Know Jesus and Celebrate!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We were able to spend time with Tim’s parents when they visited over Thanksgiving, time with my parents and my brother when we traveled to Kentucky last week, and time just the three of us as we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home.

Each year, before peeking in stockings or unwrapping gifts, we always read from the Bible about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Meditating on Jesus’ birth is often a silent, sweet moment as we ponder the pretty picture we have in our minds of Mary and Joseph bending over the new baby. But as Tim read the account on Christmas morning, I was struck by the feeling that this is an occasion to celebrate! Our soul should be enraptured by the thought that God would send His only Son to be born a baby and live on this earth, facing the difficulties of humanity, and ultimately dying for us. What love God has for US! Every day is an occasion to celebrate. God has given us all the most wonderful gift – Jesus.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world…. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts…. 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…. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…” Ephesians 2:1-9

If you have not experienced Jesus Christ’s saving power in your life, I want you to know – whoever you are, reader – that Jesus Christ was sent by God to this earth as a baby, and He lived a sinless life, and after dying an agonizing death on the cross, He was resurrected by His own power. And all this was for you. God doesn’t want us to live life without Him and then go to hell when we die. That’s why Jesus died on the cross – He paid the price for us. God has told all believers to share with you His amazing and sacrificing love for YOU. God loves you. There is no greater love than His love, there is no greater mercy than His, there is no greater peace than that which He gives to those who are His, and there is no greater joy than knowing Him through Jesus Christ – your Savior. I know this, because I know Jesus. And you can know Him, too.

How do you accept God’s gift of His Son, Jesus? You just ask Him. Ask Him to forgive you of your sin and to help you turn from it. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. Give your life to God. God knows all about you, He already loves you, and He wants you to know Him. He can hear you right now. He won’t turn you down.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9,10

Jesus wants you to ask Him to be your Savior and Lord, to lead your life, and to help you turn from sin. Take some time and talk to God. He is listening, and he wants to have a relationship with you. Knowing and loving and serving God is a journey, and you’ll learn a lot along the way. But God is with you, and He has given us the Bible to help us better understand His plan for our lives. It is very important that you tell someone whom you know is a strong Christian about your decision to receive Jesus Christ into your heart and life and that you find a church where you can be encouraged and strengthened in your new walk with Christ. God uses people who are obedient to Him to help others, and you will need them in your life, just as they will need you.

“Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6,7

If you don’t already know someone with whom you feel comfortable sharing your experience with Christ, please email me. I don’t know everything, but, I am proud to say that I belong to God, I love Him, and I want most sincerely to help you know Him as I know Him. Life with Christ is an incredible journey, and eternal life in heaven with Him is certainly something for which to look forward. Every day is a day to Celebrate!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Kimberly
kimberlymfarmer@yahoo.com