Author name: pwm-admin

Imagine how a parent would feel if their children were given gifts on Christmas Day and laid them aside without attempting to open them or even find out what they were, and just said: “Thank you.” Imagine how the Lord must feel when He has given gifts to us that He intends for us to use (1 Peter 4:10), and yet we never take the trouble to find out what they are, never put them to work, and then excuse ourselves from serving the church by saying that we can’t do anything! Like any gift, it must be unwrapped, examined, and used. It is when we use our gifts the body of Christ is served (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-20). When the body of Christ is served, we are built up spiritually (Ephesians 4:12-16). When we are built up spiritually, Christ is glorified. When Christ is continuously glorified, lives are changed, souls are won to Christ, and Christmas is celebrated all year-long as we worship Him daily (Colossians 3:12-17). Our service pleases God because it demonstrates our faith in Him (James 2:14-17) and our love for Him (1 John 3:16-20). The greatest gift we can give to God is to use the gift He has given to us to serve others. “For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:8-10).  Serving the Lord is one of God’s greatest desires for us (Deuteronomy 11:13; Joshua 22:5; 24:21-1 Samuel 12:24). Let this season remind us of our need to unwrap the gifts that Christ has provided us so that the season serves the reason all year-long. When we unwrap His gifts there is no way we will be disappointed. We will be a blessing, and we will be blessed.

Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year. Houses are decorated with lights; Christmas trees are decorated inside homes; ornaments and the like; people’s cars are decorated; the malls are filled with items that represent Christmas to them, and the music of Christmas plays regularly. What was Christmas like for Christ? What did God’s love mean for the Giver of His love? Britisher Geoffrey T. Bull, a missionary to Tibet, was cold, exhausted, and hungry. Communists had seized him following their takeover of China in 1949, and his future was bleak. His captors drove him day and night across frozen mountains until he despaired of life. Late one afternoon, he staggered into a small village where he was given an upstairs room, swept clean and warmed by a small charcoal brazier. After a meager supper, he was sent downstairs to feed the horses. It was very dark and very cold. He clambered down the notched tree trunk to find himself in pitch blackness. His boots squished in the manure and straw on the floor. The fetid smell of animals was nauseating. The horses sighed wearily, tails drooping, yet the missionary expected to be kicked any moment. Geoffrey, cold, weary, lonely, and ill, begins to feel sorry for himself. “Then as I continued to grope my way in the darkness,” he later wrote, “it suddenly flashed into my mind. What’s today? I thought for a moment. In traveling, the days had become a little muddled in my mind. Suddenly, it came to me. ‘It’s Christmas Eve.’ I stood suddenly still in that Oriental manger. To think that my Savior was born in a place like this. To think that He came all the way from heaven to some wretched eastern stable, and what is more to think that He came for me. How men beautify the cross, and the crib, as if to hide the fact that at birth we resigned Him to the stench of beasts and at death exposed Him to the shame of rogues. “I returned to the warm, clean room which I enjoyed even as a prisoner bowed to thankfulness and worship” (Geoffrey T. Bull, When Iron Gates Yield (Chicago: Moody Press, n.d.), 158–159. 2 Morgan, Robert J.: Nelson & #39’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, and Quotes. electronic ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, S. 110). “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11; NASU) God’s gift to us, and for us, far outweighs any gift we can provide to Him. This is why this is a season of thanksgiving that should result in `thanksliving.’

“God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love; the radiance of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas, which is Christ.” (Wilda English) Christmas time is a great moment for evangelism because it is unquestionably a time that celebrates the birth of Christ. Even in the time of Christ, His birth brought Magi from a distant country, shepherds from the fields and it caused Simeon and Anna to declare; “My eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all the peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32) Today the world knows the truth but seeks to call Christmas, the holidays, X-mas, a time to party and get drunk. I don’t expect people who do not know Christ to do any different but we who are saved should be like Simeon and Anna and declare the truth. How can we celebrate Christmas so that it is a testimony of Christ’s birth, that can lead to a gospel message? There is a legend of a village in Southern Europe that boasted of a church called “The House of Many Lamps.” When it was built in the sixteenth century, the architect provided for no light except for a receptacle at every seat for the placing of a lamp. Each Sunday night, as the people gathered, they would bring their lanterns and slip them into the bracket at their seat. When someone stayed away, his place would be dark; and if very many stayed away, the darkness became greater for the whole. It was the regular presence of each person that lit up the church (Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson’s complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed., p. 127) Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers). “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:14-16; NASU) What can we do when our house lights up; can our decorations and ornaments represent Christ and therefore be a witness? How can we function when people are in need after Beryl and are struggling to make Christmas work for their children so that at least their kids can enjoy Christmas? We must ‘let our light shine before men;’ It’s CHRISTmas!

