Seeking God: The Importance of Putting God First

Relationships are so important for Christians. It is so important that God became human. It means God knows what it is to be human, he stooped low, and dwelt among us. This means that God isn't just a distant good idea, but he is their with us and among us, Emanuel.

As followers of Jesus we need to be in right relationship with God, with self, and neighbor. What does this mean one may ask. Well this is what it means. Well it means keeping the main thing the main thing. God should always be first, as he is our all in all. We know that nothing can replace God and when you have him you truly have everything you need and all else will be added on. Also when we are in right relationship with God we realize that all people are made in his image and all people are important to him. Through the resurrection we have been restored into right relationship with God, mending and fixing what was broken relationship between God and humans. We must not set up idols for ourselves as nothing can replace God, we really do NEED him. Following Jesus should be the center of our lives. We need to worship God not lesser things that we put for ourselves! Worship comes from worth meaning that we worship what is worthy of our complete trust, love and dedication. When we worship something we recognize it is of ultimate value. Everywhere we see economics, new political ideologies,and more becoming idols. We need to put God first, and all else will follow. Here are some verses on that.

Matthew 6:31-33 ESV Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:19-21 ESV “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Galatians 2:20 ESV I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Matthew 6:24 ESV “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Proverbs 16:3 ESV Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Colossians 3:1-4 ESV If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Matthew 22:37 ESV And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind

Friendships are also important. In the body of Christ we should be brothers and sisters, friends, Friends are important because they are here to support you in your walk and just be their for you when you need someone to talk to. It is important to have someone you can bible study with and talk about important things in your walk with Christ. God has created us as social beings, we are meant to be in community, in particular the body of Christ. We must also take time to invest in those who are not particularly our friends because God values them as well and because God invests in us (we can see this when God became man and when he died on the cross for us at n o fault of his own).Here are verses that talks about the importance of friendship.

*Proverbs 18:24 NLT There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

*Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Finally it is important that we are in relation to creation, that we take care of the animals, plants,and various other wildlife God has given us domain over. We are called to be good stewards, including of this planet. We have responsibility and we need to start and take it. Here are some verses on this.

*Proverbs 12:10 NLT The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.

*Psalm 24:1-2 NLT The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.

*Psalm 8: 6- 8 NRSV You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

*Genesis 2:15 NLT The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 

The Way-Jesus has done for us we could not have.

Around the world different cultures make ways to celebrate relationships in different ways, such as in United States (and I'm sure other places) Valentines day marks the love between two people. Nations mark relation with treaties and in several other ways. But what about relations with God you say? God has his own way of setting relation. One of the first ways God showed he will not abandon us despite our fall and continued sin is through the rainbow which is a sign that after the great flood is his sign of restored relations saying that kind of global destruction will ever happen again (at least not by God's hands. God's creation is beautiful as he creates the sun, the moon, all the creatures of the land and water, and more. Then he creates humans and they are very good, however after the fall of man we realize that our relationship with God had been severely damaged. Though God would not leave us this way though because he loves us. God sent his son Jesus Christ into the world so he might save it, and he does save us. Through the Cross-his blood and sacrifice as the perfect Passover lamb he saves us from our sins, saves us from the death meant for us. His love changes the world and changes us and he restores the relation that was broken between God and humans. We see this at our Baptism in a special way after we are baptized into Christ we here you are my beloved, as in we adopted into God's family and through Jesus we are made into children of God. We cant love God unless we really know he loves us, which is made obvious through his sacrifice for us and the Word says We love him because he loved us first. God Bless.

