We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Here are some reasons it is okay to celebrate Christmas: 1. The day itself is not really the day Christ was born. Nobody actually has the exact day down, but most believe it was not during this time of year at all. Probably it took place in the spring, not on a “cold winter's night that was so deep.” 2. Diversity over the years has taken away much of the “Romish” flavor to the holiday. Our Catholic friends do as they wish on the night before and the day of Christmas, that is granted. But we do not have a state church. There are so many other ways Christmas is celebrated that no one really thinks about it the way the Puritans did so many years ago. The problem is not so acute because of so many years of varied expressions. At least this is true in our part of the world. 3. God can be honored in gift-giving and generosity as well as in singing carols and telling the story. They’re both important if done in the right spirit. We don't have to make something spiritual out of giving gifts. You may make a birthday cake to Jesus if you wish, but you don't have to. We do need to be Christian, however, about everything we do. Emphasizing the giving part of the day can heal lots of wounds, open calcified hearts, stir up gratefulness, and just be plain fun. God's not against fun is He? 4. There may be better things to be different about. In other words, we might show our radical difference better in the way we treat other shoppers, the kindness we show to retail clerks, the warmth of our hearts, the largeness of our generosity, the thankfulness we express and really feel. 5. There are admittedly some great opportunities to make Christ known during Christmas. With all that is bad about it, we can still make our point. And we will have some sympathy for our message. For years I've led Christmas Eve services, short ones of only 45 minutes, but packed with meaning. The building will be full and all kinds of our friends and family will hear the truth as clearly as we are willing to express it.
Jim Elliff

The “altar call” teaches the congregation to evaluate the “success” or “effectiveness” of the ministry on outward, visible actions and results.
Thabiti Anyabwile

    • Motivate

    Posted on

    Motivate

    MOTIVATE

    . Live by choice, not by chance. It’s ironic; I first saw that at Special Olympics. Compared to their struggle, our choice should be easy, but we take it for granted. You must choose life everyday. Living life and not use existing requires active participation. You can’t sit around and wait for life to take you by the hand – because it won’t. It’s not what like can give you, but what you should put into life. You have to take the initiative. . I guess I should define what I mean by life and living. God gives us life (everlasting life through Jesus Christ). And we should live that life according to His perfect will -then and only then will we know what living verses existing truly means. . Yet God doesn’t force man to do anything. We must reach out to Him, ask of Him, cry out to Him, pray to Him…. We have to step out in faith toward Him. Jesus chose to die for man; God chose us as His children – He took the initiative and now never wavers or varies from that choice. It’s like the saying, “I’ll meet you halfway.” Jesus died for you, and He is calling your name, but it’s up to you to step across the threshold. It’s man’s turn to choose and not vary from it. In the choice for life, there is no grey, only black and white. . So what is our motivation for life; where do we find the drive to stick with our choice of life? You must take the first step towards it. Motivation won’t come looking for you. Look around you; don’t be caught up in the seen; look at what is unseen – Jesus, everlasting life, love….. It’s pretty obvious that good is an easier motivator than bad. So search for good in everything and everyone. When you find it, hold it close to your heart; make it a precious treasure. Don’t brush it aside, but experience it and live each moment as it comes. Motivation is a day to day thing. Each day, as each situation arises, stand by your choice.
    . Don’t be motivated by your emotions! If you let your emotions control your motivation, you will run into trouble. Times will arise when you don’t feel like doing so and so, and you won’t. You can’t sit around procrastinating and expect God to say, “You’re motivated!” and presto! There you go! You must persevere. . This is where discipline comes in. Disciplines are like good habits, only harder to form. Discipline is being faithful to the goal you’ve set or to the choice you’ve made, regardless. So when all else fails, you don’t feel like doing it – lean on the strength of your discipline. You’ll find it is God. Stick to your guns; God will honor your perseverance. That’s His promise, not mine!

    Scripture: 2 Cor 4:18, 2 Tim 1:7, Rom 5:1-5, James 1:3-4

    This is a lecture that my cousin will be presenting in Atlanta. I thought that y’all would get something out of it. I did. Her name is Marsha and is currently going after a medical degree. She’s the only other person in my family that I am sure of being saved. It’s obvious to me (maybe not to you guys) that God is able to use her. If there’s any questions about this outline, I’ll try to answer them for you. If I can’t, I’ll get in touch with Marsha.

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