God With Us #229

Matthew 1:23 "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US." (NAS)                Colossians 2:9 “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.” (NLT)

Jesus was far from just an ordinary baby born in the city of Bethlehem. His birth had been prophesied some 800 years before his birth. It was even prophesied that His birthplace would be Bethlehem, and conceived by the Holy Spirit. It was also prophesied that He would be born of a virgin, and He was born to a virgin named Mary. His was no ordinary birth. His was no ordinary life. In Him all the fullness of God dwelt in a human body. He was God the Son in human flesh. Even His name Immanuel means God with us.

The miraculous birth of the Son of God in that stable in Bethlehem changed the world. His birth brought a Savior for all the people, in the whole world. His message was: “I came that you might have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Two thousand years since His birth has not changed His identity, His message, or His purpose. You can be sure that He is God. He is Savior. He did die on a cross for your salvation and arose from the dead to give you His life.

Jesus loves you. He left heaven and came to earth and was born as a human in order to live a sinless life, die on a cross and arise from the dead to give you eternal life. Have you discovered the life that He brings to all who place their faith in Him? Have you received Him?                                                                                                                 John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,  (ESV)

This would be a great day to place your faith in Him and receive Him into your life. The reward will be “life and life more abundantly.” John 10:10

_____________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Merry Christmas.

Is merry the word you would use to describe the season we call the 'holiday season?' For many of you I am sure it is not. Instead it is the time of frustration, stress, anger, hurt, fear, worry, and sleeplessness. It seems that every struggle of life rears its head at this time of the year. Could it be that reliving the past brings you to a time you would just as soon skip? You may be one of those persons who in the past has had a tragedy hit your life at Christmas. I assume those families in Connecticut who lost children and loved ones in the shooting last Friday will never have a Christmas when memories of that day will not haunt them. For you it may have been the loss of a job, a drunken relative, a family argument, or the loss of a loved one that happened during the holidays that makes it hard for you to enjoy the season. 

Let me make a couple of suggestions. How about thinking in the present. Thank God for the blessings of right now. I am sure you may say that it is the right now that is so difficult. Recognize God can and will work in and through all your circumstances. How about forgiveness. Try forgiving those who hurt you in the past. Your hurt may have been years ago, or only last week, but do not allow a lack of forgiveness to rob you of the joy of celebrating the birth of Jesus. It has been said "to err is human to forgive is divine" and I know of nothing more important than for you to reach out in forgiveness. Enjoy the moment. Do something for someone else. Feed the homeless. Buy a gift and give it to a stranger. Smile and say, "Merry Christmas" to as many people as you can. Check your attitude. Be as positive as possible. 

I am not saying that this time of the year may not be hard for you, but you can do something about it. Just remember this; what you cannot do yourself God can do through you. Yield your past, present and future to Him. Trust Him and He will do it. 

Justin is home from the hospital and out of the NICU!! We were at their home Monday evening when he came home. Johnny was thrilled to see his new little brother. He leaned over the car seat and took a look inside. He reached over to touch his cheek. What a precious sight. Justin is doing well. Thanks for your prayers.

 

Those of you who have been receiving "The Encourager" on the blog site have not been receiving it. I was unaware of the change in Feed-burner, the company that sent our blog to you, until this week. They stopped sending it and will no longer send it. I have moved your address to the regular email and hopefully if you are reading this you have received it. The blog is still available if you would like to see what you have missed check out.  (www.dgtheencourager.blogspot.com) I am so sorry about this, but hopefully have fixed the problem for now.  

I am preaching several places during the next few weeks. 

December 23: Crossroads Southern Baptist Church in Apache Junction, AZ

December 30: Skyline Fellowship in Mesa, AZ.

January 6: Laveen Baptist Church in Laveen, AZ

January 27: Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church in Quartzsite, AZ

January 20-27: Sandy and I will both be teaching at the Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church during the Campers on Mission gem and rock show project.

February 17: First Baptist Church of Tempe, AZ

Please remember us in prayer as we share God's Word with these wonderful churches.

Sandy and I attended Bennett's band and choir concerts at the end of last week. They were both terrific. (see pic) Collin's band concert is Thursday this week. 

I received my second injections of chemotherapy on Monday. The side effects are almost nil. The purpose is to control the side effects of the tumors and it seems to be helping. I again thank you for your prayers. 

Enjoy the blessings of God as you celebrate Christmas and New Years. Thank God for all He has done for you by sending His Son to earth as one of us, in order to die on a cross for the forgiveness of our sin, and then to rise from the dead to give us His life. Rejoice in the victory you have in Him. ~ DGW