---A MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN ~~

~~"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more
than the sand. I awake, and I am still with You."
---(Psalm 139:17-18 / ESV)--

~~~A WATER BOTTLE filled with sand sits on the windowsill beside my desk. I've never been one to collect sand from the beach. That was my sister, Maria, and the bottle is filled with sand from our last vacation together in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.

A few weeks after Maria died in her sleep, I was helping my brother-in-law clean up their yard and there it was, under a tarp in a pile of things from the vacation--a bottle of sand from my sister's favorite beach; her way of bringing paradise home.

I held the bottle in my hands, picturing Maria sitting comfortably on her towel with a big straw beach hat on, funneling the sand, handful by handful, into the bottle. "Okay if I have this?" I asked. Maria's daughter nodded.

The bottle of sand has been on my windowsill ever since. Sometimes it reminds me of the soap opera my mom has watched almost every day since I was a kid-- "Like sands through the hourglass" begins the show.

After Maria died, Mom stopped watching TV for a while. The day I went onto Mom's porch to borrow something and the show's theme song echoed out of the open window, it made me feel better. Maybe the grief over Maria's unexpected death had shifted just enough that Mom wanted to feel back to normal, whatever normal had become.

But, mostly, the sand in the bottle is 'a message from heaven', a reminder for me to take the time to take it all in. Everything--the green grass, the sound of birds singing, even the grief. Take in every amazing moment of life. ~~

-"Heavenly Father, help me be mindful. Guide me to see Your infinite blessings in sand and stone. Help me, Lord, to remember to be gentle with all people.
~~ ["A kind word turns away wrath" Proverbs 15:1].
~~ DAILY GUIDEPOSTS~~

~~ A Message From Heaven ~~

~~Prepare yourself and be ready....
---(Ezekiel 38:7 /NKJV)--

~~I glanced at the fuel gauge; three-quarters full. We lived thirty-five mountainous miles from town, but there was plenty to make it home and back before the pickup needed refueling. I was tempted just to go home. But what if...: --

With a foot of snow on the ground, shopping in town had taken forever. My husband always kept the tank topped off, especially in winter; he's more of a stickler about that than I am. But I was using his pickup, so I needed to do it. I pulled into the gas station. "Lord, please give me patience when I have to do the right thing." It was more of a grumble than a prayer.

It sounded to me like my faith tank needed to be topped off, too, so when I got home, I pored over Scriptures about patience.

The next day, Randy and I were nursing our predawn coffees next to the woodstove, when the phone rang.

"Sorry to call so early," a friend said, "but I was driving in the woods and there was a creek flooding the road under the snow. My rig is buried. Could you come pull me out?"

I glanced at the thermometer: minus twelve degrees. There wasn't a moment to spare. He was more than seventy miles away, in the opposite direction from town. I filled the thermos and helped Randy load the chains and gear for rigging out our friend's truck.

"Thank You, thank You, Lord.," I repeatedly prayed, grateful that I'd taken the extra few minutes to fuel up in town. Being stuck far from civilization can be a death sentence during our brutal winters.

Our friend was glad to see us. It took us over an hour, but we finally winched him out to higher ground.

"Thank You, Lord, for reminding me to keep my faith primed and my tank full. You alone know the future. Help me to be prepared for the jags in the road I cannot see. Thank You, Lord for reminding me of Your Word, "In everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." --[1 Thessalonians 5:18 / NKJV~}
~~Daily Guideposts~

--BUILDING A LIFE~~

-"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
---(Philippians 1:21)--

~~~The day after my husband, Bill, died in 1982, I went alone to his grave. As with Mary Magdalene who visited Jesus's tomb, the risen Lord was waiting for me. Although I was still numbed by Bill's untimely death from cancer, I felt the Lord impressing the words of Philippians 1:21 on my mind.

I wove a prayer around the words of that verse: "Lord, how often I've heard Bill testify, 'For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Well, your servant has now died--an untold loss for us, an unspeakable gain for him. I know I must not live in the past, precious as it is. For to me, to live is you, Lord Jesus!'"

As I turned to leave, I knew I had prayed a foundational prayer. Much recovery and rebuilding lay before me, but beneath me was the firm foundation of Jesus Christ.

