Your Greatest Gift

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year to lift up the name of Jesus and tell of His saving grace. While the world focuses on the gifts and festivities of the season, we have the joy of reflecting on what Jesus did for us…how He wrapped Himself in flesh and blood and gave His life as a ransom for humankind.

Jesus came to earth for a purpose. He came to die, so we might live. He came to set us free from the power of sin, sickness, and death.

Jesus also came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). His birth was an all-out assault on the enemy’s dominion that freed us from the bondage of his work and influence. Jesus came to reclaim that dominion and give it back to man.

Jesus said in John 4:34, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (NASB). Food represents nourishment and strength, and Jesus was saying the source of His strength was doing His Father’s will.

What About Our Purpose?

One day Jesus told His disciples, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain” (John 15:16 NASB).

You and I have a purpose—a destiny in this life—and that purpose is to bear fruit for the Lord and His Kingdom. Everything else is wood, hay, and straw, and it’s all going to burn up one day (1 Corinthians 3:11–15). We will only take two things into eternity: ourselves and what we have done for the Lord.

There’s an old song that says, “Only one life … will soon be past … only what’s done for Christ will last … only one chance to do His will … so give to Jesus all your days … give to Jesus all your ways … for you have but one life.”

I know it’s difficult to comprehend eternity … life without end. The Bible speaks about the normal length of a person’s life on this earth as just 70 years (Psalm 90:10), so our life in eternity will be much more significant.

What will people say when we come to the end of our earthly race? Will they say we were the real deal? Will they say we were people of integrity who walked the walk, not just talked the talk? Will they recognize that we were humble and people after God’s heart? Will they testify that we lived to see souls saved?

Lessons from the Magi

Two thousand years ago, the magi traveled long and far as they followed the star in the east to the place where Jesus was born. With them, they brought precious and costly gifts for the Christ child.

When I think about their example, I ask myself what I can possibly give the Lord. What gift can I bring Him? The answer is always the same two things: myself and souls.

If you’ve been an Inspiration partner for very long, you know how much I love the old songs of the church. One of them says, “All He wants is you … nothing else will do … not just a
part … He wants all of your heart … all He wants is all of you … all He wants is you!”

This Christmas, let’s remember the greatest gift of all, given freely to us…our Lord Jesus Christ. And let’s remember to bring Him two gifts this Christmas: ourselves…and souls!

One day, our appointed time on earth will pass. Then the only thing that will matter is what we did for Him on this earth and who we were able to bring to Heaven as a result of our prayers, actions, and offerings. Proverbs 11:30 reminds us, “He who wins souls is wise.”

We’re Thankful for Your Partnership

I am so grateful for your partnership in this ministry that is bringing the joy and peace of Jesus Christ to people all over the world—not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.

Together, we are sending the message of hope in Jesus Christ to a potential worldwide audience of over 1.2 billion people a day! People in more than 200 nations can receive the light of the Gospel through our Christian TV broadcasts and our digital outreaches.

We want you to know we’re praying for you … not just today … but every day. We pray for all our Inspiration partners—your family, your finances, your physical body, and your spiritual life. We pray for God to step into your circumstances and show Himself strong on your behalf.

Your Christmas Gift

This Christmas, give yourself to the Lord more completely than ever before. And give Him the gift He came to give His life for … souls.

Every second, two people pass into eternity—most without a saving knowledge of Christ. The world now contains almost eight billion people, and more than three billion of them have never heard the name of Jesus even once in their lifetime.

Who will lift up Jesus’ name and tell these precious people that Jesus died for them? Through your partnership with Inspiration Ministries, you are impacting people for Christ worldwide through media. Thank you!

My friend and partner, even though you may face difficult circumstances, there is so much to celebrate this Christmas. He has redeemed you, and He is with you no matter how hard things may seem at times.

In the midst of these anxious days, why not follow the example of the magi and bring your Savior a generous gift? Why not respond to His amazing promise in Malachi 3:10: “‘Put Me to the test now in this,’ says the Lord of armies, ‘if I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows’” (NASB).

This holiday season may the Lord give you a fresh revelation of His love for YOU—love that took Him from the glories of Heaven to a dusty stable in Bethlehem … to a cross on a Jerusalem hillside … to the right hand of God’s throne in Heaven … so that you might spend eternity with Him!

I am praying your heart will be full of praise and adoration as you celebrate Jesus, our living Savior. Have a blessed Christmas, filled with the peace, presence, and provision of the Lord!

God Bless You!

Your partner to reach the lost,

David Cerullo