What Christmas Is

Christmas is not just a holiday.  Nor is Christmas just about a baby being born in a manger.  Yes,  we celebrate Jesus being born--and don't minimize this--if Jesus hadn't been born of a virgin, He would not have been God!  Jesus Christ is God Incarnate, God in the flesh!  And wonder of wonders that God would come to this earth--why? to die for mankind!  How precious, how wonderful that is!  That is the truth of Christmas--Jesus Christ was born so that He might die for us!!  That is the wonder of Christmas-- Jesus coming to earth to provide salvation to lowly sinners like you and I.  But that really is only the beginning.  Christmas is all about Christ and the gospel--His death, burial, and resurrection.  Once you start to tell about God Incarnate, you just must tell the whole story! 

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16 is probably the most well-known verse in all the Bible.  What does it tell us?  God loved us so much that He was willing to give His only Son as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.  All we need to do is accept that precious gift, trusting in His finished work upon the cross.  He died for you…won't you trust Him as your personal Savior today?           If you should have further questions, you can look into some of my old postings about salvation…or you can email me.  I would be very happy to answer any questions you might have.  Please do not delay this very important decision.

         May you truly know

         the Christ of Christmas!

        Merle

    

Prayer

• Our relationship with Christ ought to be one of constant dependence and communion.  Prayer is a natural outflow of that dependence and communion.
• Prayer isn't the way to get God to do whatever we want.  Prayer is an expression of our trust in God's power, wisdom and grace.

 

• The Holy Spirit, Our Prayer Partner 24/7

Romans 8:26-27

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

• Prayers of the Saints are Precious

Revelation 5:8

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

• Prayer, Our Strength and Power

     Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

     Luke 18:1

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

     Ephesians 6:18 - part of our armor

 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 HINDRANCES TO ANSWERED PRAYER:

• Disobedience - Deut. 1:45
• Secret Sin - Psalm 66:18
• Indifference - Prov. 1:28
• Neglect of Mercy - Prov. 21:13
• Despising the Law - Prov. 28:9
• Blood-guiltiness - Is. 1:15
• Iniquity - Is. 59:2, Mi. 3:4
• Stubbornness - Zech. 7:13
• Instability - James 1:6-7
• Self-indulgence - James 4:3

 

CONDITIONS TO ANSWERED PRAYER:

• Contrition - 2 Chr. 7:14
• Godly - Psalm 4:3
• Whole-heartedness - Jer. 29:13
• Faith - Mark 11:24
• Righteousness - James 5:16
• Obedience - 1 John 3:22

Think, too, these are the things God is most pleased with.  Why wouldn't He answer a prayer such as  this?!  If you were to look up each of these Bible references, I think you would find an "if" phrase or a "when" clause...in other words, conditional phrases.  God puts forth certain conditions--conditions of which I already listed above--and if we will just follow those conditions God sets forth, He promises to answer our prayers!  I love God's promises.  They are so precious.  Just think for a moment:  God, our Heavenly Father has made us certain promises, and He cannot lie!  He desires a rich, wonderful relationship with us--one which includes answered prayer--all we have to do is trust and obey.  I love that song too!  "Trust and Obey...for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!"   

     

       May we truly learn to

             Trust & Obey!

    

      Merle

Abiding in Christ

John 15:4-5

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The abiding relationship with Christ is the vine and branch intertwined in communion and strength that we might produce fruit and Christlike character which glorifies God.

Our relationship with Christ ought to be one of constant dependence and communion.  Prayer is the natural outflow of that dependence and communion with Christ.

It has been said, "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."

The Abiding Relationship Results in--

• Spiritual Fruitfulness

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

• Answered Prayer

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

• Peace in the Storm

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

• New Life

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

• Robe of Righteousness

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

         That we might abide

              In Christ

             Merle   

Gratitude - May we Always be Grateful

Psalms 118: 29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Gratitude is the memory of the heart.      ~Jean Baptiste Massieu, translated from French

I would maintain that thanks is the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.  ~G.K. Chesterton


Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel.  ~Author Unknown 

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. "
-- Melody Beattie

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others."
-- Marcus Tullius Cicero

"Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty. "
-- Doris Day


"Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion. Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road."
-- John Henry Jowett

         May we always be

             Grateful

             Merle   

God's Wondrous Love

John 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

  
1) The Greatest Lover

2) The Greatest Degree of Love

3) The Greatest Company

4) The Greatest Act

5) The Greatest Gift

6) The Greatest Opportunity

7) The Greatest Simplicity

8) The Greatest Attraction

9) The Greatest Promise
10) The Greatest Difference

11) The Greatest Certainty

12) The Greatest Possession

  

God's wondrous love!  Nothing can describe it.  Nothing can measure it.  Oh, the magnitude of God's love!  God loved us so much that He was willing to give His only Son to this world, that we might through Him believe and be saved.  That is the greatest love!  God was willing to sacrifice all that we might be saved!  God literally turned His back on His Son--He Who took all of our sin upon Him--that He might bring us to God.

