The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Q: I grew up in a religious home, but I rebelled against all that, and I suppose you could say I’ve been living like the devil ever since. I know I’m on a dead-end road, but I don’t think I can do anything about it. Has God given up on me?

A: No, God has not given up on you! If God had given up on you, you wouldn’t even be asking this question. But He has planted this question in your soul—and the reason is because He wants to welcome you home.

Don’t turn your back on what He is trying to tell you! The devil will tell you that it’s too late, because you’ve offended God so deeply that He hates you and will never forgive you. But it isn’t true! God loves you, and He doesn’t want you to spend the rest of your life wandering in a wilderness of sin and hopelessness. Most of all, He doesn’t want you to be lost and separated from Him forever.

How do I know God loves you and will forgive you, in spite of how you’ve treated Him all these years? I know it because Jesus Christwas willing to die on the cross for you. Listen: If you had been the only person on earth who needed to be saved, Jesus still would have given His life for you. God loves you that much! The Bible says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16).

You’re right; you are on a dead-end road—and you’ll stay on it as long as you insist on living without Christ. But God will forgive anyone who honestly turns to Christ in repentance and faith. Invite Him into your life today.

Q: If the last few years are any guide, by the time you get this letter my family and I will be so busy getting ready for Christmas that we’ll completely lose sight of its true meaning. Maybe it’s too late, but how can we avoid this?

A: You’ve already taken the first step by being aware of your problem—and not only being aware of it, but wanting to do something about it. Far too many, I’m afraid, get so busy around Christmastime that they never stop to remember what they’re celebrating.

What can you do, even at this late date? First, set aside time each day to focus on that first Christmas. When you eat together as a family, pause not only to thank God for the gift of your food, but to thank Him for His greatest gift—the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. In addition, each day set aside a few minutes to read about the birth of Jesus from the Bible. (You can find this in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2.)

Then look ahead during the next few weeks, and set aside time for something special—a Christmas concert, for example, or a Christmas pageant in your church. Make sure you also attend your church’s regular services during the Christmas season; this will help you focus on Christ.

In addition, look ahead to next year! Plan your time more wisely, so you don’t fall into the same trap a year from now. Most of all, let this Christmas be the beginning of a journey for your family that lasts all year long—a journey with Christ. The Bible says that after the shepherds had seen Jesus, “they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (Luke 2:17).