Alone at Christmas

It's Christmas time and wherever you look, you see elements of people's celebration with lights, wreaths, decorated trees, music and parties, not to mention lines of children waiting to tell Santa what is on their wish list. In some areas there are nativity scenes for those who celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With all of this going on, one would assume that everyone is happy and joyful, right?

 

Not so. Among the people around you are those who are alone this Christmas. Perhaps they have recently lost a loved one to death, or divorce, or abandonment. Maybe they never married nor had children, so they live alone. Or yet, maybe their situation is that they have family members and relatives who are living their own lives and haven't stayed in touch. Some people are dealing with severe health issues. It is so easy to assume that while you are happy and life is going well, that everyone else is feeling the same way.

 

Christmas time has a way of giving us false expectations of how our lives should be. The Hallmark Channel sends us messages that we should be surrounded by friends and families, have enough money to spend on gifts and celebrations, and enjoy peace.  For many people, they have memories of warm, fuzzy Christmases when they grew up, but now they're finding themselves alone this year, unable to resurrect that old feeling. They can't wait for Christmas to be over.

 

What can be done? If you are one of the fortunate ones to have your love bank full, have an outgoing personality, and are surrounded by your families and friends this Christmas season, then look around for someone who could use an extra dose of your love. When God sent His only Son, Jesus, for us as a baby in a manger, He did it because of His deep love for all of us. Christmas is a perfect time to make that love real to others. Give that person a call, invite him to your home, to your  church, and let them know they are not forgotten. Christmas seasons always pass, but the love you extend to them  will be remembered forever.

 

If you are one of those who are alone this Christmas, and don't feel up to going out and blending in with others who are celebrating, please remember this: Jesus loves you. He is watching you, He knows how you are feeling, and He is hearing your prayers. All the parties and celebrations you see going on around you are secondary and meaningless without His love in the midst of it all. Your heart means everything to Him, and He wants it. This Christmas season will end, and life goes on. But His love remains for you. His love will sustain you, even in your darkest moments.

 

In your time alone, do this: take your Bible, and a candle and go to a comfortable place. Sit down, and light your candle. As you look at its flame, think about His light shining on you, and the warmth of His love filling you inside. Thank Him for that love. Thank Him for who He is, and for all He is doing for you. Thank Him for this moment. He waits for you all the time to come to Him in this private way. Enjoy it and relish it and receive its fullness as you concentrate on Him. The Holy Spirit will refresh you, and fill you with His love and joy and peace.

 

Then open your Bible to John 15:9-17. It tells of God's love for you, and of His joy being in you because of His love. Then turn to Psalm 139 and read the whole chapter. It will reveal to you that before you were even conceived, God knew of you, and purposely gave you life so you may know Him and His love, and seek Him intimately as your Lord. He has plans for you in this life you have, and by submitting to Him and acknowledging His power over you, your life can be fulfilling and rewarding, even in dire circumstances.

 

When you make the time to stop looking around with your physical eyes, and look up to Him with your spiritual eyes, you are seeing Him for who He is. Loving. Powerful. Mighty. Holy. Awesome in Glory. Worship Him during this time. Lift up your heart to adore Him.

 

His presence will overcome you, bringing you to a most holy place of peace, love and joy. By spending time with Him, you be able to then look at the world's celebration of Christmas through a new lens. And in time, you will be able to join along with them knowing of His personal love just for you.

 

Merry Christmas!

 

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
~ Jesus to you.

 





Got Any Issues?

Everyone I know has issues. You have issues. I have issues. We all have issues! It comes with our life package. Some have more serious issues than others. Concerns over health, family, work, financial, and other things.

 

There was a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years, and everything she tried didn't stop it. (Matthew 9:20-21) Then she found out that a man named Jesus was coming to town. She had heard of the miracles and healings He had done, so she decided to go and meet Him. Something inside her knew that He was the answer to her issue.

 

She found people gathered around him, and walk up behind him. Without saying a word, she reached out, and touched the tassel of his garment. Immediately, she was healed. Jesus turned, and said to her, "Take heart, my daughter, your faith has healed you." 

 

By placing her trust in Jesus, her issues were resolved!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At another time, Peter, being in a boat at night, saw Jesus standing on the water at a  distance. (Matthew 15:22-31) He asked Jesus if he could walk on the water to Him. Jesus said, "Come." Peter crawled out of the boat, and began walking on the water. He was staring at Jesus, as this experience was exhilerating! But then, his attention went from Jesus to the wind, and he began to be afraid. Looking down at the dark waves underneath him, he started to sink.

 

He cried out, "LORD, save me!" He reached up his arms, and Jesus pulled him up. "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Peter took back his issue of the ability to walk on the water, and started to sink!

 

Issues. Jesus knows all about our issues. And he tells us in Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." When we are dealing with our issues, we need to take them to Jesus, and believe that he is able to take care of them. When we take our spiritual eyes off of Him, then we are taking our issues back.

