Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas

As Christmas etches closer and closer, the retail outlets get busier and busier.  It is November 12th and already the stores are all decked out in Christmas decorations.  The Christmas music is playing and the Christmas shopping frenzy is quickly advancing into full swing.  I love all things Christmas but it can become overwhelming if we don't stay focused.  How do we stay focused with all the lights, advertisements, parties, shopping, music, movies, and so on?  What do we stay focused on, exactly?  We stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  When we stay focused on Jesus, the whir of the world quiets down and the rush hushes.  Let's turn our focus on ways to keep Christ in Christmas.  First, we should make sure we all understand the true meaning of Christmas. 

The True Meaning of Christmas

Christmas trees, shopping for gifts, packages, bows, Santa Claus, elves, Christmas concerts, Christmas plays - all things Christmas - those things are fun!  Participating in all the Christmas things is OK as long as they don't turn our focus to the commercialism of this holy holiday.  Christmas is about Jesus, nothing else.  All other stuff is just fancy fluff.  Fancy fluff is a bonus.  It's all the stuff we are free to enjoy, including family gatherings, but even family shouldn't be the focal point of our celebration of Christmas.  Our focus should stay lasered in on the arrival of a long-promised King Jesus.  All the other Christmas things are extra blessings we are free to enjoy, but Jesus really is the reason for the season.  If you are new to Biblical teachings, I want to point you to our family's favorite Christmas passage which tells us the story of Jesus' birth.  Then, we'll touch on ways to keep Christ in Christmas.

Let's read from the book of Luke, Chapter 2:

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.). And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Jesus Presented in the Temple

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord," and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.  And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas

The historical account we just read from the book of Luke, chapter 2 records Jesus' birth and a little bit about His first 12 years.  It is the birth of Jesus that we celebrate on Christmas Day.  He is the reason for this holy holiday.  The commercialism of Christmas is difficult, if not impossible, to avoid.  To be honest, I love the Christmas season.  I love the shopping, the people, the fun, family, and food - so much food!  However, in our family, the birth of Jesus is always the focal point of the season.  It is possible, even in the midst of fancy fluff, to keep Jesus the focal point of our celebrations.  Here are several ways we can keep Christ in Christmas.

1.  Read the recorded historical account of Jesus' birth in the book of Luke, chapter 2.  Read it at every Christmas gathering.  If your children hear it 100 times every year, that is OK.  In fact, the more they hear it, the more they will cherish it.  The more they cherish it, the more likely they are to make Jesus the focal point of their Christmas celebrations when they reach adulthood. 

2.  Have a birthday party for Jesus, especially if you have younger children.  Kids love birthday parties.  Let them help you plan and decorate for the party.  In Matthew's account of Jesus' birth, he writes of wise men who followed a star to find Jesus.  When they arrived at the place where Jesus was, they gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  If you would like to add gift-giving to your birthday party for Jesus, take the kids to buy gifts for a family in need.  This creates memories for kids that will last a lifetime.  

3.  Use this Nativity advent calendar to countdown to Christmas.  Every day, your family can move Joseph and Mary closer to Bethlehem.  

This Nativity Advent Calendar is available here.

4.  Add Nativity gift tags to your gift giving supplies.

5.  Watch scripturally accurate movies about the birth of Jesus.  When you watch movies about the birth of Jesus with your kids, be sure to discuss the events in the film with them.  Call out anything that is not scriptural.  Get the kids involved in the discussion and lead them to compare the events in the film with the recorded historical accounts in the Bible.

6.  Take your family to church.  Families should be in church together all year long.  Church is a great place for families to learn more about the origins of Christmas.  Church is a place where families will be immersed in all things Biblical when it comes to Christmas.  You'll hear accurate teachings and sing Christmas songs, old and new.  Kids will participate in crafts and activities they will never forget.  Church is a place to build relationships and be part of a community with a common worldview.  Church is a place where lifelong friendships and lifelong memories are made.  Take your family to church. 

