Category: Holidays

Christmas is coming and most of us have special plans.
Relatives are coming or we are going to visit them.
Diner plans, shopping plans, what to get for who, plans …
Plans are good, but they must not be short ranged. We must also plan for the future .. what about next year, or 2, 3 or ever 5 five years from now? …..
Consider Joseph:
Joseph had plans … pledged to a young virgin .. marriage … raise a family …train his sons in carpentry … await the coming of the Messiah. Matthew 1:18-20. Yes, he was a just man, righteous, (right with God) walking according to the Laws and Commandments, trusting in the coming of the Messiah, offering in faith the required sacrifices Leviticus 4:27-35. Things were going good for Joseph.
A beautiful young virgin was soon to be his wife and a life of obedience to God….
BUT then a monkey wrench … How did Joseph know about Mary’s Problem? How did he discover her secret? Luke 1:26,39,56, 2:1-5 SHE WAS WITH CHILD! Did she tell him? Perhaps a friend? Or maybe he just noticed! Plans change. ..What should he do? He considered God’s Word! (WE should always consider God’s Word). What to do … PUBLIC EXAMPLE Leviticus 20:10 – PRIVATELY Deuteronomy 24:1
BUT God had extraordinary Plans! Joseph no doubt knew Isaiah 7:14, 9:6.
He just didn’t know about his part in them. Something to remember as we travel life’s road, living for God: God only expects obedience!

God had a special way to communicate His plans to Joseph…
Through a dream an angel reminded Joseph of the prophecy Matthew 1:20-23. Joseph obeys Matthew 1:24.
Notice three things about Joseph… A just man… In the Linage of David… Obedient to God

Today, God speaks to us …
Thru His Word, Matthew 1:21-23
Thru circumstances, Matthew 1:18
Thru our feelings Matthew 1:24

AS we make plans, always remember God has plans for us.

⇛ see Mary’s Problem

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Have you ever had a serious problem? What did you do?
Worry about it or take it to God?
Mary was a young Jewish woman, a virgin who was espoused to a Jewish man named Joseph. Her future looked bright with a wedding on the horizon.
Then she was faced with a problem.
Read Luke 1:26-33
Yes, Mary faced a problem …
vs 28 An Angel’s Greeting …
vs 29 Mary considers what he wants …
vs 31 She is to bare a son …
vs 34 Can’t be, impossible, not married …
vs 37 With God, nothing is impossible …
vs 38 Mary’s response …
Notice what she didn’t do …
She didn’t worry what people would say …
She didn’t worry what her parents would say …
She wasn’t even worried about what Joseph would say …
God called, she responded … in faith!

But what about all the details?
God called … she responded, trusting God.
With God nothing is impossible.

⇛ see Joseph’s Plan

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Fathers Day, in the United States, holiday (third Sunday in June) to honour fathers. Sonora Smart Dodd, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. The first Fathers Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, the month of the birthday of Dodd’s father.
In 1924 U.S. Pres. Calvin Coolidge gave his support to the observance, and in 1966 Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation that recognized the day. It became a national holiday in 1972, when Pres. Richard Nixon signed legislation designating the third Sunday of June as Fathers Day.

There are over 850 references to Father in the Scripture and over 810 to Fathers.
Many are to God the Father.
Needless to say, all of them will not be looked at now.
However, Genesis has 3 important ones worth knowing:
A man should establish his own family.
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
They lived in Tents and herded cattle.
Genesis 4:20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
They established music.
Genesis 4:21 And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
Paul reaffirms Genesis 2:24.
Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
And then gives this advice:
Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Most of all, be a father, not a friend. Friendly, but your children need the authority of a father.

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We should remember that it is NOT Easter, but Resurrection Sunday!
Many profess to believe that the Lord Jesus rose again. But just what do they believe?
Some Questions:
1 How did the Lord Jesus rise from the dead?
2 What type of body did He rise with?
3 Where did the body go, and where is it now?
4 Just what did the resurrection prove?

1 He rose from the dead by the power of God. Our proof in in Scripture:
1 Corinthians 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
We have the testimony of many who not only saw the empty tomb, but saw Him, and touched Him. To accept the scripture as the word of God … is to accept the fact that Jesus did arise.

2 His body had to be physical. The scripture says:
Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Luke 24:42-43 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.
Paul points out the difference between the natural body and the spiritual body.
1 Corinthians 15:39-44. The natural (Flesh ad blood) cannot inherit the kingdom, the spiritual (flesh and bone) can! 1 Corinthians 15:50

3 The body of the Lord Jesus ascended into Heaven Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
And this same body is coming again to earth. He is currently seated at the right hand of God. Over 13 times the Scripture states that God exists and so does His Christ. This same Jesus bodily, will come again: Zechariah 12:10, 13:6, Revelation 1:7. Remember the Angels said “This same Jesus…”

4 What does the resurrection prove?
It proves the power of God Ephesians 1:19-20.
It proves that Jesus is the Saviour Acts 10:38-43.
It proves the righteousness of God:
Sin cannot go to Heaven – Romans 3:23
The debt must be paid but sinners cannot pay it.
A sinless one must pay the price Romans 3:21-22, 4:22-24
It proves the resurrection of all men 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Christ the first fruit. All die because of Adam.
All will be resurrected because of Christ.
The first was Christ Matthew 28:1-10
Then those who rose with Him Matthew 27:58
Then those who will go in the rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Then those who rise at His second coming Revelation 20:4-6
Then all after His 1000 year Reign Revelation 20:11-15
All who have ever lived will have an eternal body Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Some to Honor and Glory to live with Him forever.
Some to dishonor and horror, separated from Him forever.
Which will you be?

