Christmas Day 240

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to always live my life for Jesus Christ to be a good, godly, unwavering, Biblical Christian; and I want all those who name the name of Jesus Christ to get on our knees, before we open our mouths, move our tongues, flap our lips, or write with pen and paper or computer; repent of our sins; and find what God the LORD expects of us; and then do it with all our hearts and minds.

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:11-14 (KJV)

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33-34

Christmas Day Two Hundred Forty and Seven

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to give myself anew to the Lord Jesus Christ that He might use me to honor and glorify His name; that my neighbors might know that He is the Lord.

And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.” Ezekiel 34:27 (KJV)

That phrase “Know that I am the LORD” is used at least 63 times in Ezekiel and many other times throughout the Old Testament.  It appears that GOD wants the world and all who are in it to know Him.

Day Two Hundred Eighty and Five

What do I want for Christmas?

I want people to know that there is no peace to the wicked.

There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.” Isaiah 48:22 (KJV)
“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalm 7:11

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” Romans 5:1

Words for Christian Living – Rich

“Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”  2 Corinthians 8:7-9 (KJV)

That word “Rich” causes us to think of wealth in the material sense.  We hear the word “Rich” and we may have thoughts of what that might be like to live like the “Rich”.  Gold, silver, precious stones, Wall Street, big mansions, big ranches or farms; many houses and lands or expensive cars have absolutely nothing to do with the richness of which the above passage speaks.

The wealthiest Man who ever lived and walked among men gave up much wealth – the splendor and glories of heaven – and came down and walked among us, then gave His life that we all might be saved.  He gave up wealth, to become poor that those who hear His Word, and believes would become rich in the purest meaning of the word.

The riches of Christ cannot be taken away; they cannot be destroyed by moth or rust; they are incorruptible.  The riches and glory of heaven are yours through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.

Words for Christian Living – Our Comfort

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-6 (KJV)

In times of sorrow from loss of a family member, a friend, or in times of financial chaos; or some other catastrophic event it is an encouragement to a Christian to know that GOD is the one who comforts us.  He is the source of all our comfort.

Of course we need to realize that He comforts us many times through friends, family, neighbors and loved ones.  Sometimes though these may fail us; and it is then that God will give us peace and comfort through His Spirit who abides within and through His Word.

Through our own trials and tribulations we learn to console and comfort others.

Words for Christian Living 060513

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”  Romans 16:17-20 (KJV)

We, as Christians are told to “Love one another”.  As you can see in Paul’s writing above we are also to “Mark them which cause divisions… contrary to the doctrine”.  This surely means the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Anyone, therefore, who would cause division and offenses or a departure from the gospel is to be marked.  That would mean not to even fellowship with such an individual.  Also see Galations  5:14-15.

The ones whom Paul speaks of is most certainly false teachers, teaching things which distract from the gospel of Christ. Are there false teachers teaching a false gospel today?  Most certainly.  Any teaching which distracts from the glory of God through the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is a false gospel.

-Tim A. Blankenship