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Thursday, 03 December 2009
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CHRISTMAS, GIVE GOD THE GLORY:
"What Christmas Is really About" Pt.1
Christmas is not about santa, for santa is not real.
The celebration of Christmas has gotten far away from it's intent. The intent of the celebration of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ. The word Christmas is formed of two words, Christ plus Mass, meaning, a Mass religious service in commemoration of the birth of Christ. To commemorate is to celebrate or signalize the memory of. It is to keep in remembrance. A commemoration of Christ's birth, in agreement with the events surrounding His birth, is a natural and normal expression of love and reverence for Jesus Christ. The celebration of Christmas has gone far beyond the events described in the Bible, concerning Christ's birth. Santa has become the focal point of Christmas. The sad thing about this is, santa is not real. We've taken a real event and replaced it with an imaginary one.
Santa is an imaginary character created from the life and events of a man known as Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a bishop of the Christian Church of Myra, in Lycia Anatolia, and about whom, little is known with certainty. He is sometimes referred to as, Saint Nicholas of Bari, because, his remains were supposedly translated there in 1087. His reputation for generosity and compassion is best illustrated in the lives of a poor man and his three daugthers. On three separate occassions the bishop is said to have tossed a bag of gold through the family's window, providing a dowry, to bring about for each daughter, an honorable marriage. (A dowry is the money or property a wife brings to her husband at marriage.) The story of the bishop's generosity, provides the foundation for the tradition in many countries, of giving gifts. Variations of his name range from Saint Nicholas, to sante klaus with a k. to santa claus with a c. He is known as father christmas in England, grand father frost in Russia, pere noel in France, and saint nick, in the United States.
At one time or another many adults believed in santa claus. As children, year after year, they would write a list of the things they wanted him to bring them. They were led to believe that, all they had to do was be good all year, and santa, would give them the gifts they wanted. Many of them did just enough to stay off the naughty children's list. Some of them may even have left, santa, a plate of cookies the night before Christmas. And so today the tradition continues, with children experiencing Christmas just as their parents. This however, should not be the case with the Christian family. Although as children, parents today, may have had fun at Christmas, believing in santa, Christian parents have the responsibility, to make God more real to their children, than a fairytale character called santa. Children need to know that God is alive and real, and that He is the source for all their needs and desires.
Parents and all adults, are held accountable, by God, for how they affect child's ability, to trust God.
Matthew 18:1-6, (1) At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" (2) Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, (3) and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of heaven. (4) "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. (5) "Whosoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. (6) "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
Note: The phrase, cause to sin here, literally means to put a snare, trap, or stumbling block in someone's way. A millstone was a heavy grinding stone so large that it had to be turned by a donkey. Jesus warned, that anyone who turns children away from faith in Him, would experience severe punishment. He said that the punishment would be worst than having a big grinding stone tied around their neck and then thrown into the sea. This is how serious Jesus is about causing children to turn their trust from Him to someone, or something else. Children are trusting by nature, they trust adults, and through that trust their ability to trust God grows. As Christian adults, we are responsible for helping young people, including those young in faith, to avoid anything that will cause them to stumble, and lead them to sin.
Commercialism has made santa an idol. An idol is anything or anyone that substitutes for the true faith and robs Christ of His deity and humanity in a person's life
Christmas is not about santa for santa is not real. Food for thought, santa and satan, same lettters.
(Please understand, that our teaching is never meant to be condemning, just eye openning. All teaching is done out of love for God and people. )
"Stay encouraged in your love walk and you will be empowered in your faith walk" [Galatians 5:6]
Ministry Links:
Living By Faith"s My Space Blog, www.myspace.com/livingbyfaithministries3
Living By Faith Youngsters, (Lakeland Fla.), www.myspace.com/beingrealaboutGod
Faith International Christian Center, www.ficcwordchurch.org
Remember, "GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO WE"
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
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IDOL WORSHIP REVEALED:
"Halloween, Not For Christians" Pt.7
Should Christians host church harvest festivals, as an alternative?, continued.
Lets look at some of the things that occur at a typical harvest festival.
(1.) Its a celebration. (2.) It is usually chaperoned. (3.) It may have costumes. (4.) Games are played. (5.) Contests are held. (6.) Music is played and food is served.
You might say that, "this sounds like nothing to be concerned about." However, the problem lies in the promotion. Hosting a harvest festival, as an alternative for halloween, promotes the celebration of halloween. To promote is defined as, to advance the growth, development, or success of. Hosting a harvest festival will draw more attention to the fact that halloween is celebrated, during this time. Thereby, strengthening the success of the celebration of halloween. Therefore, as Christians, we should not host an alternative celebration for halloween, because of the publicity, that, it gives to the halloween celebration. The publicity that the harvest festival gives to the halloween celebration is a real good reason why we, as Christians, should not host an alternative for halloween. However, there is an even greater reason, and that is because, God instructed us, (His Children), not to imitate the evil practices of the pagans, (Non-Christians). From the beginning, when God was bringing His people into the promise land, He instructed them, not to imitate or partcipate in, the practices of the pagan society.
