Wake Up. It's Christmas!

    Some of us spend a lot of time in the wonder of Christmas.  The spirit of it carries us along during dark times. The anticipation of the 25th of December takes us to parties at; work, school, church and home.

   Children have many activities at school and church with plays and concerts. They and their parents enjoy Christmas movies and cartoons.

   This is a season for sure.  We don't look at it as just another day. Christmas to some, last through the Thanksgiving holiday to the New Year celebrations!

   Then comes Christmas morning and the kids are running into the room with all of the gifts only to be restrained by police tape, placed by the parents. The kid or kids run to the parents yelling; "Wake up, Wake up. It's Christmas!"

   The music begins to play and the parents are moved along to "that room." Under parent supervision and issuing the rules, (because the parents know the true reason for the season), paper wrapping begins to fly. There are shouts of "Thank You!" "This is just what I wanted!"

                           

   The opposite happens where the work of it all is the most important reason. Christmas becomes a drudgery and the "spirit" (little s) of it all, weighs down participants and the joy comes when it's time to take Christmas down and put it back in the boxes and tubs and placed in the attic or garage.

                            

   Wake up! It's Christmas!  Plain and simple the true reason for the season is Christ! (Christ Mas get it?). It's all about Him. He is 'God with us'. This is no time to shut down and become secular or focusing just on the lights, dinners and parties.

   Wake up! It's Christmas!  We celebrate the birth of Christ and the divine entrance of God into our world. This baby is Gods' gift to the world.  Have you received that gift? Receive Him as Savior. Have you received that divine joy, peace and love?

   THEN comes the lights, dinners and parties! The 26th of December is not the time to melt down and have The birth, Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus put back in the box or tub and placed in the attic of our minds!

   Wake up! It's Christmas all year round!

A Study in Psalms - Psalm 53

"When you pray..."- Jesus. (not if..)

We wonder why Christians are so anemic and powerless...We don't pray as we should.  Children, teenagers, are not introduced to prayer as a lifestyle.  Resulting in a selfish lifestyle that shorts out like a wire with a break in it.  Jesus instructed us to pray and not quit.  Luke 18:1.

"Pray this way...":  Praying to our father.  Are you a part of the family of God?  (John 3:15-18).  Praying like you know God is in control.  Submitting to His will.  Pray, giving Him the honor and glory not only to receive; bread, milk, and a cool spouse.  Rather the result being God receiving the applause, glory and honor!

Jesus said; while asking, seeking and knocking,  pray like a citizen of His kingdom under His Divine authority and government.  We are to ask for forgiveness- Our spiritual position is much more important than our physical one.

So it's a conversation with God, not a wish list to Santa Clause.   Do not worry He understands;  Swahili, Norwegian, German and Dutch, Spanish, Asian, English. 

You can have confidence in prayer:  Hebrews 4:12-16.
You can have fellowship through prayer.  John 15:1-8.

Paul said for us to be praying always, being watchful (expecting), with all perseverance. That's exciting!

Read: Matthew6:9-13, Psalm 27:7-14.

This Is Not The Time To Deconstruct!- Acts 28

Three Concrete Steps

The Christians of the first century, attending "The First Church of Jerusalem"  did not wait for an announcement on Face book or church stage.  They witnessed on the job or considered their lifestyle a ministry to the circle of life God had planted them in.   The church came together to pray, hear the Word, even eat a meal or two.

    In our Christian walk or ministries we can become cold and indifferent (of whom I am chief).

We find we are cold and indifferent, even leaving our relationship and disciplines behind.  Where did you stop.  Prayer? Begin to pray.   Bible reading/study? go back and start there, Worship? Go back, draw near to God, He will draw near to you.

We find we have been going through the motions.  Keep on truckin',  keep reading, etc. praying for God's grace, forgiveness and Holy Spirit love and empowerment.

Whether it's a single worshipper or a local body of believers called a church. (It doesn't matter the size of a church).  What is required is effort, investing time etc. We are to grow Spiritually and that doesn't happen willy nilly (by accident). we draw close to God, He will draw close to us.


