SANDY HOOK - Jesus Calms the Storm

SANDY
HOOK - WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO?

This past week with the national tragedy at Sandy Hook as well as the many personal tragedies which
many of you suffer are difficult to deal with. I know that to each of you the
shootings were terrible, but I also know that many of you are dealing with
heart aches and heart breaks of which few others will know.

We are often torn by feelings of guilt as we see something
as terrible as the killing of innocent children and adults. We do mourn for
their loss, but feel guilty for mourning for our personal losses. Many in our
world have had terrible losses in their lives this past week also, do we forget
them or act like they are unimportant because another tragedy seems worse that
our own? Of course not, we can't do that, it isn't in our human nature to
refuse to grieve just because someone else is grieving.

Sadly our cultures and our media have tried to make one
terrible thing seem worse than another, when in reality terrible things that
happen are terrible to all who are in involved. I heard a statement a while
back that went like this. Someone said about something bad that had happened
because of their actions, "It was nothing personal."  The response was, "It was nothing
personal to you, it didn't hurt you, but it was plenty personal to me! I was
the one who was hurt."

You may be grieving right now and few, if any even know
about it. Don't hide your grief just because you think someone may think you
are insensitive to what has been termed "a greater tragedy". Don't
feel guilty if your personal difficulty or tragedy affects you more than the
stories coming of Sandy Hook.

We can have the greatest sympathy for the families of those
who lost loved ones, but often our personal pain tops that and because of that
we feel guilty. Don't! Don't feel guilty, mourn as you need and give comfort as
you are able, that's all God expects of you.

What do you do when there is nothing you can do? You share
your pain and your hurt with others to let them help bear that burden. Paul
urges Christians in Romans 12:15,
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."
And in Galatians 6:2, "Share each other’s burdens, and in this way
obey the law of Christ."

So, I urge you to pray for those who have suffered this
great loss and turn your own cares over to God. Peter urges us in 1 Peter 5:6-7, "So
humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will
lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about
you."

THOUGHTS ON THE MAYAN CALENDAR

I saw a headline today that said, "The world is going
to end, guess we can all stop flossing." 
The article started in this way, "The world will come to an end in
just four days, and that's a huge relief because it means we can all finally
stop flossing. I doubt your dental health is going to dramatically change
before 12/21/12. You can also stop taking out the trash and paying all your
bills."

Of course this is based upon an interpretation of the Mayan
Calendar that says the world will end this Friday (if you are reading this
later you know this was wrong). This interpretation is not like the Y2K days
where much of the world was afraid of some catastrophe on January 1, 2000.  Those who anticipated that happening,
prepared for the worst, while those who believe in the Mayan Calendar just want
to stop doing anything.

Why pay bills, why send Christmas cards, why be nice to
co-workers when (and if) the world ends on Friday? People stop living for the
future because they don't think they have one!

This is
not a new problem, we see something quite similar in the city of Thessalonica, (located in modern day Greece) somewhere
around 60 AC. The Apostle Paul had been there and introduced them to Christ. He
made a tremendous impression upon the people and many became Christians. They
took to heart the message of the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior
as well as the message that he is coming again to gather the faithful to him.
In the first letter to the Thessalonians (4:13f)
Paul specifically teaching about what will happen when Christ returns. He
encouraged them to keep looking for Christ's return as if it could happen at
anytime in Chapter 5.

Those who
read this believed it and began to prepare for it… somewhat. It appears though
that some believed the teaching of Christ's imminent return so strongly, that
they just quit living their daily lives or even going to work. They just wanted
to set around and pray or read the scriptures because Christ was coming back at
anytime and nothing else mattered. That is one of the reasons I believe that
Paul penned 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
where he writes: "For even when we were with you, this we
commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear
that there are some among you who walk disorderly, working not at all, but are
busybodies. Now those who are such, we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus
Christ that they work with quietness and eat their own bread."

Here is
the problem for us today. We need to live our lives as if Christ is going to
return today, but live everyday as servants of God, doing our work the best we
can do it (as  unto the Lord). Yes, God
is coming back some time to claim his own. When? No one knows when, except for
God himself, (Matthew 24:36-37).

So, Keep
on flossing, keep on going to work, keep on paying your bills, keep on being
nice to folks and in general living your life like you will live forever!
Because, if you are right with God, you will! Philippians 3:20 tells us, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And
we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ

The True Meaning of Christmas

What a great time of the year! Most folks are just a little
happier. They decorate their homes; they have more friends and family in to
share meals and fellowship. Most give gifts of some kind with someone.  In general, it is a happy if not joyous time
of the year.

I realize of course that is not true for everyone, some
folks are overwhelmed by the season. The business, the gift buying, the traffic
and the expectations are somewhat nerve wracking.

What is the TRUE meaning of Christmas, or does it really
have any meaning other than a great big party to our world. I like what Charles
Tucker has to say about it. Notice below:

"This time of year we talk about “the True Meaning of
Christmas.” OK, I know that Christmas isn’t mentioned in the Bible; Jesus
nowhere tells us to observe His birthday. But the fact that Jesus was born into
this world to live among us as one of us is indeed at the very center of the
gospel. It was “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman,
born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). We must believe that Jesus was
born as a real flesh and blood baby in order to accept that He gave His body
and shed His blood on the cross (1 John 1:1-2). Jesus became flesh and blood
like us in order to redeem us (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus was Immanuel, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23).
Because we connect this time of the year to the story of the birth of Jesus,
therein is really the 'True Meaning of Christmas.'"

I agree with Charles. If this season puts Jesus more in the
forefront of people's hearts and minds, then it does give a meaning to
Christmas, which is truer than any of our other World Holiday's.

No, Christmas isn't in the bible, but Paul tells us in Romans 14:4-6,"Who
are you to condemn someone else’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord,
so let him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord’s help,
they will do what is right and will receive his approval. In the same way, some
think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is
alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is
acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him."(NLT)

So, Paul tells us that if we want to set aside special days
to honor God, then do it, but do it wisely. A day to honor God is not about
giving gifts or feasting with friends, it's about remembering our God and what
he has given us.

Russ Lawson – Messages From The Heart

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