Philippians 4:11

I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Paul wrote this while in a dungeon. How minor our obstacles seem when compared to the trials of Paul as he suffered the persecution for his faith. When we belong to God, no matter what may be going on around us, we must remember that those that come against us are merely instruments in God's plans. We shall be in every state content, for our lives follow His will, desirous to do whatever He commands, because all transpires for His greater good. His will be done.

Merry Christmas

Now it is time to celebrate the birth of our Lord. Granted, Jesus Christ was not technically born in December, and the three wise men actually didn't show up at his birth, but rather a year or so later. But splitting hairs is not what this is about. Christmas is a celebration of God made into flesh. An opportunity to honor the birth of the man that was born to die so that we may live.

There are many ideas regarding what following Christ represents, and I am here to tell you that I follow what is biblical.

Scripture states that Jesus Christ was born as a child. God made into flesh. The savior of mankind. The Messiah.

He has blessed me in many ways.

Some of you who know me well know that He literally saved my life, my marriage, and my soul. Perhaps sometime I will post the story about how I nearly died, and through God's grace, I survived.

Until then, let us celebrate Christ's birth.

Merry Christmas.

Matthew 11:28-30 (King James Version)28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Luke 2:10-11 (King James Version)10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:14 (King James Version)14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Isaiah 7:14 (King James Version)14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23 (King James Version)23Behold, 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.

Isaiah 9:6 (King James Version)6For 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.

John 3:16 (King James Version)16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Acts 27:25

There are degrees to faith. At one stage we have difficulty believing unless we have some sign or some great manifestation of feeling. Though it may be true faith, it is imperfect. This kind of faith searches for some token beside the Word of God. This kind of faith believes when there are favorable emotions.

A later form of faith, as we grow in Him, believes God and His Word when circumstances, emotions, appearances, people, and human reason all urge to the contrary.

My wife and I, years ago, faced unfavorable circumstances, and how quickly we forgot that although it seemed like God had abandoned us, He was there all along. Our faith needed to grow so that we may recognize His presence, even though it was the darkest of times. And as we stood in court, tossing venom at each other, the Lord touched my wife, and she proclaimed to the judge: "All I know is that I want my husband back."

She had recognized that she was fallable, able to fall away without even noticing it, and we both recognized that only God could reconcile us.

"Just Love Her," my dad told me.

And I did.

I had faith that God had everything under control. We had faith that He was the reason we were together. We had faith that God knew what He was doing when He brought us together, and after many difficult years of prayer and "trial and error" we came together, and are now united and as strong as ever, with God's scripture guiding us.

May God give us faith to fully trust His Word though everything else witnesses the other way.

His name shall be called Emmanuel. . . God with us.

23Behold, 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. Matthew 1:23

6For 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. Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas

2 Corinthians 5:17

. . . those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

This does not mean that life is enhanced to the point that everything just becomes peachy. Trials and tribulation becomes increased. As a Christian we become a threat to Satan, and he throws everything and the kitchen sink at us. With faith we recognize that our newness of life is from God, and His will be done. And through these trials we must also remember to allow our fruit to reflect our faith, for when we proclaim our Christianity, we become Christ's ambassadors, and all eyes are upon us.

Luke 2:29-32 - - - The Christ is Born

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Romans 14:13

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

My dear fellow Christians, this verse tells us in a direct manner not to put a stumbling block in the way of our brethren. We need to be constantly aware that we don't misuse our freedom in Christ by tempting another to do that which he/she feels is sin. Example: If you know that someone in the church family has had some problems with alcoholism, don't invite them over for dinner and have a case of beer in the garage or wine in the fridge where he/she will see it. If you know someone having difficulties with gambling, it is not wise to invite them to go to Atlantic City with you to see a show in the casino.

This may be difficult to understand if you are one that does not have any of these battles. The conscience of some may take longer to understand than others. By exercising your freedom in the presence of those struggling, you may offend or hurt them, or cause them to stumble. Remember that Paul is talking about the legitimate weaker brother, not the illigitimate or manipulative brother. The bottom line is that if your brother/sister is truly offended by the exercise of your Christian liberty, and you continue to do it, then you are not acting in love toward that person. The result will be the ruin of that persons conscience and the ruin of your relationship with that person.

Christmas means that. . .

He descended that we might ascend (John 6:38; 14:3)

He became poor that we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9; James 2:5)

He was born that we might be born again (John 1:14; 3:2, 7)

He became a servant that we might become sons (Philippians 2:7; Galatians 4:6, 7)

He had no home that we might have a home in heaven (Matthew 8:20; John 14:2)

He was made sin that we might be made righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21)

He died that we might live (John 5:24, 25)

Running the race, and running it by the rules

Philippians 3:13-14 says: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I Corinthians 9:24-27 adds: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.