 

Believe that He can resolve your issues. Have faith that He will. He loves you so very much and wants to bless you. His way is better than our way, and when we surrender our will to His, we will have peace.

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

 





Halloween Anyone?

At the end of this month is Halloween. For months already, stores have been stocking up on candy, costumes and decorations, knowing that consumers will be excited to celebrate this holiday. Sadly, this is more popular than Thanksgiving, and sometimes Christmas things follow Halloween things, eliminating Thanksgiving altogether. How sad.

Researching the origins and meaning of Halloween, I found that it is a night set out when the dead can intermingle with the living. That's why there is a correlation between Halloween and ghosts, demons, and scary things.

 

Writing this from a Christian perspective, and without going into all the details, I would like to point out that there is a spiritual danger in celebrating Halloween. The devil seeks out people to destroy and distort their souls, turning them away from following the Lord. He gives them a desire to seek out witches, demons, ghosts, and anything demonic. When parents allow their children to dress up like these characters, they are opening up the door to evil influence.

 

What does the Bible say about this? Here are three verses that are relevant to this topic of concern:

 

Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,

looking for someone to devour.

Resist him, standing firm in the faith.

- 1 Peter 5:8-9

 

The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the later times

some will abandon the faith

and follow deceiving spirits

and things taught by demons.

-1 Timothy 4:1

 

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you,

do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.

Let no one be found among you who...practices divination

or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft

or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist

or who consults the dead.

Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.

-Deuteronomy 18:9-12

 

From these verses we can learn that God does not want any of us to have anything to do with the devil or his demons. To be practicing their acts and deeds, even in play and pretend, is opening the door to demonic invasion. The Bible also tells us to guard our hearts, as they are the wellspring of life. If anything, we are to put on the armor of God, to guard ourselves against the wiles of the devil. Remember, he hates people. He is not a friend, but the enemy of enemies. We are to stay away from him.

 

It is extremely important to pay attention to this matter, and if one is a believer in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and is making every effort to follow Him, then he should definitely refrain from celebrating Halloween. As we get closer to the return of Jesus Christ, there will be an alarming increase of demonic activity because Satan knows he and his demons are destined to the eternal lake of fire. Therefore, he will be going in overdrive to trap as many people as he can. Things will get more violent in the world. And it will get even worse.

 

Let's guard our hearts against this evil influence. Make a decision not to celebrate Halloween. Instead, turn the evening into a harvest party, celebrating the autumn season. Celebrate love. Celebrate Jesus.

 





 





Journey on the Waters

He set out to sail across the ocean, something that was always on his bucket list. Taking the time to get all his gear ready, he felt he was well prepared for anything that would come his way. He was excited, and very confident that he had things under control.

 

A week went on, and all was well. The sun was shining, the waves were calm, and he was on top of his world. Nothing was going to stop him. Except... there was a hurricane brewing in his path, but he wasn't aware of it. He never thought to check his radio, as everything looked good on the horizon.

 

A coast guard ship spotted him, and  approached his boat. They warned him that trouble was coming his way, and he should turn back. He told them thanks, but he was content with his chosen path. That he would take it as it came. Reluctantly, they left.

 

Several nights later, he woke up to realize the waves were getting rough, tossing him around. Never before had he experienced such turbulence, and he started to get concerned. He looked out to find it raining pellets, and the wind was so strong he couldn't bear to be exposed to it. His mast was breaking. So he closed the door to his small cabin and waited it out.

 

Reaching for his radio, he turned it on.... but there was no signal. The batteries had died. It had been awhile since he last used it since all had been calm.

 

Then, he remembered. The coast guard had warned him that trouble was ahead of him. And he had ignored it. Because of his own pride, and ignorance by trusting his own sources, he was about to enter the storm of his life, and maybe his last storm.

 

Quite a story, you may think. But this can be a true life story of our lives if we don't heed the warnings of others. The Bible tells us in Matthew 24 of things to come in the last days. What people will be like, what the world will be experiencing, and what storms will be brewing. Some people will be scoffers of this as their sources proclaim peace and love. All is well. They don't want to concern themselves with preparing for very rough days in this world because it takes too much energy and frightens them. After all, their lives are going well, just the way they want it. They'll worry about those things another day. People who know the Bible and truly care for them will be warning them to be watchful. But their warnings will be ignored. To their peril.

 

How about you? Are you a follower of Jesus Christ and heeding the warnings in the Scriptures as to what will be going on in this world soon?  Or are you relying on the wrong sources? The Bible tells us that there are some who build their houses on sand, and others build their houses on the rock.

