Category: Redemption

Why It Is Important to Reflect on the True Meaning of Christmas

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In a world where consumerism, materialism, and gluttony are pervasive, it seems that every day is treated as an opportunity to indulge, and holidays like Christmas have become occasions of excess rather than moments of gratitude. Yet, in the hustle of buying the latest gadgets, preparing lavish meals, and creating elaborate decorations, the deeper meaning of these celebrations risks being overshadowed. As Christians, we are reminded that Christmas is not just another day of festivity or an excuse for indulgence—it is a sacred time to give thanks and reflect on the greatest gift humanity has ever received: Jesus Christ.

The Reason for the Season

The world may often overlook the significance of Christmas, reducing it to commercial exchanges, but for believers, Christmas is a time to honor the birth of Jesus, God’s ultimate gift to the world. This is not just a day to exchange gifts, but a time to remember the immense love that God showed by sending His only son to save a broken world. John 3:16 states: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This verse beautifully encapsulates the core of what Christmas represents—God’s gift of salvation, freely given to all who would receive it.

The Problem of Consumerism and Gluttony

It is no secret that, particularly during the holiday season, we see an increase in spending, overindulgence, and sometimes even stress as people attempt to create a “perfect” Christmas. From overspending on presents to overloading on food, the season can easily become a frenzy of excess, often leaving people feeling more drained than fulfilled. Instead of bringing joy and peace, it often creates anxiety, debt, and dissatisfaction.

What was meant to be a time of reflection and gratitude has, for many, morphed into a pressure-cooker of social expectations. This is in stark contrast to the simple, yet profound, reason for Christmas: the birth of Christ, who came to give us eternal life, not fleeting material possessions.

A Call to Give Thanks and Return to the Heart of Christmas

Christmas should remind us of the importance of gratitude, not just for earthly blessings but for the eternal gift of salvation through Jesus. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This gift is freely offered to all of us. It is not something we can buy, nor something we deserve, but a testament to God’s infinite love for us.

Instead of focusing on the material aspects of the season, we are invited to reflect on Jesus’s life, His teachings, and most importantly, His sacrifice. As Christians, we are called to celebrate Christmas by remembering why Jesus came to this earth—to pay the price for our sins and offer us the gift of eternal life. This is the heart of the holiday, the reason behind all the joy, lights, and music. Without Christ, there would be no Christmas.

The Greatest Gift of All

The poem “The Greatest Gift” beautifully highlights the core message of the gospel: God’s love for us was so great that He sent His son to die in our place, offering us salvation and eternal life. This is the greatest gift the world has ever known—far more valuable than any material possession we might receive during the holiday season. It is a gift that cannot be earned, only accepted, through faith in Christ.

To receive this gift, we are invited to trust Jesus as our Savior and call upon His name. Through repentance and belief, we are born again, and our sins are forgiven, as Jesus already paid the price on the cross. This is the good news we celebrate during Christmas—a reminder that no matter how flawed or unworthy we may feel, God’s love for us is boundless.

Bringing the Focus Back to Christ

As the holiday season approaches, let us challenge ourselves to return to the true meaning of Christmas. Yes, it is a time for gathering with loved ones, enjoying good food, and exchanging gifts—but most importantly, it is a time to reflect on the immeasurable love of God shown through the birth of Jesus. Rather than getting lost in the distractions of consumerism and excess, we can choose to celebrate Christmas with a heart of gratitude, worship, and remembrance of God’s eternal gift.

In a world that constantly encourages us to seek more, Christmas reminds us that we have already been given the greatest gift—Jesus. Let us remember that Jesus is the reason for the season, and let that truth shape how we celebrate.

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

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*** Photo by George Dolgikh by Pexels

Victor Marx “A Warrior for Christ” From Victim to Victory

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Video – Victor Mark’s testimony is one of the redemptive power of God

Nothing is impossible for God! He is the restorer and healer of all things, if you give it to Him.

