Christmas the Art of Giving

St. Nicholas – modern-day Santa Claus

Nicholas lived during the third and fourth centuries in a small village now known as Turkey. He grew up in a wealthy family. but both parents died in an epidemic when he was young. Nicholas’ deep faith led him to take Jesus’ word to heart. He set out to sell what he owned and to give the money to the poor. Nicholas spent the rest of his life-giving his fortune away. He cared for widows, orphans, the sick, suffering, sailors, and children. His life work was giving.

it is amazing we can celebrate Christmas with such love not only for the birth of Jesus, but yet to bring toys for kids to also show compassion for Nicholas – showing his Faith and wisdom.

Christmas is a spiritual season – the perfect gift given already – the Son of God. One of the best things about Christmas is the generosity we ca offer to celebrate by spending time with our family, our friends, and the Son of God.

A lot of time we get caught up into buying presents that we forget the true meaning of Christmas.

I remember not only the gifts during Christmas, but reading the story from the Bible. We would take turns every year, it would be another kid/another grandchild. My Grandpa would wait till we finished reading the story to break down the true meaning of us gathering near the tree. After we would have the discussion the kids got to pass out the presents in celebration of Jesus’ life.

Those are the moments I will never forget, and now I can pass down the tradition to my kid/kids.

As the time comes closer to Christmas try to remember the real reason of the celebration. Don’t be too stressed due to money, or wondering how you’re going to visit everyone. Just relax, smile, and be devoted to Him for that’s what the Son of God would want us to do.

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Night of the Living Dead Christian

 Night of the Living Dead Christian by Matt Mikalatos is a tale of werewolves, zombies, mad scientists, and other monsters and monster hunters. Luther, Matt’s neighbor, is a werewolf whose wife and daughter have left him because of his inability to control his anger. Matt and others try to help Luther find a way to transform into the person he knows he was meant to be—and in the process find themselves drawn to the One who changes us from the inside out.

The spiritual allegory had me identifying much too closely with the monsters and taking a long hard look at my relationship with Jesus, who has the ability to change every monster into they should be.

If you’re looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking read, Night of the Living Dead Christian should be at the top of your list. I highly recommend that you get a copy before the monsters in your neighborhood grabs them all!

 

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale Media Center. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Worship Wednesday

 

September 21
Get Fit

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.  ~II Timothy 1:7

“Every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things” (I Corinthians 9: 25, emphasis mine.) The word all is a difficult concept for us to grasp.
We need to live in a disciplined life, physically, spiritually, and emotionally, if we want to enjoy God’s plan for us. The fruit of the Spirit is well-control, and the fruit of the flesh is no control.
Paul said, “I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].” ~I Corinthians 9:27

Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer

 

Sunday Teachings

Sunday, September 11

II Corinthians 1: 21-22
21. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, [is] God;
22. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Romans 5:5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Ephesians 3:16-20
16. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18. May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
– Spiritual seed – Christ
– Son of man – Jesus
– It is not about you, it is about Him

Ephesians 6: 16
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
– Shield of faith
– Faith is not measured – Faith is how much you receive from His word.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God (Jesus Christ) [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul (emotions, feelings) and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
– There is no more hiding
– You can show where your joint is, but you can not show you the marrow.
– Show you the emotions, and feelings but can not see the spirit.

Luke 12: 49-53
49. I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50. But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened til it be accomplished!
51. Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on Earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: (I come to give division)
52. For henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Matthew 10:34
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
– The sword is the word of God

Colossians 1:12-14
12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:
– Bits and pieces of Truth will not set you free.
– There is a Kingdom of Darkness
– Are you of light or dark?
– Renew your mind of who you are in Christ

II Corinthians 6: 14-18
14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness (sin contagious is of the devil)
15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
– Light and darkness does not mix
– Quit hiding behind, color, democracy.
– God does not have choices
– Sons and daughters – unto himself  – Take your place in God

Ephesians 4: 17-24
17. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18. Having the understanding darkened (Satan’s darkness), being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (heart is the spirit man):
19. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20. But yet have not so learned Christ (Christ is the seed spirit)
21. If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus (Christ is in Jesus):
22. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
– You are righteous and Holy
– God never changes
– Everything is done for you. He is just waiting on you.
– You have to love God more.

