The Most Important Birthday

Birthday celebrations will never be a thing of the past as long as
there are people on this planet. Adults and children alike look
forward to birthday celebrations each year, either because it is
their own or a loved one’s. The day is celebrated with a spread
of food, drinks, and gift giving. The most unique thing about
birthday celebrations is the fact that usually, those who participate
in the celebration know the person being celebrated as family or
friend, at home, school, work, or as belonging to a special group.

Around this time each year, many people feverishly prepare
for Christmas; the celebration of the birth of the Savior Jesus
Christ. There are at least three diff erent categories of people in
the mad rush. The first group is made up of people who truly
know Jesus in a personal way. They have known Him through a
personal encounter, they can each say passionately that He is the
Son of God, their savior, risen Lord, and coming again King. This
group celebrates meaningfully, and rejoices as a demonstration of
gratitude for the gift of the Savior.

The next category of celebrants/celebrators knows Jesus by
way of head knowledge. They may or may not be church attendees.
They know Him as a historical figure, born on Christmas, but
they have no personal encounter with Him. They cannot attest
to anything meaningful He’s done for them. They participate in
the festivities anyway, by giving and receiving, being at gatherings
and parties etc.

Th e people in the last group do not have any personal
encounter with Jesus; they have no affiliation with Churches, and
they may not even know who is being celebrated, let alone why.
As far as they are concerned, it’s the year-end celebration. They
celebrate the same way like the others, with food, drinks, and gift
giving and receiving. When it is over, they are glad the stress is
behind them. They look forward to doing things differently the
next year, either by being a bit more elaborate or spending a little
less, or starting preparations (shopping) a little earlier.

Whether people know who is being celebrated or not, it is
note-worthy that Jesus is being celebrated. Like the apostle Paul
said, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false
motives or true, Christ is preached” (In this case, celebrated). Philippians
1:18 NIV. Jesus’ birthday is the most celebrated, more than anybody
else’s we can think of, from the past or present; the whole world
gets excited. The celebration can be a point of reference when we
share the gospel with people, just as Paul seized the opportunity to
preach the gospel to the people of Athens. He said to them, “Men
of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I
walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I
even found an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN
GOD.’ Now what you worship as something unknown I am going
to proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22-23 NIV). So we can introduce Jesus to
those who celebrate ‘who they know not’, by explaining the reason
for the season, and why His coming into the world is such a big
deal.

CELEBRATING JESUS

It’s amazing how time flies. Christmas seems to be coming
faster and faster each year. The planning, preparation, and
anticipation make it a very exciting time, but, let us not forget
who we celebrate. Christmas is all about Jesus even though some
would like to see Him off the scene. Referring to this time of year
as the ‘holidays’ does not change anything; it is still Christmas,
Jesus’ birthday.

If we are going to celebrate it, let’s celebrate it for what it really
is, because history cannot be changed or re-written. When He was
born, God sent angels to announce to the shepherds, “A Savior
is born.” He has come to save mankind from sin. Herod, king in
those days tried to get rid of Him but failed. How can humans get
rid of God, the creator of the universe? Impossible!

People think refusing to accept the claims of Jesus as Savior
excuses them from the penalty of sin. In fact, it doesn’t. God is
God, and has set things up the way they are for a reason. Those
who disagree are not really doing themselves or anyone else any
favors. God is not going to bend or change His rules because
someone has reservations or disagreements.
So as we celebrate this season, year after year, let’s remember,
‘No Jesus, No Christmas’

He desires to have a personal relationship with each individual,
but will not force His way into anyone’s life. He has done His part
by coming and dying to pay the penalty for our sin, past, present
and future. We have to do our part by accepting the salvation He
is offering so freely through faith in Him.

As we give and receive gifts this Christmas, let’s remember, God was the first
one to give a gift, Jesus His Son. The Son gave His life and said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me.” “I am come that they might have life and have
it to the fullest”(John 14:6; 10:10 NIV). This is Christmas!!
Have you considered Jesus, the Savior, the reason for Christmas?
If not, why not? Call on Him today for salvation, and make this a memorable Christmas!

Letters From Annie (Douglass) Lima: New Book Release in Seventh Dimension Series by Christian fantasy author Lorilyn Roberts (with a Free Book!)

Enjoy this interview of Lorilyn on Annie Douglass Lima's blog. She also writes Christian fantasy, so check out her books while you are there.

Letters From Annie (Douglass) Lima: New Book Release in Seventh Dimension Series by Christian fantasy author Lorilyn Roberts (with a Free Book!)

