A Little Child

December 5, 2015

In the next few weeks there will be Christmas programs in churches and schools (of course to be politically correct in schools they will be called holiday programs).

Songs will be happy and you may even hear a Carol or two. Looking back in memory there was one program that stands out in my mind and I have seen and even directed many of these programs.

This only one that I remember clearly is when my son, who was about 3 years old, recited this little poem:

“I’m not very big or very tall you see, but to the dear Lord Jesus I give all of me.”

From the mouth of a child, that is what our gift to the Lord should be. Our heart, mind and body should be dedicated to Him this Christmas. We scurry around finding the perfect gift for each friend or loved one and many times forget the One whose birthday we are celebrating.

 So this season enjoy all festivities but put Jesus first. He desires our worship, love and devotion.

Luke 18:17  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Joyful Season?

December 4, 2015

This should be a joyful season for Christians because we celebrate the birth of our dear Lord Jesus. But life does go on and there is tragedy, sickness and heartache for some.

The world is in a mess as the enemy is attacking freedom and bringing chaos and disrupting peace all over the world.

Personal problems divorce, disobedience and arguments in homes. Illness and death take no holiday. Gloomy observations and it could get us down but Jesus is the answer. 

The good news is that He is with every Christian 24/7. Only He can give the peace  that passes all understanding. If you know someone personally who is going through a trial, first pray for them, then call, email, send a card or better yet visit and take something to them that will bring a little cheer into their life.

Let us show the love of Jesus all year but especially this Christmas season. If the person is not saved then double your effort to be kind to them. It may be that your love will bring them to the Savior.

John 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Christmas Lights

December 3, 2015

Christmas lights are so beautiful. Darkness falls and even the most barren property, the scrawniest tree, the ugly streets become a sparkling sight to see. 

Some people spend a lot of money for the lights of Christmas. Others may only have a little string of lights or a few candles. The mall and shops are full of glowing lights. There are people who refuse to light their home or have a tree.

However a person may feel about decorating for Chrismas they still enjoy the sight of what others have done. 

Jesus is the light of the world. His light shines in the hearts of people who believe in Him and have trusted Him as their Savior. Others receive the benefits He brings into the world. He blesses the just and the unjust.

This season when you enjoy the decorations and especially the lights think about Jesus and the light He brings to your life.

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas

December 2, 2015

“Happy Holidays” is what you hear when shopping this year. Store cashiers and employees are trained not to say “Merry Christmas.” We must not offend anyone. What a shame. Just one more way the enemy has used to take Christ out of Christmas.

As Christians our response should be “Merry Christmas”. There would be no Holy day without Jesus. Let us honor our Lord every chance we get. Keep Christ in Christmas by your words but more importantly keep Him first in your heart. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

1 Peter 2:17  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

The First Promise

December 1, 2015

Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The first prophesy about Jesus is found in Genesis. Man sinned and God had a plan to redeem mankind from sin. Throughout the Bible many promises of the Savior are recorded. This is the first. Today we can be thankful that the plan of salvation is clear from all the scripture. Jesus birth was the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise. Let us remember the reason for the season and keep Christ the center of our activities.

The Perfect Gift

November 30, 2015

The next 25 days for a lot of people will be the busiest time of year preparing for that perfect Christmas gift. Shopping in crowded stores, looking at catalogs, shopping on line. 

The best gift you can give anyone is telling them about Jesus. For your unsaved friend, coworker or relative their best gift would be receiving Jesus as their Savior.

For your Christian loved ones a time of fellowship, a phone call or a message. Your time is more precious than any gift you could possibly buy.

Enjoy the Christmas season but don’t forget the best gift ever given…..Jesus.

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

True Worship

November 29, 2015

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
People worship in different ways. Some think that worship is in music, others think prayer is the only way to worship God, the religious crowd think that church is the only place to worship and there is a group that believes that the outdoors and nature is where to better worship God. 
All of these things can be part of true worship, but there are two things that must be in the heart when we worship. Spirit and truth. Our spirit must be in tune with God and worship must come from the heart not any ritual or outward appearance.

God Answers Prayer

November 28, 2015

The blessings of answered prayer. Nicky,the physical therapist that Tom led to the Lord a few weeks ago, came into the house all excited yesterday.

On his last visit Nicky was worried he had no one to care for his small daughter on the Friday after Thanksgiving as both he and his wife had to work. Tom prayed that someone would be found to watch her for free.

The answer: Nicky’s sister called him and asked if she could please watch the little girl for the day as she wanted to spend more time with her niece. Nicky then realize that that was a direct answer to prayer and is so happy in his new Christian life.

God answers prayer. He loves it when we are specific in our requests because then there is no doubt that it is Him that brings the blessing.

Matthew 21:22  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

For the Beauty of the Earth

November 27, 2015

These words that follow are a hymn written by Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835 – 1917) in the mid 1800’s. He looked around and saw the beauty God created and wanted to praise the Creator. We also should be thankful and give praise to our great God and Savior for everything He has given us, so beautifully written in this hymn.

1. For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies; 
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 

2. For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light; 

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 

3. For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight, for the mystic harmony, linking sense to sound and sight; 

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 

4. For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild; 

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 

5. For thy church, that evermore lifteth holy hands above, offering up on every shore her pure sacrifice of love; 

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 

6. For thyself, best Gift Divine, to the world so freely given, for that great, great love of thine, peace on earth, and joy in heaven: 

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 

Thanksgiving

November 26, 2015

 Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness:

come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God:

it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth to all generations.