He came to dwell among us... the child of promise, the man of hope... Our Savior!

Each year as we enjoy the Christmas season and the hopes of a new year, it is good for us to reflect on the uniqueness of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  As believers in the authority and inspiration of the Bible we share the hope and conviction that the return of Christ is not only promised, but that those momentous events described in Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapters 6 to18 cannot be far away. 

The world, for the most part, however, does not hold such belief or expectation. The world celebrates Christmas without Christ and this grows more blatantly obvious as the years go by. Many today even resent the singing of carols or any sort of religious emphasis or focus during this season of the year. Some have even suggested changing the name of the season to some secular, nondescript name, thereby eliminating all reference to the birth of the Christ child. In fact, do we not now live in an age in which only one prejudice is seemingly tolerated—anti-Christian bigotry?

Today, it seems, the only group you can hold up to public mockery and verbal ridicule without legal consequences, is Christians. Attacks on the Church and Christianity are commonplace in our society. As political pundit Pat Buchanan once said, “Christian-bashing is a popular indoor sport.”

But this should not surprise us. The world view, which more and more Americans have opted to embrace,  is that of secular humanism with its hope in mankind and man made systems, not in the God-man, Christ Jesus. Ironically, the prevailing secular world view brings only despondency, disappointment, and discontent.  Our world is full of problems with no clear solutions. The nations and governments are clearly unhappy with the job they themselves are doing.   Try as they do, nothing really changes.  Man searches for answers and solutions, but continues to find only frustration in his feeble plans.

This has opened the door for the New Age movement and its confidence in mankind, mother earth and the powers of man.  But New Agers believe in what amounts to demonic powers; the powers that are behind all the religions of the world, the cults, and occult. The world has always had its religious leaders and false messiahs. Christ warned that in the last days many false messiahs would arise, which, as John tells us, will culminate in the emergence of the antichrist (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3) all those opposed to the authenticity of Christ.

Of the religions of the world, true Christianity is unique because it stems from the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, the greatest man who ever lived. In Jesus, we have One who has virtually changed every aspect of human life, but sadly, most people are completely oblivious to the reality of how He has so completely impacted the world. Certainly one of the great tragedies of the Christmas holidays each year is not just the commercialization of His birth, but the way it is trivialized even when people do speak of His birth and Christmas as an expression of the “spirit of giving".  How tragic it is that people have forgotten Him to whom they owe so very much.

The person, work, and life of Jesus Christ stands as irrefutable evidence against the secular world view and all the religions of the world regardless of their claims. No one else is qualified or capable to meet the needs of fallen humanity or restore that which was lost  in the tragic fall of man.  Jesus alone is able to accomplish what no one else in the universe can, and, based on His death as the Lamb and His resurrection as the Redeemer/Savior, He alone, who now reigns as King, is the source of hope and comfort in this tragic world in which we live.

As Christmas approaches may we consider the uniqueness of Christ. Let us never forget that we also need to acknowledge that His uniqueness demands our total allegiance and commitment as believers.  It demands that we rearrange our priorities and stand as luminaries in a dark and dismal world holding forth the message of the unique Christ, the God-man Savior of the World.  Jesus Himself sought to impress this mindset on His disciples when He said, “You are the salt of the earth, … You are the light of the world …” (Matt. 5:13-16).

In the person of Jesus Christ, we have one so unique that His life cannot be explained by natural processes. His person and life defy the natural. The uniqueness of Jesus Christ presents evidence, as Josh McDowell has so well said “demands a verdict,” that this Man is not only unique, but the Savior of the world.   

Remember Him everyday, and honor Him in this season of remembrance of His birth into the world He came to save.

May you have a Merry Christmas with family and friends.

The Truth will set you free...

Committed disciples of Christ must learn to rely on God’s Word for guidance in living.  Nothing of this world, none of its collective knowledge or so called wisdom is sufficient for establishing and sustaining our relationship with God.  Only the Bible His Truth, provides the road map for following Christ.  God’s Word equips and empowers us to truly take up our cross and follow Christ.  

There are many Christian denominations today that pitch a cheap grace... that preach all you have to do is believe and you will be saved, nothing else is required.  God’s plan of salvation is not cheap, acceptance comes with personal commitment followed by a willingness to sacrifice everything for a relationship with Jesus.  Simply believing is not enough. 

God’s Holy Word, the Bible is our road map, our blueprint for living as a devoted and passionate Christian.  Living as God requires,

immersed in His Truth, might not always be glamorous.  It fact, you will experience periods of your life in Christ that are mundane and boring.  All I can say to that... change your attitude... realign your perspective.  Don’t resort to seeking out things wrapped in the name of Christianity that may seem inspirational and exciting but are contrary to the teachings of truth.  

