Tag: faith

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 Just Shaking His Head!

Even though He knows how this all plays out, I can’t stop thinking that Jesus is just shaking His head in disbelief. I’m an optimistic person, always looking at the glass as half full. But this world of ours is a complete mess. It’s a powder keg ready to explode. We have politicians who just think of themselves, not the people who elected them to serve. We have war crimes across the globe and complete devastation in areas.

Jesus has to be shaking His head in disbelief. Is this what He really died for?

I’d like to be more positive but that’s tougher by the day. Sometimes I feel that we just need to do everything all over again. Start over again. And that may well happen as the nukes keep increasing.

It’s tough to be positive but that’s what I am trying to be. If I can at least shine my light and follow what God wants me to do, then maybe I can make a difference in my corner of my world. It’s tough to do but it’s the only way to be. Positive.

Think about shining your light in a world that is getting darker by the day!

Reflect God

I learned years ago that when looking at another person—and I mean anyone, regardless of who they are—I should be staring into the face of God. After all, if God made each one of us, then God is in each one of us. Look at someone else and you should see God.

God is in us—intertwined with our DNA—but we need to reflect God outward. That makes it easier to see God in us. Pretty simple. And once again, God means life to be so simple. We are the ones who complicate it.

The easiest thing to do is ignore God in others and to judge them. No doubt that’s the easiest way to walk through life. But it’s not the way the God intends us to live. Unfortunately, we live in a time of judges, where more people, especially the politicians who should be our leaders, simple judge, look down on others, see themselves as superior, and totally ignore God in others. Are they in for a big surprise when facing God at the end of life!

Remember, you need to do your best to reflect God in you!

Enjoy the weekend and do your best to see God in everyone around you, regardless of who they are!

Humility Lost

We live in a world where humility is increasingly lost, especially among so-called “Christians.” Jesus was pretty clear when he said, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Let me tell you, there will be a LOT of people in this world who will be forced humbled because they exalt themselves.

It’s tiring to hear co-called “Christians,” especially politicians, exalt themselves. They are always right, and put themselves up as the paragons of righteousness and virtue. They exalt themselves over and over again. And they judge.

There isn’t a lot of rocket science to this. If you want to be exalted, and into eternity, humble yourself. If you want to humbled, and into eternity, exalt yourself. Simple.

Jesus tells us about the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the temple. Jesus was teaching that true righteousness comes from humble repentance and a plea for mercy, not from self-righteousness and comparing oneself to others. The Pharisee exalted himself whereas the tax collector humbled himself.

Are you the Pharisee or the tax collector?

Enjoy the rest of the week in humility!

Be A Model!

Dollars to donuts that some (many?) will think I am talking about a fashion model. No. I’m talking about being a model for others in how you live your life. Just like Jesus while on this earth was a model for all of us on how to live. Be a model!

I’m far from perfect. What I’m really good at is sinning. But I try to correct those sins and serve as a model for others, starting with my family. I do my best to be a model.

What does being a model mean? It means living the life that Jesus called us to live and showed by His life. That starts with LOVE, as Jesus commanded us to LOVE.

“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

Jesus took being a model of LOVE to the Nth degree. He gave His life for us to absolve our sins, when we acknowledge them. Hi paid the ultimate price for us. He was our model!

You don’t have to die to be a model to others. Just be nice. Smile. Help. Give. Don’t sleep on your anger. Forgive. The list goes on. Aspire to live how Jesus lives. Just be a model for others that reflects Jesus in your actions.

Be a model! And think about that this weekend and next week. Enjoy!

Seal the Life Cracks Now!

When there is a little crack in a roof, water finds a way to seep in. Then, the crack expands, and more water seeps in. Pretty soon it can be a deluge of water. The same holds true of your life. Seal the cracks before negative thinking and the devil—or whatever you want to call evil—finds a way into your life and takes over.

Just like a roof or any other outside structure, you need to do a checkup on your life to find the cracks. Then, you need to seal them ASAP. If not, the cracks will become holes, even gaping at times.