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we often begin to think of all the things we should thank God for. We reflect on a series of events to determine how and when to thank God. Sometimes, we forget the fundamental reasons why we should say thanks. A young man put it this way; “nine months ago, a Christian came to my house and said he wanted me to become a Christian. He talked to me kindly and encouragingly, pointing out the errors of my ways, and I became converted. I had been a hard drinker, but since that time I have not touched a drop of liquor. If anyone had asked who the most hopeless man in town was, they would have pointed to me.” Today, this man is the superintendent of a Sabbath school. Eleven years ago, when I went to Boston, I had a cousin who wanted a little of my experience. I gave him all my help, and he became a Christian. He did not know how near death was to him: He wrote to his brother and said: “I am very anxious to get your soul to Jesus.” The letter somehow went to another city and lay from the 28th of February till the 28th of March—just one month. He saw it was in his brother’s handwriting, tore it open, and read the above words. It struck a chord in his heart and was the means of converting him. And this was the Christian who led this drunken man to Christ. This young man had a neighbor who had drunk for forty years, and he went to that neighbor and told him what God had done for him, and the result was another conversion. I tell you these things to encourage you to believe the drunkard can be saved.” (from Moody’s Anecdotes and Illustrations. Biblesoft formatted electronic database. Copyright © 2014 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.) “ThanksLiving” begins with keeping the value of being born again front and center. Salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-10). No person sought after God on their own (Romans 3:9-11). It was ONLY because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son……” (John 3:16). Salvation, by God’s grace, provided the Holy Spirit who was poured into us (Titus 3:5-8), providing a spiritual gift (1 Peter 4:10). Applying ourselves to use His spiritual gift blesses us eternally (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 15:18). Because He does not listen to the prayers of sinners (John 9:31) now saved, we are blessed!! He now hears even the groans of our hearts (Romans 8:86). The Holy Spirit empowers us to mature in wisdom and righteousness, providing material blessings (Luke 12:13-28; Psalm 112:1-3; 24:3-5). Sometimes it is hard to swallow this because we often focus on what we don’t have rather than seek Christ first. He promises to ‘provide our needs according to His riches in glory’ (Luke 12:29-34). Happy ThanksLiving!!

The decision that the country made on November 5th has made some people excited, while others are bewildered, depressed, or filled with anxiety. The democratic system is what it is; God’s will is perfect. The question for those concerned is what God’s will is in these times because His directive to us is to “trust Him and not lean to our understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-6). How does this work? When David was in the presence of Abimelech and was very afraid for his life, David expressed his commitment to trust God in Psalm 34:1-3 and to seek the Lord and to trust that God will answer His prayers and deliver him from all his troubles (Psalm 34:4). David also reminded himself that “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.” (Psalm 34:7) Why is this important? It is because when our fears are only towards God, David says His Shepherding blesses us. “O fear the Lord you His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want.” (Psalm 34:9) During the horrific experiences of believers under Nero (no intent to call the new administration Nero even though racial violence increased under the first administration, as stated by federal records), Peter instructed the believers to “submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake, to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as by Him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.” (1 Peter 2:13-15)  I can hear some of you say, “Who are the evil men?” – lol. Psalm 37:7-9 says, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.”  No matter what was decided on November 5th, “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to His purposes.” (Romans 8:28) Stay focused and pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)!!

