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Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Jesus gets the leftovers

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7
When Jesus came into this world there was no room for Him in the Inn.  He was born where animals are kept. (Luke 2:7) He was given the leftovers. He had come down from heaven on a rescue mission, where the great idea was for Him to die. There was no escape clause. He was sentenced to die brutally and without mercy, for the love that God has for us. Yet he was given no priority. There He lay where unsightly and smelly animals are kept out of the way.
Jesus preached the good news, went from place to place healing, casting out demons, forgiving sin, counseling, and changing lives.  However he was never given a big church to pastor, a book contract or offered a big Pastoral home, Jesus actually referred to himself as homeless.(Matthew 8:20)
He fed thousands on more than one occasion, raised the dead, walked on water and stilled the storm with a word. But the big network deal for a spectacular show never came. It would have been amazing. It surely would have been a hit.
He was the creator and this world did not recognize him. (John 1:10) He was the promised Messiah to God’s chosen people. He made sure to reach out to them first. (John 1:11) But they rejected him and begged for Him to be crucified. (Luke 23:21)
Jesus is knocking on the door of countless lives. He is the solution for the pain and depression. He is the solution for the empty heart and the troubled mind. But so many still do not give Him a second thought.
Many others like me owe Him everything we have. Including all the hope and peace and joy in our lives. He has saved us! But we often leave him the leftovers. The shopping has been done. The calls have been made. Did we check our email? Good, we took care of that. Dinner is made, and everyone has their Christmas gift. Maybe now we can take some time for our Lord and Savior.  At least He is no longer with the smelly animals in the manger.
More articles on Christmas from bibleaid!
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Monday, December 23, 2013

The return of Jesus

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3
They came from long and far and traveled across barren deserts. They were carrying precious cargo and perhaps they encountered dangers. Perhaps they fought of thieves. However they were not deterred, because they knew they had seen a sign. This was the fulfillment of the prophecy, a child born of a virgin that would free all mankind and establish an eternal kingdom. (Isaiah 7:14)
They arrived in Israel. But still did not know where to find him. Possible with great fear, but with little choice they sought the help of King Herod. When the King heard their story he was troubled. Another king to take his place! Of course he was troubled. But why was all Jerusalem troubled? (Matthew 2:1-12)
Why be troubled because the messiah had come? Why be troubled that he who would free all men had come? Why be troubled because He who would set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1), heal the sick (Isaiah 35:5-6; Isaiah 29:18), bring light to a generation in darkness (Isaiah 9:1-2, Isa. 42:6), and raise the dead had been born? Why be troubled that he who had come to die for our sins had been born (Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 53:10-12)?
Perhaps that generation was no different from ours. Our generation knows what it wants but refuses to recognize what it needs. It wants money, financial security, a mansion, fast cars, big cars, fancy cars, a pension, early retirement, a vacation home, an ipad, a minipad, an iphone, and an ipod.
What does this generation need? This generation needs someone that will bring peace, love and unity. This generation needs someone that will heal our sickness, bodily and mentally. This generation needs someone that can remove worry, and pain and wipe away every tear. This generation needs someone who will wash away our sins and reunite us with our God.
Who will be troubled by the return of Christ? Everyone who likes the status quo, those who have no problem with war, sickness, poverty and a growing inhumanity, is troubled by the return of the King of kings. Everyone who is sure that man will solve man’s problems and government will lead the way.
Herod felt the same way. He was King and in control. He liked things the way they were. I’m sure he thought he didn’t need any help. All of Jerusalem seemed to agree. Jesus is coming and when he arrives how will He be welcomed this time? Will they once again be troubled?
Bibleaid articles on the return of Christ
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Overeating

