Christ

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Resolution time again!

It’s time once again to make those annual promises and pledges you never keep – New Year’s resolutions!

I have nothing against anyone that wants to improve themselves. Eating better, exercising, quit smoking, learn Spanish, start painting, or start saving money are all worthy resolutions. Continue reading →

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A Lesson from the Christmas Story – Working!

Merry Christmas! It’s Christmas Day!

Your plans may be to open presents or capture those precious memories as the kids open theirs.

You may be planning a big Christmas dinner, watching a Christmas movie or perhaps a church service to celebrate the birth of the Savior.

Whatever you are doing remember there are others that must work today, just like the shepherds were working.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8

The hospitals have doctors and nurses around the clock. The police and fire departments are staffed.
And, of course, there are men and women in the Armed Forces that are far, far from home and even though they may get off duty later on, they won’t be able to sit down with their families.

The shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:15

Just like the shepherds, each person should make the time to stop and visit with the Savior today – through prayer, praise, worship, and acts of kindness to others.

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. Luke 2:17

Each should share with others the testimony of salvation and God’s blessings!

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke 2:20

Work is a part of living! You should return to work with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord!

Abba, I pray protection on those protecting me today. I pray they find time to pause and see the Christ today! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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A Lesson from the Christmas Story – No Room Here!

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

Continue reading →

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Lessons from the Christmas story – Government

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Luke 2:1-3

Politics is always a hot topic. Everyone has an opinion about it.

I don’t like to bring up politics in church very often – it gets people’s mind off Christ and gets them dwelling on issues that get them riled up and angry.

The government has the ability to do things that doesn’t make everyone happy. If a Republican is in office then the Democrats complain. If a Democrat is in office then the Republicans moan and groan.
The government will never succeed at making everyone happy.

But Christians need to learn this lesson from the Christmas story – just because the government does something that unpopular – that doesn’t mean God cannot use it for His purpose.

The census that caused Joseph and a very pregnant Mary to travel 70 miles, brought them to the city of David – Bethlehem.
It was exactly where they needed to be when Jesus, the Messiah was born.

Only in Bethlehem could the prophecy of Micah.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. Mic 5:2

So next time the government does something that you don’t like – pray about it and watch God work!

Abba, keep me from complaining about the government and help me turn to You for all things good. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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How?

In reading Luke 1 this morning, I saw the question – the question I have often asked.
Then I saw it again.
So I went searching for it. Continue reading →

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A Great Deal!

It’s Black Friday and I know there are scores of people standing in line and fighting the crowds around the nation for a good deal on a gift.

We did it yesterday evening after the turkey was eaten and while the Dallas Cowboys were losing. We decided to go down and get a new TV so we could better watch the Cowboys lose! 😉

Linda and I stood in line for an hour talking to other shoppers. We were about a hundred in line according to one of the store managers that was doing a head count.
And the line kept on growing with around 300 by the time it was over.

Our line was for just one size TV. There were lines for many other things around the store.

I don’t know why this is called Black Friday when the stores make so much green!

But I’ll give you another deal – a Red Deal. And you don’t have to stand in line.
Even better – it’s FREE.

It’s salvation.

If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

I’ve noticed that this line is never crowded, though it should be.
There is no fighting to get a hold of it.
There are no tickets handed out.
And according to the verse, it’s well lit and you can still have fellowship with those around you.

You won’t find this deal in the sale paper because salvation is FREE and you don’t have to wait for it.
It can be yours now!

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:9-10

Abba, I have had many things over the years that have broke, been repaired, or I returned. Salvation is not one of them. Thank you for this free gift given to all, in Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Thanks Giving It Up

What would you willingly give up for another person?

I know some people that have given a kidney or bone marrow to help someone. But my question leans more towards what lifestyle would you give up to help someone.

Would you give up drinking and never touch another drop if it would rid your mom of Alzheimer’s?

Could you give up bacon or seafood if you knew it would cure a child you know of leukemia?

What about church? Would you never miss another service if it made grandma well again?

What are you willing to give up for your children or spouse to insure they are happy and safe?

The things you say you would give up are the things that Jesus did give up!
He never got drunk, never committed adultery, and never ate bacon or seafood. He did not lie, steal, murder, or back talk His parents.
He was never jealous or envious. He did not cuss or take God’s name in vain. He never missed the opportunity to worship God with others in a synagogue or Temple.

And He did this all for YOU!
Then He did something else!

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21

Jesus took upon Himself the sinful things you weren’t willing to give up so you could be made whole.
So you could be made perfect.
So you could have a more abundant life!
So you could have eternal life with Him in heaven someday!

Paul testifies of the things he was willing to give up after he accepted Jesus as his Savior.

I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Phil 3:8-9

Abba, on this Thanksgiving Day I am reminded of what I am most thankful for – that you gave up the opportunity to sin so that I can live. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN