Devotionals for the Heart: Why Jesus Christ died to save your soul

Why Jesus Christ Died to Save You
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”—Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT)

The human condition according to Scripture is “desperately wicked.” Some modern translations describe it as “beyond cure.”

In this world of secular humanism, where it’s all about doing good and making people happy, most people think that being a “good person” is enough to get into Heaven, but The Holy Bible clearly says that being a “good person” is not enough. Romans 3:12 (NLT) says “No one does good, not a single one.”

I am thankful to have been raised in a Christian home. I prayed the sinner’s prayer at the age of nine. I understood that Jesus Christ died for my sins and that by accepting Him into my heart I would be “saved”. What I didn’t understand was, what exactly did Jesus save me from? I went on with my life thinking that as long as I go to church and read my Bible, I would be okay with God. It took me years to discover that we humans can do nothing to save ourselves. Even on our best day we will never be good enough to meet God’s standard for salvation.

Romans 3:20 (NLT) says, “For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.” The Ten Commandments were given to us as sign posts that point us on the straight and narrow path. Our loving Father (God) knows our frame. He understands that as human beings we are hardwired to self-destruct.

Over the course of these recent years, we have become one of the most depressed, suicidal, alcohol-addicted, and drug-addicted generations in American history. God did not make salvation complicated. It’s so simple! I was able to ask Jesus Christ into my heart at the age of nine. What happens with many of us is that we tend to complicate things as we live out our Christian faith walk with God. Pride often gets in the way and robs us of the “simplicity of Christ.” Let’s read 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV) where it says, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Furthermore, let’s read a story about a rich young ruler who approached Jesus with major life questions. According to the story in Mark 10:17-22 (NLT) their conversation went like this:

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Clearly, the rich young ruler thought he had met all the requirements of the law, but that is the point Jesus challenged. Jesus simply touched on one issue that proved the man did not measure up to God’s holiness. He used the young man’s love of money to show him how he fell short of God’s holy standard. Even in this modern day, as we all fall short of this standard too.

Let’s circle back to my original question about what God saved humankind from when He sent His Son (Jesus Christ) to save us (John 3:16-17). These are a few things to reflect upon when considering everything God has saved us from:

1. Ourselves. Like the rich young ruler, self-sufficiency is why many walk away from Jesus. 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NLT) says, “It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.”

2. Our sins. Romans 7:18 (NLT) says, “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.”

3. Our eternal destiny. The enemy works overtime to try to tempt us and destroy us. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 16:24 (NLT), “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Eternity doesn’t begin when we die, it begins the moment we say yes to Jesus Christ. We may lose our life as we know it but that’s a good thing because who wants to remain empty and hopeless? Romans 6:4 (NASB1995) says, “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

We all struggle with the need to be self-sufficient, to be in the driver seat of our own lives. You came to set us free from the bondage of sin and guilt. Thank you, Jesus, for living a sinless life and for dying on the cross so that we may have eternal life. I pray that we will find our worth, security and sufficiency in You.

In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Just for Me” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a New York-based actress. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in New York City. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Merry Christmas from me to you!

Dearest Blog Readers,

You all are a dear part of my heart.

I appreciate your spending time to read all of the features here on my "God is Love" blog! Without you, no one would read my blog and my efforts of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through this platform would be in vain.

My mission is to encourage you with God's Love and teach you about the Savior of the World (Jesus Christ). My prayer is that you will get to know God and accept His Son Jesus Christ into your heart. I hope that you will fully realize that they love you unconditionally! They want you to receive their gift of salvation that leads to eternal life (John 3:16). It is the greatest gift!

Remember that Jesus is the true reason for this Christmas holiday season!

Keep Him first in your life and trust Him through every trial. He promises to never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)!

May God bless your heart, your home and your loved ones on Christmas Day and always!

Love,

Alexis A. Goring
Founder of "God is Love" blog

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ

He’s here!
A devotional by Carrie Del Pizzo

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and they became very frightened. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people. Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord. This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.” Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying: “Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.” 

– Luke 2:9-14 (NCV)

It was a quiet night, just like any other. There were a lot of people in town for the census, but folks who already lived in Bethlehem were going about their usual business, while those just arriving were trying to hustle a place to stay. Joseph and Mary couldn’t even get a room. 

Everyone had traveled a long way, and no one was going to give up their nice warm bed to a couple of late-arriving strangers. The fact that Mary was hugely pregnant was probably the only reason they even got the stable.

Biggest shock of all, when that brand-new baby started yowling, no one even noticed. Israel had plenty of Pharisees, Sadducees, temple leaders, rabbis and students poring over the prophesies who should have known the Messiah was due any day. Surely Mary had a light about her that was beyond the average bun-in-the-oven glow. But the arrival of the Son of God was missed by the entire world.

Well, the angels just couldn’t stand by and let that happen. The entrance of the King couldn’t be ignored. In fact, they couldn’t be quiet about it.

Have you ever seen a period movie where they have a big ball and there’s a servant standing at the door shouting everyone’s name as they walk in? A long time ago, important people wanted to be sure everyone knew when they made their grand entrance. Well, God and the angels felt the same way about the baby Jesus.