 

Sunday Teachings

Sunday, September 4, 2011

 

Mark 7: 25-30
25. For a [certain] woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him (Jesus), and came and fell at his feet:
26. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil (demon) out of her daughter.
27. But Jesus said unton her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast [it] unto the dogs.
28. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.
29. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil gone out of thy daughter.
30. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.
– Yes, Lord: I was born a Greek but yet what you gave me. You died for me, I have accepted you.
– God called her a dog
– She recognized the demon in her daughter
– She wasn’t prideful to not see it.
– God loves you but he will judge sin
-She didn’t get offended when he called her a dog.
– If you know Him your Sin is already judged.
– She was a dog until she was born again.
– Why are you righteous? You are who He said you are.

John 4: 22-23
22. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
– Jesus is walking up to a lady
– Do you have anything to Praise Him about?

Romans 11: 17
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

Romans 13: 1-2
1. Let every soul (mind, emotion, feelings, living body) be subject unto the higher powers (Does not mean the Kingdom of God). For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2. Whosever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
– Honor something you value.
– Honor the Kingdom – stop being Prideful
– You are the church – church is a building. You are the church even when you are in public.
– God will not pressure your free-will soul.
– You may not like what they do, but respect authority of who they are.

Romans 13: 5-7
5. Whoever [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom homour.
– Place there for authority.
– Learn to Honor what you value.
– Honor the positions. Honor here if you don’t, how can you Honor the Kingdom?

Ephesians 6:1-3
1. Children, obey your parents in the lord: for this is right.
2. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
– It did not say obey your parents in the Christ; same person different role.
– Put Satan under your feet
– If you disobey your parents – Satan has a way in.
– God created you the way you are supposed to be.
– Honor your wife
– Honor her position & for who she is
– Train up your children
– Bless them – speak into them
– Obey your Husband as long as onto the Lord.
– Parents are honorable – Learn to forgive

I Timothy 6:1
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worth of all honour, that the name of God and [his] doctrine be not blasphemed.
– You may hate your job, but honor the position.
– Honor your teacher & principals at school.
– Learn how to honor God- he will give you the platform.

I Thessalonians 5: 12-13
12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. [And] be at peace among yourselves.

I Timothy 5: 17
Let the elders (spiritual leaders) that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
– You might be sick or poor – it might never happen till you get this right.

I Peter 2: 17
Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King.
– Honor the President of America (the position)
– Don’t vote for status or color
– Murder is murder – Don’t go against the Kingdom

John 13: 20
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
– You will get to God by Christ.

Luke 13: 34-35
34. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would not!
35. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
– Jesus set of man
– Blessed = Honor
– Christ – Spirit of man
– House – you – You are the temple.
– Quit begging God when it is already done.
– Honor Him – Praise Him – Believe in the faith.
– Renew your soul & mind
– Honor what God has already gave you
– If you don’t have that your desolate.
– God has already healed you.
– Quit trying to have more faith.

The Grace of God

The Grace of God by Andy Stanley

I newly received The Grace of God by Andy Stanley in the mail. The book is very insightful and uplifting. It speaks to you about how God created the Earth just for us. God knew it would be good for us, which He done out of grace.

Stanley walks us through the stories of Joseph, Moses, Jonah, all the way to the New Testament of where Jesus was on Earth. Stanley points out where grace seems to be hiding in all these books in the Bible.

Stanley mentions that through God’s grace, which we all need. God gives us something that we do not deserve. We all need God’s grace, but not everyone will receive it, and we may feel this is unfair, but sometimes we do not want what we deserve.

Stanley states, “Grace is the vehicle God uses on occasion to ensure that we get precisely what we don’t deserve.”

I would recommend this book to Bible Study groups. We could all learn about God’s grace and it would be a great discussion topic.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thankful Thursday

(click the image to link up with us)

Thankful for this week…
Gathering with family
Speaking to friends
Having the Internet
Dry Cereal – a snack
Power, water, & food
Friend/Family who understand

I would add related articles, but I have been having problems with WP. So, if you would like to add your link in the comment section please feel free.

