NOT A FAIRY TALE

Dear Dot and friends,

I want to tell you--just in case you have not heard it--about a true tale.  This tale is unbelievable to many, incomprehensible to most, and scoffed at by some.  Yet it is true and has been recorded over the years by the people to which it was introduced thousands of years go and entrusted to those who choose to believe it today. Those who long ago wrote it down believed it most sincerely and followed its instructions for a peaceful, happy life.  This book is called the Bible.

Over the years scholars have  listed the prophets who had originally heard from our great God we call Father and told the people at the time of a wonderful happening--the birth of a Son named Jesus the Christ who was born to save the world from their sinful ways by carrying that sin to His death on a Cross. A strange story?  Yes, but the men who prophesied this birth and death are numerous. Here is a list found  in a LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE put out by Zondervan:
     1. The Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem.       Micah 5:2
     2. The Messiah was to be born of a virgin.            Isaiah 7:14
     3. Messiah was to be rejected by his own people.  Isaiah 53:1, 3  and Ps. 118:22
     4. Messiah was to be betrayed by one of his own
         followers.                                                            Psalm 41:9
     5. Messiah was to die by crucifixion                      Psalm 222:14, 16, 17
     6. Messiah was to die for a sacrifice for sin.          Isaiah 53:5,6,8,10,11,12
     7. Messiah was to be raised from the dead.            Psalm 16:10
     8. Messiah is now at God's right hand.                   Psalm 110:1

Even with all of this early prophecy, Jesus Christ seems unbelievable to some. Yes, isn't this the way most of us think about Jesus? " Unbelievable!"  "It may be "good news" to some, but not me!"  "I don't need Jesus to save me!  I'm not a sinner!" "Prove it!  Then I'll believe it!"

How can anyone prove Jesus is real, has been real, and will be real until the end of the days and he comes again? No one can.  We have to find him for ourselves.  He came; He died; He will come again.  And when He does, I want to be with Him.

I need Him.  Why?  Because I'm a sinner. It is  built within me and all the rest of the world that we are in a fight for our souls because we want to be our own bosses for ourselves. We don't want this Father to be in charge of us!  Like two year olds, we say, "I can do it myself!"

But we can't.  The hardest thing in the world for me is to contain my anger. If I don't keep God right in front of my nose...AT ALL TIMES..I lose my temper because I feel I am being slighted in some way.  Nobody cares, really, because they fight similar battles.

Well, my battle is being led by a Master.  I'm being led by God in the Spirit of Jesus Christ within me.....when I let Him be in charge.  I'm not very good at letting Him rule, but I'm getting better. And I will keep trying.

Sorry about the preaching today.  I needed it for myself and wasn't thinking too much of what you might need.  I'll try to be more thoughtful toward you next time.  You are very dear to me.

In the meantime, please say a prayer for those who do believe that we might succeed in showing the world who Jesus really is!

Loving you forever,
Jo, from Minnesota