Today we celebrate “Thanksgiving”, which has its roots in a Christian tradition that goes all the way back to the Apostles and Jesus, Himself.

“And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks…” Matthew 14:19

Jesus modeled Thanksgiving at each meal by lifting His eyes toward Heaven and giving thanks to His Father.

As we enjoy the Feast of Thanksgiving with our family and friends, I’m reminded that the very food — even God’s exquisite creation in the form of a turkey — is given to us by our Heavenly Father as a gift to be received with Thanksgiving.

The apostle Paul reminds us that “every creature of God is good (and acceptable), and nothing is to be refused  (or forbidden) if it is received with thanksgiving; because it is sanctified (made pure) by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4-5

And this spirit of thanksgiving goes beyond being stuffed with stuffing.

In Psalm 100:4-5, we are encouraged to: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.”

But in the end, it is not only on this Feast of Thanksgiving, but in all things, we should have a grateful heart bursting with continual thanks to the Creator, our Savior and Lord, for the many things He has gifted us with… not the least of which is the gift of being brought back into relationship with Him, otherwise known as being forgiven and saved… the gift of eternal life!

Because a grateful person will always find many things to be thankful for, but a discontented person will remain blind to the blessings of God.

If you find yourself in a state of discontentment today, you can find a heart of Thanksgiving by drawing near to Jesus and learning from Him. Make today the start of a thankful future by following the Lord and living for Him. Confess your heart of discontentment and ask God to soften your heart. He is faithful and righteous to forgive you and cleanse you of all discontentment. He can give you a heart of gratitude that never runs dry… as long as you stay close to Him.

So let this day of Thanksgiving serve as a reminder to give thanks year round, just as Paul encourages: “In everything GIVE THANKS; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess 5:18

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Let’s learn how to parent from the perfect parent — God! In this message, Jeff breaks open the word as we discover the great mercy of God, as well as his loving discipline towards His children.

We discuss how both overly permissive and overly authoritarian parents produce issues, and how to find the godly middle ground — loving, but with firm boundaries.

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I have to admit, I’ve done this before… or at least thought about it. Some things are just too good. My husband makes a fantastic lobster bisque. I picture myself lapping it up just like this panda.

Have you ever considered the immense variety of tastes and smells? There are strong pungent odors that we recognize instantly: fish, baking bread, garlic just to name a few. What about smells that bring back memories: cookies baking, watermelon in summer, a roasting turkey, etc. God is so good to give us the joy of tasty food.

When I had Covid, I experienced, like many others, not being able to taste or smell. Oh, how we rely on those sense! I realized how valuable taste and smell are for our survival. Not being able to tell if a food is good or bad can really affect your gut. Not being able to smell smoke if there is a fire, or natural gas if there is a gas leak.

But God, in His ultimate wisdom, knows what we need and created our bodies with the wonderful gift of tasting and smelling, not only to protect us; but also to allow us to thoroughly enjoy every bite.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

  –  Psalms 34:8 

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Do you ever have years where you say to God – “I can’t take much more?” 2022 was one of those years for my husband and I. The entire year from start to finish was riddled with major life events: deaths of friends and parents, a son falling off a roof, a mother falling and breaking her pelvis, moving an elderly parent, the birth of our first grandchild – just to name a few. By the end of that challenging year, I felt like I had done one too many rounds in the boxing ring!

My regular painting sessions seemed non-existent. Every time I picked up my brushes, my inspiration seemed to fly away like my strength. And looking back at the artwork I was able to finish that year, I can definitely tell that my heart and mind were suffering.

But, in the very last days of 2022, God gave me this Ostrich face to paint. Animals are a favorite subject of mine. They can exhibit such a range of emotions. So when I finished this painting I realized I was staring at the face of my mother. Now I know it seems strange to liken your mother to an Ostrich, but the expression captured in the painting is the same as my mother’s. Such loving kindness!

