What Special Gift Did You Receive for Christmas?

By Stephen Piersall

Through Jesus Christ You too CAN be saved – 1/12/2013   Stephen Piersall, God’s Preservation Ministry, http://sfprs.org Stop by and look at our new web page :-)

We survived the Y2K and Mayan scare and God has granted us another day to share his love. Our local Church had a goal for 2012 to win over 365 people to Jesus, but we fell short, but that does not discourage us at all. Because of the nearly NEW 300 that occurred, we are rejoicing as they are now going to be entering into Heaven too. What better way to celebrate the New Year 2013 with the same goal and we already have some new Christians early on.

Prior to 12/21/2012 and the Mayan threat heard across the world, were you scared that all would have ended then? Did you already have the opportunity to accept Jesus into your life, and knew if the world did end that you would be going to Heaven? BTW, did you buy Christmas presents for your friends and family? Did you open them before December 21? Ya know, just in case. Of these gifts you bought, were any of these people NOT Christians? Did everybody celebrate 12/25/2012 with presents, partying, and having a large meal with family and friends? We all know the fable of Santa, but did everybody celebrate that day as the birth of Jesus even if they were NOT Christians? Pssst, Let me tell you a secret. Jesus may have been 33 years old when He died, but he was NOT born on Christmas day. According to the experts they claim with our calendar and the old calendar that Jesus would have actually been born somewhere in our early springtime.

Do you want to know the greatest gift I received for Christmas? No, it was not the brand new Rolls Royce or the new house my wife Karen bought me, or the 10 Rolex watches, and …LOL. It was our two grandchildren telling us that they believed in Jesus :-)

Do you still have family and friends who are not Christians and need to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior? What if the Mayan, ah never mind, how about what would happen if they were to die today? Not tomorrow, were talking about today! Perhaps on the way home from work, an accident at work, or just had a heart attack and did not make it through the day. Can you live with the guilt that they passed away and you had the chance to get them to accept the Lord Jesus and did not witness to them? Do not wait for tomorrow! At least plant the seed of salvation, and then pray and let God tend to them. If they still refuse, then it is on them. Nevertheless, Jesus spoke many times in the four Gospel’s about getting out and spreading the word of God’s love, patience, and forgiveness of our sins. We all, especially Christians are accountable for our actions to God and we MUST before it is too late, lead the unsaved to accept Jesus in to their lives. It is within the reach of every person on the face of the earth.

When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He provided salvation for ALL. ”And when I am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself. He said this to indicate how he was going to die” (John 12:32-33). Once a man or woman recognizes the need for salvation and realizes that God has provided for their salvation through Jesus Christ, he or she must go on to embrace it. Next, they must believe that God has raised Jesus Christ from the dead. This belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus carries with it the realization that the penalty for sin and power is provided for man to live a life free from sin.

Thus, man’s relationship to God is reconditioned. “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Bible tells us, “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved” (Romans 10:9-11).

Do you understand that you are a sinner, and you believe that Jesus Christ came as the one and only Redeemer of sin? Are you ready to receive God’s gift of His Son, Jesus Christ? If so, believe in Christ, repent of your sins, and commit the rest of your life to Him as Lord. Try this sample prayer or use your own words:

“Father, I know that I have broken your decrees and my sins have separated me from you. I am truthfully sorry, and now I want to turn away from my former sinful life. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I ask Jesus to become my Lord and Savior, to rule and reign in my heart from this day onward. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit to help me conform to your life you have planned and to do your will for the rest of my natural life on earth. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).

If you decided to receive Jesus today, welcome to God's family. Now, as a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment:

·        1. Find a local church where you can worship God.

·        2. Get baptized as commanded by Jesus Christ.

·        3. Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.

·        4. Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.

·        5. Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.

