Aches and Praise Six Hundred & Forty

Posted on 2023-12-15 in English |

December 15, 2023
 
 
 Dear friends,  
 

This week we received a gift from a lady who has supported the Quebec radio ministry for many years. When I phoned her yesterday, she expressed her appreciation for the outreach that the Lord entrusted to Global Outreach Mission (now MissionGO) many years ago. Karen and I had the privilege of visiting her a few years ago and thank the Lord for her generous support and faithful prayers.

In the midst of a busy time of year, we need to take the time to pray for the Lord’s leading in all that we do. Preparing gifts for family and friends, as well as being with them, occupies a lot of our time, but we must remember the reason for the season: to celebrate God’s gift of love for us in sending Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. His great love for mankind was demonstrated in His teaching and healing and ultimately when He bore our sins on the cross of Calvary.

In “The Focused Life” George M. Wilson writes: “When the eleven disciples were gathered behind locked doors on the night of Christ’s resurrection, we are told that they were greatly disturbed and fearful. Then the Lord entered the room and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’ (Luke 24:36). What He brought to the disciples He can bring to the mind and heart of any individual who will let Him in.

Jesus began His discourse to the disciples by saying, ‘Why are you frightened? … Look at my hands, Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.’ Then he turned to them and said, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ Jesus concluded by saying, ‘When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ And Luke adds: ‘Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures’ (Luke 24:38-45).”

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us remember why He left Heaven: to redeem mankind, making it possible for us to commune with Him daily.           

Scripture for the weekend: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6 (NKJV)

Thought for the weekend: “When the Lord of Glory died, He left this earth with two criminals at His side, forever silencing the notion of salvation by works. The railing criminal pictures human depravity, cursing himself into a Christless eternity.

The repentant thief illustrates all the elements of salvation: he perceived his own guilt; he knew that he deserved to die; he prayed to receive forgiveness. The man had no time to join a church, be baptized, or do good works. He only had time to believe in Jesus – and he was saved. The result would be Paradise, a word meaning ‘enclosed garden,’ certainly referring to the New Eden that Jesus offered.” – Dr. David Jeremiah (from his Study Bible)
 

By His grace,                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Steve

^