Charity -Freedom Christmas celebration

 

 

 

If you don’t want your life to be “messed up,” don’t fool around with those who have messed up theirs.   It is a peculiarity of human relationships that it is virtually impossible for one individual to have a lasting positive influence upon members of a group of negative thinkers. Usually, it works the other way. You cannot maintain a positive, productive attitude if you spend all your time with negative people. Those who have wrecked their own lives (and usually blame their misfortune on others) are not the kind of people who will help you achieve success in your own life. Choose your friends and associates carefully, and refrain from complaints about your job, your company, or any individual. Spend your time with positive, ambitious people who have a plan for their lives. You will find that their optimism is infectious.

(www.naphill.org posted December 19, 2011)

 

 

Here we see Napoleon Hill foundation describing a precept that Christ showed his Apostles, once again, how to master. Optimism is a mind set that takes great care to keep. Jesus defeated his temper (He actually had control the whole time, and only focused his Spirit to drive out evil and wrath.)

 

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

 

 

 

Human faults are like garden weeds. They grow without cultivation and soon take over the place if they aren’t thinned out.   Habits are formed so slowly that most of us don’t realize what is happening until the habits are too strongly entrenched to be broken. Seldom can one pattern of behavior be eliminated without replacing it with another. It has been said that nature abhors a vacuum and will always find something to fill a void. The best way to thin out the “weeds,” or faults in your character, is to identify those traits with which you are dissatisfied and replace them with their positive counterparts. If you have a tendency to lose your temper, for example, find a replacement for your anger. Neutralize it with a positive expression or affirmation, such as, “No one can make me angry unless I let them. I will not let anyone else control my emotions.”

 

(www.naphill.org posted December 20, 2011)

 

(Ordinances)

Strong's Greek Dictionary

1378. dogma

Search for G1378 in KJVSL

dogma dogma dog'-mah

from the base of 1380; a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical):–decree, ordinance.

 

See Greek 1380

When some one delves into the respectful attitudes of life style that the World deems respectful there is a lack of dealing with the Spirit. The ordinances were designed to show what the Commandments were for . When there is hardness of hearts the Law will be used for correction. But when people seek after grace and help Jesus shows how to provide that detail. Those that obey him do not need to rely on the the Old testament to teach them.

 

As a result Jesus defied the norm. He was the first person to maintain an indwelling of the Holy Ghost through death and beyond (there was no translation until after the Crucifixion if any.)

 

Wisdom according to Jesus was a way to obey the law and still be free from needing the law.

 

Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Col 3:12 ¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

 

Notice the words “…do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” and without taking this out of context we see that godliness without denying the power thereof is the key to being right without taking your eyes off God and still getting things done in the world. Yet not being of the world.

 

Pr 16:24 ¶ Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Pr 16:25 ¶ There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Pr 16:26 ¶ He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

 

Pr 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

 

2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

Ro 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

 

 

This is another way of saying Christ-mass is about freedom. Christ came and taught how to obey the Spirit in the godly way without denying the power thereof. That's what we celebrate when we celebrate Christmass. For this is a celebration for learning how God expects us to forgive.

 

Ro 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;

Ro 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

 

 

This then is the way to live in Christs Tree. Keep calm and Christian on.

 

 

 

Scott,

“I think that you are on the right track and I do not disagree with any of your thoughts.  In my mind the tree at Christmas is simply decoration and really without spiritual significance.”

Blessings,

Pastor Paine

Christmas “Tree”

Scott Skinner

In olden times The Turkey was never eaten as it was a creature not to be touched by the saved people. Now that Peter was given the vision that God has cleansed or poured out of his spirit on all flash, the birds are safe to eat.

Acts 10:1-16, 19-20, 25-38 9On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.29Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:40Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly;41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

So now in essence the serving Turkey on Thanks giving is providing a sacrifice concerning the year; for thanking God for a good year. The Turkey is plucked, seasoned, cooked, and seasoned again. Quite dead. ready to eat.

Now we get to the Christmas tree: Though the Bible says worshipping trees is an unclean thing, so is worshiping the Turkeys. Deuteronomy 7:5-7 (KJV)5But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.6For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.7The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

Romans 1:22-24 (KJV) 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves

We should not consider the tree something to worship. Rather it is a Beautiful thing that we are sacrificing to God in thanks for keeping us thus far through the winter. The Tree is dying, and there is no bringing it back. Dress it a little and make it look like it would in the snow. Pretty. Burn it and/or toss it when your done making full use of it. Some people never kill them, they keep them planted for next year. Others never even use a real tree, its a fake one. Whatever God Lays on your heart to do with the Sacrifice-Display.

Hebrews 9: 11-12 (KJV) 11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Acts 24:15-17 (KJV) 15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.17Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

So Long as its to the Holy One of Israel, giving Thanks in Jesus name, using Christ’s mass, using His Holy Name, not just declaring it as just a holiday (we have tons of those). But wishing the vessel of Jesus a Happy Birthday. Its the Spirit of God at work.

Acts 3 (KJV) 14But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;15And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. Colossians 3:17 (KJV) 17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Luke 2:11-20 (KJV) 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Matthew 1:21-24 (KJV)21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Granted if your not giving thanks to the Father-the Spirit- by Jesus name your are then worshiping idols.

1 Corinthians 10:20 (KJV) 20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

So Christmas is the time of Joy and as is always all year around for any Christian a time to offer to share the best you can come up with.