"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

This week begins in 2015, but it will end in a new year, and for many, an opportunity to make something different for 2016.  Many of you already know Jesus, and have experienced the greatest gift of grace the world has ever seen.  But if you haven't, why not in 2016.

The New Year holiday is known for new beginnings and resolutions, but very few actually complete a resolution or follow through on a new beginning.  Change is difficult for all of us.  In fact, it's not in our nature.  We really are creatures of habit.  Many people treat the decision to follow Jesus like a resolution.  Like change is necessary to come into the presence of the perfect Savior.  But I have good news!!  Jesus loves you just how you are, with all your flaws and faults.  He wants to meet you where you are, without condemnation, and help you with the changes that need to be made.  Following Jesus isn't about resolution and change, it's about relationship and your heart.  Jesus changes your heart, which allows change to occur from the inside.

And the best part of it all!  It's free!  The grace of God that saves and changes the heart has been paid in full, by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  There is nothing you can do to earn it, and nothing you can change to be better prepared for it.  All you have to do is believe that Jesus is Lord, the Son of the one true God, and ask Him to come into your life.  That's it.  It's really that simple to receive God's incredible gift of salvation.  Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, but to save us from sin and death.

Why not make the best decision of your life today?  Why not start off 2016 with a change that leads to real redemption and salvation?  Let Jesus take charge of this year.  His presence will bring joy like you've never experienced, and although it won't make everything instantly perfect, I promise you'll never regret it.  

Pray with me.  Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son.  I do believe in my heart that Jesus is the Giver of life, and that because of His death, I am now free to live forever with You.  Come into my heart and change me from the inside.  Thank you for forgiving my sin, and continue to guide me closer to You as I learn to walk in relationship with You.  In Jesus name and because of His sacrifice, Amen.

For resources and a gift to help on your new journey with Christ, click here.

"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'"  Luke 2:10-14

This week I am not going to ramble endlessly.  I simply want to say thank you and publicly issue a challenge to myself.  Thank you for reading these words every week.  Thank you for making this whole thing worth while.  If I have helped God bring joy to one person through all of this, then it is all worth it.  God's people and expanding His Kingdom is the meaning of this life, and I hope we continue to work toward that goal every day, growing closer to the Father in the process.

Talking with a friend today about the Christmas story, she discussed a vision of the shepherds and the joy they must have felt over the news of the arrival of the Savior. I wondered what it must have been like.  To hear about the fulfillment of the teachings of their entire lives, from an angel of God directly.  As they ran toward town, stumbling over the sheep, hurrying them along to kneel before the Baby that would save the world, what joy, and peace, and excitement they must have felt all at once.

That's my challenge to myself and the Church as we celebrate this year.  Let's run toward Jesus, not casually walk.  With our families, with the gifts, with the busy, let's pull Him into all of it.  After all, it is all about Him.  Let's tell the story to our children, not skipping any details, and with all the joy and excitement the story deserves.  There has never been more good tidings of great joy.  Let's run, not stroll, toward the greatest gift ever given, and raise up the next generation to know just what Christmas really is.  Merry Christmas!!!

Father, I praise You and Your Son, Jesus, who was freely given to die so that I may live.  Grant me the true joy this season deserves, and help me to run toward You with everything I am! In Jesus' name, Amen.

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Most of us know the story Jesus' birth.  Many of us have heard it enough times to nearly quote it verbatim from scripture, without missing a detail.  (See Luke 2 to read the story or refresh the details.)  But what does it all really mean?  Why do I even take the time to celebrate the birth, when His death is what brings life?  

There are several Biblical reasons why Jesus had to be born as a man to redeem us.  There is not nearly enough space on this blog to go through them all, nor would I ever claim to be an expert.  A good example is the kinsman redeemer design described in the book of Ruth.  (For a highly detailed description of what this model means, YouTube Chuck Missler - Book of Ruth and the Christmas Story.)  Not to mention, the birth was the beginning of 354 prophecies from the Old Testament fulfilled by Jesus as the Messiah, including Isaiah 9.  

But allow me to be a little selfish for a moment.  What does His birth mean for me, besides leading to His death for my salvation?  I tend to feel closer to those around me in which I can relate, and who can relate to me.  It's easier to talk to someone who understands what I'm going through and can give real, experienced advice.  I often struggle with talking to God, because He is perfect.  How could a perfect God understand my imperfect struggles?  

