Number 14									 Dec.  19xx 

"Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers."   James 1:22

   We pray these topicals encourage you to study God's Word.  Please read a
chapter per day. It will change your life. We need to know His Word to know Him.
Only through a personal commitment/relationship with Jesus Christ will you
experience the joy of knowing God. In Hosea 4:6, God says that his people are
destroyed because they lack knowledge. Do something about it, today.

Please feel free to copy this newsletter or rewrite it for your own use. If you
want to be added/deleted or want more info, please write us. It goes out to
about 50 households.  What do you think about this month's topic?

                  *   *   *     C H R I S T M A S     *   *   *

       "Jesus is the Reason for the Season."  "Wise men still seek Him."
                     "Jesus came into the world to save us."

  These statements are true, but they can become just slogans. Even if we are
  able to get past Santa and all the commercialism, we need to go further. Let's
  go beyond the superficial and seek God earnestly. Meditate on Him and hear His
  heart's desire for you this season.

  Why did Jesus come?  What was His main purpose?

  Was it to teach men how to live? To be our perfect example? To experience this
  life, joy and suffering on earth so He could relate to us? Partly so, but
  primarily, Jesus came into the world to die! God promised a Savior to Adam and
  Eve (Genesis 3:15). Ever since sin entered, a Holy and Perfect sacrifice has
  been required because " The wages of sin are death" (Rom. 6:23). Only Jesus
  can free us from the death grip of sin. You will grow tired of hearing this
  message unless you personally accept this Good News. Not until we fully
  recognize our hopeless condition without Jesus, will He become the most
  important person in our lives.

  This Christmas, are you going to simply celebrate another birthday in
  remembrance of a baby King born many years ago. Will this season have any more
  meaning than those in the past?

  As we remember Christ's coming into the world this year, I believe He has a
  special message for each of us this year. He wants us to come into His world
  this Christmas!  Jesus wants us to be born (again) into His kingdom!

  The Holy Spirit supplies a special grace (invitation) at this time of year.
  He wants so much to come in and fill us with His love. However, the Spirit is
  very gentle and will not violate our free will. Don't be like the inn keeper
  who didn't have room for the holy family. Jesus stands at the door of your
  heart and knocks (Rev. 3:20). Do you have room (time?) for the King of kings?

  Many people give a part of their lives to Jesus, but they're simply
  maintaining, struggling, or even losing ground in their Christian faith. If
  you're trying to hold the fort but there is no joy, fear not! Jesus came that
  we might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Let's follow the
  Christmas story from Luke:

Promise:
  The New Covenant promises are so superior to the obligations of the Old
  Testament Law. The Prophets foretold of days when God would pour out His
  Spirit. Jesus brought these promises to fulfillment. Christmas reminds of that
  God became a man. Jesus had to be born as a child and raised by parents.  He
  was tempted in all ways (and worse) that we are, but He did not sin.
  Why? He who had emptied Himself of glory and power that was His (Phil. 2:7)
  relied totally on the Holy Spirit. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
  If Jesus needed to pray and rely on the Holy Spirit, how much more do we!

Conception:
  Just as Christ's conception was initiated by the Holy Spirit, so we must be
  born into God's kingdom, spiritually. Mary was asked by God once, and she
  consented even though she would receive shame and criticism from those who
  knew her. Mary, the mother of Jesus is a great example of how we need to
  submit to the God the Father's invitation to us.

Expectancy:
  The child grew within Mary for 9 months. Are we allowing Christ to grow in us?
  Mary was great with child when Jesus was ready to be born into the world.  In
  a similar way, you should be filled with the Holy Spirit. We can have an
  exciting, expectant faith especially in these last days as we await the second
  coming of Jesus Christ to earth! He is coming again!

Humbleness:
  Jesus was born to poor parents in a barn. Joseph was more concerned about what
  God wanted than what men thought of him. Joseph accepted his role as step-
  father of Jesus. Jesus lived a simple life and He suffered a cruel, shameful
  death (Heb. 12:2). We have been called to be humble too.

Joyful witness:
  As angels rejoiced over Jesus' birth, so too they rejoice over one lost sinner
  who repents. Shepherds and wise men (kings) were called to see the Son of God
  as a mere baby. They proclaimed the blessed birth of Jesus to others. We are
  commanded to tell others what we have seen and heard too! Our Father gives
  great joy to those who share His Good News.

Obedience:
  Jesus would have died if He had not been fed. Jesus also said that man does
  not live by bread alone, but by every word from the mouth of God. Are you
  feeding daily on the word of God. The Son of God submitted to His parents
  training and to the will of God. Jesus had to wait until He was 30 years old
  until it was the Father's perfect timing for Him to begin His short 3 year
  ministry. Will we submit to our Heavenly Father's training?

        This Christmas, if Jesus isn't #1 in your life, invite him inn.
         Ask the Spirit of God to fill you with the greatest Joy ever.
                        Have a very special Christmas!