Honor the Lord at Christmas

Jesus was a great teacher. At the age of twelve, Jesus was found in the synagogue teaching and engaging in debate with the pharisees of His day. Just think, a boy teaching as though he were a man. Not only a man but a learned man with great wisdom and insight.

Jesus gave few sermons. His most important work was teaching, healing, and forgiving people of their sins. Preaching was not His primary goal. I am not suggesting in any way that preaching is unnecessary. On the contrary, the bible says that in order to have faith the Word must be preached and those who aspire to such an office are wise.

However, I believe that we have plenty of preaching today and not always enough teaching. Teaching allows people the opportunity to digest Jesus in smaller portions such that they can better understand Him and who they are in Him. As Christians, we must learn God's word in order that we may teach our families and whomever we can about the importance of Christ and His message.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this coming Tuesday, December 25th 2007, let us consider that we must continue to learn all we can about His coming into the world. Why did He come? What was His legacy? What did He teach or preach? Who did He die for? A thorough understanding of these things alone will make us effective witness for the Lord. II Timothy 2:15 reads:

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

The key here is study. You and I must study the Word of God. It is one primary way we can honor our Lord and Savior and His life and death and resurrection and ascension into heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father -the one true God.

Merry Christmas! After celebrating and exchanging gifts (if you practice this), take time to read your bible and pray that we can all exchange heavenly gifts with each other and with our fellow man: goodwill, peace and love.

When The Pain Won't Go Away

There is a song titled "I've Been in the Storm Too Long", performed by the gospel group 'The Mighty Clouds of Joy'. Do you feel that you've been in the storm too long?

Is your heart heavy? Are your eyes weary? Do you groan and cry out to God Almighty but yet the storm rages? Are you tired? Do you feel like giving up? Do the winds seem to keep on blowing and yet you can find no shelter? If you answered "yes" to all of these questions then you really feel that you've been in the storm too long.

Where is God during the storm? We often ask if He cares. Why won't He help me? Why can't I just wake-up one day and it be over? My heart goes out to you. If it helps, know that you're not alone.

Many of us experience times of drought or even affliction in our lives. We can't see our way out of our problems. We've waited a long time and prayed all night and yet when the morning comes there still seems to be no end to the night.

Oh God, how long shall I be here? LORD please hear me. I am tired. This life is getting the best of me. I am not happy. Where is your joy? Where is my peace? Have you forsaken me?

Yet I have decided to still hold onto your hand. You are the only one who can help me. Please stop by my house, hospital bed, job, church, shelter, abandon house, car, ICU room and help me. My heart cries out to you continually. Please oh LORD, hear my earnest prayers and pleas and if you can just stop by for a moment to save me -that's all I need. I just need a touch. I need a word from heaven.

What must I do oh LORD? I have removed sin from my life and my heart is available to you. I am weak and you are so strong and able to do all things. In my despair, in my pain, please just take a little time to comfort me.

If I could just press through the trials and troubles of life and touch the hem of your garment, if I could just feel your presence in my despair, if I could hear a word from heaven letting me know that you see my pain and struggle, I would feel comforted knowing you heard my cry.

LORD save me from myself and my troubles. Help me to overcome and never to quit. Your calling is worth more than my life and with what I have left make it the best it's ever been. Bring joy into my life. Bless me with the desires of my heart. Deliver me upon high places and subdue my enemies that seek my destruction.

LORD, I need you. Father, your sons and daughters are calling upon you in their day of trouble and despair. You said in your word in Psalms that you would deliver us from trouble and that in turn we would worship you. I worship you now oh LORD. Please turn things around, make me the head and not the tail. Bless me to abound and not be abase for a season. Heal my son, daughter, and other love ones and make whole all the brokenness in me and in my loved ones.

Despite everything, I believe God love us. We may not understand it all but let's trust and believe that He will make a MAJOR way. That He will demonstrate His love in such a way that it changes our lives forever.

God loves you and so do I.