Victor Marx is a remarkable figure who has dedicated his life to humanitarian efforts and helping those trapped in devastating circumstances, including victims of human trafficking. Overcoming his own traumatic childhood of serious abuse and neglect, he transformed his pain into a mission to bring hope and restoration to others.

Through his organisation, All Things Possible Ministries, Victor works in high-risk areas, including war zones and regions plagued by human trafficking, to rescue and rehabilitate those in need. His ministry has impacted tens of thousands of lives, including children and survivors of abuse, as well as prisoners through his outreach programmes. His work exemplifies courage, faith, and perseverance.

Victor Marx is also a devoted family man with over 34 years of marriage, five children, and five grandchildren. He shares his wisdom and experiences to inspire others, blending his military discipline, faith, and compassionate outlook to build successful relationships and empower individuals to thrive despite life’s challenges.

Notable Quotes by Victor Marx:

“Kids who are born in the fire , will not be burned by the heat of life”

“Forgiveness is giving up your right to hurt someone back for hurting you.”

“Forgiving: gaining real estate in your heart to both give and receive love”

Support

To support Victor Marx’s ministry and his mission to bring hope, freedom, and restoration to those in desperate need, consider contributing to All Things Possible Ministries: Support

Outstanding interviews with Victor Marx at the Shaun Ryan show

Part 1 – How Victor became the Guinness book of records fastest gun disarmer in the world

Part 2 – Overcoming childhood terror

Part 3 – How big tech and AI influence child predators

Helpful Posts:

Trusting God to Heal the Scars of Sexual Abuse

8 Steps to Forgiveness and Learning How to Forgive

Who I am in Christ

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*** By Lori McPherson / Photo: Outreach magazine / YouTube Video Victor Marx / Victor Marx book: The Dangerous Gentlemen

Fake Christians

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Bible Verses About Fake Christians

Sadly there are many false believers who will be expecting to go to Heaven and will be denied entrance. The best way to avoid being one is to make sure you have truly put your trust in Christ alone for salvation.

When you have repented and put your faith in Christ that will lead to a change of life. Follow God and educate yourself with his Word.

Many people follow false teachings from the Bible given by false preachers or they just refuse to obey instructions from God and follow their own minds. 

There are many people who throw on the Christian name tag and think by just going to church they will be granted Heaven, which is false. You know there are people like that in your church and especially in the youth today.

You know there are people still having sex outside of marriage, still going to clubs, they still have a continuous willful potty mouth. Hell will be worse for these people than atheists. They are just Sunday Christians and they don’t care about Christ. Am I saying that a Christian is perfect? No. Can a Christian backslide? Yes, but there will be growth and maturity in a true believers life because it is God working in them. They won’t just remain in darkness if they are the Lord’s sheep because God will discipline them and also His sheep hear His voice.

Fake Christians quotes

Laurence J Peter – “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to the garage makes you a car.”

“Don’t let your lips and your lives preach two different messages.”

“Your most powerful testimony is how you treat others after the church service is over.”

“What a heartbreak it would be to live an “almost” Christian life, then “almost” get into heaven.”

Beware, there are many fake Christians

1. Matthew 15:8 These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

2. Isaiah 29:13 And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.

3. James 1:26 If a person thinks that he is religious but can’t control his tongue, he is fooling himself. That person’s religion is worthless.

4 1 John 2:9 Those who say that they are in the light but hate other believers are still in the dark.

5. Titus 1:16 They claim to know God, but they deny him by what they do. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.

Fake Christians don’t care about God’s Word

Fake Christians sin on purpose saying, “I’ll just repent later” and disobey God’s teachings. Even though we are all sinners and we still struggle with sin, Christians don’t live a lifestyle of willfully and deliberately sin.

6. 1 John 2:4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.

7. 1 John 3:6 Those who live in Christ don’t go on sinning. Those who go on sinning haven’t seen or known Christ.

