The Reason for the Season

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."

Matthew 1:18-25                                             

Christ came to die so you might live.

The history of Christmas celebrations can be traced as far back as 353 AD, when December 25 was authorized as the official day to celebrate the birth of Christ. That date has been debated through the years as to the more accurate day to celebrate Jesus' birth, but the December 25 holiday remains.

 Another date in Christmas history came in 1832, when Professor Charles Follen lit the first Christmas tree in America. Throughout the years the focus has changed from celebrating Christ's birth to noting the arrival of the winter solstice, to giving children a holiday to receive gifts.

Yet whatever the focus, one thing is true-the original meaning for Christmas (the celebration of our Saviour's birth) has been lost by many.

What is the true reason for celebrating Christmas? Is it a chance to decorate, give gifts, and enjoy festivities? Is it a time to seek peace on earth and goodwill toward men? Is it a time of brotherly love and joy?

Consider the words of the traditional Christmas song, "Away in a Manger," which was first published in a children's book in 1885:

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head
The stars in the sky look down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Many of the early Christmas carols focused on the birth of Christ: "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "The First Noel," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," and others. They were sung in celebration of the birth of the Lord.

As we are still a few days away from Christmas, I challenge you to take time to refocus your heart this season on Christ. Shopping can be fun, purchasing gifts is exciting, and enjoying the activities this time of year is joyful. Yet don't forget that had God not sent His Son to pay for our sins, there would be no Christmas.

This time of year is all about Christ. It's all about the sacrifice He made to provide a way of salvation for the world. He came so He could die; and He died so we may live. He deserves all glory, honor, praise, and thankfulness for that.

Take a moment right now to thank God for sending Jesus to earth. Thank Him for the gift of a child, the Christ-child who lived a sinless life, died, and rose three days later so that you can one day live with God for all eternity.

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION: Part II

I.                   WHAT BRINGS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION INTO MY LIFE

A.     Learn the word of God –II Timothy 3:14,15

B.     Thank God for His gift of Salvation –II Corinthians 9:15

C.     Make a Public Testimony before others –I John 4:15

D.     Attend Church services as much as possible –Heb 10:25

E.      Live a biblical life –Isaiah 32:17, Proverbs 10:9

II.                WHAT HAPPENS IF I SIN

A.     Yes even after salvation Christians sin-I John 1:8

B.     God does not want us to sin-I John 2:1

C.     Confession is what God wants us to do when we sin-I John 1:9

D.     When I sin Jesus appears before God the Father on my behalf-I John 2:1

E.      We lose our fellowship with God when we sin-I John 1:6;7

III.             CAN I EVER LOSE MY SALVATION

A.     According to John 10:28 “we shall never perish”

B.     According to John 10:29 -no man is able to remove us from God’s hand

C.     According to John 6:37-God will in no wise cast out those who come to Christ

D.     According to John 6:39 – The responsibility to keep us saved is the Lord’s not ours and that Christ can loses nothing.

E.      According to John 5:24 we now have EVERLASTING life.

F.      According to Romans 8:38,39 – nothing can separate us form the love of Christ.

G.     According to I Peter 1:5 –we are kept by the power of God

H.     According to Jude 24-Christ is able to keep us from falling

I.        According to Philippians 1:6 –Christ will continue  his work in us until the day of Jesus Christ

J.       According to Ephesians 1:13 –we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit.

K.    According to Ephesians 2:8 –Salvation is a gift of God. A gift taken back by the giver is NO GIFT AT ALL.

L.      According to Ephesians 2:9 –We have done nothing to gain salvation. If we have done nothing to gain it- we can do nothing to lose it.

·        If the Bible says it that settles is : Let God be true and every man a liar .

·       

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,

O, What a fore-taste of glory divine.

Heir of salvation, purchased of God ,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His Blood.”

