Sunday, December 4, 2011

#117 Slaves to Sin No More


A blessed and reflective reading to all (".)

Romans 6 (excerpts)
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

...thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

...now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Praise God!
After the justification comes the sanctification....


That is how God's grace works. After we have embraced God's gift of salvation, then our transformation begins. When we come out of the water of baptism, we become a new creation......a creation in the light of God. There is now the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us, the power of God to create in us holiness and perfection. If we are to truly embrace the Holy Spirit works in us, it will nurture the fruits-- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.


As we cling on to the nurturing Spirit in us and not quenched it, then we can truly say---we are slaves to sin no more! And that is grace that only comes from our Loving Lord, Amen :)



A blessed day to all (".)


InTouch Impact Team Prayer Partnership:
Please pray with me,
(for the whole month of December)


WEEK 2: This Christmas, ask the Father to stir the hearts 
of the lost, giving them a hunger to know Him personally. 

Pray for Him to provide witnesses who can clearly share 

the gospel with them. 

WEEK 3: Christmas is especially difficult for those who 
are hurting emotionally or experiencing another type of 
unmet need. Pray for these people to sense the comfort 
and encouragement of the Lord.

WEEK 4: Lift up believers this week as we celebrate Christ’s 
birth. Pray that we will be able to meditate on the spiritual 
meaning of the holiday in the midst of all the festivities.

WEEK 5: As we begin a new year, ask God to show every 
believer His will for his or her life. Pray that each Christian 
will have a heart that is willing and obedient to the Lord.




Glory to GOD!
May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)


Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
December 4, 2011- Numbers 26-27 


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Mr. Charles Stanley)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."

Saturday, December 3, 2011

#116 Sin and God's Abounding Grace

A blessed and reflective reading to all (".)

Romans 5 (excerpts)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


...we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

.....how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!


...one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.


20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


Praise God!
As I tucked Ram to bed, I read him a Bible story about Balaam's donkey and emphasized to trust God every time for guidance. I told him that my life has been guided through and through because of God. I told him that lots of people don't know who Jesus is yet that is why the world is somehow bad. And we are so grateful to God for His continuing guidance. So before we do our night time prayer, I told Ram that since he know who Jesus is, let others know Him too by sharing Jesus to them.


I told our Loving Lord that as I have dedicated the next era of my life to Him, and as I embrace the passive life I have right now, my only request to Him is to please let me guide Ram to grow in His light and guidance, because I know, I will be a fulfilled mom if I am able to let Ram's life be a living testimony for His glory and praise.


Yes, that is how God's grace abound in our lives. My family and I were able to live life for Him. And it is our everyday request to our Lord Almighty that He continue to let us be a blessing to each other and to others outside of our circle.


It can't be denied that sin is present in this world. I grew up distinguishing sin from venial and mortal. But as I grow more and more in Christ, He let me see that there is no distinction between a slight sin and a very bad one. Because a sin is a sin, and God does not tolerate sin!


But how blessed we truly are because Jesus died for all our sins. Big or small, slightly or major, seldom or recurring, He died for it all. And because of that, the wall that divides our Holy God and we (sinners) have been torn apart, and now, we are reconciled with our Father in Heaven through Jesus His Son. He just need a small effort on our part, that is, to believe and receive Jesus as our savior, wholeheartedly.


Grace abounds to all of us, but we will never experience how awesome it is if we will not receive His gift and then live our lives for Him. 


It is my hope and prayer that His message will touch your hearts as it always touches mine :)


A blessed day to all (".)


InTouch Impact Team Prayer Partnership:
Please pray with me,
(for the whole month of December)


WEEK 1: Pray for our partners—those who listen to the 

broadcast, receive our free magazine, pray for us, or support In Touch in any way. Ask God to give them a fresh 

awareness of His presence at all times.

WEEK 2: This Christmas, ask the Father to stir the hearts 

of the lost, giving them a hunger to know Him personally. 

Pray for Him to provide witnesses who can clearly share 
the gospel with them. 

WEEK 3: Christmas is especially difficult for those who 
are hurting emotionally or experiencing another type of 
unmet need. Pray for these people to sense the comfort 
and encouragement of the Lord.

WEEK 4: Lift up believers this week as we celebrate Christ’s 
birth. Pray that we will be able to meditate on the spiritual 
meaning of the holiday in the midst of all the festivities.

WEEK 5: As we begin a new year, ask God to show every 
believer His will for his or her life. Pray that each Christian 
will have a heart that is willing and obedient to the Lord.




Glory to GOD!
May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)


Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
December 3, 2011- Numbers 23-25 


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Mr. Charles Stanley)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."

Friday, December 2, 2011

#115 Count Your Blessings

A blessed and reflective reading to all (".)

Romans 4 (excerpts)
.....What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

.....David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”


13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.


