Just and Unjust

As we come to the end of another year, there are many problems in this old world. It is costing more and more to just get by. The high price of oil is driving prices up on all sides. Every time you go to buy something it has went up 25 to 50 cents. Heating oil has went up nearly 90 cents a gallon since Sept. The rich are making a fortune off our misfortune. It reminds me of reading about Babylon in the Bible. And of course we know what happened then. It is raining on the just now  but it is going to rain on the unjust soon. Matthew 5: 45> That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good. And sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

In A Spirit Of Humility

And preached, saying There comes one mighter than I after me the latchet of whos shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. MARK 1:7….Sometimes when we try to be the best, we’re often dismayed to find there is always someone smarter more successful than we are, so we become discouraged , dissapointed that we are second place.–second best. John the Baptist understood second place, following Jesus, who was his superior in every way. His lifes purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. Yet he never viewed his role as second best. Rather, he understood the honor of an unworthy servant being chosen for such a task. What fulfilment and freedom he found in humility. We too can find fulfilment by faithfully following Jesus and being content in our God given tasks, even though they may not seem as important as others tasks. We need to humbly submit to Jesus and experience His freedom and fullfilment, and be happy in what we do.

By Worshiping Him

And when they were come into the house, they saw a young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshiped him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented them gifts; gold and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11….There was nothing convenient about whe wise men’s worship. they traveled many miles, made countless inquiries , and followed His star faithfully because the King was worthy of their devotion. throughly prepared with gift in hand, they were surprised only by the glory of His presence; and they fell in adoration before Him. Lets all worship our Lord and Savior this Christmas. And if your church has a worship service, make it convenient to attend and worship Him.

“MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND MAY GOD BLESS.”

Shepherds Making Known The Good News

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. Luke 2:17……Jesus often referred to Himself as the Shepherd , one who cares for his sheep. He knew his sheep and they knew Him.Sheep depend on their shepherds for protection , and provision. Jesus was called the Lamb of God. It was no coincidence that shepherds was chosen as the first to know of Christ’s birth. The shepherds heard and believed the good news. And they rushed to Bethlehem to see the Saviour who’s birth was announced . They did not keep the news to themselves, and they weren’t afraid to share it. They hurried about the town telling everyone about the miracle born that night. Though we may have read the good news story over and over, we need to share the good news with lost people this Christmas…

Jesus The Saviour Is Born

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn. Luke 2:7…..When Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary were not surprised. God had spoken to them and told them of His greatest Gift, the redeeming Saviour, the Christ. He had even told Joseph to name the baby Jesus. For many centuries many people have been surprised by this humble birth of our Saviour; and through Him all that believed could be saved. Weary souls find all they need, in the love of our Savior born as a ordinary babe…..

Mary Blessed by Gods Grace

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou who art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among woman. Luke 1:28. Lots of books and songs have been written about Mary the mother of Jesus. Many stories have been told, and many girls have been named after her. Schools and hospitals have been named in her honor. She’s been praised and worshiped, and talked about through the ages. But one of the best gifts she left to the world is her humility in accepting Gods grace. How does this relate to us today? The story of Jesus birth is a story of Gods grace to all of us. We are all recipients of Gods grace. The true gift is the one that is pleasing to God and comes from Him because of Gods grace. With Jesus as the greates gift, then we must accept that Jesus’ coming is the greatest example of Gods grace. Mary knew firsthand Gods grace…

Don’t Kick Your Enemies

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth. Proverbs24:17…..To feel good about our enemies shortcomings or misfortunes is natural. After all who can believe they mistreated us the way they did? Well, God can. Believing He is on the side of believers, can make all the difference about how we feel about our enemies. But we need to remember that while God is for us He does not wont us to delight in our enemies misfortunes. Now we may be thinking I thought the Bible said to always rejoice! as hard it may be in the human flesh this is a time when rejoicing is to be avoided. God who watches over all things , never forgets and he will remember an obedient heart when it has been wronged. Remember the battles between David and Saul, or Joseph and his brothers, Moses and Pharaoh. God always won. And He will win in our lives today. When we hold fast to Gods Character, and keep our feelings intact when we are tempted to smile at an-others fall.

The Promised Saviour

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14……. When issues or relationships are supremely significant in our lives, we should be on fire regarding those priorities and no one is more important to us than God. God is passionate about our relationships with Him. We are His top priorities. He proved His love by sending the promised saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He cared for us so much that He became Immanuel, God with us”… Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel. which being interpreted is God with us. Matthew 1:23….So now its our turn . Shouldn’t we be passionate for God after all He’s done for us? Lets be on fire for our Lord.

God With A face

I wont God with a face on,” said a little girl to her minister one day– thereby expressing a childlike, nevertheless profound, desire for reality in religion. she was not satisfied with some nebulous, etherreal abstraction for God. she wanted something definate tangebile, she wanted someone for God…. not a something. perhaps that is why men, women, do not take God more seriously.They hold a theory about God. there notion of God is foggy , hazy, remote–an idea that is beyond them with no connection with everyday. A man, woman wants God with a face on’ who is the God you worship?” I have asked men, women this question on many occasions. tell me about him. what is he like? Where does he dwell? Is he real to to you?” Again and again they stop after a few confused mutterings and admit that God is unreal. When pinned down they have little to say. Why should a man bother about God if that is all he means to him? But consider Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ is God in focus! In him we see God clearly, distinctly, sharply, down to earth! If you want to know what God is like, look at his Son. If you wont to hear God listen to his Son. A man, woman, will make no mistake following Christ. Let us begin with Jesus whereever we must to be honest with ourselfs; Let us investigate Jesus all the way, Let us go along with Jesus as for as truth dictates— as for as honest inquiry leads. We will begin to realize that Jesus is God in focus….You cant go wrong trusting Christ, following Christ, worshiping Christ! He will lead you to a personal, dynamic, experience with God.

{Richard Halverson}

The Light

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth….Acts 13:47– Paul and Barnabas were greatly familiar with the scriptures, they had studied the prophets and listened to rabbis. In their personal time with God a verse from Isaiah jumped out at them. Through this passage God provided guidance for these new missionaries. He helped them find a solution to their problem. Their path through life was clarifed as they turned their attention to sharing the gospel with all peoples..Does the Bible give direction for our own personal future?. Sure it does. it is the instruction manual for all people. Jesus tells us in the Bible for his followers to be his witnesses, unto the uttermost parts of the earth Acts 1:8-But ye shall recieve power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Sama’ria and unto the uttermost part of the earth.— Which means that we should be dedicated to telling others about Jesus. We should all be ready to share the gospel as widely as possible. Share the Gospel with some one today.