'Earnestly contending for the faith,' (Jude 3 ) as well as sharing encouragement and hope through Scripture (Romans 15:4), and through the poems and posts that I write. One of many voices on the Internet warning Christians of the importance of testing the teachings of men (and women) against the unchanging truth of God's Word. (Acts 17:11) I 'warn you with tears' through much of what I write, to 'be on guard against the savage wolves that will come in among us who will distort the Word of God' as God's Word warns us about in Acts 20:26-31
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No matter what day Jesus was actually born on, Christmas is about the willingness of the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, to enter our sin-filled world and become one of us. He lived the perfect, sinless life that we could never live to one day become the Savior of the world. He knows what it’s like to be rejected, misunderstood, mocked, ridiculed, and hated.
Because all of us are sinners our sins have separated us from God the Father who is completely holy, righteous, and just. Sin had to be dealt with, and Jesus, being God cloaked in human flesh, was the only one who could save us. Jesus was sinless; He was the spotless Lamb of God who was sent to die in our place and to take upon Himself all of God’s wrath and punishment that was meant for us because of our sins. No matter how good we try to be and no matter how many good works we do, we will never be able to earn our salvation. We have all lied at one time or another, some of us have stolen things at some point in our lives, and there are others who have taken the life of someone, whether it be the life of an unborn child or the life of someone else out of anger, hatred, or revenge. God’s Word even says that to hate someone in our heart is like committing murder in our hearts! Others have committed adultery, if not by the very act, then by the lustful thoughts that we have allowed in our minds and have dwelt upon.
The joyously good news of Christmas and of the Biblical gospel is that a Savior was born unto us. This is God’s only provision that He has made to bring us into having a relationship with Him and to be able to become His child. Yes, God made all of us, but only those who choose to trust only and completely in the finished work of Jesus Christ’s dying in our place on the cross as being sufficient to pay the debt of our sins in full will truly and only then become His child, and only then will we have the assurance of eternity in heaven. (1 John 5:9-13)
God never made the place of eternal torment called hell for us. It was created for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41) Rejecting the only way that God has provided for us to have forgiveness for our sins, will result in a life that will never find forgiveness for sins, freedom from guilt, true peace, joy in the midst of sorrow, and His grace and strength at times when we will face overwhelmingly painful and grievous times in life. Choosing to trust in a religion or in anything else other than in Jesus Christ alone will lead to an eternity where one will be separated from God and His love; our own choice and rebellion will be the only reason that anyone will find themselves in the eternal torment of the fires of hell. That is the truth of the Biblical gospel that needs to be spoken, no matter how harsh or blunt that may sound to any of you. Why would anyone choose to reject the extent of the love that God showed us by sending His one and only Son into our sin-filled, rebellious world to one day die in our place and to gloriously arise from the dead in bodily form on the third day? Jesus Christ did that for me and for you.
Receiving this truth about Jesus Christ, which is the Biblical gospel — and the good news that the angels announces that silent, holy night — is the greatest gift you could ever receive! Read the Bible and discover this good news for yourself. Read the Gospel of John, the Book of Romans, Ephesians, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Hebrews (Chapters 7-10 especially).
The holiday season can be quite stressful and emotionally overwhelming for some of us as we reflect back on what was or what could have been, unfulfilled longings of our heart, regrets, sorrow due to the loss of precious loved ones, and the list could go on and on.
You may be one of many who have come to the conclusion that Christmas is basically a pagan holiday and you don’t want any part of it. Whether you choose to celebrate Christmas or not, I pray that you will make the most of this holiday season. As Christians we are always to be ready to proclaim the good news of the Biblical gospel and how true hope can be found in Jesus Christ, and this season presents us with many opportunities to do so by writing meaningful messages in Christmas cards, inviting a friend or family member to church for a Christmas play or a Christmas service where the gospel will be presented, and visiting with friends and family who have not yet come to realize the joy, peace, and freedom that can be found in Jesus Christ. What good is it if we know the truth and yet choose to remain silent and withdraw from those who need to hear it just because we have personally become convinced that Christmas is rooted in paganism and choose not to celebrate it?
