Merry Christmas!!

 Merry Christmas from our family to yours! (Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Matthew 1:21-23) 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."

Do you find it difficult to believe that Jesus came to be your personal Prince of Peace? (Written by my wife)

 

When you hear someone wish you a "Merry Christmas," do you find yourself thinking, "Not possible"? There have been times in my life when I have had this same attitude. I may not be able to exactly relate to what you are going through, but I do know that when your heart is broken, when you are living with an illness (explained or unexplained), when you feel lonely and unloved, when you have to choose between paying bills or buying food, when past Christmas memories bring more pain than joy, when someone you love is dying, when you face fear every day either from abuse or other circumstances, when you feel like God just doesn't care, how could one day a year suddenly be merry when all the others are steeped in misery?

(Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

You may fully grasp the concept of the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us.") and even accept that Jesus was born to die for all of our sins (John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.), yet you still wonder if God truly loves or cares about you as an individual. You may find it difficult to believe that Jesus came to be your personal "Prince of Peace."

If God loves us so much, then why is life so full of pain? How do we find the kind of peace mentioned in Philippians 4?

(Philippians 4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Because I have experienced these things, I absolutely promise you that you can be in the midst of grieving over a lost loved one, have a mysterious neurological condition that doctors give up trying to diagnose, be facing homelessness, or be laying in extreme pain in a hospital bed after a second cancer surgery, and yet still find God's perfect peace in the middle of the storm. By surrendering my heart, mind and will to Jesus Christ, He has been my Prince of Peace. He continues to be my strength and joy.

(Psalm 34:18) The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

In order to allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with His peace, we need to realize that God never promised us a perfect life, but He did promise we could still "be of good cheer," if allow Him to be Lord of our life.

(John 16:33) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

People who believe God will prevent all bad things from happening to them or their loved ones end up hating God. They cannot find joy in the midst of suffering or trust in their hearts God is always good. They have difficulty trusting in the love of God. (1 John 4:8 ...God is love. & 1 John 4:19 ... He first loved us.)

Not only does God care about our pain, He grieves with us, He intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. & Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.). God IS fighting for us, but we tend to sabotage His plan, and the perfect peace offered to us when we live in rebellion.

Yes, sometimes God uses negative circumstances to test our love for Him, but in general, God does not intend for bad things to happen to His children. Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God wants only the best for us. Does that mean God does not have any control? No, this means we will never fully know why bad things are allowed to happen because there is a war going on we cannot comprehend. (Ephesians 6:12) “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

1 Corinthians 13:12 (For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.) reminds us that we cannot understand why things happen as they do because we cannot see the big, eternal picture, but when we get to heaven, it will all be crystal clear. This senseless world will make sense.

If we cry out to God, He will hear our pleas. He wants to protect us and save us. It may seem like evil is winning, and I do not believe that this world will ever improve. In fact, I know it will only get worse. Man’s desire for independence corrupts him more and more. The mentality of not wanting to be told what to do is only getting worse. It is up to you to surrender yourself to God as well as your independence. It is up to you to choose to live right and separate yourself from this world. Only then will the Holy Spirit flood you with peace.

Humble yourself and admit you have done wrong. The free gift of salvation begins with repentance and admittance of sin. Then you must begin to and continually walk in holiness to please God (Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.).

Romans 6:1-2 tells us God's free gift of grace is not to be manipulated and abused for our own selfish will, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Grace is not an excuse to live however you want because you are a “Christian.” The opposite is true. We need to have a holy desire to please our Creator and live a truly Christian lifestyle. We need daily self-evaluation and repentance.

(Luke 9:23 ) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

(1 Corinthians 15:31) I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die [to sin] daily.

Daily very simply means we must crucify our flesh every day, not just once. Furthermore, you could claim Psalm 139: 23-24 as your daily prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Bottom line here is when we quit using the difficult circumstances of life as an excuse to refuse to do what you know goes against the Word of God, we can truly believe that God's Word is true. First evaluate your heart and actions to see if you are going against His will so He cannot help you. Then learn to focus on the eternal picture and see how much God loves you and allow Him to be your Prince of Peace!

