by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Christmas
Christians may no longer be bound by sin but be changed and set free to live a life of righteousness, walking in fellowship with God, Christ and in step with the Holy Spirit. 1 John 4:9 says, “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.”
There is a huge difference between existence and true life. All of mankind who walk upon this earth are existing but not all have life that is truly satisfying and pleasing to God. A famous doctor once said that men would find a cure for cancer more quickly than they would find a cure for selfish living. Jesus Christ gives Christians His purpose for their existence and directions for which they are to live. He gives them the heart desire and the strength to live pleasing lives to God. This life in Christ brings peace and this living turns mere existence into fullness of a life that testifies to the Lord’s mercy and grace.
Heathen practice today is that worldly thinking among men that wants to recognize God only when it seems to be beneficial to them. For instance, when a tragedy strikes our nations borders, then prayer is okay. However, to seek God in prayer for daily guidance is a violation of a so called “Separation of Church and State.” There is a worldly opinion that Christ should not be mentioned nor worshiped publicly during the Christmas Holiday season because it may offend others.
Biblical truth is the only reason for this season is to celebrate the birth of Christ. To rob God of the worship due to Him and call it “Happy Holidays” so stores can have record sales for the year is to rob God for financial gain. Biblical truth is that the Children of God are to “…pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayer.” (Ephesians 6:18)
John 10:10 says, “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” It is because of Jesus that God will send His Holy Spirit into the lives of Christians. Thus, they may live a full life walking with the Lord and exercising their Holy Spirit gifts under the guidance of sacrificial love. All this for the cause of Christ, for the benefit of those love Him and for all whom Christians may serve. Have You Caught Christ’s Benefits?
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Christmas
Thought Worth Pondering
On the twenty-fifth of December, much of the United States will close their stores, business offices will be closed and very few people will be traveling in comparison to the normal day of the week. Christmas has even provided a day off for those who reject the worship due to Christ, the Savior of the world. The response of most today, even church attendees, is no where near like those who heard the proclamation of the birth of Christ on that first Christmas. However, to Holy Spirit-illuminated Christians there are treasures worth pondering in their hearts. They become like Mary, who in the midst of all the excitement, took time to ponder. The Bible says, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Mary “pondered” (sumballo) meaning to consider, putting one thing with another in her mind while considering the circumstances and all that has been said and then holding them in her heart.
Luke 2:19 is a beautiful picture of a humble trusting heart that is after God. Mary had been told that her child was truly of God. The angel Gabriel said to Mary, “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.” (Luke 1:35) Both Joseph and Mary were told that they were to name the baby, conceived through the Holy Spirit, Jesus. (Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 1:31,35) Mary and Joseph no doubt talked about their visits from the angel with each other over the several months of her pregnancy, therefore, she knew more than anybody that baby Jesus was the Messiah, (Messias) the Christ, (Chriastos) meaning “the anointed One” or the “anointed.”
We live in a time which names mean very little or nothing. However, Joseph and Mary lived in a time when names meant something and almost everyone knew what they meant. I am convinced they knew why they were to name the Son of God, Jesus, (Iesous) meaning “Savior.” As a matter of fact the angel, in a dream, told Joseph that he was to give the son born to them the name “Jesus” “because he [would] save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) This Christmas, treasure Christ’s Name!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Christmas
Santa Keeping Christ in Christmas
A face-book page posted a picture of a painting The Truth of the Season (painted by Gaye Frances Willard) showing Santa kneeling by baby Jesus in a manger. Along with that post:
“My dear precious Jesus, I did not mean to take your place, I only bring toys and things and you bring love and grace. People give me lists of wishes and hope that they came true; But you hear prayers of the heart and promise your will to do. Children try to be good and not to cry when I am coming to town; But you love them unconditionally and that love will abound. I leave only a bag of toys and temporary joy for a season; But you leave a heart of love, full of purpose and reasons. I have a lot of believers and what one might call fame; But I never healed the blind or tried to help the lame. I have rosy cheeks and a voice full of laughter; But no nail—scarred hands or a promise of the hereafter. You may find several of me in town or at a mall; But there is only one omnipotent you, to answer a sinner’s call. And so, my dear precious Jesus, I kneel here to pray; To worship and adore you on this, your holy birthday.” (Author Unknown)
When Christmas celebrations are completed and all the family goes home, the feeling left in the heart is what concerns the Lord. Sadly, for many, the Christmas celebrations full of excessive drinking and drug abuse birth forth only hanger-over’s. Depression controls many who have the wrong concept of Christmas and a world view of Christmas has made merchandise of the Gospel.