7.  Keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year long.  There are many things to learn about the true meaning of Christmas - the accurate account of Jesus' birth, who Jesus is, how He died for our sins in our place, how He rose again from the gave, how He ascended into Heaven, how He is coming back someday, how we can have a relationship with Him today, how we can tell others about the Good News of Jesus.  Remember all these things all year long.  Jesus' life wasn't meant for us to celebrate only in December.  Jesus is meant to be celebrated and shared all year long.

You may also like:

Ways to Teach Your Children the Meaning of Christmas - The Birth of Jesus

Ways to Teach Your Children the Meaning of Christmas

PIN ME!

Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas - Pin Me!

2022 . . . Twenty-Twenty-Two . . . The fact that in just a few days, we will ring in the year 2022 is almost unbelievable, especially for someone like me who was born in 1969.  Wow, that makes me feel so old.  I'm looking forward to the new year though.  The past two years have taken their toll on all of us in one way or another.  When we rang in the year 2020, most of us had no idea what the next few months would bring.  When we realized we were in a global pandemic, most of us had no idea it would last 6 months, let alone years.  Yet here we are, still in it.  It has been tough.  Some of us have lost loved ones.  Some have lost jobs.  If we all think about it, we have probably all lost something due to the global pandemic of the past two years.  But, we have also gained.  We have spent more time at home with our families.  Many have found a faith in God that they didn't have before the 2020 pandemic.  COVID19 will forever be a word or term that will usher up all sorts of emotions in all of us.  But there is another Word that will always speak truth to our hearts, God's Word.  Let's take a look at the truth found in the Bible and keep in our hearts these Bible verses for the new year, 2022.

Bible Verses for the New Year, 2022 - Image Credit:  Ben White - Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

Bible Verses for the New Year, 2022

1.  So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:12

2.  Seek the Lord and His strength.  Seek His face continually.  Remember His wonderful deeds that He has done, His marvels and the judgements from His mouth.  1 Chronicles 16:11-12

3.  That in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lust of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.  Ephesians 4:22-24

4.  The Lord's acts of mercy indeed do not end for His compassions do not fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is Thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion says my soul.  Therefore I wait for Him.  Lamentations 3:22-24

This item is available here.

5.  Certainly there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.  Proverbs 23:18

6.  Do not call to mind the former things or consider things of the past.  Behold, I am going to do something new.  Now, it will spring up.  Will you not be aware of it?  I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.  Isaiah 43:18-19

7.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3

8.  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation.  Old things have passed away.  Behold, new things have come.  2 Corinthians 5:17

This item is available here.

9.  And hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  Romans 5:5

10.  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

11.  But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation.  My God will hear me.  Micah 7:7

12.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

This item is available here.

13.  Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.  They will mount up with wings like eagles.  They will run and not get tired.  They will walk and not become weary.  Isaiah 40:31

14.  Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

15.  Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.  I will press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14

16.  There is an appointed time for everything .  And there is a time for every matter under Heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

This item is available here.

17.  Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.  Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.  Psalm 96:1-3

18.  Look among the nations!  Watch!  Be horrified!  Be frightened and speechless!  For I am accomplishing a work in your days - You would not believe it even if you were told.  Habakkuk 1:5

19.  For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.  Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more important than they?  Matthew 6:25-26

20.  Know that Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves: We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless his name.  Psalm 100:3-4

21.  Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  James 1:17

This item is available here.

22.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these thins.  Philippians 4:6-8

I hope these verses will get you off to a great new beginning for a great new year.  Happy New Year everyone.  May many blessings come your way from January all the way into December in 2022.

Pin Me!

