Is American Christians being humbled yet?

The Humbling of America

 

Is it possible that the Lord Jesus, who is God, is using corrupt leaders to bring Americans to their knees? I am 100% convinced of it. If I am wrong may the Lord Jesus rebuke me, for I am His and He is mine. I would like to simply put a few reference from the Scripture to illustrate the stated question.

 

First off let us look at Israel who is the God Chosen Nation to bring forth His Only begotten Son Jesus Christ. The Lord impressed the following Scripture to consider. Daniel 9:2 “In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

Here we see Israel brought into bondage as prophesied through the prophet Jeremiah. 70 years Israel would be ruled by ungodly kings. Why? Because Israel turned away from God who set them apart to be a Nation. Was not America set apart to be a Nation founded upon by the Providence of the God of Israel? Yes. Americans have forgotten from whence it came! Our Founding fathers of America prophesied that the America will fail if it turns away from God. If God founded Israel and put them under the bondage of wicked kings to Humble them will He not due the same to America? Yes.

 

Second, let us consider the following Scripture; 2Timothy 3:1 ¶ “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Notice Paul states in verse 5 that they “Having a form of godliness” but denying the “power” thereof. Could Paul be referring to confessing Christians who talk a good talk but live as verses 2-4? I believe so.

 

Thirdly, what did God say He would do to people who “ who hold the truth in unrighteousness” as described in Romans 1? God said through Paul that He would give them over to a reprobate mind. Are we seeing a Nation of reprobates? Yes. Again, Paul is talking to Christians when writing Romans 1. Is God turning Americans over to their own Filth? Let God Speak. Romans1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Indeed this is the folly of Americans who claim “In God we Trust” and say they are a “Christian Nation” and yet Immorality is at an all time high with no reversal in sight!

 

Consider this section of Romans 1; 26 “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.” If this does not describe the Gay Pride movement in America may the Lord Jesus Rebuke me!

 

Other uncleanness in American Churches;

Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.

I see this all the time and it breaks my heart. All of these sins are forgiven in Christ Jesus but yet all of these are ACTIVE in our Churches and society!

 

Last but not least, God is the bestower of Freedom and He is taking it away! The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh away, Blessed be the Name of the Lord! How can I saw this? Consider the following Passage; Galatians 5:13 ¶ “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty (Freedom); only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Do we see Christians love and serving one another or do we see “Christians using freedom that was given by God to indulged their flesh? I do see love and serving in the Church in America but I dare say the latter is overwhelmingly the majority! If God gave us Freedom it is to Righteousness not wickedness! The Lord God is taking away Freedom from America because America is Corrupted to its core with self-indulgence and immorality! I do not want any one reading this to agree with me but to rather consider what is written! Is America better than Israel? No. Did God Humble Israel by taking away their freedom? Yes Is the same thing happening to America? Yes. If you do not believe any of this that is OK. God will certainly have the last say in everything! American Christians need to stop Complaining about our Leaders in Washington D.C. And start Interceding for our Nation! Daniel did not whine and complain about the leaders who were wicked, so why should we? Listen to what Daniel prayed and maybe this can be a guide for us. Notice he includes himself while praying “we” referring to Israel. May we find ourselves turning back to God through Jesus Christ as He Humbles us as a Nation;

 

Daniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

4 ¶ And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.

14 Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.

15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.

17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.

18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

 

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Study to show thyself Approved

Study to show thyself Approved unto God

 

What does that title mean? Why do so many Christians quote those verses? Are they trying to get approval of God or man? I will endeavor to expound upon the following verses in the full context.

 

2Timothy 2:14 ¶ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

 

First of all Paul, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, is writing this to young Timothy who was struggling. By reading both letters you will understand that some must have been giving Timothy a hard time. As a Pastor, Timothy was more than likely Discouraged by “Christians” who were critical of his age. So Paul writes to him and to us about putting them to remembrance and charging (to attest or protest earnestly) them before the Lord Jesus to stop playing “word” games because they were “subverting” (an overturn (“catastrophe”), i.e. demolition; figuratively, apostasy) those who listen! So Paul was telling Timothy to rebuke those who were playing word games that was actually leading people away from the faith and truth! That is the context. So many still do this today and cause much confusion within the Body of Christ!

