“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NKJV
If there had never been a Savior, Christmas carols would never have been heard. We wouldn’t have learned that the baby in the manger was God’s very Word.
If there had never been that baby’s birth, then when each December comes around, we wouldn’t sing of “Joy to the World,” but merely of some snowfall on the ground.
Songs of snowmen or of reindeer can’t bless young children like songs that show, that they’ve a God of love–who created the real, live reindeer and the snow.
“Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; the stars in the sky look down where He lay” are words that bless so much more instead.
“The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay” helps children to understand Christmas Day. “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem,” song of His birthplace, has words that anyone can pray.
On a silent, holy night, all was calm and all was bright, when a virgin gave birth–to a holy infant, tender and mild. A child senses peace by this carol on Jesus’ worth.
When children know of God’s gift of the Savior, they’re blessed to have the realization…that lighted trees and giving of gifts are in honor of the Son of God’s birthday celebration!
P. A. Oltrogge
Oh, little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary and gathered all above; while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. Oh, morning stars together proclaim the Holy birth. And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given. So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Oh, holy child of Bethlehem descend to us we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great, glad tidings tell. Oh come to us, abide with us, our Lord, Emmanuel!
(Words by Phillips Brooks Music by Lewis H.Redner)
Be blessed today through the messages on remembering all of God’s benefits and being rooted in His love (video/written) at http://www.josephprince.org
Photo by Icelight (see original archived post for Flickr link)
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” Micah 5:2
We’re meant to be family. I pray you can see, that the Jewish Teacher, Jesus, was from the Jewish family tree. Of the house and lineage of David–Jewish, like yourself; yet He was God and Messiah, not a name in a Book on a shelf.
Your Torah, too, speaks about the sacrifices, necessary for what a holy God saw as mankind’s vices. God’s people couldn’t come to the priest with righteousness of their own, but through the slaying of an unblemished animal, a cleansing was shown.
Your devotion to God is very commendable, yet your system of belief is not dependable…before the God of Israel’s holy face. You see, you must recognize the pure, sacrificial Lamb He sent in your place.
No, there won’t be a Messiah by any other name than the revealed Jesus Christ of worldwide fame. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. There’s no need to look for another Messiah to do what Jesus has already done.
P. A. Oltrogge
“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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 NKJV
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16 NKJV
“Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and to great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26:22-23 NKJV
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'” John 8:12 NKJV
“But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.” Ephesians 2:13-16 NASB
“(The Lamb of God) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'” John 1:29 NKJV
“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
“God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
“He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
John 1:1-14 NLT
“So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.” Luke 2:3-5 NKJV (Mary and Joseph, of course, were both God-designated choices.)
The books: Jesus’ Family Tree by Rose Publishing and Essential Guide to the Genealogy of Jesus, also by Rose Publishing and Extraordinary Grace: How the Unlikely Lineage of Jesus Reveals God’s Amazing Love by Gary Chapman and Chris Fabry
Also, the book, They Thought for Themselves, by Sid Roth and other of his books, are available at http://www.christianbook.com or through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.
This book tells the stories of ten people from a Jewish background who came to faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Each of them dared to confront the prophecies of the Old Testament prophets and found them to be true. Their stories will inspire you to follow Jesus, Yeshua, our Messiah, into your destiny.
An angelic message came to a virgin by the name of Mary–and to her betrothed, Joseph, of a Child, a Son, that she would carry. How wonderful, that their faith, despite men’s probable scorn, made the way for the Savior of this world to be born.
Having arrived in Bethlehem for a census, there was no room in the inn. So the precious gift of God was laid, after His birth, within…a simple bed of hay, away in a manger. His destiny would be that of forgiving sins, healing the sick, and rescuing souls from danger.
But Jesus would also tell the people about the way…to live a life that is blessed, teaching them how to pray. Oh little town of Bethlehem, that night, you were so still…years before He would carry a cross on the way to a Jerusalem hill.
Shepherds, keeping watch over their sheep by night out in a field…were the first to hear of the Savior, whom the angel of the Lord revealed. The Good Shepherd and our Redeemer, Jesus was to be–having come into the world to set the contrite sinner free.