Never look back once you become a Christian.  Look first upward for guidance and downward for your path forward.  Do not sacrifice the things God has provided to strengthen and protect you.  Be in fellowship at every opportunity.  Like minded believers are our greatest asset in our journey with Christ.  There is power in the body of Christ.  Together, all Christians can strengthen one another for a life in Christ that brings honor to our God.

The apostle Paul understood what it meant to be a disciple of Christ.  Galatians 2:20 says... "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

So let us never forget that the cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ can be difficult but in the end it is worth it all.   

...and keep you free!  

If YOU abide in My Word...

Being a true and passionate follower of Jesus holds the promise of eternal life.  Something so magnanimous has a cost.  As Christians, we need to understand the cost that comes with following Christ.   Cost is always grounded in absolute truth.

Following Jesus is not to be taken lightly or trivialized.  Think about what you are doing in your Christian walk and realize that following after Christ comes at a cost.  We must be willing to put God and His truth first... no matter what the sacrifices or consequences may be in our lives.  What does that mean... first?

Maybe the very best answer to that question is summarized in Matthew 16:24... "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  ²⁵ "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  ²⁶ "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

There are many so called Christians who have not really considered the cost of following Jesus. Most are only going through the motions of Christianity.  They react to emotionalism and self-serving beliefs found in the Charismatic movement, because they believe God surely must be with such groups because of the miraculous powers they believe they’re witnessing.  It’s not about truth, its about what they want... what will make them happy.  

Taking up the cross of Christ requires, trust, faith, perseverance and commitment to the truth of the Bible.  The road ahead of any Christian is fraught with many distractions.  Many of our Lord’s’ early disciples were willing to follow Him as long as things were going smoothly, but as soon as they couldn’t understand what he was saying or felt challenged by truth and reality, they simply left Him.

That is exactly what many Christians are doing today.  They will follow God’s Word until something happens in their life that makes it to hard for them to follow God’s Word.  It’s usually a “truth” they can’t accept.   Then they turn away from God, because the road ahead conflicts with their own desires... the things of this world.

Living Christian is not an easy life.  The journey with Christ is not an easy road.  Prepare yourself.  Discipline and focus you mind, as Peter did,  on one powerful undeniable reality... that Jesus has “words of eternal life” and no matter what disappointments may come from this life, we must hold fast to “those words” and follow Christ faithfully.

 Jesus himself said in John 8:31 says... If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  ³² "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

There’s Great Power in Your Being... Use it!

There is uncommon power available to us through God, The Holy Spirit.  Uncommon faith is believing that we can receive strength when we are weak and that we can be instruments of that strength when those around us are being consumed by the the ungodly world.  

If you are a Christian, you are stronger than you think you are.  You just need to start tapping into the spiritual strength that God wants to give you!

Christians should live day-by-day, one day at a time, in God’s strength.  But often they turn their focus from living in His strength, to living in the world’s strength.   Often, unwittingly, they allow the enemy to build a fortress, a stronghold in their lives that can overpower their focus on the things of God. 

No one can live the Christian life in his own strength. Yet so many people try to do just that. They know God has saved them, but in living, they believe a life that pleases Him is possible only through their efforts. They are unwilling to give up the things of the world that hold them captive.  

Each day is a battle.  Treat each day like you are in a fight for the security of your eternal soul.  Satan wants to destroy you, but God wants you to want to let Him help you live a victorious life in Christ.

Each and every day, we should commit ourselves to God and ask Him to live through us that day. That will take a lot of work.  A lot of prayer and intense focus on the goodness, purity and holiness of God.  We will still experience temptation and adversity.  But you will grow in dependence on His power, knowing that He walks with you.  We do not have to face the things of this world in our own strength.  

Who is in charge of your life—you or Jesus Christ?  Do you have strongholds that control you, that must be ripped apart? If you are wise, you will allow the Son of God to direct you each and every day. Let Him give you guidance, direction, and power to make godly choices. Does that mean you will escape all problems, heartaches, and burdens? Not a chance. Nor does it mean that you will never sin again. But you won’t have to struggle on your own. Instead, you can walk in the power of the living God—and that is life at its very best.

Living Well and Prospering in the Lord...

The knowledge of the world and the knowledge of God are so different.  The knowledge of the world is alluring, deceptive, incomplete.  The knowledge of God is true and pure and leads to a life well lived.  Which foundation do you want to build your life on?

The strong in this world are temporarily glorified by submitting to the ungodly influences of its ruler, Satan. But the truth of God is seen through giving power to the weak for dynamic Christian living. God does it by transforming, renewing and increasing the strength of those who take refuge in Him. Where the world forces you down and entraps you in bondage, God lifts up, frees and rebuilds you.  Eternity hangs in the balance – between a life lived fully in Christ and one that mingles with the ways of the world bringing only fear and frustration.