 

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

With the context now in focus let us look at verse where the title is derived. The word “study” means (to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:–do (give) diligence, be diligent) which is different from the English definition of the word “study.” The English definition of the word “study” means (The devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge on an academic subject, esp. by means of books.) What the Apostle Paul was actually telling Timothy was to be Diligent not to “get in the Word of God and study” as most Christians like to tell other Christians who may not agree with them on any given topic. Paul was telling Timothy that he needed to be diligent to show himself “approved” to God, not other people! The definition to the word approved means ( properly, acceptable (current after assayal), i.e. approved:–approved, tried) So in context we could bring in a passage in James. 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, (the word “tried is the same Greek word that is used for “approved” in our topic Scripture lesson.) he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Paul was telling Timothy to endure the pressure to please God rather than men! Now, the phrase “ needeth not to be ashamed” is defined by the word irreprehensible. This word literally means Blameless or innocent before God! Now for the phrase “rightly dividing.” To define from the Greek the following is rendered; to make a straight cut, i.e. (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message). So Paul was saying “dissect” or “expound” the Divine Message! Which is the Word of Truth! So why do so many Christians throw these verses at other Christians when the Truth is we are to be “Diligent” to be “accepted or tried” before God, as one who “expounds” or “dissects” the Divine Message! This passage is not designed to be thrown around as a way to “condescend” or “discourage” another believer! That is exactly what others were doing to young Timothy! Let us now continue.

 

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: (Gangrene) of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

 

Remember, Paul is writing to young Timothy concerning these fellows who were twisting or playing games with words. Paul says their words are like gangrene! Eating away at peoples faith! Leading to more ungodliness! Infecting the “Body” of believers! This is very much the case for today!

 

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

 

Paul is stating plainly that these “word games” and ungodly men were “eating away” at the Faith with their “twisted truth” by saying that the Resurrection has already come to pass! Paul then states they are “overthrowing” or “subverting” others in the Faith! Be careful who you listen too and you MUST be “diligent” to be “approved” to God and not men! You MUST “rightly Divide” the Word of Truth. Again, not to be arrogant, or “condescending” to others but to be Strong in Your Faith!

 

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2 Churches and the faithfulness of God

Many of you pray for my wife and I and the Churches we Pastor, Thank you! Felt like sharing a little history about both Churches we Pastor. First, the Camden Southern Methodist Church. In 1977 three Godly gentlemen and their wives were “fed up” with all the “liberal” theology in their previous Churches. They got together and started a prayer meeting in a local restaurant in Camden S.C. called DeBruls. They and their wives met each week for prayer and some Scripture readings. Determined to be used by God for his Purposes they sought the Wisdom of God. Well God led them to an old beer joint\convenience store located on Haile street. The store had already been bought by a previous congregation who renovated the building. Their numbers dwindled and they decided to sell. The door opened for the Lord to answer the faithful prayers of a few of His Children. Determined as never before, they pulled their resources together and bought the property. The First Southern Methodist Church in Camden opened their doors for Ministry. The Camden Church struggled for some time keeping Pastor’s. All previous Pastor’s stayed on average of 1 to 2 years. The longest Pastor Ministered for 5 years. Camden Church is so Thankful to God for each of them and their wives. But the Camden Church needed more stability, so again, they sought the Lord. Then the Spirit of the Lord called me to be their Pastor in August of 1996. Truly the Spirit of the Lord honored their prayers and faithfulness! What a remarkable body of believers! Truly there is a Spirit of Revival! Camden Church knows they may have few numbers but God is a Big God! Tell anyone at the Camden Church they are too small to be of any service to the community and the Camden Church will Preach the Powerful name of Jesus Christ! The Camden Church has been through many trials and discouragements since they started praying in a restaurant many years ago but they are Solid as a Rock knowing why they are here in this Community! Many in the community would testify of the spiritual influence of this Body of believers if prompted! The Holy Spirit is Alive and Working on many hearts! For that, we are thankful! God is truly Glorifying Himself through this Body of believers! A Scripture that influenced the Camden Church the most through the years and could serve as a Church Foundational Statement; Revelation 3:7 ¶ “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