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

 

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
    And wild and sweet
    The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
    Had rolled along
    The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
    A voice, a chime,
    A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
    And with the sound
    The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
    And made forlorn
    The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
    "For hate is strong,
    And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
    The Wrong shall fail,
    The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

Christmas That Beautiful Time of Year! Written by my wife

 

Note: All numbers in parenthesis represent scripture references that are listed at the end.

Christmas is a beautiful time of the year as we remember that Jesus left a place more perfect than we can ever imagine to live in a sinful, primitive, violent world.  While you sing worshipful songs and hear the story of Jesus’ miraculous birth to a virgin (1), please remember the story does not stop there.

Jesus was born for the sole purpose of giving up His life thirty-three years later.  Jesus gave up His throne surrounded by angels (2) for a life where His authority was rarely recognized.  He came to this cruel and heartless world in the form of pure innocence and humility (3).  He knew He would never fully be accepted by His peers (4), and that even those who claimed to love Him would desert Him in the end (5).  He knew not just the emotional sorrows He would face, but the physical as well.  He would willingly endure excruciating torture (6).  (The word excruciating exists because of the severe pain suffered during crucifixion.)  Yes, He also knew He would be raised from the dead three days after His death (7), but He did not endure long hours of agony just to glorify Himself.  He allowed Himself to be beaten raw and pierced through to die a slow death just for you and me! (8)  His blood on the cross is the only reason you and I have the option of spending eternity with Him in paradise.  (9) He paid for our sins by hanging in humiliation on a cross with wood splinters buried into an already raw and bloodied back, a crown of literal thorns causing blood to burn his eyes as it dripped down His face (10).

It is His glorious face we must seek today (11)! Do not throw away His precious gift bought with a terror we could never endure.  Repent of your sins and seek to live a life of holiness so that you can someday see the beautiful face of Jesus and His Father who allowed His son to be ripped from His side for more than three decades (12).

This Christmas, when you see the nativity sets of the shepherds and wise men kneeling at the manager of the baby Jesus, think of how much more magnificent it will be to bow at the throne of the living God (13)! When you sing, “O, come let us adore Him,” take a moment and thank Jesus with all your heart for choosing the path of pain and sorrow just so we can have an eternal life of peace and joy (14)!

Scriptures:

1)      "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Matthew 1:23

2)     I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left. II Chronicles 18:18

3)     And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Luke 2:16

4)     But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Luke 17:25

5)     But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Matthew 26:56

6)     He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. Scoured, beaten, bruised.  Isiah 53:3-4

7)     "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' " Luke 24:5-7

8)     After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:28, 30

9)      For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:28

10) So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with their hands. John 19:1-3

11)  For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2

12)  But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. REPENT therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3:18-21

13) For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Ephesians 3:14-21

14) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Revelation 21:4-5

The Rise of Witchcraft & Popular Culture: By Focus on the Family

 

The Rise of Witchcraft & Popular Culture: Is There a Connection? - Focus on the Family

(1 Corinthians 10:21) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (1 Corinthians 15:33-34) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. (2 Corinthians 6:14, 17, & 7:1 ) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Messianic Judaism (The Hebrew Roots Movement) Exposed

Messianic Judaism (The Hebrew Roots Movement) Exposed

 Gal 5:4 (NKJV) You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

 Rom 7:4 (NKJV) Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Are you married to the Torah or Christ? Messianic Judaism, also known as the Hebrew Root Movement, is a very popular belief system that twists scripture to bring people into captivity and annul grace. I have some messianic friends, and I have also visited Shabbat services. The Lord has instructed me to expose this form of apostasy. The Lord spoke to me in an audible voice and said, "Messianic Judaism is a stronghold of Satan". My wife and I both had a dream on the same night that Satan was bringing people into bondage through this form of legalism. Gal 5:4 listed above states that you are estranged from Christ and fallen from grace if you attempt to be justified by both the Law and Christ. 

Many Messianic groups will tell you that they believe that they are saved by Grace alone but keep the Torah out of obedience. The same will later tell you that you must keep the seventh day, as well as dietary laws to be truly Saved. They continually contradict themselves on the issue of salvation. 

