Christmas--Did You Know?

I was reading in the Holman Bible Dictionary today and I found this article about Christmas.  It contained some interesting things that I had never known or thought of.  I thought I would share it with you all as well.  By the way this is a great Bible Dictionary.

CHRISTMAS Of the major Christian festivals, Christmas is the most recent in origin. The name, a contraction of the term “Christ’s mass,” did not come into use until the Middle Ages. In the early centuries Christians were much more likely to celebrate the day of a person’s death than the person’s birthday. Very early in its history the church had an annual observance of the death of Christ and also honored many of the early martyrs on the day of their death. Before the fourth century, churches in the East—Egypt, Asia Minor, and Antioch—observed Epiphany, the manifestation of God to the world, celebrating Christ’s baptism, His birth, and the visit of the magi.
    In the early part of the fourth century, Christians in Rome began to celebrate the birth of Christ. The practice spread widely and rapidly, so that most parts of the Christian world observed the new festival by the end of the century. In the fourth century the controversy over the nature of Christ, whether He was truly God or a created being, led to an increased emphasis on the doctrine of the incarnation, the affirmation that “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14 HCSB). It is likely that the urgency to proclaim the incarnation was an important factor in the spread of the celebration of Christmas.
    No evidence remains about the exact date of the birth of Christ. The December 25 date was chosen as much for practical reasons as for theological ones. Throughout the Roman Empire, various festivals were held in conjunction with the winter solstice. In Rome, the Feast of the Unconquerable Sun celebrated the beginning of the return of the sun. When Christianity became the religion of the Empire, the church either had to suppress the festivals or transform them. The winter solstice seemed an appropriate time to celebrate Christ’s birth. Thus, the festival of the sun became a festival of the Son, the Light of the world. See Church Year.
    Fred A. Grissom

God Ain’t Big Enough (Yeah Right!)

Some people say that God is simply not big enough to accomplish the things that need to be done in the modern era.  While few say it with their lips most say it with their actions.  We just don’t trust God or believe in his power anymore. Whether its finances, family, work, health, safety, or church, few really trust God completely anymore.  While our prayers cry out for help, our actions often scream we don’t think you can do it!  We forsake faith and embrace self-reliance, after all, we gave God all of ten seconds and He did not respond. 
    I just read an article from USA Today entitled “Universe holds billions more stars than previously thought.”  Last week astrologists announced that they now believe the universe holds at least three times as many stars as they previously estimated.  So what is the new number? They now say there are at least 300 sextillion stars (that's 300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000).  So Is God BIG and able enough to handle whatever you may be facing?  Consider the following scripture and you decide.

Genesis 1:16 NIV God made two great lights — the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

Psalms 8:3–4 NIV When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

Psalms 147:4 NIV He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.

God is Moving

Last Friday I told a group of servant leaders at our church a little bit about the great work that God is doing in Asia right now, specifically in India.  I have been keeping a close eye on this movement of God over the past 6 months and have been amazed to see the kind of passion that exists in the lives of Christians overseas.  Today as I was reading some news from that part of the world I came across this article.  It caught my eye because this is the organization I encouraged our church to consider partnering with next year to be a part of the great work that God is doing in that part of the world.  Pray for these people!

Missionary Attacked on The Way to Church

   Gospel for Asia-supported missionary Jethu Monin was attacked by anti-Christian extremists while he was walking to church on Sunday. They badly injured Jethu, and he is now recovering.
Jethu serves in an area dominated by people who worship the gods and goddesses of their traditional religions. Many of the devotees of these religions are fearful as they see the once-faithful choose to give their hearts to Christ.
   The attackers left Jethu badly beaten and they had one message for him:
"You should not conduct Christian prayer meetings in this area," the attackers told him.
They also demanded that he leave or face more extreme consequences. This was not the first time that the 25-year-old missionary had faced persecution. When he and his family chose to follow Christ their own village expelled them. But Jethu has compassion for the men who beat him. He understands their point of view because he used to be one of them. Jethu and his family were staunch believers and followers of this same traditional religion. Then Jethu heard about the love of Jesus from a Bible college student. By this time, he had already grown discouraged because of many problems in his life, which his gods and goddesses didn't seem to care about.
   Jethu's parents were shocked to see their son's transformation into a joyful person. They soon followed in the footsteps of Christ, too. This caused quite an uproar in their village.
"They tried to convert us back into the former religion. As they could not change our decision to follow Jesus, they threatened us and expelled us from the village," Jethu explained. "At this time of turmoil, God became our strength and courage who kept us safe in His hands."
The family has followed Christ wholeheartedly ever since. They are now praying for the men who attacked Jethu, that they will come to know Christ.
Jethu's church also asks for prayer for his complete healing and that this incident will not cause him any discouragement.

Save the Date (LOL)

I read an article a moment ago on the Internet that said in part:

According to 20 billboards to appear Monday across metro Detroit, Jesus is returning on May 21, 2011. And if you aren't saved, it isn't going to be easy, says the Christian Web site behind the billboards, which are to read "He Is Coming Again!" Read full article (If you want to waste some time.)

I guess the people behind this have never read the scriptures like:

Matthew 24:36 NIV   “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 

Mark 13:32 NIV   “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 

1Corinthians 2:11 NIV For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 

1Thessalonians 5:2 NIV for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 

Could May 21, 2011 be the big day?  Sure, but today could be as well, or tomorrow, or May 20th for that matter.  Those who waste their time, energy, and effort trying to nail down the date of Christ's return would be better off spending that time spreading the love of Jesus Christ through the Gospel.  I will be ready if today is the day, or tomorrow, or May 21, will you?  Will those you love?  No one knows how many days are left but He is coming soon.

Revelation 22:12 NIV   “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

Iran: Pastor Charged—Apostasy

This very day there will be men and women around the world who will die because they loved others enough to tell them about Jesus.  May we all remember Pastor Youcef and the thousands of others we will never know by name on this side of heaven. 

Iran: Pastor Charged—Apostasy

The Assize Court of the province of Gilan, in Iran, has officially charged Pastor Youcef Nardarkhani with denying that Mohammed was a prophet. The court stated that this resulted in apostasy because Nardarkhani believes in Jesus and has shared his faith with others, according to The Voice of the Martyrs.
The indictment, which was issued by a public prosecutor in the presence of a jury, stated, “He has frequently denied the prophet hood of the great prophet of Islam and the rule of the sacred religion of Islam. ... He has proven his apostasy by organizing evangelistic meetings and inviting others to Christianity, establishing a house church, baptizing people, expressing his faith to others and denying Islamic values.”
According to court documents, when Pastor Youcef was asked about his faith, he told authorities, “Since I was born in a Muslim family, I was Muslim until I converted to Christianity at the age of 19.” He openly acknowledged accepting Jesus Christ.
The court also stated that the apostasy charge was determined a crime according to Islamic theologians.
Pastor Youcef’s defense attorneys have entered a not guilty plea to the charges, arguing that “since there is no punishment specified in the Islamic judicial system of Iran and other penal laws [on apostasy] ... their client has not committed a crime to deserve a punishment.”
The indictment, however, stated that as an apostate, Pastor Youcef will be executed. His lawyers have 20 days to appeal the indictment. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to continue praying for Pastor Youcef and his family. Pray that his appeal will be successful and that he will be released.
To learn more about Pastor Youcef, visit www.prisoneralert.com.

Bridgetown Church of Christ helps Black Friday shoppers

Instead of shopping or sleeping in this Black Friday at least one church had the great idea to use it for ministry purposes.  With reports of thousands standing in lines both inside and outside of stores in our local area it made me think about what Cowboy Fellowship might be able to do next year.  Read a portion of the article below, or the full article by clicking here. 

Bridgetown Church of Christ helps Black Friday shoppers 


Are you planning to get a great deal the day after Thanksgiving?

Black Friday is always about bargains, but this year Bridgetown Church of Christ is making it about values. Instead of focusing on the deals and bargains, the members of the church are taking the opportunity to serve food and drinks to the shoppers lined up at Best Buy in Western Hills early Friday morning, November 26th.

Along with a cup of hot chocolate the church will be offering invitations to it's Christmas services and events. It's their way to love the community and invite them into a life-changing relationship with Jesus.

Difficult Days

Many of us have faced some sort of difficulty over the past few months.  A friend of mine recently wrote about some of the struggles he was facing and how he worked through them.  Maybe this will help you, or encourage you in someway as well. 


Accept His Ways

Isaiah 55:8 was the verse that really stuck out to me today, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”  I’d have to say out of everything in Christianity this has to be one of the hardest aspects for me, and that would be trying to accept and find joy in God’s ways because at times I just do not understand them.  I have to admit sometimes I just get so frustrated in trying to accept the things God gives me in life. 

The perfect picture of my struggle, I have had some fairly lousy jobs over the last three years, at least according to my standards, and the funny thing is the more I complained it seemed like the worse they got.  I actually was just able to transition from the last one and have started a job that as of yet seems to be far better than everything I’ve done since my relocation to Florida, and the catch to it all was I was contacted by this company who found my resume.  It was just at the moment I really started to just say, why am I complaining, I have it so much better than so many others.  in an economy that is struggling, where unemployment is high, and no matter how difficult it was juggling two part time jobs and keeping everything straight I was so blessed to have a job at all, to be healthy, to have just closed on my first house when so many are homeless, I had to ask God for forgiveness for my discontent.  After all this was where God had me and he works all things out for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28) again this was where my faith was tested, I either had to believe this was where God wanted me and just accept it and in that moment of contentment, not that it happened RIGHT away, but after I found contentment with my situation that is when He decided he would move me. 

What did I have to be upset about, God’s promise is to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19) he tells us to find joy in our circumstances and in my act of selfishness God sought to teach me to be content.  I wish it didn’t take me so long to learn it, but I have been accused of being hard headed.  Paul summed it up perfectly, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)  Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians in a Roman Prison, and yet somehow throughout everything we know he endured he learned to find contentment.  It is something every Christian must learn, so often we get caught up in our own desires, in our selfish ambitions, in what we think will bring us joy, and we forget who is in control and who knows what is best.  We serve a sovereign God and when we struggle we make our petitions known to Him (Phil. 4:6), but in the end trust Him in all things and be content no matter what His answer is,  in the end “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6)

Next Generation Disciples