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What Should Christians Do About Christmas?

12/29/2018

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CHRISTIANS AND CHRISTMAS


For centuries there has been an ongoing debate about whether Christians should celebrate Christmas. Many display brightly lit trees, decorate their lawns and give gifts, while others oppose even saying, “Christmas”. The following (condensed) article, penned by the late Gus Nichols, may shed some light on the question.


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FACTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS:


There is no proof that Christ was born on December 25th. But He WAS BORN… He came down from Heaven to seek and save the lost. (Luke 2:8-12).


We can rejoice in Christ on December 25th just…as on the other 364 days of the year. We [should not] cease to be happy in Jesus at Christmas just to be different from others. Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS” (Phil. 4:4). This [means] Christmas [and] all other days...


Instead of revealing the date of Christ’s [birth], God has revealed the day on which He was raised from the dead — the first day of the week (Mark 16:8-9, Luke 24:1-47).  God… wants us to celebrate this day. It is…called the “Lord’s Day”. (Rev. 1:10; I Cor. 16:2; Acts 20:7)


There is nothing to prevent our enjoying the holiday season…called Christmas.  We may give and receive gifts…on December 25th or any other day of the year… In fact, we should “rejoice with them that…rejoice” (Rom. 12:15), at Christmas or any other time.  There is not enough happiness in the world anyway.


Finally, it is proof of the divinity of Christ to find…2000 years after [the fact]  that the…world wants to celebrate His birth…  Thank God for our Lord and His coming into the world, regardless of the exact date of His arrival by virgin birth.  We shall, therefore, go on teaching His truth [every day, including] Christmas.


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I am thankful that billions of people around the world turn their thoughts to the birth of Jesus around the 25th of December. I enjoy the lights, songs, and enhanced spirit of giving. Regardless of your feelings about Christmas, avoid judging others for their feelings unless they promote error. ("Let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival, or a new moon or sabbaths..." Col 2:16)


Jesus, always Jesus!


Dennis
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3 Trees

12/14/2018

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PARABLE OF THE 3 TREES (Revised, author unknown. A wonderful story to read to children!) 
Once there were 3 young trees that longed to do something important in this world.
 
The first tree wanted to become a strong frame for a royal bed. One day some people came to the forest and cut the first tree down. It was hewn into rough pieces and nailed together to form a manger to feed cattle. Eventually it was sold for a pittance and placed in a stable in Bethlehem. The tree was heartbroken because it was reduced to feeding animals. However, one night Mary carefully laid her firstborn child - JESUS - in the manger. The manger trembled with delight.  "This is wonderful!  I never imagined that I would provide a bed for the Son of God!”
 
Years passed, and more men came to the forest to chop down the second tree. This tree dreamed of becoming a huge ship for transporting kings. But instead it was used as a small, smelly fishing boat. Eventually a man named Peter purchased it for a modest sum. The little boat was not at all happy. But one day, as it sat on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth stepped into it and began teaching a large crowd.  "This is wonderful!" it thought. "I never imagined that the Son of God would use me to preach His word."
 
More years elapsed, and Romans soldiers came to cut down the third tree. This tree hoped to grow so large that it would testify to the glory of God's creation by providing nests for birds and shade for animals. But the Romans had other ideas. After stripping its branches and bark, they chopped away until only two long, thick beams remained. They then connected the beams to form a cross. The tree was sick. "This is terrible!" it thought. "All I wanted to do was glorify God, and now they are going to kill someone on me!”
 
Shortly afterwards, a large crowd lined a street in Jerusalem. In the middle of the crowd was Jesus, carrying this tree. Eventually, He was nailed to it. As Jesus was dying, the tree heard Him speak words of compassion and forgiveness. Jesus then died, and the earth shook. Only then did the tree realize the significance of this moment! "This is wonderful! I never imagined that I would glorify God by enabling His Son to die for the sins of the world."
 
“Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Prov. 19:21)
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis
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Awful Excuses For...

12/5/2018

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POOR REASONS FOR MISSING CHURCH
 
“I’m too poor.”  There are no admission charges, membership dues or compulsory giving. Sincerity and truth are what matters – John 4:23-24.
 
“It’s raining outside.”  Does rain keep you from work, school, appointments or the grocery store? Besides, our building is dry.
 
“It's too cold (or hot) to go.”  Do you allow uncomfortable temperatures to keep you from checking your mail, shoveling your walk, watering your lawn, walking your dog or going shopping? By the way - our building is heated AND air-conditioned.
 
“No one personally invited me.”  When did the lack of an invitation prevent you from going to the mall, a gas station, fishing, vacation or a hunting trip? [Jesus DID invite you – Matt. 11:28]
 
“I have young children.”  If they do not learn to put God and Christ first while young, they may never do so. Besides, we have lots of children and wonderful Bible classes.
 
“I don’t like the preacher.”  Fortunately, we do not attend services to admire the preacher. We come to worship God and glorify His Son.
 
“There are hypocrites in the church.”  The only place on earth void of hypocrites is a cemetery. If the presence of hypocrites at sporting events, shopping centers or restaurants does not deter you, why should it be different at church?
 
“I have guests from out of town.”  The greatest hospitality you can extend is an invitation to worship God with you. Even if they refuse, they will admire you for putting God first.
 
“I need my rest.”  Jesus Christ, exhausted and bleeding, walked all the way to Golgotha to save you from your sins. Is it asking too much for you to spend an hour or two worshiping Him each Sunday?
 
“My clothes aren’t fashionable.”  Instead of being displays of fashion, our services display our love, faith, gratitude and praise for the God we adore.  
 
“I’m struggling with problems.”  Which is all the more reason to attend. The church is like a hospital for the hurting, not a showcase for the flawless. Everyone in attendance struggles with issues. But the presence of Christ, along with loving, sympathetic souls, can help.
 
 
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD.’" (Psa. 122:1)
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis
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A Secret To Good To Keep

12/5/2018

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A Secret No One Could Keep
(Revised, by Tim Woodward)


Dick Marcear wrote about the beginning of the Anaconda Mining Company. It started when a group of prospectors set out from Bancock, Montana, in search of gold. After many hardships they were overtaken by Indians, who took their good horses and left them with only a few limping old ponies. The Indians ordered the prospectors to return home, and threatened to kill them if they ever saw them in their area again.


Discouraged and heartbroken, they headed back to Bancock. Along the way, they stopped beside a creek. One man picked up a stone from the creek bed, examined it, and, said, "It looks like there may be gold here." The others heard him, and together they panned about $50 worth, a great sum in those days.


As they returned to Bancock they vowed not to tell one soul about their discovery. No one else was to know. Quietly they re-equipped themselves with tools and supplies for a return trip to retrieve more gold. But, to their surprise, when they left to go back to that creek, 300 men followed them! They questioned each other. Which of them had broken the vow? Each insisted he had told no one. When they asked the men who followed them, the only explanation they could ever find was that their beaming faces had betrayed their secret.


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Christians do not have a secret to hide, but a treasure to share. We have found the truest gold, the "pearl of great price," and there is plenty for everyone.  Let those around you know it, not only by your words, but by your beaming face and your life transformed by your knowing Jesus.


"Now when [the Jewish leaders] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished and recognized that these men had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13)
"You are the light-of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give. glory to your Father in heaven."  (Matthew 5:14, 16)


Jesus, Always Jesus!


Dennis
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