Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. I hope that it's been a wonder filled time and family and fellowship have been part of your celebration. More importantly, I hope you've found your heart turning to the real reason we celebrate in the first place. It's hard for me to imagine a love so great as God's love must be for us. I'm pretty certain I couldn't pay the price that was paid for me. I'm not even sure I'm worth it, or worthy of it. Nevertheless, He DID pay it. I hear people say they aren't sure, they need more proof, they haven't enough evidence. Ridiculous. The Holy Scriptures tell us that He DID adopt us, We ARE redeemed, The blood WAS shed, The price HAS BEEN PAID. There doesn't seem to be any question about it to me. These statements sound like they are solidly based in truth, in action, in fact. It's altogether appropriate that we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. We should also celebrate every aspect of His life among us, then and now. Maybe celebrate isn't exactly what I mean, perhaps worship, or exalt are better choices.

I went a Christmas Eve candlelight service with a friend last night. It seemed to restore my spirit. There was singing (don't worry...I sang very quietly!!) and reading from His word. There was fellowship and love and worship. When I walked out of that church I felt like a new man. I felt CLOSER to Him. Isn't that what it's really all about? Bringing the Lord into our hearts so we can have Him close always? I think so.

Who are we?

I was in church this morning and the pastor talked from John and Thessalonians about our identity as Christians. He talked about how the religious elite of Israel questioned John the Baptist and who he was. He made his answer plain to them that he wasn't Elijah or one of the prophets but was simply fulfilling scripture as "A voice crying in the wilderness...". A role he was chosen for before his birth.

Later, in Sunday school the class discussed the days message. We talked about the many in our community that didn't feel the pull to be in church, worshiping, on Sunday morning. We discussed the possible excuses and came to several different conclusions. The usual reasons we came up with were; Too early, out too late the night before, too boring, too busy, church members are hypocrites, etc. We even thought that perhaps there were so many divisions and conflicting doctrines and even totally different religions that the non-believer might think the whole thing was simply man's invention and therefore of no real value.

The one thing running through my mind was that most folks don't like to feel convicted. They don't want to feel guilty about their lifestyle and choices. No one wants to hear the news that they are doing wrong. No one wants to be labeled as 'Sinners' or worse. Especially by people they live and work with and share the community with. Most folks that don't attend regularly are fairly sure that the church going will condemn them and look down on those in error. This is made even worse when they see us out there in the same community everyday acting like we don't know any better either. Sometimes we are worse than the unbelieving themselves.

The answer is fairly simple, implementing it may be far more difficult. God gives us the answer. Imitate him. Imitate Christ. Love everyone...EVERYONE! And acknowledge God as Almighty Sovreign. How many times did He punish or destroy Israel because they forgot this and turned their back on Him? They were His chosen people. How do you think He feels about us when we do the same thing? You want to fill the pews? Love everyone, Give all glory to God, thank Him for His Son, and never feel ashamed to call yourself a Christian. Walk the Walk, Live the life.