Tag: Salvation

Mary Remembered – A Christmas Eve Reflection

By Leigh Ann Crainshaw

Sometimes, when I think about that first Christmas night, I begin to imagine what it was like for Mary.

Not in the way we picture it on cards or in nativity sets — but the real, human moment of it all.  The weariness.  The uncertainty.  The awe of holding something holy, and realizing it’s alive in your arms.

This was the night the world changed, a night you’d never forget. Not because of the angels — though their voices filled the heavens — and not because of the star — though it burned brighter than any she’d ever seen.  You remember because you held Him.

I imagine the air was cold that night, the wind carrying the scent of hay and dust.  Mary was so young… so unsure.  And yet, in her arms, peace itself was breathing — the Savior of all — His tiny fingers curled around hers as if to say, “Do not be afraid.”

And she wasn’t, because she felt it – heaven was nearer than it had ever been.  

Years passed.  The child became a teacher, the teacher a sacrifice, and the

sacrifice — salvation.

But that night in Bethlehem, it was just a mother and her son. God’s light entering the world through a mother’s love.

And that light reaches us still.  Through every shadow, every heartache, every quiet moment where faith is all we have.

So tonight, we remember what Mary remembered — that the Light of the World was born into the ordinary, and changed everything it touched.

And it can change us still.  So let it begin again, Lord.  Let Your light be born again — in us, tonight, and always. 

Don’t worry, Jesus is alive and well and He will come again.

John 14:1-6

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4   And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 1:8-11

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.9  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.10  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

As believers we have this blessed hope and assurance. He ascended back to heaven to make constant intercession for us, and He is getting our place ready for us. He will come and take us. He will meet us and lead us home. We do not need to worry about getting lost on the way because He personally will take us to be with Him for all eternity. What an outstanding promise.

This life will not always be easy

Acts 8:18; 22-23  – For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

    One reason we are looking for His return is to escape this body of sorrow.

    Our bodies have yet to be redeemed (adoption).

    We will be given a brand-new body.

      I Corinthians 15:51-58 – Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

      There will be a reward for remaining faithful in this life.

      II Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

      • Do not give up, keep fighting.
      • Finish what God has designed for you.
      • A crown awaits your faithful service.’
      • Persecutions come.
      • Sickness comes.
      • Hurts come.
      • Victory has been declared by Jesus Himself for you.

      I Corinthians 15: 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

      Are you ready for His coming?

      Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

      WHAT TO DO?

      1. Must believe you are a sinner.
      2. Must be willing to turn from sin to Jesus.
      3. Must believe He died for your sin.
      4. Must do what God requires:

      Romans 10:9-11 – That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed

      Heaven, My Home Sweet Home

      John 14:1-6 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

      There is still plenty of room

      He will not throw out anyone who comes.

      John 6:37-40 –  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.38  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.39  And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

      The invitation is still open.

      Isaiah 55:1-3 –  Ho, every one that    thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.3  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

      You and I get to be the inviters
      Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

      Psalm 126:5-6 –  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

      2 Timothy1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

      Romans 12:1-3 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

      II Corinthians 5: 11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

      My new home is built by the Hand of God Himself –

      TWO NEW HOMES WE HAVE:

      New Body

      II Corinthians 5:1   For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (read thru 11)

      New dwelling place

        John 14: 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you

        Still to come – plenty of room, Jesus will be there, It is not built by man but all built by God, all the redeemed will be there, but it takes the proper paperwork to enter in.

        The Main Course

        Ephesians 3:14-19 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

        New Birth – Heaven

        Today we will talk about the “–” which represents our life from the new birth to our going home.  We learned last Sunday that it starts with Jesus (the new birth) and ends in Heaven around His throne.  Eternity is what we all are longing for as believers.  This whole life that we as believers live is always with eternity in view.  Let us look at what this dash is all about.

        It should be all about Jesus

        Philippians 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

        Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

        Romans 8:35-39 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

        It should be all about surrender
        • Jesus lived a life that was all about surrender. – Luke 22:42  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
        • We are to surrender our will for His. –

        Romans 12:1-2 –  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

          2 Corinthians 6:14-17 – Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

          This is a very blessed life

          Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that  walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

          This life is lived with the kingdom in mind

          Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

          Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

          Matthew 6:19-20   Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

          Where it All Begins (the appetizer)

          I know some of you may wonder why I called this the appetizer.  Without this there is no main course.  Jesus is the beginning of this awesome experience, and what an awesome experience it is.  Without Him, I AM NOTHING.  With Him, I AM EVERYTHING.  I am saved, sealed, and delivered.  This it is the three course meal.  I am His, He has placed His seal of approval upon me and I will be safely delivered into His very presence. 

          1. Someday, everyone must to meet God. Hebrews 9:26-28 – For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
          2. God has one requirement to enter into eternal life. John 3:3 – Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
          3. Sin is a problem that God hates and it has to be dealt with. Habakkuk 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?
          4. Because God loves the sinner, something had to be done. John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
          5. God has set the terms and they are nonnegotiable. Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Acts 16:30-31 – 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
          6. Conclusion:
            a. All must die.
            b. Are you ready for that day?
            c. When you stand before God, will you be stained by your own sin or will you be clean because of the blood of Jesus Christ,
            d. Will you respond to His call now? –
          Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.