Guided by His star, which they had seen in the sky…some magi were recorded, in the Bible, as, later, coming by…to find “He who has been born King of the Jews,” the One of whom the angel had shared this very good news.
Valuable gold, frankincense, and myrhh…were gifts they presented to Him, who was completely pure. The wise men from the East worshipped the King, the Child–the Son of God and Son of Man–God’s Lamb, born undefiled.
All of this transpired according to God’s plan. Have you received Jesus–this Son of God and Son of Man? Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King! Please don’t delay, for taking Him as Savior and Lord is a gift, for you, that’s greater than anything!
P. A. Oltrogge
“And in the sixth month, the angel, Gabriel, was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
“And the angel came in unto her, and said, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, ‘Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.’ Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’ And the angel answered and said unto her, ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
“And behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:26-38
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“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ‘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.’
“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.” Matthew 1:18-25
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“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:12-14
art print/pxfuel
The King James Version relates that Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to be taxed. Other translations read that their travel was due to a census. The wise men arrived at a later time/place, going into a house, to see “the young child.”
“…and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, 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.” Matthew 2:9-11
In the wintry month of December, during the Christmas season each year, a nearby church creatively causes the town of Bethlehem to appear.
Not as Bethlehem is seen today, but, instead, how it might have been–with people of different trades at work; and there’s even the sold-out inn.
Watching a person making pottery or someone doing basket weaving, or kneading dough for some bread makes you feel you are there and not make-believing.
An actual camel with a rider and some shepherds watching over their sheep…add to the atmosphere of old Bethlehem as the night turns dark and deep.
“Angels” in white, with golden sashes, and “wise men” in rich-looking attire, also walk among the visitors, who can warm up at a carefully-tended fire.
Hot cider or chocolate are provided, and Christmas carolers are heard…here and there on the “Bethlehem” grounds, reflecting the joy of God’s Word.
The highlight is the blessed manger scene—or the nativity, as it’s called—featuring Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus, with whom we’re most enthralled.
Little children, as well as adults, walk away with hearts that are fully amazed…at having taken a walk down Bethlehem’s streets—to ponder the Lord’s birth—God, our Father, be praised!
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:13-14
P. A. Oltrogge
“Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (from the message to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-12)
I was taking an evening walk, when I saw some shepherds in a field. Then I saw a light surround them–they trembled, their fear revealed. The light grew brighter, and it became an even more glorious light. Then I realized that we were all seeing an angel on that night.
He came and stood before the shepherds. I was able to hear him some…something about there being good news and that a Savior had come. Next, to my absolute amazement, suddenly the night sky was filled, with what looked like an army of angels–a scene with which I was thrilled!
They shared a message of peace on earth, with their voices raised, proclaiming now good will toward men and that God be praised! They greatly were rejoicing, but then suddenly disappeared from sight. Later, in town, the shepherds confirmed to me all that I’d seen that night.
They said they’d gone on, as well, to locate the One of whom they were told…just a newborn baby in a manger, but the divine Child for them to behold!
P.A. Oltrogge
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying. ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” Luke 2:13-14 KJV
The NLT description is “a vast host of others–the armies of heaven…”
Christmas is all about God becoming Man, by a birth that was heaven-sent. The birth of mankind’s Savior is what Christmas has always meant.
Jesus Christ, God’s holy infant, slept in a stable on a bed of hay, which demonstrated that genuine humility is always the Lord’s way.
This newborn baby would grow up to be the greatest teacher of all time. It’s of His life and redemptive work that the joyous Christmas bells chime.
Mary and Joseph were chosen as parents to nurture God’s very own Son—to guard and protect Him carefully until their guidance over Him was done.
Then Jesus began to follow what His Heavenly Father was conveying—and His Father’s will was reflected in the things He began doing and saying.
He taught by Word and example, but eventually was led to a hill, where something more lowly than His birth in a stable was awaiting Him still.
From the stable to a criminal’s cross, the Spirit of God was His guide. Christmas is Christ—He was born for us all, and for all of us He died.
But a joyous resurrection came about—He’d vanquished all of His foes! Now, we too, can walk in newness of life because Jesus Christ arose.