8. 1 John 3:8-10 The person who practices sin belongs to the evil one, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason that the Son of God was revealed was to destroy what the Devil has been doing. No one who has been born from God practices sin, because God’s seed abides in him. Indeed, he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born from God. This is how God’s children and the Devil’s children are distinguished. No person who fails to practice righteousness and to love his brother is from God.

9. 3 John 1:11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

10. Luke 6:46 Why do you call me Lord but don’t do what I tell you?

Fake Christians think that there is another way to get into heaven besides Jesus.

11. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

True Christians love Jesus and have new desires and affection for Him.

12. John 14:23-24 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.”

13. 1 John 2:3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.

14. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Fake Christians are hypocrites

Even though the Bible says we are to lovingly, kindly, and gently go to our brothers and sisters alone to correct them of their sins, how can you do that, but you’re doing the same thing as them just as much or even more than them? People who do things for show such as give to the poor and other acts of kindness to be seen by others are also hypocrites.

15. Matthew 7:3-5 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

16. Matthew 6:1-2 Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

17. Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Fake Christians will not enter into heaven.

False converts will be denied. 

18. Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

19. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

20. Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Fake Christians are false preachers and false prophets just like the cast of Preachers of LA.

21. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

22. Jude 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

23. 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

24. Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Reminders

25. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

If you don’t know the Lord: A Clear Gospel Message

***By Fitz Cherry at Bible / Photo from pexels

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Living Right Today

The Judge – Upholding what is right comes at a cost

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There’s a story about a judge whose own son was brought before him for a crime he had committed. The judge felt a deep grief that his son would violate the laws upon which he based his entire life. Tears welled in his eyes and he listened painfully as the evidence against his son was presented. The courtroom sat in silence wondering how the judge would rule. Would he just give him a reprimand in an act of mercy? Would he give him the minimum penalty for the offense? Much to their surprise, he handed down the maximum fine, upholding the law to its fullest degree. The son was in shock, for he knew that he couldn’t pay the fine and was anguished at the thought of imprisonment. He looked up at him in disbelief.

But then something happened that nobody expected. He stepped down from the bench, took off his judge’s robe, told his son how much he loved him and then paid, out of his own pocket, the fine he had just handed down. Not everyone understood what he had done. As a judge, he showed his commitment to honor the law to its fullest, but he then stepped down from that seat of honor and showed his love for his child. His son never understood the depth of his father’s commitment to the law until that moment, and, until that moment, he never knew the depth of his father’s love for him. He felt deep sorrow for the pain he had caused him and for those he had hurt by his act of crime. With his head bowed, and his tears flowing freely, he asked for his forgiveness, which he willingly and freely gave to him.

This story is actually an allegory for God’s relationship to us. Our crimes are our willful departure from the laws given us by God for the way we are to live. When we break those laws, God is grieved and pained. Inevitably there are natural consequences of our failings that hurt others, sometimes affecting lives for generations to come. This is why God’s laws say that the penalty for sin is death. His holy nature demands that He not just let us off the hook or go easy on us. So what did He do? He came down from heaven to us in Jesus Christ to help us to understand His laws, to show us the depth of His love for us and to pay the price of our sin with His own life. This never made sense to me until I understood how I fell short of God’s standards for life and how deeply that had hurt those who depended on me the most. But once I knew the love and forgiveness of God, I turned away in disgust from my deepest sins and understood, in a way I never had before, how to love and forgive others.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:36-37)

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If you don’t know the love of Christ yet and how He came to save us from our sins and restore our relationship unto the Father, I say to you today: Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, no one comes unto the Father but by Him. If you haven’t welcomed Jesus into your heart and into your life, now is the time. Do it before it’s to late, for today is the day of salvation! Ask for the forgiveness of your sins (the wrong things you have done), repent (turn from them) and leave your old ways behind, and begin a new life trusting in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour and soon coming King!

7 things to do after getting saved copy copyDownload

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*** By Snapshotsofgod.com