Has a loved one's death tested your foundation? Let Paul's words, written in the face of death, encourage you to offer a foundational prayer of your own. Then begin to rebuild your life on the risen Lord Jesus Christ! ~
--ODB/JJ
[Yes, my friend, Jesus Christ is alive right now. He hears your every prayer and answers as He know is best for you. Please do not turn your back on our Lord. Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. You are Mine. I have your name engraved on the palm of my nail-pierced hand." ~~ "You are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms." PRESS ONWARD! We're almost Home. ]

---FROM HEAVEN ITSELF ~~

--"God made you alive with Christ, and He forgave all your sins.
He canceled the debt, which listed all the rules we failed to
follow." ~~[Colossians 2:13-14]--

~~~ALL THE WORLD religions can be placed in one of two camps, legalism or grace. Humankind does it or God does it. Salvation as a wage based on deeds done--or salvation as a gift based on Christ's death.

~A legalist believes the supreme force behind salvation is you. If you look right, speak right, and belong to the right segment of the right group, you will be saved. The brunt of responsibility doesn't lie within God; it lies within you

The result? The outside sparkles. The talk is good and the step is true. But look closely. Listen carefully. Something is missing. What is it? Joy. What's there? Fear. (That you won't do enough.) Arrogance. (That you have done enough.) Failure. (That you have made a mistake.) ...

Spiritual life is not a human endeavor. It is rooted in and orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. Every spiritual achievement is created and energized by Jehovah G-D.

--"Grace For The Moment"/ML~~

~~Friend, It's true. God is more interested in what's in my (your), heart
than how we look. "Man looks on the outward appearance but the LORD
looks on the heart" [1 Samuel 16:7 /NASB]. ~~ //

---MORE THAN SKIN DEEP~~

--"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
---[Proverbs 31:30/ NIV]

~~Lately, when I look in the mirror, I notice the inevitable signs of aging. It is hard to accept in a culture where we are bombarded by commercials for pricey skin care products that promise we will be "ageless" if we use them. Celebrities who spend vast amounts of money and time to look younger are offered numerous creams, and products to keep your youth. It's no wonder many of us feel bad about how we look on the outside. The same is true for the men. You can have bigger muscles, less grey hair, and numerous other things.

But we serve a God who loves us for what's on the inside and who wants us to love ourselves as well. And when we focus on what God loves in us, we will find true joy. God tells us our Spiritual selves (our hearts), are more important than what's on the outside.

No one is truly ageless. In fact, all of us will perish one day. But what's on the inside will shine before others as we share Christ with them; and that same spirit will carry us into eternal life, through the Holy Spirit, with Christ Jesus. ~~

'Dear Lord, help us to remember that the way we reflect the image of Christ can influence everyone around us. Help us to reflect your love to others as we pray, "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil. I surrender all of me to You, Lord. Take all of me, for Your glory. In Jesus Name we pray. "'
---UPPER ROOM~/JMA ~ ~~~"Take All Of Me"/ Selah //<https://youtu.be/F_cx1pNL1Xg>
~~~~~~~~~~

~~~Press on, Beloved Brothers and Sisters. We're Almost Home!

---STILL IN PROCESS ~~
~~"Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
---(Colossians 3:14) -

~~~Transformation isn't always easy in our lives, especially when it involves our hearts. Relationships, whether with God, our spouse, or anyone else. are a journey---not a destination. Circumstances in life invariably bring stresses or adjustments that require us to submit humbly to God's continued work. God often uses our closest relationships to bring about the transformation that will be the witness of Jesus's love to an unbelieving world. (John 13:35; Colossians 4:5).

From hidden behaviors of the heart to our self-preservationist actions, God calls us to "put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" (Colossians 3:10). True change, however, requires humility--a relinquishing of our rights that we might embrace His (Psalm 25:9; Proverbs 10:12).

As our worth and purpose become more hidden with Jesus (Colossians 3:3), the less we need to prove we're right, the more we want His Word to come alive in us, and the more we truly love.