20 Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

20 Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

We have been living through a pandemic for a whole year.  For almost 13 months, we've seen news updates about the pandemic which always spark debates because this thing has everyone in a tizzy.  The politics surrounding the pandemic is unbelievable and opinions stretch as far right and as far left as you can possibly get. There aren't a whole lot of people like me in the middle just trying to do the right thing.  There are a lot of other things in the news these days that also might add to our anxious thoughts.  If the COVID-19 pandemic or anything else going on in your life has you feeling anxious, let me encourage you to turn off the TV, get off of social media, set some time aside, and turn to the only One who can ease your anxiety.  I know you're busy.  Everybody is busy doing something but resolve to set aside some time, whether it be 15 minutes or 2 hours.  Just unplug, take a deep breath, and open up your Bible.  Take a few minutes to consider the following Bible verses to combat anxiety.  Read them.  Study them.  Meditate on them.  Underline them in your Bible or highlight them with your favorite color highlighter.  Come back to them again and again and again.  God is the only real source of relief and peace during turbulent times.  Turn your eyes, your heart, and your mind to Him and to Him alone so that you can leave your anxious thoughts at the feet of Jesus and find true peace over your situations.

Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

1. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. - Psalm 94:19

2. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. - Proverbs 12:25

3. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17

4. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:7-8

5. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7

6. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

7. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1

8. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27

9. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

10. Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalm 55:22

11. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

12. Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. - Luke 12:22

13. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. - Psalm 34:4

14. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

15. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39

16. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30

17. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16

18. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

19. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

20. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

This wall art featuring Jeremiah 29:ll is available here.

PIN ME!

20 Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

How to Live Life With Wide Open Generosity

How to Live Life With Wide Open Generosity

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled Wide Open Generosity.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Generosity is more about what God wants for us than what God wants from us.

William Borden owned Borden Diary.  He was wealthy as a young man.  He grew up under R.A Tory.  Borden traveled the world.  He had a heart for people.  Borden once went back to Yale University to meet with two men.  They would pray together.  This group eventually grew to over 1000 people.  Eventually Borden would sale to China but he first stopped in Egypt to study Arabic.  He wanted to minister to Muslims.  While in Egypt, Borden became ill with spinal meningitis.  He died one month later.  He was only 25 years old.  Before his death, he had penned three words:  No reserve, no retreats, no regrets.  In his young years, Borden lived his life in wide open generosity.  I know I'm leaving out so much information about William Borden's life.  Please learn more about this man who was sold out to Christ here.

Ho do we live our lives with wide open generosity?

1.  Believe God to do the Impossibly.

God told Sarah that she would have a baby in her old age.  

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. - Hebrews 11:11-12

Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son. - Genesis 18:14

We never need to lose hope. We must trust God. By faith, Sarah conceived. God is always faithful. He always keeps his promises.

And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. - Hebrews 11:12

God doesn't call us to religion. He calls us to relationship.

2.  Be willing to sacrifice in a significant way.  

A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.

In Genesis 22, Abraham's faith was tested.  Who did Abraham love more, the blessing or the blesser?  He loved the blesser.

We must love our blesser.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." - Matthew 16:24

We must be willing to let go of anything that does not honor God.  Let go of anything you love more than God.

3. Be assured that God keeps His promises.

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:  “Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward, your very great reward. - Genesis 15:1

 Abraham was afraid.  He struggles with fear and doubt.

But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” - Genesis 15:2-5

The stars and the sand cannot be counted, yet when Abraham considered the stars, he considered you.

God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly devoted to Him.

PIN ME!

How to Live Life With Wide Open Generosity

How to Live Life Generously (Step Up Series)

How to Live Life Generously

Generosity is more about what God wants for you than what He wants from you.  Today's scripture passage is in 1 Chronicles 29.

Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord wholeheartedly, and King David also rejoiced greatly.

David’s Prayer

So David blessed the Lord in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, “Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and on the earth; Yours is the dominion, Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

“But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given to You. ¹⁵ For we are strangers before You, and temporary residents, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. ¹⁶ Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and everything is Yours. ¹⁷ Since I know, my God, that You put the heart to the test and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You.  - 1 Chronicles 29:9-17

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

What if there was one specific practice in life that would guarantee the following?

