Scripture tells us in the book of Hebrews that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What does that mean for you? That means that if two thousand years ago He healed, He forgave sin, He died for one person—then throughout all of time and eternity this same Jesus died for you, forgave you, loves you, lives to give you life, and came back from the dead so you could experience all that He has for you.

In 1 Peter chapter 5 the devil is called the adversary and is compared to a roaring lion. The devil threatens, the devil growls, and the devil scares you, but he has no power—only his attempt to threaten you in your world.

The Holy Spirit’s ministry is an earthly ministry where He meets in the habitation of our homes; He lives in us, He lifts us, He guides us, He comforts us, He instructs us, and He helps us—because God did not leave us without hope!

The pinnacle of God’s heart, the pinnacle of God’s desire, and the pinnacle of God’s love is not that He could be the authoritarian ruler of the universe. We have to get over that concept, because it wasn’t out of an authoritarian desire to create that God placed male and female in His garden. He was already omniscient, He was already omnipotent, He was already almighty God. Rather, it was His love for you and me that caused Him to begin the creation story!

Only humanity was created in the image of God. Only humanity was given the right and the ability and the authority to walk with the living God, to speak words as He spoke, to create as He created, to live as He lived, and to fellowship as He fellowshipped.

When you call on the name of Jesus and open up your heart to receive Him, He moves into your life in His entire presence and His entire being.  You become just like it was in the garden in the beginning: a spirit being in a flesh body, in contact with the living God.

Have you considered recently that God gave His Son to die on a cross, so that you might be justified just as if you had never sinned? This is amazing love!

For many of us today, regardless of our society, we allow the phrases “NO! You can’t!” “NO! You shouldn’t!” “NO! That’s not right!” “NO! It’s not possible!” to control our destinies. Realize today that Christ takes the parentheses off your life. He puts a plus on your future because He says, “All things are possible, only believe!” (Mark 9:23 paraphrased)

Millions of people around the globe today, perhaps even billions, celebrate this Christmas Christ who lives in the heart.

This Christmas season, in whatever situation you find yourself, remember—Christmas is not a brightly decorated, commercial season, but it is rather a moment of time when God determined to put on human flesh and dwell among us.

Remember, the God who is the Creator of the universe and all that we see is not some ethereal, cosmic, mystic being. No!  He is God with us, Emmanuel—the One who has come to live and dwell in our hearts!

We say to you: Merry Christmas! And may Christ dwell in your heart, and in your family!

When you have an encounter with Jesus Christ and surrender your life to receive Him as your Savior and Lord, it is not just an emotional experience. It is not just a rational, intelligent moment of decision. It is not just a cleansing of your past and passport to your future.

The seed of God has been planted in you in the same miraculous way that the seed of God was planted in Mary to produce the Lord Jesus!  You have to say yes to His will the same way Mary did. She did not understand but said, “Be it done unto me according to your will.”

Peter describes this phenomenon by declaring: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”  1 Peter 1:23

You have a miracle in you! All His purpose and power is now able to grow and develop in you. This gives special meaning when we celebrate His birth at Christmas!