No matter what day Jesus Christ was actually born on, the truth is that Jesus Christ chose to submit to His Father’s plan and willingly came into our sin-filled world. He was fully God yet fully human. Born of a virgin, born to live the perfect sinless life that we could never live so that He would become our substitute; Jesus willingly died in our place, taking upon Himself our sins, guilt, and shame, and the full wrath of God that we deserve for our sins. We are guilty, but Jesus Christ was sinless and innocent, and yet out of love and obedience and because sin must be dealt with, Jesus Christ took our punishment so that God’s wrath against sin would be satisfied.
I pray that this Christmas music will be soothing to your soul and that you would take time to reflect upon the truth that is presented in the Scriptures that I posted for you below. Christmas is not about a baby in a manger, but rather it is about a God who loves us so much that He would go to such an extent as to send His one and only Son — Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, the second person in the Trinity — to die in our place so that our sin debt would be paid in full and a way would be made for us to have a relationship with Him. That, my dear reader, is true and amazing love that I pray you will not reject!
God’s gift of love through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, is the greatest gift that you could ever hope to receive! If you have never placed your trust in Jesus Christ alone for your forgiveness for sins, receive Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift, today!
SCRIPTURES FOR YOU TO REFLECT UPON
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:16-21)
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 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 good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, 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.” (Luke 2:7-14)
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:9,10)
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification. For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:8-19)
Jesus is the only way to God, and the only name we can call upon in order to be saved:
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6)
“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12)
We cannot find Jesus or forgiveness through any religion or by our good works or through any thing we may do:
“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:4-10)
“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:21)
“Then they asked Him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.” (John 6:28,29)
But keep in mind that even the demons believe; they know who Jesus is:
“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24)
Only by believing in Him and receiving Jesus by placing your trust only in all that He accomplished for us through His sinless life, His death in your place on the cross, His burial, and glorious resurrection from the dead on the third day for your forgiveness for sins is the only way a person can become a child of God: (Verse 12)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. 11 He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. 12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-14)
Jesus Christ is our only hope; our only Mediator:
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:1-6)
You can have assurance of eternal life:
“We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which He has given about His Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about His Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:9-13)
The simple but powerful gospel message that is meant for all who will choose to believe and receive it:
Sadly, many professing Christian pastors and teachers today teach that the Old Testament is no longer important or relevant. However,Jesus often quoted from the Old Testament, and Scripture in the New Testament clearly shows us the importance of the Old Testament, as well:
“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-12)
“For whatever was written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 KJV)
All of Scripture is important:
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Even before time, as we know it, began, God knew that mankind would choose to rebel against Him and sin, and He already had a plan to redeem mankind (Revelation 13:8) and to establish the only way to reconcile sinful man to Himself, a God who is completely loving, kind, and merciful, but above all, completely Holy and just. He planned to send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the second Person in the Trinity, into our evil, sin-filled world, to live the sinless, perfect life that we could never live, in order to take upon Himself the sins of all mankind and become our substitute; Jesus Christ took upon Himself God’s full wrath for all of our sins and guilt. The The Book of Genesis shows us that even in the most perfect of environments man still chose to sin.
Throughout the Old Testament we see just how depraved mankind is. We read about: Murder, rebellion, incest, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, rape, deceit, thievery, malice, lies, etc., etc. However, as depraved as all of mankind was and still is, he — or she — is not so depraved as to be unable to choose to receive God’s free gift of salvation through placing our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior after hearing or reading the truly good news of the Biblical gospel, as some sadly teach in Reformed Theology and Calvinism.
The Old Testament is also extremely important because: It traces the genealogy of Jesus Christ, foreshadows and prophesies the coming of Jesus Christ, and shows God’s patience with us, as well as His love, His complete holiness, and His hatred for sin. So much more could be said, but my time these days is very limited.
Now I present to you the twenty-first Book in God’s Holy Word –Ecclesiastes. (I have already shared Psalms and Proverbs with you in the past). I hope and pray that you will take some time throughout your week to (read through or) listen to another very important Book in God’s Holy Word.
Thank you very much for stopping by today.
God Bless You
~Mary Dalke – Living4HisGlory
Source for images – Yahoo Ecclesiastes Scripture images
UPDATE:
Partly due to my sister still being in the hospital, I still have not been able to finish the next post in the series in which we have been comparing the teachings found in the Catechism Of The Catholic Church with a Catholic Bible. Thankfully she was transferred to rehab today, but since my daughter and son are both flying in to visit in a few short weeks, I may not have time to finish it since I now need time to prepare for their visit. Lord willing, I will finish writing it and share it with you as soon as I possibly can. Thank you for your patience.