My wife and I love the folks deeply and will remain faithful to the Lord Jesus until He Comes or moves us! Thank each and every one of you for your prayers and support as we continue to seek the Lost, care for the needy, encourage the brokenhearted and see lives Transformed by the Power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

 

Now the second Church we Pastor, Enon Methodist Church. The history and testimony of the Enon Church goes back to the 1930’s. The believers that started the Enon Church saw many revivals take place in the late 30’s and 40’s when it was located on the current property of Fort Jackson. It came to my knowledge that Ft. Jackson was the largest Army training base in the United States. Because the Army base was growing and the need for more property arose they requested the Enon Church relocate! The congregation agreed and Ft. Jackson paid for the Church building to be moved to its current location. As a token of the many souls changed for the Glory of God the Army donated an old Army barracks that is still being used as the fellowship hall and Sunday school rooms! What is more interesting is the history behind the Enon Church cemetery. Many members went to the Enon Church for services and many were laid to rest in the “Old Enon Church cemetery” which currently is still located on federal land. The Church was moved but the original cemetery is now part of a National Cemetery! As you can imagine the Enon Church has a rich history of military families. So many have come and gone through the years but Enon remains dedicated to the Message of Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ! Many have ask me since I became Pastor in 1999, where did the name Enon come from and what is the meaning. Well the name Enon was originally spelled Aenon as in the Biblical account found in John chapter 3. 22 ¶ “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” The name Aenon literally is interpreted “place of springs.” When the members came to form this body of believers they applied this passage to their Church and proclaimed; “Come to Enon and be filled with the springs of spiritual waters”, referring to the Holy Spirit that is Present among its membership! This has not changed and currently the Holy Spirit is alive and Moving amongst Enon’s congregation! My wife and I Love being Pastor of Enon. No matter how long it takes, no matter how hard things get, there will always be “plenty of water” at Enon.

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Why Repent?

If God……”2Peter 3:9 ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” is calling ALL men to Repent, to turn away from sin by turning to the Cross of Jesus, then God enables all the ability to REPENT….Quit making excuses for your sins! Let me bring in some other Scriptures to ponder!

 

Luke 13:1 ¶ There were present at that season some who told Him (Jesus) about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices……sounds wicked? Jesus responds—–>Luke 13:2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
3 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish….

 

Luke 13:4 “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? Wow…..Jesus responded——->Luke 13:5 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

 

Do we compare our sins with others in hopes ours will be lessened? Do you suppose that their sins are worse than yours?

 

Sounds like a horrific tragedy occurred when the tower fell on those 18 in Siloam. Do you think that is because they were more sinful than you? What about the tragedies that happen around us? School shootings, earthquakes, tsunamis, diseases etc. is because they are sinners and God is judging them because they are worse sinners than you?

 

What would Jesus say? “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

 

There is no sin for which it is worth your while to be damned. -Spurgeon

 

So what is stopping you from admitting you are a sinner and turn away from the very thing that will destroy your soul? It is shocking to reflect that a change in the weather has more effect on some men than the dread alternative of heaven or hell.

 

There may be sin in your life which you will never speak to anyone, but there is no sin for which the Blood of Jesus can’t wash away! Repent for Kingdom of God is Near!

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Transition from 2012 to 2013

As 2012 comes to a fast halt I was reminded of all the Good that God has poured out on me over the last 12 months.  Breath taking events that cause tears to well up inside of me because of the profound changes that has come my way. 