SALVATION INVOLVES THE WILL OF TWO

                   

                                                                               




Synonyms for salvation include rescue and deliverance.
The need for salvation implies that a person is in some
kind of bondage. It is very clear that men and women
alike are in bondage to sin, and need deliverance
(salvation). If they don’t seek salvation, they will face
God’s judgment (death), because the Bible says, “All
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans
3:23), and goes on to say in Romans 6:23 that the
penalty for sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Salvation involves the will of two people; the will of the
One who has been offended (God) and the will of the
offender (the sinner). The law-giver (God) should be
willing to forgive; the sinner should desire forgiveness.
We know God is willing to forgive, because the Bible
clearly says, “He (the Lord) is patient with you, not
wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

But Dear Friend, do you understand that you are a
sinner (you are included in ALL)? If you are clear on that,
do you desire to be forgiven? God has made His desire
known! What is your desire? Do you or do you not desire
to be saved from the bondage of sin? If you do, you
need to make that desire known to God, just as He made
His known. How about saying, “Dear God, I am a sinner
deserving to die, but I plead for mercy and forgiveness
through the blood of Jesus Christ. Please cleanse me
from sin and make me your child, in Jesus’ name.” Pray
that and believe in your heart that God has forgiven you,
and God will do the rest (Romans 10:9).

On the other hand, if you do not desire to be saved, do
nothing; continue to live any way you want, the way
you have always lived. God will not force salvation on
anyone, but He will fulfill His promises, including the
ones regarding sin and repentance leading to salvation,
or disobedience leading to punishment/death. Since the
Bible says, the Lord does not want any to perish, you
clearly have the last word; you can choose to live or die.
Just so you know; the type of death in question is not
a physical death, but rather a never ceasing torment in
hell. I admonish you to choose repentance that leads to
forgiveness and eternal life.

DEATH DOESN'T END IT ALL

Many people today strongly believe death ends it all. Hence they
don’t really care how they live. They have the mentality of, “Let’s
eat and drink for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32 NIV). This mentality
is not only wrong; it is far from the truth; it is a lie from the devil,
the father of lies. He has an agenda. That agenda is to get as many
people as possible to hell; after all why should he go there alone?
He knows unbelievers are hell-bound. “Then he will say to those
on His left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal
fire prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Matthew 25:41 NIV). So his goal is
to deceive and draw many to hell with him.

The truth about everything, including life after death is how
it’s defined by the Bible. Until we discover God’s truth about issues
we have no truth at all. So let’s see what the Bible says about the
subject of life after death. The Bible says, “. . . man is destined to
die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NIV). This is how
it’s going to happen, “When the Son of Man (Jesus) comes in His
glory, and all His angels with Him, He will sit on His throne
in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him,
and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd
separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:31-32 NIV). Right there, we
see there will be only two groups; there will only be believers and
unbelievers. There will not be an in-between group. So when this
separation is made, where will you be? The believers get to inherit
the kingdom of God and the unbelievers get to inherit hell (see Matthew
25:34, 41).

The book of Revelation talks about another kind of death.
It is referred to as the second death (see Revelation 20:6). If there will be a
second death, then natural death (1st death) does not end it all.
There will be a second death which is referred to as the lake of
fire. “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The
lake of fire is the second death” (Revelation 20:14 NIV). Th e Lake of fire will
be ongoing, it will never go out or go down in its intensity, and
it will be forever. Each person needs to make plans for life after
the natural death. Whether one believes there is life after death
or not does not change what God says about it, and God will not
change His word because somebody does or does not believe it. If
there’s ever going to be a change of mind about any of God’s laws,
it is definitely not going to be God’s. Each person can plan to go to
heaven or face the second death. Each person has been given the
right to make a choice. God will not be responsible for anyone
going to hell, those who go will do so by choice. He said to the
Israelites, “This day I call heaven and earth as witness against you
that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now
choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV). He
also says, “For the wages (payment) of sin is death (the 2nd death),
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans
6:23 NIV). For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten
Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16 NIV).

The way God separates the sheep from the goats is to see
whose name is or isn’t written in the book of life. “If anyone’s name
is not written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of
fire (2nd death)” (Revelation 20:15 NIV). Getting one’s name in the book of life is
understanding and admitting that one is a sinner, and cannot save
himself or herself. Believing in Jesus, asking Him for forgiveness,
and surrendering to His Lordship ensures that one has passed
from death to life. What are you going to choose?