Do you have Hope today?

Hope, these 4 letters can make or break us. Those who have no hope, have no zeal for life. Those who have hope, are filled with a consuming fire for life, that encompasses their very being.

We look around today and the majority of people in the world, are lost without hope they do not know where hope is, what hope looks like, they know no hope. Not only are they dying without hope, they are existing without hope also.

But when you look at the child of God, you see hope deep in our souls, through our eyes. It is a consuming fire within, we know where our hope is, it is found in the person and Lordship of our Savior Jesus Christ, it is in Him we find the meaning of Hope, of Life, and of Eternal Love we can face each day, because we know the one who holds it, we don't die we just leave one place and go to another, and greater yet we live each day with the power of Jesus Christ in us, and He has conquered sin and death, and they have no power over us.

One of my favorite hymns is On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

In God's word we find hope, the Bible is filled with hope from beginning to end. In the Garden of Eden man lost hope when we sinned against God, and in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus gave us hope again as He gave up His life so we could live.You see God loves man so much He became flesh so He could give hope to mankind through Jesus Christ.

Paul writes in Romans 8: 18-26 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Jeremiah wrote in Lamentations 3: 19-27 Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

If you have this hope, this love this promise you cannot keep it too yourself, we must share that Hope we have with others, our hope can not be silenced, our hope resignates through out eternity and demands to be shared, Jesus says that if we are silent, the very rocks will cry out!

 When is the last time you shared your hope within anyone?

Romans 15:1-7 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Hebrews 10: 19-25 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Is your Hope real? Are you living as you are called? Are you living a victorious life, no matter what comes your way?

If you do not have hope, I urge you to get in contact with me or a Pastor that teaches the word of God, if your trying to find hope outside of Jesus Christ or His word you will never find it. You may find a momentary minute of hope, but eternal hope does not exist without Jesus.

 If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then the hope that is in you should stir your soul, and inspire you to reach others with the joy you have, everyday more and more people slip into eternity without hope, don't let them slip away without knowing the hope of Glory, Christ in you.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 
In Christ
brian

Our Living Hope

The old saying was that as went the Church, so went the Nation. Today it has changed, as the Nation goes, so does the church.

We have lost site of our first love, Jesus Christ. There are very few who have not compromised, and bowed their knees to the god of this world. It is our duty to conform to the will of God, through the word of God, and take that living testimony into the world we live in and show the world who Christ is. We have gotten off mission, and tried to conform the church to the world.

Dr. Tony Evans said this “ The Church is focusing on the wrong assignment. By misunderstanding the nature and purpose of God’s kingdom, we have marginalized the church’s authority and influence both within its walls and outside them.

The church does not solely exist for programs, projects, preaching, and buildings; rather , it exists as the primary vehicle for preparing believers to display God’s glory, impact the culture, restore lives, and advance the kingdom.

The primary purpose of the church , in view of the distinctions of the kingdom, is to reveal the ethical and political aspects of God’s rule in societies. The church is to operate in the world while offering an alternative to the world. “

Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Our passion should be for a lost and dying world to come to know Jesus Christ as we do, but not to many who call themselves “ Christians” have that passion.  It is easier to live in a secret faith, than an open and outward faith. Most by that I mean 75-85 % never share their faith with others, including their own families.

What a tragedy, every second of every day two people are sent into eternity, due to the fallen nature of our world. By God’s grace we are called out of eternal damnation into a living hope, through Jesus Christ. Without Him there can be no hope.

Titus 2: 11-15 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you."

There can be no compromise, we are bound to the rules and laws of God, not man.

God says He never changes

Malachi 3:1-7 "Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts.
"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire And like launderers' soap.

He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness."Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the LORD, As in the days of old, As in former years. 

And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien--Because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts.

"For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," Says the LORD of hosts. "But you said, 'In what way shall we return?'

God says we changed, He does not, we must return to the oracles of God, stand on His laws and precepts, and live as we are called.

Colossians 3:1-17" If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

One day soon Christ will return to this earth, and take home those who are His, that living hope we have we must share with others, why would we want to decide not to share the gospel truth with those around us?

 Do we hate them? Surely not, do not fear the unknown, trust your LORD to bring you through and share the hope you have with the hopeless, the alternative for the lost is eternal damnation, for rejecting Christ.


1st Peter 1:3-9 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls."

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 
In Christ

brian

God vs the devil

You hear it all the time, people say that the great battle in the Universe is good versus evil, that the devil is rising up and challenging the Lord God to battle.

That is so far from the truth, but many including Pastors have bought into this lie. But you and I don't need to buy this lie, because there is NO truth in it at all.

The devil has no power over God, or His Kingdom. God cast him and his followers out of heaven, and there is none equal to God. The devil is a created being, and there is only one Creator. The created has no power against it’s Creator.

