Tag: born-again-christian

The Real Meaning of Christmas

Trees, tinsel, lights, gifts, cards, etc, etc. That’s outward “Christmas.” But what is the real meaning of Christmas? I bet you say simply the birth of Christ. But it goes way deeper than celebrating a birth over 2,000 years ago. The real meaning of Christmas is seeking to have Jesus Christ reborn in you. Each one of us.

I know I have been reborn in Jesus years ago. But Christmas is about experiencing that birth again. Of course you can be reborn in Jesus any day or time during the year. But Christmas is just that check at the end of the year to experience that rebirth, or birth for the first time, again.

There are lots of crosses being worn, especially by the politicians, to show that they are Christians. But it’s not about wearing anything externally or living Christianity on your sleeve. It’s about Jesus being reborn inside of you and living in your heart. Following Jesus—what true, real Christianity is about—is not about words and wearing things. It’s about what’s in your heart and how you live your life.

Rebirth in you. Tha’s what Christmas is truly about.

I’ll be back before the rebirth of Christmas but let the rebirth start happening!

Jesus: Surrender and Rebirth

There is never a better time than Christmas to surrender to Jesus and share in His birth—our rebirth. Just as Jesus surrendered on the cross, and then was “reborn” in his spirit body, now is the time for us to do the same. Surrender completely to Jesus and be “reborn” with Him this Christmas.

What is surrender? Jesus had one commandment for us—to LOVE everyone.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

So, surrendering to Jesus is really simple—just LOVE one another. That means laying down any anger, hate, and any other emotion that is not LOVE. Complete surrender is complete LOVE. There are no exceptions. Do this and as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. And celebrate our “rebirth” in Jesus. It’s an amazing feeling.

I know that in this world of division, animosity, and hate it is easy to in the very least be angry with people and bear grudges. I get angry all the time at people. But anger gets in the way of surrendering—and rebirth. Surrendering is putting everything but LOVE aside. Not easy; but necessary.

I’ll be back before Christmas but wishing all the very best of this magical season.

Why is the World on the Edge?

Look around the world and it is on the edge of destruction. I don’t want to paint gloom and doom. But any way you look at the world we are on the very edge of destruction. One wrong move and the fuse is lit. It may already be lit in the Middle East. Why? Simply because we have lost God in our lives. We have turned our backs on Him.

Never before has the world been so “secular.” Gallup has reported that 81% of Americans believe in God. Wait, that’s high, right? Well, first, that is the lowest number ever recorded, and it’s down from 98% in the 50s and 60s. But more importantly, there is a difference between telling the pollsters you believe versus living your life for and in God. There is no doubt that we don’t live for and in God as a priority.

Ours is the story of the Israelites aimlessly wandering the desert, directionless, and giving into false idols. God was the last thing in their lives. In fact, He was totally forgotten. Look where that got them. Wandering and dying in pain and suffering.

We simply need to turn to God and put Him back in our lives. That’s not hard but we need to put ourselves in the backseat and God in the front. It will happen one person after another if it happens. If not, the world gets closer to the edge or over it. My fear is it’s too late before we scream out to God. Like the Israelites.

Again, sorry for what sounds like gloom and doom. But it’s the hard truth. The good thing is that for all the darkness in the world there is the light of God shining brightly. We just need to turn towards it.

Ponder how you can help change the world this week. Change happens one person at a time. Turn to the light in your life.