Honoring Him at Christmas

I have noticed that there are many ways that people express their greetings during the Christmas season. Some say Merry Christmas, some say Happy Holidays, and some say Season's Greetings. When you browse through the greeting cards at the store, there are usually these different categories.
I've always believed that this time of year was about the birth of Jesus Christ, and therefore, Christmas was the only way to identify it. But we are now finding ourselves living in a different world than the one I grew up in, and now there are other names that people want to call it.
Now, why is this? Are there by any chance people out there who don't recognize Christ, and they don't want to give Him the honor that He deserves? Are there people out there who are walking the fence and don't want to offend anyone who doesn't believe in Him? Which one are you?
The Bible has several verses that talk about acknowleging Jesus, and I would like to share them with you. Matthew 10:32-33 says "Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven."
Luke 12:8 tells us "I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God." Wow! And wait, there's one more! 1 John 4:3 tells us "But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world."
Please know that we are indeed in the endtimes before the coming of Christ again, and Satan is working overtime to cause people to stray away from the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life there ever was, and that is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God tells us not to put any other gods before Him. Even people who mean well, who attend church, who call themselves Christians, and are kind to others, can be deceived.
But take note: 1 John 4:4 tells us "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (the spirits of the antichrist), because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. To continue: "They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us..." 1 John 4:5-6
So, my point is this: If you are truly a follower of Jesus Christ, then be careful the next time you give this season's greetings. Merry Christmas gives honor to our precious Lord and Savior. The other greetings are for the world.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!

The Power of Encouragement

Not long ago, someone I know visited a church on his vacation. The sanctuary was filled with people of all ages, and the service was pleasant. He went home, and soon afterwards, he felt the prodding of the Lord to send the pastor a note of encouragement. He looked up the address of the church and wrote it on a piece of paper. But because he was busy that day, he put the piece of paper on his desk, with the intention to deal with that later.

Another week or so went by, and he came across that piece of paper with the church's address written on it. He looked at it, sighed, and wondered if he should actually write that pastor, or ignore the prodding that he  thought he had felt a few weeks before. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he felt that he should go ahead with his first thoughts. He took out a pen, found another piece of paper, and started to write. He basically told the pastor that he had visited recently, enjoyed the service, and felt that he (the pastor) needed some encouragement. He ensured the pastor that he was doing a good job, and that the Lord would continue to use him in a mighty way. Then he wrote a check out and sent that also with the letter.

A week went by, and this person received a letter back from the pastor. It was a thank you note. The pastor shared how depressed he had been feeling and wondered if he was making any impact at all in his congregation. Apparently, he had been receiving a few complaints, because he wrote that when he saw the handwriting through the envelope, he was expecting more bad news. And when he read the letter of encouragement and saw the check made out for him and his wife, he said he almost fell off his chair! He truly felt lifted up and renewed because of that note of encouragement. It arrived at just the right time.

It was no accident that the man visited this church. It was no accident that he felt the Lord's prodding to encourage this pastor. And it was no accident that it arrived in the pastor's hands at that time. God's timing is always perfect.

Are we doing our part? Are we listening to the gentle prodding of the Lord? He sees all things and cares about what we all go through. And He uses people to reach out to others who need encouragement, love, and the reason to hang on. And to keep going.

Let's do our part. Let's respond to that gentle voice of God. And not put it off. Someone out there needs the power of encouragement.

Keep My Light Burning

I came across a verse in the Bible recently that spoke to me loudly:

"You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning.

My GOD turns my darkness into light."

Psalm 18:28

I was in the midst of a time where I felt out of sorts, out of sinc, and

out of tune with God. Don't get me wrong. I love Him and know He

loves me. I trust in Him and know He is in control of things. But still,

there was a heaviness, almost a darkness, that was over me.

Have you ever felt this? You have a head knowledge of

what the Word says, but it's not sinking in to your heart. You're

not feeling it. You think you're alone.

Thankfully, as this verse reminded me, I have a great, LOVING GOD

who knows what I am going through, and He will not let me wander

 away or let me down. I may not be able to minister to my soul,

but He can...and He does! He can help me when I cannot

help myself. He turns my darkness into light.

Thank you, my Precious LORD!!

Did You R.S.V.P.?

I heard recently of a prominent singer who sang at a large, well-to-do wedding. She and her husband arrived at the reception hall, and as they were waiting in line, she could see ahead of her into a large, gorgeous banquet room. Tables were beautifully set up with fancy hor'doerves, music was playing, and the room was decorated with flowers and tiny white lights, while the people were congregating and chatting. She couldn't wait to enjoy the reception.
When it was their turn, they were met by the host, who asked them their names. She was surprised he didn't know. After all, she was a well-known singer and had just sang at the wedding. He looked at the list, and checked it again, but couldn't find their names on it. They were asked to leave. She was quite upset and tried to explain, but the more she tried, the more firm the host became. Soon, he had them ushered to the service elevator, which took them down to the parking garage.
She began to sob. How could this have happened? Then she remembered. She told her husband she had been so busy that she had forgotten to send in the RSVP. She wasn't concerned because she assumed that because she was the singer in the wedding, it wasn't necessary. She had ignored the request, and had to face the consequences.
This makes me wonder how many people ignore Jesus' gift of salvation and invitation to heaven, but don't respond. They get too busy living their lives and think they'll have time later on to 'send it in'. They assume that their service in the church will be good enough. Or being a good person will be good enough. But when the time comes, they are not admitted into the Grand Banquet Hall of the King Himself. It will be too late.
Like the people in Noah's day who ignored the warnings of not living for the Almighty God, they chose their own way. When the day of the flood of floods came, the door of the ark closed, and they were not allowed in. It was too late. And they were destroyed.
Don't let that happen to you! We don't know when our last day will come. Or when the day of rapture will come. But we need to be ready and prepared. We need to send in our RSVP.
Mine has already been sent. Has yours?

Do you hear a party going on up there?

I was recently reminded that when a person comes to know Christ as Savior, the angels rejoice! In other words, I can just imagine a huge party with angelic beings in the air, not bounded by gravity, but floating,and dancing, and singing, and excitingly doing whatever angels do! They are so very happy that another person will be sharing eternity with them and the Glorious One! They know how much He loves each one of us, and rejoice when one of us realizes that and accepts Him as Lord. I think I hear a party going up there! Do you?

Are Your Feet Beautiful?

Now that the weather is getting warmer, alot of us are taking off our socks and shoes and showing off our feet. Whew! Are you sure you want to do that?
The Bible says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Are your feet beautiful?
Romans 10:14-15 asks us: "How can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"
LORD - Please make my feet beautiful by sending me to share Your wonderful news to those who need to hear. Guide my every step, every word and every thought so that You are glorified! Amen.

A New Venture - Am I ready?

I never ever dreamed that I would be doing this. But God did! Never in my wildest dreams would I envision myself
...playing a piano in front of people
...being part of a Christian worship band
...writing songs
...having my song loved by people
...recording my song in Nashville, TN
...hearing my song on several radio stations and on a television network
...producing a video of the song
...creating a website for a ministry

I am finding that when you walk with God and let Him lead you, He will take you to places you never dreamed of being in. I am hanging on, and enjoying the thrills! Nothing is impossible with God!

Want to come along?