawn to end the night,

no sun to warm the day,

no moonlight reflected in the swirling water, 

no horizon,

just a never-ending night!

"God didn't leave our environment in a murky, dusky twilight, 'God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day' and the darkness he called 'night' (Genesis 1:4 NIV)

"While the light described was literal, it has wonderful analogy and personal meaning for you and me, because light in the spiritual sense represents the truth, clarity, spiritual understanding, and discernment we receive from God's written Word.  So....read your Bible and turn the Light on!"

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From Max Lucado:

HEART-SHAPING PROMISES

Just started to read the book of Philippians this morning. It is four chapters; it will probably take me a couple of weeks to get it read.

Here are the introduction paragraphs:

"The word 'happiness' evokes visions of unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning, strolling hand in hand with the one you love, being surprised on your birthday, responding with unbridled laughter to a comedian, or vacationing in an exotic locale. Everyone wants to be happy; we make chasing this elusive ideal a lifelong pursuit; spending money, collecting things, and searching for new experiences.

"But if happiness depends upon our circumstances, what happens when the toys rust, loved ones die, health deteriorates, money is stolen, and the party's over? Often happiness flees and despair sets in.

"In contrast to happiness is 'joy'. Running deeper and stronger, joy is quiet, confident assurance of God's love and work in our lives, that He will be there no matter what! Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ."

I

It was written by Paul, while he was in jail. Not exactly an opportunity for JOY. Each chapter has a heading with JOY;  'in suffering, ;in serving, in believing, and giving'.

KEY VERSE: 
"Always be full of joy in the Lord;
I say it again, rejoice!" - (Philippians 4:4).

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Thank you, Jesus,
for giving us JOY...
Your Way!
AMEN.

(An update on our Salvation Army bell ringing set for last Saturday:  we decided not to go. Between low temperatures; at the time, it was snowing and sifty drifting. Just before 'take off', we decided against it. Turned out to be pretty good weather. We could have gone, but... Only the second time in about twenty years, we didn't go!)


When Charlie Brown asked, "I don't know what Christmas is all about, as taken from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, his friend Linus stepped in to tell him. The show originally aired on CBS on December 9, 1965 and has been replaying for the past sixty years: 

“Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about,

“Lights, please.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

"That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

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The whole chapter of Psalm 91 is a good one. Here are several verses taken from it!

Theme:  "God's protection in the midst of danger. God doesn't promise a world free from danger but He does promise His help whenever we face danger."

"We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods.

"This I declare that He alone is my refuge, my place of safety, He is my God, and I am trusting Him. For He rescues you from every trap, and protects you for the fatal plague. He will shield you with His wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor. Now you don't need to be afraid of the dark any more, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning."

~ Psalm 91:1 - 6 LAB
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Bible Commentary:  "God is a refuge, a shelter when we are afraid. The writer's faith in God as Protector would carry him through all the dangers and fears of life. This should be a picture of our trust---trading all our fears for faith in Him, no matter what kind of fear it may be."

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From Max Lucado:

IT MATTERS TO GOD

"What matters to you matters to God. You probably think that’s true when it comes to the big stuff like death, disease, sin, and disaster. But what about the smaller things? What about grouchy bosses or flat tires?  What about broken dishes, late flights, toothaches, or a crashed hard drive? Do these matter to God?

"Let me tell you who you are. In fact, let me proclaim who you are. The Bible says you are an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ. You have a crown that will last forever. You were chosen before the creation of the world. But more than anything else is the simple fact you are God’s child. 1 John 3:1 (NCV) says,, 'We are called children of God. And we really are his children.' I love that: we really are his children. So, if something is important to you it’s important to God!"

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At Christmas, we all should be happy. Rejoicing. Great thinking and experiences. But what happens if 'all is not well with the world'?

Today's Sarah Young "Jesus Calling" may not be for everyone. But if it touches you...

"When you are plagued by a persistent problem---one that goes on and oon---view it as a rich opportunity. An ongoing problem is like a tutor who is always by your side. The learning possibilities are limited only by your willingness to be teachable. In faith, thank Me for your problem. Ask Me to open your eyes and your heart to all that I am accomplishing through this difficulty. Once you have become grateful for a problem, it loses its power to drag you down. On the contrary, your thankful attitude will lift you up iinto heavenly places with Me. From this perspective, your difficulty can be seen as a slight, temporary distress that is producing for you a transcendent Glory never to cease!"

**

Dear God,
Thank You for my one difficulty]
that is trying to plague my heart and mind
right now!
I give that diffculty to You!
Like everything else in my life,
I praise you!
Thank You for being You
and for coming into our lives
at Christmas time!
We need you;
I need You in my life
right now!
Thank You!
Amen.