Worship Wednesday


Worship Wednesday…
Before I get started I wanted to say I am sorry for not posting, or commenting yesterday, or really I have been slacking. As you know one of our dogs died, and well Jade is now sick, so I had to take her to the Doctor yesterday as I was up till 5am yesterday morning. Okay, now lets get on track! 🙂

August 24, 2011, Starting Your Day Right – Joyce Meyer
A gentle tongue (when its healing power) is a tree of life. – Proverbs 15:4

The Bible says if a person can control his speech, he can curb his nature:
“For we all stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech (never says the wrong things), he is fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.
– James 3:2
No one is completely mature with the Lord, so there is always room for improvement. If your mouth is out of control, other areas of your life will also be out of control. Give your speech to God today. Ask Him to direct the words you speak, and allow Him to fill your mouth with words of life that lift up everyone around you. – Joyce Meyer

Sunday Teachings

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Mark 5: 22
22And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
– Synagogue was not crazy about Jesus – he went against the religion

Judges 10: 3
And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.
– Jair and Jairus- Same person- Judge of Israel

Mark 5:23-25
23And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
24And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
25And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
– Judge in the Synagohue came to Jesus
– Thronged him – To see what they can get – desire
– Jesus should be the first thing, not at the point of death – A divine place

Leviticus 15: 29-30
29And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
30And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness.
– Uncleanness defiles the tabernacle of God.
– Tabernacle of God – a shadow of Jesus Christ

Mark 5: 26-34
26And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
29And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
31And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
32And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
33But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
– straightway – as soon as – she knew she was healed
– clothes – anointing
– She brought her faith & belief. She touched his anointing – she touched the power of God.
– She was like a light bulb in the crowd.
– He saw the anointing on her.
– The woman represents the church
– The power of God will change the church

Galatians 2: 16-18
16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Mark 5: 35-42
35While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
37And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
38And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
39And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
40And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
42And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
– Be not afraid, only believe – You can not see the spiritual of God unless you are spiritual.
– little girl is the kingdom of God/future of the church
– The woman stand for the church
– 37. He chosed people, who believed and had no fear.
– You need spiritual who have no fear to surround you.
– Satan will always throw Death because people are feared of death.
– Satan is trying to take the bleeding of the church (dying of the church) and tries to kill the kingdom of God.
– Be spiritual fed
– Twelve (both little girl/woman) – divine government
– Jesus stands between the bleeding (dying) of the church and the little girl of kingdom of the church
– He healed the church from dying.
– When you read the word of God, you should be lightened up.

Group Discussions

Sunday – Group discussion

Mark 11: 22-24
22And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
– Believe in Faith
– Be careful what you say
– By What I say is it giving authority to God or Satan.

Proverbs 18: 21
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
– If you believe it then you will speak it.

Romans 4: 14
For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void , and the promise made of none effect.
– Speak into Existence
– God is not bit and pieces
– If you want something; you will study & search to find it.

John 14: 12
12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
– We will do great things

Job 3
1After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.
2And Job spake, and said,
3Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.
4Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.
5Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
6As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.
7Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.
8Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.
9Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:
10Because it shut not up the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.
11Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?
12Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?
13For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,
14With kings and counsellors of the earth, which build desolate places for themselves;
15Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:
16Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.
17There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.
18There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.
19The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.
20Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;
21Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
22Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?
23Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?
24For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
25For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
26I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
– things he feared or spoke became real to him.
– Surround yourself with people who are positive & not always negative.
– Rebuke the negative
– Ask yourself if someone is rebuking you.
– Speaking into existence
– Tell God he has authority.
– God will not act on Earth unless you speak it.

Jacob’s Ladder
– Speak your prayers
– Praying outloud/reading outloud to see power.
– You can not fight Satan mentually.
Problem – Verses – Pray
– Have the believe that it will happen.
– Thank God for what you already prayed about.
– Don’t beg or neat peak/ check in on God

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