Church, we need to keep running to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Only He can fill the desires of our heart.~~

--ODB/RF~
--"I Will Run To You" / Darlene Zschech/ Hillsong // <https://youtu.be/RZGqKqciv8E>
~~~~~

--[- -Friends, please keep spreading the message that Jesus Christ is coming back. Yes, He is still working to bring others into the Kingdom and live eternally with Him. We are here to help spread His Word. Let's get busy for His Kingdom. Keep praying, speaking, typing, and supporting the Missions in your Church for His glory. "Even so, Come Lord Jesus." ~~In Christ's Name we pray. Amen~ ]

----THE FLIP SIDE OF LOVE~~

--"Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love."
----(2 John 1:3)--

~~~The Roman inns during the time of Christ had a reputation so bad that Rabbis wouldn’t even permit cattle to be left at them. Faced with such bad conditions, traveling Christians usually sought out other believers for hospitality.

Among those early travelers were false teachers who denied that Jesus was the Messiah. This is why the letter of 2 John tells its readers there is a time to refuse to extend hospitality. John had said in a previous letter that these false teachers were “antichrist—denying the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22). In 2 John he elaborated on this, telling his readers that whoever believes Jesus is the Messiah “has both the Father and the Son” (v. 9).

Then he warned, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them” (v. 10). To extend hospitality to someone preaching a false Gospel would actually help keep people separated from God.

John’s second letter shows us a “flip side” of God’s love. We serve a God who welcomes everyone with open arms. But genuine love won’t enable those who deceitfully harm themselves and others. God wraps His arms around those who come to Him in repentance, but He never embraces a lie.

~~"Heavenly Father, You love us in Your truth. Help us extend that love to others with the unwavering grace that comes only from Your Spirit. Thank You, Lord, for your love, grace and mercy to us. We love You, our blessed Redeemer and Savior. In Christ's Name. Amen~"
---ODB/TG~

~~Salvation Celebration ~~ / A Message From Heaven ~

"Rejoice that your names are
written in heaven."
---(Luke 10:20/ NIV)

~~~According to Jesus our decisions have a thermostatic impact on the unseen world. Our actions on the keyboard of each trigger hammers on the piano strings of heaven. Our obedience pulls the ropes which ring the bells in heaven's belfries. Let a child call and the ear of the Father inclines. ... And, most important, let a sinner repent, and every other activity ceases, and every heavenly being celebrates....

We don't always share such enthusiasm, do we? When you hear of a soul saved, do you drop everything and celebrate? Is your good day made better or your bad day salvaged? We may be pleased--but exuberant? .... When a soul is saved, the heart of Jesus becomes the night sky on the Fourth of July, radiant with explosions of cheer. \o/
Can the same be said about us?
---Just Like Jesus/ML~~

[We read in Luke Chapter 15 verse 7 "I tell you that .....there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." We all are sinners saved only by His grace. Let's be sure to keep short accounts. As soon as the Holy Spirit convicts your heart of sin, REPENT right then.
--"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." --[Ephesians 2 verses 8 thru 10] --]
--"I'll Lead You Home" / Michael W. Smith //<https://youtu.be/kgnLfY0t3Mc>
~~~~~

---A Heart Like Jesus ~~

"From this time on we do not
think of anyone as the world does."
--(2 Corinthians 5:16)--

~~~~ ASK GOD to help you have his eternal view of the world. His view of humanity is starkly simple. From his perspective every person is either:

**Entering through the small gate or the wide gate (Matthew 7:13-14).

**Heaven called or hell bound (Mark 16:15-16)....

Our ledger, however, is cluttered with unnecessary columns. Is he rich? Is she pretty? What work does he do? What color is her skin? Does she have a college degree? Does he have a well-paying job? These matters are irrelevant to God....

To have a heart like His is to look into the faces of the saved and rejoice! They are just one grave away from being just like Jesus. To have a heart like His is to look into the faces of the lost and pray. For unless they turn, they are one grave away from torment. Let us pray for those who do not know Jesus. Jesus is truly the reason for living. He died that we can live eternally with Him.

One day we will be with Jesus, face to face! Hallelujah! "Come Lord, Jesus, Come." \o/ ~~

--'Just Like Jesus'/ ML~--"One Day" (When We All Get To Heaven" // Matt Redman ~~ <https://youtu.be/5IuDOuEi3nE>
~~~~~~~

