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The Body of Christ

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Many Christians today are in the habit of not going to church. Most are good-hearted believers, who simply dont think they need the local church. But Hebrews 10:25 tells us, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.”

Why do we need church? Because the local church is Gods way of shaping us, molding us, and then using us to reach our world. Although there may be people there who rub us the wrong way, thats part of the genius of Gods design!

He wants to stretch us, and cause us to grow. We may get bothered by the style of this, or the sound of that. But its good for us! Its humbling, its purifying, its “iron sharpening iron.”

As we are sharpened by others in the church, we become more like Jesus Christ. We also learn how to work with those who are different than us. And working well with other believers is one of the best expressions of Jesus Christ to our world.

So, dream great dreams for your church! Be faithful to it! Pray for it! And get involved. Ask God to use your church to reach your neighborhood, your city, your country for Jesus Christ. Thats exactly what He wants to do!

The Light of Life

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Jesus Christ says, “I am the light of the world. If anyone follows me they will not walk in darkness but they will have the light of life.” What kind of life is he talking about? Its Eternal Life. Eternal life is the life of God in the soul of man. As this Christmas rolls around, I want you to experience Jesus Christ for yourself.

Friends, there is one who has power to forgive sin and make the light shine. He can change your heart. Jesus Christ wants to give you eternal life. He is the one who assures us by saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”

But, dear friends, you have to make a decision. It isnt enough to say “gee that sounds good.” You have to know him for yourself. Life can change instantly, if you open your heart to Christ.

If you trust His promises, and rest in Him, you will be forgiven. Youll have the peace of God. Youll become a child of God. Youll receive the Holy Spirit. Youll receive eternal life. When you give your heart to Jesus the light of the world fills your soul. Will you give your heart to Jesus Christ today?

Rose’s Story

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Do you feel alone in your walk with God? Do you think you are the only one who struggles with questions? Guess what? Youre NOT alone! Thats one of the blessings of being honest and telling others what you feel – youll discover that you are not alone!

Rose recently shared her story with me. She said that she dedicated her life to Jesus Christ in 2003 after watching a movie about Him. Since then, she has been trying very hard to keep God in her daily life, but its hard. She feels alone.

I do not know Rose well. But it sounds like she has had times of being pretty lonely. Thats why its so important to tell a trustworthy follower-of-Jesus when you give your life to the Lord – so that you will have accountability, friendship, and support.

Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

We need to be in fellowship with one another. We need to tell each other what is going on in our lives. God asks us to bear one anothers burdens. Please dont try to walk through life alone. Tell a trustworthy friend about what God has been doing in your life. Your story may bless them, and you will be blessed by telling them!

Drawing Near

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I really admire a man named Robert Levy. He’s my son, Andrew’s, father-in-law. Robert’s a very powerful businessman, but his main purpose in life is leading people to Jesus Christ – which is what I respect most about him.

Robert is a true man of God, but that didn’t happen by accident. I believe it’s because He purposes to spend time with God every morning. Before anything else, he’s up at 5:00 am to spend time with God.

Do you want to be someone like that, too? James 4:8 tells us: “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” Those aren’t just words that James wrote because they sounded nice – they’re true! It’s a call from God. It’s an invitation from the King.

God longs to be near you, to change you, and use you for His glory. When we make one small move toward Him, He rushes to us with open arms!

The Lord Jesus said that he wants to be a close friend of yours. But you need to make the choice to spend time with Him, reading His word, and listening to the Holy Spirit. Then, as you walk with God, people will notice.

They’ll think, “There’s something different about her – maybe I’ll ask her about the struggle I’m going through.” By spending time with the Lord, you will have his quiet power and confidence to witness to the lost and lonely people in your world.

All Things Possible

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Years ago, I met Cameron Townsend in Mexico City. I had always admired this missionary because of his faith and vision to start Wycliffe Bible Translators.

So when I saw Mr. Townsend in a coffee shop, I wanted to hear what he was working on. He was about 65 years old, but I knew he wasn’t slowing down in his evangelism efforts.

Cameron Townsend told me he was studying Russian. “Why?” I asked. He said, “Because I’m going to go to Russia and I’m going to place missionaries there.” Now this was in the days when atheistic Marxism-Leninist was still in power in Russia and it sounded like a crazy idea.

“How are you going to get permission?” I asked. He said, “The Lord told me to go. I will get permission.” And then he said, “Luis, never take no for a negative. When somebody closes a door, it means the Lord probably wants you to come in through the back window.”

A few months later I saw Dr. Townsend again. He said, “Luis, we’ve already got three couples in Russia!” They were translating the Bible into some of the esoteric languages of the old Soviet Union!

In Matthew 19:26 Jesus tells his disciples, “With God all things are possible.” When you share the Good News, God can open doors you never imagined would open. Choose to believe Him, and then go for it, just as Cameron Townsend did. And look at the results.