Dr. C. S. Lovett’s
MARANATHA FAMILY NEWSLETTER
December 2025
IT’S HIS BIRTHDAY WE CELEBRATE!
We come into this world by means of physical birth, and we have human fathers, the fathers of our flesh. We enter the heavenly family in the same way, by birth. But it is a spiritual birth. Thus, we have two fathers: an earthly father and a heavenly Father. If we feel close to our earthly fathers and call them “dad,” how much more are we likely to call our heavenly Father “Dad!” He is closer to us and means more to us.
Here’s a verse in Hebrews, “Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us, and we respect them. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirit and live?” (Heb. 12:9).
HE LIVES INSIDE US
Our earthly fathers did their best to provide for us and instruct us, but they could not be with us all the time. They had jobs to do, work that took them away from us. So they shared what time they could with us. But the Lord lives inside, as Emerson says, “Closer is He than breathing, nearer than hands and feet.”
Our indwelling Savior never leaves us, but watches over us, working with us around the clock. We are bound to become more intimate with Him than our earthly fathers since He shares the secrets of our hearts. We can discuss things with Him that we would not dare mention to our earthly fathers. The Lord sees us at our worst and still thinks we are great!
When you have a Father who accompanies you everywhere you go, Who helps you make every decision and shares your every feeling, good or bad, you are bound to become the closest of friends. And when you finally learn that He loves you so desperately that He died in your place, He easily becomes your reason for living—or should be.
I LIKE THAT IDEA
I grew up without a father. My parents were divorced when I was a toddler, and I desperately wanted a father. I had a vacuum in my soul, and that vacuum created an ache that lasted for years. Well, 30 years in fact. I was 30 years old when I received Christ as my Savior. I will never forget that day. I had “accidentally” overheard a conversation between some ministers discussing the mechanics of salvation. When I learned from them how simple it was to be saved, I could not wait to get home to tell my wife, Margie. I was so excited, I even forgot to close the car door.
“Margie! Margie! Come with me!” She was in the kitchen at the time. Drying her hands on a towel, she followed me into the living room. I felt I now knew what to do, so we both knelt down and asked the Lord Jesus to come into our hearts!
The joy of that moment was so explosive, I thought the roof would blow off the house. When we rose from our knees, my soul was shouting. The vacuum in my soul was filled and overflowing. The pain was gone! I knew my sins were forgiven, were gone, and I was on my way to heaven. Yet a great awareness swept over me—I NOW HAD A DAD OF MY OWN!
Do I diminish the glory of God when I look on Him as a real Father? I am convinced He is willing to be that to anyone willing to “draw nigh” to Him (James 4:8):
“Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.”
We draw nigh to Him first, and then He draws nigh to us. So if you’re waiting for God to draw closer to you, so that you might draw closer to Him, you will have a long wait. When it came to your salvation, He drew you to Himself. Salvation works that way (John 6:44). But when it comes to FELLOWSHIP with God, it’s the other way around. We draw close to Him FIRST, and then He draws nigh to us.
When you get close to the Lord, don’t be surprised if you find yourself calling Him, “PAPA or DAD.” It may just roll out of you spontaneously, fired by your deep delight in having him for your Father. Romans 8:15 says, “We have received the spirit of SONSHIP whereby we cry ABBA! Father!”
BUT AREN’T WE SUPPOSED TO FEAR GOD?
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalms 10:11). We see this verse inscribed on plaques. At first glance, it might be taken to say, “Be afraid of God.” This is what keeps many believers from drawing close to Him. But that is not it. This fear is the same fear any child might have of a loving father—the fear of disobeying him, to displease him.
We are not to be afraid of God. That would be a terrible thing. You can hardly fellowship with someone you are afraid of. The last thing in the world God wants for His children is for them to be afraid of Him. When we consider another verse, we see the folly of such an idea, “Perfect love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18). In fact, the same verse says, “He that fears, is not made perfect in love.” What are we to fear then?
Soon now, we will all be standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ to have our work evaluated and be assigned our places in His kingdom (2 Cor. 5:10). The place He will give us will be based on the place we give Him in this life. If we put Him first, ahead of family, fortune, and fun, we will do very well. But if we put earthly comforts and pleasures ahead of Him, we will be sorry.