Jesus said, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house. Yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn't put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house. And it fell with a great crash. - Matthew 7:24-27

When the storms blow, the houses on the sand crash, but the houses on the rock stay strong. Are you building your belief system on what the world says, or are you building your life on the true Rock, Jesus Christ? Are you acknowledging the wisdom that comes from the Scriptures that reveals the true "weather forecast" of the days ahead?

 

God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) He doesn't want anyone to perish. That's why He gave us His Word in the Bible to prepare us.

 

We still have the time to prepare. And how do we make sure we are? By placing our trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He is the rock that nothing can destroy. Someday, when we least expect it, will be the storm of storms. Sudden destruction will come upon those who choose their own ways. The storm that is talked about in the Bible. While there is time, make sure you have your house built on the rock... the Rock of Jesus. When we find ourselves surrounded by storms, inside there will be the peace that comes from Jesus.

Are you prepared?

 



How Long Are You Willing To Wait?

We are in the midst of a rapture and end times frenzy. What do I mean by that? If you check the You Tube videos relating to the rapture, end times prophecies, the Jewish Feasts, Blood Moons, or videos made by Jonathan Cahn, Mark Biltz, Perry Stone, John Hagee, and others, you will find all sorts of information on what we can expect in the end days, or in other words, the end of the church age as Christians call it. The Bible itself tells us a lot about what will happen, and Bible scholars who have intensely studied this topic of eschatology, are sharing with the viewers information so we can be prepared.

 

As a result, many Christians have been gearing themselves up for the rapture to occur soon. They sense they are in the season, as crazy world events indicate that the birth pains that Jesus described would happen, are indeed happening. Here it is September 2015, and there has never been so many prophetic events planned for this month! It is amazing, and like Jonathan Cahn calls it, 'a perfect storm'. Today as I write, September 14, 2015, is the Jewish New Year, or the Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah. The blowing of the shofar, which has historically been done at this fall Jewish feast, is a foreshadow of the rapture of the church, as some believe. I Thessalonians 4:15-17 tells us that when the trumpet, or shofar is blown, the dead in Christ will be raised, and those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior will join them in the sky, to receive their glorified bodies and be with Jesus. Does this mean today or tonight we may be raptured?

 

What will happen if we aren't? What will happen if 2016 happens and we're still here? Does this mean these so called prophets aren't really prophets at all, but false prophets to mislead the people? What are we to think about all of this?

 

Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:36 that of the day or hour of His return no one knows, not even the angels. But only the heavenly Father knows. He didn't even know. When He does return for the Saints, or the Church, He will return as a Bridegroom coming for His bride, a pure and spotless bride. A typical Jewish wedding happened when the bride would be ready and waiting for her groom to come and get her. She did not know when the marriage would take place, and he didn't either. But the groom's father did, and when everything was ready, the father would tell his son to go get his bride.

 

Remember the story of the ten virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom to come and get them? In Matthew 25, we read that it was a dark time (midnight) and they had lamps. Five of them were wise and kept enough oil with them to light their lamps, but the other five were foolish and didn't keep enough oil with them. It took a long time for the bridegroom to come, and they were tired of waiting and fell asleep. Suddenly, a cry was heard, an announcement that the bridegroom was coming. They all got up to trim their lamps. The foolish girls ran out of oil, and had to go out to buy more. While they were away, the bridegroom came, and took the five wise girls with him. When the foolish girls returned, they learned the door had been shut and they weren't allowed to go in. Verse 13 in this chapter tells us, "Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour, in which the Son of Man is coming."

 

What does this mean to you, as a Christian? The oil represents the Holy Spirit. And while we wait for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to come for us, we need to make sure we are filled with the Holy Spirit, to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to make Him our first priority. We need to maintain an intimate relationship with Him, and grow in our faith.

 

Even if He doesn't come today, or tomorrow, or next week, or even next month, we need to draw close to Him, abiding in His love, and making sure we are ready. There is nothing that needs to be fulfilled before the rapture occurs, so it is imminent.

 

So, how long are you willing to wait?

 



 

  

A Christian In Jail in America?

This week, we have learned that a town clerk refused to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple because it violated her religious beliefs. As a result, she is now in jail. She isn't a criminal. She isn't dangerous to society. She is a Christian woman, exercising her faith. And we have already heard that there are a few Christian bakeries who have been sued so heavily over not wanting to bake cakes for same-sex weddings for the same reason, that they are now forced out of business. It used to be that in America, people had a right to worship where they want, how they want, without punishment or limitations. And that included having the freedom to refuse to do certain things that violated their beliefs.

 

Is this fair? After all, surgeons are allowed to refuse to abort babies without penalties. Will women sue their doctors for refusing to perform abortions? Where is this issue of the freedom of committing to one's own beliefs leading us in our society? Why is it that the law of the land now insists that one belief system can impose itself on other belief systems? It is interesting to note that Muslims are against the practice of homosexuality, but aren't dealing with these issues as Christians are.

