When we receive Jesus as our Savior, wonderful things begin to happen. First, we become adopted members of God’s family. Next, the Holy Spirit enters and gets to work transforming us into the likeness of Jesus. He begins by softening the rough edges of our heart, and fills it with the joy, love, and peace of Christ. A peace we are to let reign in our lives, and a peace we are to extend especially to fellow Believers. And out of thankfulness for the grace shown to us, we need to show the peace of Christ to a world that is anything but.
Chinese Christian say the worst crackdown on religion since the country’s Cultural Revolution, is currently happening. In an attempt to shut down Christmas, the Chinese government shut down churches, banned singing, and even removed crosses from the buildings. Even though China tells its citizens the pandemic has been defeated, the government used COVID-19 as a reason for the shut downs this holiday season. Read more about the crackdown here.
Officer heard Voice Of God Before Bombing
Officer James Wells, one of the heroic Nashville police officers who helped evacuate people moments before the Nashville explosion, is crediting God with speaking to him and saving his life in the process. Moments before an RV with a suicidal man inside exploded, Wells says he heard God tell him to turn around and go check on a fellow officer. that move saved him from being injured by the blast. Read more about his inspirational story here.
Christian Pakistani’s Flee Homes After Facebook Post Angers Muslims
Hundreds of Pakistani Christian families fled a Lahore neighborhood ahead of Christmas after a mob of Muslims threatened to set fire to their homes, an international Christian group has reported. The mob threatened the Christians after a local pastor posted a faith-based message on social media angering Muslims. The mob has demanded the pastor to be beheaded for publishing the social media post. Read more about the threat here.
Homeless Man Hailed as A Hero After Saving Animals
When Keith Walker, 53, saw the kitchen on fire at the local animal shelter where he was staying, he rushed in without a thought to his own safety. Called a guardian angel by the buildings owner, Walker was able to rescue all the animals, six dogs and 10 cats. He was quoted as saying, “I was really scared to go in there with all that smoke. But God put me there to save those animals”. Read more about this heroic man here.
A New Year is almost here! Are you ready for 2021? I don’t think any of us anticipated all we’d face in 2020, so what about 2021? Are you prepared? Read more here.
Are you at the end of your rope? This is the end of a strange and difficult year. Are you seeking something greater and are you seeing that light in a family member or friend, or someone at church? Read more here.
The mercy and grace God shows to us can scarcely be described or imagined. And the unconditional love He has for His children is no more evident than in the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Once we were eternally separated from God, dead in our sin. But because God stopped at nothing to call us His, He sent His Son, who knew no sin, to pay the sin debt of the world. And from the moment we receive Jesus as our Savior, not only are adopted in the family of God, washed clean from our sins, we receive the gift of life eternal!
Nashville bomber Identified As Anthony Quinn Warner
The man suspected of being behind the bombing in Nashville is believed to have died in the explosion, federal authorities have said. Sunday DNA samples recovered from the scene matched those of Anthony Quinn Warner, 63. Three people were injured in the explosion early Friday and dozens of buildings were damaged. As of now, there is no known motive for the attack. Read more about the bombing here.
Several Church Buildings Burned In Sudan From Arson
Some Bout area Muslims were upset about the presence of the churches in Sudan, and they are suspected in the burning down of the buildings. The extremists also threatened to kill congregation members if they put up another tent and continue worshipping, sources said. A rights organization reportedly criticized police for taking no action after area Christians requested an investigation. Read more about the arson here.
Sexual Allegations Against Ravi Zacharias Confirmed
Less than a year after his death, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, an Alpharetta-based organization founded by Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias has released a statement confirming allegations of sexual misconduct made against the late spiritual leader. Massage therapists at day spas co-owned by Zacharias said he would come in for back pain treatment and engaged in unwanted sexual behavior. Read more about the allegations here.
After Toys Were Stolen From A Public Housing Complex, Community Steps In
When around 200 hundred Christmas toys were stolen from a Texas Public Housing Complex, San Antonio residents stepped in and donated over 2000 presents and 18,000 dollars in cash. The gifts were intended for the children at Alazan-Apache Courts, one of San Antonio’s poorest neighborhoods. The housing authority has never received this many gifts, so staff have enough now to expand their reach to many more public housing residents. Read more about the city’s generosity here.
In this holiday season as we celebrate the glorious birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we can also celebrate the season of His soon glorious return! Read more here.
God made a Covenant with His chosen people, Israel. An Old Covenant based on His Law, and a Covenant meant for them alone. But now, through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is a New Covenant. One that is all inclusive, and based on the work Jesus did on the Cross. When we receive Him as our Lord and Savior, our faith is counted as righteousness, and we too become partakers in God’s blessed New Covenant. Once and for all our sins are forgiven, and we are reconciled back to God forever!
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we give thanks for all He gave to call us His own. He is our source of living water who, through His death, gives us life. The blood of Jesus washes us clean of all sin and impurity. He takes our rags of filth, and replaces them with white robes of righteousness. His ever fountain of forgiveness overflows with grace and mercy for all who call Him Lord. And in His great love, He calls who thirst to drink, “the water of life without cost.” (Rev. 22:17)
Everything in creation cries out in worship to God’s glory, splendor, and majesty. The heavens, earth, sea, fields, and even the trees, sing to the Lord a new song. For one day God will restore everything His hands have made to its original perfection. From the beginning, God has had His master plan in motion. And with the birth of Jesus Christ, that plan was made real before all mankind. In His amazing love, God planned to once and for all destroy evil and reconcile everything back to Himself, our great Creator!