We are to fear the justice of God. Because on that day, the Law of the Harvest will stand. We will get exactly what we deserve. What we have sown is precisely what we will reap. I know some feel the MERCY of God will accommodate a wasted life, but that is not true. The mercy of God does indeed reach down to wash away our sins, but the judgment has nothing to do with sins. It has to do with WORKS, and God’s JUSTICE will see that we get exactly what we deserve.
In salvation, that is not true. We do not get what we deserve. We get forgiveness instead of hell. But when it comes to our works, we get exactly what we deserve, nothing less, nothing more. The apostle Paul knew this, and he described this fear as the “terror of the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:11 KJV). And if any Christian has wasted his earthly life in living for himself and his family, the fear of the Judgment Seat of Christ should absolutely terrorize him.
Here’s the Lord’s word on it: “Behold I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, and I will give to every man according to what he has done” (Rev. 22:12).
The judgment takes place at the coming of the Lord. There are two things I want for you: (1) I want you to be so confident on that day, you will meet the Lord in the air with a huge smile on your face. (2) I want you to qualify for a good job near Jesus in His kingdom.
Christmas is a good time to share. So when you plan your giving to others, be sure the Lord is included. I’m sure He would be pleased with giving more of YOURSELF to Him. So remember. . .
IT’S OUR HEAVENLY FATHER’S BIRTHDAY!
C. S. Lovett
Copyright © 2025 Personal Christianity
TESTIMONIES
INSIGHTFUL: “I have been reading and enjoying Dr. Lovett’s books for many years. He had incredible insight into the Bible, which I am thankful he shared with us in his books. His legacy will continue for future generations as they read and learn from his books and gain a better understanding of the Bible. He was a truly gifted teacher of the Bible.” (J. W.—AL)
BLESSED: “My friend and I have been reading Dealing with the Devil together over the phone. We have been so blessed by it, and the Holy Spirit has lit it up for us. Dr. Lovett’s books are our favorites. We have read them daily for several years. Thank you to all who contributed to this marvelous body of writing, and to those who continue to make it available.” (P.S.—MA)
LIFE CHANGING: “I am a Christian believer from Pakistan. I have been studying lots of Christian literature on your website, and I have been sharing this literature in my local community. And I am very pleased to share with you that these Bible studies have touched many lives in my community, and many souls have come to Jesus. God is so great to give us this opportunity to learn from your website and share it with others who need such life-changing teachings. I feel God has called me to be His servant and your ministry is a great platform to start ministry work in this land, which is so thirsty for the Word of God.” (S.A.—Pakistan)
BIBLE STUDY TOOL: “I picked up a copy of LOVETT’S LIGHTS ON ROMANS at a used bookstore, a secular one at that. I have always struggled with Romans 7 and 8, and this is the first time it has ever come into place for me. I use your books as a daily Bible study tool. I do want to follow the Lord, and your insights are helping a great deal. God bless you!” (D.—AR)
RESOURCES
LOVETT'S LIGHTS ON ROMANS (2024): 360 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $15.99.
LOVETT’S LIGHTS ON ACTS (2023): 407 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $15.99.
LOVETT'S LIGHTS ON THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (2022): 372 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $15.99.
LOVETT'S LIGHTS ON JOHN (2021): 381 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $15.99.
WITNESSING MADE EASY (2019): 213 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $14.99.
DEALING WITH THE DEVIL (2018): 242 PAGES. Available on Amazon.com for $14.99.
THE PREPARED LIFE (2017): 159 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $13.99 and is also available
on Kindle for $7.99.
LET’S KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS
Since Jesus is the reason for the season, let’s be aware of every opportunity to witness for Him. He is not a baby in a manger anymore. He is the Savior who brings us everlasting life when we open our hearts and ask Him to come in. He gave us eternal life! What are you giving Him this year: more of yourself, your time, and attention?
Thank you for your prayers, letters, phone calls, and donations to this ministry. The Lord has used you to bless us.
May God bless you and fill your heart with His love this Christmas and in the New Year!
The Lovett Family
CONTACT US
If you would like to send us a letter, comment, or prayer request, you may contact us at:
Personal Christianity, PO Box 918, Middleton, ID 83644
626-338-7333
www.cslovettbooks.com
info@cslovettbooks.com
“Preparing for His Appearing” Since 1951
