Jesus Came to Comfort

December 5, 2014

Yesterday we had the opportunity to comfort a widow whose husband went home to be with the Lord just before Christmas last year. They had been married for over 60 years. The Holidays can be especially painful for those who are left behind.
If you have friends who have lost a loved one, make a special effort to call them and encourage them during the holidays. Let them talk about the person they lost if they want to, it brings comfort to be able to talk to someone.
Remind them that Jesus is the one who can bring solace to their heart.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

The Greatest Christmas Gift

December 4, 2014

Many people are looking forward to Christmas, shopping for gifts, thinking about family and friends and expecting many joys of the Holiday season.
In the busy time keep your mind on the true meaning of Christmas and the gift that God gave to you and me.
The greatest gift ever given was Jesus. To receive it, invite Him into your heart today. Ask Him to forgive your sins and make your life new.

John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Silent Night, Christmas Carol

December 3, 2014

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This is a photograph of the Silent Night Memorial Chapel in Oberndorf, Germany. The beautiful Christmas hymn lyrics were written in German by Joseph Mohr in 1816. The music composed by Franz Xaver Gruber for the guitar and was first preformed on Christmas Eve in 1818.
The hymn became so well known that during a Christmas truce in World War I the troops on both sides sang it together in French, German and English. It has been translated into 140 languages.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men.

Bethlehem

December 2, 2014

Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus was foretold by Micah 700 years before Christ’s birth. Micah named the exact town and Matthew records the event.
Bethlehem is still standing today and both Biblically and historically is proven to be the actual place where Jesus was born.

Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah,
though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,
yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel;
whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Matthew 2:1
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Micah’s Prophecy on the Birth of Jesus

December 1, 2014

Little is known about the personal life of the prophet Micah. He came from a town called Moreshet. He lived about the same time as Isaiah but is one of the minor prophets. Today, two Bible verses. The prophecy and fulfillment.

Micah 5:2: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.

Isaiah’s Prophecy

November 30, 2014

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Isaiah gave this prophecy almost 700 years before the birth of Jesus.
Isaiah, the son of Amoz, was a member of the royal family. He made his first public appearance as an inspired prophet when Uzziah was infected with leprosy, and he ministered to the people for about ninety years, during the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
Isaiah had seen the growth of a new empire, Assyria, and the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Judea alone remained, and it was the last bulwark of the true faith in One God. Isaiah brought to the king and people the message of the holiness of God, at a time when idolatry seemed to be taking hold in the land of Judah. He preached justice and charity when the morals of the people had reached a new low.
Isaiah’s mission was not only to admonish the people to keep them on the right path. He also instilled fervent faith in God in the hearts of his flock, and he brought them courage and fortitude at a time when they were suffering mortal fear from the threat of the new Assyrian Empire. Isaiah gave people hope that a virgin would bear a Son and His name would mean “God with us”.

Keep Christ in Christmas

November 29, 2014

Christmas is a wonderful time of year. The beauty of the decorations, Christmas Carols, happy faces and a time of joy for most people. It is the one time of year when in the stores the music is pleasant to hear.
Sad to say though, that in America Christmas has become so commercialized that the true meaning has been replaced.
Then we have the people who want to take Christ out of Christmas. No Christmas tree, instead Holiday tree. No Christmas carols or even secular songs as it might offend someone.
Even Christians have different beliefs about the right and wrong way to celebrate and that is OK, but as brothers in Christ let us love one another and strive to keep Christ in Christmas.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

Countdown to Christmas

November 28, 2014

Christmas is less than a month away. Everyday we will explore the wonderful truth of Jesus’ birth. The first prophecy of Jesus birth is in Genesis.
Check out the blog each day and follow with me the miraculous story of the birth of our Savior.

Genesis 3:15
And 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.

Happy Thanksgiving

November 27, 2014

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! May God Bless You today as you gather with family and friends. Most of all take time in the festivities to reflect on the many things you are thankful for.

Psalms 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

We Gather Together

November 26, 2014

We Gather Together Hymn

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

This hymn reminds me of Thanksgiving. As a small child I remember going to church and singing this hymn. Today I am thankful for family. Some of them will gather tomorrow to eat and have fellowship. Most of them will not be with me but I carry their love in my heart. My prayer for everyone who reads this will have a Happy Thanksgiving and know that the Lord Jesus is also with you even if your loved ones cannot be there.

Psalms 69:30
I will praise the name of God with a song,
and will magnify him with thanksgiving.