Should Christians Celebrate Christmas? (part 2)

Many Christians believe that on December 25th, we should set aside that day to celebrate the birth of Christ. But, is a day of celebrating the birth of Christ, an actual ordinance given to the church? Let's see what the Bible says regarding the birth of Christ and birthdays in

Should Christians Celebrate Christmas? (part 1)

You will not find one verse in the Bible where God tells His people, either through command or principle, to celebrate his birthday. The Bible does clearly tell us that Christ was born of a virgin in: Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring

It doesn't "just happen"...

Bringing the saving gospel of Jesus Christ "into the highways and hedges" during this year's Christmas Parades doesn't "just happen". The outreaches need to be scheduled and families start praying about them. Gospel tracts need to be written, printed, delivered and folded. The mule and wagon ride needs to be

Don't be a wise guy!

The Italian-American Mafia was formed in 1931 in New York. They would recruit 16-17 year-old, young men who had no direction in life. Their objective, was to turn them into wise guys.  A wise guy was a glorified smark-aleck! The recruitment process was purposefully designed to mislead these young men

The Befana

Every culture has a pagan idol ready to groom children's loyalty through gift giving. In most cultures, it is done in the name of 'fun'. If you don't participate in the 'fun', you're accused of ruining the 'fun'. For example: the Old Italian tradition has the Befana. She is a

5 Apples in a Basket

Warning: Don't look at the answer right away! (the answer is at the bottom of this post). Instead, see how fast you can answer the following question. Situation: You have 5 apples in a basket, and 5 people to distribute the apples to. Question: How can you give 1 apple

The Heavens declare the Glory of God!

Psalm 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their

Christ became a Shame for Us

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Christ endured the shame of being publically hung on

10 Things the Holy Spirit Does

The Holy Spirit bids you to come. Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. The Holy Spirit quickens the sinner. Ephesians

Momma, I'm Dirty!

When a rough 'n tumble little boy is outside playing in the mud all day, there's a good chance he is not going to want to be washed by momma. Momma will tell the little boy: "It's time to come in and get washed up!" The boy will likely respond

You left out 'through Christ'

Galatians 4:1-2 (KJV)  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. verse 1: child verse 2: father Galatians 4:3-4

Gas Station or Service Station

Gas stations or filling stations used to be called SERVICE stations. These service stations were frequented by people coming to expect free air, free road maps, clean restrooms that are always open, clean water and a variety of other travel information and supplies. We expect service from a service station.

HOLY things, not holly things!

Only Jesus Christ can give you eternal life. John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Pagan druids do NOT believe eternal life is found in the person of Jesus Christ. Instead, they

Wake up to a Calling!

Believers are servants of Jesus Christ. They are sanctified, preserved, and called! With each passing day, lost people wake up to an alarm clock. However, saved people get to wake up to a calling. If you haven't already, pray about what Christ has called you to do and start walking

Walking Isn't for Me

Every child learns to walk by falling down countless times. I don't know of any parent who tells their child, after they fall: "Sorry honey, walking just isn't for you!" Likewise, after a child falls down, they don't think to themselves: "maybe walking isn't for me." Instead, they get up

What if today was Gospel Friday?

Today is called "Black Friday". It is supposed to be the day when businesses finally operate "in the black" and turn a profit for the year. I'm not sure how true that is, because I can't imagine a business operating "in the red" for almost 11 months before turning a

Thanksgiving in Burundi

Burundi is the poorest country in the world and is located in Africa. It is south of Uganda, north of Zambia, and borders Rwanda. Burundi's terrain is very challenging. The country itself is landlocked, making importing and exporting difficult. It is not "a land flowing with milk and honey". Contrast

Behavior Matters!

1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. God's word tells us very plainly that we ought to behave

Time to Worry!?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time

Have You Been Planted?

Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: The barren branches you see on trees in the winter are the exact same branches that are in full bloom in the spring. What

This is the day!

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. the LORD hath made: Jeremiah 10:12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by

Proper Church Etiquette

1. ATTEND. Never miss a church-service unless it is absolutely necessary. If you missed work, you would be fired. If you missed the big ball game, the coach would dismiss you from the team. You make the utmost effort to attend the things most important to you. Dwight L. Moody

Did the outreach work?

Church leaders ask this question to measure their results. It allows them to calculate whether it's worth the time & money to continue the effort. Consider this scenario: 2,000 gospel tracts are distributed with a clear message of God's redemptive plan of salvation. The result is only 1 person visits

The Preaching of the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Focus on the phrase "to them that perish". That should be enough to bring your mind to "the preaching of the cross"

Full Surrender

Have we surrendered to the right things? Seems we live in a day when American Christianity has become full of diluted doctrine coming from overweight ministers! Many preachers have their bellies full of the things of this world. Many Christians have surrendered to the allure of trivial trinkets. We need