The Christmas Aftermath

So December 25, 2012 has now faded into the background never to re-emerge. How was your day on the December 25? Did you have a blessed day? Were you scurrying about and did not have any peace of mind?

Do we now resume our unkind way of living, being discourteous to others or  will we continue being  courteous, kind, compassionate,and willing to help others when we can?

I hope that across the board, wherever we find ourselves that goodwill will continue to be practiced as we realize that no man is an island, no man stands alone. We are all dependent on each other and with God in the midst, we can do great exploits for one another.

Let us remember the words of of 1 John 3:17-18,

¹⁷ But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Maranatha!

Christmas Day

Today, the world  celebrates Jesus' birth. It is awesome that Christ came as a baby, but this was only the beginning. He grew up as depicted in Luke 2 and lived a self-sacrificing live which culminated in His death and resurrection which allow us to inherit the kingdom - we become the sons and daughters of the Living God. Christmas  is depicted as a time of giving which is great. It would be even better, if we would practice this giving, loving spirit and attitude throughout the year. Can you imagine the impact/change that the world would witness?

Although, I do not celebrate Christmas per se, I acknowledge His birth and use this time as an opportunity to recommend Christ to the world at large. I hope everyone, everywhere will come to realize that our salvation comes only through Christ and Christ alone. There are not many roads that lead to Christ and everlasting life as some have suggested. It is strange that we read and study the same Bible but have many varied interpretations. I pray that the Holy Spirit, the third member of the Godhead will lead and direct us all aright.

Philippians 2:5-8

⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant,  and was made in the likeness of men:

⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Let us heed His command as stated in Isaiah 1:18-20, and not suffer the consequences. Why die when we can live eternally?

¹⁸ Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

¹⁹ If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

²⁰ But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

I hope that this Christmas, others will celebrate their new birth by giving/surrendering their lives to Him. I ask that we pray for those affected by Sandy, by the Connecticut massacre, disasters/calamities worldwide, and foul play everywhere. May God help us as we make Him our choice.

Be blessed!

Death! Hope!

Turning on the television and listening to the news can be so disheartening. We talk about people overseas how vicious they are, yet the news reports indicate that we have many unsavory deeds/ acts being committed here in the USA. The point is, people are the same everywhere. For example, some people nowadays say that if they were living in the time of the Israelites, when GOD performed all those miracles, they would be faithful and not err. I say,  you probably would behave just like them. It is interested that many of us prepare for emergencies but when it actually besets us is a whole different ball game.

People, selfishness has been our downfall, what I call the "I problem." This great concern for ourselves and not to generally caring about others and their welfare has been etched in our DNA since the entrance of sin into the world. We are instructed that the only cure lies in the person of Prince Emmauel. I borrow the words of Revelation 3:17-21,
"¹⁷ Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

¹⁸ I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

²¹ To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."

My readers, if we do not realize that we need help, we cannot see how deficient we are in the spiritual sense.   After acknowledging our lack, we need to do something , 1 John 1:9,
"⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." My question is to us all are we willing to give JESUS a chance? Can HE be the first choice and not the last resort? Let's meditate on this thought.

Maranatha!

It Has Been Challenging

So far life has been quite challenging. I am sure almost everyone who has been experiencing varied circumstances that are not welcoming and pleasant will agree. Some have lost loved ones, bread winners, jobs, properties to name a few. Despite the odds, we are assured in HIS words that He will never leave nor forsake us - Hebrews 13:5

The last couple months have seen the devastation left behind super storm Sandy and we realize that like hurricane Andrew in 1992, the effects will be felt for may years to come. Everyone is affected directly and indirectly - the cost of rebuilding, the cost of starting over, the drain on the economy, the rise in insurance premiums, those who now need to buy flood insurance, more added expenses and the list goes on.

These are times when  scientists are looking for solutions. Some figure that looking for another inhabitable planet is the way to go. Some think that a parallel earth may exist. What about life on Mars? Others are concerned about the gargantuan black hole that seem to be widening. We as Christian need not to be unduly concerned about these things because GOD has promised that at the end of it all it will be worth seeing JESUS. HIS advent will bring all these things to an end. In Matthew 24, we are given an idea of the many things that will befall us - but are asked to endure for our bread and water will be sure - we shall be saved, verse 13.

We are called to work together, love one another, be kind and compassionate, preferring one another. During Sandy, we have noted that acts of kindness were done - people rallied together to help - united we stand, divided we fall concept. People shared with others and more moving were the ones who were in similar situations but sought to help others at the same time. Yes, there were stories here and there of unkind acts that possibly even resulted in loss of lives. There has been stories that were deemed miracles - surely, GOD still cares for us.

Can we learn anything of value from these instances? Maybe! We need to kind and be our brother's keeper all the time. If we can rally to one's aid in times of need , it also follows that we can make these kind acts be a way of life instead of being random. We are aware that many things happen because we tend to be selfish and exacting, and self centered most of the time. Let us, especially those who are Ambassadors for CHRIST - let our lights so shine before men that they may see our good works and glory our FATHER in Heaven  Matthew 5:16.

Be blessed!!!