First and foremost is my Intimate Relationship with my Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.  I am more in Love with Jesus now that ever before.  He has Lavished His Love upon me way more than I deserve.  He has Touched me in such ways that I will forever be changed, which is a good thing, because Jesus never wants me or anyone seeking Him to go backwards.  His Calling on my life to Proclaim the Gospel, the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ,  has increased exponentially and His Fire of Holy Passion for the Lost and spiritually hungry has stretched my heart.  One example is the Word of God  “like Fire shut up in my bones” to the point of exploding!  It is my first and Primary Love in my life!  

The second glorious thing that has happened to me is also a Gift from the Father, my wife.  We celebrated our 1 year anniversary December 30th and I must say, wow, what a year.  My love for Jesus is now so intertwined with my love for my wife.  We are one.  Jesus, my wife and me.  It is  awesome what God has done for me as a reflection of His Love.  To explain how He designed the Holy Union between my wife and I must be in words that He showed me.  Everything in my life before my wife was centered around preaching and teaching the Word of God.  I was and still am Resolved to know Nothing but Jesus Christ Crucified and Resurrected.  This was all I was interested in doing.  I emptied myself and prayed for the Holy Spirit to consume me totally because there are so many around me perishing.  In this process of spiritual purging through fasting and prayer sometimes for weeks I was often preaching in my sleep.  Then when God “pressed” my wife into my heart I realized I have not experienced the fulness of Love.  Let me explain.  God’s Love is always enough and always fulfilling.  I was not seeking a wife.  The only thing is God wanted me to experience the Love of a Godly woman.  God told me that He was twisting my wife around the Word of God dwelling in my heart.  Very profound how this happened.  Everything I now preach and teach concerning Jesus Christ is linked directly to my relationship with my wife.  This is God’s design.  I have a deeper love for God and a deeper love for mankind now that God has given me a wife!  To add to this awesome year I now have 3 children with their spouses and 11 grandchildren.  Talk about God stretching a mans heart, wow!  

These 2 events has transformed my life during 2012.  I will forever be Thankful to God for His Marvelous Gift of Jesus Christ and my wife!  I am so looking forward to the coming year.  I am sure 2013 will be filled with challenges, trials and Goodness!  If I had a goal or resolution for 2013 it would be;  Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.” All of which will be with the Help of the Holy Spirit and my wife!   My wife and I Pastor 2 Churches.  We have 2 worship services a week. Bible studies on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. All of which are streamed live through facebook and other web based programs like Twitter and youtube.   The Lord is using us to reach potentially thousands of people World-wide with His Transforming Message of Forgiveness and Eternal life through Faith in the Work of Jesus Christ!  Happy New Year! 

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A Christmas Diagnosis

The best diagnosis of Christmas was given by a doctor over 2000 years ago. The doctor’s name? Luke. His diagnosis is found in the second chapter of his Inspired record, known to us Christians as the Gospel according to saint Luke. In the eleventh verse we have the message or diagnosis. “Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (KJV) Note the clear diagnosis from the doctor:

“UNTO YOU” — That is Personal

“THIS DAY” — That is Present

“A SAVIOR” — That is Precious

We must remember, there is all the difference in the world between Christmas and Christ! Millions make a holiday over Christmas and often a mockery over Christ. Too often, Christ is cruelly crowded out of the special day which is intended as a day to remember Him. Holiness is hidden under a pile of holly. The wreath is hung higher than the Cross and worst of all, the precious Savior all too often is supplanted by Santa Claus! This should never be the case with Christians who are to Lift High Jesus Christ!

But without Christ, there can be no true Christmas. Without Jesus there is nothing about which to sing, or anything over which to rejoice! Outward merriment, too, often becomes inward mockery to the starved soul. It is past time for all to turn back to the old prescription of Doctor Luke! Let us meditate upon his words:

“UNTO YOU” …this is a personal message about a personal Savior and there should be no evasion or denial. What have you done with the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you received Him as your Personal Savior?

