This Christmas season we are not in the hustle and bustle of the big day. Our children and grandchildren are in different states and countries this year. We haven’t bought a single gift. I decorate all year so the house is warm with lights and color. I’ve been writing and posting on my website for many years. I love sharing God’s truths about living our lives to bring glory to God.
The thought that is on my heart is how God manifested Himself in the flesh as a babe in a manger because He loved us so much. God coming to earth to become our Savior was the first precious gift. But there is another gift that we must have to be able to be changed like unto His glorious body when He returns for His bride.
Jesus Christ was named Immanuel being defined as ‘God with us.’ His birth, life, ministry, death, burial and resurrection are shared with us in the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus told his followers just before His ascension into heaven after His resurrection to go back to Jerusalem – Luke 23: 47 & 49 “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Vs 49 – Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
It happened! Acts 2: 1 – 4 shares this – vs 4 – “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” In Acts 2:38 it’s called “The gift of the Holy Spirit.” Without the first gift of Jesus Christ, the second gift would not have happened! Jesus told his followers that he was walking with them, but he had to go away so he could send back the Comforter to dwell in them!
Many believe there is a God, but they have done nothing to allow Him to dwell in their hearts. The Bible teaches he that believes and is baptized shall be saved. We need the baptism in water in His precious name and the baptism of His Holy Spirit as happened on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is God in us the hope of glory! I Corinthians 6 shares that we have been bought with a price (Jesus’ death on the cross). Our body does not belong to us, it belongs to God and we are to glorify God in our body and spirit.
I celebrate the birth, life, death and resurrection of God daily. He came to earth as our ‘sin offering’ because He loved us. That’s the gift of Christ to us. The second gift from God to us is His Spirit living in us. We are to present our bodies daily as a living sacrifice unto Him in worship in living a godly life.
Daily I praise and thank God for His first gift of love coming to earth in the flesh to die on the cross and His second gift of His Spirit living inside my heart and soul. Just as He ascended in the clouds, He will return in the clouds to catch away His Bride. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
(c) Carol Clemans – December 2013 – www.carolclemans.org