----NO ROOM IN THE INN / PLEASE INVITE JESUS INTO YOUR LIFE~

~~~Some of the saddest words on earth are we don’t have room for you. Jesus knew the sounds of those words. He was still in Mary’s womb when the innkeeper said, “We don’t have room for you.” And when he hung on the cross, wasn’t the message one of utter rejection? “We don’t have room for you in this world.”

Today Jesus is given the same treatment. He goes from heart to heart, asking if he might enter. Every so often, he is welcomed. Someone throws open the door of his or her heart and invites him to stay. And to that person Jesus gives this great promise. “In my Father’s house are many rooms” (John 14:2). We make room for him in our hearts, and Jesus makes room for us in his house!

--'No Wonder They Call Him Savior'/ ML~~"Make Room In Your Heart" (For Jesus)/ Casting Crowns / [feat. Matt Maher]~~<https://youtu.be/uYHpJnfy2lQ>
~~~~~~

---THE RICHES OF GRACE / THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST~~
-----(Please Read/ Ephesians 1:3-8)--

~~~Scripture says that Jesus chose to become poor—leaving heaven and everything that belonged to Him as God’s Son—so we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). But what does this mean for believers? Ephesians 1:3-8 describes those riches by saying we are ...

•&#8194;Chosen by God. Since we belong to the Lord, life has purpose, and we are eternally secure.

•&#8194;Liberated. We were slaves to sin and unable to free ourselves, but Jesus broke the power of the flesh so that we might be able to obey God.

•&#8194;Redeemed. Jesus’ death satisfied divine justice because His perfect life met every requirement (Deut. 17:1; Rom. 6:23). When we decide to trust Him, God considers our sin debt paid in full.

•&#8194;United With Him. At salvation, we become God’s adopted children.

•&#8194;Citizens of Heaven. We receive citizenship in God’s kingdom and an inheritance that will never perish (1 Peter 1:4).

**Many of us don’t realize we’re rich, because we think in terms of bank accounts and material possessions. But these things have no eternal value. Our real wealth is found in the spiritual blessings we’ve been given through Christ. ~~
--IN TOUCH~~
~~~~~~~~
"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
"For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
"For whoever will call on the Name of the Lord will be saved." ~~ [Romans 10:9-13]

----THE BLESSING OF GOD'S PROMISE/ JESUS LOVES YOU~

The world around us is always changing, but that isn’t the case with its Creator. Consider God’s love: It’s not simply a trait He possesses but an attribute, an essential aspect of who He is. Everything He says and does flows from the truth that “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

Since God is unchanging, we can rest in His promises. But that doesn’t mean we can expect life to always be easy. Though we’re sure of being redeemed and, ultimately, raised from the dead, Jesus did say life will involve tribulation. If the cost of following Him seems overwhelming, take comfort in this: You’ll never be alone. When you suffer, He’ll suffer with you.

God is always with us, within us. Even when we think He is absent, He’s right there and always been—it’s just that for some reason, our feelings don’t match the truth. So instead of asking if God is present to us, the better question is, Are we being present to Him?
---[Friends, we live in a fallen world. As we see, things are getting much worse. But we have the blessed hope in Jesus Christ. He is coming soon to get us, His church, believers, to take us home to live with Him forever. Don't give up hope. PRESS ON! JESUS LOVES YOU!] --"HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS" Sierra // <https://youtu.be/WjQ9cF36EWc>
~~~~~~

~~A MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN~~ CHRIST LIVES IN YOU~


---THE INDWELLING CHRIST ~~

