Jesus

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Apologetics – Part 3

Christian apologetics did not come easy for Paul. After his salvation and conversion he was now going to need to build up what he previously had been tearing down.

You will have to do the same. Continue reading →

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Apologetics – Part 2

Christian apologetics is just another way of saying “defending the faith”. For me, that’s not debating or arguing – it’s an explanation of the scripture, including the Gospel. Continue reading →

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Apologetics – Part 1

My church gathered to watch God’s Not Dead on New Year’s Eve. Many told me it was the best movie they have ever seen.

It is an excellent movie.

I think about how the student defended his Christian faith against the college professor. That’s called Christian apologetics. While I am a Christian and I will defend my faith, I’m not sure I would or could do it in the same method as the student in the movie.
He did a lot of reading to find out the belief of different philosophers and scientist in order to defend the faith.

I, on the other hand, prefer not to cloud my mind with antichrist thoughts and ideas. I prefer to read the truth that is God’s word.

I found in the Bible one of the first Christian’s to get into apologetics – Saul, who became the apostle Paul.

After his salvation, he turned his attention to preaching Jesus as the Son of God. How did he do this being such a new Christian and freshly converted from Judaism?

This verse gives the key.

But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Acts 9:22

He increased!
I believe that means in knowledge and strength of the Holy Spirit.

He confounded!
This increased knowledge of the scripture gave him the ability to confound the knowledge of others.

He proved!
By using the scripture he was able to show that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s word.

This is Christian apologetics and it’s something you need to do also.

The church can no longer shrug when people question the faith or have questions about the Bible or doctrine. You must know what you believe and why you believe it.

Next time I will reveal through the scripture how Saul (Paul) was able to do this.

Abba, use me today to prove that Jesus is the Son of God and the only Way of salvation. YES&AMEN

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A Lesson from the Christmas Story – Not Too Late!

It’s never too late to repent and turn your life over to God! As long as you have breath and there is a today, then there is an opportunity.

And it doesn’t matter how old or young you may be; or how much sinfulness you have committed – you can come to the Lord today.

The only ones to show up around the birth of Jesus were shepherds. Perhaps there may have been a few others – a midwife or a relative of Joseph or Mary that was living in Bethlehem at the time.
But certainly there was no pomp and circumstance at His arrival that drew masses of followers.

In fact, it was eight days after His birth when Joseph and Mary took Jesus for ritual circumcision, according to the Law.
While there two people came to them unannounced.

First, an elderly man named Simeon.

And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, [Simeon] took Him up in his arms and blessed God… Luke 2:27-28

Then an eighty-four year old woman named Anna also walked up to them.

And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Luke 2:38

So just because you may be late for the birth doesn’t mean it’s too late to meet Jesus. After all, most of the disciples won’t meet Him until He’s thirty years old.

So come meet Him today.

Abba, I pray for those that need to meet Jesus today. YES&AMEN

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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 – Hardships

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. Luke 2:4-5

These days a census takes place every ten years and either a census taker comes by your home or something is mailed to you.

Can you imagine the difficulty of having to return back to the hospital were you were born for the census. Or if you were born at home, returning to that county’s courthouse for the purpose of a census.

It would be an unexpected expense and a far journey for many people. Linda would have to go to a hospital in Lufkin, our children to Nacogdoches, but I would have to go back to Baytown. At least we all stay in Texas though!

For Joseph and Mary it meant traveling 70 hard miles on foot, by wagon, or riding the back of an animal like a donkey. Still it was 70 difficult miles. That distance today can be done in less than an hour. Back then it would have taken almost 4 days!

Life is full of hardships, difficulties, and unexpected trips and expenses. But just because it’s a hardship doesn’t mean God is not in it!

Hardships are not meant to break you – but to make you stronger. Difficulties teach more lessons than books ever will.

I’ve noticed the more trouble that comes my way – the more God is glorified through His deliverance for me.

The end of that difficult journey for Joseph and Mary resulted in the birth of the Messiah.

Abba, I praise You through my difficulties and hardships because it shows how sufficient Your grace is for me, in Jesus name, YES&AMEN