Advent Message II- Let us not be distracted

I love Advent and the seasons of the Church, it is so helpful and it is one of the reasons I left the. I love being in a liturgical church that uses a calend as it emerses us in the seasons of the Church and gives us a chance to take part of the created order, it isnt all about us, and no not everything does revolve around us. While we have free will we are not in control of it all. This allows us and gives us the chance to allow us to remember who we are and who we are for. We should wait and do our best to remember what the real meaning of this season is about. As much as I enjoy the Christmas stories of Frosty, Santa, Rudolph, Jack Frost, and what not, those stories are not nearl as important and they are not central, just entertainment. It isnt even about family or giving to others (though these are good secondary themes and Christian Ideals). Lets try to observe Advent because they help us remember who and who we are. It helps us remember why we do the work we do whether, political, social, church, work, or otherwise-we do it because we are following God and he is leading us to use our talents in these areas to bring Glory to him and his kingdom. Advent is like that, the church's seasons, they are for our benefit not to limit us or chain us to a strict set of rules. Now if you want to forget all about advent season and go home and decorate your house prematurally for Christmas if you want to put a baby Jesus dall in the manger now and set in the stable surrounded by blow up frotsty the snowman and blinking light reindeer you can do that! As far as I can tell God isnt going to be offended or put off or hurt. Your certainly not going to hurt anyone else either. Its your own business and certainly absolutley none of my buisness. None of these events mean you follow Christ less or you shall not have eternal life, but my respeoncibilities is places under my domain such as my house or church remain provide an oasis for those who wish to avoid the superhyped comercialized premature Christmas...You can decorate your house, walk the streets, you cna open a newspaper, turn on your tv and find lots of this version of Christmas. However some places in our lives, some of us want and oasis from all of that, where we remember what this season is really about, the anticapation, waiting, and celabration of the birth of the divine among us. May you have a blessed Advent whatever way you choose to spend it!

Intro to Advent: Advent Series Part 1

 2 Peter paraphrase: Therefore I intend to keep reminding you of these things, even though you know them already. One of the blessings of a church that goes by calendar is it constantly is reminding us of things. Were we come from, were all hope stems from, knowing who we are and who we are for, who we belong too. At this time of year it is getting colder and darker, often dreary in setting. The days grow shorter and shorter, and at least where I live the nights get longer and colder. Even so we have well heated and lighted buildings we can rely on, but God's people of the past hadn't had these modern advantages, imagine how frightening life was around the early church with the persecution, martyrdom, and so much more. Imagine how much they longed for deliverance the saving Grace of God and their need for a savior. Our need is just as great especially because of all the modern idols that steal our thoughts and time. Our need is every bit as great, its just has become easier to ignore because of modern conveniences (which is truly sad)-we are just as much in the face of tragedy, despair, remorse, sin. Our need is every bit as great, Advent is the celebrating the  upcoming birth of Christ among us/is a time to slow down and notice. Notice what you may be asking, to notice how much we need God and nothing can replace him, no amount of technology or anything at all can replace him- We need God who is far bigger than our appetites or our inadequacies, a God who expects much of us and gives much to us, and saves us who turn away --saving us even from our selves. May we have the Grace and discipline to enter this season to prepare us for anything and everything our redeemer has in store for us. God Bless

 

Part II of Prayer Series: God Hears our Prayers

 Does GOD hear and or answer prayers? What do you think? He most certainly does!!!! Remember when God's people were wandering in the dessert for years and years and years and years!  God heard those  people and Moses now didnt he.  When God hears us Cry out, what does he do you may be asking yourself.  God is with us even as Jesus and God the Father preside in Heaven the third part of the trinity the Holy Spirit is here with us and when two or more gather in God's name, Jesus is in the midst. Jesus is always in our hearts. We are the hands and feet, the body of Christ until Jesus returns. God often answers using us, his people!  That is part or one way God answers, but that isnt all. God motivates us to respond to those who cry out, the poor who need us, the sick, and the lowest among us. As followers of Christ it is our job to answer God's call for us to help those people. God can hear us, for God is love! God hears us through many ways-through our worries, our prayers or conversations with him, through the suffering of the world, through the love in the world, he hears us when we are gathered as his body for sure, God is beyond humanity. God is mroe than the human part of creation!!! God created all that is and it all reflects his awesome glory and power and love in some way. This shows his ability to create and heal all that is and bring life out of nothing and death. We need to listen to God in our lives, he speaks to us through nature, God is also in the scilence. It is often a subtle and quiet, yet quite obvious feeling in your heart were you here God answer your prayers and suddenly you know what God is telling you.  Encouraging video  below for the short hymn Here our Pray O' Lord

Prayer Series Part 1 : Making and taking time to Pray

Sometimes life becomes just one thing after another, it piles on and becomes unbearable. We jump out of bed not nearly getting enough sleep, slam that snooze button a few times, and wake up as zombies. After that we are constantly on the run worry about anything and everything. We are either taking care of our families (Im not to the that point yet), finishing a project for work that is past the deadline, or having one of those cram study sessions. The day becomes a complete blur, it all is lost. Life becomes meaningless. We need regular prayer!!! Those who are Anglican know in the Prayer book their are morning and evening (and even midday) prayer time in the prayer book. However for those who are reading this blog and are not Anglicans but Christians none the less can set up prayer times as well. Christ tells us to pray unceasingly through our every though word and deed. Not many people practice prayer as a spiritual discipline anymore. It is good sometimes to pray about what is on your mind as a conversation, but it is also good at times to say set prayers as the way we worship helps to form us. Prayer as a routine and life,  something we stop and do at a regular basis, gradually we begin to grow in understanding and fellowship with God the more we pray. We don't pray to God at regular times to win him over or to be holier than someone else. but to grow in our relationship with God, our trust in him, and in fellowship with him. You cant have a relationship if you never talk to them.

