'The Night Before Christmas' by Pastor David

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the church,

Everyone was praying, for the lost and the hurt.

The prayer-list was laid upon the altar with care,

Knowing that Christ Jesus hears every prayer.

Some Christians knelt at the pews instead,

While the Words of Christ spoke softly in their heads.

As I stood on the platform wondering what next to do,

The church bells rang clear and true.

The stillness of the scene suddenly was shattered,

And I opened my eyes to see what was the matter.

To the clear-glass window I ran in a flash,

Wiped off the moist fog, and leaned on the sash.

High in the sky, with the most spectacular glow,

Shined the brightest star, over our church below.

Within me at first was this holy fear,

That the Lord himself was about to appear.

Then I remembered that when Christ returns, it will be quick,

And the thought of being left behind, made me extremely sick.

In His Lamb’s Book of Life, from which He will read,

Whose name will He not find, whose indeed?

Will it be Bryan, Joshua, Kevin, or John?

Brittany, McKenzie, Lily, or their Mom?

I fell to my knees and began to bawl,

I must pray and believe, and intercede for them all.

As my cheeks became wet from tear drenched eyes,

“Please save my family”, to the Lord I cried.

I sobbed and sobbed and blew my nose too.

But, I would not be deterred, until for them I prayed through.

And then in a twinkling, my voice became mute,

As through my body His Spirit did shoot.

Seconds before, in fear was I bound,

But, now was no time to wear a frown.

Christ had borne nails in each hand and each foot,

And pain and torment upon His body He took.

While the whip raged angrily upon His back,

Himself He did not defend, No one did He attack.

His eyes how they drooped, as He saw His mother Mary,

His cheeks were bruised and swollen, His body battered and dirty.

His bloodied mouth was drawn up just so,

And the beard of His chin had been plucked and let go.

The Words of Life He formed in His teeth,

As he struggled for air so He could breathe.

A last message He needed to get out, He must tell it,

The sacrifice was almost done, His Father was ready.

The grave had always claimed victory, the enemy was death,

But on this day Christ, was freely offering Himself.

In a few moments the Son of God would be dead,

Little did satan know, he soon had a lot to dread.

As Christ Jesus spoke those climactic words,

All became still, from mankind to little birds.

“It is finished”, He cried, His authority now showed,

For death and Life, are under His abode.

So now as His Word pierces the air like a whistle,

Will you accept Him as Savior, and soften your heart as a thistle?

Will you call upon His name, and let Him be your light?
For Jesus is the reason for Christmas, and in Him you can delight!

Opinion or TRUTH? What is the difference?

Today’s world scene is filled with unrest, protests, violence, lawlessness… and endless argumentative debates. Sadly, many participants in the above profess to be Christians. How can that be? How can anyone who truly is saved by the sacrificial blood of Christ act and talk in such ways? Even sadder is the fact that so much of what is said today in the name of love or Christ (regardless of how it is being said) is misleading and/or erroneous. What is a true child of God supposed to do in all this chaos and confusion?

A big part of the problem rests in what we believe (or think we believe). When we take a specific stand on an issue, it typically is based on what we believe relative to that issue. But on what foundation are we basing our belief? Is our belief just opinion with no solid basis or is it TRUTH grounded in the firm foundation of the Word? Some will claim their comments are correct by referencing a scripture verse on love or forgiveness, yet not be aware of the falsehood they are presenting. Just as invoking a “writ of habeas corpus” to a traffic cop will not stop him from writing you a ticket, neither will invoking a religious principle without solid biblical basis, and foundational context, sustain your opinion. So what is needed?

The answer to these questions and all others is found in the word of God. John 8:31-32 states: ^“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Three requirements are set forth in this verse. 

1) You must believe on Him. (Be a genuine born again Christian.) 

2) Continue in His Word. (Read and study it daily.)

3) Know the Truth. (Become proficient with it.)

True Freedom comes in knowing Christ as He desires us to know Him. We can only know Him that way by being immersed in His Word, the Holy Bible. Then when we speak on an issue, we will not speak our own words or agenda. Rather, we will speak as living oracles of God with “Thus saith the Lord”. Jesus Christ exemplified this principle while being tempted of satan. Matthew 4:4 states: “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Christ, who is the Living Word, spoke the Word, referencing the written Word, which left the devil no rebuttal. Our foundation cannot get any firmer than that.

As Christians, we are the children of God. As such, Christ lives in us, desires to speak thru us, and instructs us to “hide His Word in our hearts” that the Holy Spirit can bring back His Word to our remembrance at the appropriate time.

In II Timothy 2:15 Paul gives instructions to Timothy that are for us today: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” So, to help us do that, and truly know what we believe, our Sunday bulletins will post a series on “Core Beliefs” and subsequently “Fundamental Truths”.

Every person who reads it is challenged to memorize these beliefs and related scriptures so that they may effectively proclaim God’s TRUTH from a solid foundation. Additionally, we should research other passages that shine light on these beliefs to ensure that we personally understand the context and are faithful to His Word. Now, more than ever, our own words are of no effect, for everyone has opinions. But, God’s Word is TRUTH, and He promises in Isaiah 55:11; “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Lastly, Paul in Ephesians 4:14-15 instructs: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” And to that I say, AMEN!