~~~~“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
---(Colossians 1:27)--

~~~The fact that Jesus Christ is actually in each believer is both a great mystery and rich in glory. In fact, it is our very hope and assurance of glory in the age to come.

--How Christ may be both seated at “the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3) and yet living in us is surely a mystery, yet it is fully true. He Himself told His disciples: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. . . . Abide in me, and I in you. . . . He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 14:23; 15:4-5).

The apostle Paul also confirmed this great truth: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). One of his prayers for the Ephesians was “that Christ [might] dwell in [their] hearts by faith” (Ephesians 3:17).

The mystery as to how this can be is resolved in yet another mystery—that of the triunity of the Godhead. Christ, the Second Person, is present in His people through the Holy Spirit, the Third Person. Christ said: “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter. . . . Even the Spirit of truth; . . . for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16-17).

In fact, as our text says, His indwelling presence is our very hope of glory, for “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).

Thus, where we go, He goes; whatever we say, He hears; even what we think, He knows. Christ, by the Holy Spirit, is our ever-present comforter and guide and counselor. This is, indeed, a glorious mystery! Have faith in G-D. With God, all things are possible. ~~[Galatians 2:20 / and Matthew 19:26] ~~

---ICR/ HMM --"Refuge and Strength" // Ted Pearce // --<https://youtu.be/3DSM6rMUgDQ>
~~~~~~~~~~~~

--COME TO JESUS AND LIVE ETERNALLY!

--Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
--(Matthew 4: 4 / NIV)

--MY HUSBAND loves our two cats. He buys them cat food and sardines. He carries them close to his chest and pets them. I don't have the same affection for felines as he does, but I do feed them. One morning as I opened the can of sardines, they ran toward me meowing loudly. They milled around me, obviously hungry, and couldn't wait to be fed.

-Our hungry cats remind me of how we should be hungry for God's Word. Jesus fed those who came in contact with Him physically and spiritually. He said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every every word that comes from the mouth of God." While He was here on earth, Jesus explained portions of the Old Testament. He revealed new truths about Himself that would be the foundation of the New Covenant that was about to come to pass. His words were transformative and powerful.

Jesus is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. He encourages us with His promises. When we need directions, He gives us principles to live by. He fills us with joy and peace as we trust Him, and this makes us overflow with hope (Romans 15:13). Jesus is the Bread of Life, the food for our soul. Each day we can dive into God's Word and read the life-giving words of Jesus. As our hungry cats approach my husband and me with expectation of being fed, let's come to Jesus in the same way. He's waiting to feed us with fresh manna from Heaven. \o/
--ODB/MLN
--"Crown Him With Many Crowns"// Maranatha Singers //<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTlJq4C7zXY>
~~~~~~~~

~~~~REWARD IN ETERNITY~~

~~~“Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.”
----(Luke 6:22-23/ NIV)--

~~No one enjoys the feeling of being excluded or rejected; we would much rather feel like we are accepted and a part of the group. As long as we are in the cozy confines of our church communities, we will enjoy fellowship and the peace that comes from being with like-minded people. But Jesus is warning us that following Him publicly will not always be pleasant. He is not speaking rhetorically, here. He is preparing us to suffer, be rejected, be hated, and perhaps be betrayed. He is inviting us toward an imagination that the reward of our existence is not going to be most fully understood in time. If for a season we suffer, or are rejected, or mocked, Jesus is calling us to rejoice, because God is working in us and through us. Does God make a difference in our lives in time? He absolutely does. But the real payoff for our faith is in eternity.

THINK ABOUT IT
Remember those suffering around the world for their faith in Christ. Pray for them, and let their faithfulness encourage and challenge your own. There is a reward ahead.

PRAYER
~~"Heavenly Father, give me a courageous faith for my days, that I would be known as one called by Your name. Give me boldness to never deny You through silence or disobedience. I rejoice in the prize of eternity with You! In Jesus’ name, amen. 'Even so, Come Lord, Jesus, Come.'~"
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson
~~~~~

--BLESS THE LORD, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH~

"Behold, bless the LORD, all servants of the LORD,
Who serve by night [and day] in the house of the LORD!

"Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, And bless the LORD.

May the LORD bless you from Zion.

He who made Heaven and Earth."
--[PSALM 134:1 thru 3]
~~~~~~
--"Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" --[Hebrews 7:25]---- ~~

["Mighty To Save"// Michael W. Smith ~~<https://youtu.be/NwGLxARxJu0>
--"BREATHE" // Michael W. Smith ~~ <https://youtu.be/kq-dM-AMfrs>
~~~~~~~~

--PRAISE THE LORD!

"Praise the LORD, all Nations;
Laud Him, all peoples!