When you find yourself in the muddy clay of the steep path of life, you need concrete steps; 

• Intentionality  I believe God desires us to walk with Him on purpose.  This is not legalism. Try that legalism talk when you tell your spouse or person you're dating or friend; "Whatever." or "I might make it, I don't want to be bogged down with a lot of rules."  Pray on purpose, read/study His Word on purpose and consistently.  Be prepared for the love and grace of God to shine in your intentionality and provide Divine direction.  God sees your love when you act intentionally!
• Faithfulness  Throughout God's Word He calls for faithfulness.  The list is long that contain Biblical examples of faithful men and women as in Hebrews 11.  You might not hear or learn anything new every time you are at church or in a Bible study etc.  The cool thing is when someone sees you, in your mess, show up.  Many people like you have been a great picture of God's faithfulness. Faithful Available Teachable.
• Communication  God calls us to prayer.  The book of Psalm is filled with conversations with God.  This walk is a relationship not a world religion.  Relationship requires communicating. How often I go to Him with my Santa Clause list.  You know it yourself, when we spend that  time with God; meditating, praising, interceding for others, while listening for that Divine direction, there is life!  Talking with other believers, even non believers will again require, intentionality and faithfulness.  You will be making a great impact on the lives of others.

Luke 18:1 and the letter to the Philippians!

Alienating and Diverse Opinions

   We proclaim diversity in our relationships.  The little song is true...  "Red, yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight."

   While the battle of the tribes rage and "starting to be won," while our individual attacks on individuals, by loaded opinion, are getting deadly.  Speaking our mind displays what is in our hearts.  Those that machine gun multiple, or even shot gun harmful opinions,  do much damage, wounding friendly forces.

   Opinions obviously are not bad in themselves.  Attitude or hurtful intent behind the voice, brings the collateral damage.

   Those that dress in plaid, say they wouldn't be caught dead in paisley.  While people wearing paisley wonder what crazy person would wear stripes.  Those that attempt to look appropriate wonder why your weird enough to ever wear that color.  Here comes the person from his apartment looking like he spent the entire day at the hot sandy dunes or river fishing. He offers an opinion on the couple wearing matching polo shirts.

"I hate what you did to your hair."
"Who wears that anymore."
"You need to dress up more."
"Why does he dress up all the time."
"She talks to much."
"I wouldn't be caught dead in that."
"You need to lose weight."
"The church's music is to loud."
"This church is....."
and the beat goes on.

   I couldn't quickly (if at all) build a house.  That would take me years.  I could though, with a sledge hammer or wrecking ball, quickly destroy a house.  Building and investing in a life of someone, teaching and encouraging them would take some time.  Our hateful and spoken opinions can ruin a persons day, hindering positive growth and esteem.  Don't be surprised if they change direction when they see you coming.

    Opinions with a negative agenda are impolite and rude. Voicing a stabbing opinion will also hurt the attempt of a Christian to make disciples and be a witness.

Be kind to everyone. It's not wrong to have an opinion but realize we are all different.  Insure your opinions are biblical ones.

Read the entire book of Proverbs,  Phillipians 2,  Romans 12,13.  It would be helpful to you and me.

But...that's just my opinion.

"What Do These Stones Mean?"

Do you remember the historical writing in the Bible, reporting the Children of Israel crossing the Jordon River on dry ground?  God had told Joshua to have twelve men take stones from the middle and make a monument.  "When your children ask, what do these stones represent? You tell them it's when you crossed over on dry ground because your God pushed it to the side."

I can imagine in my so called mind, many years later after conquering Canaan;  Memorial Day Weekend and the summer vacations at the "Jordan River National Park."   The children would run up to the grandparents or great grandparents, sitting under a shade tree, that had seen or heard about the crossing and ask:  "What do those stones over there mean?"

"They are a monument for us to remember when God dried up that part of the Jordan, and our people walked safely across.  We are here to remember and worship our God!"

I can see an elderly man say:  "Thinking back these stones mean many things to us...."
"Yes sir?"

"These stones mean;  God hears your cries. Like He did, when His people were in slavery."
"These stones mean;  God delivers.  Like he did His people."
"These stones mean; God saves by the Blood.  Like He did His people when they applied the blood."
"These stones mean;  God can trouble those that trouble you. Just as He did, drowning Pharaoh and his army in the sea."
"These stones mean;  God leads you in your wilderness. Like He did our people."
"These stones mean;  God can make a way where there is no way. As He did at the Red Sea and this river."

