The "Eye of the Hurricane"

It seems to me like after Christmas passes there is somewhat of a lull. Here we are caught in the middle of two of the most action-filled holidays of the year. It's similar to the eye of a hurricane. Most of us are recovering from the frenetic pace leading up to and including "The BIG Day," while others carry on with their lives; not yet bored of their newest "toys" or talking about their vacations. Most people are looking toward the new year and are already formulating a couple resolutions or planning what party they're going to attend. Some are hoping trials will end, while others are looking forward to new beginnings.

For me this time often includes quite a bit of introspection. I try to look at my life and evaluate where I'm at. Did I celebrate Christ's birth this past Christmas, or did I let worldly ideals prevail? Did I lead my family in a godly way this past year, or did I do things to cause them to wonder? Is my life glorifying God, or is it glorifying myself? What will I do different next year? Perhaps many of you go through a similar experience, so I'd like to offer some biblical advise…

Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJ)
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

God's Word assures us that if we seek His Kingdom (having accepted Jesus as our Savior and striving to live a holy life), all things will work themselves out. We can trust this truth for our lives.

Blessings,
Bill

The Christmas Promise

As a Sunday School teacher for senior high students, I'm always trying to pound into my students' brains the relevance of the scriptures. God put in on my heart that these kids need to know that, while the Bible was written so many years ago, it's messages are still important and meaningful for us today. There is no more relevant message to us Christians than Jesus' birth. Christmas is important because God showed the world He is more than capable of keeping His word. Despite the incredible statistical odds that Jesus would fulfill all the Old Testament prophesies (something like 1 times 10 to the 245,000,000 power), God did it.

On Christmas the Christian world is dramatically reminded that God sent his Son, Jesus, to save lost mankind from his sin and its devastating consequences of eternal damnation. I mentioned the fulfillment of old testament prophesies. However, Christmas is also a good reminder of the best news - that Jesus is coming back to earth for all who have accepted him as their personal Savior. According to Bible scholars there are 318 references in the New Testament about Christ's second coming to earth. And as every prediction in the Old Testament regarding Christ's first coming was fulfilled in minutest detail, we can be just as certain that every prediction in the New Testament regarding Christ's second coming will also be fulfilled in minutest detail.

John 14:2-3 (NIV) "In my Father's home [heaven] there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me"

Be prepared brother and sisters. The Christmas promise continues to unfold before us. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Blessings,
Bill

Life After Christmas

Romans 5:17-18 (NKJ) For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

Romans 6:23 (NKJ) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. I pray you are well and God is blessing your life. Now that Christmas day has come and gone, how are you feeling? Are you enjoying all the cool "stuff" you received from your loved ones? Are you already sick of listening to whirring, buzzing, and beeping of your child's new "most precious possession?" Perhaps you're disappointed because the one thing you really wanted didn't find its way under your tree or in your stocking? Do you feel let down because all the money you spent didn't provide the satisfaction/happiness you were longing for...after all, joy and togetherness are unspoken "promises" given to us by the world's retailers. My guess is that unless you have accepted Christ as your Savior, and you truly enjoyed the celebration of His birth, this was just another holiday. Sure there were good times, but when you at home by yourself it all seemed somewhat meaningless.

I pray that Christmas will never be a meaningless holiday for you and your loved ones. I pray the God of Glory will inhabit your heart and give you Christmas joy everyday of your life. Jesus will give you that joy. You can celebrate His birth everyday, because He became man to die for us. Praise His Holy Name!

Blessings,
Bill