Where do you stand with Jesus Christ today ?

Being a Christian is an individual thing -- a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is alive, and wants to know and be known by you. No "religion" can save you, nor can any denomination or church. Only Jesus has the power to save you and give you eternal life.

In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul writes "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

We see here three clear ideas:

1- A public confession
2- Jesus is Lord
3- Believe God raised him from the dead

As recorded in the Bible, listen to what happened when the disciple Thomas encountered Jesus after he had been killed and was risen from the dead. Remember, that Thomas wasn't present the first time Jesus came to visit his disciples after his resurrection, and Thomas did not believe that he was alive based on the testimony of the others:

"A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

The points are the same:

1- Jesus is physically alive. His body is resurrected. He is alive today, guiding his disciples just as he has always done.

2- Jesus is Thomas' "Lord." We don't use that word very much anymore, but it might be translated as "boss" or "king" or "master." Jesus is the one who tells us what to do, and when to do it. Sort of like the Army. The sergeant tells you where to go, what to wear, when to do everything. Jesus is the "master sergeant" of our lives.

3- Jesus is God. This is part of making Jesus Lord. Thomas said it outright. "My Lord and my God." All the disciples said it. Jesus clearly claimed it. But it is the hardest teaching in the Bible. The Jews heard Jesus say it, and crucified him for it. Most unbelievers will only say that Jesus is a good man or just a prophet, which is the stumbling block which keeps them from salvation. Why? Because Jesus must be God to be a sacrifice for all creation. Unbelievers ultimately don't want to put aside their own egos and admit they are sinners, admit they are weak, admit that they are helpless and lost without Jesus. The power of life is "Christ in us."

4- Because Jesus is Lord and Jesus is God, he hears our prayers and will save you if you ask him. We believe this by faith. The Holy Spirit is a "seal" or sign of that faith, and he provides the wisdom and power we need for daily living.

Hear these words from John 10:25-30 in the Bible:

Jesus said, "The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

God bless you. Pray, ask and receive eternal life and the Holy Spirit from Jesus. He's in charge of all things in heaven and on earth.

Christmas Quotes, Christmas SMS, SMS, Christmas Wishes SMS

He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.
Sunshine Magazine

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
Washington Irving

From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other.
Emily Matthews

Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind.
Mary Ellen Chase

If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away.
Unknown

Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to be kind.
Helen Steiner Rice

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
Calvin Coolidge

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small.
Eva K. Logue

Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display--so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn't the holly, it isn't the snow. It isn't the tree not the firelight's glow. It's the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again.
Unknown

Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others, Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing, The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart's possessing, Returns to you glad.
John Greenleaf Whittier

There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions.
Bill McKibben

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
Hamilton Wright Mabi

Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles.
Unknown

Heap on the wood!-the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We'll keep our Christmas merry still.
Sir Walter Scott

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first.
George Mathhew Adams

Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance--a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.
Augusta E. Rundel

It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, "God Bless Us, Every One!".
Charles Dickens

The 12 Days of Christmas...

Religious symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas (The 12 Days of Christmas)

1. True Love refers to God.

2. Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments.

3. French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues:

4. Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists.

5. Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.

6. Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation.

7. Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments.

8. Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes.

9. Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments.

11. Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles.

12. Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.

Lyrics of Blue Christmas, Christmas Song

B.Hayes, J.Johnson 1948

I'll have a blue Christmas without you;
I'll be so blue thinking about you.
Decorations of red
on a green Christmas tree
Won't mean a thing if
you're not here with me

I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain;
And when that blue heartache starts hurting,
You'll be doing all right
with your Christmas of white,
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas.