December 2011

One of our purposes at the Abounding Love website is to encourage you to worship God, especially during the month of December, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. After His birth in the manger, the physician Luke records:

"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, goodwill
toward men.'"1

Are you at peace with God because of His love and goodwill toward you in Christ? If not, you can be at peace now.

God's goodwill...

For the first 29 years of my life, I didn't understand that God sent His Son, Jesus, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God. 2 This is the Good News, which I'm called to share with you.

"For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.
It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes -- Jews first and also Gentiles. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, 'It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'"3

 

It was 1975, when God revealed His righteousness to me through faith in Christ Jesus. That night, the Holy Spirit miraculously came into my heart. He is no respecter of persons. He will do the same for anyone. For all who "...call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."4

Faith brings peace and joy...

Once you receive right standing with God through faith in Jesus, you will experience true peace and joy. Listen to what the Scriptures say:

"Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight
by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus
Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, 
Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege
where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully
look forward to sharing God's glory."5

This place of highest privilege where we now stand is the Kingdom of God. I pray in agreement with the Apostle Paul, saying:

"May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, 
who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs 
to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued 
us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and 
He has brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. God
has purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven
us of our sins."6

Glory to God in the highest...

Now you know why the multitude of angels were praising God. Good News has come to all mankind. It is time to lift your hands and offer a sacrifice of praise. We no longer sacrifice lambs as of old, but now offer a sacrifice of praise because of what faith in Christ's sacrifice has provided -- righteousness.

"With Jesus' help, let us continually offer our sacrifice
of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of His name.
Don't forget to do good and to share what you have 
with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing
to God."7

Now, we are equipped to be a blessing to those around us. In the Scriptures, this is called the fruit of righteousness.

"For you were once in darkness, but now you are light
in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of 
the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
finding what is acceptable to the Lord."8

"Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by 
those who make peace."9

Be at peace now...

You can receive the peace of God right now as God tugs on your heart.

"...the way of getting right with God through faith says,
'You don't need to go to heaven' (to find Christ and bring
Him down to help you). And it says, "You don't need to
go to the place of the dead' (to bring Christ back to life again).
Salvation comes from trusting Christ -- which is the message
we preach -- is already within easy reach. In fact, the 
Scriptures say, 'The message is close at hand; it is on your
lips and in your heart.'"10

So as the Lord tugs on your heart to be saved, you need to do something:

"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 Scriptures
tell us, 'Anyone who believes in Jesus will not be disappointed.'
Jews and Gentiles are the same in this respect. They all have
the same Lord, who generously gives His riches to all who 
ask for them. For 'Anyone who calls on the name of the
Lord will be saved.'"11

Won't you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and Be SAVED Today? I beg you to pray out loud with me now.

A Prayer For You...

Heavenly Father, I pray that You reveal the righteousness of Christ in me through the finished work of the Cross. I am a new creation in Christ.12 I believe in the cleansing blood of Jesus for my righteousness, and not my good works. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. I believe I will not be disappointed "...for the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."13 I will yield to the righteousness of Christ that lives in me. Lord, I ask that You increase my faith so that I will be continually conscious of the revelation of my righteousness in Christ. Hurt, frustration, and insecurity, GO in the name of Jesus! I am secure because I am accepted! Amen.

Scripture References:

1 Luke 2:13, 14
2 2 Cor. 5:21
3 Rom. 1:16, 17
4 Rom. 10:13
5 Rom. 5:1, 2
6 Col. 1:11b - 14
7 Heb. 13:15, 16
8 Eph. 5:8-10
9 James 3:18
10 Rom. 10:6-8
11 Rom. 10:9-13
12 2 Cor. 5:17
13 Rom. 14:17

Acknowledgement: A special thanks to Sherry for transcribing this months view!