 

It's all in the Bible. Jesus said that in the last days there will be a form of lawlessness. Wrong will become right. People will turn against each other for their faith in Jesus Christ. Many may be imprisoned, or even killed, as we've already seen happening with the movement of ISIS. Up until now, we haven't really seen these things happen here in America to the magnitude that it is in the Middle East and Europe. But it is coming.

 

Christians over there are being persecuted, and their faith is made strong. Here, Christians are soft and lazy because we haven't had to endure resistance to the practice of our faith. Too many people believe that following Christ is cozy and comfortable. How very wrong we are!

 

God calls His true followers to stand strong for their faith in Jesus Christ. Even if it means losing their freedoms here, being imprisoned, and/or being killed. The time is coming when our faith will be tested.

 

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful

trial you are suffering, as though something

strange were happening to you.

But rejoice that you participated in

the sufferings of Christ,

so you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

If you are insulted because of the Name of Christ,

you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory

and of God rests on you.

If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief

or any other kind of criminal,

or even as a meddler.

However, if you suffer as a Christian,

do not be ashamed,

but praise God that you bear that name.

For it is time for judgment

to begin with the family of God,

and if it begins with us,

what will be the outcome for those

who do not obey the gospel of God?

And, if it is hard for the righteous to be saved,

what will become of the ungodly and sinner?

So then, those who suffer according to God's will

should commit themselves

to their faithful Creator

and continue to do good.

- 1 Peter 4:12-19

 

 

If you declare yourself to be a follower of Jesus Christ, you can guarantee you will have troubles. But Jesus has overcome them with His death on the cross and the power of His resurrection. If and when the time comes when you will need to defend your faith, the Holy Spirit will be with you, instructing you what to say.

 

Jesus is coming soon. In fact, He is at the threshold to welcome His pure and spotless Bride.

 



 

What's Happening in September 2015.... Anyone Know?

We are surely living in an unprecedented time. Never before has there been such a frenzy over the Biblical end time prophecies. Mark Biltz and Jonathan Cahn, who were unknown men before, are now household names with their books showing up on most bookstore shelves. Blood Moons. Market crashes. Nuclear wars. Harbingers. Shemitahs.  What on earth is going on?

 

The Bible has a lot to say about what will happen in the last days. For some, this information is difficult to understand, so many people don't bother to study it. A lot of clergy don't want to preach on it for fear of provoking fear in their churches. People want to put their heads in the sand and pretend life will go on forever as it has. Eat, drink and be merry.

 

As in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

People were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,

up to the day Noah entered the ark.

And they knew nothing about what would happen

until the flood came and took them all away.

This is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

~Matthew 24:37-39

 



How can anyone know for sure what is about to happen, and how can one prepare? First of all, each one of us needs to be sure we have Jesus Christ as our own personal Savior. Without Him as our Lord, we don't stand a chance of escaping the wrath of God that's coming. If you haven't done so, do it now. If you need help in this, click on this website's "Who Needs To Believe" link at the end of this, and there will be Bible verses to guide you. And contact a Pastor of a Bible believing church for more help.

 

Secondly, we need to be informed on the prophetic events that are coming upon us. Being educated in prophecy makes one equipped to stay focused on the important matters and to make the necessary preparations. God gives His people a heads up on things, whereas the world has no clue.

 

What is interesting today is that the events that are going on in our world are aligning themselves up with the prophecies in the Bible. These are actual proofs that we are truly living in the last days! But what is going on that we should be concerned about?

 

There is a site by Scottie Clarke that outlines how the current events, both global and astronomical, are fitting in with the Biblical end times calendar. Surprisingly, and almost overwhelmingly, is the month of September of 2015, which begins tomorrow as I write. There are so many events that will take place in the next 30 days alone, that it is difficult for my own head to absorb! Scottie has done hours of research, and has compiled this information for us so that we can make our own decisions on what to expect. At the end of this is a link of his site for you to check out.

 

Though Jesus tells us that no one knows the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father, He does tell us to be ready for His return, as it will come when we least expect it. I love the story about the 10 maidens who were waiting for their bridegroom to come. Since it was night time and darkness surrounded them, they all had lamps, but only half of them kept enough oil to keep them lit. If all of them had been prepared, then they would have gone with him when he came for them. But half of them ran out of oil, and while they went to buy some, they missed out on the bridegroom. The door stayed closed and they weren't allowed to go. So it is with all of us. We need, especially at this time, to keep looking for Jesus' return for His Bride, which is all true believers in Him. We need to keep the oil flowing, which is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Don't ever let it run out. When you least expect it, though you know it is imminent, He will come. Will you be ready?

Here is the site to be a believer in Jesus Christ:
http://whoneedshislove.com/
 

Here is Scottie Clarke's site -

 

http://www.erfministries.com/The-Epic-Alignment-of-2015.php

Scott Clarke