A Deeper look in John 19: 10-11 (Give Cesar what belongs to him and God what belongs to Him)

Jesus always taught that what is the property of Men such as should given to them, however heavenly should be given to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or put as treasuers in heaven. Futher in this passage he tells Pilate that his authority is that of which is given by God himself. This has been a crystal clear Christian teaching throughout the Church's history. The rulers have been appointed by God check evil doing and to promote and reward the good and the 1st letter of ST.Peter also agrees. This means Christians are bound by their rulers. Except in such cases of course where these rulers have proclaimed and enforced what God has forbidden or on the other hand forbid what God has commanded. Then apostles we must reply by saying we God's authority which is in heaven over the authority of men. Christians should aby by law of the land if at all possible and be good citezens. We should desire to good and love all people regardless of race, background, or sociological economic status. As far as possible we shall respect to obey the rulers of the land. But at the same time we must what is right and help the poorest among us Just as Jesus himself did. Stand those who are oppressed, set the captives free, and spread love of God everywhere. We must try our best to make sure the society we live in to the best of our capabilities is going according to the plan of God and is community of Goodwill and love towards all, for God is love.

John 19:10-11 NLT 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you
realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?” 11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no
power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who
handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

Ephesians Ch:6-Put on the Armor God has given you

Our battle is many areas. Here is the first one we have. While God has created a great World it has been infected by the virus of selflishness that leads to sin. We have the rulers, authorities, powers, and power systems of this dark world we are living in and the second is the spirtual forces of evil in the heavenly realms that are behind the seans. The verse 13 says Theirfore put on the full armor so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything you will be able to stand. Verse 14 opens with stand firm then. What we have to realise as crazy as it may sound to some people, every Christian knowns their is this invisible battle and war going on This isnt just for the big day of evil since it isnt capatalized, but this refers to anyday of evil or suffering. Whenever their is attack of any kind going on in your life you will be able to stand your ground. If you do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, the third part of the Holy Trinity you can read God's word or in other terms the bible everyday and get nothing out of it. However when you confess CHrist as your saviour with a truthful heart then you know you are saved and changed and the Holy Spirit will breath life into the words of the Bible and bring life to them and you, but this time the everlasting kind. The second part of the armor of God is putting on the breast plate of righteousness-1st John Ch 1:9 says: if we confess our sins then God our Father will be faithful and just, forgiving us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. The devil loves us too keep secrets, but God already knows our problems and wants us to confess our sins to him and repent. Choose God. Next we put on the belt of truth-This means walking with God always and in all aspects of life. When we do this we are growing in our faith constantly-it is something God does because of our time spent with him and his word (super important). Then we have the shield of faith-it helps us block attacks on us, then we have the helmet of salvation-his power is dwelling in us -greater is he in us than those in the world, which leads us to have favorite scriptures and prophets to build us up and to help us in our personal ministry by the Holy Spirit since he knows the beginning from the end. I always end each night in prayer before I rest my eyes, also try to pray each morning, and I definetly pray throughout the day-this is our time spent with God who is strengthening us. Finally we have the Word which is the sword that strikes down evil. Hope you enjoyed this message, God Bless you!

A Message of Hope in Christ

Tonight Im righting this because of the persecution of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ their is always hope and he wont abandon you. Whether you are locked behind doors or not Christ is with you just like he was with his original disciples that were locked behind doors that very first Easter. Jesus tells us peace be with you. The only safe place is to know that God will hold you in love forever, he saved you, and he will not abandoned you. Wherever you go tomorrow  and every day the risen Christ goes before you because their are no places God wont go for his children, no depths to low, as was proven by the Lords death and resurrection. Hold strong and confident as Christ, as he will see us all through this time. God Bless!