"The nail-pierced hands of Jesus reveal the love-filled heart of God."

       Oh, how He loves

            you and me!

     
     Merle

The Choices we Make

Question:  Do you realize the choices you make have a real outcome on the lives of those you come in contact?  You make a difference -- for the good or for the bad!

You'll forgive me if I paraphrase Pastor Love's sermon from Sunday.  It was a good one!  Course, if you've been keeping up with my postings, some of it will sound familiar.  I suppose that's why I thought it was so good…the Lord has been working on me in those same areas!  Perhaps you need to hear it too!

Colossians 3:1-4

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

• As born-again Christians, we are to "seek those things which are above."
• You can virtually close the book and say "no" to God--or even to make no decision is in fact a decision that says "no."
• There are consequences for the choices you make.
• There should be a difference in your heart and life that should shine through in your countenance and actions.
• Be certain, whatever is in your heart will show forth in your countenance and actions.

Heaven Bound

• The first verse begins, "If ye then be risen with Christ…."  That's the most important decision you can ever make in this life.  Please be certain of your salvation today!
• If salvation to you is just "fire insurance," then chances are, you are not saved.
• You are saved to serve--we are to be lights shining in this dark world.

• This is not our home!  "We're just a passin' through!"
• We are not to be hoarding things of this world--our treasure is in heaven.
• And we're to be a "peculiar people," showing to the lost and dying world that we're different because of all that Christ has done for us.

Heaven Minded

• Our walk, our life ought to be focused on God.
• Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  That says it in a nutshell!  We're not to be conformed to this world…but we are to be transformed by the Word of God.  We should be in God's Word daily, that He might keep transforming us to His image.
• Where are your desires focused upon?
• What things do you find your mind thinking upon?  Need some direction?  Look at Philippians 4:8.
• Search your motives!  What truly motivates you??

• The Pharisees were so concerned with what was seen on the outside…but Christ says it isn't the outside that matters, but rather the heart.  You can be certain, whatever is in the heart will show forth in your countenance and actions.

Heaven's Glory

• Do you truly endeavor to glorify God in everything you say and do?
• The things we call worship, I wonder if God would prefer to just vomit us out of His mouth.
• So many times, we're content to just eat the "slop thrown to the pigs"--what the world has to offer--instead of feasting on God's glory and all the wondrous things God has to give us.  Wow!  Don't ya think it's time we wake up?!
• God says, "If ye love Me, keep My Word"…"keep My commandments."
• If you're truly a Christian, your drive ought to be different.  There's a song, "My desire…to be like Jesus."  Is that truly our desire?  Do we truly love Him and want to please Him?

1. What are your heart's desires?  Oh, that we might have a heart that truly loves God and seeks to glorify Him!

       That we might truly

           glorify Christ!

         Merle   

God is Love vs. God is Just

John 3:16  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  

One of the most well-known verses in all the Bible, isn't it?  Yes, God loved us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son, that we might have a way to Heaven.  How incredible!  Course, His wondrous grace and mercy enter into it as well.  But what about God being just?  That's also true!  God is just and holy!  God is all those things, and all at the same time.  You might say (or have heard it said) that God couldn't send me to hell…God is love!  It's true, God is love;  but at the same time (and perhaps even more so) is the realization that God is a just God.  He cannot allow sin into His Heaven.  You must trust Christ as your personal Savior.

• John 14:6 says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."            Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven!   
• Peter 3:9 "The Lord…is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."   
• John 3:17-18  "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.       He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

I know I've written about salvation before.  It is a very important subject!  I had heard this subject--not once, but actually twice--recently, and thought it was good to repeat it.  If you haven't trusted Christ as your personal Savior, please reread these verses, and then even read my post about salvation, if you haven't.  This is the most important decision you could ever make.  Please don't turn the Savior away.