My mother died in July of 2022 from the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease. Anyone who has ever witnessed a person go through the stages of Alzheimer’s understands that it is incredibly difficult. The person you know slowly fades into a person very different.

So looking at the Ostrich face, it dawned on me that God gave me this painting to help me heal from my mom’s passing. Art can allow us to work through life’s challenges. We can’t make the hardships go away, but we can ask our loving Father to help to heal and see Him actively involved in our lives each day.

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I love the expressions of animals. The other day I got out of my car at my son and daughter-in-law’s house to watch my granddaughter for a few hours. They have two dogs that love to greet visitors. The male dog, Samson, is a fantastic hunter bringing home all kinds of critters. He then proceeds to “gift” them to the 2nd dog named Blueberry. She is shy but loves his “gifts”.

So as I’m greeting the dogs, I notice the latest prize that Samson has given Blueberry. She had to show off by carrying around the lifeless chipmunk that was lovingly bestowed on her. She was so proud and wanted me to see it. I choked down the repulsion I was feeling and instead praised both dogs for their trophy. Treasure is definitely in the eye of the beholder or in this case the mouth!

This painting, “Did I Do Good?”, evokes the emotion that a child or in my case the dogs, display as they look up at me for approval. Is it OK? Did I do good?

Don’t we also in a spiritual sense look up into our Heavenly Father’s eyes and ask the same question? Am I on the right road? Making the right decisions? Glorifying You, Father, in what I do each day?

The mercy of God is never-ending:

Psalms 57:10  For thy mercy is great unto the heavens and thy truth unto the clouds.

He views us, His children, with compassion that is beyond what we can ever understand. So even though we might be carrying around our own prize of a “dead chipmunk,” be assured that your Heavenly Father will praise the beauty of your offering for His Glory!

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Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Donec sed odio dui. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros.

Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Donec sed odio dui. Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Praesent commodo cursus magna, vel scelerisque nisl consectetur et. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec id elit non mi porta gravida at eget metus. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus auctor fringilla.

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Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Donec sed odio dui. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros.

Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Donec sed odio dui. Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Praesent commodo cursus magna, vel scelerisque nisl consectetur et. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec id elit non mi porta gravida at eget metus. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus auctor fringilla.

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Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Donec sed odio dui. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros.

Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Donec sed odio dui. Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Praesent commodo cursus magna, vel scelerisque nisl consectetur et. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec id elit non mi porta gravida at eget metus. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus auctor fringilla.

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Our God is often like a coach
To us unruly sinners
To change us from self-centered oafs
Into Olympic winners.

But we, however, whine and carp
At His intense persistence.
Instead of giving all our hearts
Our minds incant resistance.

When lungs are failing aching thighs
And pleadings go unheeded,
We think He doesn’t realize
How badly rest is needed.

But most of all, I want that ball!
“Coach, let me in there playing.
I know I’ll make a touchdown run.”
But then I hear Him saying:

“Stay on that bench and watch and learn,
And don’t be so darned cocky.
I know you’re good at football son,
But now we’re playing hockey!”

Rex A. Chinn
Apprentice Servant
October 27, 2009

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Some seem to think that everyone and every organization in God’s kingdom must be exactly like them. But can you imagine what a Beethoven symphony would sound like if every instrument were the same? How can you play a bass note on a piccolo? Or, who would go to hear it if every instrument played the same notes as all of the others? And what a horrible experience if they only played one note! Even a drum must have variation in its licks or its monotony quickly becomes unnerving. No, beautiful symphonic music only reaches its full grandeur with a large variety of instruments playing a variety of notes, at various times. But, they obviously must be playing them in proper relationship to each other or you only have noise. If everyone is playing their own tune, regardless of how expertly they do it, the total result is just incredible noise. But music is to be enjoyed. So, if no one can discern the tune, then the obvious solution is to put more effort into it, right? Everyone must play louder, right? How silly to think that just working harder for God will accomplish His purposes. Each of the musicians can be a virtuoso, everyone can be in perfect tune, and even be reading from the same music, but if they are not following the conductor, there is chaos, and the audience will swiftly disappear. Could there be a clue here as to why church membership is declining and this country is so rapidly falling into a moral abyss?