Deuteronomy 18:9 Moses said, "When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations."
Note: Speaking under the direction, of the Lord, Moses gave strict orders, not to copy, imitate, or follow, the abominations of those living in the land.
Halloween is a celebration that represents evil. As Christians, we are not to follow after or imitate evil.
3 John:11, "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God."
Note: What John is saying here is that, when we imitate what God says is good, we demonstrate our love for God and our knowledge of Him. But on the opposite side of the coin, when we imitate evil, we express a lack of respect and knowledge of God.
Proof of our commitment to God is that we personally reject evil, [Proverbs 8:13] and embrace a life patterned after that which is good.
Living Bible, [3 John:11] "Only follow what is good. Remember that those who do what is right prove that they are God's Children, and those who continue in evil prove that they are far from God."
Note: Halloween is and always has been the devil's holiday. There is not now, and never has been, anything Godly about it. "Halloween is not for Christians" and we should not promote it by hosting, what we call an alternative, "A Church Harvest" or "A Fall Festival"
(We hope that the message on, "Halloween, Not For Christians" is informational and encouraging. Our goal is not to condemn, but to present the truth.)
"Stay encouraged in your love walk and you will be empowered in your faith walk" [Galatians 5:6]
Remember, "GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO WE"
Links -
Living By Faith Ministries' Myspace Blog, www.myspace.com/livingbyfaithministries3
Living By Faith Youngsters, www.myspace.com/beingrealaboutGod
Faith International Christian Center, www.ficcwordchurch.org
Monday, 26 October 2009
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IDOL WORSHIP REVEALED:
"Halloween, Not For Christians" Pt.6
I know some of you are probably interested in knowing, what is the most controversial question asked in the Christian community, concerning halloween? Well here it is:
Should Christians host church harvest festivals, as an alternative?
Although the intensions behind these festivals are good, this is not the best approach. The problem lies in the advertising or public promotion of it. Harvest festivals are usually referred to as alternatives for the traditional halloween hijinx. Alternative implies substitute. It assumes that there is a need for something to take the place of halloween. It also suggests to our children, that they are missing out on something, and they will believe that they are, if we present them with a substitute or an alternatve celebration. When we put in a substitute, and even change the costumes, we are still promoting the celebration of it. Let me give you an example. Mr. Robinson, who is a high school math teacher, takes the day off. The principal brings in a substitute, Mrs. Jackson. Her job is to sit in for Mr. Robinson. Let me ask you this, "Does the class change from a math class to any other subject, just because, Mr. Robinson, the man, has been replaced with a substitute, Mrs. Jackson, the woman?" The answer is no. Although, a different person of a different gender is directing the class, it is still math that is being promoted. Changing the location of the halloween celebration to the Church, does not change the promotion of the celebration.
How about this, instead of celebrating and partying on halloween, why not take the time to teach our children to engage in spiritual warfare. Not against non-Christians, not against Christians who feel differently than we do about halloween or not even against institutions that promote halloween. Lets teach them to engage in spiritual warfare against the evil powers and the rulers of darkness of this world. Our battle is not with human cultists, atheists, or non-christians, but, with the demonic beings working through them.
Ephesians 6:12 Paul said, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Note: Those that are not flesh and blood, that Paul is referring to, are demons. Demons are real. They are fallen angels headed by satan [Revelation 12:9]. Although we are victorious through Christ [1 Corinthians 15:57], we must still engage in battle, in spiritual warfare, until Christ returns.
If we train our children to engage in spiritual warfare, they most likely, won't become entangled with the affairs of the world.
2 Timothy 2:4 Paul said, "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier."
Note: Just as soldier who is called to duty is completely severed from the normal affairs of civillian life, so also, must the good soldier of Jesus Christ refuse to allow the things of the world to distract him or her. Effective service, calls for singleness of purpose.
Instead of celebrating, Christians should be in spiritual warfare. Lives are at stake, this is serious business. We shouldn't be competing with the halloween celebration, we should be interceding for those that are involved in it.
We should also pray for the protection of those who are engaged in spiritual warfare.
We should pray for discernment. We should allow the Holy Spirit of God, to direct us to specific prayer requests, concerning circumstances or individuals. We should pray that the children who are out there, involved in the celebration, will be protected from certain activities.
We should take time to exercise authority over the demonic influences. We should speak words of authority that will render the demonic forces, helpless and harmless. We should also pray for the salvation and deliverance of those involved, in this demonic festival.
It is important that we let our children know that prayer is, effective warfare.
James 5:16(b) reads, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
Note: As Christians, our most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. The results are often greater than, what we could imagine.
(We will conclude this teaching on our next posting)
"Stay encouraged in your love walk and you will be empowered in your faith walk" [Galatians 5:6].
Remember, "GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO WE"
Links -
Living By Faith Ministries', Myspace Blog, www.myspace.com/livingbyfaithministries3
Living By Faith Youngsters, www.myspace.com/beingrealaboutGod
Faith International Christian Center, www.ficcwordchurch.org
Friday, 23 October 2009
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IDOL WORSHIP REVEALED:
"Halloween, Not For Christians" Pt.5
Christians are not to participate in halloween, or it's practices, continued.
As Christians, we are not to support or even encourage halloween participation in any way.
2 John 10-11 John wrote, (10) "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him, (11) "for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds."
Note: John is not condemning hospitality to unbelievers here, he is however, condemning the support of those who are dedicated to opposing the teachings.
Amplified Bible reads, verse (10) "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine (is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught), do not welcome or admit him into (your) house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement. (11) "For he who wishes him success (who encourages him, wishing him Godspeed) is a partaker in his evil doings."
Note: We are encouraged here not to participate or even encourage the participation in anything that is contrary to the Word of God. If God says that its wrong, then, we as Christians are to agree with Him, through our words and actions. As Christians, we shouldn't even take others to buy supplies for halloween. Why? Because we're now helping them to participate in a celebration that is an abomination to the Lord. Let me help you to understand, by setting up a scenario. If someone, whether it be a relative, friend or an associate, were to come to you, and ask you to take them to purchase a weapon or tools that they planned to use in a crime, would you take them? Well the answer should be no. You wouldn't take them, because, you would be helping them to do what is wrong. The legal term is called, aiding and abetting. The same principle applies when it comes to halloween. If we took someone to purchase or pick-up supplies for halloween, we would be helping them to partcipate in something that is wrong in God's eyes. We would be aiding and abetting them to compromise, God's Word, which would also make us participants as well. You know, it may seem rude to turn people away or to say no sometimes, but, how much better it is to be faithful to God, than merely courteous to people, by compromising God's values.
As Christians, Children of God, we're not to participate in the works of darkness. As a matter of fact, we're not only, not to particpate in the works of darkness, but, we are also instructed to expose the works of darkness.
Ephesians 5:11 Paul said, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Note: Paul said here, that, we're to exposed the works of darkness. The traditional King James Bible, uses the word reprove instead of expose. The word reprove comes from a Greek word, (elegcho), that means to convict, convince, or tell a fault. Paul's instructions are plain and direct, we're to live in righteousness and purity. In other words, we're to live in total opposition to the evil ways and works of satan and the world.
Amplified Bible reads, "Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead (let your lives be so in contrast as to) expose and reprove and convict them."
Note: Our responsibility does not stop with the rejection of evil. We are also responsible for exposing evil or darkness where-ever it is found, especially when it is found in the church. It is important to avoid the unfruitful deeds of darkness, which is, any pleasure or activity, that, results in sin. However, we are to go even further, we are to expose these deeds, because, if we don't, our silence could be interpreted as approval. (Stay with us, because our next posting will be on the most controversial question asked, in the Christian community.)
"Stay encouraged in your love walk and you will be empowered in your faith walk" [Galatians 5:6]
Remember, "GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO WE"
Links -
Living By Faith Ministries Myspace Blog, www.myspace.com/livingbyfaithministries3
Living By faith Youngsters, www.myspace.com/beingrealaboutGod
Faith International Christian Center, www.ficcwordchurch.org
Thursday, 15 October 2009
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IDOL WORSHIP REVEALED:
"Halloween, Not For Christians" Pt.4
Christians, should not participate in halloween, or it's practices.
Some of the ancient pagan customs, demanded that, a son or daughter, be offered as a sacrifice, in order to learn about the future, or for the purpose of seeking favor, from a supposed deity. These pagan practices were, and still are, an abomination to the Lord. Human sacrifices and occult practices, are strictly forbidden by God. The enemy, (satan), is behind the occult practices, and God forbids us, His Children (Christians), to partctipate in them.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14, (9) "When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of these nations. (10) "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, (11) "or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. (12) "For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of the abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. (13) "You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. (14) "For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners, but as for you the Lord your God has not appointed such for you."
Note: Child sacrifices and occult practices were and still are, forbidden by God. These practices were common among pagan religions. Israel's neighbors, actually sacrificed their children to the God Molech, [Leviticus 20:2-5]. Other neighboring religions, used supernatural means, such as, contacting the spirit world, to foretell the future and gain guidance. Because of these wicked practices, God drove out the pagan nations.
"Stay encouraged in your love walk and you will be empowered in your faith walk"[Galatians 5:6]
Remember, God Loves You And So Do We"
Ministry Links -
Living By Faith Ministries, Myspace Blog, www.myspace.com/livingbyfaithministries3
Living By Faith Youngsters, www.myspace.com/beingrealaboutGod
Faith International Christian Center, www.ficcwordchurch.org
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