This is the season we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. As believers, we need to keep it about that. The actual gifts and the act of giving are fun and okay as long as we recognize the greatest gift ever given to mankind — Jesus the Savior.

I’ve noticed when I go to stores that people are saying, “Happy Holidays” more often, instead of, “Merry Christmas.” The national holiday that we celebrate is called Christmas. I believe the reason for some of this compromise is that we Christians often don’t stand up for our beliefs.

We have been taught for too long that being passive and uninvolved is somehow being godly or being a Christian. It is wrong teaching and very misguided. It’s easier to go along to get along, but that’s not what we are called to do.

This Christmas season I hope we find ourselves in a place where we are proclaiming our Christian beliefs. When you go to the stores, I hope you keep it about Christmas. Let’s make sure we greet people with, “Merry Christmas,” and be proud to celebrate the One who has made a difference in our lives — Jesus.

Just a thought,

PSS

Possessing an attitude of thankfulness and gratitude is something that needs to be developed. I believe we would be much happier and more fulfilled as people if we would learn to be thankful.

Some people are only thankful and grateful to the Lord when things are going well. But when things go badly, then we begin to blame Him — we even begin to accuse Him of not caring about or loving us. How sad. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 28:47-48, Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude] for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you], therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord shall send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and in want of all things; and He will put a yoke of iron upon your neck until He has destroyed you.

Because people did not serve the Lord with joy and gratitude (one translation says, with enthusiasm — that means a spontaneous reaction), then we would live in want. We are to serve Him with joy and gratitude when things are going well and when things are not.

God has given us so much. He has given us life, air to breathe, food to eat, clothing to keep us warm. He has given us eternal life if we choose His way — receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

We have much to be thankful for, so let’s develop an attitude of gratefulness and serve Him with joy.

Just a thought,

PSS

It’s not enough to say, “I’ve heard the Bible taught,” or, “I know what it says.” The question is: Do you understand it? Do you understand it enough to do it — to apply it to your life?

So many say, “I know God!” Really? What they are really saying is, “I know of God.” Those who really know Him are purposing to do what He says. They are purposing to do the word of God — allowing it to affect every area of their lives.

It’s not enough to know about God. The question is: Do you know Him? The only way to know Him is by learning His word. In our society today, the church world is putting less and less importance on knowing the word of God (the Bible) and more and more emphasis on feeling good about oneself. So, in turn, people are putting more and more emphasis on who their friends are and less and less emphasis on learning the word of God.

We must believe the Bible literally. We must! Without the word of God, we wouldn’t have any idea who He is. So many today are moving away from the Bible to a message more culturally relevant to the world.

God’s word is the only thing that can save us from our sins. It is the only thing that can free us from the bondage of sin. It is the word you know that helps you. So, we all must be in a church that preaches the pure word of God, not some watered-down version of it. This is one reason I appreciate the people who attend Legacy Church. They love hearing and doing God’s word.

Just a thought,

PSS

Good communication skills are key to any success in life, work, and relationships. Without effective communication, a message can turn into error, misunderstanding, frustration, or even disaster by being misinterpreted. We assume too much, not asking enough for clarification nor what was meant by what we, or someone else, said.

On the other hand, when communicating a message, we need to be clear and even ask the one we are communicating with what they heard or understood about what we said. Communication is only successful when both the one communicating a message and the one hearing the message understand the same information. How many times have we heard, “Well, I thought you meant this,” or, “I really believed you wanted this done,” etc.? It’s because something wasn’t clear. What was being communicated and what was being heard were not the same.

Clear communication will cause our lives to be less stressful. We need to ask questions. When communicating, we need to be clear, and we must work hard at not assuming anything. Our lives, our world, will be much more peaceful and fruitful if we don’t assume.

Just a thought,

PSS

The election that will determine the fate of America is upon us. What type of America do we want? 

People are so locked into a party instead of into God and righteousness and justice. When you look at both parties’ platforms, you will see there is a vast difference between them. One party wants to use our tax dollars to kill the unborn, while the other party wants to stop abortion. One party embraces the homosexual movement, while the other party believes marriage is between one man and one woman. One wants to tax all of us more, while the other wants to tax us less. One wants to appoint judges that will use their experience to interpret the constitution, while the other wants judges who will read the constitution and make decisions based on it. The differences couldn’t be clearer or further apart.

So, as Christians, I believe it is imperative for us to stand for righteousness and justice — those things which are moral and just. I believe, as Christians, we should have a say in who leads us — even if they are imperfect. It’s time we stand together as Christians and stand for what is right. I believe in life, and I believe that we should stand with those who also do.

Ultimately, it’s a choice only you can make. Let’s choose wisely. Let’s end the innocent murder of the unborn, and let’s get back to common sense regarding what is moral and what is not. 

Just a thought,

PSS