The Reason for the Season

I can remember receiving great gifts. School activities that celebrated Christmas. Many a family get together Christmas Eve, were highlights of a lifetime.  These and more make up the list of special moments that are a part of that most wonderful time of the year.

Church Christmas plays as simple as some were, painted the picture of that Nativity that is ever etched on my mind, portraying the birth of Jesus. We had Santa all around, but that was merely a fun, mythical part of Christmas.  The reality of my life was that Jesus came from Heaven to Bethlehem born to die.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given."

Jesus born in a manger and growing in wisdom and stature, came living a sinless life, dying a sacrificial death on that cross that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

We are not celebrating the birth of a mere man, even a president or earthly king, or a person with great teachings. We celebrate the birthday of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! The Son of God!

He is the reason for the season.

Don't Box in Christmas!

 

When it comes to Christmas, traditions are great. The memories are forever. The presents, lights, trees, family, movies, food, wrapping paper and the boxes.

Year after year, it becomes fun and familiar and all about me. We have wish lists a couple of pages long. Santa Clause is not real, but we might go see him at the store to tell what we want, just in case.

With all the anticipation and parties and hours finding the right size box to wrap the gift in, we have to realize that is not the true meaning of Christmas.

Jesus is the reason for the season. Christmas did not come in a box; it came in a manger. Come let us adore Him. He is to be worshipped because He is "God with us."

This year let's not put Jesus in a box. We should not limit the gift of God by hiding Him in the decorations and presents.

He was born to die on the cross and who ever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life and that spent with God.

Check out Galatians 4:4,5 and John 3:16-18 in the bible.

Have a Merry Christmas season and receive the gift that God gave! live in his Presence!

THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS.

   There are many memories as a child and young adult of Thanksgiving.  The cold, football (watched and played), hot dinner rolls, deviled eggs, turkey and ham!

The world stopped as we entered a world of family unity and love.  Most of the adults from the living room of the past are gone. 

 

The condensation on the windows, laughter and holiday television specials, are all part of the imagery of those early Thanksgivings. I suppose it was special in those days because we were actually thankful for what we possessed or what didn't happen to us. Thanksgiving and gratitude to God was a statement made by family and country.

My Uncle would pray and tell God how thankful we were for one another and all of His blessings.  A huge feast was eaten, complete with cookies, fudge and pies, that all had brought. 

 I pray, as everyone attempts to shock and rewrite history, Thanksgiving Day doesn't get diluted.  Black Friday and Halloween having risen to the forefront is a statement as well.   

Happy Thanksgiving!  I am thankful for family memories throughout the years.  I thank God for His presence, power and provision in our family this year. May they come over the hills and through the woods to grandmothers' house, because grandfather loves to see her face light up!

  Be Thankful and share, help others to have a good day.

Power Walking!

I have had the opportunity to speak at some churches.  I "titled" some talks/sermons "Power Walking".  The idea wasn't only in racing but a daily exercise of stepping out in force with an appropriate pace.

The physical act of  power walking is done with intention and purpose.  The end of a walk might be a location or timed challenge that requires more commitment than the occasional daily stroll.

The course may be known or might have its surprising obstacles.  The walk of life may be complete with storm, sadness, loneliness, poverty, lies and important life choices.

Various spots in the Bible gives us good instruction technique of walking correctly to win and help other walkers along their route. Maybe you've read them or heard some of it's coaching :

1. Walk in TRUTH
2. Walk in LOVE
3. Walk in His SPIRIT
4. Walk by FAITH
5. Walk HUMBLY
6. Walk with GOD
7. Walk in the LIGHT
8. Walk in WISDOM
9. Walk in His WAY
10. Walk with OTHERS

"...Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us".  The Apostle John wrote: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my "children" walk in truth."

If you have trouble in this life and  realize you need eternal saving, run to Jesus!  We  then walk with Him throughout your days.

THE UNTOUCHABLES.

There was a warm breeze accompanied by the sound of birds and the slapping of waves against the shore.  Just then a head rises up looking over tall grass because there was another sound, now of wooden oars, being laid inside a boat as men stepped into the water to drag their boat inland.  Looking down on the visitors coming ashore, the man on the hill sniffed the air, rage and fear filled his mind, pain pierced his head like a two-edged sword. His body shook with tremors of an earthquake, and he released a growl from miles down in his spirit. This man had a reputation of demonic destruction of himself and others, most likely their livestock as well.  Due to his above normal strength and hellish rage, they could not arrest or secure him.  He was considered a public enemy, an untouchable and undesirable maniac...  He knew the man getting out of the boat.