"For His lovingkindness is
great toward us,
And the truth of the LORD is
everlasting.

PRAISE THE LORD! [HalleluJAH!]

[Jesus is Jehovah God of the Old Testament ~~ Jesus is LORD and CHRIST of the New Testament. He
has always been One with the Father. He said, "I and the Father are One." -[JOHN 10:30] --~~

--"PURE EXALTATION"~~// -Vertical Worship // <https://youtu.be/EEc9XFdCkJ4>
~~~~~~~~

~~A MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN FOR YOU! ~~

~~Friend, YOU'RE SPECIAL ~~

~~"There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal," wrote C.S. Lewis. It's true--each one of us is a special creation of God.

Believe it or not--no one else is just like you. Your physical appearance, your voice and personality traits--your habits, intelligence, personal tastes--all these make you one of a kind. Even your fingerprints distinguish you from every other human being--past, present, or future. You are not the product of some cosmic assembly line; you are unique.

But the most important fact of your identity is that God created you in His own image (Genesis 1:27). He made you so you could share in His creation, could love and laugh and know Him person to person. You are special indeed! ~

The Bible reveals God's total interest in you as an individual. The psalmist wrote in one of his most beautiful prayers, "I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). God knew you even before you were born. Then, and now, He has plans just for you, plans conceived in love.

As we appreciate God's constant concern for us, we really begin to grasp the awfulness of sin. He loves you and me so much; yet how often we go our own way, turning our backs on Him. God's designs for our lives are then blocked; His mercies do not come to the unwilling.

But even here we are precious to God, for He continues to love us even when we pay Him no mind. He still sees us as individuals with great value. No wonder the psalmist declared, "How precious are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand" (Psalm 139:17,18). God is not an unfeeling, cold-hearted monarch of the heavens. He feels our pains He shares our sorrows. He cares and He considers each one of us important enough to love.

In fact, He loves us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. "Herein is love," the Bible says, "not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation [full payment] for our sins" (1 John 4:10).

Because you and I are special to God, He wants to forgive us and give us a full, meaningful life. When we trust in Jesus Christ and let Him put our lives together, the Bible says that we become "God's masterpieces, created in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:10, paraphrase). Can anyone be more special than that?

Yes, you are valuable to God! If you have never trusted Jesus Christ for your salvation, you can pray something like this today:

~~"LORD, Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to die for my sin and rise from the dead so that I can know Your forgiveness and live with You forever. Right now I ask Him to be my Savior so that I can live as the special creation that You intended me to be. Thank You, my Lord God and Redeemer, in Jesus Name~ - -amen" ~
~~~~~~~

~~~THE GIFT OF PEACE ~

--"You may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation."
---(Luke 2:29-30) ~

~~"I believe in Jesus and He is my Savior, and I have no fear of death," said Barbara Bush, the wife of former US President George H. W. Bush, to her son before she died. This incredible and confident statement suggests a strong and deep-rooted faith. She experienced God's gift of peace that comes from knowing Jesus, even when faced with death.

Simeon, a resident of Jerusalem during the first century, also experienced profound peace because of Jesus. Moved by the Holy Spirit, Simeon went to the temple when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to be circumcised as required by the law for a newborn boy. Although not much is know about Simeon, from Luke's description one can tell he was a special man of God, just and devout, waiting faithfully for the coming Messiah, and "the Holy Spirit was on him" (Luke 2:25). Yet Simeon did not experience shalom (peace), a deep sense of completeness, until he saw Jesus.

While holding Jesus in his arms, Simeon broke into a song of praise, expressing full satisfaction in God: "You may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations" (vv.29-31). He had peace because he foresaw the future hope of the whole world.

As we celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the promised Savior, may we rejoice in God's gift of peace. ~~

"Dear Father, thank You for Jesus, Your gift of peace for all mankind. Incline on hearts by the Holy Spirit, to come to You, and have the peace that passes all human-understanding. Purify our hearts, Lord, to be the people You wants us to be. In Jesus Name' Amen~
--"Purify My Heart"// Jeremy & Katie Riddle //<https://youtu.be/ayH5iV5zmrI>
~~~~~~~~