MIND OF CHRIST MINISTRIES, INC.
PASTOR THOMAS E. OGLESBY
P.O. BOX 85
NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY 07110
website: mindofchristministries.net
Phone: 973-818-2750
e-mail: mindofchrist@verizon.net
December 2022
“God’s Gift of Love”
Dear Believer (s):
There is no doubt about it. Christmas is a Time of Love. “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.” (John 3:16) God loved us so much that He did not want us to perish. He did not want us to die and live an eternity in Hell.
Because of Christmas God has given us the gift of His Son. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Jesus Christ’s Birth was God’s Gift to all mankind, to save us from sin. God sent Jesus to earth, so that after His birth, death, and resurrection, His Spirit would live within us by the process of the Holy Spirit.
The wise men came leaving gifts to give to the Son of God. “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy! And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” (Matthew2:1-2, 7-12)
How did the birth of Jesus take place? Now Mary was engaged to Joseph but before they were married, she found out she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. She told Joseph and he did not believe her. Joseph was a man who always did what was right. Now Joseph was not responsible for Mary’s pregnancy. In Deuteronomy 24:1 “When a man hath taken a wife, and married her and it came to pass that she found no favor in his eyes, because he hath, found some uncleanness in her: let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand and send her out of his house.” But Mary and Joseph were not married. Joseph being a just man or the Bible says, “Joseph was a man who always did what was right.” Joseph did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so, he made plans to break the engagement privately. While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendent of David do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived.” (Matthew 1:20) Jesus was born of a virgin “Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
Why was Jesus Born? ”And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew1:21)
God loved us so much that Jesus’s birth has allowed the Spirit of God to live in us when we became God’s children. Jesus has made it possible for God’s Spirit to live in all men. We have the ability to communicate with God, and to have the presence of God’s Spirit in our lives. In John 14:18, Jesus said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” Jesus is saying that He will send the Holy Spirit to live in us. The Holy Spirit is the one that comforts us, empowers us, teaches us, guides us, and reveals real truth to us. It’s the Holy Spirit that allows us to accomplish God’s purpose in our lives.
What is the greatest gift that we can offer to others? It is the gift that God has given to all men. It is the gift of Jesus. As we celebrate this Christmas Season and the New Year, we must not forget to share the Gift of Love. Jesus is the most precious gift of all. We can share His love by leading others to salvation, by reaching out with the message of the Gospel. by praying for the sick and those overburdened by the cares of the world. We can feed and clothe the less fortunate. We can give from the heart as the Spirit of God leads us. Christmas is a time to let the Love of Jesus flow through us like never before.
Christmas is definitely about love. As Christians, we must never forget to share God’s Love. The world is hurting with all types of problems, but God has enabled us to share His Love, Joy, and Peace. Will you as a representative of Jesus share the peace that passeth all understanding? Will you share the Joy of Eternal Life and the never dying Love of Jesus? I know that your answer is yes. Why? Because of the Love of God that is in your heart. Let’s you and I share the Love of Jesus with as many people as possible. The people of the world need the Love of Jesus.
Let us pray, “Dear God, the world is lacking love. It is lacking the Love of Jesus. We need the Joy, Love, and Peace of the Saviour to live fruitful lives. Father God, we ask that the Holy Spirit lead us with boldness as we minister to those who are in desperate need of the Lord’s help. We ask that you enable us to share with others the true Love of Christ. We pray for our families, our nation, and the world to be filled with the wonderful presence of the Love of Jesus. We pray in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Amen!
I truly thank all of you who have unselfishly shared the Love of Christ by your giving to this ministry. It has allowed me to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ this year. I still need your financial support, so please continue to give. I know that God will reward you abundantly. Remember what Galatians 6:7, 9 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
I will be in Special Prayer on Christmas Day. Please send in your Prayer Requests.
As in previous years, I want to caution Believers how the devil uses the time leading up to, during, and after the Holiday Season to steal, kill, and destroy. The devil is able to do this because so many people seem to lose their focus on God. They instead concentrate more on the things of the world, rather than godly things. We can avoid the devils’ traps by not rushing, avoiding stressful situations, financial pitfalls, poor planning, overspending, being impatient, and getting enough rest. As well as, not becoming involved in heated arguments with others. We can do this by godly planning and seeking God’s guidance during these hectic times of over-commercialization of the season.
It’s sad but it is true. Large numbers of individuals will not live to see the New Year. They will be killed by the devices of satan. During the Holiday Season, we experience more killings, robberies, scams by crooks to steal from you, fires, accidents of all types, heart attacks, and other health related problems. We see a large increase in bitter family disagreements, and temper explosions which lead to physical and mental harm. Let us all be led by the Spirit of God.
Merry Christmas
&
Happy New Year!
Pastor Thomas Oglesby & Family
Pastor Thomas Oglesby & Family
