Jesus Has The Cure #280

Luke 2: 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (NLT)

The message and hope of the Christmas story is found in the middle of the tenth verse of Luke chapter 2. “I bring you “Good News” that will bring great joy to all people.” It continues into verse eleven. “The Savior, yes the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David.”

Good news; the gospel has come in the form of a person; not an ordinary person, but God in human flesh. God, in order to give salvation and life to every person who believes sent his only Son to take on the bodily form of a man named Jesus. He also sent Jesus to die for our sins, and arise from the dead to give all His life.

The Christmas Story is the story of the God of creation coming to earth to be the Messiah of all people. The good news was proclaimed by the angel and fulfilled the prophesies of the Hebrew Bible concerning the coming Messiah. This God/Man, Jesus, brought hope, joy, peace, forgiveness, and undeserved and unconditional love.

Why was it Good News? First because it was from God. Second because it was it was for all the people. Can you imagine someone finding a cure for cancer, but announcing that it only worked for people of a certain race? That would not be good news for everyone; only a select group. The Gospel, Good News is for all people. No matter your past or your present circumstances; not only your place in society, nor your economic situation the Gospel is for you.

Jesus was announced by the angel as the Savior of the whole world. He was  declared the Messiah and the hope for all who believe. There is no better time than right now to place your faith in Him. 

________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Merry Christmas. I am sure you are busy, maybe not even time to check your emails. I do hope you take the time to read The Encourager. 

Sandy and I have had a really busy week. We helped host the 'Walk Through Bethlehem' at our pastor's home. The back yard is decorated with the whole story of Jesus from prophesy to the resurrection. It is such a joy to talk to people about Jesus while they can observe in pictures, manger scene, the cross and the empty tomb with their own eyes. This is the eleventh year First Baptist Church has sponsored this event. The average attendance during the Christmas month is around 50,000 people. I met people from all over the USA and Canada, and a Jewish man from Israel and a young woman who was from Palestine just outside Bethlehem. WOW!!

Sunday night the 15th we celebrated our three children's birthdays all in one evening. Sandy prepared an awesome meal. We opened presents and ate lots of chocolate cake and ice cream. It was a really fun time. 

We both attended 4 band concerts and I got a chance to go fishing on Saturday with a friend from church. I got skunked again. I again had the privilege of preaching on Sunday at FBC. 

Friday I saw the oncologist. My reports were a mixed blessing. My liver functions are quite good. The Labs reveal a greatly improved liver function. Although I only have one half of a liver functioning it seems to be working well. The other side of the story is that the cancer markers; serotonin and chromogranin A are elevated considerably. The oncologist is sending me to the gastroenterologist to see if the cancer is regrowing in the small intestine again. MORE TESTS!! YUK!! I will not see him until the 26th. Another side effect of high levels of serotonin is heart valves that begin to enlarge and cause heart valve leakage. They have found my heart now has some issues. I see the cardiologist on December 30th. MORE TESTS!! Please continue to pray. I am in fairly consistent pain all of the time and not able to take anything that helps because of the damage pain meds do to the liver. On Wednesday I begin a mild chemotherapy that I will have in the form of an two injections every four weeks. 

Sandy and I are planning our annual ministry time in Quartzsite, AZ as a part of the Campers on Mission. We will be teaching during the week and doing street evangelism every day. We so enjoy the fellowship and love shared by the fellow Campers on Mission and the Quartzsite Church. It is January 16-25, 2014. We would appreciate your prayers for our preparation, safety and health.

One of the joys of my life is to preach every Sunday at First Baptist Church of Tempe. This whole month we have been looking at the Book of Luke chapter 2. It has so much to tell us of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and His birth.

I hope and pray you have a very Merry Christmas and that you will enjoy time with family and friends. Thanks for your prayers, concerns, kind words, and love to us during this year. Thanks also for those of you who support Purpose Ministries financially. A lot of our ministry could not be done without you. Thanks. 

May God bless you this time of year with a renewed awareness of the presence of Jesus who loves you.  ~ DGW