Isaiah 43:7 Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him." 9 Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be assembled. Who among them can declare this, And show us former things? Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let them hear and say, "It is truth." 10 "You are My witnesses," says the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior. 12 I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses," Says the LORD, "that I am God. 13 Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?" 15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King."

God has no equal, the power the devil has is against us, NOT God, we are weak and walk in the flesh, that is why Paul tells us to make no accommodations to the flesh,

We must remember this that " For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Do you notice it is not God who wrestles, it is US.

Jesus Christ in one death dealing blow lowered the boom on the devil and his minions, and disarmed him and them, the only power the devil has over us is deception. And just as he deceived Adam and Eve in the garden, he does mankind today and this is only because we do not know who we are in Christ. The Spirit is strong, but the Flesh is weak, is what Jesus said in the garden of Gethsemane. We don't study enough on our own the very words of God that He has spoken and recorded for us today. We don’t pray enough to God almighty, because we act like we are defeated by the world, or believe we don’t need God’s help.

Colossians 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

That is powerful, it is over! Don't you think we should live as we are called, we are conquers. We serve the Conqueror, not the conquered, everyday we should read God's word and learn to walk in that victory, it is already yours. When Christ gave up His Spirit and said " IT IS FINISHED" He meant for all time.

1 Corinthians 15:55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Today is the day the LORD has made, will you join Him in Victory over things in your life, or will you bow your knee to defeat, and be like the fallen world.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

In Christ
brian

The Ultimate Love Letter

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

John 15:12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

1 John 4:9 - In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

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

On a hill outside of Jerusalem, God penned His love letter to mankind. He wrote it in His blood, that He shed for you and me, there never was or ever will be so great a Love Letter written as the Love of God for mankind,.

Jesus Christ is that Love letter, He created everything, left everything behind, gave everything, on Calvary, just so you and I could be with Him for eternity. He did not need to, He wanted to. Not for personal gain, for our gain, there is no greater love, than the Creator of the Universe, giving His all for you and. I.

None of us are good, we can not keep God’s commandments, they are written for mankind to live by. But yet we live in a culture that lives by their own will, we lie, steal, lust, murder, covet, and blaspheme God, without thought.

God knew we would, and before He spoke the Heavens and Earth into existence, He had a plan. He knew man would not and could not come to Him, so He came to us. His word says this.

Romans 3:10 - As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 5:12 - Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8 - God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9-10 - if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Romans 10:13 - For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

Do you see, ALL of us are sinners, and none of us can make without the Love of God in our lives, that Love, Jesus Christ comes into our lives, when we ask Him to, He calls us to a point in our lives, where we must confess our sins to Him, repent of them, ask Him to come be in you, and in all you are and He is faithful and Just, He will forgive those sins, enter into our lives, and we will become one with Him.

He does not want or need you to be perfect before you come, He died for us while we where yet sinners, He paid the penalty for our sins,. He took upon Himself the sins of mankind, so we would escape the Judgment of God for our iniquities.

Jesus Christ, lived a sinless life, He died a cruel death and received our punishment, He rose again on the third day He conquered sin, and death so we will not receive the judgment of God.

He took it upon Himself to reach out to you and I. He sits now at the right hand of God, interceding everyday for those who are His, He waits for you to answer His call and come to Him. With Arms wide open, and His nailed scarred hands reaching out He says I love you.

Are you His child now, then share His love with those around you, how can we say we love when we keep the Love of Jesus Christ hidden from a dark and dying world?

And if your not a child of God yet, why not?

We must submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and have believe on Him to be our Lord and Savior. There is no other Name given among men by which we can be saved. One day every Knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to those who do so now, they will spend and eternity with Him in all of Heavens glory, but to those who wait and bow their knees then they will spend an eternity away from Him, in the outer darkness , where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Do not reject His love today and condemn yourself, receive His Love and free yourself from sin and death.
　
　And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

In Christ
brian


　

Conquerors

So many times we live our lives in defeat, believing we are trapped in a routine we can not get out of. We do things we wish not to do, and don’t do the things we wish we to do.

The choice to live this way, and make no ,mistake it is a choice is the wrong course of action we need to be on. Do you know what God says.

1st John 5: 1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him. 2This is how we know that we love God’s children when we love God and obey His commands. 3For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden, 4because whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. 5And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you’re a conqueror, and conquerors are not defeated, they are champions. Our enemy is a defeated enemy, we are no longer slaves to sin or death, but we are freed from that bondage.

Romans 8:There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

And as free children of God, we walk by the Spirit of God, He walks with us, talks to us gives us freedom that the world will never know. He calls us to live in victory, turn your life around and use it to defeat the enemy, you and I have that power to do so, if we will surrender to the power of God in our lives.