First God sent the herald angel (the shouter at the door) to give the good word to the shepherds. Then the band came in. Angels filled the sky, singing, dancing — it was quite a hootenanny.

When something really important happens, like the savior of the world arriving to save mankind, people need to know about it. Similarly, when something really important happens, like Jesus cleaning our hearts and giving us new life, people need to know about that too.

Now let's bring this back to the present day with some questions for you: Has Jesus cleaned your heart? Have you told anyone about it recently? 

Ask Jesus for the courage to tell others about His birth, His death, His resurrection, and the new life you’ve found in Him.

If you haven’t found that new life yet, ask Him for it. After all, Jesus Christ came to Earth just to deliver a free gift to you: the free gift of salvation! What a reason to rejoice!

~*~
Author Bio:

In this world of texts, memes, and emojis, slowing down to truly communicate can feel like straining a muscle you haven’t exercised in far too long.

Seventeen years of business experience across a variety of industries has taught Carrie Del Pizzo the fine art of professional communications.

Partnering with corporate executives and entry-level employees alike, she has written and edited major project proposals, direct marketing pieces, sensitive client communications, employee handbooks, and user manuals.

Carrie’s love of literature and story has led her to develop and exercise her fiction writing skills as well. Aside from her personal creative efforts, she also edits for self- and traditionally-published authors and enjoys writing short dramas for church presentation.

Carrie is a wife, mom of three Americans and host-mom to numerous exchange students. Italian-by-marriage means she loves to cook and eat. She lives in Spokane, Wash., with her hilarious family who keep her in stitches and provides piles of material for great stories.

Devotionals for the Heart: A Savior

A Savior is Born
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” –Luke 2:11-12 (KJV)

Christmas is such a wonderful and magical season.

It’s the time of year when people tend to be generous and kind toward each other, even if in the other eleven months of the year they are not. Children are in awe anticipating Santa’s arrival, decorations are going up, trees are lit, and the air is filled with Christmas music. Retail merchants are vying for the Christmas club dollars and there is a mad dash to accomplish what one deems important for their family’s Christmas. Everything is bright and glittery. This is what Christmas has become in the 21st century. But two thousand years ago, the first Christmas was quite different.

I always think of Mary (the mother of Jesus) and I can’t imagine being nine months pregnant, riding a donkey ninety miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. That trip would have taken four to seven days over some rough terrain. We know Mary’s origin was Nazareth and Joseph was from Bethlehem. They both were in Nazareth when Caesar Augustus degreed that the whole world should be taxed and Joseph needed to return to his city of origin.

Think how Mary must have felt, tired, uncomfortable in early labor and needing a place to bring her child into the world. One could assume Joseph was poor and they did not have the money to procure a room in a private home, which was made available for the well-to-do. Mary and Joseph might have been turned away from several places before they came to the inn.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
– Luke 2:7 (KJV)

They were offered a stable, an out building similar to a barn and many commentaries dispute whether it was a stable or in a house. Some believe they stated in a family members home. This is not a doctrinal point as to whether he was born in a stable or in a house. What does matter is that He was born.

Why the chosen date of December 25 as the birthdate of Jesus Christ? That is another debate among scholars. Many say it couldn’t have been in winter because the shepherds were outside with their flocks, so some have assumed Jesus was born in the spring. Others say winter because there is a special breed of sheep that can tolerate the colder weather. Winter or spring, He came. God sent His only begotten son as the greatest gift of all (John 3:16)! Jesus came to redeem sinful mankind. The blood of cattle and goats could no longer be atonement for sin (Hebrews 9:12).

So, when we gather on Christmas Day with our families, break bread together and enjoy the fellowship of the season, let us reflect upon Jesus, our Savior, who left the splendor of a Heavenly Kingdom to come down to our level and sacrifice Himself for sinful mankind.

There was a song many years ago that had a line that said, “He would have come, even if you’d been the only one.” That is a humbling thought, Jesus would have come just for YOU. He loves you that much.

Let us thank our Heavenly Father for the wonderful gift of Jesus, and share with those around you the love of God. Let’s not be too busy to be kind to one another and say, “Merry Christmas.”

~*~
Author Bio:

Nanci is a poet and short story writer published in Cypress News, Family Times E-Zine, Free Verse and the Commonwealth of Poetry. 

She belongs to RWA, ACFW, and Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild where she’s enrolled in his novel writing program.

Nanci lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and cats, Romeo and Juliette, along with their newest member of the family, Roni who is a seven-month-old Goldendoodle.

Recently, Nanci completed her debut novel, A Betrayal in Cross Keys. It is an Amish romance that she has placed in her agent's capable hands. The rest is up to God.

Devotionals for the Heart: Christmas gifts with bows and The Cross of Christ

Don’t Let The Bows Cover Up The Cross
A devotional by Amanda Wen

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)

Several years ago, when my oldest son was around 4 or 5 years old, he wanted to help me wrap Christmas presents. (I use the term “help” rather loosely, as anyone who’s ever had a young child help wrap gifts can attest!) We came up with a fairly simple system: I did the actual wrapping, and he did the ribbons and bows.

