"Satan IS Real"

 

Ezekiel 28:11-19 "Moreover the WORD of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the King of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the Garden of GOD; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz,, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so; thou wast upon the holy mountain of GOD; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou was created, till iniquity was found in thee.

By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of GOD: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the Earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more."

     The Devil is the cunning, methodical enemy of the child of GOD (Genesis 3:1; Ephesians 6:11). Satan (the accuser) can transform himself in a variety of ways. He is able to present himself as "an angel of light" and his followers as "ministers of righteousness" (2nd.Corinthians 11:14-15 pictured above). Scripture, on one occasion, pictures him as a dragon with horns and a tail (Revelation 12:3-4) and, while not an indication of his actual appearance, this is a representation of his fierce nature and of the death struggle in which he is engaged with GOD's people. Surely, without question, Satan is real. Every reference by CHRIST to the Evil One is proof of his existence (Matthew 13:39; 25:41; Luke 10:18; John 12:31; 16:11). Furthermore, GOD draws aside the curtain of obscurity to provide a glimpse of this enemy who was once the "covering cherub" (v.16) but who now stands in direct opposition to GOD and HIS purpose. In Ezekiel 28, the change of address from the "prince of Tyrus" (vv.1-10 to the "King of Tyrus" (vv.11-19) draws our attention from the actual human ruler to the spirit who influenced the prince. Ephesians 6:12 clearly informs us that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Satan and his minions work with cunning craftiness to blind the minds of those who believe not; to seduce, if possible, even the very elect of GOD; to deceive the children of GOD; and to corrupt Christians from the simplicity that is in CHRIST (2nd.Corinthians 4:4 pictured below; 11:3; Mark 13:22). We must recognize our enemy and not be ignorant of his devices, lest he "should get an advantage of us" (2nd.Corinthians 2:11). JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"A Prayer & Plan for the New Year"

Psalm 119:33-40 "Teach me, O LORD, the way of THY statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep THY Law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of THY commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto THY testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken THOU me to THY way. Stablish THY WORD unto THY servant, who is devoted to THY fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for THY judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after THY precepts: quicken me in THY righteousness."

A Prayer

     Happy New Year ! As we begin another year, the verses in our above text contains a prayer that should be the desire of our heart each day. Do you want to be taught, controlled, energized, and strengthened by GOD this year ? If so, make these words a regular part of your communion with the LORD. In this passage we find. . .

     A Prayer to Be Taught by GOD (vv.33-34 pictured above) Notice the plea of the psalmist. "Teach me" and "give me understanding." A teachable heart is the beginning of a life that brings joy to the believer and glory to GOD. And, of course, the source of all true knowledge and understanding comes only from our CREATOR through HIS Holy WORD.

     A Prayer to Be Controlled by GOD (vv.35-37 pictured above) Again, take note of the words of the psalmist: "make me to go," "incline my heart," and "turn away mine eyes." We should earnestly desire to be controlled by no one or nothing other than the very ONE WHO knows what is genuinely best for us. When we allow ourselves to be controlled by our own flesh or by any other person or thing, then we will most assuredly find ourselves walking down a path that eventually leads to physical, emotional, and spiritual ruin.

     A Prayer to Be Energized and Strengthened by GOD (vv.38-40 pictured above) Once again, consider the words of the psalmist: "Stablish THY WORD," "Turn away my reproach," and "quicken me." Only GOD can establish us, make us alive, and transform us into the kind of people who shine as lights in a dark world. HE wants to use us, but we can only be of benefit to HIM when we are pure and yielded vessels. May the LORD teach you, control you, and strengthen you this year as you earnestly seek to be used by HIM.

1st.Timothy 4:6-9 "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of JESUS CHRIST, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation."

A Plan

     As we have begun another year, we cannot expect to prosper in any area of life without a plan. If you want to lose weight, you must implement a plan and stick to it in order to meet your goal. If you want to save more money, you must plot a course of action and abide by your budget. Likewise in the spiritual realm, if you want to grow closer to GOD and be spiritually healthy, you must have a plan in place and be faithful in abiding by your plan. Our text provides a biblical three-step plan for spiritual health.