Praise God!
The redemptive power of God cannot be matched by anyone or anything-- and that is the truth! Glory to the One True God- Jesus Christ!


As I recall on the call of Abraham on Genesis 12, the "Father of All Nation" did not hesitate even for a moment to obey God, thus, he was regarded as a righteous man, a friend of God :)


Genesis 12:1-4
1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
 2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”

4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him;

James 2:23
23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

Yes, righteousness was credited to him because of his belief...his faith in God. He never questioned God. He just obeyed. 

And today, our Loving Lord reiterated that I hold on to this:--
23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.


Yes, to those who believe in God, to those who have placed their faith in Christ Jesus, in His beautiful and wondrous time, He will come back to redeem us, to be with Him, to share His glory and life everlasting with no more tears........no more sufferings.......no more death; only joy, only love, only peace, only life fulfilled to the fullest. That is God's promise to all of us who believes and will believe in Him :)


How can we not count our blessings? 
If we are still alive, breathing, and able to experience God's abounding mercy, grace and love, how can we not thank Him? How can we not glorify Him? How can we not dedicate our lives to Him?


Remember, "there is no condemnation in Christ." As children of God, He wants us to enjoy life for Him; He wants us to see that He is willing and able to do all what we need and desire; He wants us to commune with Him; He wants us to lift everything up to Him because He is our sovereign God, the God who knows everything and has the power to transform anyone and everyone's life.........we just need to let go of anything and everything that hinders us to have a deepening relationship with our God Almighty, ....and that should be our move :)  


A blessed day to all :) 




InTouch Impact Team Prayer Partnership:
Please pray with me,
(for the whole month of December)


WEEK 1: Pray for our partners—those who listen to the 

broadcast, receive our free magazine, pray for us, or support In Touch in any way. Ask God to give them a fresh 

awareness of His presence at all times.

WEEK 2: This Christmas, ask the Father to stir the hearts 

of the lost, giving them a hunger to know Him personally. 
Pray for Him to provide witnesses who can clearly share 
the gospel with them. 

WEEK 3: Christmas is especially difficult for those who 
are hurting emotionally or experiencing another type of 
unmet need. Pray for these people to sense the comfort 
and encouragement of the Lord.

WEEK 4: Lift up believers this week as we celebrate Christ’s 
birth. Pray that we will be able to meditate on the spiritual 
meaning of the holiday in the midst of all the festivities.

WEEK 5: As we begin a new year, ask God to show every 
believer His will for his or her life. Pray that each Christian 
will have a heart that is willing and obedient to the Lord.




Glory to GOD!
May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)


Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
December 2, 2011- Numbers 21-22 


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Mr. Charles Stanley)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."

Thursday, December 1, 2011

#114 Christ and Christmas


TO BLESS THE KING
by Dr. Charles Stanley


Matthew 2:1-16 (excerpts)
(NASB)
 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, 
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
 7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

-when God made the sun, moon, and stars, He designed them not only to provide light for the earth, but also for three other purposes—“let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years” (Gen. 1:14). So the use of a star as a sign to lead Gentile rulers to the Messiah should not surprise us.
-have we felt trouble when He came or felt just like the magi's; 
the magi’s actions were unselfishly focused on exalting the newborn King of the Jews. They were men of faith who believed the sign that the Lord had given them. Throughout their journey, they’d depended upon His divine guidance as they followed the star (v. 9). When they arrived at the house where Jesus was, in awe and humility, “they fell to the ground and worshiped Him” (v. 11). Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts fit for a king. Although we don’t know if they understood the ultimate significance of these offerings, each one was appropriate and prophetic for the Son of God.

The Gifts
Myrrh was a costly perfume used primarily for burials. In the ancient East, bodies of the dead were wrapped with linen cloth sprinkled with myrrh. This gift spoke prophetically of Jesus’ death and His role as our Redeemer. He didn’t come to live, but to die for sinful mankind, laying down His life so we could be saved from eternal separation from God. The prophetic symbolism was fulfilled when Nicodemus took Jesus’ body from the cross and wrapped it in linen and a hundred-pound mixture of myrrh and aloes (John 19:38-40).

Frankincense played an important role in Jewish worship in the temple. As the priests sprinkled it on the burning coals of the golden altar, fragrant smoke rose upward, symbolizing the offering of their prayers. Frankincense prophetically pointed to Jesus’ role as our great High Priest. In Latin, the word for “priest” is pontiface, which means “bridge builder,” and that is exactly what Jesus was for us. He is the only Mediator between sinful humanity and a holy God (1 Tim. 2: 5). He offered His own blood, which was totally effective in atoning for sin once for all time (Heb. 9:11-14). But Christ’s priesthood doesn’t end there; He’s still fulfilling His priestly role as He sits at the Father’s right hand, interceding on our behalf (7:25).