When I’m wrapping gifts, I usually place one ribbon across the present positioned horizontally, one vertically, and then put the bow in the center where they intersect. So I was a bit surprised when my son wanted to put the bows not only off-center, but not even on the ribbon at all. My Inner Perfectionist would’ve normally surfaced to correct him, but the Holy Spirit instructed me instead to quiet the perfectionism and ask my son why he’d chosen to arrange the bows that way.

I’m so very glad I listened. Because I will never forget the look in his liquid brown eyes, nor the sincerity in his small voice, when he answered my question.

"Because I didn't want the bows to cover up the cross."

I was blown away. Convicted. Because this time of year it is so easy — so easy —to let the ribbons and bows, glimmer and glitz cover up the reason we have Christmas in the first place.

And if we really think about it, that reason is pretty ugly. We are sinful beings. We rebel against our Lord and Creator nearly every chance we get. And because of that, we had no hope.

But God knew that. He knew from the moment He created us that we would need His help. So with humankind in mind, God sent Jesus Christ who is His only Son.

Jesus traveled from the highest of the heavens to the lowliest human circumstances to be present with us: a hay-filled manger in a Middle Eastern town that at the time was not considered very important by the people in the region … He was born to a teenage virgin who was engaged to wed a God-fearing carpenter. Mary and Joseph were his earthly parents. As a baby born in Bethlehem, Jesus was worshiped by shepherds and astrologers. He was pursued by a paranoid king. He was raised in relative obscurity, amid whispers of his possibly illegitimate origins. He wrapped Himself in human flesh and experienced all the frustration, disappointment, and heartbreak of this broken world. Christ walked among us, teaching, healing and loving the outcast as He gave hope to the downtrodden.

Jesus showed us exactly who God is and ultimately, He took the penalty for our sin on Himself. Christ laid down His life on a Roman cross, and in doing so, He defeated death, the power of hell and wiles of the devil (Satan). Jesus delivered a fatal blow to all that is broken and evil. Thanks to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, we now have open a way — the only way — for us to have peace with God (John 14:6).

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He gives us His free gift of salvation, which is the promise of eternal life with Him in Heaven after the final curtain closes on human history. Remember, this world is not our home. It is an unending hope and because of it, pure joy abounds in the hearts of all those who believe in God and follow Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate this Christmas season by gathering with our loved ones, showering them with gifts and baking holiday treats … as we decorate everything around us with wreaths, mistletoe and bright lights to make our surroundings look warm and festive… as we sing Christmas carols and spread good cheer, may we always remember Him as the true reason for this beautiful holiday season.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, as we enjoy the festivities of Christmastime and joyfully wrap our Christmas gifts with bows and ribbons for our loved ones, don’t allow us to let those beautiful bows cover up the Cross of Christ.

~*~
Author Bio:

Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of contemporary inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction.

A first place winner in the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest, she also placed first in the 2017 Phoenix Rattler Contest, the 2017 Great Expectations Contest, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions Contest, among others. In addition, she was a finalist in the 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest.

Amanda is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She’s also been spotted onstage with the worship team at recent ACFW conferences. Amanda is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

In addition to her writing, Amanda maintains an active and rewarding career as a freelance cellist, frequently performing with symphony orchestras, string quartets, and her church’s worship team. She lives in the Midwest with her amazing husband and their three adorable and hilarious Wenlets.

~*~
Connect with Amanda:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoramandawen
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authoramandawen
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoramandawen
Website: www.amandawen.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Christa's thoughts about our human heart

Matters of the Heart
A devotional by Christa MacDonald

He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” –Mark 7:20-23 (NIV)

One of the biggest fallacies in modern thinking is the idea that human beings are basically good and that when someone does wrong, it’s because they were taught to do so or influenced somehow. “He was a good kid until he started hanging around the wrong people.” 

While it’s true that friends can influence each other to do terrible things, that’s not the whole truth. Evil exists. I often say that anyone who doubts original sin needs to spend time with toddlers. They’re terrible people: selfish, mean, and hot-tempered. They have to be taught to be nice. How many times do you hear a mom correcting her children to be kind, don’t tease your sister, and don’t harass the cat.

In the verse above Jesus has just been explaining that it’s not the food we eat that makes us unclean, it’s our hearts. Most of us go through life without committing any of the big sins in deed, but boy, if someone could read our thoughts … It’s tempting to think that it’s the world that influences us to do wrong. But this is a complete misunderstanding of sin and the fall. It’s in us to do wrong. But for the Grace of God, we are all capable of great evil. It’s why we so desperately need Jesus.

The world is full of temptations and bad influences. While these may facilitate our sin, maybe even amplify our sins into ones of deed and not of thought, they are not the source. Our hearts are. What can we do? Face the fact that the sin is in you, repent, put your faith in the saving Grace of Jesus Christ and lean on Him for the strength to turn from the path you are on and walk in the light.

As parents, we often see our children struggle with sin and we focus on the temptations we see leading them astray. It’s hard not to call out their video games, friends, or social media for encouraging their sinful behavior, but we need to get to the source, their heart. 