     FIRST, in order to be spiritually healthy, you need to eat the right things (v.6 pictured below). Of course, spiritual food is the subject of consideration here. We need to be "nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine." Timothy himself was to be consuming these things, and as an elder in the Ephesian church, he was to feed others the same. "Words of faith" and "good doctrine" entail the communication of GOD to man -- the Bible. It is impossible to be spiritually healthy without eating this food daily. One meal is not enough. We need to be continually reminded and taught these "words of faith" and "good doctrine." The Apostle Peter knew that man tends to be forgetful, so he reminded the church that the Holy Scriptures were written down for our perpetual instruction (2nd.Peter 12-21). How can we nourish ourselves on GOD's WORD regularly ? We need to spend time in the Bible both privately (personal devotions) as well as publicly (church attendance). Feast on the Scriptures and sit under the teaching of those who "feed the flock of GOD" (1st.Peter 5:2 pictured above) by "preaching the WORD" (2nd.Timothy 4:2 pictured above).

     If you desire to be spiritually healthy in the coming year, you must follow GOD's plan for spiritual health as found in the above Scripture text (1st.Timothy 4:6-9). As we have already noted, the first part of the plan entails eating the right things (v.6 pictured above) -- being nourished "in the words of faith and of good doctrine." Yet the second step is just as important:

     You need to avoid consuming the wrong things (v.7a pictured above). The Bible describes spiritual junk food as "profane and old wives fables." The Greek term underlying "fables" is mythos, and calling them "profane and oldwives fables" carries the idea of "fictional drivel." Today, many Christians are consuming the foolish and erroneous ideas, opinions, and philosophies of men. To be spiritually healthy means to "refuse" this junk food, to separate from it. The final step in order to be spiritually healthy is:

     You need to exercise regularly (v.7b-9 pictured above). Rather than filling your body with the wrong things ("fables"), you must "exercise" yourself unto godliness. This denotes maintaining your spiritual health (Paul is presenting a comparison here between the physical and the spiritual). To exercise yourself unto godliness entails making much of those things that are important to GOD (truth). It means you will act and think like CHRIST, having the right attitude (love). John Phillips wrote, "Godliness affects all areas of life. . . .Godliness is an adornment, regardless of one's age, social standing, or walk in life." Why should you exercise yourself unto godliness ? It is "profitable" (v.8) to you both now and later. The word "profitable" in our text means "useful." Nothing is more practical than a godly life right now, and, it will reap eternal rewards yet future. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

 

"The Danger of and Cure for Double-Mindedness"

 

The Danger, James 1:1-8 "James, a servant of GOD and of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of GOD, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the LORD. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."

     Our text gives important instruction regarding the believer's trials and testing's (vv.2-3), the need for patience while GOD is working in one's life (v.4), and the proper approach to prayer (vv.5-7). Sometimes our trials may seem too difficult; however, GOD knows exactly what we need and when we need it, for our good and HIS glory.

     These are indeed wonderful directives; however, many seem to overlook the final verse of this text (v.8 pictured above) despite the fact that it is a vitally important warning from the LORD about the danger of double-mindedness: "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." Instability has become a major problem in our society, causing many to seek after man's wisdom for the answers to their problems. This explains why psychology has become so popular and why countless individuals today spend millions of dollars and far too many hours on self-help books, motivational talks, and self-improvement seminars. The fact that the unsaved turn to futile sources for help is understandable, but the sad reality that believers likewise often make this same mistake is inexcusable.

     GOD's WORD has all the answers we need. The early church demonstrated exactly the opposite of double mindedness -- they worshiped, praised, and served the LORD with "singleness of heart" (Acts 2:46-47 pictured above). The biblical injunction for us today is that we demonstrate the same focused objective: "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of GOD" (1st.Corinthians 10:31 pictured above). Instability on the part of so many believers is a direct result of listening to and seeking to please men (including themselves) rather than GOD. Do not make this tragic mistake ! We need to faithfully serve the LORD with singleness of heart.

The Cure, James 4:1-8 "From whence come wars and fighting's among you ? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members ? Ye lust, and have not; ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with GOD ? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of GOD. Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, The SPIRIT that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy ? But HE giveth more grace. Wherefore HE saith, GOD resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to GOD, and HE will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

     A sure cure is available for the double-mindedness that has left multitudes uncertain, unstable, confused, and desperate. A simple personal application of our text will produce wonderful and practical results, but unfortunately many are turning, instead, to so-called "Chistian Psychology" in which humanistic, godless psychology is mixed with biblical principles. The inevitable result of such an unholy amalgamation, however, is a more deceptive kind of double-mindedness because believers are usually unaware that they are embracing humanistic ideologies.

