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Plan of Salvation:
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whoso-
ever shall believe in him should not per-
ish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Witnessing Begins with Prayer

By Rev. John B. Sorensen you only know their first name, conversation begins. Continue
that’s okay. Write that down. praying before, during, and af-
Who would you like to see give
God knows who they are. ter the conversation. People
their lives to Jesus this year? A
rarely come to faith in Jesus
family member? A friend? Or
Christ in a single moment in
perhaps the people you work
Post it. Put it somewhere visi- time. It’s a process. It takes
with or those who live in your
ble where you will see it. You time. Be patient and continue to
community? Whoever they are,
don’t have to put it somewhere meet with the people you share
you can be a part of introducing
where your whole family will with, even after they make a
them to Christ by committing to
see it, but don’t hide it in the commitment.
pray for them every day.
back of your Bible either. Post it
where you will see every single
day as a reminder to pray. Prayer is critical in sharing our
We often say, at EE, that wit-
faith with others. Not only does
nessing without prayer is pre-
prayer change the hearts of the
sumption. The truth is, we can-
Make time to pray. Set aside a people we know around us, it
not effectively share Jesus with
specific period of time each day changes our hearts as well. It
others unless we begin with
to pray for the people on your draws us closer to God. It helps
prayer. Prayer invites the Holy
list. Pray for them by name. Ask us see the world through His
Spirit to go with us and lead the
the Holy Spirit to work in their eyes and heart. And, it increas-
conversation. He’s the One
hearts and send believers to es our passion to reach the lost
who gives us the words to say.
share the Gospel with them. with the Good News. So, who
He’s the One who speaks to
Pray that God will use you! Ask will you start praying for today?
and ultimately changes hearts.
Him to open doors for you to
Without Him, we go alone. _____
share your testimony and even
introduce them to Jesus. Rev. John B. Sorensen, D.D. is
the President/CEO of Evange-
There’s no time better to begin lism Explosion International,
praying for someone than to- headquartered in Arden, N.C.
Look for opportunities. As
day. You can even begin right EE has been a leader in equip-
you pray, look for doors that
now.
God may be opening. We often ping Christians to share their
don’t notice the opportunities faith for nearly 60 years. For
that God is giving us to share more free tips and resources,
Make a list. Write down the visit evangelismexplosion.org
our faith because we simply
names of people you would like or follow John on Twitter
aren’t paying attention.
to see give their hearts to @JBSorensen.
Christ. Be specific. Don’t just
write “my family” or “my neigh-
Continue to pray. Prayer
borhood.” List them by name. If
doesn’t stop when a Gospel
 Good News Press - 2
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10 ways to put safety at the
What Does Christmas Mean to top of your holiday list
Christians?
If you
Christmas is the consider winter
heating, overload-
most commercial
ed electrical cir-
season in our so-
cuits and flamma-
ciety, but for a ble decorations,
significant per- you'll understand
centage of the why December is
population it is prime time for
also a holiday home fires. Here
packed with are some old and
meaning. For new suggestions
Christians who for a safe holiday
take their faith season.
seriously, Christ-
mas is the cele- 1. Look for the
bration of one of fire-resistant label on 7. Before light-
the most important events in his- eventually giving up His life as an artificial trees and dec- ing a fireplace or wood
tory. expression of His love and grace. orations. stove, clear the area of
Ultimately, it was part of a grand tree boughs, paper and
Christians consider Christmas to plan to offer forgiveness and life 2. Buy a natural other combustibles. Never
tree that is really burn gift wrappings in a
be the celebration of the day Je- to all who would willingly choose
fresh. It should be very fireplace. They could
sus Christ was born as a baby. to place their faith and hope in green and have needles cause a flash fire.