We have the Bible to instruct us in all things, and God has blessed us (especially in this country) with incredible tools and resources. We have an overabundance of brilliant ideas, and we are not short of talented people. So why do we not see the whole body of Christ working together to demonstrate the glory of God. Why are His invisible attributes and character not made visible and understandable to this fallen world in a victorious, triumphant symphony. Why, instead of setting in raptured awe at the glorious beauty of God’s church, are they turning away in disgusted droves and writing legislation as fast as they can to stifle all Christian voices? Could it be that we are trying to serve God our own way with no regard for the whole? And when we must interact with another ministry, must it always be on our terms? Must everyone play the same note on the same instrument? Where is the beautiful harmony in that?

Jesus must be the head! Period! Only he can put it all together. Only His way really works. Only His power flowing through humble, obedient minds, hearts, and hands can reveal the glory of God. “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing!” He said. Regardless of how “holy” or “religious” we are, or how high our calling and status is, or how popular and successful we seem, only Jesus really knows what is going on and how to deal with it. I certainly would not have washed the feet of Judas. The religious leaders didn’t know how to deal with prostitutes and tax collectors, but Jesus was quite good at it. He is the king of the universe, and must be the head of the church, and that means the whole church, not just mine. We must work together as one body, as one integrated, cooperative whole. That means that we, as individuals and leaders, must submit to Him and diligently seek Him in all things or we will just be making noise.

I certainly do not know how the homeless ministries can work together with the prison ministries, and the street preachers, and the youth camps, and the . . . . Nor do I know how the First Church of High and Rigid Ritual, can work together with the Top Tabernacle of Holy Roller Revelation. But that is why we must be humble enough to submit to the head, Jesus, who tells us that it must be done, and knows how to do it. If I am in charge, then He is not, and I am against Him instead of for Him. We must trust Him enough to give up our ways and do it His way.

It is when we are each humble enough to submit to one another in love as He tells us to, that the world will see the Glory of God once again fill the temple.

Rex A. Chinn
Apprentice Servant

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The 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.

Gift #11: The GIFT of Praise!

In Jesus Christ, He promises to give you “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”.

Heaviness here is akin to oppression, depression, even possession by unwelcome evil forces, earthly (humans) and spiritual (demons).

Possession is a neutral word. If you are possessed by demons, you’re having more than just a bad day. You need One who is stronger than those possessing you to kick these thugs OUT! That Stronger Man would be Jesus Christ.

But when we surrender to King Jesus, we become His prized possession, which is an awesome honor and idyllic state of being.

But remember, whereas evil people and foul demons desire to possess to manipulate, control, and torment, God calls His people (that’s you and I) His prized possession to set us free, to comfort and heal us. And as His possession, instead of taking from us, He actually gives us more!

What would any rational being do under these conditions? They would PRAISE Him for His everlasting kindness and mercy. They would PRAISE Him for removing the lead-weighted death-drenched spirit of heaviness.

Sound too good to be true? That’s because it’s a limited time offer. You must choose Jesus in this lifetime to escape the punishment for sin and power of Satan and death.

You too can PRAISE Jesus for delivering you from the spirit of heaviness!

With much love in Christ,

Jeff

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The 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.

Gift #10: The GIFT of Joy!

Jesus gives every believer “the oil of joy for mourning” (Isaiah 61:3)

Paul said it best when he penned “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!”

He’s saying re-JOY! As believers – new creations – we are brought back to a place of experiencing JOY, how God originally created us, rather than complaining and disappointment. Why?

Because Jesus has filled us with joy through the Holy Spirit, which happened when we confessed to God that we have sinned and we need Jesus as our Savior.

Paul reminded the Christ followers at Corinth that “the Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and JOY in the Holy Spirit!”