     Our text above sets forth both the cause and the cure for double-mindedness. The WORD of GOD forewarns that all of man's attempts to gratify his fleshly desires will be unsuccessful (vv.1-2) and that such misguided aspirations will result in unanswered prayer (v.3), which obviously robs the believer of the help that GOD alone can give. Our text above speaks of the dangerous consequences of worldliness (vv.4-5 pictured above), and yet, astoundingly, worldliness has infiltrated the churches and the hearts of believers today to an unprecedented degree, making them all the more double-minded and unstable.

     How can we as believers be protected or delivered from double-mindedness ? We must completely submit to the LORD and continuously resist whatever the Devil puts before us (v.7 pictured above). We must "draw nigh to GOD," "cleanse [our] hands," "purify [our] hearts" (v.8 pictured above), and wholly depend upon the LORD's sustaining grace that HE has promised to give to the humble saint (v.6). The Bible provides the only source of stability that the believer can trust in these tumultuous, deceptive days before CHRIST's return. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

 

"The LORD Spake"

 

Exodus 6:10-13 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Go in, speak unto Pharoah King of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land. And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharoah hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips ? And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharoah King of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt."

     The simple phrase "The LORD spake" is in the Scriptures 144 times, with most of those instances found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua. GOD spoke multiple times to Moses and eventually also to Joshua, Moses' successor. Those were direct communications from the LORD HIMSELF for the specific purpose of leading the children of Israel, and they have become a part of GOD's written record -- the Bible. But the LORD's speaking did not end there. As GOD raised up the prophets, they, too, were HIS spokesmen and communicated with the authority of "Thus saith the LORD" (Isaiah 44:6). Additionally, the writer of the book of Hebrews unequivocally proclaimed that not only had GOD in times past spoken by the prophets but also by HIS SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST (Hebrews 1:1-2 pictured above). Clearly, GOD has a message that is of paramount importance to mankind, and HE has given it to us through these various means in order that we might know and rightly respond to HIM.

     Indeed, the Bible, in its entirety, is the result of divine inspiration, as noted by Paul: "All Scritpture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2nd.Timothy 3:16 pictured above). Peter, in his second epistle, records that holy men of GOD spoke as they were moved (borne along) by the HOLY SPIRIT; thus, what they wrote was and is the very WORD of GOD (2nd.Peter 1:21). If the LORD had not spoken to Moses, to the prophets, and through HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, then we would be left with no way of knowing WHO and WHAT GOD is. Oh, let us thank GOD for the revelation of HIMSELF through HIS WORDs so clearly spoken. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Gift of GOD"

 

CHRISTMAS is a season for giving. There is no greater gift than what GOD gave the world:

"For GOD so loved that world, that 

HE gave HIS only begotten SON,

that whosoever believeth in HIM should

not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

This great Bible verse reveals four truths from the heart of GOD about HIS CHRISTMAS gift to the world.

We are loved.

It tells us that we are loved. The LORD JESUS said, "For GOD so loved the world. . ." GOD loves us and gave HIS SON for us. HE wants us ". . .to know the love of CHRIST. . ." Ephesians 3:19.

We are of worth.

The LORD wants us to know that we are of worth. We are so dear to GOD that ". . .HE gave HIS only begotten SON. . ." HE gave HIS precious SON, JESUS CHRIST, to pay our sin debt in full.

The Bible teaches us that we are all sinners. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD." Romans 3:23. And sin must be paid for. "For the wages of sin is death. . ." Romans 6:23a.

The good news is that the LORD JESUS paid our sin debt in full when HE died on the cross. "For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us. . ." 2nd.Corinthians 5:21. CHRIST loved us and gave HIMSELF for us as payment for our sin. 

You may ask, "How can GOD forgive sin ?" HE can do that because of what JESUS did for us. ". . .While we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." Romans 5:8.

We can have hope.

GOD wants us to know that we can have hope. HE said ". . .that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish. . ." The LORD does not want anyone to be separated from GOD. We were created to spend eternity with HIM.

We can have purpose.

GOD wants us to know that we can have purpose in life. HE desires that we "should not perish but have everlasting life. "And this is the promise that HE hath promised us, even eternal life." 1st.John 2:25.

Everlasting life is ours when we turn to GOD in repentance and faith and receive the LORD JESUS CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR. You may ask, "How can I receive GOD's gift of eternal life ?" The answer is as simple as the ABC's:

Acknowledge that you are a sinner, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD." Romans 3:23

Believe that the LORD JESUS died for you, for "CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures;" 1st.Corinthians 15:3.

Call upon the LORD to save you, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." Romans 10:13.