Jesus met people where they were, led them to feel the conviction of their sin, and then forgave them. Our kids, our families, our friends, and our communities need to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We all need to resist the distractions our culture offers. These are targets that are tangential. We need to reach hearts.

The Bible clearly tells us our primary work is spreading the Gospel. Christ-followers need to be actively sharing the Gospel in our communities, in our circle of friends. That doesn’t mean you have to find a street corner and start preaching or handing out tracts. Ask God in your prayer time, how you can actively share the Gospel in your day to day life then be open to the Holy Spirit leading you to act or to speak. 

We don’t have to save the world. 

We need to tell the world of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

~*~
Author Bio:

Christa MacDonald is a 2017 ACFW Carol Award finalist for contemporary Christian fiction.

A native New Englander, she was inspired by her travels through the north woods of Maine to write The Broken Trail, which would become the first in the Sweet River Redemption series published by Mountain Brook Ink.

Christa's writing focuses on the real-life challenges of the modern world, love’s sometimes crooked path, and the redemptive power of Grace.

When not working or writing Christa can be found ferrying her kids around, reading, or attempting something crafty.

She and her husband live with their three kids, two cats, and one dog along the coast of New England. Connect with Christa at www.christamacdonald.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Grace

Grasping Grace
A devotional by Carrie Del Pizzo

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” ~Romans 5:8 (NASB)

Grace is a tricky subject. We get the gist of it: We sinned, Jesus died, we’re saved. But do we really understand? I confess that this is one I sometimes struggle with.

I’m told grace is the unmerited, unearned favor of God. The unmerited part seems pretty obvious. I know I’m a sinner. I hear it in my voice when I yell at my kids. I hear it in my mind when I think critical cutting thoughts about someone I don’t like. I feel it in my heart when God tells me to reach out to someone and I stop to debate whether or not I will obey.

The unearned bit is also pretty clear cut. Oh, sure, I’m a decent enough human being, but nothing earth-shattering. I like talking to kids, but I’m no Sunday school teacher. There’s always room for a friend at my table, but I’m not volunteering my weekends to serve meals at the homeless shelter. And I like sharing with you all a few words God has laid on my heart, but I’m not getting my theology degree or seeking ordination to become a great Bible teacher.

But then we come to the mic drop: favor of God.

Merriam-Webster.com says favor means “to show partiality toward,” and gives synonyms of prefer, handpick, adore, cherish.

What? Why?

Let’s think this through. We’re talking about the great big GOD of the whole wide universe. Creator of Heaven and Earth. King of kings, Lord of lords, the Big Kahuna. He knows what I’m like in public and private. He knows where I am and where I’d rather be. He knows what I say out loud and what I’m really thinking. So, if He knows the truth about me, why would he prefer me, handpick me, adore me, cherish me?

Love. The Bible book of Romans tells us that, “God demonstrates His own love toward us …”

This is the time I start thinking that serving friends dinner and writing this little devotional are getting me farther than I thought. I must be doing ok. I’m working pretty hard, trying to be a good person, doing everything I can to be good enough for God, and then His grace fills in the gaps. Right?

Let’s look at the rest of that verse. “… in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” That’s right, Jesus paid the highest price, gave up His throne, gave up His dignity, gave up His life, long before I ever got around to thinking up ways to try to impress Him (as though that were possible). Because my selfishness and dirtiness separated me from God, and because He couldn’t live without me, He died. And in that horrible, gruesome, painful, selfless act, He showed me favor that I could never begin to earn or merit. He made a way for me to be with Him again.

Ok, are you ready for the really great news? He did it for you, too.

Oh, yes, He did. Don’t shake your head at me. I know you’re thinking you’ve made too many mistakes, you’ve blown too many chances, you’ve gotten too dirty.

Or maybe you’ve been trying to impress God. Trying work really hard for Him. Trying to get really clean for Him. Trying to make yourself good enough for Him.

All of that is irrelevant because it’s already done. He already died for you. He already made you clean. He already opened the door for you to be with Him. Because He already loves you.

Did you catch that? Should I say it again?

He already loves you.

You may ask, “What about obedience and service?” Yeah, those are a portion of Christian life, but we’ll get to those later. Today we’re talking about GRACE, something that happened a long time ago.

So, sit back and rest in it for a while. You and I don’t deserve. We didn’t earn it. But God freely gave it to us anyway … because He loves us. Go figure.

~*~
Author Bio:

In this world of texts, memes, and emojis, slowing down to truly communicate can feel like straining a muscle you haven’t exercised in far too long.

Seventeen years of business experience across a variety of industries has taught Carrie Del Pizzo the fine art of professional communications. Partnering with corporate executives and entry-level employees alike, she has written and edited major project proposals, direct marketing pieces, sensitive client communications, employee handbooks, and user manuals.

Carrie’s love of literature and story has led her to develop and exercise her fiction writing skills as well. Aside from her personal creative efforts, she also edits for self- and traditionally-published authors and enjoys writing short dramas for church presentation.

Carrie is a wife, mom of three Americans and host-mom to numerous exchange students. Italian-by-marriage means she loves to cook and eat. She lives in Spokane, WA, with her hilarious family, who keeps her in stitches and provides piles of material for great stories.

Devotionals for the Heart: Patrick's thoughts on Christmastime and Jesus

The Neglected Gift
A devotional by Patrick E. Craig

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” 
~Luke 2:8-14 (KJV)

Christmas! What a wonderful time! But the wonder doesn’t come from the festivities or the presents or the lights or even gathering together with family. The wonder comes from the truth of what really happened that long-ago morning: The Creator of the Universe set aside His glory and came into the world to redeem fallen man. It was the greatest of all Christmas gifts!

Yes, it is a miraculous gift, but how often do we forget that He gave us another gift? A gift so important, so necessary to live the way He desires us to live that He exalted it above even His own name? (Psalm 138:2) And sad to say, even in the season that focuses so completely on Jesus, this precious gift too often sits gathering dust on a shelf in our home, its power hidden between unopened covers. That gift is the written Word, a love letter from God, without which we could not be certain of the foundations of our faith.

The written word is powerful in its capacity to pervade the mind and heart of those who read it. I’m an author and when someone picks up my book, there is an implied acceptance of the ideas I am trying to get across in my writing. The reader is thereby open to my words and thoughts. Like a baby bird with its mouth gaping open waiting for mother to feed it, my reader has given me the right to speak into their lives. Because of this acceptance, my words can penetrate a resistant heart, simply because the choice to read my book opens the door to the truth it contains.

If that is true for a human writer then how much more will we benefit when we pick up our Bibles and give God permission to speak into our lives. Then the truth of God will permeate our very spirit, and wash away the things of this world that hold us back.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
~Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

As the ages draw to a close, it is time for Christians to understand that the task of the church is very clear. There are millions of people who will go into a Christ-less eternity unless they hear the truth of the Gospel. And they will never hear that truth unless someone tells them. But we cannot tell people what we do not know ourselves. For we cannot know it unless we open the pages of our Bible and let God speak to us—for His name and His face are on every page.

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” 

~Romans 10:14-15 (KJV)

It is God’s will that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. So in this Christmas season, remember that the greatest gift we can give is the gift of Christ. And being able to give that gift means taking up the Word and letting His words fill us with His wisdom and understanding so that we are always ready to give an answer as to why we are the way we are. 

Merry Christmas!

~*~
Author Bio:

Patrick E. Craig is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful songwriting and performance career in the music industry to follow Christ in 1984. 

In 2011 he signed a three-book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his Apple Creek Dreams series. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles. The first book in the series, The Amish Heiress, a romantic suspense novel, was published by Patrick's company, P&J Publishing, in August of 2015 and remained on the Amazon Top 100 best sellers list in three categories for seven months.

The second book in the series, The Amish Princess, a historical romance novel, was released in December of 2016 and was on Amazon's Hot New Releases for over a month. Harlequin recently purchased the print rights for both books for their Walmart Amish series. Patrick also just released Cracking The Indie Egg—A Recipe For Publishing Your Own Book and it is available in most major digital bookstores.

Patrick and his wife Judy, make their home in Idaho. They have two married children and five grandchildren. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

~*~
Connect with Patrick:
Website - www.patrickecraig.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PatrickECraig
Twitter - https://twitter.com/PatrickECraig
Amazon Author page - http://tinyurl.com/n6sfagg

Summer Stories: Redemption

The Key to Heaven
A guest post by Lee Carver

Disregarding all those Saint-Peter-at-the-gate jokes, what determines whether you gain entry into heaven? I mean you, personally. An often-effective evangelism question is, “If you died today, would you be in heaven?” Most people will say yes, though some say it rather guardedly. Then the evangelist follows up with, “Why?” The answer may be, “I’ve done more good than bad in my life. I never killed anyone …” and the list goes on.

When my husband and I moved from our missionary service in the Brazilian Amazon to Texas in order to care for his parents, we joined their church. It’s a body of sincere believers who do a lot of good in the community, but some of the basic theology gets lost in the shuffle. Eventually, a couple of men in our Sunday School class came to my husband with doubts about their eternal salvation. These were good people who had been active church members for many years. They asked, “How can I know I’ll go to heaven when I die?” My husband reminded each man of the scriptures he’d heard for years:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:16-18 NIV).

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6 NIV).

Other scriptures speak conclusively of this truth: belief in Jesus is the only door to heaven. What’s more, God removes our confessed sin “as far as the east is from the west,” (Psalm 103:12 NIV) and salvation is “not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:9 NIV).

What if a woman grew up in an unchurched family and had a real come-to-Jesus moment as an adult? What if she accepted Jesus, repented of her sins, and studied the Bible, but she had difficulty accepting the totality of God’s forgiveness? Simple forgiveness might be good enough for most people, but she had been seriously off track a few times. Regardless of her weekly studies in theology, she might feel she needed to do some kind of penance. This is the premise of Rebecca’s Redemption. Rebecca Singer, an American RN, has decided she will serve God in the most difficult place in the world, the deep Amazon jungle, for as many years as she lived a godless life. She will pay God back and thus build up points to enter the Kingdom of God.

I felt this was a story I was meant to write—called to write if you’ll allow me to play that card. The romantic thread, well, that was my own idea. Maybe if it’s also a sweet love story, more people will read it. Maybe Christians will enjoy that truth, and others will come to believe. 

And that’s why I wrote the third book in the Call to the Jungle Series, Rebecca’s Redemption. If you have any doubt or argument with the thesis, let’s talk.

~*~
Author Bio:

Lee Carver and her husband lived in the Brazilian Amazon for six years, where they served with a Brazilian organization, formerly MAF-Brazil. 

He flew an amphibious ten-seat Cessna Caravan over jungle area half the size of the United States. 

Their home in Manaus—the largest city in the world with no road to it—was a free guest house for missionaries, pilots, mechanics, and medical volunteers. 

She went on missions, speaks the language, and knows the people whose story she tells.

~*~
Book Blurb for Rebecca's Redemption:

A nurse seeking redemption for past sins joins a doctor contending against the jungle. Both healers need healing.

Rebecca Singer once was the kind of nurse who partied all weekend and closed the bar with the last karaoke tune. Then she met the Lord and vowed to make up to Him for those wasted years by serving in the worst place in the world. She determined to earn her redemption in the Brazilian Amazon jungle.

Dr. Ed Pierce, a widower with two young daughters, operates a Christian hospital in the Brazilian Amazon. A lifelong believer, he struggles with the tragedy of losing his wife—his love, the mother of his children. When the mission board agrees to hire a nurse, he requests an American who can split her time between the hospital and home schooling his children.

~*~
Buy Rebecca's Redemption (book) on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Lee:
Website - www.LeeCarverWriter.com
Blog - http://LeeCarverWriter.blogspot.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lee.carver.507

Twitter - https://twitter.com/leecarver21

~*~

Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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Devotionals for the Heart: God's Favor

Grace, God’s Unmerited Favor
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.” ~Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

This scripture always pings my heart. I try and envision God in Heaven asking, “Who will go and save my creation? My children have been deceived and have gotten off course. They need someone to show them the way home. Someone who can bridge the crevasse sin has created.”

I can imagine the angels, the Holy Spirit and Jesus talking with God at a Heavenly Holy Ghost board meeting. Jesus, the chairman of International Outreach, raises his hand and says, “I will go.” Everyone nods and an ethereal melody that only the Heavenly Host can hear permeates the atmosphere. The Angels nominate Jesus as God’s representative and the Holy Spirit seconds the motion. Everyone is in agreement. God’s only-begotten son will become the savior.

There is a flurry of activity as preparations are made for Jesus to come to earth as the Son of Man. He willingly lay aside his robe and crown to come down to our level. He became the propitiation for our sins. I often wonder, why he did that? How deep is a love that would willingly take all our afflictions and sins? It is beyond all human comprehension.

So, how does grace come into this? According to Ephesians at the top of this blog, it states we’re saved by grace, God’s unmerited favor, not by anything that we say or can do. It is God’s greatest gift to mankind. He gives it freely. We can’t earn it. We can’t save ourselves. We all need a savior. God knew it. It wasn’t enough any longer for our sins to be merely covered by the blood of a sacrificial animal it was time for our sins to be laved away, once and for all. This was accomplished by the blood of Jesus at Calvary. His sacrifice opened the door unto eternal life.

In Isaiah, Chapter 53, God’s Word clearly defines what Jesus accomplished for us at The Cross. He took upon himself. ALL of our sin, All of our sicknesses and diseases, and we were healed. It’s already done. So many wonderful Christians fail to understand this gift of grace. I want to have the unmerited favor of God. I want to know that when I fail and sin, which we all do, that God has made a way for me, and you, to confess our sins and be forgiven. We need to get it through our heads that God loves us so much he has given all He can give to show us that love. There is not one thing you can do to make him love you more nor can you do anything to make him love you less. He just loves you.

When you think, you’ve screwed up and made a mess of everything God is not sitting on His throne with a whip, ready to punish you. No, GOD IS NOT MAD WITH YOU. HE IS MAD ABOUT YOU. He wants to restore you back into fellowship with Him. We all have such a tendency to run from God when we’ve messed up, but we should be running to Him.

Many years ago, God chastened me about speaking negatively about myself. I was constantly calling myself stupid or saying what a dummy I was when I’d done something wrong. God spoke to my spirit, and said, “Don’t say those things about My creation. You don't see yourself through my eyes. I see the finished product. You cannot.” From that time forward, I became very conscious of how I spoke about myself. I began to believe that indeed I was wonderfully and marvelously made by God’s own hands. Sure, I still mess up, but I realize it's covered by Jesus’ blood. I confess my faults, get up, dust myself off and start over.

This is the walk we choose when we accept grace. It’s wonderful to know God is always there and ready to restore us when we’ve gotten off course. Don’t allow the enemy to deceive you into believing God will not forgive you. Remember grace and Jesus’ sacrifice.

