Celebrate the Good News of Christmas
Thursday December 25, 2008
Pastor Rick Warren recently published The Purpose of Christmas, a book about the true meaning of Christmas. His message is simple: "Christmas is a time for celebration, it's a time for salvation, and it's a time for reconciliation. It's good news. It's going to bring you great joy and it's for everybody! It's a party. Christmas is a party!"
The Good News of ChristmasImage: SW Productions / Getty Images
Some Christians don't celebrate Christmas. Many are concerned about the pagan roots associated with the holiday and the fact that Christ never commanded us to commemorate his birth. However, in Warren's Christmas gift book he suggests one very good reason to celebrate Christmas. It comes from Luke 2:10-11 when the angel announced, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
The good news of Christmas is the Gospel. The message is about the greatest gift of all time—God gave the gift of Jesus Christ, his Son, who brings great joy to everyone who receives him. The purpose of Christmas is to share this gift. And what a perfect opportunity! It's a holiday that focuses on the Savior of the world. That is why I celebrate Christmas.
If you don't know Jesus Christ as Savior and you'd like to experience great joy, may I invite you right now to receive his gift of salvation and join me in celebrating Christmas! It's very simple. Here's how:
* Admit you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23; 10:9-10)
* Believe Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you from sin and death and give you eternal life. (Romans 5:8; John 3:16)
* Recognize your sin before God and let him help you turn from your old life to a new life in Christ. (Acts 3:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
* Receive, by faith in Jesus Christ, his free gift of salvation. (Ephesians 2:8)
If you've just received Jesus, Merry Christmas! Why not celebrate by telling someone? You can leave a comment below or post a note in the forum.
Learn More About the Gift of Salvation:
* Why Become a Christian?
* How to Become a Christian
* Pray A Salvation Prayer
* What's Next? Get Started
Monday, January 5, 2009
Bible Verses for the New Year
Bible Verses for the New Year
Friday December 26, 2008
2 Timothy 1:6
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you ..." (NLT)
Prepare for 2009 by meditating on these encouraging Bible verses for the New Year. Each one is chosen to inspire a fresh new walk with God and a deeper commitment to living the Christian faith.
* Bible Verses for the New Year
Friday December 26, 2008
2 Timothy 1:6
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you ..." (NLT)
Prepare for 2009 by meditating on these encouraging Bible verses for the New Year. Each one is chosen to inspire a fresh new walk with God and a deeper commitment to living the Christian faith.
* Bible Verses for the New Year
Weekly Prayers & Poems - New Year's Poems
Weekly Prayers & Poems - New Year's Poems
Tuesday December 30, 2008
This week's post features a collection of prayerful New Year's poems beginning with "Just One Request."
Weekly Prayer PostImage: © Davide Guglielmo
Just One Request
Dear Master for this coming year
Just one request I bring:
I do not pray for happiness,
Or any earthly thing—
I do not ask to understand
The way Thou leadest me,
But this I ask: Teach me to do
The thing that pleaseth Thee.
Read more of ... Just One Request.
Do you have an original Christian prayer that would encourage or benefit a fellow believer? Perhaps you've written a unique poem you'd like to share with others. We are looking for Christian prayers and poems to encourage our readers in their communication with God. To submit your original prayer or poem, please fill out this Prayer / Poem Submission For
Tuesday December 30, 2008
This week's post features a collection of prayerful New Year's poems beginning with "Just One Request."
Weekly Prayer PostImage: © Davide Guglielmo
Just One Request
Dear Master for this coming year
Just one request I bring:
I do not pray for happiness,
Or any earthly thing—
I do not ask to understand
The way Thou leadest me,
But this I ask: Teach me to do
The thing that pleaseth Thee.
Read more of ... Just One Request.
Do you have an original Christian prayer that would encourage or benefit a fellow believer? Perhaps you've written a unique poem you'd like to share with others. We are looking for Christian prayers and poems to encourage our readers in their communication with God. To submit your original prayer or poem, please fill out this Prayer / Poem Submission For
Book Review: Living as if Heaven Matters by David Shibley
Book Review: Living as if Heaven Matters by David Shibley
Wednesday December 31, 2008
Living as if Heaven Matters by David ShibleyImage Courtesy of Charisma House
Are you afraid of dying? Do you live without purpose as a Christian? Have your priorities gotten out of order? If so, here's a great book to read at the beginning of a new year. Living as if Heaven Matters by David Shibley will challenge you to change the way you look at life, heaven, and the Christian walk. The book is a wake up call to use our time on earth for bringing more believers into the kingdom of God and doing the work of Christ. Guest reviewer Venice Kichura said, "Living as if Heaven Matters records Scriptures that promise heavenly rewards for earthly good deeds. It reassures us that death ushers in a world indescribable and that believers should have no fear of death. Instead of spending our time afraid of dying, it encourages us to use our lives to prepare for heaven."
• Read the full review: Living as if Heaven Matters by David Shibley.
Wednesday December 31, 2008
Living as if Heaven Matters by David ShibleyImage Courtesy of Charisma House
Are you afraid of dying? Do you live without purpose as a Christian? Have your priorities gotten out of order? If so, here's a great book to read at the beginning of a new year. Living as if Heaven Matters by David Shibley will challenge you to change the way you look at life, heaven, and the Christian walk. The book is a wake up call to use our time on earth for bringing more believers into the kingdom of God and doing the work of Christ. Guest reviewer Venice Kichura said, "Living as if Heaven Matters records Scriptures that promise heavenly rewards for earthly good deeds. It reassures us that death ushers in a world indescribable and that believers should have no fear of death. Instead of spending our time afraid of dying, it encourages us to use our lives to prepare for heaven."