His inward demons were spiritual, created and knew the name and identity of this person.  His fleshly body inhabited by frightened evil spirits ran down the hill, surprisingly stopped, worshiped and cried with a loud voice!

"What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the most High God?!"  " I beg you not to torment me"
Jesus said: "Come out of him. What is your name"
"Legion, for we are many, please do not send us away. Send us into the pigs"
And He sent them. After entering the swine, the herd went mad and ran down the opposite hill and drowned in the sea.

The towns people having heard of the pigs, came to see this Jesus and were most likely afraid, looking with disgust as they saw the crazy, maniac not desiring to get near enough to touch him.  They saw the man who had been demon-possessed, not squatting or in a crouching ready to attack position but sitting, clothed and in his right mind.  His life had been touched, healed and delivered.  One would wonder... if his mother or family had long been praying for him. When others had given up hope, Jesus sails into shore, touching his life, giving him heart and life transformation.

This man, once untouchable, received the heart of an evangelist, compelled by the love of Christ to touch the lives of others. He desired to come aboard the boat of Jesus and tell the world!  Jesus did not allow it but said:  "Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."

Do you see all that happens here?  The maniac filled with demons; 1. Worshiped Jesus.  2.  Jesus delivered and changed him. 3.  The man wanted to follow Jesus.  4. Jesus commissioned him to go into the city, maybe back into the wilderness and tell others what Jesus had undeniably, done for him.

Has He done that for you? Is that the testimony you need to be sharing? Do you know someone, you or others have lost hope over?  Do not stop praying for them. Maybe you are that one; the undesirable, untouchable others have given up hope on.  Allow Jesus to meet you where you are and touch you. You can have that same heart and life transformation and peace with God followed by the peace of God.

Christmas in July? Resurrection Day in January?

  Many people love Christmas.  Even non-believers in Christ, know Christmas has a great "feeling".  It's a time of family and sharing gifts with friends, as well as being kind to strangers.  They may not ever enter church any other time but will enjoy attending this one occasion for the warm fuzzy, the music or Christmas play. 

Even though it's not the actual date... We use December 25th to remember the birthday of Jesus Christ.  It's when He, GOD the SON, leaves the Glory of Heaven and enters a manger. 

Many children have been born before and since but an Angel said:  "I bring good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of  David a Savior has been born to you; He is CHRIST the LORD!"  Man, that's why I will celebrate Christmas every day of the year.

  Many don't know what it's all about, but if they are offered it; they'll take Good Friday off.  It's when we remember why this Holy Jesus was born in the first place... Jesus came at the right time, for it is when the religious leaders and government would kill Him for His claims. 

When they did.... Christ died for the world (that God loved) that whoever believes in Him would never perish but have eternal life.  

Many had died on a cross before and after but because of who He was; made this a Holy cross, a terrible cross, a saving cross!  Man, I will remember that everyday of the year.

They used to say; " Everybody goes to church to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus". Today? not so much.  Yet some will go and listen to the cantata or experience the big Resurrection presentation.  

Original pagan Holiday or not, we use this day to celebrate the Resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ.  Sacrifice accepted! great victory over sin, the grave and death.  Paul wrote: "For what I received I passed onto you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures..." 

Paul wrote: "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."   and now He sits on the right hand of God.  Man, I will praise and worship as well as celebrate that everyday of the year.

  Bible says:  "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord and believe in you heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
  Paul wrote: "therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." and he said: "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Man, I will worship Christ and celebrate Christmas, Good Friday and Resurrection, everyday of the year!

How about you?

Here I Stand

I gave God my soul,
I then take my role.

Fight the good fight,
walking by faith, not sight.

On His truth I stand and sit,
standing fast no thought to quit.

Blast the past.
the vision cast.

He's my shield,
to Him I yield.

He's not the latest rave,
He shed His blood for all, to save!

Community investment

                                                            
It is encouraging to see construction of restaurants and stores beginning to start in our areas.  Jobs will be created as a result.  Beautification of the area is happening again.  We see the wisdom in the usage of large unused parking areas to build businesses etc.  I have noticed masses of people out an about!

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Let the church be encouraged as well,  to take advantage of open doors for sharing the Gospel to the millions of unreached and the discipleship training our own church's Biblical illiterate.  Improvement of our communities involve much more than buildings and restaurants for the belly.  If we truly desire community development in our neighborhood and families, we must declare and share the good news of Christ.

