Bringing gifts

A Christmas lawn light display honors the birth of Jesus. Included in the manger scene are the wise men who brought gifts. In the Bible it says that they came to the house, so they came later to see Jesus. We often hear of things in the Bible with traditions instead of truth. The important thing here is that Jesus came as a babe and he was honored by the wise men bringing him gifts. This is the season for gift giving. I am amazed by some who give so generously, I suppose it is a gift, to be able to give. 

Last night our church blessed us with a wonderful dinner. After the dinner we were given gifts, I did nothing to deserve being gifted by the pastor or by a friend, but I suppose that is what giving is about. Jesus was the greatest gift ever given. We were unworthy but he gave himself to us to pay the price for our freedom. He made us to be children of God so that we may continue to live forever with him. How could we refuse such a gift? The greatest evil is to refuse this free gift and to forbid others from hearing the gospel so that they too may receive the gift.

We may think we have little to give, but we can share the greatest gift to others, the good news that Jesus has come and that through him our sins are forgiven. Go tell others of this wonderful gift, it is the greatest gift that anyone can receive; salvation by grace,through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 
Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Forgiven much

Luke 7:36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to come to his home for a meal, so Jesus accepted the invitation and sat down to eat.

37 A certain immoral woman heard he was there and brought a beautiful jar filled with expensive perfume.

38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who was the host saw what was happening and who the woman was, he said to himself, "This proves that Jesus is no prophet. If God had really sent him, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She's a sinner!"

40 Then Jesus spoke up and answered his thoughts. "Simon," he said to the Pharisee, "I have something to say to you." "All right, Teacher," Simon replied, "go ahead."

41 Then Jesus told him this story: "A man loaned money to two people -- five hundred pieces of silver to one and fifty pieces to the other.

42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?"

43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt." "That's right," Jesus said.

44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45 You didn't give me a kiss of greeting, but she has kissed my feet again and again from the time I first came in.

46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

47 I tell you, her sins -- and they are many -- have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."

48 Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven."

49 The men at the table said among themselves, "Who does this man think he is, going around forgiving sins?"

50 And Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace (NLT)

Show your love.

Mat 25:37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 
Mat 25:38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 
Mat 25:39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 
Mat 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

He is raised from the grave. He is with us; He walks with me and talks with me and tells me I am His own...I love you Jesus, my Lord and my God.

Healing power

Mar 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 

Mar 2:6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 

Mar 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Mar 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
Mar 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
Mar 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
Mar 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
Mar 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

In the presence of Jesus, there is power and there is healing. Most churches believe that Jesus saves. That is the mission of the church, to teach the world that Jesus saves us from our sins. When it comes to whether Jesus heals now, then their is not as much unity in the churches. Jesus saves and he heals. Are all saved? Are all healed? No, the churches have many who say they are Christian, but have never really been converted. Not all have a new heart, a new presence of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus said "Ye must be born again", he was referring to the experience of accepting him with the evidence of the Holy Spirit; A new life in His Spirit.

In the scripture story, the sick man had friends that carried him and opened up the clay roof in the crowded building where Jesus was teaching a big group of people, including certain scribes, and they let him down in the presence of Jesus. When he saw their faith he forgave the sick man's sins. When we are sick have others pray for you, it was the combined faith that moved Jesus to heal the man in this story. The scribes were angry at this, because only God can forgive sins. Jesus is God the Son. Jesus asked them which was the easiest to say, your sins are forgiven or get up and walk? Both of these require evidence. All, yes all who saw the man healed were amazed and glorified God.

In our church several came to the altar seeking healing. They were prayed for, but another came for salvation. All these are given in the presence of Jesus. Have faith, and let others pray for you and with you. Jesus has power to heal and to make whole. Jesus healed all who came to him, but it doesn't say that he forgave the sins of all who came to him. Which is the greater need? Many seek healing of their bodies, but neglect to ask Jesus for salvation. Jesus saw the greater need of forgiveness of sins and then he healed the body.

Mar 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.