 A messianic Rabbi that I knew in the past was having an affair with a married lady in the congregation. A member that left his congregation was seen at a wedding eating sausage. The Rabbi stood up and turned on the fake tears and said, "Oh brother Mike is fallen"! Please let us pray that He will be restored. This same Rabbi said you are saved by grace alone but now considers a person fallen from grace for eating sausages at a wedding! However, he justified his affair with the married woman by saying her Baptist husband was oppressive because he disagreed with Torah observance. He also advised members of his cult to only marry messianic or Orthodox Jewish people. Wait a minute! You are saved by grace but it's good to marry an Orthodox Jew who does Not believe in Christ! These are examples of the contradictions they all teach. 

The Apostle Paul warned against the teachings of the Judaizers of his day trying to bring people into bondage over the old covenant dietary laws, as well dictating whom they should marry. The same is true today, messianics are encouraged to marry Torah observant people and not Christians. The line is quite often blurred between Messianic and orthodox Jews. Paul referred to this as doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1-5).

1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Another messianic Rabbi that I knew of pulled unsuspecting people into his group by claiming he believed in Christ. He later taught them that Orthodox Jews were saved by keeping Torah. He claimed that Christ's sacrifice upon the cross did not provide atonement or salvation. He said God demonstrated his love for man-kind through his son's death but did not do away with the need for sacrifices. This guy even sacrificed a bull once.  Another messianic leader that I knew of taught that Christ was really Michael the archangel come in the flesh and Not God. I could say a lot about the many heresies that these groups teach. 

The mark of a cult group is that they will lower Christ from Divinity and elevate themselves. Many messianic groups are from Seventh Day Adventist backgrounds. like the leader mentioned above, they teach that Christ is Michael the archangel and Not God. The majority of messianic leaders teach that Christ is Elohim, but Not Yahweh. Elohim to them means a god, or the Son of God, but Not part of the Holy Trinity of God. The belief in the Holy Trinity is necessary for salvation. There is one God, Yahweh, revealed in three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To deny this is to be fallen from grace and held captive by legalism.

 There are many similarities between the Jehovah Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, and Messianic Judaism. Many messiancs refuse to call themselves Christians. They consider themselves superior to Christians and often mock them in Christian on-line groups. This arrogance does not come from God and is very carnal. 

The early New Testament Christians, as well as Christians today, were and are, being influenced by those who teach that we are required to keep the Mosaic law.  The Apostles and Elders of the church at Jerusalem, under the leadership of James, the brother of Christ, made a decree concerning this matter. They were all in agreement, that the keeping of the Law should not be required of the Gentile Christians. They only asked that they abstain from sexual immorality, eating food sacrificed to idols, eating of things strangled, as well as the consumption of blood.  No further requirements were put upon these new converts.  But the New Testament is clear that we need to be born again in order to be truly saved. We must repent and turn away from our sins and put our faith in Christ to be saved. We are justified in the eyes of God by faith alone in the finished work of Christ upon the cross. We are saved by GRACE (unearned favor) alone and not by works. You cannot combine grace with Torah observance. You are either married to Christ (Grace) or to the Torah. 

The Jerusalem Decree

Acts15:19  Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,  20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.  21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. 23 They wrote this letter by them:  The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” —to whom we gave no such commandment—  25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,  26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.  28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:  29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

Galatians 3:1  O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?  2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3: 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”  11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”  12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 Purpose of the Law

Galatians 3: 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.  20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.  22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.  24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Galatians 4: Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,  2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.  3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.  4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born  of a woman, born under the law,  5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”  7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Two Covenants

Galatians 4: 1 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?  22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.  23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,  24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—  25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—  26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.  27 For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband.” 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.  29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.  30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”  31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Galatians 5: 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.  2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.  3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.  4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Galatians 5: 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Dietary laws

Mark 7: 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” 17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him,  19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”  20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,  22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,  2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,  3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.  4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;  5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Romans 14:1  Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.  2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.  3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.  4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.  6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

 

 

The Manger

 

Of course, mangers are animal feeding troughs but in ancient Israel they were made of stone - not what you would see in a modern-day nativity scene. Not comfortable, but great for protection. That’s why those who were experts in this matter, the priests, would put their newborn lambs in them for protection. But not just any lamb, the unblemished perfect lambs that were used in the sacrifice for sins.