If by chance you’ve stumbled and lost your way call out to God and tell him you’re sorry and want his unmerited favor. When our children err and confess what they’ve done, we are forgiving because we love them. God loves you a zillion more times than that.

~*~
Author Bio:

Nanci writes Inspy Amish romance. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two fur kids, Romeo and Juliet, rescue cats. She is working on her debut novel, Plain Justice.

She retired earlier than planned from nursing to care for her mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Her mom passed last year at the age of ninety-nine and Nanci has delved more into her writing.

She is active in an intercessory prayer ministry in her church, belongs to The Woman’s Club, a service-oriented volunteer organization dedicated to the welfare and enrichment of the community and volunteers two days a week at the Mary Washington Museum.

Currently, she's enrolled in Rhema Bible College’s correspondence Bible studies. She belongs to ACFW and RWA. When she’s not working, reading or writing she’s hiking with her husband at Shenandoah National Park.

Devotionals for the Heart: Easter

Easter
A devotional by Sara L. Foust

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." ~1 Thessalonians 4:14 (KJV) 

I absolutely adore Easter. It is by far my favorite holiday. I love everything about it, from the bright colors of new spring outfits to the Easter egg hunts. Our family gathers each year to eat a big meal and visit. Some of the dads will hide the eggs while us ladies keep the kids occupied and try to prevent peeking. Then we let them free into the sunshine and listen to their giggles and squeals. After we find all (okay, most) of the eggs we settle in to open them and see what goodies the kids have found. The children run and play in the hopefully warm yard and enjoy the rest of the day.

We’ve had a few cold Easters, but I think I tend to block the memories of the chill-out. I’m a lot like a groundhog, I think. Or a momma bear. I get into this hunkered-down kind of funk in the winter months, and Easter is the first time I really feel like I’m coming out of my cocoon. Like I’ve been asleep all winter and now I can peel back the layers of gray and stretch into the sunshiny, flowery day of Easter with a huge smile on my face. With the birds returning and the animals waking, springtime is a wonderful time of rebirth. I don’t think it is any mistake on God’s part that Easter happens in springtime, do you?

More than anything, though, I adore Easter because of that great love God sent down for us. Without the love of His son Jesus, we could never know our own personal reawakening that is more than waking up after winter or simply waking up each morning. What Easter represents is the most beautiful love story ever told. A man, who was sinless and perfect, chose to take on my sins and bear them to a cross of agony in order to set me free. He died to prove His power over life and death, rising again, awakening again on the third day and attaining the victory that can never be taken from Him. And He chose to let me be a part of that eternal reawakening, even though I’m not perfect and even though I don’t deserve His mercy and grace.

His birth celebration is important, of course, but without the resurrection, the world never would have seen what a truly-miraculous, tradition-breaking, awe-inspiring plan salvation is. Without Jesus’ resurrection, once I slumber in death that’s where I would stay. But because of that mind-bending miracle, the one I can’t even try to wrap my humble brain around, I get to go to sleep in death and rise again in Heaven. Doesn’t that make you want to shout for joy?!

Many of our Christian holidays have become so commercialized, generations of children grow up believing that trees and eggs and candy and presents are what they are about at their core. I’m so glad I know the truth and am able to teach it to my children. Easter is a great time of reflection on my personal salvation story and a day I can spend in extra prayer thanking Him for loving me enough to die for me. For loving me enough to rise for me.

I hope this Easter you were surrounded by family who loves you, by a church who loves you, and by friends who love you. But I also hope you remembered that there has never been a more beautiful reason to celebrate. Easter is proof God loves you enough to want you in Heaven with Him and His Son.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sara writes Inspirational Romantic Suspense from a mini-farm in East Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their five homeschooled children. 

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Tennessee Mountain Writers.

Her debut novel Callum's Compass won second place in Deep River Books' 2017 Writer's Contest. She also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature.

When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ as The Lion and the Lamb

The Lion and the Lamb
A devotional by Sara L. Foust

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." ~ Matthew 28:18 (KJV) 

"And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!" 

~John 1:36 (KJV) 

Spring is coming! I’m so excited. I often joke that I am really a lizard. I miss the sun when it is cold and wet all winter. And as soon as it starts to warm up, I am outside soaking in all that glorious Vitamin D.

I love the way the winds blow spring into East Tennessee. Like with each gust, it is pulling spring from the other side of the world, bringing it to us in warm breaths. Wrapped up in the power of those winds, I find myself looking to the Creator and each spring being in awe of His amazing creation. The tiny stems of life that sprout from the ground and in the nests in the trees never cease to amaze me.

Each March I think of the old saying, “In like a lion, out like a lamb.” March here is often unpredictable. Sometimes warmth creeps in early. Sometimes late. Sometimes early warmth fools us into thinking spring is here and we get slammed with a late snowstorm. (Like the blizzard of ’93, which, if you lived through it, you still talk about like it is a big deal 25 years later, because nothing has happened like it since.) In the middle of these unpredictable changes, I am reminded of my Savior, whose perfect sacrifice was enough to cleanse me from my sins. Not because He changes, but because He changed me. That He willingly laid His life down for me is humbling, to say the least. I am not worthy of that kind of sacrifice. There’s nothing I could ever do to earn it. Yet, He offered himself as a lamb on a pain-filled cross altar for me. Never had a more perfect sacrifice been found. Never will it be found again.