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This is not a world religion that includes efforts to merely turning over a new leaf or just trying harder, but a new generation with a new birth, heart and mind.  It is not infrastructural, but crossing over from trusting self, to trusting Christ, to spend eternity with God.  Followed by a transformed life.

Now that is community development.

True Life!

What was cold and seemingly lifeless, becomes a beautiful garden of colorful flowers of many sizes and shapes.

We can look back at our past spiritual position and experiences in our day-to-day life and see what was once, seemingly lifeless and without purpose.  

Through prayer and the power of God you had a season of change and new hope and an abundant life!  Like a flower garden it must be maintained daily.  Life killing weeds need to be removed, while water and fertilizer for growth and life, are to be added daily.

You may be reading this and living a troubled life, seemingly without hope.  Sadness even depression, the worries of this world are overwhelming.  We are all there for a time. That's natural, but we are not to park there. 

You can live on topside; you have hope for even eternity. That is supernatural.  Sin entered the world, but God desires you to believe and receive what He has for you. His new life!  We do not work for salvation, but it takes (as in our earthly relationships) a minute-by-minute effort to maintain and enjoy that relationship of love.

*Read the letter to the Philippians
*Prayer that includes worship, asking, interceding, thankfulness.
*A Bible believing counselor
*A good book (with Christian values)

We accept and trust, not in ourselves, but in what Christ did on the cross, not only in what He did, but who He is.  The Bible says to draw near to Him and He'll draw near to you. Asking forgiveness, know you have that forgiveness of sin and power of God, to live the life He desires.  You can have great joy and peace, (though there will be storms), living right where God has placed you. Then we are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those that rejoice. 

 Let's be the flower, God and others can be blessed by.

John 10: 7-18.  Matthew 6: 25-34

Gracious!

The small letter to Philemon from the Apostle Paul contains quite a bit of action.  The action is not fist fights and explosions.  The action is of a spiritual direction. The Apostle Paul knew very well the grace of God, at salvation and in his day to day ministry and trials.

Onesimus has maybe stolen from Philemon and runs away.  (He was Philemon's slave).  Philemon had been led to Christ in Ephesus by Paul and transformed returned to Collosee and started a church.
Onesimus had ripped off Philemon and runs to where he can blend in.  Rome.

How many of you know you can run but you cannot hide.  God providently leads him to the Apostle Paul, who is in jail.  Onesimus might have been incarcerated there himself. Maybe from stealing. Paul for merely preaching the Gospel of Christ.

Paul shares the gospel to Onesimus and he is saved and transformed into useful from useless! He becomes strongly involved in Paul's ministry. "What's your story Onesimus?"  He shares his story of how he had stolen from Philemon...  "Philemon?"


"Philemon accepted the gospel when I shared it with him as you did."  Paul sent him back to Philemon with an explanation of how Onesimus  heard by grace and trusted by faith the work of Jesus on the cross.

Read the letter and using your imagination, see also the illustration:

Philemon is God
Onesimus is sinner
Paul is Jesus speaking on our behalf and saying to put the sinners sin to His account.

We know that Jesus paid the price and all to Him we owe.

Oh the Amazing Grace of God!

How did I get here?

You ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, you will get a list of careers, some you never heard of.  We might be surprised in fifteen years when that young boy or girl has created that business, service or ministry we didn't have the imagination to achieve.

The young girl wasn't born a Doctor, or have all the needed.skills and knowledge at three years old.  There would be daycare, she would attend elementary school.  The parents had to drop her off at High school. She might be top of the class, yet not be ready to do surgery in the local operating room.

Policemen, lawyer, doctor, Pastor, soldier, CEO, fireman, truck driver, NBA/NFL star. all require steps of growth and training.

"Yeah, we know that!" 

 Then why do some students have to be class clown or sleep in class. (that only works for comedians).

No matter the age of a person, you will become tomorrow, what you are making of yourself today! Some men and women even during prosperous times, sat in unemployment offices with their head in their hands. Why?!
That is what they trained themselves to do while in school, as they sat their looking at the clock with their head in their hands.

Teenager to senior citizen if you wish to accomplish some dream or career, begin now to develop yourself.  Those in school, have a great time!  Also study and  receive an education, not just a letter grade.  

We might be an adult.  Read, read, read and get those Cd's maybe those old cassettes, take a leadership course and teach and motivate yourself.  You and I might be surprised at the dreams and accomplishments!  Others will be surprised at your business, service or ministry they didn't have the faith and imagination to achieve.

"Lord, You are the Potter.  I am the clay." -Amen