Reserection NT Wright

Today I am just sharing a link to an amazing video featuring the former Anglican Bishop of Durham and leading New Testament scholar  Dr.  N.T  Wright on the historical truth of the Resurrection.
                           Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqc7--CaCpM                             

The Cleaning Temple and its meaning

Throughout Jesus amazing public ministry he did things no one thought the Messiah would do, when he publicly announced on the streets the forgiveness of peoples sins, an assurance that many did not understand. Before God sent his son to save the world people who be forgiven of sins by going to the temple and offer sacrifice to the Lord. Usually their would be some kind of celebration after, however with Jesus the Sins were forgiven without any intermediate steps, because he is God in the flesh and people celebrated right on the spot.

Then questions arouse who does he think he is, does he think he is God? The miracles and other such events that Jesus were preforming were undermining the temples authorities. However when he healed the Leaper he told him to go to the temple to show himself as clean. The Leaper needed to do that so he could be re integrated into society. Jesus was fulfilling the purpose of the temple, basically replacing its purpose.

The newest questions where asking was Jesus or the temple representing the will of God and the coming Kingdom. Their is evidence that the poor felt at the time the temple was an oppressive regime more interested in following a set of rules and making a profit than glorify God. However Jesus isn't saying the temple was an evil thing, but was a thing of the past. Simply put he is saying God the Father is doing a new thing.

When Jesus overthrew the tables of the money changers he stopped the flow of sacrifices being bought at the temple for a while (as they had to be blemish free and essentially perfect). What this says is that this whole system in under judgment and not before to long the system will stop completely because the temple will be destroyed completely.

Ultimately what our Lord was saying is that through me you have God with you, as Jesus is God, therefore you now have in reality what the temple was pointing towards. Does this mean the temple or law was a bad thing, no it doesn't. What it does mean is that the temple was a good sign post that pointed to a future reality, forgiveness of sin through the Messiah and is now its purpose has been fulfilled and now it is time for its destruction. He is not saying it destroyed because it was a bad thing, what he is saying is that the temple pointed to God's future plan and that if they are only looking to the thing that points to the Jesus and not Jesus they have missed the point which is idolatry and not true worship of God.

When Jesus came people were so focused on the temple that they failed to see that it pointed to him as the savior of the world, therefore it has worn out its use. Now our bodies are a temple unto the Lord. God Bless.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

What does the Resurrection Mean?

In modern society we have no real understanding of cost or sacrifice, as we have a view of cheep grace. However many don't realize that real healing and forgiveness comes from restitution, from cost, and from sacrifice. It isn't that God just sent his son to be killed, no that isn't the message. What Jesus did as the son of God is to in obedience to the Father's divine will, carrying out that will in a society that has gone corporately wrong (which is actually what original sin means), It is his obedience in the contexts of the corrupt society that ultimately leads to the crucifixion that restores our relationship which was broken between God and man.

So all of the evil, sin, and injustice in the world was put on Jesus and which he willingly took so we may have eternal life. Isaiah talks about how our Savior was bruised for our transgressions, beaten for our iniquities, and how he has overcome sin and death, so we may live again, eternally with him. It is key to remember Colossians 2 that Jesus through his resurrection took the worst and disarmed the principalities and powers of this world: What Paul is saying all the evil and the sin of this world did its worst to Jesus and he took this pain for us and defeated and broken its bonds forever through the power of his resurrection. All glory and thanks to God three in one, Lets give thanks for reserectiona and God incarnate among us, God Bless.
 

Praying and Remembering those who died on 9/11

Today we remember all those who died senslessy and violently 13 years ago, the tears fresh upon my face to this day. 

Yearning and hoping peace may come to this land through God,  we pray for hearts that may grow and change so that no nation will study war.  Micah 6:8  No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God  (NLT).  When you live by this, you will begin to see the world transfom before your very eyes.  Christians and Jews  alike share an understanding that peace can only occur when you align your heart with God's intentions, and God is LOVE. Align your Heart with God's peace changes realtiy overtime, How do we pray for our enemies that persecute and hurt us- How do you forgive those that toture, you look for Jesus in them, you see them as the humble Christ laying in a manger,  wrapped in swattling cloth.  Changed hearts seek not vengance, but seak love, peace, and greater life. Pray for those who acted violently and all those lives lost. May we change the hearts through prayer and love, yes we can for We can do all things through Christ who Strengthens us.