From a graphic within the book of Philippians titled "Three Stages of Perfection". Today's is Number 1:

PERFECT RELATIONSHIP

"We are perfect because of our eternal union, with the infinitely perfect Christ. When we become His Children, we are declared 'not guilty', thus righteous, because of what Christ, God's beloved Son, has done for us. This perfection is absolute and unchangeable, and it is this perfect relationship that guarantees that we will one day be 'completely perfect."

"For in Christ there is all of God
in a human body,
so that you have everything
when you have Christ,
and you are filled with God
through your union with Christ."

~ Colossians 2:9 & 10 LAB

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Below is one of the Bible verses used in our church sermon yesterday; maybe in yours too?! Pretty familiar, pretty good! Does it surprise anyone that in the Christmas story about Jesus birth that shepherds came to worship. So did kings - i.e. wisemen!

It makes us aware that His Story is for everyone:  from the lowly of society to those in highest esteem!

"That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them,

'"Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you the most joyful news ever announced and it is for everyone! The Savior---yes, the Messiah, the Lord---has been born tonight in Bethlehem!'"

~ Luke 2: 8 - 11 LAB

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Bible Commentary:  "The greatest event in history had just happened. The Messiah was born! For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally happened, the announcement came to humble shepherds. The good news about Jesus is that He comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept Him. Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can have Jesus in our lives. We don't need extraordinary qualifications---He accepts us as we are."

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Lots of good Christmas emails. Here is one from yesterday by Max Lucado.

Such A Thing To Do

"The God of the universe was born into the poverty of a peasant and spent his first night in the cows’ feed trough. He left the glory of heaven and moved into our neighborhood. Who could have imagined he would do such a thing?

"What a world he left. Our classiest mansion would be a tree trunk to him. God became a one-celled embryo and entered the womb of Mary. He became like us. Just look at the places he was willing to go: feed troughs, carpentry shops, badlands, and cemeteries. The places he went to reach us show how far he will go to touch us. He loves to be with the ones he loves."

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A Christmas Eve email from Anne Graham Lotz:

GOD IS FULLY PRESENT

"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth."
~ Psalm 145:18 NKJV

"On Christmas Eve, 1968, Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders, while orbiting the moon in Apollo 8, were so aware of the Presence of God in space that they publicly read the first ten verses of Genesis to the listening world thousands of miles away. When James B. Irwin, an astronaut with Apollo 15, actually walked on the surface of the moon, he said he looked out into the inky blackness, saw our planet looking like a blue marble suspended in space, and was overwhelmed with the conscious awareness that God was present on the surface of the moon! And God was! And God is! He is not bound by space.

:Whom are you praying for who is separeted from you? A child off at school? A spouse on a business trip:? A family member who lives in another city or state or country? What comforting encouragement to know that God is not only fully present with you but also with those from whom you are separated, hearing and answering your prayer of faith for them."

***

"

Merry Christmas!!

Happy celebrating to you. Your famiies. Your friends.

Jesus brings 'Joy to the World'. He brings joy into my world; to your world.

Hymn written by a minister and comes as we reflect on Psalm 98, as we rejoice today:

JOY TO THE WORLD

Joy to the world! The Lord is come

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven, and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns

Let men their songs employ

While fields and floods

Rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat the sound joy

No more let sins and sorrows grow

Nor thorns infest the ground

He comes to make

His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found

Far as the curse is found

Far as, far as the curse is found

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love

And wonders of His love

And wonders and wonders of His love

Happy day after Christmas!

Yesterday the 'korner' said "Joy to the World" was based on Psalm 98.

Still time for more 'joy'!
This is the whole chapter of Psalms 98; don't worry it is short!

Theme:  "A song of joy and victory. Because God is victorious over evil, all those who follow him will be victorious with him when he judges the earth."

"Sing a new song to the Lord telling about his mighty deeds! For he has won a mighty victory by his power and holiness. He has announced this victory and revealed it to every nation by fulfilling his promise to be kind to Israel. The whole earth has seen God's salvation of his people. That is why the earth breaks out in praise to God, and sings for utter joy!

"Sing your praise accompanied by music from the harp. Let the cornets and trumpets shout! Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! Let the sea in all its vastness roar with praise! Let the earth and all those living on it shout, 'Glory to the Lord.'

"Let the waves clap their hands in glee, and the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the world with perfect justice."

~ Psalm 98 LAB

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Bible Commentary:  "This is a psalm of praise anticipating the coming of Jesus. Jesus came to save all men from their sins, and is coming again to judge the world. God is both perfectly loving and perfectly just. He is merciful when he punishes, and he overlooks no sin when he loves. Praise him for his promise to save you and to return again."

*****