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The true message of Christmas!

As we near Christmas Day, you probably have heard the historic verse several times, located in John 3:16. You might even have this verse memorized. But let’s read it again in the Amplified version: John 3:16 “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.” The two key words there are loved and gave. God dearly loves and prizes all of us.  This verse clearly shows the level and degree of His love toward us. Think about it, who would willingly sacrifice their child for someone that doesn’t even know them? Yet God sent Jesus to die for us while we were yet in rebellion and separated from Him because of sin. And in another verse, it says that we were enemies when He went to the cross: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” This is a love that I have yet to understand, but today I celebrate and receive that love. I celebrate and receive this gift that God gave us in Christ!

John 3:16 (Amplified) “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life”

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If you’re in a battle, you need to read this!

We know that King David was an amazing warrior. What many don’t fully understand about him is that he had a strong relationship with God, and he fully trusted God for strength and strategy in the day of battle. Psalms 18:39 (Amp) says: “For You have encircled me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.” He knew that when God is with you, your enemies will be subdued under you. The word subdue in this verse literally means “to bow.” God will cause your enemies to bow before you.  Several things to ponder: The first thing is that you will have battles. God never said he would keep you from battles. Jesus said on the earth we will have tribulation. But we are not to fear because He overcame the world. (John 16:33) So the key is not to run away from problems, issues, attacks or battles. The key is to have a strong relationship with the Master Warrior Himself! The second point is that Jesus is the head of the church, and all things are under His feet. (Ephesians 1:22) And since we are part of the body, and since all things are under His feet, aren’t the feet part of His body? And since it is so, that means that positionally those things are also under our feet. We are seated in heavenly places in Christ, so we now walk in His authority. That means that in the day of battle, the greater one is with you, and He will deliver you from your enemies. Are you in a battle? Then rejoice because you are about to experience victory in the field of battle because the Master Warrior is with you!