• Read the full review: Living as if Heaven Matters by David Shibley.
This Week's Testimony: Ally's Time to Dance
This Week's Testimony: Ally's Time to Dance
Monday January 5, 2009
Ally shares her painful story of child sexual abuse, not to receive pity, but to testify of God's love. She realizes the Lord was always with her, even through the abuse, even when she tried to end her life. On the day she accepted God's gift of salvation, he completely changed her outlook. Before that day, she had lived with doubt, shame and anger. Now she lives with the light of hope in her heart. She knows God has a plan for her life. Now it's her time to dance.
Ally's true story is one of our many featured testimonies from you, the members and visitors of this site. Each story reveals a life transformed by Christian faith. If your relationship with God has made a significant difference in your life, we would like to hear about it.
• Submit your testimony by filling out this Submission Form.
• To receive weekly messages of hope and encouragement from real-life stories of changed lives, sign up for eTestimonies.
Monday January 5, 2009
Ally shares her painful story of child sexual abuse, not to receive pity, but to testify of God's love. She realizes the Lord was always with her, even through the abuse, even when she tried to end her life. On the day she accepted God's gift of salvation, he completely changed her outlook. Before that day, she had lived with doubt, shame and anger. Now she lives with the light of hope in her heart. She knows God has a plan for her life. Now it's her time to dance.
Ally's true story is one of our many featured testimonies from you, the members and visitors of this site. Each story reveals a life transformed by Christian faith. If your relationship with God has made a significant difference in your life, we would like to hear about it.
• Submit your testimony by filling out this Submission Form.
• To receive weekly messages of hope and encouragement from real-life stories of changed lives, sign up for eTestimonies.
Setting Our Eyes on the Prize in 2009
Setting Our Eyes on the Prize in 2009
Thursday January 1, 2009
Hebrews 12:1-2
Crossing the Finish LinePhoto: Adam Pretty / Getty Images
"... let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (NIV)
I don't make New Year's resolutions. Instead, at the beginning of each year, I like to challenge myself and remind others to make a fresh commitment to the Lord. These verses in Hebrews 12 lay out a perfect 3-step prescription for renewing our dedication, refocusing our energy, and getting our Christian walk on track for the year ahead.
Examine Ourselves
We begin by examining our lives and "throwing off" or getting rid of everything that slows us down or trips us up. If we're honest with ourselves, we know those things that creep into our lives and entangle us. They wrap around our ankles and tie us down so we can't run with purpose.
Persevere in God's Word
Next we run, and keep on running. Hebrews says, "run with perseverance the race marked out for us." How do we find the path "marked out" for us? The course is set down in God's Word. If we persevere daily in reading the Bible, we'll know the course to run.
Fix Our Eyes on the Prize
Lastly, we keep our eyes on the prize, Jesus Christ. If something moves into our line of sight and obscures our vision, we quickly shift position. If we veer in the wrong direction, we immediately turn until we're back on track. Fixing our eyes on Jesus will get us to the finish line if we don't grow weary and give up.
For practical help putting these steps into practice, consider these resources:
* Spending Time With God - 7-part series of practical teachings on developing a devotional life.
* Developing a Daily Devotional - Steps for creating your own custom devotional plan.
* How to Study the Bible - Learn a simple, step-by-step Bible study method.
* Choosing a Bible Reading Plan - Stay on track with a daily Bible reading plan.
* How to Avoid Temptation - 5 steps to avoid temptation.
* How to Avoid Backsliding - 10 steps to avoid backsliding.
Thursday January 1, 2009
Hebrews 12:1-2
Crossing the Finish LinePhoto: Adam Pretty / Getty Images
"... let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (NIV)
I don't make New Year's resolutions. Instead, at the beginning of each year, I like to challenge myself and remind others to make a fresh commitment to the Lord. These verses in Hebrews 12 lay out a perfect 3-step prescription for renewing our dedication, refocusing our energy, and getting our Christian walk on track for the year ahead.
Examine Ourselves
We begin by examining our lives and "throwing off" or getting rid of everything that slows us down or trips us up. If we're honest with ourselves, we know those things that creep into our lives and entangle us. They wrap around our ankles and tie us down so we can't run with purpose.
Persevere in God's Word
Next we run, and keep on running. Hebrews says, "run with perseverance the race marked out for us." How do we find the path "marked out" for us? The course is set down in God's Word. If we persevere daily in reading the Bible, we'll know the course to run.
Fix Our Eyes on the Prize
Lastly, we keep our eyes on the prize, Jesus Christ. If something moves into our line of sight and obscures our vision, we quickly shift position. If we veer in the wrong direction, we immediately turn until we're back on track. Fixing our eyes on Jesus will get us to the finish line if we don't grow weary and give up.
For practical help putting these steps into practice, consider these resources:
* Spending Time With God - 7-part series of practical teachings on developing a devotional life.
* Developing a Daily Devotional - Steps for creating your own custom devotional plan.
* How to Study the Bible - Learn a simple, step-by-step Bible study method.
* Choosing a Bible Reading Plan - Stay on track with a daily Bible reading plan.
* How to Avoid Temptation - 5 steps to avoid temptation.
* How to Avoid Backsliding - 10 steps to avoid backsliding.
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