JESUS IS THE LIGHT! WHERE DOES YOUR LIGHT SHINE?
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV) John 8:12Martin Luther, the famous German church leader, is credited with being the first to illuminate a Christmas tree. The evergreen tree reminded him that life continued through the winter, when most of nature appeared to have died. Luther cut a fir tree and took it home. As he was walking home under a clear night sky lit by hundreds of stars, the sight so moved him that when he returned home He attached a number of small candles to its branches. The illuminated tree was representative of Jesus the light of the world.Do you believe that Jesus is the Light of the world? If so, are you following Him? Are you willing to be obedient to what He asks of you? Jesus also taught us: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV) Matthew 5:14-16How is your light shining before men? Or are you hiding your relationship with Christ? Do others see good deeds in your life? When was the last time that your lifestyle caused others to praise God? This Christmas, don't just light your Christmas tree. . . let the light of God shine through you in all you do and say!
Merry Christmas
Friday, December 18, 2009
LETTER FROM JESUS
Letter from Jesus about Christmas --
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on.. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home... They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally... They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on.. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home... They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally... They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
Thursday, December 3, 2009
What's on My Mind?
I can't believe it's been two months or more since I've really sat here to blog. Oh I tried a few weeks ago, but I just couldn't seem to get started - I either was drawing a blank or I just didn't feel like commenting on the political happenings anymore.
I suspect there might have been a couple of reasons why I was drawing a blank. For one thing, I'm feeling a little burnt out on trying to make sense of Politicians these days. And the other reason is probably due to the fact that in September, October, and November, I attended a funeral for three persons that I had known for quite some time. Each of them had been members of the same church, along with my family and me, for almost two decades. The first one was a man who was about my father's age (if he were still around). The second person was a woman who just totally and unexpectedly collapsed in her back yard one morning. And then finally, a young woman who practically grew up with my children - she was just 26 years old.
Although I did not show any outward signs of grief at the passing of either of these, my friends, I have come to recognize the subtle signs of what this can do to me in the time immediately following such events. It somehow drains something out of me. The first time it happened to me, I was not even aware of the effects until some co-workers noticed the change in me, even in my facial expression. That was in 2001 at the passing of a rather young brother-in-law of mine.
So I guess I am just having a little trouble pulling out of my slump this time. I'm not worried though. I will be back on my "psychological" feet, eventually. But for now, I will just have to ride it out. TTYL!
I suspect there might have been a couple of reasons why I was drawing a blank. For one thing, I'm feeling a little burnt out on trying to make sense of Politicians these days. And the other reason is probably due to the fact that in September, October, and November, I attended a funeral for three persons that I had known for quite some time. Each of them had been members of the same church, along with my family and me, for almost two decades. The first one was a man who was about my father's age (if he were still around). The second person was a woman who just totally and unexpectedly collapsed in her back yard one morning. And then finally, a young woman who practically grew up with my children - she was just 26 years old.
Although I did not show any outward signs of grief at the passing of either of these, my friends, I have come to recognize the subtle signs of what this can do to me in the time immediately following such events. It somehow drains something out of me. The first time it happened to me, I was not even aware of the effects until some co-workers noticed the change in me, even in my facial expression. That was in 2001 at the passing of a rather young brother-in-law of mine.
So I guess I am just having a little trouble pulling out of my slump this time. I'm not worried though. I will be back on my "psychological" feet, eventually. But for now, I will just have to ride it out. TTYL!
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