Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Monday, December 24, 2012
Merry Christmas!
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
-Isaiah 9:6 (King James)
Merry Christmas!
-Isaiah 9:6 (King James)
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
My Christmas Thoughts
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
-First John 5:21 (KJV)
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
-First John 5:21 (NLT)
With Christmas right around the corner (less than 1 week, actually), many churches are putting on Christmas drama's, kids ministries are presenting a play, people are rushing to decorate their houses and Christmas trees. The stores and mall's are crowded with people doing their Christmas shopping-with everyone trying to find that perfect gift for everyone on their Christmas list. The lines are long for children waiting to talk to Santa Claus. There are groups that are singing Christmas carols, and the spirit in the air is one of love, seeking what is best for each other. There are many people, professing Christians, who feel it's wrong to celebrate this holiday. I'm not arguing that point, for we must not take part in foolish arguments and things that cause division.
I've been reading posts on Facebook recently by people who are quoting First John 5:21 as a reason not to believe in Santa Claus. Bear this in mind: I'm 40 years old, and I know that there is no such thing as Santa. I know there is no such thing as the 8 tiny reindeer, and the magical sleigh. But, I do believe in the spirit of Santa Claus that comes around each year around this time. Think about it, when else do you look for gifts to give to other people-thinking only about someone else's happiness? What other time of year do we gather with friends and coworkers and celebrate each other? First John 5:21 says, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our lives. Notice I said anything. Yes, Santa can become an idol in someone's lives. So can your husband, wife or children. So can your job, your possessions, and even the very Word of God.
So, as we celebrate Christmas in just a few days, remember that we are celebrating the gift that God has given to each one of us. If God used the thinking of some well meaning, but misguided Christians, He would not have given us this gift because it would not have been right to do it. Think About It.
-First John 5:21 (KJV)
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
-First John 5:21 (NLT)
With Christmas right around the corner (less than 1 week, actually), many churches are putting on Christmas drama's, kids ministries are presenting a play, people are rushing to decorate their houses and Christmas trees. The stores and mall's are crowded with people doing their Christmas shopping-with everyone trying to find that perfect gift for everyone on their Christmas list. The lines are long for children waiting to talk to Santa Claus. There are groups that are singing Christmas carols, and the spirit in the air is one of love, seeking what is best for each other. There are many people, professing Christians, who feel it's wrong to celebrate this holiday. I'm not arguing that point, for we must not take part in foolish arguments and things that cause division.
I've been reading posts on Facebook recently by people who are quoting First John 5:21 as a reason not to believe in Santa Claus. Bear this in mind: I'm 40 years old, and I know that there is no such thing as Santa. I know there is no such thing as the 8 tiny reindeer, and the magical sleigh. But, I do believe in the spirit of Santa Claus that comes around each year around this time. Think about it, when else do you look for gifts to give to other people-thinking only about someone else's happiness? What other time of year do we gather with friends and coworkers and celebrate each other? First John 5:21 says, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our lives. Notice I said anything. Yes, Santa can become an idol in someone's lives. So can your husband, wife or children. So can your job, your possessions, and even the very Word of God.
So, as we celebrate Christmas in just a few days, remember that we are celebrating the gift that God has given to each one of us. If God used the thinking of some well meaning, but misguided Christians, He would not have given us this gift because it would not have been right to do it. Think About It.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Monday, December 26, 2011
The Manger And The Heart
7And 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 in the inn.
-Luke 2:7 (KJV)
With Christmas being over, I guess we'll put the words of Luke 2 away until this time next year. But before we do, let's take one last look at some things that I consider we need to decide. Look at these words in Luke 2:7.
The Son of God, the promised Messiah, the King of Kings, was born in a manger. What, exactly, was a manger?Look at what Wikipedia has to say about a manger.
-Luke 2:7 (KJV)
With Christmas being over, I guess we'll put the words of Luke 2 away until this time next year. But before we do, let's take one last look at some things that I consider we need to decide. Look at these words in Luke 2:7.
The Son of God, the promised Messiah, the King of Kings, was born in a manger. What, exactly, was a manger?Look at what Wikipedia has to say about a manger.
A manger is a trough or box of carved stone or wood construction used to hold food for animals (as in a stable). Mangers are mostly used in livestock raising. They are also used to feed wild animals, e.g., in nature reserves. The word comes from the French manger (meaning "to eat"), from Latinmanducare (meaning "to chew").
A manger is also a Christian symbol, associated with nativity scenes where Mary, forced by necessity to stay in a stable instead of an inn, placed the baby Jesus in a manger. (Luke 2:7). This is commonly misinterpreted as the manger being the stable.
Jesus was born in a feeding trough. Kind of interesting, don't you think? Jesus calls Himself the "bread of life" in John 6:35 and John 4:48. The "bread of life" was born in a feeding trough. That's cool. The swaddling clothes were simply strips of cloth held together with bandages. Search google for swaddling clothes.
The verse also teaches us that there was no room at the inn. That is understood since there were probably thousands of people in town for the census. Yet, it is sad. Why? The world didn't have room in their lives for Jesus when He was born, and it still doesn't have room in their hearts now. That is the question I want you to decide this very minute. Do you have room in your life, in your heart, for Jesus? Think About It.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
A Son Is Given
Merry Christmas! It's the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Remember that today is not about the presents under the tree, but about the one that was on the tree. Of course, I'm talking about Jesus.
2 [b] The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,[c]
a light will shine.
6 For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,[d] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
-Isaiah 9:2,6 (KJV)
These passages have appeared on Christmas cards for years. Have you ever really thought about what they mean?
Verse 2 says, "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine." This verse is talking about Jesus. In the Bible, darkness always is talking about sin, while light talks about Jesus. We were once walking in darkness, we lived in a land of deep darkness: meaning we lived and walked in sin. We were separated from God because of our sin. But, Jesus came, and we turned to Him. Through the Bible, we've seen a great light, the light has shined into our dark, sin filled life. By the Light, we found our way to forgiveness.
Verse 6 says, "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Look at the first part of this verse. "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us." Jesus was born for us. He was born to take away our sins. Jesus was given to us. He was given to us as a gift, out of the love of God. Then, we have these wonderful names for Jesus, each one bringing comfort and encouragement for our life in Christ. "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Look at each of those names. Each of them describes how close Jesus is to each one of us. Each of those names describes who He is.
Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Accept the best gift ever given-Jesus. Think About It.
2 [b] The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,[c]
a light will shine.
6 For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,[d] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
-Isaiah 9:2,6 (KJV)
These passages have appeared on Christmas cards for years. Have you ever really thought about what they mean?
Verse 2 says, "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine." This verse is talking about Jesus. In the Bible, darkness always is talking about sin, while light talks about Jesus. We were once walking in darkness, we lived in a land of deep darkness: meaning we lived and walked in sin. We were separated from God because of our sin. But, Jesus came, and we turned to Him. Through the Bible, we've seen a great light, the light has shined into our dark, sin filled life. By the Light, we found our way to forgiveness.
Verse 6 says, "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Look at the first part of this verse. "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us." Jesus was born for us. He was born to take away our sins. Jesus was given to us. He was given to us as a gift, out of the love of God. Then, we have these wonderful names for Jesus, each one bringing comfort and encouragement for our life in Christ. "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Look at each of those names. Each of them describes how close Jesus is to each one of us. Each of those names describes who He is.
Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Accept the best gift ever given-Jesus. Think About It.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
SLTV: Following The Star?
Special Christmas Eve broadcast. The wise men rejoiced at the Star, and the star led them to Jesus. We, too, have a star that will lead us to Jesus. Do you rejoice in that star?
Following The Star?- Broadcast your self LIVE
Following The Star?- Broadcast your self LIVE
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Talkin' Scripture: Lessons From The Shepherds
Talkin' Scripture broadcast for 12/20/11.
This week, we look at the shepherds, who were among the first to hear about the birth of our Lord Jesus. What can we learn from them? We'll study Luke 2. Special music from the Quicks and Recent Rainfall.
This week, we look at the shepherds, who were among the first to hear about the birth of our Lord Jesus. What can we learn from them? We'll study Luke 2. Special music from the Quicks and Recent Rainfall.
Listen to internet radio with ScriptureLinks on Blog Talk Radio
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/scripturelinks/2011/12/20/lessons-from-the-shepherds
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