Sadly, many professing Christian pastors and teachers today teach that the Old Testament is no longer important or relevant. However,Jesus often quoted from the Old Testament, and Scripture in the New Testament clearly shows us the importance of the Old Testament, as well:
“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-12)
“For whatever was written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 KJV)
All of Scripture is important:
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Even before time, as we know it, began, God knew that mankind would choose to rebel against Him and sin, and He already had a plan to redeem mankind (Revelation 13:8) and to establish the only way to reconcile sinful man to Himself, a God who is completely loving, kind, and merciful, but above all, completely Holy and just. He planned to send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the second Person in the Trinity, into our evil, sin-filled world, to live the sinless, perfect life that we could never live, in order to take upon Himself the sins of all mankind and become our substitute; Jesus Christ took upon Himself God’s full wrath for all of our sins and guilt. The The Book of Genesis shows us that even in the most perfect of environments man still chose to sin.
Throughout the Old Testament we see just how depraved mankind is. We read about: Murder, rebellion, incest, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, rape, deceit, thievery, malice, lies, etc., etc. However, as depraved as all of mankind was and still is, he — or she — is not so depraved as to be unable to choose to receive God’s free gift of salvation through placing our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior after hearing or reading the truly good news of the Biblical gospel, as some sadly teach in Reformed Theology and Calvinism.
The Old Testament is also extremely important because: It traces the genealogy of Jesus Christ, foreshadows and prophesies the coming of Jesus Christ, and shows God’s patience with us, as well as His love, His complete holiness, and His hatred for sin. So much more could be said, but my time these days is very limited.
Now I present to you the seventeenth Book in God’s Holy Word –Job. I hope and pray that you will take some time throughout your week to (read through or) listen to another very important Book in God’s Holy Word.
Thank you very much for stopping by today.
God Bless You
~Mary Dalke – Living4HisGlory
Photo ‘Sunset Trees Job 42:12a’ taken by Mary K Dalke – Reflections Of His Glory Photography – Scripture added by Mary K Dalke using Pixlr X free online photo editor
UPDATE:
I have already started working on the next post in the series in which we are comparing the teachings that can be found in the Catechism Of The Catholic Church to a Catholic Bible in order to help precious Catholics see the errors in some of their teachings. The most important reason that I am writing this series is to show precious Catholics the good news of the Biblical gospel that can be found in God’s Word. It is my prayer that God will open their eyes so that many will see how some of the teachings of Catholicism contradict God’s Word and rob Jesus Christ of His glory and power that is clearly revealed in Scripture regarding all that He accomplished for us through His sinless life, His willingness to die in our place on the cross for our sins, His brutal death by crucifixion which was His “once for all” sacrifice that was sufficient to pay the debt for all of our sins in full, His burial, and by His glorious resurrection from the dead in bodily form three days later. Lord willing, I am hoping to have it completed within the next week or two.
Desiring for God to use all that I have been through in life, I decided to start my first blog, living4hisglory.wordpress.com, in order to write poems about some of those experiences to bring glory to God, as well as to share them with others with the hope of encouraging those of you who have been broken and shattered by life's circumstances and hurt by those who were supposed to have loved you rather than abuse you in some way.
Also, because of some pastors and teachers today who seem to be abandoning Biblical Christianity and instead seem to be either seeking to build their own empires and promoting their own agendas, and at times even leading the people in their churches into unbiblical, 'mystical practices' without some people even realizing it, I saw the importance and necessity to begin writing poems and posts in order to inform Christians, as well as to make Christians realize the extreme importance of testing what people say (who claim to speak for God) against the truth of God's Word, (Acts 17:11) so that they will not be deceived. It has never been -- nor shall it ever be -- my intention to bash any particular pastor or teacher; my sole purpose in bringing attention to false teachings is to make Christians realize that we are to be followers of Jesus Christ, and not to be followers of any man (or woman) and his (or her) ministry. I hope that you will be blessed -- as well as challenged -- by the things that I write.
Thank you for stopping by and taking time to read some of my posts and poems.
God Bless You
~Mary/Living4HisGlory
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Mary Dalke - Living4HisGlory