Me Committed to Christ? No, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night!

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

In this, our last lesson for 2010, this verse not only revealed the spiritual sluggishness of the Jews, but could it also be a reflection of our modern day churches?

"Just the Facts Maam: (Jack Webb- Dragnet)

For over 600 years, God has been setting the stage, leaving a trail of "inside information", "spiritual secrets", "whispering words of wisdom", concerning the coming of the Christ Child.  This message was declared by righteous men, such as Isaiah, Daniel, Hosea, Micah & Malachi, just to name a few. These were God's mouthpieces for His glorious message.

They prophecied about:

• His tribal ancestry
• The virgin birth
• His birthplace
• His star that would appear at his arrival

Yet while these Jews (the Pharisees & Saducees) had obtained all of these facts, they still couldn't find Him.  I find it amazing that while these folks were professing & performing their religious rituals, claiming to be "God's People"... That only 6 short miles away, God himself became mans eternal gift; by wrapping himself in swaddling clothes only to be Unnoticed, Undetected, and eventually Unwanted by these religious political powers!

So as you can see, our society today hasn't changed much with all of our modern day technology: Books, magazines, teaching tapes, mega-churches, seminars, and those enthusiastic "TV Pastors", we still have found ourselves struggling as a "Self-Centered" society of saints!

Many folks today have never fully understood the spiritual significance concerning His Cradle, His Cross, His Crown.

These folks have built their lives upon a foundation of Fantasy & not of Christ.

My challenge to you Brethren, is to "checkout" of the Holiday Inn Express and "check-in" to the Holy Bible - and just as the Wise Men of Old, you too will find the "CHRIST"!

Until next year,

Pastor Jody

Decembery 25th...

Why do we celebrate Christmas on this date?  and why is it at the end of the year?  Well, there's several pieces that will put this puzzle together, but for today there's a more valuable lesson to be learned...

All year long we have wrestled with issues with attacks, anger, divorce, deaths, broken relationships, finances personal problems and just the fact that we aren't getting any younger...  OUCH!!

Not only have we confronted these assassins, but often we "collect" them in the closet of our minds  and throughout a whole year - we've accumulated lots of "stuff!"  So, before we move into a brand new year, God wants us to clean our our closets!  Just let go of all that luggage, purge and make room for Blessings and Prosperity!!  Hos is this possible?  I'm glad you asked...

It's through giving - pouring out.  Sharing with OTHERS.  It's in giving, or releasing of our resources that makes room for the new.  It's not that we HAVE to - but I'm very thankful to have something to offer someone else that might help them along their way.

Merry Christmas and make way for the Blessings!

Pastor Jody

No Vacancy!

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)


Here we have the Christmas story stage...

• 1 pregnant virgin (Mary)
• 1 espoused husband (Joseph)
• 1 Donkey  -We'll call him "Harley" (Davidson, of course!)

Now, these three were making their journey to their "ancestral home" of Bethlehem.  The time had come.  "nature" is screaming and the Christ Child is about to come into this world and change our lives forever!  But... we have a huge problem...

There's NO ROOM in the INN!!

Inn (kata luma)

• kata - down
• luma - guest chamber
• "One's personal best "guest chamber" or room.
• Not a hotel - but a HOME!

Have we made room - our BEST room to receive Christ into?  Let's "check the register" and see what's occupying our hearts this Christmas.

• shopping sprees...
• parties to attend...
• food to prepare...
• gifts to wrap...
• racing from relative to relative...
• your in-laws and your "out-laws" all coming for Christmas...
• decorating the tree...
• max out the credit cards...
• and TRY to be cheerful while getting it all done!

GOOD LUCK!

Before you know it, we're all booked up - no room or time to even think about what Christ wants or what He would love to accomplish in your life!  Let's always make room for Christ to live in our "best room".  Never forget during this hectic time - Jesus is the ONLY reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Jody

I Believe In You!

"...you believe in God.  Believe also in me." (John 14:1 NKJ)

For the past 3 1/2 years, these 12 Disciples had deserted their own personal plans and goals and have dedicated themselves to the Call and Commission of Jesus Christ.  These men have witnessed miracles while mobs waged war against Him in the Temple as well as on the streets.

Just the presence of Jesus provoked men whose hearts were in contradiction of the Truth of Jehovah God.  An old saying goes like this, "When you preach Christ, it will either make you "shoutin' glad" or "fightin' mad"!  So it goes without saying that these 12 men have been on a 3 1/2 year emotional "roller coaster" ride... and it was out of control!

• Changing of religious customs
• Claims and rumors of His Deity
• Mixed accusations of Him being a "hero" and a "heretic" were playing over and over in their minds
• Controversy...
• Confusion...
• Chaos...

So, it is here in this verse, in the closing pages of Christ's Earthly ministry, that He asked His closest friends this heart-piercing question...

"I know you believe me...But do you believe IN me?"

Christ cannot be real "through you" if He isn't real "To You"!!

"Do you trust me?  Do you have faith in me, even though you might not fully understand my motives or my mission?"

I personally think that the greatest catapault to launch us forward, is to have someone who not only believes you, but believes IN you as well.  What other medicine can heal our hearts or restore our brokenness than to hear these four simple words, "I believe in you"!

My friends, may you take comfort and courage today to know that not only do I believe in God - I believe in YOU!

Pastor Jody

If you don't have anything nice to say...

This week, let's look at some practical practices that will not only improve your personal development, but will also PROVE your relationship with God to others...

We as believers, are called to be a light in a darkened world.  Positive in a Negative world and Straight in a Crooked world!  So hang on - here we go!

Appearance

• People will see you long before they will ever hear you.  Always practice self respect in your appearance.  Sloppiness is never an excuse for "individuality".

Attitude

• Always appear reachable to others.  No one will ever reach towards you if you make then feel you're "untouchable".  It's hard to shake hands with someone if they keep their hands in their pockets!

Communication

• Communication builds bridges, not walls!  So before just walking out... learn to "Talk it out".

Good Manners

• Do your best to improve the lives of others.  It will benefit some and astonish the rest!

Criticism

• Criticisms are just someone's way of expressing their jealousy towards your progress and promotion.

Risky Relationships

• Never attempt to keep people in your life past their "expiration date".  Before you "take a swig" from the milk carton, check the calendar!

Always Give it Your Best

• "We always triumph in Christ..." (2 Corinthians 2:14)

What is a triumph?  It's nothing more than a try with a little "umph" at the end!  Remember, Practice Makes Perfect!  

Let's Get To It!

Pastor Jody