If you would like to receive GOD's CHRISTMAS gift and have the promise of everlasting life, pray this simple prayer and receive CHRIST today:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD, not of works lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. Everlasting life begins when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

". . . but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD." Romans 6:23b

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

GULF COAST 

BAPTIST CHURCH

Pastor Robert Butz

Pastor, Emeritus Tom Sexton

312 SE 24th. Avenue

Cape Coral, FL  33990

(239) 574-1000

www.GulfCoastBaptistChurch.com

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Christmas in Your Heart"

 

     Christmas is a special time around the world. Young and old alike eagerly anticipate exchanging gifts and spending time with friends and family. The gifts exchanged at Christmas serve as a reminder of the greatest gift ever given. That gift is JESUS CHRIST, GOD's only begotten SON, WHO was born to bring salvation to all who will receive HIM.

THE REASON FOR THIS GIFT

     Often, a gift given at Christmas is based on what a person needs. The gift GOD gave to the world met the need of every person that has ever lived or ever will live. The Bible states that we are sinners, separated from GOD, and deserve eternal death. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:10,23). "But your iniquities have separated between you and your GOD, and your sins have hid HIS face from you, that HE will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2). "for the wages of sin is death;" (Romans 6:23b).

     To meet our need of salvation, GOD wrapped HIS only begotten SON, JESUS CHRIST, and presented HIM to the world. "For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). GOD gave HIS gift because of HIS great love for us.

THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS GIFT

     Webster's Dictionary defines a gift as something of value that is voluntarily given from one person to another without receiving anything in return. This is exactly what GOD did for us by giving HIS SON to die on the cross in our place for our sins. 2nd.Corinthians 9:15 states, "Thanks be unto GOD for HIS unspeakable gift." This gift cannot be measured in value. It can never be destroyed or broken. This gift is eternal life. "...the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD." (Romans 6:23b).

     JESUS willingly gave HIMSELF to meet our need. "Who gave HIMSELF for our sins, that HE might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of GOD and our FATHER:" (Galatians 1:4).

     A true gift is given freely. GOD does not ask you to do anything to earn salvation. It is a free gift. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: not of works lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9).

THE RECEIVING OF THIS GIFT

     We give gifts and expect them to be received. No one gives a present for it to be rejected. However, many people reject GOD's gift. Refusing to accept GOD's gift results in an eternity in a Devil's Hell. "He that believeth on the SON hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abideth on him." (John 3:36).

     "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved,...For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4).

     You can receive HIS gift by repenting (a turning to GOD from your sin) and putting your faith totally in the finished work of JESUS CHRIST on the cross. Accepting HIM as your personal LORD and SAVIOR is as easy as, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9-10,13).

     If you would like to accept and receive GOD's free gift of salvation, pray this simple prayer or one like it:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     The LORD JESUS said, "...I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish..." (John 10:28). If you just prayed and accepted GOD's gift, this will be the year that you not only have Christmas in your home, but you also will now have Christmas in your heart !

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"REJOICE with the Shepherds !"

 

Luke 2:1-14 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was Governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one unto his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn SON, and wrapped HIM in swaddling clothes, and laid HIM in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOR, which is CHRIST the LORD. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the BABE wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men."

     The angelic message given to the shepherds on that night so long ago near the village of Bethlehem is truly fascinating: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOR, which is CHRIST the LORD" (v.11 pictured above). The angel assigned three titles to JESUS that are replete with meaning; he proclaimed JESUS as "SAVIOR" (DELIVERER), "CHRIST" (meaning MESSIAH, the ANOINTED ONE), and the "LORD," declaring HIM to be JEHOVAH -- the supreme, eternal BEING and RULER of the heavens and the Earth.

     HE is our SAVIOR, which is expressed in HIS name: JESUS. An angel assured Joseph that Mary was with child by the power of the SPIRIT of GOD, that she would bare a SON, and that HIS name was to be "JESUS: for HE shall save HIS people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21 pictured above). HE is CHRIST, the ANOINTED of GOD, MESSIAH of Israel, acknowledged as such by Peter where he declared, "THOU art the CHRIST, the SON of the living GOD" (Matthew 16:16). HE is the LORD, GOD manifest in the flesh, as John recorded in his Gospel account: "In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. . .And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us,(and we beheld HIS glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the FATHER,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:1,14).

     What an announcement that angel proclaimed to those lowly shepherds ! The promised REDEEMER was born (Genesis 3:15). HE came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). HE "took upon HIM the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7 pictured above) for fallen creatures, "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). HALLELUAH, what a SAVIOR ! Rejoice with the shepherds at the birth of JESUS CHRIST ! JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation