salvation

Jesus, The Transformer

/ Virginia / Leave a comment

The “Jesus Gets Us” organization sponsored another commercial during Sunday’s Super Bowl. I understand what they’re trying to do, but, in my humble opinion, their commercials are missed opportunities. Rather than trying to make Jesus fit into our current culture, I agree with Pastor Jamie Bambrick, Jesus is so much more. Jesus has transformative power that can take us from an old life to a new creation. As an example, I invite you to see Pastor Bambrick’s viral video which counters the “Jesus Gets Us” commercials. Click here: Jesus Saves Us

If you tuned into to Turning Point USA’s alternative half-time show, you saw another example of what Jesus can do. Kid Rock took the stage, singing a portion of his bawdy, 1999 hit Bawitaba. The stage goes black, and a cellist and violinist play a beautiful Christian hymn. Then the name Robert Richie flashes across the black stage… Kid Rock’s birth name. He appears wearing blue jeans, a baseball cap, and holding a guitar. He sings “‘Til You Can’t,” a country song made famous by Cody Johnson. Kid Rock spoke about being awakened one night with the song in his head and the realization that an additional verse needed to be written. Then he sang these words, “There’s a book sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off / There’s a man who died for all our sins, hanging from the cross / You can give your life to Jesus, and he’ll give you a second chance / Till you can’t.”

Kid Rock’s artistic rendition showed how he cut the strings from his past, bawdy life to his new life in Jesus. And he told us we all have the same opportunity… until we can’t. To listen to the song, click here: Kid Rock’s Till You Can’t

Think about what Jesus could do in your life. He pursues us, but He won’t force Himself on us. Like Pastor Bambrick portrays in his video, Jesus doesn’t just get us… He saves us. He transforms us. He cleanses us. He restores us. He forgives us. He heals us. He delivers us. He redeems us. He loves us.

Please give Jesus a chance to change your life, too.

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Why Did Jesus Come?

/ Virginia / Leave a comment

The Christmas story is a true love story. The Bible tells us that God sent Jesus into the world because of His love for us. In John 3:16, we read, “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.”  Because of Jesus, we need not doubt God’s love for us. 

God sent Jesus as a baby so that He could experience every aspect of being human.    Jesus knew what it was like to be a child, to experience adolescence, and to struggle with temptation. He knew what it meant to be ridiculed, mocked, and betrayed. He understood sorrow and death. He felt the pain and agony of His crucifixion. Because of His earthly experiences, Jesus is our advocate in Heaven, pleading our case to reconcile us to God the Father. The Bible tells us, “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

Finally, Jesus came to earth to offer each of us salvation. In Mark 10:45, Jesus says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” 

Through His crucifixion and death, Jesus paid the sin debt each of us owes so that we might have eternal life with Him in heaven.

This gift of love and salvation that Jesus offers is ours, but it is not forced upon us. We must choose to open and accept His beautiful gift.  In Romans 10:9 we are assured, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

I pray this Christmas that you choose Jesus to be your loving Lord and Savior.  Merry Christmas and may God’s riches blessings be with you and yours. 

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon His shoulder,
    and His name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

For further reading, visit https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/books/why-did-jesus-christ-come-as-a-baby-1458843.html