Known in theology as the Him. that are hard to pull
"Incarnation," it signifies that God off. A twig shouldn't 8. Protect small
became human and entered into Did this Incarnation really take break when it's bent. children by keeping deco-
His own creation. According to place? Or is Christmas a celebra- rations out of their
the biblical nativity narratives, tion of a birth that never took 3. For outside reach. Inspect toys for
Jesus was born to a virgin place? Christian apologists decorations, buy only small parts that could
named Mary in the town of Beth- (defenders of the faith) argue in those made specifically cause choking and keep
lehem in the Judean countryside. defense of the Biblical accounts. for outdoors. Use heavy- scissors used for wrap-
Anti-theists, those who do not duty extension cords and ping gifts away from
Though most people identify take a literal view of the Bible, plug them into circuits children.
Christmas with the date of De- and members of other religions that have a ground-fault
cember 25, Christianity does not argue from the opposite position. interrupter. 9. Be sure to
actually claim that Jesus was Both sides resort to textual, his- lock doors and windows.
born on December 25. In fact, torical, archaeological, and logi- 4. Get a remote Thieves think you have
Christmas has been celebrated cal evidence to support their po- control to easily turn money and valuable gifts
off lights before you go in your home. Put indoor
on a variety of different dates sition. Ultimately, it is up to each
to sleep or when it snows and outdoor lights on a
throughout the history of the person to examine the evidence
or rains. timer and leave a radio
Christian Church. In fact, even and decide which is the most or television on when you
today Christians in some parts of persuasive. 5. Avoid cooking leave the house.
the world celebrate Christian on fires by staying in the
different dates. December 25 is Either way, there is no denying kitchen when cooking on 10. If cold
simply an arbitrary date chosen the impact that this Christian holi- the stove top. weather makes you want to
to celebrate the birth because the day has had upon society and use an indoor heater of
exact date is unknown. upon the faith community that 6. Put candles in any kind, be sure it is
celebrates it for reasons of faith. heat resistant containers positioned well away from
The date is non-consequential, While many people complain and place them where they curtains, trees and deco-
anyway, since the true signifi- about the holiday’s modern em- can't burn something or rations. Never stack
cance of Christmas for Christians phasis on consumerism, Chris- get knocked down. things on top of space
is not found in the coming of Je- tians throughout the centuries
sus. It is in why He came. The have recognized that Christmas
Bible explains (and Christians represents a turning point in his- Good News Press is a Christian rectory and more.
believe) that Jesus is (and was) tory when the Savior entered the outreach publication in the San
divine, and that He came into the world. Francisco Bay Area that informs Good News Press is available,
world for the primary purpose of and inspires believers, as well as both digitally online and in full-
plant seeds into the hearts of color printed format.
men and women that may not
know Christ. Visit Good News Press at
www.goodnewspress.us
Good News Press covers world,
national, and religious news and To contact Good News Press by
events, features inspiring Chris- email: info@goodnewspress.us
tian articles, and features an or 925-368-5052.
online business and ministry di-
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Tax changes offer big benefits for families The Christmas Story
Tax season is In December, we see stories about And she brought forth
Christmas flowers, Christmas shop- her firstborn son and wrapped
still some weeks ping, Santa and Christmas music,
away, but with a
him in swaddling clothes and laid
but St. Luke's Chapter 2 explains him in a manger, because there
large number of the reason for the season. was no room for them in the inn.
changes coming into
effect this year, And there were in the
it's smart to plan same country, shepherds abiding
ahead. Various COVID- in the field, keeping watch over
19 stimulus bills in-
their flock by night.
troduced a number of And, lo, the angel of the
updates to different Lord came upon them, and the
tax provisions, while glory of the Lord shone round
higher-than-typical about them; and they were sore
inflation has tweaked many maximum of $6,000 per afraid.
thresholds. 2021 tax year. For 2021, claimable And the angel said unto
changes may affect indi- expenses per dependent them, Fear not, for, behold, I
viduals and organizations jump to $8,000 with a max- bring you good tidings of great
too. imum of $16,000. Families joy, which shall be to all people.
can receive up to 50 per- For unto you is born this day in
The American Res- cent of these expenses as the city of David a Saviour, who
The Christmas story is Christ the Lord.