Loving God and Neighbors-Based on passage Based on Mathew 25: 31-36

Hello Everyone todays teaching is on Loving God and others. The passage used for this post is at the bottom of the page which is from Mathew 25: 31-36 in the New Living Translation, which is my favorite translation. Here we go:

 

A question to ask yourself is how can we love God when we don't love our neighbor? We must not deny the physical needs or the spiritual needs of others for they our brothers and sisters. They are not only physically hungry but also hungry for the Word of God. As Jesus said "Men do not live by bread, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God". We must be concerned for all people and love them, as God loves ALL his people, whether they know him or not he loves them and expects us to care for them. We need genuine love and concern for those in need. We must respect and  help those in need, treating them will love, kindness, and dignity that is given to ALL God's children, they have been created to love and be loved.

 

God loves and raises the lowest among us and we are to love and to care and help these people. These include but are certainly not limited to the homeless, the unloved, a throw away of society, and more! May we show the love of God to others, those who so desperately need us. Let us do as God asked to be that lovingness, that kindness, and thoughtfulness to them, let us be light and salt unto the earth and all its people. God is of the living so me mustn't be afraid but be living for him fully which means following him, loving him with all are hearts minds souls and strength, sharing life, loving, not being afraid, and spreading the good news, lets remember the world shall know that we are Jesus's disciples by our love.

 

 New Living Translation (NLT) Mathew 25: 31-36

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.^{[g] 42} For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. ⁴³ I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
⁴⁵ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
⁴⁶ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

God Loves all his children and He raises those thrown out by Society

Some people look down and exclude people with disabilities, Ive seen it recently. Well let me tell you when I worked these wonderful individuals they where some of the most wonderful, kind, and loving individuals I ever met. These people also taught me a lot about God and how great God is. No matter what their condition they stayed strong in the Lord, truly they are as much children of the Living God as you and I are. Jesus is always raises those who have been outcast by society, and raises them. The lowest on this earth will be the highest in Heaven above. These people taught me a lot about life and about God, truly amazing people leading amazing life's of encouragement, hope, and love. I once got a card once from one that I still own and cherish today that says God loves you and me. It was great, truly these are children of God.

Finding what God has called you to?

Everyone has a calling in life and one of the biggest missions in life is to find out what that calling is and to honor that call. For the longest time I thought I wanted to MD and then I realized that wasn't what God called me to. Now Im doing architecture and spreading the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God to all those who wish to hear. Sometimes these callings lead you to places you never thought of or dreamed where possible. In order to figure out who you are and meant to be is to ask God that question and wait for his answer so you can use it to serve him and to help people around the world. People think they need a lot of... money and to get paid for these things. That isn't what makes some successful in their life or from God's eyes. What one needs to do is look at their life from heaven's eyes as people's value aren't measured in money. You are here to fulfill what God has called you to do, I love and put God first, teach about him on a blog, and tell all those who wish to hear about him and am happier than ever (some day I hope to go to seminary and perhaps be ordained), so life isn't about money. Go on and find that calling, you'll never be happy till you find it

Magi-why does everyone always assume their is three of them?

Im not really sure why everyone assumes their where three magi, lets look at Mathew 2: 1-8 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ² “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”  King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. ⁴ He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”  “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel. Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. ⁸ Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!

We always see the seen the baby Christ is in the manger and three magi (well their is some rebellion to that now, but most people still want to see even if they don't follow our Lord). Also what is meant by the nativity seen, it the birth seen and comes from Latin. We see Jesus's conception in Luke 1: 26 it was announced 6 months into Elizabeth's conception with John the Baptist. Jesus was born slightly before the death of Harrod (the King at the time).

"The Magi also referred to as the three Wiseman where a group of distinguished foreigners who visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." (From Wikipedia).  I suspect they had some sort of government role as we get the modern word magistrate. Three Wiseman, they came with a large army. They may have been three at the top of chain, or their could be a lot more than three. The followed a star to the newborn baby Jesus due to the prophecy in Isaiah. They arrive shortly after the birth of the savior of the world and give the baby Jesus  gold, frankincense and myrrh. Despite the criticism of the day Christmas is on, it is believed that they discovered him on December 25th.

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

The bible (God's Word) says love covers a multitude of sins, but what does that actually mean ( 1 Peter 4:8)? According to Webster dictionary cover means:  to hide from sight or knowledge.

Now here is the scripture to go with it  Genesis 9 After the flood, Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard. ²¹ One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent. ²² Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers. ²³ Then Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see him naked. ²⁴ When Noah woke up from his stupor, he learned what Ham, his youngest son, had do ²⁵ Then he cursed Canaan, the son of Ham: “May Canaan be cursed! May he be the lowest of servants to his relatives.” ²⁶ Then Noah said, “May the Lord, the God of Shem, be blessed, and may Canaan be his servant! ²⁷ May God expand the territory of Japheth! May Japheth share the prosperity of Shem,  and may Canaan be his servant.”

