JESUS IS STANDING AT THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART THIS CHRISTMAS
When Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, she wrapped him in narrow strips of swaddling clothes, and laid him in an animal feeding trough, a manger, “because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). As a baby, Jesus came to His own and His own had no room for Him—they rejected Him—they turned Him away. In the whole of Bethlehem, no one had a guest room for Jesus and His family.
That’s the story of the first Christmas, but it’s not the whole story. Some people did accept Jesus when He came to earth as a baby: Mary and Joseph (His parents) and the shepherds and the wise men from the east also admitted Jesus into their hearts. Additionally, the devout Simeon and the prophet Anna also recognized the infant Jesus.
Throughout His time on earth, two thousand years ago, Jesus roamed from place to place, and said of Himself: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20). Sounds like, right from the day He was born, Jesus understood the plight of homeless people firsthand.
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus is pictured as standing, right this moment, outside the door of your heart wanting to get in, wanting to have an intimate relationship with you personally. He is knocking, and He says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Jesus desires intimate fellowship with you. Notice, He doesn’t break the door down, but He doesn’t give up knocking either. He persists—kindly, patiently, lovingly.
When my grandmother sent me to a Christian boarding school (CUC) as a teenager, there were two boys’ deans who were just like Jesus: they kindly presented the character of Jesus to me, but it was never forceful, and they never gave up either. They were persistent, kind, patient, and understanding. They knew I was a troubled kid, but they didn’t give up on me. And I am so glad because when I opened the door of my heart to Jesus, it was because they and others did not write me off.
Jesus doesn’t write you off either. We want to encourage you this Christmas season to daily open the door of your heart and let Jesus in. Great peace and joy floods your heart whenever you experience a more intimate connection with Jesus, our gentle Saviour. So, we want to encourage you to keep growing spiritually, keep your spiritual connection alive and well by taking everything to God in prayer.
God gives us the opportunity at It Is Written Canada to bless others every day—to knock on the doors of people’s hearts. Recently, we received this message from one of our viewers: “I have been watching It is Written for a couple of months now. I am truly inspired to walk closer with Jesus with every episode I watch. I remember the very first episode I saw, Pastor Mike said to read only one Bible verse a day. I said to myself: I can do that!! I started reading a chapter every day, and I started with Genesis. I’m now up to 2 Samuel and I can’t wait to keep going. It is truly exciting to read this wonderful book, the Bible. What a blessing God has given me, and even more of a blessing to be able to watch this program every Saturday morning. By watching your program and drawing nearer to the LORD, I am getting closer and closer every day. Praise God for your program!! Thank you, Mike and René for your program, what a fantastic blessing!! God bless you, and thank you again!”
As we approach the Christmas season, I want to share one of our prayers with you. René and I are praying that It Is Written Canada will be able to connect more people with the vibrant life that is found in Jesus in a way that is personal and relevant. Please, join us in this prayer.
Please, permit me one last request: so that we can continue this work, continue staying on the air, and continue providing free books and Bible Studies to people all over Canada, could I also ask you to consider supporting It Is Written Canada at this time of the year? In advance, I want to thank you for partnering with us to make this media ministry possible; through your financial support and prayers we are able to get behind closed doors and connect Canadians to Jesus in a way that is personal and relevant. May God richly bless you this holiday season.
~ Mike Lemon
Upcoming Episodes
December 5: If I Love God or Not, He Still Wants the Best for Me
“God wanted something from me, and I wasn’t willing to give it to Him.” When Lorne surrendered what God wanted, he was set free.
December 12: It’s the Right Time Now
Dan Carter went from living on the streets as a homeless, illiterate drug addict to becoming Mayor of Oshawa, Ontario.
December 19: Lost on the Cold Streets with the Heartbeat of Madness
Daniel Cullen, a transient homeless man, lived on the streets for over 25 years in cities and towns across Canada. As an addict, slowly coming apart mentally and emotionally, he used drugs to numb the pain. The official psychiatric records said that he had “little hope of recovery,” yet he did more than just recover. He is now thriving and for the last 20 years he has been helping others to recover.
December 26: How They are Helping the Homeless Find New Life
See the story of the New Life Neighbourhood Centre, which has been impacting the lives of the less fortunate for the past 22 years.
Ministry in Action
We are so excited to launch the second segment of our Experiencing Life videos — Our healthy cooking demonstrations! This month, Mike and René would like to encourage you to cook with Beverley Edwards–Haines, who is a nutritionist, farmer, associate raw chef and a wellness educator.
Also, if you haven’t had a chance, please check out our other programs on: our webpage, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and our new podcasts.
From our Viewers
“Thanks so much for the continuing ministry of It Is Written – Canada. I’ve really appreciated and been touched by the week-by-week leadership and ministry of Mike and René Lemon, as they interview their guests in ways that are sensitive to them and lift up the name and truth of all Jesus Christ is. May God continue to lead and bless all those involved in this ministry.” — Christine
Prayer in Action
Please, continue to pray that the programs and sermons featured in our second season will reach people and introduce them to the abundant life that is found in Jesus.
This Month’s Offer – OLD TIME CHRISTMAS STORIES, by Joe L. Wheeler
Escape the commercialism of the holiday season, and let these old-time stories bring you the joy, wonder, and true beauty of Christmas.
Health Nugget
“Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:4 KJV).
Trust in God is the foundation of health. He is the Source to which we can look in all our times of trouble, and from His great and calm eternal presence He can order that which His providence sees is best. All too often, we take matters into our own hands. This is a mistake because our prejudices, our weaknesses, our self-deceptions, and our ignorance can be demonstrated in many ominous ways; they can even make us defiant against God. However, the Lord is kind and patient and full of tender compassion, and He knows just what we need even before we present our necessities and desires before Him.
“Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:4-5).
THE BEST BLACK BEAN BROWNIES
Ingredients:
● 15 oz (425 grams) black beans (drained and rinsed)
● 1 1/2 cups date paste or maple syrup
● 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
● 1/2 cup raw cacao powder
● 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
● 1 teaspoon baking powder
● 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
● 3/4 cup barley flour (or whole wheat pastry flour) but gluten-free flour works great in this recipe too!
● 1 cup / 175 grams / 6.2 oz chocolate chips or grinded dark chocolate (at least 75% cacao)
Instructions:
● Blend the black beans and date paste or maple syrup in a food processor until smooth.
● Add and pulse in the remaining ingredients until well blended.
● Place in a baking mold with parchment baking paper.
● Bake at 350 °F for 25-35 minutes until a fork or toothpick comes out clean.
● Let the brownies cool down completely and serve.
● Use coconut flour, almonds, or swirl with almond butter as a decoration. (Optional)