Thought Quotient

“Scripture makes clear there is indeed a way to God, but that it is not based on anything men themselves can do to achieve or merit it. Man can be made right with God, but not on his own terms or in his own power. In that basic regard Christianity is distinct from every other religion. As far as the way of salvation is concerned, there are therefore only two religions the world has ever known or will know - the religion of divine accomplishment, which is biblical Christianity, and the religion of human achievement, which includes all other kinds of religion, by whatever names they may go under.”

- John MacArthur

Death is the most pressing problem of humankind. Salvation is available, but its qualification is perfection. Who can claim they are perfect and have never sinned … even at the thought level? No one can claim that. Yet, there is good news today! God has provided a way for us on His behalf. He loves us so much that He offers His perfect righteousness for us as a gift! Have you received this gift? There are no strings attached!

Romans 3:21-24

Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn’t by obeying the Law of Moses. God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.

No sheep in the folds,
No star in the west,
No Babe lulled to sleep
On his young mother’s breast.
But sheep of God’s flock
Straying far from His love,
And a glorified Man
Interceding above.

No gold and no myrrh,
No sweet frankincense,
But the gift of the heart
When the sinner repents.
No music on earth
From the angelic bands;
But the praise and prayer
Of the saved of all lands.

Apart from the Christ -
No joy at His birth,
Though merry and gay
All the feasting on earth;
The candles burn out,
And the feasting is done:
But the glory of Heaven
Shines forth in God’s Son.

- Betty Scott Stam

No matter what you’ve gone through or may be currently going through - you can overcome it in Jesus Christ!

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

This is God’s annual reminder to us - luring us, pulling us, in effect: “Feel the warmth in that light bulb? Smell that tree? See those gifts? Hear those songs? My Son came and died for you. I love you.” All these things familiar are reminders of things essential.

- Charles Swindoll, Insight for Living ministries

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What are the essentials? The things of this world are important - the economy, the environment, etc. However, our souls are the most important things of all. Even if the things of this world that trouble us were ALL resolved - we’d still be left with the most pressing problem of all: We are all dying and in need of salvation. No economic or environmental policy will remedy that problem. Only God can save us from ourselves. We are helplessly in need. At Christmas we are reminded of the time in recorded human history that God came to not only live among us - but most importantly - to die for us and our sins. That gift of love that He gave is the most important gift ever given. Have you received it?

Alathea teamed back up with producer Matt Stanfield to create Alathea’s first Christmas project. The CD is one of of Alathea’s strongest efforts to date. This is the second record they have recorded with Stanfield and it is very obvious that they have reached a creative comfort level in the studio.

Check out their new myspace page to hear audio from the new Christmas CD:

• www.myspace.com/alatheachristmas

Related Links:

• www.alathea.com
• www.myspace.com/alatheamusic