The little town of Bethlehem is where Christ’s ministry began. Foretold and fulfilled, Christ accomplished for us God’s redemptive plan.
So share, “A blessed Merry Christmas!” greeting, honoring the Biblical scene…of the beautiful Nativity of Christ, something “Happy Holidays” can never mean.
“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
“God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
“He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
John 1:1-14 NLT
Jesus is the very Word of God, giving life to every created thing. The darkness can never extinguish the light of Him of whom we sing.
Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, the Word became flesh…to dwell among us, offering salvation, so that every life might begin afresh.
He’s the Light unto our path—the Way, the Truth, and the Life—and the Prince of Peace unto a world that’s been tainted by sin and strife.
His life brought the Light of the World to all—forever Jesus Christ will reign. Because He defeated death, “To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
P. A. Oltrogge
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 NKJV
“I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NKJV
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him, who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2: 9-10 NKJV
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NKJV
“(The Word Becomes Flesh) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NKJV
“I know all the birds of the mountains….” Psalm 50:11
“Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Psalm 50:14-15
There isn’t any situation of which God, the Father, doesn’t know. He cares for the little birds in the midst of the winter snow.
Right in the midst of worrisome trouble, He’s the One upon whom to call. Deliverance is ours through prayer to Him, in the name of Jesus, who is Lord of all.
Let every care be cast aside–it’s in the shelter of the Most High that we abide.
P. A. Oltrogge
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT
“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 NLT
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14
“And in that day, you will ask Me nothing, Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24
“Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.” Philippians 4:6 GW
“Turn all your anxiety over to God because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 GW
“But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ–He is Lord of all–that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached.” Acts 10:35-37
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:6
“The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Psalm 145:14-16 (and all of Psalm 145)
Protection from plague, pestilence, and peril is proclaimed in Psalm 91; and the following are words from Psalm 103:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.” (1-6)
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it, with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, theyshall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18
Poetic thoughts have been expressed regarding the traditional Christmas candy canes…which say that the white can be symbolic of Jesus’ purity, and the red symbolic of His shed blood, which provides removal of sin’s stains.
The Word of God mercifully says that though our sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. And the cane is shaped like a Shepherd’s staff–our Good Shepherd leads us in the way that’s best for us to go.
Shepherds in the field were the first to hear angelic tidings of His birth on that special night. They immediately went to see the Christ Child, who’d been sent to be our Savior, Good Shepherd, and our guiding Light.
As children, we happily received the candy canes each year at Christmastime. Young or old, we can think of their symbolism when we hear the Christmas bells chime.
Turning it upside down, the cane forms the first letter of Jesus’ wonderful name…. He and His disciples turned the world upside down, sharing God’s love–believers today can do and are doing the same!
P. A. Oltrogge
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8
“How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:103-104 NKJV
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” words of Jesus in John 10:10-11 NKJV
“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.’ And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
“But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.’ And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.” Acts 17:1-9 NKJV
Books of encouragement:
“All Things are Possible” by Christopher Alam (dynamisworldministries.com) and “Out of Islam: One Muslim’s Journey to Faith in Christ,” available at Amazon
I remember many chilly Christmases past, as you likely do as well, of going to a local tree lot, to choose the best tree, as far as we could tell.
Some may have been too short, and some may have been too tall; then, finally, we would discover…the best one for us of them all.
At some point, years ago, it became popular to switch to an artificial pine, but they never truly could satisfy this old-fashioned heart of mine.
When it comes to choosing the truth about God, there really is only one way. Jesus—the way, the truth, and the life, who came to us, first, as a baby on the hay.
You can’t make up your own version of God—an artificial “god” won’t do. For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son…this He did for you.
So as you go about enjoying the beautiful trees of this Christmas season, remember God’s Biblical and satisfying truth—that Jesus IS its reason.
Most trees are topped by an angel or a star, reminding us of Christ’s birth. Rejoice, for God loves you very much; and Jesus is (the real) Lord of heaven and earth!
P. A. Oltrogge
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'” John 14:6
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 KJV
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
“The woman said to Him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When He comes, He will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He.‘” John 4:25-26
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19
The Porch of the Lord 