And on Pentecost Peter quoted King David saying “You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of JOY in Your presence”

Interestingly, Peter said David was speaking of Christ. But this also applies to every believer. The New Covenant God makes with us is that He makes a His ways – the path of Life – known to us, and makes us full of JOY because His presence is now in you and with you as believer.

JOY-full news, isn’t it?!

Rejoice in the Lord always for the JOY He has given you through the work and in-dwelling of Jesus Christ in you!

With much love in Christ,

Jeff

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The 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.

Gift #9: The GIFT of Beauty!

Isaiah was speaking of one of the GIFTS of Jesus when he wrote: “The Spirit of the Lord God… has sent Me…to give them beauty for ashes!” (Isaiah 61:2-3)

If you are a believer, God has made the ash heap of your old life into a beautifully vibrant and fruitful garden.

This beauty is, in part, a transaction without outward transformation, meaning that you gained the beauty of Christ because you believed in Him and surrendered your life to His Lordship.

But the inward beauty becomes more and more outward as others begin to see this beauty that God already sees in you!

Think about it. In Christ you are not only beautiful in His sight, but also to others. Why?

John helps us understand why: “everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3)

Essentially when Jesus is in us and our heart is renewed by the Holy Spirit, we begin to change from the inside out! Our old fruit of anger is now a fruit of patience and love. The ugly fruit of drunkenness and out of control behavior becomes the delicious “fruit” of a life put in order by God.

So thank God that He has made you beautiful in Christ. And if you’re not a Christ follower, turn to Jesus today and freely receive the beauty of holiness and purity in your life as your old impurities are washed away by His blood.

With much love in Christ,

Jeff

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The 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.

Gift #8: The GIFT of Consolation!

If there is a recurring theme in God’s Word it is His comfort and consolation to all who mourn. In fact Jesus said you are blessed if you are sad because in Christ the sad will find comfort, and ultimately joy!

God the Holy Spirit not only brings comfort, He is called the “Comforter”.

“The Spirit of the Lord God… has sent Me… to comfort all who mourn, to CONSOLE those who mourn in Zion” (Isaiah 61:2-3)

Zion is a metaphor for God’s Kingdom, His people… which is any believer today: Jew or gentile. The promise is this: in Christ, inside spiritual Mount Zion (Heb 12:22), you will find consolation. But I utside of Christ, there will be no true, lasting comfort.

How is it that only Jesus can console us in such a way to truly satisfy? Because He experienced it first hand and yet had the power to overcome.

One of His early disciples wrote “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

So the next time you need deep meaningful eternal consolation, or consolation over a small matter, simply run to the Throne of Grace, where Jesus is powerfully seated, and simply ask for His help. He will not refuse anyone who genuinely asks. And nothing is to big or small for our awesome God!.

Paul clearly experienced God’s comforting consolation:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

I pray you are consoled today by seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

With much love in Christ,

Jeff

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The 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.

Gift #7: The GIFT of Healing!

If you are a disciple of Christ you have been healed.

When Jesus first stood up to speak in a synagogue, in the same passage we explored yesterday, He read out of the writings of the prophet Isaiah “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to HEAL the brokenhearted…” Isaiah 61:1

What has caused you to be broken hearted? At the heart of every wound is a heart wounded by sin. Think about some of your most painful wounds and you will discover a cause that is opposite of God’s will.

Divorce is one of the most painful wounds. It is caused by one party being unfaithful and unloving. But in God’s Kingdom, His people are faithful. Love is the hallmark of true followers of Jesus.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:22-24)

Sexual and physical abuse are horrible crimes of hatred, control, and selfishness. But Jesus teaches to treat others as we would want to be treated. His ways are to deny ourselves and care for others.

Rejection by a friend or family member creates deep wounds. But God’s Word says we are accepted in the beloved! He accepts us with love. He says He will never leave you and never forsake you! He’s faithful. You can trust God. And His people, true believers, display the same fruit if they really are loving Him with their whole heart.

