Sunday, December 22, 2013

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

“He went down with them and stood on a level place.” (Luke 6:17)

Jesus, Emanuel (God with us), walked the dusty roads and climbed the hills of Judea and tended to the hurting and the broken, to the sick and the lame. Not from on high did he minister as an overlord, but rather eye to eye and heart to heart on a level place. Unlike the gods of this world, Jesus meets us in our valley. As he stood on that level place, “those troubled by impure spirits were cured,” and those who were sick received healing. (Luke 6: 18-19)
Jesus Christ came for all mankind, atheist or priest, free or slave, Muslim or Buddhist. He came that we may have life and have it abundantly but more than that he came because without him we are destined to spend eternity without him in a place where the bible says that are everlasting tears and anger at the thought of a lost opportunity forever!. Our God wants to meet all of us on level ground, no matter where we stand. Please reach out to Him and touch his garment, He is standing next to you.

This season when someone wishes you “Happy Holidays,” respond with joy “Merry Christmas!” Why? Because it is for our politically correct neighbor who unknowingly hides the free gift of salvation as he falls in line with the mantra designed to keep people in darkness. Christmas is a gift that should be shared with everyone because when it is opened reveals “God with us,” ready to take us to an eternity of joy and peace and rescue us from “weeping and gnashing of teeth forever.”

Who would not want to give such a gift?

Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 20, 2013

Be Merciful this Holiday Season

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6: 27-31)

As we look to the last week of 2013 the anticipation of Christmas, the start of a new year, and the accompanying thoughts of family gatherings begin to stir memories of past circumstances good and unfortunately, bad. Getting together with family and friends not usually around most of the year often creates anxiety and tension. In the midst of the holiday stress, inevitably old personal wounds will be exposed resulting in potentially angry words and hurt feelings. What we choose to do in Christ when these events overwhelm our holiday gatherings is critical to quelling potential arguments and showing the love of Jesus Christ to an unbeliever watching from the sidelines “how Christians conduct themselves.”

Jesus’s words in Luke Chapter 6, like much of what He demonstrated and demanded from us are easier said than done. “If you love those who love you, Jesus said, what credit is that to you?” (Luke 6: 32) In other words, He understands it is not easy and I feel certain that it will only be in His power that we can have success. “And,” He continues, “If you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.” (6:33)

No, this year when tensions get high in those family gatherings Jesus has a higher standard for you to meet. “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
(6: 34-36)


Bearing in mind however, that when you fail, (His) grace is sufficient for you and His power is made perfect in our weakness,” (2 Cor 12:9) and that crazy uncle may see Christ in you and perhaps next year, he will be living a higher standard helping you make the family gathering more pleasant. Merry Christmas!