Talk about God not shying away from the situation, it is very graphic in this instant. I can just see what he is saying now to his two brothers: Haha Dad is in their drunk and naked hahaha, you wont believe it you  got to come see it for yourselves. This is the important part: the two sons that covered their father were each individually blessed, while Ham was cursed. That is a strong indication we must not overlook.

God blesses the no gossipers, those who are not out to destroy other lives out of sick satisfaction. I've seen people who have went through a lot because a simple situation that could have been handled has turned into a big mess because of the intentions of others to hurt that individual. It literally makes me sick.

We really do have a perverted kick out of telling stuff, I mean how many can remember these situations: You wont believe, can you believe it, Huh I cant believe it, You are not going to believe this. What makes this worse is like the telephone game every time someone else tells it their is something added to it, by the time it gets through about 10 people you got a whole new story far worse than the first. We need to not expose them to others for their mistakes but pray for them and talk to them one on one.
                                                Love covers a multitude of sins!

Matthew 18:25  "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.

In this passage we are told how to handle conflict and what is being said basically after that verse that only if he doesn't listen go to two others, three others, and then finally before the whole church. But in most situations it should only be between you and that others person, as that is all that is usually needed! Most of the time though people gossip and go to others instead of going directly to that individual. I wonder how much pain and trouble could be avoided if we would just go to the person and say you know this is bugging me and I know the devil is making this a bigger deal than it needs to be, so I would just like to talk to you about it.

This isn't about condemnation, their is no condemnation for those in Christ but so we are better able to live and enjoy the life Jesus planned for us.  God bless!

Stand with Christ in age of Radical and Extreme Secularism

In the modern age extreme secularism has become quite popular and its proponents A.C. Grayling, Richard Dawkins, Stephen Hawkings, Stephen Hitchens, and others have made quite a bit of a stir (and know doubt profit) off of it. We live in a period know as the end times (the time after Jesus's resurrection) and this particular period is a very odd time! Sadly their are some very shrill and I think this is due to the perceived version of some modern Christianity which doesn't go into the deeper exploration of Scripture and teachings and doesn't go deep into the teachings of our Lord. Their is a sense among these famous atheist's and or secularist who basically bought into the myth that Christianity would have died 30-50 years ago and are now saying man we need to try and make this happen.

First off Christianity has survived 2000yrs for one simple reason it is the truth and life transforming. Because a certain group of Christians are violent and seem to have more political than spiritual agenda's the finger has been pointed at Christians and they say it ruins society, they do bad things, they are bad for your health, and they are capable of incredible violence, better to get rid of and eradicate them now before its to late. Personally. A lot of these Secularists and extreme atheist use misdirection, untrue statements, and misguided and twisted facts to meet their ends!

My question is which God are they concerned with: the God of genuine Christianity or is the God of the rather water downed modern western Christianity that exist in many places today! The Good News is if we were being ineffective followers of Christ nobody would launch this kind of attack, it is actually because we are making waves that these attacks have been fired at us. Interestingly enough I say let them come we have nothing to be ashamed of,  we have the truth of the Good News. If our God is for us, who can stand against!

So let us change the world through the Good News, the love of Christ, and be a light unto the world! While we are being pressured to be quite and sit in a corner we will not be silenced, because the Love of God is more powerful. Christianity is a public profession of trust in the risen Lord, their is no good in being a Sunday only Christian and we must tell others about the reason of the hope within us. Also Christianity has made a enormous difference in the world as the first schools, hospitals, universities, and many other things came from Christian churches. Lets go back even to Pagan Rome before Christian influence: 40 percent were slaves, men and women fought one another to the death in the Colosseum, women had no rights, and the regular practice of fantasied

. I fervently believe in Christ and Christianity with all my heart, my soul, and strength-so I stand by God and will do so for eternity!

Worry is the opposite of Faith, Trust God!

You know what I was thinking I am somebody who worries to much about the little things in life. Worry begins with a thought while faith is just the opposite. Faith starts in our hearts and is the gift of God, it is released through trust in God. We can either go on worry and sweating about the little things in life and worry and get anxious, or we can chose to trust him and having loving trusting ...thoughts and think about his promises. Worry enters our lives through our thoughts and doesn't God tell us not to lean our own understanding, as well as cast our burdens on him because he loves us and is willing and able to bear our burdens. Worry sees the problem but faith and trust sees the God that can handle the problem!