1.  Bring you constant joy

2.  Bring others joy

3.  Meet your greatest need while meeting the needs of others.

4.  Open up the windows of Heaven and invite God's blessings into your life

5.  Protect you from envy, greed, comparison, and self-absorbed living

Here is the one word that brings these results - generosity.  Generosity is more than meeting a need.  Meeting a need is great, but to be generous is to "give to overflowing."   All God puts into our hands should flow from our fingertips to others. What keeps us from living life wide open with generosity?  STUFF

There is nothing wrong with having things, but it is wrong when things have you.

How to Live Life Generously

1.  Ownership

All we have belongs to God.

The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains,
The world, and those who live in it.
² For He has founded it upon the seas
And established it upon the rivers. - Psalm 24:1-2

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and on the earth; Yours is the dominion, Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. ¹² Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. ¹³ Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

¹⁴ “But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given to You. - 1 Chronicles 29:11-14

This item is available here.

God is the source.  We are not the source.

For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. - 1 Timothy 6:7

 “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God by failing to keep His commandments, His ordinances, and His statutes which I am commanding you today; ¹² otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, and you build good houses and live in them, ¹³ and when your herds and your flocks increase, and your silver and gold increase, and everything that you have increases, ¹⁴ then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; ¹⁵ He who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions, and its thirsty ground where there was no water; He who brought water for you out of the rock of flint. ¹⁶ In the wilderness it was He who fed you manna which your fathers did not know, in order to humble you and in order to put you to the test, to do good for you in the end. ¹⁷ Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’ ¹⁸ But you are to remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, in order to confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. - Deuteronomy 8:11-18

If you don't own it, you don't worry about it.  Let the Owner, God, worry about it.

2.  Stewardship 

God entrusts some things to me.

For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given to You. - 1 Chronicles 29:14

For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. - Matthew 25:14

God is trustworthy?  Are we trustworthy?

We don't own our stuff.  We just manage all that God has entrusted to us.

3.  Worship

Everything is entrusted to us for His glory. 

Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and everything is Yours. - 1 Chronicles 29:16

Trusting God is an act of worship.

Every time we act generously, we are reflecting the heart of God. 

I want to say to God, "God, You are worthy of my trust.  I want to honor You with all my stuff." 

 PIN ME!

How to Life Life Generously

Walk in Unity (Ephesians Study)

Walk in Unity

At my church, we have been walking through Ephesians for the past few weeks.  Today, we are talking about walking in unity.  We are looking at Ephesians 4:1-6.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Walking in the will of God doesn't mean walking in sunshine and roses all the time.

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. - Ephesians 4:1-6 

This Scripture Artwork is available here.

The Holy Spirit has the power to transcend differences within the body of Christ.  He doesn't necessarily do this in the secular world, but He does within the church. (Ephesians 4:3)

Walk in Unity

1.  We are called to walk in unity.  

Remember your witness on social media.  Remember your witness in public places.

The Holy Spirit in me and in you get along perfectly.  The problem is our sinful flesh.

2.  We have been shown how to walk in unity.  

We have been shown how to walk in humility, gentleness, and patience.

We are to walk in gentleness coupled with humility.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. - Matthew 11:29

Gentle people are not harsh with others.  Treat people the way Jesus treats you.  This is how we learn to put up with difficult people.

Be kind and understanding with one another.

Don't be a fault finder in regard to others.  Whatever you are looking for, good or bad, you will find.

3.  We have been told why we need to walk in unity.

We are one body and one hope in Jesus.

Unity is our most powerful witness to the world. 

That they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. - John 17:21

Lord, make us one that we may reach many.

PIN ME!

Walk in Unity

Jesus Was Baptized (Jesus Habits Series): 5 Reasons for Baptism

We are continuing our series titled "Jesus Habits."  We all develop habits.  Some are good and some are not so good.  Some habits are down right bad.  As Christ followers, we should try to follow the example of Jesus as closely as possible.  Today's habit topic is baptism.  Jesus was baptized.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Jesus Was Baptized

Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?” ¹⁵ But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. ¹⁶ After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him, ¹⁷ and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:13-17

Baptism is not a sacrament. Baptism is a Biblical command.   