That you might know Him

    Merle

producing fruit

 

Let's discuss that topic again: producing fruit.  What is fruit?  I believe fruit is everything in our lives--as born-again Christians--that points others to Christ.  That can mean everything from the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace...), to our witness and testimony for Christ, to even the character (or God-like qualities) that God and His Holy Spirit is producing in us.  [Hope you continue reading and enjoy my further points of study on the fruit produced in our lives.]

Fruit refers to evidence of what is within

We will see a harvest of fruit as we yield to God and allow His Spirit to work in and through us

The fruit of the Spirit should be evident--ever growing

Psalm 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Jeremiah 17:7-8  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.  For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

vibrant productive fruitful

strong stable dependent sturdy confident abiding rooted in Him focused persevering ever-growing reaching forward

"rivers" is referring to the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is often likened to water It is the Holy Spirit that keeps us alive, vital, vibrant--growing and productive rivers don't stand still--they're always moving--so we should always be growing, going forward for God

the tree is a picture of strength because it is the Word of God and the Holy Spirit that make us strong--sturdy and stable just as a tree's roots dig down deep into the soil, so we should dig deep into God's Word to keep us strong and sturdy make sure you're feeding the right kind of root system something to note:  a tree does not produce fruit without roots

the significance of the words "bringeth forth his fruit in his season"--Eccl. 3:1, 11  everything doesn't happen instantaneously-- God is at work to accomplish His purpose God has a time table--it's not going to happen until you're ready but it will happen in time--in your season

 

     That we might point

         others to Christ!

         Merle

Maturing - Growing

When I think of the subject of maturing or growing, I think of the passage in James 1.  Verses 3-4 say this: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."  

We need to realize that in order for us to mature or grow, we're going to have to go through testing or trials.  God knows that is the only way we're going to grow and mature…and He knows just what it'll take to get our attention, and produce the fruit that He desires.  When we're put under God's pressure cooker, our faith is forced to show what it's really worth.  How true, how strong our faith really is, is going to show forth.  On the other hand, it is in times such as this that we exercise our faith as well.  If we remain faithful, our faith and character is strengthened.  God works through a submissive, surrendered heart to produce Godly character in us.    

Let's add to that thought.  When we act with a submissive heart, God gives us peace and contentment.  Get this, when we're submissive, we are able to rest in God!  It's an all-inclusive mesh of characteristics and attitudes that God is shaping in you…to mold you into the image of Christ!         But we must go through the fire first to burn off all the worthless dross.  It is through the testings of life that our faith is not only strengthened but purified.

It is also through the testings of life that you show just how mature or immature you are.  How you respond through the testings of life, speaks volumes of how strong your faith and character are.  Remember that!  When faced with a trial or temptation, who do you depend on?  Do you go to God, asking Him for the grace and strength to see you through it?  Or do you get independent, thinking you can do it all yourself?  Or worse, are you still at the immature stage of asking questions and dodging bullets?  Maturity!  That's what it's all about!  God is at work molding you like Christ. Question is--how are you responding?  How you respond to the testings of life is a real display of how mature or immature you are.  Submit to God's plan and trust Him to see you through it--it is then that you will mature, and your faith and character will mature as well! 

Let's step back a moment.  We said God desires to strengthen your faith and character.  What is character?  Webster defines character as (1) the combination of qualities or features that distinguishes a person; or (2) moral or ethical strength; integrity; fortitude.  In an earlier post, I said, "Character, by definition, means integrity, or that moral fiber within you which causes you to do that which is true and honorable."  Not a bad definition; but let's add to that!  I say character can be defined as God-like qualities!  How God-like are you becoming?  How God-like are you allowing God to make you? Are you going to allow God to work in your life to make you better, or are you going to allow the circumstances of life make you bitter?  Press on and determine by God's grace to become all that God desires of you.  Allow Him to form in you Godly character.

But is it really all about producing Godly character?  No, of course not.  God doesn't want just a whole lot of robots that look like Him...except perhaps, that He might be glorified.  I said earlier that God knows just what it'll take to get our attention, to produce the fruit that He desires.  What is "fruit?" (this could be a whole new posting and subject all by itself!)  But God desires to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit in and through us: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith...).  God desires to see His fruit abound in and through us so that others (the unbelieving world) can see a better way of life (an eternal life)...and God knows that with His working in us, with maturity and growth comes glorifying God.  A life that is overjoyed with God, cannot help but overflow to the lives of others!  And that is a life that is a witness and testimony of all of God's goodness.     Go share with others what God is doing in and through your life!

   God is so good!