Gold may not seem like a fitting gift for a child born into the household of a lowly carpenter. But the symbolism of this present reveals why it was appropriate. In the ancient world, gold was given to show honor and high esteem. It was a gift befitting a king, and that’s exactly what Jesus is. Throughout His ministry, He claimed to have a kingdom. In fact, When Pilate asked Him if He was the King of the Jews, Christ answered, “You saycorrectly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world” (John 18:37, emphasis added). He further clarified the matter by stating, “My kingdom is not of this world” (v. 36).

If you’ve trusted Jesus as your Savior, you are a part of His kingdom even if you can’t see any physical manifestation of it. At the moment of salvation, you were transferred from the realm of darkness into the kingdom of God’s Son (Col. 1:13-14). But one day, this spiritual kingdom will become visible when Christ returns to earth to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:11-16).

The Response
Though this story happened long ago, its lessons are always timely. The important issue today is to determine how you are reacting to Christ right now. The wise men came to worship the Messiah, humbly bowing before Him. They honored Him as Redeemer, High Priest, and King. If you’ll follow their example, you, too, can celebrate and enjoy the wonder of the Savior.

Jesus came to walk among men so that we could walk with Him forever. When you acknowledge Him as your King, Redeemer, and High Priest, you’ll discover the joys and unfathomable riches of His marvelous kingdom.

Do You Know God?
The wise men may have traveled in search of Jesus, but you don’t need to go anywhere to seek Him. Revelation 3:20 reveals that He is always with us, knocking on the door of our heart, waiting to be invited in. By dying on the cross and rising from the grave, He became the Bridge between eternal life and us. Say yes to the Savior and receive the gift of salvation. You can use the following prayer or your own words:

Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen.

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SNAPTSHOTS OF THE SON
Old Testament Clues to the Messiah's Identity
By Sandy Feit

—let’s look at six of the many biblical “snapshots” God included to acquaint us with His Son. The Old Testament reveals that the Messiah was to be . . .


1 Fully Divine, Fully Human, and Born of a Woman.
2 Born of a Virgin.
3 Born in Bethlehem Around the First Century.
4 Jewish—and a King.
5 Prophet, Priest, and Son of God.
6 The Substitutionary Sacrifice for Our Sin.

Let these and other glimpses, such as Mark 14:62, John 17:24, and Colossians 3:1, be reminders that though we can’t behold Him right now, our Savior really does exist, and He’ll be back. Best of all, everyone who trusts in Jesus not only belongs to Him but will one day be with Him. 

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6 REFLECTIONS ON THE SAVIOR

Everlasting Word of the Father, the Prince of Peace. Lamb of God, Healer, Savior, and Son of the Most High. These are but a few of the names we could ascribe to the Lord Jesus Christ, each a mere gesture toward His unfathomable glory. Here are some reflections:

WITNESS
By Patrick Wood
-Jesus said to Phillip, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also” (14:7). Want a clear picture of God’s character? Read the Gospels with a special eye for Jesus’ treatment of people and the aspects of ministry He prioritized. You’ll discover the God who—quite the opposite of the lying Satan in Eden—cherishes your well-being and withholds no good thing from those who walk with Him.
PROPHET
By Jamie Hughes
The same Jesus who walked with Peter and Matthew accompanies us today along whatever roads we travel. The Savior who fed the five thousand remains the Bread of Life for all who believe (John 6:35). He who sits at the right hand of the Father serves as our prophet still, earnestly calling us to repentance and the everlasting joy of salvation.
INTERCESSOR
By Erin Gieschen
With Christ as our Intercessor, there’s no force on earth or in the spiritual realm that could ever send us back into isolation. He’s swung the door wide open, welcoming us into our new home—forever.

WARRIOR
By Tony Woodlief
The mighty Warrior comes, out of great love for His most favored creation, and though He is gentle with us, He has no mercy for the enemy preying on His children, which is death brought into this world by our own sin, or for the Devil who seeks our souls. Christ the Warrior comes, and His sin-hunted children rejoice.

PRIEST
By Linda Canup
Jesus came that He might be a priest to all, bringing every willing person into a right relationship with the Father. Because He is God, He surpasses the ancient requirements for ritual holiness and makes atonement for our shortcomings. All this He does so we can receive life and experience a peace that only comes by knowing Him as our Priest.
KING
By Patrick Wood
Christ is the supreme and everlasting King whose throne room is accessible to all. No honorarium is required: it’s been paid for in blood—His blood—and no worldly riches could match the worth of His presence. Because Jesus is present everywhere and fills all things (Eph. 4:6,10), you and I can converse with Him at any moment. There’s no concern on our heart, or appointment on our schedule, too unimportant for the wisdom of His counsel. Such is the humility of our King. 