I am far from perfect, so I’m not preaching. But every morning I try to think back to the other day and week to find any cracks. Most often the cracks are negative thoughts—even actions—about a situation or person. Then, I pray on it, filling the cracks with prayers.

It’s not always easy being honest with yourself. Don’t I know it! But when I’m not honest about the cracks they always start expanding. And the situation always gets worse. So, fill those cracks today. Pray. Be honest with yourself. And pray some more. God is always listening.

Have a GREAT rest of the week. And fill those cracks!

Rise of the Anti-Christs

There are more so-called “christians” who profess their love of Jesus Christ but who spew hatred. These are the anti-Christs who are increasing in number and becoming more vocal. Sadly, what they don’t realize is that they are actually followers of the devil, Satan, Lucifer, whatever.

Jesus gave us one very clear commandment. “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

Jesus wasn’t talking about loving your family, loved ones, friends, and people close to you. He wasn’t talking about being selective in your LOVE. Jesus was talking not just about his apostles loving one another but He was talking to all of us to LOVE each other, regardless of who we or they are.

So, this is as clear as daylight. LOVE and you are a disciple of Jesus. You are a CHRIST-ian. Don’t LOVE and you are not a follower of Jesus. NOT a CHRIST-ian. This is all very simple.

Hate is spewed by the devil that tries to drive a wedge between you and Jesus. It spews hate. So, if you spew hate it’s pretty clear who you follow. At best you are anti the command of Jesus. You are an anti-christian. This is all pretty simple.

And let’s not forget that God the Father commanded us to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) before He gave us HIs Son to demonstrate that LOVE by the sacrifice of His life.

Enjoy your day walking in the Father’s and Son’s command to LOVE!

Commit to the Lord

Here is one of my top 10 “life” Bible verses:

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

This is so very simple but so profound. Commit to the Lord—your work and, in fact, everything—and your purpose in life will be clear. As I have written many times over, we all have a special, unique purpose in life. In fact, I think that the purpose of life is finding that purpose, our reason for being. But you need to really commit to the Lord to find that purpose. Half commits won’t do it. You have to fully commit!

Spend time with the Lord. Quality time. Quiet time in contemplation. Then, commit. It’s really that simple. There is no mystery, rocket science, or complication to this. Commit to the Lord. It’s that simple.

Enjoy the weekend and, remember, commit!

Do Not Let Sin Drag You Down!

Sin. We all sin. We’re human. But when you sin (as I do on too many occasions), repent with your heart, and move on. It does no good to wallow in your sin. That’s exactly what the devil wants you to do. It’s like getting stuck in cement and not being able to move.

Sin is sin. I think it’s built into our DNA. It’s what being human is all about. We make mistakes. We sin. But don’t let sin drag you down.

When you sin you need to repent with a true and honest heart. Just saying you’re sorry doesn’t do it. You have to really repent.

Jesus died for our sins—past, present, and even future. Understanding that and repenting is the way to move forward. And, of course, not making the same mistake (sin) over and over again.

All of our sins were pinned on the Cross. Understanding that and truly repenting is the key to leaving those sins on the cross and moving forward.

Repent with your heart!

Who Knows You Best?

God. There. Short and simple. Whoever you think knows you best, including you, the answer is God. He knows you best. The Father Creator made you and gave you a very unique, special purpose in life. He simply knows you best.

God knows your past, your present, and your future. Whether you know it or not, He wove into you a very unique, special purpose in life. Each one of us has that unique purpose, as unique as our fingerprints.

You can’t fool God. He knows you and He knows it all. Understand that and you can really open up to God. LISTEN for and to Him. He is always less than a heart beat away. LISTEN to God and you will find your unique, special purpose in life. You just need to open up to God and LISTEN to Him.

I know this all sounds so very simple but God intends life to be simple. We are the ones who complicate it!

Have a GREAT upcoming weekend!