cue Plan featured a large a refundable credit. Cred-
one-year expansion of the its phase out for individ- And it came to pass in And this shall be a sign
child tax credit, increas- uals and families earning those days, that there went out a unto you; Ye shall find the babe
decree from Caesar Augustus wrapped in swaddling clothes,
ing the credit from $2,000 more than $125,000. that all the world should be
to $3,600 for children 5 lying in a manger.
taxed, each in his own city.
years or younger, and to Inflation substan- And suddenly there was
$3,000 for other kids. tially boosted the annual And Joseph also went up with the angel a multitude of the
However, the extra amount Social Security wage base. from Galilee, out of the city of heavenly host praising God and
is reduced for single fil- In 2020, Social Security Nazareth, into Judea, unto the saying, Glory to God in the high-
city of David, which is called est, and on earth, good will to-
ers earning more than taxes, including the em- Bethlehem, because he was of the ward men.
$75,000 and joint filers ployer's 6.2 percent con- house and lineage of David, to be
earning more than tribution, had to be paid taxed with Mary, his espoused They made haste and
$150,000. The 2021 credit on all income below wife, being great with child. found Mary and Joseph and the
is fully refundable and $137,700. In 2021, this babe lying in a manger, they
there's no $2,500 earned base jumps to $142,800. And so it was, that while made known abroad the saying
they were there, the days were which was told them concerning
income requirement this accomplished that she should be this child.
year either. Keep in mind that delivered.
companies that suspended
The American Res- collecting and paying So-
cue Plan also temporarily cial Security payroll tax-
expanded the child and de- es in 2020 must now col-
pendent care tax credit, lect deferred taxes by the
with helps defray the end of the year. As a re-
costs of child care for sult, some employees may
children under 13 or de- see more money withheld
pendent adults. Last year, from their checks to cover
families could claim Social Security obliga-
$3,000 in expenses and a tions.
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Christmas banned by the no-fun people
It might come as ments were no friends of
a surprise, but today's Christmas.
secularists are very The English gov-
much in line with the ernment in the 1600s
religious Puritans of didn't like Christmas
the 17th century on the one little bit. English
subject of Christmas. Puritans, led by Oliver
Both consider the Cromwell, didn't like
holiday not Christian. shiny things or fun, so
The Puritans con- they outlawed "carnal
sidered it an example of and sensual delights,"
the "trappings of pop- which included Christ-
ery," a sentiment that mas. They would have
could draw an indulgent agreed with today's sec-
chuckle from secularists ularists that Christmas
today. wasn't religious. In
The secularists fact, they banned
today consider Christmas Christmas worship.
an act of government, In America, the
not religion. English separatist Puri-
Neither the Puri- tans who arrived in 1620
tans nor the secularists actually outlawed the
are wrong, but they holiday in Boston from
aren't right either. 1659 to 1681. You could
Pope Julius I did be fined five shillings
establish The Feast of for the horrific
the Nativity in 336 'satanical practices' of
A.D., the popery the Pu- exchanging gifts, greet-
ritans so hated. On the ings, dressing in fine
other hand, Christmas clothing and feasting.
and every other major But still,
Christian holiday all Christmas was an idea
had been established by that kept coming back.
the Roman popes by the In Louisiana,
end of the fourth centu- where fun and Christian-
ry, even the ones cele- ity have long been at
brated (without fun) by home, Christmas was of-
Puritans. ficially established for
The claim of the the first time in the
secularists that Christ- U.S. in 1830 -- by the
mas is governmental is state government.
because on June 26, Today, whether
1870, the U.S. govern- your Christmas is 1,685
ment did declare Christ- years old and a day of
mas a federal holiday, faith and fun, or wheth-
meaning you won't get er it is 151 years old
mail delivered. and a day when mail
But in the time doesn't get delivered,
between the Puritans and people still enjoy
the secularists, govern- Christmas as the shini-