3… 2… 1…

…and we’re back!

A lot of personal things happened in November that affected my ability to post. However, December is here, and it’s time to get down to business once again.

So today I’d like to talk about a very important concept as we head into the holiday season: keeping Christ in Christmas. Clever catchphrase eh? But it’s most important, and it’s something that our culture doesn’t always make the centerpiece of the holiday.

No, Santa Claus is not sacreligious, and neither are lights, snow, candy canes, stocking, or presents. But our culture doesn’t pay that much attention to the meaning behind Christmas – Jesus’ birth. And that’s why we give gifts and celebrate.

So this holiday season, as your hanging up your decorations and having a nice, warm cup of hot chocolate, remember the meaning behind Christmas and the gift that mankind was given over 2,000 years ago.

Thanks for reading,

- Josh

Try telling that to the overzealous members of the ‘church’ known as ‘Westboro Baptist,’ pictured below.

In case you didn’t know, ‘fag’ is a slang term, meaning ‘homosexual.’  It originated as a term of a young male servant, somehow evolved to mean ‘cigarette,’ and now it means ‘homosexual.’  Who wudda thunk it?

Seriously, though – this ‘church,’ Westboro Baptist, has made it their mission in life to spread hate and malice towards other people.  Not only do they protest anything homosexual, but they protest and picket funerals of fallen American soldiers, claiming their death was a blessing from God, and they they deserve death.  Oh, and they hate ‘Fag Enablers,’ whatever them means.  Maybe it’s someone that doesn’t go out and stone gay people?  Not sure.

What I do know is this; these people are not Christians.  Not that they’re getting it wrong, or they are ‘confused’ Christians; they just don’t know Jesus at all.  This is evident by their actions.

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” – John 13:35

Our love will PROVE to the world who we are.  Gosh, makes you think doesn’t it?  Unloving Christians have become such a majority that now it’s the norm – it’s how the world looks at Christians.  Unloving.  Hateful.  Indifferent.  Uncaring.  Hypocritical.  Know what the sad thing is?  THEY’RE CORRECT!

How many Christians do you know would fit in perfectly with Westboro Baptist?  How many Christians do you know would rather sing hymns about how holy they are rather then show an ounce of kindness to a Non-Christian?  That’s a doozy, isn’t it?  Jesus called us to make disciples of all nations, not to obsess over each other; our brothers and sisters in Christ.  He called us to LOVE.  Why?  Because that would prove to the world who we were, and who we belonged to.

So, go about your day thinking of that.  Do you love others the way Christ did?  Love is a lifestyle, it’s not an act of kindness or a signup sheet for a charity.  So, ask yourself that again; do YOU love?

Thanks for reading!

However, that last step is not as popular as the first two – but it should be! Not to be confused with sinning, but after choosing to follow God, how many times do we shun those who walk into soup kitchens, because they are truly poor and homeless? How many times to we choose to sit down and not stand up for the Bible or for what God wants, because we don’t want to “make waves” with other people?

³We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. ⁴The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love^[a] is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

- 1 John 2:3-6

⁶So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, ⁷rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

- Colossians 2:2-7

Christians not acting like Christians is like a rock star being shy – it’s unnatural, right?

Dance like no one is looking, sing like no one can hear, love like you’ve never hurt before, live like there’s nothing to fear.

Those are some very inspiring, motivating song lyrics by Newsboys. And in all honesty, why shouldn’t we live like that? And when you’re a Christian, sometimes you can’t care about what others think of you. If you care about what others think of you all the time, won’t it eventually start conflicting with your lifestyle?

Small, but simple for today - what really matters? It doesn’t matter what your atheist, punk coworker thinks about you and your lifestyle, but rather what God thinks – because His opinion is what truly matters, and is the only one that does.

So dance like no one is looking and sing like no one can hear! Do God’s work and live your life according to Him – because it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.

Yeah.

I know we all go through times like this in life, and they can be really hard. How are you going to deal with all this stress?! What’s all out there? Who are you going to listen to? Some people might recommend eating more food – lots more. Others may suggest to try smoking. The guy down the street may tell you to throw your hands up and file bankruptcy. There are so many influences out there – who should we really be listening to?

None other than God, of course!

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

- Exodus 33:14

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

- Psalm 9:9-10

Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.

- Psalm 37:3-5, 7a

It’s important to tune into God’s Word. In times of high stress and trouble, listen to Him, and only Him – be careful of negative influences out there, because there are many. Keep your eyes on God, and He won’t steer you wrong!

These two (along with a third friend, same age – not pictured) young men live in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine.  A year ago, they were arrested for the brutal, violent, bloody murders of over 21 individuals.  What did the victims do?  Absolutely nothing.  Each and every one of them were complete strangers to the boys.  They literally were killing for fun.  For entertainment.