Anyone worried about gaining weight over the holidays raise your hand. Wow, that many, really! I know I am. Here is the good news according to the experts it’s not going to happen. They say the average weight gain is one measly pound. Personally I find it hard to believe. But you can read it for yourself in the health articles listed below.
 Well, that sounds like a license to eat everything; aunt May’s brownies, grandma’s apple pies, Uncle Jerri’s cream puffs and your sister’s cheese cake. We are going to eat it all, candies, chocolate, ice cream, pudding (Figgy of course) and that is just for desert.  That is what the holidays are for and there is nothing wrong with that.  Eat until it hurts.
Actually there may be a problem. The apostles, Peter (1 Peter 4:7) and Paul (Titus 2:1-6 ) call us to be a people of self control. Solomon warns us against gluttony.  He links it with laziness and poverty. (Proverbs 23:21 , Proverbs 23:21) Paul also reminds us that we are the temple of God and we are not to destroy it. He refers to gluttony, eating too much and drunkenness, drinking too much. Paul didn’t need a medical license to explain that these activities only work to harm us and God expects better from his creation. Paul provides a stern warning when referring to our bodies “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him.”( 1 Corinthians 3:16-17)
How often have we complained about our health, begged for a miracle, when the solution could very well be, eat right, rest more and exercise?  We are often very busy and life challenges can make it difficult for us to make time for the gym. Without judging, we will just say each person must make his or her choice. However choose how you spend your time wisely, and try to fit in some exercise. When it comes to what we eat, what excuse do we have? We can all eat a little better and we can certainly eat a little less.
This Christmas, we are all going to enjoy some treats. However, remember this holiday in particular is about glorifying God and how Jesus came into this world to give his life that we can be saved, not stuffing ourselves with aunt May’s brownies until it hurts.

Verses 

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

2 TIMOTHY 3:1-3

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderersor addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

PHILIPPIANS 3:19

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

PROVERBS 23:20-21

Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:16-17

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

PROVERBS 23:21

For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.

References

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Sunday, December 22, 2013

Sammy misses his birthday

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15
Sunday was going to be Sammy’s birthday and everyone in the family was excited. They had been decorating for weeks and planning the festivities of that great day.
Sammy’s mother had already informed him that they would be going gift shopping on Saturday. He woke up that morning anxious to tell his mother all he wanted. After breakfast he changed his clothes and soon they were in the car racing to the mall. He thought for sure he would get a chance to tell his mother all the things he wanted.  But before he could start his mother started rattling off all the many dishes she had already prepared in preparation for his birthday.
“Sammy, I am so excited I prepared your father’s favorite, lasagna and for your sister I made candied yams and of course I didn’t forget my personal favorite roast beef. Your Aunt Sally is coming so of course I didn’t forget corn on the cob dripping with butter. Oh how she loves that.”  Something is not right Sammy thought “it’s my birthday and I prefer chicken and rice. Nobody asked me what I wanted”
The car pulled into the parking lot and Sammy thought for sure he would get a chance to tell his mother what he wanted. But his mother did not seem interested. She was buying all kinds of stuff but not what Sammy wanted. Then she entered the toy store. Sammy could hardly contain the excitement. He was just about to tell his mother about the race car he wanted when his mother picked up a doll. Sammy blurted out, “Mom I don’t want a doll”. She casually responded “I know dear this doll is for Ruth”. She kept picking out toys and soon it was over. But no race car was bought that day.
Sunday morning came and Sammy knew for sure everyone would come just to see him and celebrate his birthday.  Sammy stood near the door just to be sure everyone could see him. The guest started arriving. They came bearing delicious foods to add to the festivities. Some brought something just for mom on account of not having seen her in such a long time. Others felt sorry for Sammy’s sister and brought her something. Sammy started to worry that there might not be any gifts for him. It also bothered him that no one seemed to see him standing there.
After dinner Sammy felt awfully tired and decided to take a nap. Just a short one he wouldn’t want to miss the celebration. Well his mother would wake him up any way.
Sammy woke up all on his own. The house was strangely quiet and dark. “How long had I been asleep”, he thought. He started walking around the house and his heart dropped. All of the guests were gone and his parents had gone to bed.
Sammy woke up his mom and asked “what happened to the song, the cake and the gifts?” Mom calmly responded, “you were asleep dear and we didn’t want to wake you up. Don’t worry Sammy there’s always next year”.
I wonder if Christ feels like Sammy when we buy a gift for everyone on our list, but never consider what Christ wants from us. I wonder if Christ feels like Sammy when we find many exciting things to do around Christmas time, but never go to church. I wonder if Christ feels like Sammy when we make the effort to tell everyone how much they mean to us around the holidays, but never thank Him for coming to this world and giving His life for us.
More verses
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Related short animated video from video from bibleaid.wordpress.com
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Sunday, December 8, 2013

Didn't get everything!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 
Johnny, as his friends and family called him, was a playful kid who was active all day.  In school he worked hard and did well.  His teacher was impressed with his participation and intelligence.  However they wanted him to pay more attention to his homework.  His homework at times suffered because Johnny loved to play.  Sports, video games, board games, arts and crafts, the kid loved it all. He was also quite talented as both an artist and an athlete.  His parents were delighted with their son. Occasionally dad would say “remember to do your homework Johnny.” In truth dad enjoyed playtime as much as Johnny.
Christmas was nearing and playful Johnny had his eyes on all sorts of games and toys.  He made a rather impressive list and his dad was all too happy to receive it.  It’s as if the presents were more for daddy than for Johnny. Dad set out to get them all.  He checked on line first.  Placed the orders carefully and made sure the estimated date of arrival was before Christmas. There were a few that were better to pick out at the stores and away Daddy went.  It was certainly a fun day at the mall. The whole time daddy was thinking “Johnny is going to be so happy on Christmas and we are going to have so much fun”.
The gifts started to come in and everyday Daddy would unpack them and wrap them.  Under the Christmas tree they would go. The whole time Johnny would make comments hoping to gather information on dad’s success at obtaining everything he wanted.  But dad would not say a word.  It was the game of Christmas.  Johnny really had nothing to worry about; every year dad would get everything on the list.
Johnny had a hard time sleeping Christmas Eve, but was up early Christmas morning. He rushed into his parent’s room and woke them up.  “It’s Christmas, It’s Christmas, come let’s go!” Johnny didn’t even wait for his parents to get up and rushed down the stairs.  He grabbed one gift after the other, and, as he did every year, didn’t take out time to play with any of them until they were all unwrapped.
Johnny looked confused and began to check the presents again. He looked frustrated as if he had misplaced something.  Then Johnny exclaimed, “Dad you didn’t get me the PS3 Martian ray riffle with the instant magnification lenses and natural grip!” Now dad seemed confused, frustrated and angry. He had been hoping all along to play with that himself. Holding his head, making a fist and with a sound of doubt he muttered “how is that possible, I placed the order three weeks ago, I thought it came, what happened?” This was not looking like a Merry Christmas.
Mom had to intervene. “Boys look at all the cool stuff you have to play with. Be thankful for what you have and don’t focus on what you don’t have. ” The boys still looking angry and disappointed with their arms folded and their heads down, began to look around.  Finally Johnny picked up the glow football and hesitantly told his dad “You want to play with this Dad?” Dad answered “well alright” then dad lit up “Hey why don’t we call some of your friends and put together a real game?” “Sounds great dad”, Johnny shouted and they both ran out of the room in search of their coats.
Mom was left behind shaking her head and thinking “why is it that after everything we receive we are still not happy. Like Johnny we make our lists for God and when we don’t get something we are frustrated and focus on what we don’t have. We are easily disappointed when God says no or wait.  We should focus on all God has done and provided.  We should be thankful not angry.”
Paul in the epistle to Philippians encourages us to ask God for what we need and desire, but to always maintain an attitude of gratitude and not become anxious over all these things we request. (Philippians 4:6) God knows what we need and will provide.  Let us be happy for all we have, and as for what we don’t have, let us leave it in God’s capable hands.
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