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. - Acts 2:41

But when they believed Philip as he was preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized. - Acts 8:12

Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his entire household; and many of the Corinthians, as they listened to Paul, were believing and being baptized. - Acts 18:8

Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name. - Acts 22:16

The Biblical order is this:  Faith first, then baptism.

Baptism doesn't save you.  Faith saves you.  You can go to Heaven without baptism, but you can't go to Heaven without faith.

The Beautiful Word Coloring Bible is available here.

Reasons for Baptism

1.  Jesus was baptized.  We should follow His example.

Jesus was not a sinner.  He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness.  He was an example for us. 

Now why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? - Luke 6:46

Surrendered obedience is the mark of true belief.

2.  Baptism gives you an opportunity to identify publicly with Jesus.

Baptism is an expression of faith to the world.

3.  Baptism allows you to experience cleansing of sin.

Only faith can cleanse, but baptism is the public symbol of what has already happened.  Only the shed blood of Jesus can cleanse you.

4.  Baptism marks a new beginning in your life.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? ² Far from it! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? ³ Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. - Romans 6:1-4

5.  Baptism bands believers together as Christ followers.  

Baptism is an act of obedience in response to faith in Christ Jesus. 

The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned. - Mark 16:16

Jesus was baptized.  5 Reasons for Baptism

Jesus Was Generous (Jesus Habits Series)

Jesus was generous.  We should develop the habit of living generously.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "Jesus Habits:  Generosity."

Jesus was generous.

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

What does it mean to be generous?  Generosity is defined as being intentional in life by offering yourself and resources to others in the name of Jesus.  We are never more like Jesus than when we are generous.  Generosity is a foundational Jesus habit.

Jesus Habits:  Generosity

Generosity was a habit in the life of Jesus.  

Jesus gave healing to those who were hurting.

Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” - Mark 1:41

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”  When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”  Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.” - Matthew 9:27-29

A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”  The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”  Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”  Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. - John 5:5-9

At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.   And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. - Luke 7:21-22

If you are hurting, Jesus is willing to heal you.

This item is available here.

Jesus was generous with His time. 

Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.  But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:13-14 

This item is available here.

Jesus always made time for those who were hurting.

Jesus was generous to His enemies.

Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”  Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.  And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. - Matthew 26:48-50

But Jesus responded and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. - Luke 22:51

³⁴ But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves. - Luke 23:34

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. - Romans 5:10

And you were dead in your offenses and sins, ² in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. ³ Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). - Ephesians 2:1-5

Jesus gave Himself to us.

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16

This item is available here.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. - John 1:12

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. - Philippians 2:3-8

When we see how much we have been given, it is easy to give. 

What does the habit of generosity look like in our lives?

The biggest lie Satan wants you to believe is that you have to already have a lot in order to be generous.  Not true!  Let's read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.

¹⁴ “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The one who had received the five talents immediately went and did business with them, and earned five more talents. ¹⁷ In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more. ¹⁸ But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

¹⁹ “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have earned five more talents.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’

²² “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’ ²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’ - Matthew 25:14-23

God has given each of us a "measure of talents" to be used to invest in God's kingdom.  Some of have 5 and some of us have 2.  The "talents" we are given are to be used as Jesus commands and that is to love Him and love others.  How do we love others?  We follow Jesus' example.  We are to be generous to others. 

We do not need a lot to be generous.  We only need a changed heart.

There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?” ¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were reclining; likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted. - John 6:9-11

Generosity is not just and act.  It is an attitude of the heart.

Generosity is not just a feeling.  It is a lifestyle choice.

We don't always feel like being generous.  Sometimes we don't want to be generous because we feel the other person doesn't deserve our generosity.  Well, generosity is not based on how we feel or whether or not the receiver deserves our generosity.  Our generosity is based on who we are in Christ Jesus.

How can you be generous?

Be generous with your words.

Be generous in prayer.

Be generous with your time.

Be generous with your money.

Be generous with your home.

When we embrace the Jesus habit of generosity, our lives become transformed.  We become others-centered.

How is God calling you to be generous today?  

PIN ME!

Jesus was generous.