So if you’ve been broken by the sin of others ripping a hole in your heart, turn to Jesus who suffered great heart ache and rejection. He understands what you’re going through, and He knows how to make you and keep you healthy.

But what about a broken heart over our own sin and disobedience? Are you broken over how you have treated others? Jesus says you’re blessed if you’re poor in spirit.

Why is this? In order to be healed we must admit we are sick. Admitting where we have been wounded and where we have wounded others is the first step to finding help. It is then when the Great Physician can heal us and make us whole again.

In Christ you are not defined by your past sinful wounds! Paul says to ex-homosexuals, ex-alcoholics, ex-adulterers, and the ex-sexually immoral “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)

These people were healed and no longer suffering the sickness of habitual shameful sin. Healing brings hope.

Thank Jesus for the healing He purchased for you on the Cross – by His stripes you are healed! And thank him for His resurrection power that gives us hope to live abundantly in the Spirit!

With much love in Christ,

Jeff

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The 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.

Gift #6: The GIFT of Freedom!

If you are a disciple of Christ you have been set free.

When Jesus first stood up to speak in a synagogue, He read out of the writings of the prophet Isaiah “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” Isaiah 61:1

To be set free one must admit he or she is being held hostage. Most of us don’t think we are in need of freedom. After all, we would say we live in a free nation.

But Jesus speaks to a captivity that you and I are all too familiar with, if we’re honest with ourselves. This captivity is tormenting. Always trying to be better; to summon the power to overcome, but ending up overcome by the same weaknesses and failures.

And what’s worse is that all of our failures feel like a mountain bearing down on us. A mountain of sin and guilt crushing the life out of us. Our spiritual condition is of a person locked in chains, wasting away in a dark, filithy dungeon, in a deeply isolated place of despair.

This is our state outside of Jesus. Sin and death have power in our life. Real power. And we find ourselves powerless to overcome.

But when we surrender our lives to the King, request His deliverance from the tormentor, live for Him and learn His ways, everything changes!

When we send for Help, the mighty Savior rushes in with an army of angels, light splaying into the dark recesses of our cell. As the heavy iron door is swung open at His command and as your shackles fall away, a strong but calming voice speaks over you,  “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

Then He transports you to the… your eyes widen as you approach the throne room of the Kingdom of God!

Once there, He prepares a feast and celebration for you. His servants make sure you are well-fed, nurtured, and allowed to enter into a peaceful rest.

Lastly, He recounts that you have been rescued from a death sentence, saying that His Father excitedly decided to adopt you and make you an heir to His Kingdom!

You are FREE to live in peace.

You are FREE to love the Lord and all others.

You are FREE from the power of sin.

You have been set FREE from the power of the Devil and Death.

You are FREE to serve the One who has set you FREE!

After all, Jesus said “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

This is an amazing gift and a wonderful Eternal Promise!

If you find yourself a slave to a tormenting taskmaster, cry out to Jesus for help. Admit your crimes against His Kingdom and He will pardon you, and grant you freedom and peace to live safely in His presence forever.

And thank Jesus for purchasing your freedom!

With much love in Christ,

Jeff

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The 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.

Gift #5: The GIFT of the Holy Spirit!

If you are a believer in Jesus as the Anointed One, you have the gift (the anointing) of the Holy Spirit.

Because Jesus was anointed “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me”, and because you are in Christ as a believer, the Lord has anointed YOU — this is called the GIFT of the Holy Spirit!

Jesus comforted His followers with this: “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:15-18)

John affirms Jesus’ promise when he writes, But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. (1 John 2:27)

Paul says that God desired to reveal the riches of the glory of this mystery to YOU: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) and he says “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

And Paul constantly reminds his readers that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit!

The Gift, God in us, provides comfort, renews our hope, removes doubt, leads us away from lies and into the truth, removes the fear of death, destroys the power of the Devil over us, and is the down payment toward the promise of Eternal Life!

Thank Jesus for the sending the Spirit to you, to live in you!

With much love in Christ, in the Spirit:

Jeff

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The 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.

Gift #4: The GIFT of Peace!