“THIS DAY” …yes, this very moment as you read, God is offering you the Greatest Christmas Gift that keeps Giving for all Eternity, His Only begotten Son! 2Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” John 3:16 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.

“A SAVIOR” …this is Christ, the Precious One who went to the Cruel Cross for us all! Because of His Grace, unmerited favor, His Atoning death on the Cross, all who receive Him become “2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Remember Doctor Luke’s prescription? We all can receive the Free Gift from God. Have you received Him? Merry Christmas!

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Gift of Christmas!

The life of Jesus the Christ(Messiah) is one of Miracles. Hundreds of Prophecies are fulfilled with His Birth.

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between yo u and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

This was the first Prophecy of the LORD God sending His Son to crush the head of Satan. When Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, died on the Cross and rose from the Dead, this verse was partially fulfilled. It will totally be fulfilled at Christ Return!This was promised several thousand years before He was Born!

Isaiah 7:13-1 4 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house o f David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Fulfilled totally when Jesus was born some 700 years after this prophecy.

Matthew 1:20-23 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you ar e to give him the name Jesus , because he will save h is people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” –which means, “God with us.” Luke 1:30-35 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” If the Angels Proclaimed His Glorious Birth we should as well!

Isaiah 9: 6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He w ill reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and up holding it with justice and righteousness from tha t time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

The fulfillment of this prophecy is in Luke 2:11-35 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to m en on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Have you received the True Gift of Christmas? You do know it is rude and arrogant to have a gift given to you and you not receive it. God’s Gift is being offered to all mankind. Hear is how you can receive the Gift of Redemption, Eternal Life: Good News! Gospel means good news. Here it is; everyone is a sinner and deserves Hell, but God sent His Son Jesus to the Cross to pay our sin debt in full. Then He Rose His Son from the dead to seal the deal for Eternal Life. Here is the part that many reject; in order for the Gospel to save you from Hell the sinner must turn away from sin and trust in the work of Jesus. Have you ever heard of better news than that? What a deal! Ask Jesus to save you, He will you know? This Gift from God is free. Jesus paid our sin debt in Full! Ephesians 2:8&9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. Romans 5:8&9 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Receive this Gift Today!

REMEMBER:

Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.

JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh

JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year

JESUS is an ever- present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies

JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited

JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa

JESUS is as close a s the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap

JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, W hat’s your name?”

JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too . He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

JESUS has a heart full of love.

JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says “You better not cry”

JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.

Santa’s little helpers make toys

JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but

JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree,

JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It’s obvious there is really no comparison. We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in Christmas. Jesus is still the reason for the season. May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas

And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year.

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Obedience to Christ!!

1Jo 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence
20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God
22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit– fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
17 This is my command: Love each other.

Mt 22:36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Love God First~~~~First 4 Commands

Ex 20:1 And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.
11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Mt 12:1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.
2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread– which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.
5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent?
6 I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.
7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Mt 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Heb 4:1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.'” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.
4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.”
5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6 It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience.
7 Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;
10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.
11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

‘Love your neighbor as yourself~~~Last 6 Commands

12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Pr 6:20 My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.

John 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,”
27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

13 “You shall not murder.

Man slayer!! Abortion!! Innocent blood…

Pr 6:16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

Mt 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca, ‘is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

Mt 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’
28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’
32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

Ho 1:2 When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD.”

Jas 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

apostate:–adulterer……

1Jo 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jo 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

15 “You shall not steal.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

John 10:6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 “All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

1Th 4:1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable,
5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;
6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.
7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Mal 3:6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.
7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings.
9 You are under a curse– the whole nation of you– because you are robbing me.
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty.

16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Ex 23:1 ¶ “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
2 “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.

Pr 6:16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Lu 12:11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.
12 “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
13 ¶ Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”
15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Col 3:1 ¶ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 ¶ Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

Eph 5:1 ¶ Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 ¶ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Amen! It would take a lifetime to master these but we have all Eternity in Jesus Name!

