Here is a good Christmas verse that I have been thinking about the last couple of days.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning." James 1:17
I know I have let far to many Christmases come and go with out really meditating on that good and perfect gift. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus Christ is the only reason we have Christmas. What an awesome holiday it is when we really take time to meditate on what it means to us as Christians!
Let's not let another Christmas go by without acknowledging, thanking, meditating on and loving the giver of the gift.
Have a truly Merry CHRISTmas.
Vanessa and I are sending out Christmas Cards tonight so I thought I would let all of you have one too. Here it is.
Christianity is becoming muddled, truth is slowly slipping away and the culprit is closer than you might want to admit.
In my neck of the woods this is especially the case. Liberalism is in vogue. And apparently so is ignorance (ouch). The philosophy of the anti-Christ is seeping into our society and more alarmingly, right into the church. Truth has been taken for granted and we are seeing the consequences.
What’s the cure? Paul nailed it.
“When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that your faith might not be based on men's wisdom but on God's power.” I Corinthians 2:1-5
Sometimes I think we want people’s faith to be based on our wisdom. We want them to follow us. We think we are so special. We think we have something we can offer humanity.
Brothers, Sisters, we have nothing. Christ is all. In having nothing we gain everything. The power of the Cross! The truth teaching power, the bondage breaking power, and the soul saving power! Preach that. Live that. That’s the challenge.
I am finally blogging for the first time since we moved to Maine. I will write again soon with some updates. Things are going well here and God has been very good. Things have proven challenging and rewarding. Thank you all for your prayers.
“He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7b
That phrase alone ought to bring envy to every unbeliever and warm comfort to every recipient of Grace. Those words ought to be written on a piece of paper and be placed in every pocket, memorized in every heart, and every life ought to be lived under this principle. “He cares for you.”
Do you know that there is a difference between A myth and a truth?
A myth can be appreciated but not trusted. A myth can be hoped in, but not leaned on, and a myth can be believed but not proven.
A truth can be believed and lived because it is trusted, it can be leaned on and it has been proven. A biblical truth, like, “He cares for you,” can be believed on because it’s foundation is the rock of ages.
As the first part of the verse emphasizes, It’s great to know we can cast all of our care, all of our burdens and worry’s on him, yes, But The essence of it all is that He cares for you, for me. That puts some meat behind the invitation, doesn’t it? Cast all your care… Why? He cares for you!
The word “cares” here is all encompassing. It means he did care, he does care, and he will continue to care.
Do you want to know how much he cares for his own? Do you need proof? Are you not willing to really cast all your care because you’ve been let down to many times? Do you want to know how much he cares?
Look at the cross! That’s how much he cares for you. The cross is the reason we can cast all our cares, no matter the time, and no matter the weight of the burden.
So today, Cast ALL your care to Jesus with the assurance that he cares for you
You know it, now live in light of the truth. That’s the challenge.
A Poem by John Newton
Once on a time a paper kite Was mounted to a wondrous height,
Where, giddy with its elevation, It thus express'd self-admiration:
"See how yon crowds of gazing people Admire my flight above the steeple;
How would they wonder if they knew All that a kite like me can do!
Were I but free, I'd take a flight, And pierce the clouds beyond their sight,
But, ah! like a poor pris'ner bound, My string confines me near the ground;
I'd brave the eagle's towring wing, Might I but fly without a string."
It tugg'd and pull'd, while thus it spoke, To break the string--at last it broke.
Depriv'd at once of all its stay, In vain it try'd to soar away;
Unable its own weight to bear, It flutter'd downward through the air;
Unable its own course to guide, The winds soon plung'd it in the tide.
Ah! foolish kite, thou hadst no wing, How could'st thou fly without a string!
My heart reply'd, "O Lord, I see How much this kite resembles me!
Forgetful that by thee I stand, Impatient of thy ruling hand;
How oft I've wish'd to break the lines Thy wisdom for my lot assigns?
How oft indulg'd a vain desire For something more, or something high'r?
And, but for grace and love divine, A fall thus dreadful had been mine."