WISDOM IN THE WORD:51

Proverbs 22: 24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

25.    Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

People tend to become like those with whom they spend a lot of time. Even negative characteristics sometimes rub off ( Run with dog you will get fleas). The Bible exhorts us to be cautious in our choice e of companions. Choose people with characteristics you would like to develop in your own life, and people who already have a close walk with the Lord.

Quote of the Week

Our Greatest Need

If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness,
so God sent us a Saviour.

Passing it on :INSPRATION OFTEN PRECEDES EDUCATION

Proverbs 24:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

For the engine of learning to begin to turn, there must be a fire built in the furnace of inspiration. It is this furnace that fuels, and drives and motivates the student to gain or acquire knowledge and truth.

Part of the inspirational process involves the students understanding why something is important. The instructor cannot fail to remember that people tend to give time to that which they feel is important. We spend our money on that which we think is impotent. Therefore, we need to inspire the student to grasp the importance of the subject , principle or truth being taught.

The preaching of the Word of God is the easiest venue through which inspiration may occur. Biblical principles are principles that are eternal. They secure life change. It is up to the instructor to allow these truths to captivate, change and redirect the heart of the student.

It also must be clearly stated that if the student does not thinks these principles are important the teacher, he certainly will not place value on them. This is where personal testimonies of what these truths have meant or done in our lives will help to show value to the listener.

It is more difficult to inspire students in secular subject, but showing the practicality of a certain subject will inspire them to learn the subject at hand. In the field of history, there are facts considered general knowledge. In the field of business, there are issues of budgeting, investing and comprehension of what compounded interest can do either for or against a person. In the area of science, explanations can be given to show a person the hand of God and the order which He has created the world. Seek to inspire your students to learn in every aspect of their education.

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION: Part I

I.                    WHAT IS MEANT BY “ASSURANCE”: Spiritual certainty that you belong to God, that you posses eternal salvation.

A.     I am Keep and Persuaded ( positive and safe) – II Tim 1:12

B.     God wants me to have assurance and Know I am saved – I John 5:13

II.                WHY DO I NEED ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

A.     Assurance brings us Joy-I John 1:4

B.     Assurance brings us Confidence before God – I Jon 3:19,21

C.     Assurance brings us Comfort of Heart –Colossians 2:2

D.     Assurance brings us Stability. – James 1:8

E.      Assurance enables us to Overcome the World – I John 5:4,5

F.      Assurance enables us to effectively serve the Lord –John 1:40,41

III.             WHAT IS THE BAISIS OF ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

A.     Not on feelings

B.     Not emotions

C.     Unchanging word of God –I John 5:11,12

1.      Record hath given eternal life (promise of God ) –John 5:24

2.      Hath the Son hath life (Presence of God) – Romans 5:5

IV.              HOW MAY I KNOW I AM SAVED?

A.     I KNOW because I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ-Acts 16:31

B.     I KNOW because I hath the Son. – I John 5:12

C.     I KNOW because I have a love for the brethren- I John 3:14

D.     I KNOW because I desire to keep God’s commandments.-I John 2:3

E.      I KNOW because I desire to turn from the world of sin –I John 2:15

F.      I KNOW  because I am overcoming the world-I John 5:4

G.     I KNOW  because I have the witness of the spirit within – I John 5:10

WISDOM IN THE WORD: 50

Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

When a farmer has no oxen for plowing, his food trough for the animals will be empty and the barn will be free of messes. The only way to keep your life free of people problems is to keep it free of other people, but if your life is empty of people it is ineffective, and if you live only for yourself your life loses its meaning. Instead of avoiding people we should serve others, share the faith and be about the father’s business (to SEEK and to SAVE). Is your life clean, but empty? Or does it give evidence of your serving God wholeheartedly in the lives of others?

Quote of the Week

Death comes when memories of the past supersede the vision for the future

WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF ME?