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The Jesus Idol

The Jesus Idol

As Sure as the Lord Jesus Christ lives and Reigns in my heart He is leading me to write this short note. I would Highly recommend that everyone reading this pay close attention to what is being said in the LIGHT of Scripture. I will endeavor to Illuminate Knowledge and Wisdom from the Source, the Bible! It says in Proverbs “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” 9:10 (NKJV) So with Utmost Reverence for the Almighty and the Knowledge He has given, I will share a deep concern that the Lord has Burdened me to share. The topic is the “Jesus Idol!” That is correct, the “Jesus Idol.” Let me explain before you turn your heart and totally blow this off as a rant of some preacher who has too much time on his hands. So many today speak of “Jesus” as their Savior and Lord but really have no clue as to the Real Jesus of the Bible. Sound Judgmental? Absolutely! The Bible Speaks volumes about Judging Right and Wrong! Good verses Evil! Knowing a tree by the Fruit it bears. Which is Knowing people by the Fruit of their lives, Not by the Fruit of their lips only! So let us Judge according to the Word of God! Let us first define the term Idol. We must go to God’s Commandments to get the Truth of Idolatry! Ex 20:4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. The Biblical understanding of Idolatry or “graven images” is taking something and fashioning it the way you like it! In the New Testament Paul instructs Christians to; “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” Colossians 3:5,6 The word Idolatry in the preceding verses speak of “image-worship.” The “Imagination” of the worshiper is key essential to understanding what the “Jesus Idol” really is referring! Let us look at a clearer Scripture for more understanding. This is lengthy but will be very beneficial to your soul if you have created a “Jesus Idol” from your own Imagination! I Pray the Holy Spirit will Cut you deep if you have indeed Fashioned an Idol for yourself!

I will put Parenthesis around my comments.

Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, (who “suppress the Truth” by Tolerating wickedness)
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities– his eternal power and divine nature– have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (No one has an excuse that means you!)
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (This phase is the start of Idolatry. Not Glorifying God nor being Thankful)
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images (Image worship, ie Idolatry) made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. (They fashioned a Holy God and turned Him into their own imagination)
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.
25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator– who is forever praised. Amen. (They “exchanged” the Truth of God for a lie?)

So what is the “Jesus Idol?” Think about God. He is Holy, Righteous, Pure, Just, Unchangeable and Full of Goodness! Jesus of the Bible is the “Sinless”, Holy, Only Begotten Son of the Living God! The Bible says that Jesus is the “express Image” of God! The Bible also states that the Fulness of the God-head dwells within Him! Jesus of the Bible Never sinned but came to die for sinners! Never in the Bible does Jesus tolerate, diminish or overlook sinfulness! In fact Jesus Rebuked, exposed and condemned all wickedness! He is Holy and He died on a Cross and Rose from the dead so we may be Holy as He is Holy! We become the Righteousness of God through Faith in what Jesus did on the Cross! ANYONE claiming Jesus Christ are Commanded by Scripture to turn from wickedness! 2Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” So, how can anyone claim Jesus and “tolerate”, “condone” or “continue” in wickedness? “Christians” do it all the time!! Maybe you are one of them! If you are, the Holy Spirit is convicting your heart as you read this! How is the “Jesus Idol” made manifest? Simple! Statements like the following should shed some light. Listen closely. “Jesus Loves us and would send no one to Hell.” “ Go ahead, God will forgive us when we sin.” “God does not act today like He did in the Old Testament.” “God’s Grace covers all and Christians do not need to Obey the Ten Commandments.” “We all sin and fall short of the Glory of God.” Wow! There are so many other fancy “cliches” in Christendom that people use to justify sinful behavior!

God does not Change! The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament! To say otherwise is “changing Him into your own Idol.” Another example would be this; “God hates the sin but Loves the sinner.” Well is that a true statement? What does the Bible say? Psalm 11:5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. So God “hates” those who love violence! It does NOT say God loves the sinner! To say that God does not hate is to create and Idol from your own thinking! Again listen to Scripture; Psalm 11:6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. Wow! Sounds like God really does hate sinners after all! Unless you have the “Jesus Idol” then these verses do not apply to your Idol mind and you will suffer the Wrath of God because you have created and changed the Jesus of the Bible into your own personal god!