 Romans 8: 26Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Are you willing to surrender? Are you willing to let God conquer the world through your life,? Are you willing to let God take all the enemy has done to defeat you and turn it around and use it against him and his minions?

If not your in for a defeated life, if  so you have to surrender to the will of God, and then your in for a life of a conqueror, and  God will use you in a mighty way, remember the battle is already won, don’t fight against a defeated enemy.

God has given us His word to instruct us on how to live the life of a conqueror it is truly simple for us to follow, we just can not give into the flesh, we must surrender to the Spirit of God.

Romans 12: 9Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. 19Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20ButIf your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. 21Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Stand up today, look in the mirror and say to yourself, you are a conqueror, repeat the word of God, that Jesus has conquered the world, I am not of this world, but of my Heavenly Father. My life is not mine to live, but Christ’s to live through me, I surrender to His power, and will for my life. Then follow what God has said above, and live your life to His fullest.

John 16:31Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe? 32Look: An hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

In Christ

brian

Christmas through the eyes of our creator

Christmas is more than a day, it is an attitude we need to have in our hearts. We need to remember why we celebrate and why we even have Christmas.
Here is how Webster’s defines Christmas

Christmas:
a Christian feast on December 25 or among some Eastern Orthodox Christians on January 7 that commemorates the birth of Christ and is usually observed as a legal holiday

But how do you define Christmas, that is the question.

Is it a day for family, presents and fun or is it a day of remembrance to celebrate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

If we look at Christmas through the eyes of our Creator, we would see the true meaning of Christmas.

Hebrews 1:1-10 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him." And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."

But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions." And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.

Hebrews 12:1-4 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

　
　
God sent Jesus to us, He spoke to us through His Son. A prophet of old days was God’s way of talking to man, a priest was man’s way of talking to God. Christ is both, the perfect prophet, and the perfect priest, angels where sent to minister to men the message of God, Jesus is God’s revelation or message to man.

Jesus was begotten, or came out of or just as God, and is redemption for all of mankind. He holds all things, created all things, rules all things, and is the final authority of all things. Nothing has happened, or will happen that He is not over.

Jesus Christ is the reason for Christmas, a celebration of Him, for Him, by Him.

That is why I said in the beginning Christmas is an attitude of our heart, and something we should celebrate everyday. We have within us the cure for what ails the world, the cure for sin and death. We must give Him away everyday, the more you give Christ away in all you do, the more you will experience Christ love.

Jesus came knowing He would give up His life for the redemption for mankind. Man could not come up to God, so God came down to man. And Jesus faced the cross with joy, He kept His eyes on the prize, us. He faced things most of us will never know, He did it without complaining, and He gave us His all so we could live our lives. Lay down anything that would hinder you from serving Him. He alone is the author and finisher of our faith, look to Him daily to strengthen you, and celebrate Him with everyone you can.

So as you celebrate Christmas this year, keep that attitude going until God calls you home, and remember Gods' words.
For this is the Christmas story, the story of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:1-7 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

　
Merry Christmas
　
　
　
　

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian

Be the Man God called you to be!

We have allot to be thankful for, every day we wake up, we are blessed and in the hands of Almighty God. We have been chosen to be on this earth, for such a time as this. And as husbands, fathers, grandfathers, boyfriends, and brothers we have been surrounded by people that God has given us, and we should look at them as gifts from God. And God has given us a unique opportunity to come together and serve Him, in a church family that wants us to all grow, and be the men God has called us to be.

We should pray for our Brothers in Christ. We need to lift each other up, give permission to one another and hold each other accountable. We should know that we can count on each another, be there for each other and encourage each other knowing that none of us walk alone.

We have a huge responsibility, to teach our families about the Lord, we are slowly losing future generations, by not being the men that God has called us to be, we need to start now, lead our families in prayer each day, do a devotion with them, and love and instruct them as the Lord has instructed us.

Psalms 78 talks about what happens when we do not teach our children, about God

1 - A Contemplation of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us.4 We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; 6- That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, 7 That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; 8 And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

You can read all of Psalms 78 here
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=78&v=1&t=NKJV#top

.Eric Ludy, - wrote God's Gift to Women, here is an excerpt from the book.

"The version of manhood that heaven applauds and all hell fears is accessible by all males who live and breathe. However, in every generation of young men, there are only a rare few who find it. These few will deliberately choose to change what they will protect and serve with their life. This uncommon band of warrior poets will quit their loyal service to Self and surrender their lives wholly and completely to the protection and service of Another. From out of a generation of young men searching for more, you and I are called to be among these brave few.

I want to challenge each of us to be the Man, God has created us to be.