:: To Worship Him ::

 

 

   As people around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus this time of year, we think once again on His words when He warned the people of His time not to expect Him to set up a worldly Kingdom.  He said that the Kingdom of God would be established in the hearts of people.  In this season covered by lights, trees, music, presents, candy and more food, we can truly celebrate Christmas in our hearts, which is what Christmas is truly all about.  I pray that the true Light of the world, Jesus, be in every aspect of your celebration this year.  He gave His gift on Calvary, not under the Christmas tree.  He gave so that every day of the year we can celebrate the true meaning of  “For God So Loved The World That He Gave His Only Son.” 

 

    “Joy To The World!”

 

 

  

    Responses that someone wrote to receiving a gift you don’t like.  Here are the top 10.

   Someone has just said there are ‘only 2 more days to procrastinate before Christmas.’  Well, I hope that is not the case, although many do wait until the last minute to get in to shop before the stores close.  That is very typical of some waiting until the last minute to get it right with the Lord.  That is not a good thing!  In Denver,Colorado, they have experienced a terrible snow storm and everything has been closed, even the airport flights.  It is always best to plan ahead when possible.  Many of those people waiting in the airport for flights to get home for Christmas, or Hawaii on Christmas vacation, may not make it.  One definitely must not procrastinate about their salvation.  What a blessed gift the Lord has for each of us.  Shame not to open and receive it and be grateful.

    

 

   There are far too many people that have no foundation in the Scriptures therefore their life is completely driven by the world.  The Word of God says that “we perish for lack of knowledge.”  The true knowledge is spoken by God and is recorded in our Bible.  2 Timothy 3:16 reads “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  If one is not a student of the Word they are not furnished or dressed for perfection.  They perish because of their lack of Biblical knowledge.  In our day there is little to no excuse for not knowing the Truth.  

We have an abundance of Bibles, places where the Word is taught, both on TV, radio and Internet.  The Word is certainly out there if one is serious about learning. 

 

   Bill Bright had this account in his latest letter.  Illustrates my point. 

    ’There was this Christian lady that had to do a lot of traveling for her business, so she did a lot of flying.  Flying made her nervous, so she always took her Bible along with her to read because it helped her relax.  (Taking along the Bible and reading it is a good idea in any case!)

   One time she was sitting next to a man.  When he first saw her reading her Bible, he gave a little chuckle and went back to what he was doing.  Then after awhile he could not resist saying something, so he turned to her and asked, “You don’t really believe all that stuff in there do you?”

   The lady replied, “Of course I do.  It’s the Bible.”

   He said, “Well, what about that guy who was swallowed by a whale?”

   She replied, “Oh, Jonah.  Yes, I believe that.  It’s in the Bible.”

   He asked, “Well, how do you suppose he survived all that time inside the whale?”

   The lady said, “Well, I don’t really know.  I guess when I get to heaven I will ask him.”

   “What if he isn’t in heaven?”  the man asked sarcastically.

   “Then you can ask him,” replied the lady.’

 

 

   In the Word of Faith newsletter this month is the sweetest story I have read in some time.  Hope you will enjoy it.  Its author is unknown. 

 

 

   A man named Paul received an automobile from his brother as a Christmas present.  When Paul came out of his office on Christmas Eve, a ragged-looking little boy was walking around the shiny new car as he admired it.  “Is this your car, Mister?” he asked.

   Paul nodded.  “My brother gave it to me for Christmas.”  The boy was astounded.  “You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn’t cost you nothing?  Boy, I wish…” He hesitated.

   Of course Paul knew what he was going to wish for.  He was going to wish he had a brother like that.  But what the lad said jarred Paul all the way down to his heels.

   “I wish,” the boy went on, “that I could be a brother like that.”

   Paul looked at the boy in astonishment, then impulsively, he added, “Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?”

   “Oh yes, I’d love that.”

   After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes aglow, said, “Mister, would you mind driving in front of my house?”

   Paul smiled a little.  He thought he knew what the lad wanted.  He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile.  But Paul was wrong again.  “Will you stop where those two steps are?” the boy asked.

   He ran up the steps.  Then in a little while Paul heard him coming back, but he was coming very slowly because he was carrying his little crippled brother.  He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car.

   “There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs.  His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn’t cost him a cent.  And some day I’m gonna give you one just like it.  Then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I’ve been trying to tell you about.”

   Paul got out and lifted the lad to the front seat of his car.  The older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride. 

   That Christmas Eve, Paul learned what Jesus meant when He said, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

 

 

   I love the faith of the Centurion who came to Jesus and said “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.”  (Matthew 8:8)  This is definitely faith speaking.   It also show what great humility that the Centurion possessed.  The Centurion had great prestige, authority and notoriety, yet his faith bowed to a Jewish teacher.  When great faith is involved and the need is there, names and fames pale.  Humility is also attractive.  Not puffed-up arrogant humility, but true humility is a quality to be desired.  The Centurion was not a push-over.  He recognized Jesus’ power and he was humbled.  And because of it his need was met.

 

   Ron Newhouse told the story of a bald man who decided with his wife one night to go out to dinner and have a baby sitter take care of his two children.  While they were gone, the baby sitter got interested in a television program and wasn’t watching the children very carefully.  The little boy got into his father’s electric shaver and shaved a big landing strip right down the middle of his head.  When his father came home, he was furious.  He said, “Son!  I told you never to play with my shaver.  Now you are going to get a spanking!”  Dad was just about to give his son a spanking when his son looked up at him and said, “Wait until you see sister!”  Dad was horrified.  He went into the next room and there was their little four-year-old daughter with her hair shaved off.  By this time dad was really furious.  He grabbed up his son and said, “Now you are really going to get it.”  Just as he lifted his hand his son looked up at him with tears in his eyes and said, “But Daddy!  WE WERE JUST TRYING TO LOOK LIKE YOU!”  It is doubtful that the little boy received any punishment after that statement.

 

   Wouldn’t that humble you?  The greatest compliment is that our children want to look like us.  As parents and grandparents I pray we are worthy of that.  I know that our Lord and Savior desires that as well of us.  What greater blessing than a desire to be just like Jesus, humble yet powerful.