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IMMANUEL: God with us.
By Erin Gieschen


To truly understand what Christmas means for our present-day experience, it’s crucial to recognize that Jesus was born into a very real human existence.
Jesus’ birth is the turning point of history, when the loneliness of exiled mankind is met in the most intimate of ways: God becomes one of us.
There’s something far beyond human comfort we can draw from the knowledge that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. There is life-giving courage. His presence tells us that loneliness isn’t the whole of our story. It tells us that there’s so much more than what we initially see—that reality goes deeper than the surface of pain or even momentary happiness.

Christ has come to us right where we are, just as we are. He enters into our loss, comes to share our sorrows and infuse them with His healing presence.

He is with us.
And truly knowing that He’s come to make His home in us—and invites us to make our home in Him—changes everything. The lonely space our heart currently navigates may not change, but the substance of our journey through it can be transformed.
The true beauty of Christmas never fades and never loses its power. The great Light came quietly into the world to redeem it and has never stopped shining. Even now, His presence surrounds you, waiting to break through any shade of darkness to reveal itself as the truer, deeper reality of your life. So wherever you are, no matter how alone you may feel right now, make room for the Light to come. Because this is why He came—to be with you.

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LIVING AS THE PRESENCE OF JESUS IN THE WORLD


Philippians 2:1-11 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, 
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
   by taking the very nature of a servant,
   being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   by becoming obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place 
   and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father.

REFLECT
1. What did Jesus give up when He chose to become part of humanity?
2. What is Jesus calling you to give up to follow Him? What have you gained through Him?
3. As a daily challenge through Christmas, pray asking the Holy Spirit to enable you to bring His life to the world.

EXPLORE
As you meditate on Jesus’ humility, consider these practical ways to share the free gift of sacrificial love that He’s given to you.

Align yourself with the Creator as a new creation made in His image, so that you might know Him better and become more like Him (Col. 3:10; Eph. 2:4-7).

Determine a way to cross a barrier separating you from brothers and sisters in Christ (Col. 3:11; Gal. 3:26-28).

Clothe yourself with the Holy Spirit’s mantle of compassion and kindness (Gal. 5:22-23; Col. 3:12).

Count it an opportunity to glorify God whenever someone requires your patience, and choose to share the gift of mercy you’ve received. Also, deal with any unforgiveness in your heart so that it’s filled only with grace for others (Col. 3:13; 1 Peter 2:9-10).

Help others out of love for them, realizing that good deeds done without love—no matter how sacrificial or “spiritual”—have no lasting value in God’s kingdom. But when you operate as a channel of Christ’s love, everything you do is a gift of eternal value (Col. 3:14; 1 Cor. 13:1-7).

Invite God’s peace to completely rule your heart, and thank Him for His unceasing presence (Col. 3:15; John 14:27).

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#113 It's the Season to be Merry

A blessed and reflective reading to all (".)

Romans 3 (excerpts)
.....no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

.....a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

.....Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.


Praise God!
It's December 1 :)
Christmas is just around the corner. It is the most wonderful time of the year- beautiful lights, decorations, gifts, holiday get-aways and food galore. But let's all pause for awhile and think, have we reflected on the "reason of the season?"


Yes, Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. It is when we remember and celebrate baby Jesus born in a manger, the savior of all, our Immanuel- "God with us." He came to save us all. 


It is really the season to be merry. Why? Because Jesus came :)


Thank you to our Loving Father in Heaven that He sent His son Jesus to redeem us all. Through faith in Jesus, by receiving Him, by accepting Him with all our whole being as our God and Savior, we are justified by His grace. Yes, by belief and acceptance, not by works, so that no one can boast. But it does not end there, if we have received Him, then we are justified, then what? Then we live our lives according to His righteousness.....and that is how we uphold the law :)


A blessed day to all :) 




InTouch Impact Team Prayer Partnership:
Please pray with me,
(for the whole month of December)


WEEK 1: Pray for our partners—those who listen to the 

broadcast, receive our free magazine, pray for us, or support In Touch in any way. Ask God to give them a fresh 
awareness of His presence at all times.

WEEK 2: This Christmas, ask the Father to stir the hearts 
of the lost, giving them a hunger to know Him personally. 
Pray for Him to provide witnesses who can clearly share 
the gospel with them. 

WEEK 3: Christmas is especially difficult for those who 
are hurting emotionally or experiencing another type of 
unmet need. Pray for these people to sense the comfort 
and encouragement of the Lord.

WEEK 4: Lift up believers this week as we celebrate Christ’s 
birth. Pray that we will be able to meditate on the spiritual 
meaning of the holiday in the midst of all the festivities.

WEEK 5: As we begin a new year, ask God to show every 
believer His will for his or her life. Pray that each Christian 
will have a heart that is willing and obedient to the Lord.




Glory to GOD!
May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)


Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
December 1, 2011- Numbers 18-20 


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Mr. Charles Stanley)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."