·      G-R-O-W-T-H

G- GO- TO A BIBLE –BELIVING BAPTIST CHURCH– Hebrews 10:25

R- READ– YOUR BIBLE DAILY- I Peter 2:2; Acts 17:11

O- OBEY- CHRIST AND BAPTIZED – Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41

W-WITNESS- TO OTHERS OF CHRIST- Acts 1:8; John 4:28,29

T-THANK –GOD DAILY IN PRAYER - Philippians 4:6; Matthew 7:7

H-HONOR – GOD WITH THE TITHE- Malachi 3:10; I Corinthians 16:2

WISDOM IN THE WORD: 49

Proverbs 6:1- My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

 2.  Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

 3.  Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.

 4.  Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

 5.  Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

At this time of year there is a real danger of overextending our financial resources, or being caught up in the season causing us to act in an irresponsible way that could lead to poverty. The verses are not telling us to refrain from being generous, but to maintain a balance between generosity and good stewardship. God wants us to help our friends and the needy, but he does not promise to cover the cost of every unwise commitment we make. We should always act responsibly so that our family does not suffer.

Quote of the Week

“The outward appearance of success does not always indicate faith, and the outward appearance of failure does not always indicate that faith is lacking"

PASSING IT ON

“It’s All About Attitude”

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 15:1 A Soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The study of great coaches and leaders will sometimes reveal men of immense sharp and acerbic personalities (men such as Bobby Knight , Vince Lombardi, and Richard Nixon ) I have always thought , however , that the coaches or my mentors that made the most impact on me to be ones who were at times more kind and positive.

Once I read an article about John Wooden the great basketball coach of UCLA , the question was  asked  “What is the most important trait for a leader?” His answer was quite surprising. He said “He must be a good listener, Having a kind listening sprit allows one to mentor and instruct far mote thoroughly than if one was to be overly reactive caustic or cruel.”

In Proverbs, the greatest book of wisdom ever written Solomon wrote, “The sweetness of the lips increaseth learning” The instructor needs to remember that the tongue is a little member that can cause a great fire or bring vast encouragement. In the words of the great philosopher Mary Poppins “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” We need to be experts at looking for and commending the good.

Oftentimes an instructor can spot an offender committing the most minor of grievance at a distance of 400 yards. He will draw down on him like a bow hunter ready for the immediate kill on the first day of deer season. Equally, if the instructor will have the same amount of attention directed towards those who are doing right, attitudes would without doubt be affected. In short the Golden Rule will help us as we strive remember to treat others the way we would kike to be treated.

WHAT DOES SALVATION MEAN FOR ME?

I.                   WHAT I WAS :

A.    I was spiritually dead –Ephesians 2:1

B.     I was condemned already-John 3:18

C.    I was headed for the lake of fired-Revelations 20:15

D.    I was lost –Luke 19:10

II.               WHAT GOD PROMISE ME

A.    The gift of eternal life -Romans 6:23

B.     The forgiveness of sins – Colossians 1:14

C.    The joy of Jesus Christ –John 15:11

D.    The peace of God –Philippians 4:7

III.           WHAT I DID

A.    I Called upon the name of the Lord-Romans 10:13

B.     I Believed in my heart-Romans 10:9

C.    I received Him –John 1:12

D.    I repented of my sins  -Acts 17:30

IV.            WHAT GOD DID

A.    Washed me from my sins-Revelation 1:5

B.     Recorded my name in the Lambs book of life –Revelations 21:27

C.    Accepted me in the beloved –Ephesians 1:6

D.    Made me a new creature –II Corinthians 5:17

WISDOM IN THE WORD :48

Proverbs 31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5.      Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Drunkenness has corrupted so many in our world today, even in our churches the battle rages over the use of alcohol. The bible makes it abundantly clear it is inexcusable for a national leader to be swayed by any form of a mind altering substance. Alcohol clouds the mind and the facts are it can lead to injustice and poor decisions. As leaders in our homes, our jobs, our communities and our churches the bible makes it clear those who will make wise judgments and truly lead in a godly manner will not drink strong wine, whiskey, beer, or coolers ….