Perhaps the above message does not apply to you because you already have accepted Jesus in to your life. Hallelujah! However, you still can use this message to bring others the path to eternal life and help your local church reach their goals in numbers of newly saved for 2013. Maybe you are a Christian but have backed away of living the life of a Christian. It is never too late to get back in step again. Even if you are a trained Pastor not assigned a church, you still need to fellowship with other Christians and attend and support your local church and worship God. Praise is to God Almighty we can live forever through Christ.

Two Facts & An Educated Guess Regarding the Mayans & December 21

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Even though it is after the fact now, the Mayan mania raises larger underlying issues which can be applicable to other situations. Besides, this was so huge for so long, that we would do well to examine some of the principals involved in presenting a consistently biblical response. I think some of the beliefs in the paranormal community would benefit by being exposed to these truths from God’s word. I originally wrote this on the Eve of “destruction”, and intentionally left the verb tenses as is to drive home the widespread fear that prevailed…how quickly we forget. What are you fearful of?

First, God is absolutely sovereign over every molecule of the universe. For Christians our worldview is God-centered, and His sovereign control is a defining characteristic/attribute of our Lord. This is in sharp contrast to pagan gods like the Mayans worshipped. “…having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. (Eph. 1:11) Every single event, or day, that occurs is in some sense predestined by God. This does not nullify human responsibility, and it is meant to comfort us (Rom. 8:28-30) Even the wicked actions of wicked men/demons are sovereignly orchestrated for our good. Since God is King over history—His story—no pagan calendar should ever be conceived as orchestrating the future.

Second, the God of the bible is all-knowing, and only He can predict the future. (Ps 139, Isaiah 44-50) For what is worth, most Mayan scholars believe that they did not see tomorrow as the end of the world, but as the beginning of a new cycle. Regardless, when the oracle regarding Dec.21^st was first uttered, it was a false prophecy. In Deuteronomy 18 there are two tests of a true prophet: 1. EVERY prophecy had to be fulfilled…100% accuracy (no non-biblical prophet or psychic/medium, ancient or modern, that I know of, claimed perfection); 2. They must believe and teach in Yahweh, the only real God. Mayan prophets failed both tests, mainly because demons and Satan are not all-knowing, which means they cannot predict the future. Their religion, which included human sacrifice, was animated by demonic spirits. Hence, the prophecy for tomorrow is a false prophecy and should be rejected by God’s children. Please take comfort in knowing that this oracle is less than zero in its authority.

Third, I am quite certain that Satanic and demonic activity will increase tomorrow.This is not based on God’s inerrant word (not this specific event), and so it is not absolute. However, those into dark magick, pagans/witches, and New Agers are all “praying” that tomorrow will mark the beginning of an unprecedented new era. Whether wittingly-- as with Satanists, or unwittingly—as with pagans and New Agers, a worldwide appeal is being made to Satan and his dark forces to amp things up. Those heavy into higher consciousness beliefs see this as a time of galactic alignment—there is international amping up of meditation that will allegedly bring in a new era of evolution with increased energy vibration, and other powers. The Satanists see through that crap, and are boldly beseeching their dark master to accelerate the growth of his infernal kingdom…on earth as it is in hell. How that manifests is anybody’s guess at this point. (None of this minimizes the reality of the first two points).

Be still and know He is God!  Anxiety regarding tomorrow is sinful, and can only occur if we live in fear instead of faith. To move from fear to faith, remind yourself of God’s absolute sovereignty, and that God alone is all-knowing. One Christian has more power than a million demons because the holy and all-mighty Trinity has made a home in our hearts (Jn. 14). My suggestion is to counter these dark prayers with holy prayers to the Light of the world. Pray without ceasing and focus on God pouring His Holy Spirit out to thwart the plans of the evil one—asking the Lord to use us to extend His kingdom in our sphere of influence. We made it through Y2K just fine, and this will be the same. Do you know what Jesus’s most frequent negative command was (telling us what not to do)? DO NOT BE AFRAID..FEAR NOT. God is on His throne, and He is tenderly saying: fear not! You are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus…greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world. What are you fearful of?