God’s Christmas Gift

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 9:6unto 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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Time is at Hand

“The Time is at Hand”, this phrase is used twice in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Once in the beginning: Revelation 1:3 and again at the end Revelation 22:10. Like a set of parentheses.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
A few things to consider concerning this passage:
This book is a revelation (revealing) of Christ
It’s to show us things which must come to pass.
John, the writer, was to write of all the things he saw.
The person who reads, hears and keeps these things written will be blessed.
“FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND”.
Time (according to Webster) a measure of duration, a system for identifying a moment. Our system includes words such as: millennium, century, score, decade, year, month, fortnight, week, day, hour, minute, second, millisecond, nano second, half-a-second, split second. No matter how we define time, how we categorize it, use it or misuse it, WE CANNOT STOP IT.

It does seem that the older one gets the faster time flies, but this is not true.
There are still 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week …
The Bible teaches us that everyone must give an account of our time here on earth, and one day we will hear: “For the time is at hand”.

Every year at the end of December, we are faced with a New Year, and it’s time to evaluate what WAS accomplished this past year, as “the time is at hand”. How we evaluate our past year depends on our standards. Some time in January you will receive a form in the mail, a form that wants you to evaluate your year in terms of money. That’s right, INCOME TAX TIME. The time is at hand to evaluate what we’ve accomplished dollar wise thru out the year so we can support our Federal Government by paying taxes. And depending on the State you live in, it will also want a report so it can collect it’s share.

We are also to take this time to take stock of what’s happened in our lives over the past year. If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit our short comings. RESULT: many will make resolutions, hopefully for the best. The resolves will be to quit doing such and such, saying this or that, going here or there, being this or that, etc. The effort is to change the outside in hopes it will change our feelings inside.

“For the time is at hand”.

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Time – A Radio Message

This was a series of 5-minute radio Messages delivered a long time ago, but still applies for today.

HAPPY NEW YEAR …
Today the new year has already begun, in fact it’s the 3rd day and there are only 362 ½ days left … 8,703 hours … 522,180 minutes … 31,330,800 seconds ….
TIME SURE DOES FLY!
How much TIME do you give to God?
1 hour a week only comes to 52 hours a year, that’s only 2.1 days a year.
3 hours a week, only 6 1/3 days a year.
4 hours a week, only 8 ½ days a year.
How much TIME do you give to God?
We can’t say that WE’LL GIVE TOMORROW TO God, because tomorrow never comes, yesterday is past. All we have is TODAY.
Let me share some thoughts of how we can use TODAY.
TODAY IS HERE 2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
How much TIME do you give to God?

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Tis the Season

Christmas Season is here. Tis the Season to be Jolly! Good Will, Peace on Earth to all men!
For most of the people this peace, good will, time to be jolly comes STRAIGHT FROM THE BOTTLE.

During two to three weeks during this season, hundreds of people will die, simply due to Drinking.
Thousands of others will be crippled, maimed, seriously injured.
WHY? Because someone thought the way to be happy was to get soused … drunk … blasted!

As many will visit family and friends during the holidays, many (most) will be offered a drink (alcohol).
Just to be sociable … many will accept it …. Just to be sociable …
Well, what does one little drink hurt?
Intoxicating drink is the devil’s best friend.
If you are a Christian, that one little drink will at best ruin your testimony for the Lord and bring reproach on His name. At worst it can turn you into an alcoholic … “Oh pooh” says you. I DEFY YOU to show me an acholic who never drank and all of them will say “it was just one little drink”.

Now, let’s see what the Bible says about drinking:
Wine, in the scripture was (if alcoholic) a natural fermentation ….
Alcohol, hard booze, wasn’t invented until 1790 (after Bible Printed)
The Bible records the sins of men, and drink is one of those sins:
It never condones Sin.

Deuteronomy 21:20 Punishable by death (under the Law)
Proverbs 20:21 Makes FOOLS of men
Proverbs 23:20-21 Rewards for drinking … Poverty
Proverbs 23:29-35 More results of drunkenness
Proverbs 31:4-5 Not for kings (righteous)
Proverbs 31:6-7 Only for those without hope

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Thanksgiving

WHO SHOULD GIVE THANKS?
The upright … Psalm 33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
All who love the Lord … Psalm 22:23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
Poor and needy … Psalm 74:21 O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
WHEN TO GIVE THANKS:
Often … Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
When entering HIS presence … Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Before meals … Acts 27:35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
Before eating anything … 1 Timothy 4:4-5 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
WHAT TO GIVE THANKS FOR:
His deeds … Psalm 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
His mercy … Psalm 106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
His goodness … Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
His kindness … Psalm 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD
Revealing His word to us … Daniel 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.
His unspeakable Gift … 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
All HIS benefits … Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
Using me in HIS Service … 1 Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
For each other … 1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
All Things … 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Victory over death … 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
HOW TO GIVE THANKS:
With your mouth … Psalm 66:16-17 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
Living Faithfully … Psalm 119:7-8 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
By attending Church … Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
In unison with other believers … 2 Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD.

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Missions

Mission – Missions – Missionary

It’s interesting the terms used widely in churches are NOT found in the Scripture.

In ACTS we read about the travels of Barnabas and Paul, four different journeys, (which is how Luke and Paul refer to them).
No doubt Paul was on a “mission” to preach about the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and get gentiles to confess that the Lord Jesus was God (Romans 10:9) so that they could be saved.