Faith is the foundation of our lives and it’s what strengthens us.  But living the Christina life is not an easy journey.  It can be very hard. It’s fraught with peril and pitfalls.   Our old, sinful nature continually battles against the Spirit, causing us to fall into sin. (Gal 5:17)  Remember, Satan doesn’t want you to be victorious in Christ.

We build the foundation of our lives with a host of flawed ideas and attitudes.  We try and blend them with our Christian values... but that’s like oil and water... they don’t mix.  Strongholds and fortresses grow in our lives that hold us back and blunt our desire to be “all in” in serving the Lord and living up to His standards.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)  The Christian life isn’t something only to be professed, it’s also something to be lived.  Lived the right way to please God. True faith, is more than holding theological knowledge – it’s living what you know.  It produces works of love, it purifies the heart, and overcomes the knowledge and influences of the world.

What you know of God, is more than just belief.  What you know should affect how you live.  Knowing God, the things of God, His wisdom are not ideas to be casually or selectively embraced.  His Truth is to be the total foundation for all you are and how you live.  

God’s Word is “living and powerful”, a “light to our path”, and is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness.” (Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16)

As we contemplate the Christmas season... the birth of Jesus, let us think about the life we are living and how to improve and enrich our relationship with Almighty God.  No matter who you are or what you have done, God is always there, near you, ready to embrace you more fully if you simply “let go of yourself” and let me rule as King of your heart... your life.

ONE for All... All for ONE

...yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6

The  purpose of missions originates and culminates with God. Reflect for a moment on the simplicity of what our Creator God has been doing since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.  His mission has always been to restore fellowship with man and make him a partner in world redemption.  In the beginning, Man took the wrong side in the cosmic conflict between God and Satan. In siding with Satan, Man delayed God’s plan to have His Will done on earth as it is in heaven.  But God refuses to be thwarted by man’s sin and the cosmic conflict with Satan. 

His mission was defined and declared in Genesis 3:15 and it reached the “end of the beginning” in fulfillment of a prophecy that ultimately ushers in the “beginning of the end.” God sent Jesus as his obedient Son-Servant-Priest to redeem man and to form a Holy Kingdom of loyal and obedient followers who would demonstrate and proclaim the good news of His Kingdom.  Jesus fulfilled all the intent of God by becoming the disciplined Son in the incarnation, the Suffering Servant and Priest to all nations by the crucifixion, and the King of heaven and earth in and by the resurrection, wherein what was once unavoidable death was forevermore defeated.  He chose twelve disciples to be the seed of his new covenant people, launched on Pentecost and the mission was born... to proclaim the gospel... the Christ... to seek and save the lost.

God knew imperfect, sinful people would be seriously challenged to accomplish His mission.  So God the Father and the Son Jesus, sent the Holy Spirit to empower, inspire, and guide those who would accept Jesus as their personal savior in the proclamation of the good news of the kingdom to every person on earth.   God has never once left His faithful people without divine help in accomplishing His purposes.  Since the founding of the Church at Pentecost, we have the power of God in the person of the Holy Spirit to guide and equip us in accomplishing His mission.

Therefore, the body of Christ begins to grow and God accomplishes his mission by multiplying disciples by the power of the Holy Spirit, drawing His own from all peoples and nations.  God provides equippers to prepare the people of God for the work of ministry.  God calls all his disciples - that is in fact every single person who calls themselves by His name, “Christian”, to the ministry of living holy lives and proclaiming the gospel.  He bestows on them spiritual gifts to enable them to serve in the world and grow and extend the Kingdom of God, anywhere and everywhere.

A local church's heart for the lost in its community directly relates to its perceived burden for a lost world. A congregation of believers that commits to supporting missionaries and praying for the lost around the world will have an increased vision and sense of urgency for reaching its immediate community and surroundings.  

If the “heart” for God’s mission exists in a body of believers, then the “power” to do the job will be there. Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).  Some have mistakenly interpreted Acts 1:8 to imply that we must first reach [completely] our Jerusalem, then our Judea, then our Samaria and then the remotest parts of the earth. That is not the intent of our Lord. Jesus did not say, "First....then" but "both [all]...and NOW." Our commitment to reaching the lost must be local, regional and far-reaching and accomplished simultaneously.  

While we cannot see the specifics of how God intercedes in the affairs of men and nations to establish his Kingdom, He is actively doing just that by the Holy Spirit in direct proportion to the intercessory prayers of his people committed to fulfilling His mission.  

One for All... All for One –– The One True God is with all faithful committed followers... to enable and equip us to fulfill His mission.  All believers are working diligently in His one single focused mission to preach and teach the gospel, seeking and searching for people... wherever we find them.  

Find your place in God’s great mission and use your gifts to declare the Kingdom to all the souls who have yet to experience the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism... Ephesians 4:4-5