And in comes the Christmas story!  Jesus was born a man!  He had a family and friends.  He had a childhood.  He had a ministry.  He lived in this world.  He was surrounded by Godlessness.  He was tempted by Satan.  He was persecuted and died for those He loved.  He can relate to me because He has been here.  He DOES know what it's like.  Even though God could already relate to His children, Jesus gave Him a personal side for you and me.  His birth and death closed the gap between God and I, that I no longer have to go to a priest or holy man to be in His presence.  I can simply talk to Him, and He can reply, "I know son, I remember the difficulties of that temptation, but I prevailed and so can you."

I think, and this is just my conjecture, that when Jesus' birth was foretold in Isaiah 9:6, the Spirit of God threw in the title of Counselor, among all the other powerful, Godly titles, to let the people know that He wanted the close, honest relationship that Jesus would provide.  Where we can talk, and He can relate, and guide us toward His path through this life.  So as we celebrate His birth this Christmas, remember that, whatever struggle you may be going through in this time, Jesus came to earth.  He was a man, and He lived a life.  There is no struggle He hasn't seen and conquered.  

Father, thank You for coming to earth as a man so that we can relate to You, and You to us.  Thank you for the peace that comes knowing that You are our Counselor and we can talk to You about anything.  This season is often a time full of struggle and hardship.  Help us to remember that the celebration is about Your gift and not ours, and that the season is all about You and not us.  Praise You Father, in Jesus' name, Amen.

"So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."  Acts 5:41-42

Now that we are fully immersed into the Christmas season this year, I can't help but notice once again all the debate and bickering about the "Reason for the Season."  It's obvious that the holiday has become more about gifts and decorations than about Jesus, at least to a vast majority, but for those of us who claim to be believers, like myself, this season is supposed to be a celebration of the arrival of the greatest gift God has ever given us, Jesus Christ.  But in that celebration, are we not supposed to share His goodness through grace?  What would reveal Jesus more?  Arguing with one another or showing love by celebrating together?

"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!  Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before His presence with Thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms."  Psalm 95:1-2

Most religious services begin with some form of worship, in Christianity and most other world religions.  It's usually musical in nature, though not always, and is designed to get the mind and the heart ready to be in the presence of God and learn from the teacher.  In fact, as a musician myself, it's probably my favorite part of the service, although I will admit, not always for the right reasons.  Sometimes, I really just enjoy hearing incredible musicians playing incredible music.  Whether it's contemporary full band, more traditional piano and organ, a cappella choir, or even good 'ole Southern gospel bluegrass, I can appreciate talented musicians giving their gifts back to the King.  

Recently, I was having one of those Sunday mornings where I was mostly just listening and enjoying the tunes rather than worshipping, and I started to think about the importance of my worship to God.  I know it's about praises and reverence, but just how much of a role does it play in the relationship I have with Him?  I mean, how many countless times does the Bible talk about singing or shouting praises to Him with Thanksgiving.  It's got to be important, right?

In a message a few weeks ago, Pastor Robert Morris was preaching on daily "Quiet Time."  I thought, I try to do that.  I read my Bible and I pray, albeit not nearly as often as I should, and I sing along with the worship songs on the radio.  I'm not perfect, but I get to it when I can.  Certainly not every day, but life gets busy.  Then he outlined what God had told him years ago about how to handle his daily quite time.  And I was surprised to hear that the emphasis wasn't on the Bible or even learning more about God.  Don't get me wrong, those are still important things,  but the "quiet time" was simply about spending time in His presence.  It's intimate quality time with Him, and is easy to initiate with singing.

Now I'm not a very good singer, so it's difficult for me to think that my singing could bring praise to God.  In fact, I often picture Him with His hands over His ears saying, "That's wonderful, thank you, I think that's enough praising for today."  (Sarcastically, of course.)  But I find it interesting that, especially when I've been in the habit of spending time with God more often, I typically wake up with a worship song stuck in my head.  Sometimes I just heard the song the day before, and sometimes it's been ages since I heard the song, but it's almost as if my spirit wakes up praising the King.  And usually the song is exactly what I need to hear that day.  God is actually providing me with the perfect worship to prepare my heart to enter into His presence.

It provides a whole new perspective for me.  I might not be able to find the time to spend an hour or more reading the Bible every day.  (It's okay, judge me if you're one of those people.)  But I can take a few minutes to quietly clear my mind, sing a praise to my King, pray and just be in His presence.  Not focusing on time but focusing on Him.  From now on, I'm not going to just start out church with worship, I'm going to start out my life with worship.  And I bet more opportunities will arise for all the other parts of God's plan in my life.