Now, I would like to give another example of this very popular “Jesus Idol” in modern Christianity. What do you think about Marriage? The Sanctity of Human life? More pointed, homosexuality and abortion! So many Christians of today have changed the Truth about these “sins” to the point that it is acceptable behavior and not sinful anymore! Because God Loves all. Well God says “all sin and fall short of the Glory of God.” Gods Word does say that and if you use that verse to “justify sinful behavior, then you have created a “Jesus Idol” and you are on the verge of being Vomited out of Jesus mouth! Why? Because Jesus cannot stand “lukewarmness!” Listen to this verse and ask yourself this question; Why does this verse say that? And What do I think? Jude 1:6 “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” So, why does it say that? Because God hates sexual immorality and all sins! So, what do you think? God is waiting for you to agree with Him and is NOT concerned about your opinion!

Please don’t waist your time thinking I am “picking” on homosexuals or talking about murderers of innocent babies! Forget that! God will judge! What I am referring to is IDOLATRY! Taking the Truth about God and turning that into your truth, which is Idolatry! Listen dear reader. If you read to this point one of two things are turning around in your mind. 1). You are offended and can’t wait to straighten me out because I am to judgmental and need to understand that God does not hate, He Loves! 2). You are agreeing with God that He hates all who sins against Him and His Wrath is coming against all who continue in wickedness and who have changed His Son Jesus Christ into a personal “Jesus Idol!” It is never too late to agree with God! Repentance is agreeing with God, turning away from wrong thinking and doing what is Right because God is always RIGHT! Will the True Jesus of the Bible Please Stand up! Let us stop compromising Truth for the sake of our comfort! Let us be Holy because He is Holy! Let us stop twisting the Truth to fit our emotions and thinking! Let us Stand for Truth even when that TRUTH offends us or our way of thinking! Let us be in agreement with God and NOT change the Truth of Gods Word! May the King of RIGHTEOUSNESS, the King of Glory be the Jesus you serve and NOT some “Jesus Idol!”

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Biblical Birthday of Jesus

Jesus Christ was born on the 15th day of the month of Tishri, on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which corresponds to the September – October time-frame of our present calendar. This conclusion can be reached by Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. Good speculation if we follow the time line of the Priest Zacharias.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Immanuel means “God with us”. The Son of God had come to dwell with, or tabernacle on earth with His people.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth….

The word in the Hebrew for dwelt is succah and the name of the Feast of Tabernacles in Hebrew is Sukkot, a festival of rejoicing and celebration:

Luke 2:7 And 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 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Why was there no room at the inn? Bethlehem is only about 5 miles from Jerusalem, and all the men of Israel had come to attend the festival of Tabernacles as required by the law of Moses. Every room for miles around Jerusalem would have been already taken by pilgrims, so all that Mary and Joseph could find for shelter was a stable.

Also of note is the fact that the Feast of Tabernacles is an eight day feast (Leviticus 23:36, 39). Why eight days? It may be because an infant was dedicated to God by performing circumcision on the eighth day after birth:

Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

So the infant Jesus would have been circumcised on the eighth and last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a Sabbath day. The Jews today consider this a separate festival from Tabernacles, and they call it Shemini Atzeret.

Conclusion

So, if you have followed the above reasoning, based on the scriptural evidence, a case can apparently be made that Jesus Christ was born on the 15th day of the month of Tishri, on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which corresponds to the September – October time-frame of our present calendar!

I am NOT condemning anyone celebrating Jesus Birthday on December 25th. I will say that WE as Christians do NOT celebrate the day but the GIFT that was Freely Given, Jesus the Suffering Son of God! Everyday is Christmas! Merry Christmas to all! Jesus was Born to die on a Cross for our Redemption!

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