In Every Nation #122

Acts 10:34-42
34Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. 36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. 38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39“And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross,[a] 40 but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, 41 not to the general public,[b] but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”

Christmas is right around the corner. What does Christmas mean? The Biblical story of Peter visiting the home of Cornelius gives us a picture of the Gospel. Christmas means God sent Jesus for everyone of every nation. He does not show partiality. It is Good News because Jesus’ coming to earth brings peace with God; because He is Lord of all. Jesus went about doing good by healing the sick and those oppressed by the devil He died on a cross, but arose from the dead three days later. He appeared to a select group that He charged with the responsibility of telling everyone about Christ. They were to tell that Jesus was the appointed one of God to judge the living and the dead.

He was also the one of whom the prophets foretold. He was more than just a prophet Himself. He was Emmanuel, God with us. The message of Christmas is summarized in the statement: “Everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name.” Have you put your trust and faith in the One who was God in human flesh who came to die for the sins of all who believe in Him? Why not now?

________________________Today’s personal note from Dennis

Merry Christmas!
Greetings on this first day of December. Why not celebrate by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas all month long. Today I started.

December is such a busy month for the Wood family. Susan has a birthday December 1st. Roger's birthday is the seventh. Mandy celebrates on December 19. Then Christmas comes on the twenty fifth and our grandson, Collin will celebrate number ten on the twenty-eighth. We have parties for all and eat way too much. But what a great time with
family.

God continues to bless me with better health. The Doctor recently told me the cancer is still in my liver, but is NOT GROWING right now. For that I praise the Lord.

Sandy and I continue our teaching at Church on Mill on Wednesday nights until December 8. I have been asked to preach at Crossroads Baptist Church on December 26th and at Grace Community Church on January 2nd. We are both preparing for the devotionals for the Quartzite, AZ Gem and Rock show. That will be in the middle of January.

Thank you for not only praying for us but making it possible through your financial support to continue doing projects like the Gem Show and the Mission Service Corp ministries. It is only as you provide that we can do these volunteer projects.

I pray and ask God to bless your life today and throughout the Christmas holiday season. Remember God and your family and give each as much time as possible.

I love you all. ~DGW