       Merle

The Abundant Life

This is one of my favorite verses:

John 10:10  "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Satan wishes to destroy you.  If you don't know the Lord, he is trying to keep you from making that most important decision; if, on the other hand, you know the Lord, Satan would love to--in the very least--keep you from walking a close walk with the Lord.  Satan would love to "sift you as wheat," and work so that your life, your testimony would not amount to anything for God.  Don't let him do that!

God desires to give us the richest of blessings, and we're the only thing that stands in His way!  We are the only thing that can limit God's blessings.  It's as simple as that.  God's blessings--God's abundant life--is promised to those that follow Him and obey Him.

Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Proverbs 1:23 "Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you."

flexible       pliable       reprovable       submissive     

1 John 3:22 "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."

Proverbs 3:9-10 "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase:  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine."

Romans 8:32 "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

Oh, the blessings of God!  God desires to bless us in so many countless ways, we cannot imagine!  He desires to work in you and through you that not only you are richly blessed, but that others are richly blessed as well.  Only God knows the amount of blessing that is possible to the man or woman that loves and follows God with all their heart, soul, and mind!

Let’s strive for the               

  Abundant Life!

       Merle   

It's Not about You!

Do you know what your biggest problem is?  [yours and mine!]  Our biggest problem is a heart that wants it's own way.  I've heard it said that pride is our number one problem… but I think selfish desires is the thing ruling our hearts. 

You can picture it this way--either Christ is on the throne of your heart or self is.  Either you're serving God or you're serving self.  And that's true for every decision or choice you make throughout each day.

     

Galatians 2:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

"yet not I, but Christ" 

If you're growing and maturing in Christ at all, you should have realized, "It's not about me…It's all about Christ!"  He is the reason for our living.  He is the reason for it all.  And we are to be glorifying Him in all we do and say.

To God be the Glory!

     Merle   

True Salvation

I spoke about faith to begin with.  That was rather premature, though, wasn't it?  Is it enough to believe there is a God, to be saved?  No!  Not if you want a home in heaven.  Now, that's not just a Baptist belief (although I admit, I am Baptist!); but no, it's strictly a Bible-based belief.  God said it, therefore I believe it!  (In James 2:19 it says, "the devils [or demons] also believe, and tremble.")  Now, you can bet they're not going to be in heaven!  In John 14:6 it says, (and Jesus Christ is speaking), "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  Jesus Christ is our only way to heaven!  But believing He exists, even believing that He came to this earth to die for our sin, isn't enough.  To have faith is not enough.  So what does God say we must do to be genuinely saved?   

God Wants you to Know…

1. You are a sinner and cannot save yourself. 

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us."  Titus 3:5

2. Jesus Christ has already provided the way of salvation.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosover believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God."  1 Peter 3:18

3. You must repent of your sins.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  1 John 1:9

4. Acceptance or refusal determines your destiny.

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not that Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  John 3:36

God has promised In Romans 10:13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  That is a promise, and God cannot lie!  If you should believe those things above, and call upon the Lord from the depth of your heart, then God promises to save you!  Please, if you have never done this before, would you consider it today.  There's no greater decision you can make…and it's a matter of all eternity!         
If you should make this decision, please feel free to email me.  Also, if you should have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  I'd be glad to help in any way I can.

That you may know Him!

      Merle   

Faith Defined

Hebrews 11:1

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Faith is the vehicle whereby we trust God.  Faith believes what God says and acts upon it.  In other words, faith is our transporter!  Without faith, we have nothing.  We must believe God and trust.  And the second part of that verse says our faith is what glorifies God.  Our faith shows to the unbelieving world what God is all about.  Our faith is the evidence of God at work.  Faith is the initiating force. 

Faith can be likened to a seed.  Without the seed, nothing grows.  But if that seed germinates or sprouts, and it is watered and fertilized, you'll find it will blossom into something quite beautiful.  Faith is like that.  If we will but believe God and act upon it, then that faith will grow and strengthen and flourish into something beautiful for the Lord.

Biblical faith means having trust, confidence, or assurance in God and His Word.  It means laying aside all dependence in yourself, and trusting Him completely.  Faith releases you from your limited abilities into God's unlimited, all-powerful abilities.         

Remember: Biblical faith is always a decision to obey God--and obedience always leads to action.  God is always desirous of moving us forward--in our relationship with Him; in growth and maturity; in ministry to others.  The process is an act of faith seen in our dying to self and depending fully on God.  The choice, however, is up to you.

Remember, too, God is able -- God is desirous.  Know your God -- and ask in faith, believing!

Putting our Faith to Action!

      Merle