So now you can remember; God is in control and with God, all things are possible. What do you need today?  deliverance? salvation? trusting God/faith?  Let God meet you where you are. He can move in the miraculous for you, and then He can move in the miraculous through you.  Love God Love Others!

Seasons Change

   

We see the consistency and authority of God when we see the changing of seasons since time began. Like "clock work" seasons in order, come and go. 

  You and I are guilty of taking changing seasons for granted. Not only seasons but the location of the planets and stars as well. God most likely sits back in amazement that many are not amazed.

  Maybe the reason is, we think the solar system and its' weather revolves around us.  Why, even God died for ME, He even answers MY prayers. We complain when He doesn't answer quick enough.

  Let's not forget it wasn't long after creation, humans given a choice, chose self, and how is that working out for us. They say we're even ruining the events of seasons with climate change.

  I know that in spite of us, God is in control! Anyone with any discernment can see that.  We have many questions but reading His Word, we have many answers. 

 Read throughout the Psalms and you'll find those questions and the answers. The book of Genesis tells the how and why this world is as it is.

  Your personal life goes through seasons. We experience the Fall, Winter, Spring and summer of life.  Emotions that are high and low, Seasons of joy and those of sadness.

  Look to the Seasons once again to see the love and control of God.  See the God that deserves our worship. This is all simple but yes, it's not easy. 

  I  pray that God would open the eyes of your heart, that you might see His love and wisdom. That He might incline forward to the season you might find yourself and divinely meet you there and comfort you.

Check out; 

Genesis 1-11

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Psalm 37: 1-7

  

This Is Not The Time To Deconstruct!- Acts 28

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!

Lessons Form The Apostle Paul - Acts 27

Check out the Bride Church youtube channel!  The Bride Church

ON TARGET!

 2022! Did you start over?  Begin something new?  Working to accomplish past dreams and plans?

The idea now before this month/year (or time in general) slips away, is to evaluate and see if our effort and direction, is at the proper level to accomplish the goal/plan/mission heading into the rest of 2022.

Being empowered by the Holy Spirit, plan your work and work the plan.   Whether you are a Pastor, Salesperson, Writer, Farming, Athlete, Housewife, Drive a Tractor Trailer,  Entrepreneur or Volunteer, you must be focused and intentional.  Remember if you shoot an arrow just anywhere, it will land just anywhere! Fire without aiming a rifle in competition,  you'll miss the target every time.

It will require;
*prayer
*planning
*patience
*wisdom
*resilience
*casting your God given vision with others
*identifying the tasks required for accomplishing the mission
*prayer

We live in light of eternity but remember time waits for no one.  The others around you need you to seek Gods;  purpose, power and provision. Their soul and Spiritual growth and prosperity may depend on it. Let's be a part of what God is doing.

Check out Philippians 3:12-14.

Is Your Faith On Trial? - Acts 24

But Why?

We initially start the Church, ministry, or even business project with God's; passion, purpose and power.  Long hours and energy spent are no problem we plan the work and work the plan!

There is a vision and mission with tasks assigned to make it happen.  Policy and procedures are developed. For a season progress and momentum spurt and climb.

Soon the priority is all and only about the procedures and policies being followed. It's time to pull our heads out of the sand.

Soon we are distracted by the logistics and control of the church, ministry or even business project.
Work, work, work, nothing wrong with work, unless it takes the place of Holy spirit, God's will and even fun.

When love, interest and passion is leaking out, it will not be the time, to ask how but why.  It's the why you do what you do, that got your wheels turning in the first place.  You may have a God given why or calling.  Strive to keep that why ever in front of you!

Why?

• Souls
• discipleship
• love
• God's will and Glory!
• Better community

Stay intentional and focused on the God given vision.  The Why!

10 Traits For Today's Christian - Acts 20:13-38

Trust In The Lord Psalm 37

How To Fix Our Church Culture - Acts 17:1-34

Faithfulness in an Unfaithful Culture - Acts 18

Acts 24 Faith on Trial

https://soundcloud.com/aaron-podgorski/acts-241-27-the-bride-church-tim-flener?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Chapter 24 tells of the court trial of the apostle Paul.  We are often on trial as the culture around us are watching.  May we be found guilty of being a part of "The Way."

How God Opens Doors and Breaks Chains - Acts 16

What Is Church Membership?