Tuesday, December 24, 2013

WHAT IS CHRISTMAS, REALLY?

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."   Luke 2:8-14 (N.I.V.)

It is a well known 'fact' that Shepherd's did not stay out in the fields during the winter months at night and they were not the ones who brought all the gifts. The "Magi" or wise men who traveled from the east were the ones who presented Jesus,Joseph and Mary with the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And these men did not come on the night Jesus was born but months after, not sure how many months but it took them that long to travel on foot to Bethlehem after they saw the star and followed it. And there were probably way more that just three of them, wise men, most likely a large caravan, carrying all the expensive gifts for our Lord.  After that, Mary and Joseph were warned by the angel to leave Bethlehem and travel to Egypt to escape the "slaughter of the innocence" when King Herod had all the baby boys killed that were 2 years old or younger.
It is also interesting to me that even after that there is no mention of a birthday celebration for Jesus or for any Jew according to the bible. However there was mention of birthday celebrations for pagans in the bible. Even in the four Gospel accounts there is no mention of any birthday celebration for Jesus or His disciples. Jews, did not celebrate birthdays.
The birthday celebration we recognize as the birth of our Lord is in fact the pagan celebration of the return of the sun, the winter solstice, when the days start to get longer. When the Roman emperor Constantine declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire 350 years after the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus he indoctrinated these customs into Christianity to unite all the people, Believers in Christ and all the non-believers, Pagans. Thus, we have false doctrine infused into Christianity and upheld by the church leaders of that day. Down through the ages, these pagan practices, including Easter and Halloween have been celebrated by the masses up to this very day.
Personally, I believe it's wrong to celebrate things that are not sanctified by God, and clearly Christmas is not a Christian teaching according to Jesus or He would have instructed His  followers to celebrate it... But, I too have compromised my faith to "fit in" so to speak, with the rest of world that do these practices, "commands of men as doctrine."
Not to point fingers at any one in particular but the Catholic religion is chiefly responsible for most of these false teachings we as Christians adhere to in the present time. For more accurate information on this subject Google Michael Rood, a very learned scholar who has a TV program on Christian TV called the "Rood Awakening"  a very good program that explains the Jewish customs and practices of Jesus' day and how Christianity was hijacked by the enemy early on just as Jesus said it would be  in the 24th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.

PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father God, thank you for your mercy and grace on us and Your unconditional, unfailing love You have for us. Thank You for forgiving all our sins and for the gift of 'righteousness' we have in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Help us to understand the truth about things we maybe are unaware of and even if we know these things forgive us for trying to be "politically correct" to fit in with mainstream society. Help us to worship You in spirit and in truth according to Your Word and not the word of man. Open our eyes to the truth that we may be set free from false doctrine and teachings and wrong beliefs...Thank You for being my God and Savior and for forgiving all my sin. In the name of Yeshua, Jesus, our Lord and King, make it so.....           

Sunday, December 22, 2013

GOD BLESS MY CHILDREN.

SCRIPTURES FOR TODAY

"Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."   Exodus 20:12    (N.I.V.)

"Children's children are the crown of old men. And the glory of children is their father."   Proverbs 17:6   (N.K.J.)

 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" ----which is the first commandment with a promise -----"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."    Ephesians 6:1-4   (N.I.V.)


"Fathers, do not embitter your children or they will become discouraged."    (Colossians  3:21) (N.I.V.)


PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, I pray that You bless my children and my grandchildren with all good things, especially an understanding heart and clean conscience along with excellent health and a strong relationship with You. I wish them joy, peace, love, freedom, happiness, and that they develop a keen interest in spiritual things so they get to know You. Bless them Lord, Bless them Lord, with Your mercy and grace and the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort them always. Thank You Father, for hearing my prayers and blessing them. And help me to be a blessing to them also, help me to share my wisdom and knowledge with them and all that I have because all that I have comes from You... I thank You Lord God for always hearing my prayers. In the name of Jesus, Yeshua, make it so, and Amen.  
 

Saturday, December 21, 2013

JUST THANKS TO GOD

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Thank You Father God for all my blessings. Thank You for my family and friends, for the teachers that teach Your Word, for all the beauty that surrounds me on all sides, for my excellent health, for my new found freedom and the joy it brings. Thank You for drawing me closer to You by the power of the Holy Spirit and Your Word which is truth and light. Thank You for being my God and my Savior, Healer, Protector, Provider, Councilor, Comforter, my everything. I confess all my sin now Father God and I thank You for forgiving me and making a way for me to have everlasting life with You in heaven. Father, I ask in Jesus name that You protect all my children and grandchildren from all forms of accidents, illness, sickness and disease and all attacks by the enemy and draw them close to You and keep them safe and happy in these last days... Thank You LORD, in the name of Jesus, Yeshua, make it so......

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

"Ascribe to the LORD, O families and nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him all the earth."    Psalm 96:7-9

Thursday, December 19, 2013

APPLES OF GOLD?

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear."  Proverbs 25:11-12  (N.I.V.)


PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God Yahweh, in the name of Jesus, Yeshua, I thank You for Your Words of wisdom and the comfort and joy they bring. Help me to share these things with others who need to hear them at the right time. I praise You Lord God! I praise You Jesus! I praise You Holy Spirit! Thank You for being in my life and setting me free from all guilt and condemnation. I confess all my sins now Father and I know You are faithful and just to forgive my sin...Thank You for blessing me beyond my expectations. Now, help me to be a blessing to others, to the people who share Your Word with the world and who do Your will as you lead them. Help me Father to get over my weaknesses and wrong behavior. Help me to understand You and believe what is right according to Your Word that I might share it with others in a way they will understand and be set free from their guilt and condemnation. In the name of Jesus, Yeshua, make it so....

Saturday, December 7, 2013

THANKS AGAIN, AND AGAIN!

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his names sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."     Psalm 23 (N.I.V.)

What awesome words these are!!! Every believer should memorize this psalm and repeat it every day! If we truly belong to the LORD we will  realize all these blessings. After all, this is what He wants for all of us who believe. He wants to be our Shepherd and provide for all our needs and wants, to guide us, to help us, to give us peace, protection, comfort, joy, happiness, and more than enough to satisfy our needs so we will have extra abundance to give to others to bring glory and honor to His name...He is so good!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Thank You LORD God Almighty! Thank You Jesus! Thank You Holy Spirit! For being my God and Savior! Thank You for mercy and grace and for making a way for me where there was no way and for helping me to understand Your Word. Help me to be a better person and to grow in knowledge and understanding of Your will and purpose for my life... Help me to share with others the blessings of knowledge and wisdom that is Your Word to us and help me to be more compassionate and generous to others. Help me with self-control of my tongue and actions. Teach me to believe right and help me grow in righteousness becoming of one of Your servants... Thank You Father for hearing my prayer. In the name of Jesus, Yeshua, make it so......