What is Christmas?

Think about that question.  What might your answer be?  For some people, Christmas is giving and receiving gifts.  For others, it is the bright colored lights, beautifully decorated trees, and the joyful sounds of the season.  Still others would explain Christmas as family get-togethers, laughter, and lots of great food.  Some might even say that Christmas is church programs and Jesus in a manger.  All of these are part of Christmas; however, Christmas is much more than that.

Christmas is explained in God’s Word when it says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11).  Do you see it?  Christmas is the gift of salvation that comes to us through the person of Jesus Christ, all because of God’s wonderful grace.  The angels announced the coming of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem.  However, the announcement recorded in John 3:16 reminds us that Jesus was God’s love-gift to us.  It says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Aren’t you glad that God, by His mercy and grace, is a giving God?  Aren’t you glad that He gave His only Son as a love-gift so that you and I might receive salvation by personal faith in Christ? “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  God’s love gift is significant, but we need to make it ours.  How?  Simple.  Look at the instruction to us, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

The gift of Jesus is ours by believing in Him.  Don’t let Christmas pass and enter the New Year without experiencing God’s wonderful grace—Jesus Christ.  To know Him is life eternal.

Christmas is explained in God’s Word when it says, “For the grace of god that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11).  Do you see it?  Christmas is the gift of salvation that comes to us through the person of Jesus Christ, all because of God’s wonderful grace.  The angels announced the coming of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem.  However, the announcement recorded in John 3:16 reminds us that Jesus was God’s love-gift to us.  It says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Aren’t you glad that God, by His mercy and grace, is a giving God?  Aren’t you glad that He gave His only Son as a love-gift so that you and I might receive salvation by personal faith in Christ? “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  God’s love gift is significant, but we need to make it ours.  How?  Simple.  Look at the instruction to us, “Yet to all who receved him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

The gift of Jesus is ours by believing in Him.  Don’t let Christmas pass and enter the New Year without experiencing God’s wonderful grace—Jesus Christ.  To know Him is life eternal.

Refections Based on the Actions of Columbus

Columbus Day honors the first voyage of Christopher Columbus to America in 1492.  Columbus had a dream of becoming a sea captain.  He took education seriously and learned as much as he could about everything – but particularly about the seas.  He didn’t let discouragement keep him from following his dream.  Using Columbus as an example, let’s reflect on what we might be able learn and to do from a Christian perspective.

1)    Have a dream.  The Apostle Paul’s dream of an ongoing personal relationship with the Lord could well be ours.  “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).  Does your dream include getting to know God better?

2)    Learn all you can – especially about the Bible.  Paul’s focus suggested that he knew the importance of study and learning.  “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).  Are you learning all you can about how God wants you to act and what He wants you to do?

3)    Realize that in spite of discouragement God will help.  The apostle Peter explains how to overcome discouragement.  “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:7).  Are you willing to take every difficult situation that causes you to be anxious and place it in God’s hands?

Let’s use the thoughts about Christopher Columbus as a time to turn to the Lord and His word, the Bible.

Fundamentals 101

When school begins in the fall, boys and girls are faced with the challenge of going back to the basics.  In the classroom, on the sports field, or in the music room, teachers and coaches emphasize the importance of fundamentals and they repeat those basics over and over again.  Fundamentals are also important in the Christian life.  The Apostle Peter says,“And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.  Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.  For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:19-21).

These verses tell us that God’s Word is basic for Christians.  We need the fundamentals of Scripture for Christian faith and for daily living.  Notice some specifics from these verses:

1)      We can have confidence in God’s Word.  It can be counted on in all kinds of

situations because it is “more certain.”

2)      We need to listen carefully to God’s Word.  In fact, Scripture is so important that we would “do well to pay attention to it.”

3)      God’s Word is a light for guiding us when things seem unclear.  It provides direction like “a light shinning in a dark place.”

4)      God’s Word originates with and has its source in God, Himself.  What is written in the Bible is not just “the prophet’s own interpretation” but it is “from God.”

Therefore, God Word is completely dependable.  This fall is a great time for all of us to open our Bibles and get “back to the basics.”

Growth, Celebration and Freedom

July is always a fun month.  It is the middle month of the summer – a time when we see plants, gardens and crops growing and producing.  It is a month during which we celebrate the independence of our wonderful country.  And of course, independence means that we enjoy the freedom that comes with it.  Let’s take time to personally apply growth, celebration, and freedom to us from a Biblical perspective.

Growth.  God wants us to grow in our knowledge of Him and in appreciation for what he has done for us when He says, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever!  Amen” (II Peter 3:18).

Celebration.  God wants us to be joyful and observe with celebration who He is and the good things He has done for us.  “They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness” (Psalm 145:7).

Freedom.  Real freedom is spiritual freedom and it is available to us through the Lord Jesus Christ.  “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

This summer as you view God’s creation growing and producing, as you celebrate the wonderful independence that is yours, and as you enjoy your personal freedom, I encourage you to think about these blessings and the spiritual application of them to you.

Awesome Lessons About Summer

The month of June traditionally begins the summer season, although the actual first day of summer is in mid-June.  Summer is one of the seasons of the year that is defined by the position of the earth in orbit around the sun.  In summer the northern hemisphere of the earth is tilted toward the sun resulting in longer and warmer days because of the more direct rays of sunlight.  Consider this from the Bible:

1)    God created summer.  “It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter” (Psalm 74:17).
2)    Various signs in the natural world point to the coming of summer.  “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near” (Mark 13:28).
3)    As long as the earth endures there will be summer.  “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Genesis 8:22).
4)    One day there will be an end to summer.  “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).