⇛ continue reading Easter Part 2

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Palm Sunday, or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem as it may be called in Orthodox Churches, is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the liturgical year. The day before Palm Sunday, Lazarus Saturday, believers often prepare palm fronds by knotting them into crosses in preparation for the procession on Sunday.

The Orthodox Church celebrates Lazarus Saturday and claim it is the day before Palm Sunday. Lazarus Saturday, celebrates the raising of Lazarus from the dead by the Lord Jesus.
BUT, John 12:1 “Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.” says it happened before that.

Matthew, Mark, Luke do not comment on Lazarus nor Palm Sunday.

John 11:1-57 records the raising Lazarus from the dead.
John 12:1-18 records what we call Palm Sunday.

Because all of Jerusalem had heard of the raising of Lazarus, and because of the Lord’s 3 years of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, His teachings, healings, casting out demons and His other miracles, they wanted to proclaim Him king.
John 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
John 12:17-18 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
But not the Jewish leaders, they plotted to kill Him.
John 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

Whether one celebrates these days is of little matter. They have NOTHING to do with salvation.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 10:9-13.

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THE RESURRECTION
1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Christ left his throne in Heaven 2 Corinthians 8:9
Born of a virgin Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:34
Lived a perfect life Luke 2:40,52
No sin could be charged to Him
Crucified unjustly Isaiah 53:10-11
Laid in a grave Matthew 27:57-60
Rose from the dead after 3 days and nights Matthew 12:40
Walked the earth 40 days Acts 1:3
Ascended into Heaven Acts 1:9
Will return as He left Acts 1:11

Resurrection of Christ is a FACT:
Paul writes 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
There were those in Corinth who denied the possibility of resurrection of dead men. Just as today many deny the possibility of a physical resurrection. Even misquoting scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:10, 9:4,5

Paul refutes these fools: 1 Corinthians 15:36-44

Because Christ rose from the dead in a new body, so also will we rise from the dead with new bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

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The Calibration of LENT is NOT found in Scripture – See Lent in the Encyclopedia. As one can see by reading about LENT, it’s a work religion.

Salvation is based on Faith in the Gospel:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And the only thing we can do is found in:
Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Gospel = Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
Confess = to admit
With thy mouth = tell others
The Lord Jesus = that He is God
Believe = to accept (as fact)
THOU SHALT BE SAVED = Going to Heaven (after death or in the Rapture).

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

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Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

52 weeks … 365.4 days … 8760 hours … 525,600 minutes … 31,536000 seconds … ONE YEAR!
Time is a gift from God!

Although God is NOT time orientated, His Word has much to say about TIME.
Some yea ago a great scientist made a very important discovery, relating to the universe and its beginning and structure. He stated that there are five basic conditions of the physical universe and these had to be in order to have an existing universe:
TIME FORCE MOTION SPACE MATTER
This was a tremendous discovery. An important basic truth, hailed as a great step forward in man’s knowledge and understanding of where he came from and where he was going.
At first it seemed like a great blow to Bible believers … What about God? Didn’t He just create it all? Didn’t He know about the five basic principles? If He did, why didn’t He tell us about them?

⇛ continue reading Time – One Year Part 2
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Honoring God for His Gift 1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Making room for Him Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Singing His Praises Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Inquiring of Him Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Accepting His Gift Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Cheerful giving 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Remembering the poor Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Sacrifice for others Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Thanks Giving 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Have a very, merry Christmas. Put Christ in your holiday.

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Isaiah 9:6 For unto us (Jews) a child is born…
When man fell God promised a redeemer(Genesis 3).
Adam and Eve understood he was to be born of a woman
(Eve thought it would be her son)
The Hebrew word for Child used here is Male
Not an angel, not a spirit, but flesh, blood and bone.
A CHILD IS BORN
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Answers all the questions, How, Why, When, What, Who:
HOW— the Lord Himself
WHY —for a sign
WHEN –the virgin shall conceive
WHAT –a son (will be born)
WHO —His name Immanuel (God with us)
Where did all this happen?
Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Isaiah 9:6 … unto us (Jews and the world) a son is given: …
He’s the Son of Man …
born after the likeness of man who was created in the image of God.
He’s the Son of God John 3:16
Consider the word GIVEN.
God gave unto us (and for us) HIS SON.
1 John 4:9-10 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
This is what Christmas is all about — Not what we give to each other, BUT what God gave to us, HIS SON. All we have to do is believe.

Thought: How foolish is a person who just admires all the decorations but doesn’t open his gifts.

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