Merry Christmas to each of you as we ponder the miracle of the incarnation of the Son of God who came to earth as a man. He came to deal with the sin problem that had overtaken humanity from the fall (Gen. 3:1-7). Mankind could not fix it, thus the importance of the virgin birth of Christ. If a man was involved with the conception of God’s son then the child would have been born a sinner. Mary conceived as the Holy Spirit overshadowed her. The sinless Son of God was born. He had to be a perfect Man to die on behalf of sinful man. There is only One perfect God/Man – Christ Jesus!
I’m amazed at God’s initiative on our behalf. This statement of God is profound through Peter, It is God’s desire that none perish, but that all would come to repentance. We choose to either spend eternity with God or away from Him in hell. The most precious gift from God has been given to all of us! What will you do with God’s offer? He came to redeem us. He designed His plan. For it is by grace we are saved through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works so that no one can boast (Eph. 2:8-9). This tangible gift is available to all who choose to turn from their sins, believe in His name, and receive Him as Savior and Lord. Will you?
On December 5th and 6th we had our annual Christmas event where we share God’s love with the inmates by handing out pop, popcorn and two stamped Christmas cards for them to send to loved ones. I met with a distraught inmate who missed his kids and regretted another relationship after he divorced his wife. His Bible was open and many tears flowed. God was at work in this young man’s life. He had never trusted in Christ only, but believed in religious traditions. He agreed that he needed a relationship and not just religion. The Word brought conviction of his glaring sins. He knew he couldn’t keep going this way of defiance toward God. I asked if he wanted to received Christ into his life and he said “yes”. He prayed and became a new creation. Joy was all over his face! CHRIST is God’s precious gift to man, and our only hope for eternal life! Have you received this precious GIFT? Merry CHRISTmas from our home to yours and have a blessed New Year!
