What's the Big Deal about Jesus?

What’s the big deal about Jesus? Why are millions of Jesus’ followers willing to risk their lives and reputations to follow him?

   Because they believe he is who he claimed to be—according to historical records of his talks—the Son of God and the only way to God. They’ve experienced his love and forgiveness in their own lives.

  When a person realizes they’ve sinned and can’t change themselves, it leads to either despair or a search for someone who can give them hope.

     Jesus is that someone.

    Jesus lived a sinless life, taught about what God was really like, and healed the sick for three years.  

    Then he willingly let others kill Him to take the punishment for all our sins—everyone in history, including me. And you.

 

  After three days, he rose from the dead, proving that he was God in the flesh.

    When we believe these facts about Jesus and open our hearts to him, the Bible says we are “born again.”  Jesus comes to live in us, exchanging our sinful selves for his eternal life, making us God’s children.    

You can know that God has forgiven your sins, and that you will become a new person and one of God’s children simply by saying “Yes” to these questions:

1.      Do you believe that Jesus is God’s Son?

2.      Do you believe that He lived a sinless life, and died in your place, so you could be forgiven?

3.      Do you believe He resurrected from the dead, proving His deity?

4.      Do you acknowledge Him as Lord and God?

5.      Do you desire to live for Him?

     If you answered “yes” to these questions, the Bible says you are a Believer. Find a Bible teaching church to attend, be immersed into Jesus Christ, and you will be a new member of Jesus’s family!

     If you made this life-changing decision today, please email me at jeanettelevellie@gmail.com and let me know. I'd love to rejoice with you!

What’s the big deal about Jesus?

     
     What’s the big deal about Jesus?Why are millions of his disciples willing to risk their lives and reputations to follow him? Because they believe he is who he claimed to be—according to historical records of his talks—the Son of God and the only way to God. They’ve experienced his love and forgiveness in their own lives.


     When a person realizes they’ve sinned and can’t change themselves, it leads to either despair or a search for someone who can give them hope. Jesus is that someone.

      Born of a virgin, Jesus lived a sinless life, preached about God’s personality and kingdom for three years, and then willingly gave up his life to take the punishment for all our sins—everyone in history,
including you and me. After three days, he rose from the dead, proving he was God in the flesh.

      When we believe these facts about Jesus and open our hearts to him, the Bible says we are “born again.” He comes to live in us, exchanging our sinful selves for his eternal life, making us God’s children.     

     

If you long to get out of the pit of sin, receive a new life and a forever home with God in Heaven, you can become one of Jesus’ followers. All you need to do is believe that Jesus is who he claims to be, turn away from your sin, say “Jesus is Lord,” invite him into your heart, and be immersed in water in his name. He will then make you a new person, full of his life and power.

     Want to find out about Jesus’ claims for yourself? Please read the book of John in the Bible.

From Outlaws to God's Kids: A Christmas Story

      

My husband has a friend named Jesse James, with a twin brother named Frank. No joke. Apart from his name, Jesse doesn’t resemble the notorious train robber of the nineteenth century. But his four-year-old grandson, Lucas may be trying to get by with a little outlaw spirit.

In Lucas’ preschool this year, he heard about a boy who’d received nothing but coal in his stocking, and it worried Lucas. What if he hadn’t measured up to Santa’s standards? Would his stocking, as well as the huge, glistening box under the tree be stuffed with black lumps?

As he opened each gift from his stocking on Christmas, his fingers trembled. Candy. Hot Wheels. Erasable crayons. That wasn’t so bad.

Now, to see what the package under the tree held. In spite of his doubt, Lucas ripped apart the sparkling red paper to reveal… a battery-powered four-wheeler, the #1 request on his list! 

            Collapsing on the floor, he hugged himself and laughed, his gingerbread eyes dancing.

            “What are you laughing about?” asked his mom.

            “Because it’s so funny.”

            “What’s so funny, Lucas?”

            Pointing at the four-wheeler, he hooted, “I was bad this year, and I still got really good stuff!”

            Although Lucas may’ve thought he tricked Santa, he sets an example about receiving God’s grace.

You probably know Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But have you read verse 24? “…God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity, He put us in right standing with Himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where He always wanted us to be. And He did it by means of Jesus Christ (The Message).”  

God erased our sins by accepting Jesus’ sacrifice in our place. Just as Lucas couldn’t measure up to the standard of perfection he thought Santa required, we can’t measure up to God’s standard of perfection.  We simply open the package of His love by admitting we can’t save ourselves. Then, in spite of our doubts, we ask Him to take over our lives.

That’s when He changes us from outlaws to His kids.  It’s His best gift, wrapped in the package of a man named Jesus. He calls it “grace,” and it sure beats a sock full of hard black stuff.

Will you receive this gift today, and believe on Jesus as your Savior?

Surefire Winter Weather Predictor



#Jesusiscomingsoon #winterweatherpredictor #woolyworms 

 

When we moved from L.A. to Paris, Illinois nearly fourteen years ago, someone asked me what I thought of the winters here.   Wrapping the third scarf around my neck and adjusting my earmuffs, I said, “I try not to think about them too much.”

Not that spinning off the icy highway into a ditch isn’t my idea of a fun February game.  Or that I don’t enjoy drinking seventeen cups of tea a day from November to March—I always did enjoy that burst of energy a strong cup of tea gives.  I even discovered a brand of long underwear that are made from silk, so you don’t have to buy clothes two sizes larger than usual. That’s always gratifying.

Did you know there is a surefire way to predict winter weather? According to early American folklore, you can forecast the harshness of an upcoming winter by examining the brown band around a wooly worm’s middle. The thinner the brownish red band, the harsher winter will be.  

But I have my own methods.  As we go on a walk up the country lane near our home at Nevins and I spot a wooly worm scooting across the pavement, I’ll note its coloration. If it’s dark brown or black, representing the bare earth, I predict a mild winter with no snow. If it’s orange—a happy, warm color—I maintain the upcoming winter will be warmer than usual. And if the wooly worm is white or tan, I report that winter will be fast and fun, with snowfall only on Christmas Eve. 

copyright Ron Levellie, 2013

Scientific? Hardly. Accurate? Rarely. But my overly biased wooly worm reports make us laugh every time. And giggles help us get through the long, freezing months better than gripes.  I imagine even the wooly worms laugh—at me.

My wooly worm report is not as exciting or significant as the report Jesus told the Apostle John to share: “I am coming soon (Revelation 22:20).”

Some don’t believe Jesus’ report.  I hope and pray they change their minds, because God is not going to change His. When He’s ready for His Son to come back and retrieve His children, He’s not going to holler, “Ready or not, here I come!”

Others may believe, but think they have plenty of time to repent of their sin and turn their lives over to God before Jesus returns.  I’m a little worried for them, too, because God’s watch doesn’t operate on the same time zone ours does.  He can call a universal time out any moment He chooses.  And those who refuse to believe in Jesus Christ will be sitting in more than a chair in the corner. 

If you are reading this, it means Jesus hasn’t returned yet, and there is still a minute or two to look up and say “yes” to His gift of eternal life. Please don’t delay.  Please make Jesus your Lord today.

Because I’ve really grown fond of you, I want you with me in Heaven, where every day is bright, and every wooly worm gives a sunny report!

Have you asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life? If not, please email me at jeanettelevellie(at)gmail.com. I'd love to show you how you can become one of God's kids.