On that starry night, an army of powerful Angels proclaimed that this holy Child would be the Prince of Peace, saying “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth PEACE among men with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)

Over and over again, in His Word, we see the eternal promise of “peace with God” promised to those who repent of their old sinful ways, love God, and trust in Him.

Yet, there are so many who are not at peace with God. Why is this? Jesus said “He who hates Me hates My Father also.” (John 15:23)

In other words, if you don’t believe and trust in Him as the Son of God, you don’t have peace with the Father. But if you love Jesus and love His teachings, and set about to learn and do His ways, you have a supernatural peace that nothing can disturb.

Jesus gave us a clear example of this when He said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.“ (John 14:21)

After saying this, he comforted His disciples with “PEACE I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

This Peacemaker, Jesus, is not merely leaving you with a warm fuzzy in your heart, but moreover a peace that reconciles you to your Heavenly Father; a peace that restores you to sweet and peaceful fellowship as a son or daughter of God!

When you continue to place your trust in Jesus, the wrath of God is replaced with the warmth of His Fatherly love. As a believer, you have been adopted as His son or daughter. You were born a second time: this time to Father God! And it’s all due to the Prince of Peace brokering a peace agreement when He went to the cross for our sakes, to bear the payment of our sin and to satisfy God’s wrath against all unrighteousness and ungodliness.

Paul puts it this way: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (Romans 5:8-9)

And to the believers at a city in Greece, Paul wrote “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9) and “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

Therefore Messiah Jesus is the Prince of Peace, bringing true peace (aka, reconciliation) to all who need to restore their relationship with the Father. “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)

Thank Jesus for the Peace He purchased for you on the cross!

With much peace, grace, mercy, and love in Christ,

Jeff

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The 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.

Gift #3: The GIFT of Grace!

“Amazing grace! How SWEET the sound that saved a wretch like me,” penned John Newton in his infamous lyrics. This man knew the cost and power of grace. I hope you know and are actively experiencing the grace of God.

The GIFT of grace! If you are a Christian, you have been gifted the perpetual gift and outpouring of grace because of Jesus Christ.

The gift of grace is all that is needed to live a godly life in peace with God and power over sin!

Paul said it this way, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3)

And again, Paul says “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption – that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)

This grace that Paul boasts about is more than a mere nod of God toward flawed mortals. God’s grace is imparted power over the old man, our old ways, and real power to live freed from the shackles and slavery of sin.  John Newton, a slave ship’s captain, understood the horrors of slavery all too well. He was responsible for transporting slaves to England, and in the process, causing many of these precious souls to die on board his ship due to the horrendous conditions. But even John Newton found grace in the eyes of God.

How is this possible? Because we all have fallen short of the glory of God. We all need a Savior to set us free from our old sinful ways; a Savior to set us FREE! John Newton found His freedom is becoming a slave to the Emancipator of emancipators. Jesus said, “if the Son sets you free, you are free in deed!” John was a freed man in the flesh, but a willing bond-servant in the Spirit.

What is this grace John wrote about? What is this grace Paul proclaimed in every city he visited? Grace is not as ethereal as you might think. Paul wrote about the power of grace in your life when writing to a young man who was shepherding Christians in the first century:

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)

In other words, the GIFT of grace is real! Real power in the face of temptation. Real strength to overcome. Real joy and love because of what Jesus did for you and I.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!

With much peace, grace, mercy, and love in Christ,

Jeff

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The 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.

Gift #2: The GIFT of Righteousness!

If you are a Christian, you have been judged as righteous because of Jesus Christ: acquitted of all crimes, and declared innocent and FREE!

Why are many under a cloud of oppression and depression? Why do many lack true joy? Could it be that either they have never received the gift of righteousness? Or could it be that they have forgotten about this costly Gift of being declared righteous because of Jesus’ righteousness?

The gift of righteousness is the act of erasing all debts against the moral law. All crimes we have committed incur a payment or debt against us. All sin has a penalty. And that penalty is death.