And Bethlehem, where Jesus was born was FAMOUS for their UNBLEMISHED LAMBS used for the sacrifice. These lambs had to be perfect so they would wrap them tightly in cloth and lie them in the manger to keep them safe. This is exactly why the only time mangers are mentioned in Jesus’ birth story it is being told to shepherds. In Luke 2 it says “This will be a sign for you, you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.” The shepherds would have understood this powerful parallel! THEY KNEW what the cloth and the manger meant! This baby would be THE PERFECT LAMB OF GOD! The Messiah who would sacrifice His life for the sins of the whole world.

He wasn’t just a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger, He was GOD: perfect, sinless and Holy, humbling Himself to become the perfect sacrifice to reconcile us back to Himself!!

Who do you say that He is?

 

Who do you say that He is? 

Who was this babe born over two thousand years ago in Bethlehem of Judea? Many claim that he was a prophet, a great teacher, or just a good man. However, who do you say that He is?

There is one God, who is revealed in three distinct persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father sent the son, to bring redemption to fallen mankind. Through the death of Christ upon the cross the free gift of salvation has been provided to all who will put their faith in him.

Christ said, that before Abraham was, I AM. Christ declared himself to be the Great I AM, by making this statement.

Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”  John 8:57-58    

The prophet Isaiah wrote that the future Messiah would be called, the Mighty God and Everlasting Father!

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.  Isaiah 9:6-7

 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”  Matthew 1:23

John chapter one, as well as Colossians one, reveal that Christ is indeed God, the creator of all things visible and invisible. He is the image of the invisible God. All things were created through him and for him.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:1-5 & 10-14

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.  Colossians 1:15-18 

Let us remember that Christmas is not about the mythical Santa Claus or reindeer. Jesus is the only reason for the season! 

Jesus Christ the Son of the Father is God

 

Link to 2018 Dream of the Covid-19 Pandemic

 On March 28, 2018, the Lord gave me a dream about the Covid-19 pandemic. Below is a link to that writing. The Lord showed me that an airborne plague would sweep this nation and many people would die. The multilayered dream also was a reference to many other judgements that would follow. The Lord showed me the time known as the Beginning of Sorrows that will lead to the Great Tribulation. The Lord also showed me the need to eventually prepare a place in the wilderness to ride out the coming storm (Rev 12).

In other dreams, visions, and words, the Lord showed me the rioting that occurred across the nation. The Lord spoke to me audibly, "Chaos, panic in the streets, America is going down." I saw the capitol building with an American flag on top slowly descending into darkness. I saw all of this years before the rioting and chaos became reality. The Lord also showed me our dried-up economy, the inflation that we see today will get a lot worse. Here is the link to the original writing.

Final Hour Holiness Ministries: Dream of the Coming Plague

Happy Thanksgiving 2024!

 

Are you Empty Inside, or Have you Been Filled with God's Holy Spirit?

 

Are you Empty Inside, or Have you Been Filled with God's Holy Spirit?

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Christ said that the Kingdom of God resides within us. You must be filled with the Holy Spirit to be a citizen of God's kingdom. Salvation is not complete without being indwelt (baptized and filled) with the Holy Spirit. Many churches teach that when a person accepts Christ, they receive the Holy Spirit immediately. The truth is that a person must seek after and ask God for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:9-13).

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

The Holy Spirit not only empowers us to spread the gospel, he also transforms us into a new creation (born again). God is the potter, and we are the clay that he molds into his own image. It is impossible to live a holy life separated from the sinful culture, without the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. 

There are nine gifts, as well as nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to a believer according to God's will (1 Cor 12). The fruit of the Holy Spirit should be present in the lives of all believers (Galatians 5).

Please read my teachings on the Holy Spirit from these links. 

Final Hour Holiness Ministries: Speaking and Praying in Tongues

Final Hour Holiness Ministries: The Message of the Full Gospel

Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.