It’s what is done with Jesus Christ that matters! The Bible says that Jesus was conceived in Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:35) Jesus said the Holy Spirit will glorify Him. (John 16:14) Christ is to be center stage; that is the desire of both the Father and Spirit. Every Christian wants to proclaim Christ through Christmas cards, wrapping paper, internet post and whatever other resources are available. They want the Christ of Christmas to be born in the heart of every loved one so they may know the joy of having Him be the reason for the season as well as being King, ruling their heart and lives. Christians want love ones to know what it means for the Savior of the world to save them from the dominion of sin, all that breaks the heart of God, keeping them from knowing His will. (Romans 12:1-2)
What is your prayer for the Christmas season? The Santa in the painting prayed a prayer that revealed the understanding of knowing his purpose, while giving true worship to the Christ of Christmas.
What or who do people see you bow the knee too in worship during the Christmas season? Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6) Be like Santa in the painting, keep Christ in Christmas!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Christmas
Conditions God Sent His Son In
Genesis 49:10 in the New American Standard Bible says, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until Shiloh comes, and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”
This vision of the future was given from the deathbed of Jacob to his sons and to all who become sons of God through adoption by faith in Jesus Christ. In order for Christians to enjoy this promise, they must understand the condition the world was in when birth of Christ fulfilled this prophecy.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Israel was once again in need of a sign that the Great Deliver, the child to be born according to what is written about Him, had arrived. As we come to understand the truth of this passage of Scripture we must grasp its application to the spiritual heart today.
Judah was under the rule of a descendant of Esua, Herod the Great, the hands of a heathen power. The heart of this ruler was not the heart of a king that fit in God’s perfect form of leadership. Even the Temple was no longer cared for by a priest who could grasp the will of God, rather servants who were governed by fear of Roman oppressors. The people at the time of Christ’s birth were purposely rebellious.
The truth that the Holy Spirit wants you to grasp today is, mankind without the inner-work of the Lord will do whatever it takes to remain on the throne of his heart.
The great news is that in the middle of rebellious times overseen by a God hating government and the church overseen by priest who for the most part had no spiritual discernment, God sent His one and only Son to be born in a stable so mankind may know the Lord.
We live in a government who says they know Jesus, but govern this country in disregard for His Word. Too many churches are responsive to government rule and public opinion more than the council of the written Word of God.
God sending His son in such bad conditions reveals to us that no matter what condition we live in, God will send the Holy Spirit of Christ to reveal the Christ of Christmas to our spiritual hearts! In these conditions, enjoy Christ!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Christmas
Birthed from God’s Word
Another truth worth grasping this Christmas season is that the Word of God can lead you to believe in the Christ of Christmas. When the Magi arrived in Jerusalem they asked, “…Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:2)
These brilliant men were serious scholars and it would not surprise me if they were led to look for the Lord because of God meeting them right where they were in what they believed and how they sought out truth. They were interested in astrology and they studied everything they could find about the stars. There is no doubt they were very much aware of the Jewish nation and most likely at some time got their hands on some Hebrew writings. If they had they would have read Numbers 24:17, “…A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel…” (Numbers 24:17) This message was spoken by Balaam who came from the Eastern Mountains. (Numbers 23:7) It is also interesting that many Jews around the time of Christ had moved into the Eastern areas taking with them their sacred writings along with their hope of a king whom would once again make Israel free from bondage. A Roman historian (Suetonious) writing of this time period wrote, “An ancient and settled persuasion prevailed throughout the East that the Fates had decreed someone to proceed from Judea who should attain a universal empire.” A second Roman historian (Tacitus) wrote, “Many were persuaded that it was contained in the ancient books of their priest that at that very time the East should prevail, and that someone should proceed from Judah and posses the dominion.”
The diligent seeking of the wise men led them to more guiding of God’s Word. King Herod found insight from priests and teachers of the law, thus the Magi were sent to Bethlehem.” (Matthew 2:4-9) Their obedience to the counsel of God’s Word opened theirs hearts to supernatural leading and they found themselves led to the place where the Christ child was and they worshiped Him. (Matthew 2:9-11) Let God’s Word lead you to Christ!
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