Another thing about their killings: they filmed almost each one.  One even made it onto the internet.  I saw this video a while back, and I literally did not sleep that night.  It is such a sickening thing to see, hear, or witness.  Do not attempt to watch it. The worse thing throughout the video was the faces, reactions, and the things the boys were saying.  They were laughing.  Having fun.  Smiling.  Cracking jokes.  As they mangled a man with power tools, they were having fun.

They are currently behind bars, and are now 20 years old – no doubt ruined for life.

What’s the most amazing part of this story?  The fact that Jesus loves them.

Those three, awful, wretched, murderous, evil killers… are still loved by Jesus Christ as much as you or I.  ‘How,’ you may ask, ‘Could God do that!?  That’s insane!’ That’s what’s so incredible about the God we serve.

His Love for us is so deep, so profound, that he, Jesus, would give his LIFE to save those three Ukrainian killers.  Jesus loves people like Hitler so much he willingly went to be nailed and hung from an old beam of wood and suffer naked for hours.  Jesus loves people like Saddam Hussein so much he sacrificed his body, poured out his blood, and died an INNOCENT man.  THAT’S how much Jesus loves us.

But so often people don’t see it, and they abandon God, and in doing so, they abandon that sacrifice Jesus Christ made.  His love for us is so deep, he’d give his body to save every last one of us filthy, wretched sinners.  All we have to do is put our faith in him, and follow Jesus.  That’s it.  Such a glorious gift, at such an easy price.

Roman’s is one of my favorite books of the bible.  I leave you with this passage.

“There is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus Christ. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”  -Romans 8:1-2

We each have individual talents that God has blessed us with. For some, it is writing. For others, editing video is their specialty. Some have been blessed with the ability to paint and draw beautiful works of art. Others are brilliant musicians.

The list in infinite, and ultimately here’s the point: use what God gave you to do his work. And naturally, if we do, in fact, have Jesus at the center of our lives, we can’t help but want to get the Word out and tell others about Him. And what better way to do that than what you do best?

Sometimes our dreams can seem downright silly to us, but one of the coolest things about living the life that God has called you to live is that he doesn’t think they’re silly.  He totally believes in you, and he, in fact, GAVE you those desires and dreams so that one day, you can fulfill them and give him the glory so that others might come to know him, too.

Ephesians 3:20 says

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

INFINITELY MORE then we might ask or even think!  Wow, isn’t that something?  Whatever your wildest dream is, God is prepared to give you MORE than that!  So long as you give the glory and honor to him, he’s ready to put you on the fast track to accomplishing whatever you set out to do.

So start writing that novel!  Get to work on that video!  Make that website!  Start a band!  God will bless you in ways you can’t even imagine – he promised he would, and God’s promises are never broken.

There are many out there who give generously at offerings in worship services, but are they giving out of their hearts, or because they want the many blessings that God may give us as a result of their giving? Some people may follow Jesus for the fact that he’ll protect and watch over us, but they don’t really care about obeying his commands or being obedient about anything else whatsoever.

But again, is that really following God?

²⁶Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

- John 6:26-27

Jesus told this to the group of 5,000 that he had fed the day before. No doubt some were continuing to follow him because they believe he was who he said he was, but there were others who were probably doing it merely for physical and temporary benefits – not satisfying their spiritual hunger.

Too many people use religion as a way of showing prestige or looking “good” and “reverent”. However, those are self-centered motives. So there is only one real answer to the question at the top: true believers follow Jesus purely because He is the way, the truth, and the light, and his way is the right way to live.

I started reading John chapter 8 last night, and paid particular attention to the first story in it. Here’s how it goes:

¹But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ²At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" ⁶They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

   But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." ⁸Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

¹¹"No one, sir," she said.
      "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

- John 8:1-11

I’m sure we’ve all heard this story at one point or another, and it is indeed a good one. The leaders who brought this woman to Jesus were trying to put him in a trap: The law required the woman (and her partner) to be stoned, and if Jesus told them not to stone her, he would be violating the law. If he urged them to execute her, he’d have been reported. Instead, Jesus upheld the punishment, but said only those who have not sinned could punish her. Jesus did not condemn this adulterous woman; instead, he forgave her, and told her to leave her life of sin and straighten herself out.

How many times do you automatically condemn someone when they sin? Even if it’s not out loud – even if it’s in your head – don’t you realize that you, too, have sinned? I have sinned with you. We all have sinned. It’s not our job to judge others – that’s ultimately God’s. Our job is to love and forgive each other.

Thanks for reading!

- Josh