Now He protects me with his lion-like majesty and power, watching over me, guarding me, guiding me each step I take. Protecting my soul from harm and lending His power as a blanket over me.

Thank God, Jesus was that perfect sacrificial lamb! Thank God He loved me enough to suffer and die! And that He continues to love me enough to get me through each and every day. To bring me to another beautiful spring. To let me witness daily the incredible intricacies of His creation.

Have you heard this song, Big Daddy Weave, “The Lion and the Lamb”? It’s such a beautiful expression of Jesus’s twofold ability to be both the lion and the lamb. To both save and protect, humble and make strong. I am so thankful that God is able to be everything I need. 

Aren’t you?

~*~
Author Bio:

Sara writes Inspirational Romantic Suspense from a mini-farm in East Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their five homeschooled children. 

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Tennessee Mountain Writers. Her debut novel, Callum's Compass, won second place in Deep River Books' 2017 Writer's Contest. She also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. 

Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com. 

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Words of Faith: How to find joy...and your true value

The Joy in Our Value
A Words of Faith story by Rachel Scott McDaniel

Comparison is the thief of joy. A quote from Teddy Roosevelt, but also a truth from the Bible. (2 Cor. 10:12) So often we examine ourselves, judge our worth by the success of others.

When I was a new mom, this subtle evil plagued me. I would see on social media the got-it-all-together mama—the one who hits the gym every morning, then returns to make pancakes in the shape of dolphins for her children, and continues to post every account of her perfect day. And here I am concentrating not to burn the grilled cheese while calming a screaming child who’s finger just got smashed in the door, then hustling to clean up the cereal my toddler spilled all over the kitchen floor. Frustration overwhelms and joy vanishes.

Friends, that’s not God’s best for us.

Yes, we are to praise and congratulate others on their achievements, but that’s where we need to stop. Our value should never diminish because of another person’s attainment. Self-pity is poison to our soul. It all boils down to one question—What is our true value?

When we were looking for a house, the real estate agent said a house’s worth depended solely on what a person would pay for it. It didn’t matter if it was a new construction or recently remodeled with modern features. Its value was in how much it was purchased for.

So keeping in that same vein, our value lies in the price paid for us. Do you know how much we cost? Here’s the price tag. God’s only Son lived his entire existence sinless, abstaining from evil to the point he perspired blood. He was despised, tortured, crucified and then gloriously resurrected. He paid an intensely high price for us.

The truth is, our worth doesn’t lie in what we do, but in who we are. We are created by the Almighty and purchased by His Son. That revelation changes everything. So it doesn’t matter if you can create elaborate Christmas ornaments using only pipe cleaners and toothpicks, you are perfect. You are enough. You are loved, by God!

~*~
Author bio:

Rachel Scott McDaniel writes Christian historical romance. Her passion is to weave the truth of God’s Word into entertaining and thought-provoking stories. 

She’s a member of ACFW, where she was a finalist in the 2015 First Impressions contest. She’s also won the ACFW PA chapter’s Great Beginnings contest. 

She’s also an editorial traffic manager for a healthy-living magazine. Her first and most important job is being the wife to her husband of fourteen years and mama to their two children.

~*~
Connect with Rachel:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rachelscottmcdaniel/
Twitter- https://twitter.com/rachelsmcdaniel

Happy Easter Sunday! Celebrating this special day with a song and an e-card

Every year, followers of Jesus Christ celebrate the meaning of Easter and remember the reason for our faith—the life of Jesus Christ!

It was through His life on Earth, death and resurrection that all those who believe in Him have a chance to go to heaven. Where would we be without our Savior? Lost and probably nonexistent.

I could talk forever about the beauty of the Christ's sacrifice and The Cross. But I figure that this music video "Mercy Tree" and an e-card from DaySpring would be better and take less time.

God bless you! Enjoy the music and card messages below this text.

An e-card for you:

The Easter Story told by the cutest kids

Introducing "25 Days of Christmas Stories" (holiday blog series)

Tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 1) marks the first day of Christmastime! What better way to celebrate than introducing a new blog series "25 Days of Christmas Stories"? 

This special holiday series is designed to share Christmas stories through the voices of authors who wrote and published Christmas stories in novel or novella form.

Every day from Dec. 1 through Dec. 25, you will meet a new author and learn about a fictional Christmas story they created. You may even have a few chances to win a copy of their featured book!

It's going to be a delightful 25 days filled with insight about these wonderful authors and their work via devotionals, interviews, personal essays and book reviews with excerpts from their Christmas stories! 

Most importantly, these holiday posts will remind us of the true reason of the season: Jesus Christ. Here's a photo from the cover of a book that is not featured in this series, but is a read I recommend, especially to those with young children:

I hope you are looking forward to this new series! A lot of wonderful opportunities to warm your heart and bring joy to your day are in store!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Alexis