Coming Again

Christians all over the world remember the nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Christmastime.  Gifts are exchanged, families gather together, and homes and businesses are decorated.  There are special programs at church. 

The holiday has become secularized, and there is a rush to buy gifts, food, and the like “before Christmas gets here.”  There are parties, drinking, and special athletic events.  Sometimes “the reason for the season” gets lost in all the hubbub.  This frenzy of activity leaves some of us “stressed out,” and Christmas is often called “the silly season” as a result. 

What often gets overlooked is that Jesus promised that He will come again to gather all believers unto Himself.  It is also a reason for rejoicing because it is a cause for hope in a world that seems to be going mad.  Jesus said:

 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.  And you know the way to where I am going.”  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1-6 ESV) [1]

 

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/esv/john/14.htm

 

Ask God for His Wisdom

 

Proverbs 3

(NLT)

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.

Store my commands in your heart.

If you do this, you will live many years,

and your life will be satisfying.

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!

Tie them around your neck as a reminder.

Write them deep within your heart.

Then you will find favor with both God and people,

and you will earn a good reputation.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take.

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.

Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Then you will have healing for your body

and strength for your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the best part of everything you produce.

Then he will fill your barns with grain,

and your vats will overflow with good wine.

My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline,

and don’t be upset when he corrects you.

For the LORD corrects those he loves,

just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,

the one who gains understanding.

For wisdom is more profitable than silver,

and her wages are better than gold.

Wisdom is more precious than rubies;

nothing you desire can compare with her.

She offers you long life in her right hand,

and riches and honor in her left.

She will guide you down delightful paths;

all her ways are satisfying.

Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;

happy are those who hold her tightly.

By wisdom the LORD founded the earth;

by understanding he created the heavens.

By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,

and the dew settles beneath the night sky.

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.

Hang on to them,

for they will refresh your soul.

They are like jewels on a necklace.

They keep you safe on your way,

and your feet will not stumble.

You can go to bed without fear;

you will lie down and sleep soundly.

You need not be afraid of sudden disaster

or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,

for the LORD is your security.

He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it

when it’s in your power to help them.

If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,

“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,

for those who live nearby trust you.

Don’t pick a fight without reason,

when no one has done you harm.

Don’t envy violent people

or copy their ways.

Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD,

but he offers his friendship to the godly.

The LORD curses the house of the wicked,

but he blesses the home of the upright.

The LORD mocks the mockers

but is gracious to the humble.

The wise inherit honor,

but fools are put to shame! [1]

[1] https://biblehub.com/nlt/proverbs/3.htm

Don't Seek Revenge

During his political campaign recently Donald Trump was asked if he would try to get revenge against those who prosecuted him.  His reply that success would be his revenge was well said. 

There is a lot of talk now amongst his supporters about prosecuting the prosecutors and making this or that person pay for what they did.  President Elect Trump should put a stop to it. 

Presently, many Americans are encouraged because Donald Trump was elected.  There is hope for relief from the divisiveness and oppression we endured under the Biden Administration.  We are looking forward to a time when our President will unify the country and not divide us further. 

There is enough acrimony and negative energy among the Progressives to go around.  We do not need more of it from the Republicans. 

It seems that the “lawfare” and persecution Donald Trump and his associates endured cost the persecutors dearly.  It contributed to the success of the Republicans in the recent national election.  There is a lesson to be learned from that.  The incoming administration and the Republican led congress should not make the same mistake. 

The United States of America is a country where victory is found at the ballot box.  Attempts by those in power to prosecute their political enemies is seen as an abuse of power.  Under the Biden Administration, abuse of power devalued our nation and society.

The new chief executive and legislature must take the high road in order to retain and build upon the wave of hope and goodwill most Americans are feeling now.  Those who persecuted Donald Trump, and good men like Rudy Giuliani, may have exceeded their constitutional authority or even broken the law.  The USA, however, does not need to spend time, energy, and money on years of legal actions to prove it and punish the guilty. Removing them from office and taking away their power is sufficient.  We face challenges at home and abroad that threaten our very existence as a nation, and we need our government to lead us in a united effort to resolve those problems in our favor.

Thanksgiving 2024

 

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.  All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”    (Jude 24-25 NLT) [1]

 Have a Happy Thanksgiving.  God bless us all.

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nlt/jude/1.htm

 

Giving Thanks Regardless of Our Circumstances

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV) 

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV) 

“… for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV)

 

Acknowledgement:  All Bible verses shown were copied from https://biblehub.com/

Who Will Thank Him?

 

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.  And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.  Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;  and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.  Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”  And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-18 ESV) [1]

 

This Thanksgiving let’s take a little time away from the feasting, family, and football and remember to give thanks to God for the many blessings He has given us, the greatest of which is this: 

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17 ESV) [2]

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/esv/luke/17.htm

[2] https://biblehub.com/esv/john/3.htm

 

Give Thanks

 

Psalm 100

(ESV)

A Psalm for giving thanks

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.[1]

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[1] https://biblehub.com/esv/psalms/100.htm