The church’s love for God was exposed when Covid 19 impacted the world. People packed planes and sports games and went back to work, but not to the church. This voting season has also exposed the church. To see the hatred, anger, and polarization that our churches are demonstrating is mind-boggling. It is interesting to note, in the scriptures, that the Lord does not pick sides, in other words, He does not ride donkeys or elephants. When the Lord of Host confronted Joshua (Joshua 5:13-15), the Lord demanded that Joshua do what He said. When Jesus was physically on earth, He clearly stated, “” “He is the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).  We rely more on common sense, driven by media commentators, in critical times than seeking the Lord. The scriptures are clear that the Lord has provided us “everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3-4; ‘everything’).  So, scripture is not silent (Hebrews 1:1-3). Who a candidate demonstrates themselves to be can be evaluated by the scriptures. We are commanded by God to “test every spirit.” (1 John 4:1-2; notice it is a small ‘s’), not to believe every spirit because of who they say they are or how much sense they seem to make. Our trust is required to be of God first, not a person. This is why the passage in Proverbs 3:5 starts with “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…..”; notice ‘all your heart’; not some (heart – not following our emotions; Romans 6:12-14). Our reliance is on His wisdom, not ours. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the One who catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.” (1 Corinthians 3:19-20; NASU) Knowing who a person says they are is based on how the scripture directs us to decide the nature of a person. The scriptures instruct us to look at the fruit that comes from their life (Matthew 7:16-20). Many people looked up to the High Priest in Jesus, but Christ had an entirely different truth (Matthew 23). The disciples thought Judas was a great person, but Christ sees his heart (John 17:12). This is why the scripture says, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” (Luke 6:45; NASU) This is why, for us to see the truth, we must walk in the light. It is Christ who is the Light (John 1:6-7). When we faithfully practice His Word, we walk in the light (Hebrews 5:14), and instead of hating one another, we have peace (1 John 1:5-7; 2:9-10). As we mature, we become light (Matthew 5:14-16).   Be the light!

Many times, people ask, how can I experience God? It is an interesting question because God is everywhere, all at the same time (omnipresent). It is like asking how can I experience the sun while standing in it. We can learn from several persons, one of whom is Paul because Paul said, “…….I no longer live, it is Christ that lives within me… .” (Galatians 2:20). Paul would also say he is drunk with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:15-18). This is not unique to Paul because Christ dwells in us as well (Ephesians 1:3-4; Titus 3:5). How did Paul get here when he once struggled with sin and wished someone would deliver him from his sinful nature (Romans 7:14-25)? Paul was committed to renewing his mind from the traditional Jewish way of thinking, especially in relation to the law (Romans 12:2; 8:9- 17). This transforming experience caused Paul to depend more on the Spirit than on the flesh (Galatians 5:16-25). In this process, Paul became more conscious of his weaknesses, especially as he encountered numerous trials (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Amid his trials, Paul’s dependency on Christ demonstrated a complete reliance on the nature of Christ and His Word. His dependence on Christ meant Paul was convinced that he could rely on God’s promises (2 Timothy 4:6-8) and “all things would work together for His good” (Romans 8:28; 1 Timothy 6:12). Especially since Christ is love and He is Lord, and nothing will separate us from His love so there is no way we would not be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37-39). So what Christ plans to accomplish amid trials is achieved (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:3-9). We cannot experience Christ and ourselves at the same time. Experiencing Christ is like jumping into a deep swimming pool. Swimming is required to enjoy the water. This is because of the nature of the water and our nature. When those two natures collide, swimming is demanded. Our nature and His nature are different; we are lost in sin (Luke 19:10, shaped in iniquity (Psalm 51:5), and Christ is holy. We can’t come to holiness on our own (Ephesians 2:8-10; works cannot save us). Our only hope is to trust His Word and His love for us and be transformed. The more we do this the more we die to ourselves, mentally and emotionally (overcome fear, anxiety, and doubt), as our dependency on Christ makes us more spiritual. He is a Spirit being, so we experience Christ. “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:2-4; Matthew 6:22-24; 1 John 2:15-17; NASU)

Most believers would agree that God is good and He is good all the time, but they probably would struggle to count trials as joy. Sometimes, when there are struggles with illnesses, jobs, marriage, the stress of being a single parent, and the constant stress of managing long bills with a short budget, all we can see are problems. So when God says, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence, and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things,” we say things like `I don’t know if I can do that or that is hard.’ The major problem with our thinking is that this verse requires faith, and it is faith that God rewards (Hebrews 11:6). This verse requires that we keep our eyes on what God is doing (since every good and perfect gift comes from above, James 1:17), rather than what our circumstances dictate. Robert Fulton was utterly discouraged by his steamboat invention and the jeering public response it had brought him. But then, a man went on board the boat one day, and this conversation ensued: “Mr. Fulton, I presume?” “Yes, sir.” “Do you return to New York with this boat?” “We shall try to get back, sir.” “Can I have passage down?” “You can take your chance with us, sir.” “How much is the passage money?” Fulton had never thought about that. After a moment’s hesitation, he named the sum of six dollars. The man became the first to pay for a steamboat passage in history! Fulton met this man four years later and told him: “The vivid emotions caused by your paying me that first passage money will always be remembered. That, sir, seemed the turning point in my destiny—the dividing line between light and darkness—the first actual recognition of my usefulness from my fellowmen”(Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland TX : Bible Communications, 1996, c1979). This man could have given up because people laughed and mocked his invention. He kept trying only for this man to make his invention a great development for trips around the world. When life is not going well each day, how can we count it joy or genuinely believe that God is good and truly feel this? It takes place when we look through the eyes of God and focus on what He is doing because of His genuine, sacrificial love for us. (John 3:16-17; NASU)  We must focus on the good things God’s loving nature is doing each day so that His gifts keep us feeling blessed. God says that He can take our trials and disappointments and make them work for our good (Romans 8:28), and He uses our trials to teach us endurance and  strength for life in a world led by Satan and his demons (James 1:2-4; Ephesians 2:1-2; 5:19). “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13; NASU)  This is because; “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (Rev 4:11; NASU)  It is a blessing to be a vessel that God seeks to live in and work through, whether every day goes well or just another day.

