If you ask people why we celebrate Christmas, or about the meaning of Christmas, there are three basic answers. “It’s when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday!” “Christmas is a time of giving, peace, and joy.” “Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends, a time of good food, and gifts.” There is truth in … Continue reading Please Meditate On Christmas
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The Fulness Of Time Was Come
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5. This is one of my favorite Christmas passages. Notice that Jesus came at just the … Continue reading The Fulness Of Time Was Come
Be Still
Yesterday, friends asked if we could get together before Christmas. We checked our calendars, and there was no date between now and Christmas that we both had open. We set a date for Tuesday after Christmas. The holiday season, busy, busy, busy. People tell me it's good to be busy, that way you're not bored. … Continue reading Be Still
World Wide Missions
Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Matthew 28:19, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Luke 24:47, "And that repentance and remission of sins … Continue reading World Wide Missions
Your Cup
When I think of the symbolic Biblical definition of "cup," I think of the phrases "Your lot in life" or "The hand you are delt." But these do not quite fit the bill. Those two phrases address a situation that spans a person's entire life. Yet, sometimes our "cup" can be a temporary situation. Our … Continue reading Your Cup
Why Did Christ Die?
Easter is approaching, and it is time to ask, "Why?" "Preacher, what do you mean, 'why?' Easter is the season when Christians celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ." Everyone has opinions, and with those opinions come reasons for those opinions. Even people with opposing opinions have reasons for their own beliefs. Example: … Continue reading Why Did Christ Die?
Visual Signs A Person Loves God
Can people see that you are a Christian? If you have a cross necklace and a T-shirt that reads, "Jesus loves you!" you might think you are doing pretty well in letting people know you are a Christian. You may have had a cross tattooed onto your forearm. Surely, a permanent mark on your skin … Continue reading Visual Signs A Person Loves God
Please, Think About Christmas for a Minute
Christmas is less than two weeks away. December is always a hectic month for us. Life is busy enough, but December adds school and church programs (and the practices associated with each), work parties, family gatherings, church suppers, and gift shopping, among other things. The weather does not cooperate either; it is usually drab and … Continue reading Please, Think About Christmas for a Minute
Suit Up
Many Christians seem spiritually wounded. They want to do better in their Christian life, but for one reason or another, they believe they cannot. A wounded soldier on the battlefield, unable to fight back or reach their weapon, would be a physical example of this spiritual truth. Just as in physical warfare, in spiritual warfare, … Continue reading Suit Up
If My People…
In last week's column, we compared the choices of punishment David was offered by God and current events. David was offered the choice between famine, military defeat, and pestilence (disease). In the here and now, a pandemic has spread worldwide for nearly two years, and America recently suffered military embarrassment in Afghanistan. The only thing … Continue reading If My People…