In fact, Paul reminds the church “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness…” (Romans 1:18). We read the same in John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

But the GIFT of righteous through a life committed to Jesus Christ delivers us from God’s wrath and the love of God is poured into our hearts!

Paul says it this way: “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages (the price or debt) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:20-23) And “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

And John says, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

So remember that this rare, one-of-a-kind Gift was paid for by Jesus Christ, was given from your Heavenly Father, and was delivered by the Holy Spirit. You can’t buy this gift. And there is no other gift available anywhere else that makes one righteous.

But also remember with gratitude that the price of this gift required the death of Jesus so you could live eternally free in God’s presence!

With much love in Christ,

Jeff

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The 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.

Gift #1: The GIFT of eternal life!

If you are a Christian, you have Eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Eternal life is a gift given because of God’s great abounding love for you and the whole world, past and future. He doesn’t want anyone to perish and face condemnation. This is why Jesus said: “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)

Paul comforts us with this “For the wages (the price or debt) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

And Jesus helps to understand that eternal life is about a relationship with God, with love as the cornerstone when He prayed: “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3).

The goal of believing in Jesus, being followers of God, becoming children of our Heavenly Father, is to get to known Him intimately and to walk with Him 24/7. He wants us to get to know Him now, not only in the life to come.

And the GIFT of eternal life is the reason the GIFT of the Anointed Child, Jesus, was given to the world. This is why Christmas should be a time of giving.

God gave the GIFT of all gifts! Therefore, out of gratitude, let others see this Gift through yours gifts and giving Spirit.

With much love in Christ,

Jeff

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OpenDoorsUSA.org has an excellent article about Muslims coming to faith in Christ in large numbers precisely because of (or in spite of) ISIS. The fact is this: Jesus Christ is using ISIS (the Islamic State) against themselves, even revealing Himself to Muslims in dreams, visions, and through fellow Christians in the Middle East.

Amir and Rasha, along with their children, had been living in tents since 2012. Amir’s mother-in-law was killed by a sniper as she went outside to get some fresh air,

and Rasha’s brother was killed on his way home. They witnessed firsthand the embodiment of hatred and death coming from those ardent professors and followers of Islam: the Islamic State.

In their desperation and to their amazement, both Rasha and Amir was visited by Jesus Christ in their dreams, dressed in radiating white, and said to Rasha “I am the Christ”, and to Amir, “I am your Savior… you will follow Me”. Just as when Jesus told the disciples “Follow Me”, Amir and Rasha counted the costs and decided to follow their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And the costs are weighty. Their lives are now in grave danger, but since they know that Jesus is the only One Who has Eternal Life to offer, they are willing to lay down their lives on this earth for the Eternal Promises of Eternal Life found on in and through Jesus Christ.

Remember what the Apostle John writes: “And this in the promise He has promised us, even eternal life!” (1 John 2:25)

I encourage you to check out MoreThanDreams.org for more testimonies of Jesus Christ coming in visions and dreams directly to those Muslims who truly seek after the Lord with all their heart, to simply know Who He is and continue asking, seeking, and knocking at the Door of Truth.

You see, Jesus (Isa) said:

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9) “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:9-13)

If you are a Muslim and reading this today, you may or may not necessarily receive a dream or vision. But you can receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior and find true peace, true rest for your souls, forgiveness for your sins, and the real promise of eternal life because of Jesus’ shed blood on the cross for your sins and His resurrection from the dead, defeating death for all who believe in Him.

Please contact us to let us know if you have given your life to Jesus in exchange for His life in YOU! Or, if you have questions, we want to help. There are solid answers to your very heartfelt questions. Historical answers. Archaeological answers. Statistical answers. Answers about the Bible vs the Koran; about Mohammed vs Jesus. So ask and He will be given to you.

You can find some of these answers in Why Islam?

The Lord bless you in your pursuit of knowing God through His Son, Jesus Christ!

Photo used with permission from Open Doors USA.

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