Wednesday's Word - Presents Under the Tree

As you pass by the Christmas tree with it’s bevy of brightly colored packages adorned with ribbons and bows, there’s a one with your name on it. Do you know what’s in it? Is the suspense increasing as Christmas morning draws nigh?
As Christians, you’ve been given a special gift called Salvation. And as wonderful as it is, it’s comparable to the brightly colored package…what’s in it? What did you get when you got saved? Well, I’m glad you asked, so I made a list:

The Spirit of Adoption - Romans 8:15
The Grace of God - 1 Peter 4:10
The Holy Spirit – 1 Thessalonians 4:8
Forgiveness of sins – Acts 26:18
Joy – John 17-13
Redemption - Ephesians 1:7
Fellowship in the Gospel – Philippians 1:5
Sainthood – Colossians 1:12
Ministry of Reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 5:18
New Birth 1 Peter 1:23
Heavenly Citizenship - Philippians 3:20 (NIV)
Heirs with Christ – Romans 8:17
Direct Access through Prayer – James 5:16
Eternal Security – Romans 8:39
Not, last nor least…. the present of the Presence to come

1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

I made this list, but didn’t check it twice (haa….haa….) so feel free to respond with your own additions to the list.

Lest we forget that these presents were purchased at great cost, here’s the word:
Galatians 3:13
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:


Have a Joyous Jesus’ Birthday,
Cros

Wednesday's Word - Christmas Lights

Hello All,
Okay, so we’re driving home from church Sunday evening when the glimmer of an entire neighborhood of Christmas’ lights compelled us to make a U-turn and investigate. We got into the “oooing and aahhhing” that elaborate displays of Christmas lights always tends to produce. I think its great that people enjoy the outward adorning of their homes with lights (and what not) to show their ‘festive-ness’ for the Christmas season. And it’s only natural to figure, the more lights, the more festive the people who reside there.
Here’s the Word:

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin

1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

I know that this may be a bit of a stretch but when we reside or ‘abide’ in the Father, we should be all lit up. Is the Spirit from the Father of Lights noticeable in us? or are we artificially aglow for the Season, and when January comes, the Christmas lights come down. As Christians we should prove where we abide, evidenced by our year-round Lights.

Wednesday's Word - The Gift That Keeps on Giving‏

Hello All,
It’s almost funny how the ‘Gift giving’ season can have us up before the break of dawn, fighting the ferocious masses of bargain hunters, robbing ourselves of precious sleep, spending money that we know overextends us (even if just a little bit), all for the joy of giving a special somethinge to that special someone. But it’s worth it right? Do we ever trouble ourselves to this degree to be forgiving? Here’s a test; think of that person who gave you the hardest time in the area of forgiveness. You may probably, even to this day, have a hard time forgiving them. Now, picture yourself as a waiter in a restaurant and in comes this person and their family laughing and enjoying a good time. Can you serve them in a way that would make God proud to call you a ‘good and faithful servant’? (without getting an ulcer of course)

Here’s the word:

Matthew 6:14 - 15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Forgiveness is not an easy thing. The heart throws up a myriad of pre-qualifications or special circumstances to try and make exempt us from full pardoning. But in simplicity, forgiveness frees us to be more of a blessing. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Isn’t it worth it?

Have a Joyous Jesus' Birthday,

Cros

Wednesday's Word - Abandoning Traditions

Hello All,
As we are in full swing of the holidays, we've pulled down the various boxes and unpacked our familiar traditions that clothe this season in a kind of pine-scented nostalgia: Warm remembrances of special holidays gone by. What could be wrong with that?
It's easy to see the stark contrast of our 'GOOD' traditions when compared to the abandoning of such traditions by the world. They refuse to say 'Merry Christmas', Christmas trees are now 'holiday' trees, although you won't see them at all in some places. Do we ever compare our traditions to the Word of God?
Here's the Word:
1 Peter 1: 18 – 19
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

As we witness the progressive callousing of our nation, we see year after year, they continue to 'up the ante'. I say we accept the challenge. Abandon our empty 'vain' traditions for traditions aligned with truth. We don't have to stop saying "Merry Christmas", but I think I'll add an alternative.

Have a Joyous Jesus' Birthday.