* Our Must-Read Christmas Story - CLEMENTINES

 

Almost every year we publish a wonderful true story of an event in our lives many years ago.  This year I asked Cathy if we should publish it again, noting that most of our readers have read this in the past.  Cathy replied, “It’s almost a tradition with us.”  And yes it is.  So here again is a very personal wonderful Christmas miracle God did in our lives, showing yet again what an amazing loving God we have.

 

 

CLEMENTINES

 

God loves us. He really, really does. That’s a key part of the Christmas message. Why else would He ever have sent His son here to go through what he went through? And why else would Jesus ever have willingly gone to the cross? 

 

I was reminded of that this past weekend in a way only God can arrange. Sunday afternoon a friend was coming to visit us at home. Late in the afternoon the doorbell rang, and I opened the door. There stood our friend, holding out a box of clementines. For those of you who do not know, clementines are small citrus fruit, like small oranges, and they seem to make an appearance in grocery stores about this time of year. They come in small but clearly distinct boxes. 

 

Our friend handed me this box of clementines. “God told me to get this for you,” she said. And she went on, exclaiming that God was very specific and strong about it. “So I went into a grocery store and I couldn’t find them. I thought that I would just get a poinsettia, but well, God said to get clementines.” So she stuck with her search, and she found them. Later in the kitchen she spoke with Cathy and asked if clementines were my favorite. Our friend couldn’t get over how insistent God had been. 

 

Later I thought more about this. I remembered how as my children grew up we would always get a box of clementines sometime around Christmas. It was a regular feature in our house. The box could always be found sitting somewhere in the kitchen. Everyone liked them. To this day when I see a display of clementines in a store, I want to buy a box. 

 

And I thought some more. Here we are in the ministry involved in our usual activities and praying for guidance from God on key issues, like where and how to proceed in the expensive television ministry, where and what meetings to arrange, whether to begin another regular meeting in southeastern NC, and more. For months, even years, we have been going steadily forward, always fighting and overcoming attacks of the evil one which do come whenever anyone steps out for God. Into the midst of all that God sent an obedient woman friend to bring a box of clementines. Even when I write this the Holy Spirit is so strong in the office I keep stopping and reflecting. Is that love? Yes! And much more. That is God saying - John, even in the midst of all this, I’m still here, and I love you, and look, I even know little things about you, like how you like a box of clementines and what that means to you. 

 

So I've been feeling really warm ever since. God sent me a box of clementines for Christmas. God knows where you are and what you’re going through. He knows every hair on your head. Every day, if we’ll just look around and take time to see with spiritual eyes, we’ll see God directing our paths. 

 

What a heavenly Father we have! 

 

 

 

                         (Originally published in 2007 and Copyright © 2007 John Newlin) 

 

                                                                               

 

                                                                                                           December 2021

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS!

JOHN NEWLIN MINISTRIES
P O BOX 1038
CARY, NC 27518
https://johnnewlinministries.org
email: john@johnnewlinministries.org
Twitter.com/johnnewlinmin
Blog: johnnewlin.blogspot.com
tel 910 395 1465

 

* SIGN OF THE TIMES: HUMANITY'S GREAT PROBLEM AND OUR GREAT JOY

  

The problem for much of humanity is “yes I am coming soon.”  That is Jesus speaking at the very end of the Bible.  Yes, he is coming soon.  He has told me that many times since he told me to “tell them who I am and that I am coming soon.” 

 

When he first comes he collects his true believers and takes them with him.  That is known as the rapture.  And a terrible time known as the Tribulation ensues.  The great problem for all those who do not know him and do not have him as their Lord is that they will not be going with him and will have to endure that Tribulation…and eventually eternity in the Lake of Fire.  That is a really great problem right now – for them!  Unless they soon realize who Jesus is and become true believers, their future is dark.

 

For believers, our great joy is Jesus and that we will be going with him.  And right now we are at the most joyous time of the year, Christmas!  We are looking for joy and peace and happiness more perhaps than ever this year.  We need the peace of Jesus, the peace that passes all understanding.  And the joy that comes with knowing him.

 

Most of you may remember my writing some years ago about the time when Cathy and I were sitting in a church service on Christmas Eve.  It was really a warm, precious service, one we attended as often as possible when we were in the area of this church.  As the program went forward, at one point very clearly I heard the Lord speak to me.  He said, “These people are singing about my birth, and here I am coming soon.”  

 

We still are singing about his birth, and we should forever.  But indeed he is coming soon.  He is not a baby in the stable.  He is also no longer walking the earth as the most astounding teacher and preacher and healer and prophet the world has ever seen.  And he is not on the cross taking upon himself everything that separated people from God, all our sins, sicknesses, diseases, and pains and more.  No, all that was done almost two thousand years ago.

 

Where is Jesus now?  At the right hand of his father.  He is the King of the Kingdom of God.  And time is up for this human age.  He is preparing to return very soon, and he is returning as the King and the head of government.  Remember these wonderful words from Isaiah 9:6-7:

 

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

 

Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.

 

The joy of his birth is ours!  And the joy of his coming soon is ours too!  A king is coming.  The King of all kings. Jesus Christ.

 

Have a wonderful Christmas!

 

                                                                                               December 2021            

 

                                                                                               Copyright © 2021 by John Newlin

 

 

 

*******

 

PLEASE:  Forward or copy or print and send copies of this to whomever you would. 

 

 

 

To get copies of our book WAKE UP AMERICA! JESUS IS COMING SOON!:

 

Order from our ministry by clicking here: JNMI

 

Order from Amazon by clicking here: AMAZON

 

Or contact our ministry by calling 910 395 1465. If you are ordering ten or more copies all to be sent directly to you, contact our office directly for a greatly reduced price!  Anyone who has already purchased ten or more copies may purchase future copies at a greatly reduced price.

 

SEND A COPY OF WAKE UP AMERICA! TO YOUR CHURCH PASTOR AT NO COST TO YOU OR THE PASTOR!!!

 

Yes, it’s true.  We will send the book if you provide us their name and mailing address!  Just send us the info in an email or a letter.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS!

JOHN NEWLIN MINISTRIES
P O BOX 1038
CARY, NC 27518
https://johnnewlinministries.org
email: john@johnnewlinministries.org
Twitter.com/johnnewlinmin
Blog: johnnewlin.blogspot.com
tel 910 395 1465