Have you ever felt tired of always trying to say the right thing or do the right thing?  Does it also seem like the more you try to do what God says, the more difficult the challenges seem to be?  Maybe this is why God says, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9).  It is evident that there is the potential that we can get weary. This is how the people in the book of Nehemiah felt.  They went back as Jeremiah instructed them after 70 years of captivity in Babylon.  They were the obedient ones.  Nehemiah did not go back; he stayed and enjoyed his wonderful paying, highly respected job. However, many things went wrong when these obedient people returned.  They even continued to do right despite these things (walls not restored, kids raped and taken into slavery for taxes, the crop stolen, so they starved during the winter months).  They rebuilt the temple and committed to go to it as the law stated.  The enemy did not get weaker; instead, they got stronger.  They became discouraged, their worship became routine, and the Word of God was not preached or read.  Although they had a lot of singers (Nehemiah 7:73), no joy or strength existed.  They became easily demoralized and quickly stopped working because they were worn down.  The more they did the right thing, the more worn out they became. David felt the same way and shared this with us, “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.   Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil.  For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land” (Psalms 37:3-9; NIV). Not only will God’s people be blessed on the earth; “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12; NIV). So remember, “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.  They will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary” (Isaiah 40:31; NASU). Remember when we please Him it becomes His joy, which in turn becomes our strength (Nehemiah 10b).

I remember years ago, while in college, playing in a soccer tournament in Louisiana (the home of the Saints, who showed no respect this past Sunday). We had several games; the last match was in hot, humid weather. Towards the end of the last game, my legs were totally fatigued; I was literally running on fumes. Because we made it to the championship game, I somehow found the strength to keep playing. Paul teaches us why he endured so much suffering (beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, false accusations) was because he saw the prize (He saw the third heavens; 2 Corinthians 12:2) that made him write “For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) He would tell us not to grow weary in well-doing and miss our season (Galatians 6:9-10). As we can see in Revelation, we all have access to the prizes: the white garments (Revelation 3:4-5; 4:4; 6:11, 7:9, 13), share His throne (James 1:12; Revelation 3:11), rule over angels and have access to the holy City of Jerusalem (Revelation 22). The question is, how did he find strength so that he can “do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). Every athlete who participated in the Olympics went through rigorous training to develop what was already in their bodies so that they function to the best of their capacity. The scriptures teach us that we have “all spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3-4), we have the Holy Spirit in us (Ephesians 3:16), and Christ dwells in our hearts (Ephesians 3:17).  By using everyone’s spiritual gifts in the local church we can all grow up to the fullness of God (Ephesians 4:12-13) and comprehend all the Lord is teaching us (Ephesians 3:18-19). This is why we can work out our salvation because of He who lives in us (Philippians 2:12-13) because Christ richly lives powerfully in us, blessing us to overcome the sinful influences of the flesh (Romans 8:9-17; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:15-18). So, we all have the capacity to win the prizes God has in store for us because we can all become just like Christ (Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Peter 2:21-25). It all depends on whether we are willing to discipline ourselves, like Olympic athletes, because we, at the point of salvation, have the Holy Spirit fully in us to transform us so that we can even overcome the attacks of the devil (1 John 4:4) even if these attacks are like fiery darts (Ephesians 6:10-18). When life’s trials seem overwhelming, and you feel like you are running on fumes, remember that when we accept these trials, God’s perfecting work (James 1:2-4) blesses us to keep on pressing towards the mark.  It is in our weakness that we find our true strength, for as Paul said,  “in our weakness, we will become strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).