Here are some spiritual lessons based on point #4:
1)    Summer should remind us about the urgent matters in life.  Many times we get so busy with all kinds of activity that we forget about that which gives meaning and purpose to life.

2)    There will be a time when we can no longer make spiritual decisions.  If we do not take care of the needful things in life we will soon find that it is too late to take action.  Physical life will come to an end whether we are ready for it or not.
3)    We must be diligent to take care of spiritual matters.  If we wait too long we will lose out.  Of course, the most important spiritual matter is our salvation in Christ.

As you think about “summer” and your life, here are some things to consider: Turn your life over to God.  Receive into your life Him by faith.  Tell Him that you love Him.  Repent of your sin.  Remember, the Lord is “Patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).  Make this summer a significant milepost in your life by beginning and developing your relationship with God.

Flowers and Life

Rain in the spring is instrumental in supplying unparalleled beauty for us to enjoy through the lovely plants we call flowers.  There are 20 verses in the Bible (NIV) which speak about flowers with several of these verses connecting flowers to the human lifecycle of birth, life and death.  There are parallels from the life cycle of flowers that give us insights from God’s Word that are applicable for our lives.

Birth.  Flowers spring up, they take on new life, and they begin the process of growth.  The Bible reminds us that, “The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).  It is because of God’s love that He brings us into the world.  We are creations of his endowed with tremendous potential and born into the world to start the process of physical growth.

Life.  Words used to explain this part of the cycle indicate that flowers appear, they flourish, they have buds and blossoms, they open, and glory is associated with them.  Flowers are beautiful.  Jesus reminds those with whom he is speaking that, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).  There is more to life than just living.  Jesus offers abundant life and eternal life which is available to us through the person of Jesus Christ.

Death.  We are told that the flower withers, fades, passes away, falls, and blows away.  It begins with a tiny seed that grows and blossoms.  However, it lasts for only a short time until its glory fades.  The Bible says, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).  Since our time on earth is short we are told, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Essentially, we learn from flowers that life is valuable because God created us.  Life is also meant for living abundantly because God gifted each of us with abilities to make a difference in the lives of other people.  Sometimes we don’t want to (or don’t like to) hear that life is short.  However, that is reality.  Therefore, we ought to thank God for life and be ready to spend eternity with Him.  Are you ready for eternity?  Listen to this, “And this is the testimony; God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (I John 5:11-13).

The Surprise of the Ages

Some people do not like surprises, but most people do.  A surprise suggests both the unanticipated and unexpected.  Whatever the situation the surprise usually brings a smile to the face and joy to the heart.  Jesus had been crucified on the cross and was laid in the tomb.  When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb they were given a wonderful surprise which turned out to be some very great news.  “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you” (Matthew 28:5-7).

The great surprise had a wonderful, everlasting consequence. Because Christ lives, we who believe in, trust in, and have received him, shall also live.  Earlier, when speaking with Martha, whose brother Lazarus died, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26).

The surprise of the ages turned out to the resurrection Sunday.  What a great Easter we can enjoy because of what Jesus has done for us.  He is indeed our living Savior.  No wonder the songwriter could write words and music that expressed the fact that “He Lives” (Alfred Henry Ackley, 1933).

Good Friday

Good Friday is a day that is used to help Christians around the world remember the crucifixion of Christ.  The name "Good Friday" is generally believed to be a corruption of the real name “God’s Friday.”  On Good Friday, churches all across our nation hold special services of worship to help Christians remember the great sacrifice that Christ paid when He died on the cross for us.  I trust that you will spend some time before (or on) Good Friday reflecting on this significant event in the life of our Lord, in the life of the church, and in your life.

The crucifixion of Christ was a painful and terrible death – but it was extremely important that He died.  Why?  Peter reminds us, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (I Peter 3:18).  And the writer of Hebrews adds to that by reminding us that, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22).

Without the death of Christ we would never be brought into a right relationship with God or have our sins forgiven.  As we meditate on the things that happened to Christ during Passion Week (the time from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday), let’s thank God for His great love for us.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Love and Worship

Because of Valentine’s Day most people think about “love” during the month of February.  It is interesting that the word “love” has a synonym for it and that word is "worship".  Here's what God’s Word says about the connection of love and worship.  In the Old Testament the prophet Isaiah said, “Foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to your covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer” (Isaiah 56:6-7).

All people are acceptable to God.  Their acceptance is based on service, love and worship of the Lord, respect for the Sabbath, and adherence to the teachings of God’s Word.  Among other things this suggests that if we are to worship God we must also love Him.  Jesus reminded his hearers that the greatest commandment was to: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39).

All of these verses seem to imply that love is crucial and when it is directed towards God worship should also be included.  A suggestion or challenge for you and me during the month of February is to take time to evaluate our lives and action.  Do we love both people and God?  You might ask yourself, “What have I done to show my love for others?  What have I done to express my love for God?”  You might also ask, “Has my love for God included worship?”  Maybe when we worship God, whether in the privacy of our own home or in a gathered assembly, our thoughts should be focused on both love and worship.

The Gift that Keeps Giving

After December 25th our focus on the Christmas season is over.  Christmas lights are turned off, decorations are put away, Christmas carols no longer fill the air waves, and Christmas cards become a memory of
the past.  However, the opposite is true of the Biblical story of Christmas because God’s gift is continually available to us.  The gift of eternal life that God offers us through His Son, Jesus Christ is just the beginning.  Listen to these verses that reveal that this gift is for us today.

• “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

• “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14).
• “But when the kindness and love of God our savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, who he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).

Have you personally received the gift that God so graciously offers?  It can be yours.  “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36).  Why not continue into the New Year with God’s wonderful gift of Christmas in your heart?