December 2019
Happy Birthday Jesus! We celebrate the Lord’s birthday on the 25th of this month. Why not give Him the best gift ever – your life? You are that treasure and pearl of great price He finds, Who sells all that He has and purchases you with His precious blood. 1
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” 2
A Glorious Response…
Thomas writes: “God has placed it on my heart to write you.”
“I can’t fully explain it, but the feeling is there, and there is a message. I remember hearing of the Tate-LaBianca murders when they were first reported. Once I fully comprehended the brutality and savagery of the attacks, it horrified me. Once I learned the identity of the perpetrators involved, I despised them. I hated them. I wanted no mercy shown to them. My attitude was lock them up and throw away the key.
“However, I’ve learned recently of your turnabout. I’ve read up some on Abounding Love Ministries, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. What a remarkable story of redemption! Such a strong testimony of God’s grace! I’m proud and happy for you. What you’re doing in ministry outreach is beyond awesome! You’re allowing God to work through you to reach others… what greater aspiration can there be?
Your story has made me take a serious look at myself. Am I fighting the good fight of faith like you are? You’ve inspired me to walk closer to God and me a better witness on His behalf. I doubt I’ll ever meet you in person on earth, but when we’ve been gloriously called up to Heaven, I’ll gladly shake your hand. Kindest regards, Thomas, Tennessee.
Seems Like Only Yesterday…
Do you recall The Beatles singing, “Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away?” My troubles seem like only yesterday. Fifty years ago yesterday, November 30, 1969, after learning I was wanted for murder in California, I turned myself in to my cousin, the sheriff of Collin County in McKinney, Texas.
After all these years, the regrets of the crimes do not lessen; only that old man died with Christ, and the joy of the Lord has risen in my heart. His touch is a tangible one, since the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ fills my heart, awaiting His coming. 3
Until then, I spend time meditating God’s word, which is better than what this world offers. For instance, the apostle Paul taught: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” 4
Then & Now…
I was jailed two days before my 24th birthday, being a very confused person to say the least. Today at seventy-four, my life has passed before my eyes in prison, serving the Lord. One person wrote, “Funny how people who go to jail for murder wind up becoming Christian. Why not Muslim? Or Buddhism? Or nothing at all?” Simply, Jesus is the only One Who died and rose from the grave to give hope of eternal life.
See, we were spiritually dead in our trespasses and sin. 5 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” 6
I share these words to build your faith, since “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God.” 7 You may be hearing this for the first time, that is, really hearing, and as you hear and hear, a spark of faith will ignite your heart by the Holy Spirit as He did mine years ago, giving new life and hope, which can start for you today. Soon, you’ll be sharing with others how the Lord changed your life and set you free by the power of God’s grace. It’s all because of His great love for us, even though we blew it so terribly. 8
My Jubilee in Christ…
In the Old Testament, everything was freed to return to its original owner after fifty years. 9 I’m not physically free, but I’m free in my heart to fly like an eagle in Christ. I see the world from God’s point of view, not only spiritually, but mentally and emotionally. It’s such a joy and delight to see the sun and moon, the stars and planets, the lights of the hills of Tijuana, planes taking off and landing, rabbits and birds outside my window. I travel the world and the universe in my mind to the heights of Heaven, seated with Christ at the throne room of God.
But none of this would be possible without Christ’s victory over sin. Otherwise, I’d still be in bondage, like others I see around me, “…whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” 10 Also, I hear from those around the world who are blinded, needing the light, the Good News, the glory of Christ and the image of God shining from their hearts. In Christ, “…we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us… that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 11
Why not give Jesus your life as a gift on His birthday? He’ll take it and give you His glorious Light, so you can be His treasure and pearl of great price. It’s called the Great Exchange, when He took all your sin and death upon Himself, and He gave you His righteousness and life. Besides that, you’ll receive His peace and joy in this life and in the kingdom to come. Oh, what a deal!
A Prayer for You…
Jesus, please forgive me for my sins and save me from eternal separation from God. By faith, I accept Your work and death on the cross as sufficient payment for my sins. I rejoice that Your resurrection from the dead shows Your complete victory over sin and death – making me holy and acceptable in God’s sight. Thank You for providing the way for me to have a relationship with my heavenly Father and eternal life. Thank You for hearing my prayers and sending Your Holy Spirit to heal me in areas where I have been wounded and my emotions have been damaged. Please give me strength and wisdom to walk in the center of Your will now and forevermore. In Your holy and precious name I pray, Lord Jesus, Amen.
“Alexa: Enable Family Station”
Scripture References (NKJV):
1) Matt. 13:44-46
2) Matt. 1:21
3) Col. 1:27
4) Col 3:1-4
5) Eph 2:1-3
6) Eph. 2:4-7
7) Rom. 10:17
8) Rom. 5:8
9) Lev. 25:10,28
10) 2 Cor. 4:4
11) 2 Cor. 4:7,10b