So, by todays definitions Paul was a missionary. The four journeys:
Acts 13:4 1st They, Barnabas and Paul were sent forth …
Acts 15:56 2nd Let us go again…
Acts 18:23 3rd He departed Antioch …
Acts 22:1 4th … Sail into Italy …

Journey is found in: ACTS 9:3,7 10:9 22:6 26:13 ROMANS 1:10, 15:24
1 CORINTHIANS 16:6 2 CORINTHIANS 11:26 TITUS 3:13

Travel is found in: ACTS 11:19 Stephen ACTS 19:24 Paul
2 CORINTHIANS 8:19 Paul

Even though the terms are not in Scripture, we as believers must be on a mission to support (and/or go) missions and missionaries.

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Priest


Priest(s)(hood) appears in the Old Testament 689 times.
And except for 6 references in Genesis 14:18, 41:45,50, 46:20, 47:22,26 and 3 in Exodus 2:16, 3:1, 18:1, they mostly refer to Jewish Leaders in the Tabernacle or Temple who offered animal sacrifices for the people.
In the New Testament 157 times. In the Gospels 93 times. In Acts 25 times. In Hebrews 34 times. Always referring to Jewish religious leaders in the Temple. Since the fall of the Temple in 70 AD, Religious Jewish leaders are referred to as Rabbis. (The priests were the ones who offered animal sacrifices in the Temple. That practiced ceased, but will start up again when the Temple is rebuilt).

In the early Jewish Church, in Acts, (Believers in the Lord Jesus as the Messiah) the leaders were referred to as Apostles, Deacons, Elders, Evangelist, Prophets ……

As Paul took the Gospel to the Gentiles and formed churches, the leaders were referred to as Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Preachers, Evangelist See CHURCH LEADERS ….. (Note: Priest(s) is never referenced by Paul in instructions to the Churches)

Some groups even refer to their leaders as “FATHER”. Look what the Lord Jesus says about that: Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Peter writing to Jews (strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, because of the persecutions of Saul and other Jewish Leaders) reminds them of Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:. (1 Peter 2:5,9) This will occur when the Temple is rebuilt. John, writing in Revelation about the coming Tribulation also refers to this priesthood (Revelation 1:6). And again, in Revelation 5:10. Then when the kingdom is established on earth, with Christ ruling from Jerusalem for 1000 years, John writes (Revelation 20:6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
This is all to the Jews, during that time.

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Halloween


Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31,. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.

Brought into the Church (Catholic) and called All Saints Day. It was done trying to bring the Celts into the Church. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, mostly in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

As you can see this HOLIDAY has NOTHING to do with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus (the gospel) and getting saved (Romans 10:9).

To participate it as a fun day or not, remember what Paul wrote to the Romans:
Romans 14:1-12 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.


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Tithe

It is interesting in many churches we hear about paying our Tithe. Some even bill their members. Now looking into the Scripture, we find only 32 references to the Tithe. All the references are under the Law. The first being in Leviticus (under the Law the Moses got from God, for the National of Israel).
Leviticus 27:30-32, Numbers 18:26, Deuteronomy 12:17,14:22-28,
2 Chronicles 31:5-6, Nehemiah 10:38,13:12, Amos 4:4 and Malachi 3:8-10
There are only 7 references in the Gospels:
Matthew 23:23 (Luke 11:42) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Hebrews 7:59
All of these references are to the Jew, under the Law of Moses, even the words of the Lord Jesus.
Tithe: to pay a tenth part
If you read all the references in the Old Testament above, consider the following:
What about your income, Gross amount or Net? Government rebates?
Sale of a house, a car, a yard sale, any personal property?
Do you owe a tithe on all the Christmas gifts you received?
How about birthday presents?
You take a friend for a long drive, then they insist paying for the gas, do you pay a tithe?
Friends take you out for a meal, and pay for it, do you owe a tithe?
You get an inheritance because parents (or grandparents) die, the house, car(s), clothes, dishes, etc., everything within the house, do you owe a tithe on everything?
Be sure to read the above scriptures to understand what the Law actually requires.

What does the Apostle to the Gentiles (Paul) instruct the Churches?
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
2 Corinthians 9:5-8 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

The Tithe is NOT mandatory for the believer today. Asaph wrote Psalm 50 about the mighty God and his relationship to Him. It applies to believers today. God does not NEED our money. But our offerings show our need for Him.
It takes money to build a church building. It takes money to keep it running and in good repair. It takes money to spread the Word of Salvation and encourage believers in the word of God. We show our love of what God has done for us.

Reread 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.

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Children’s Day

the first Sunday in June

Children’s Day dates back to the 1860s or even earlier when Children’s Day was first celebrated in America. In 2000, President Bill Clinton declared October 8th to be celebrated as Children’s Day thereafter. But in 2001, President George W. Bush announced June 3rd as National Child’s Day and the commemoration of this day on the first Sunday in June every year. In researching this, it is very confusing. Isn’t Christmas children’s day? What about Easter? And their Birthday? Seems we have a lot of days that are Children’s Day! Do we really need a National Children’s Day?
Yes, we should cherish and love our children. See what the Scripture says:
Psalm 127:3-4 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Psalm 128:3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
This even includes grand children:
Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
And we should instruct them:
Psalm 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Proverbs 5:7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Proverbs 7:24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 8:32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
When father and mother cherish, love and instruct their children:
Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.
Proverbs 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

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