Christmas 2014

'Twas the night before Christmas, I turned on the TV. 
Nothing but killing, pain and grief did I see.
For many this day, there'll be no Christmas cheer,
 so let's try to be mindful of that fact this year.
The world grows darker each day it would seem, 
one fact remains true though, Jesus came to redeem.
So let's not forget the one fact that's still true,
Jesus, Gods greatest gift, to me and to you.
Believing in Him gives a future so clear, and
if we remember that fact, it's a Merry Christmas year!

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year in 2015 everyone!

c.mcgrath

Don't waste another year "chasing after the wind".

2014 has arrived, and awaits us. Will it be a good, a mediocre, or maybe a horrible year? Only God knows for sure. What we can know for sure though, is what others who have lived before us have found to be true. One example is King Solomon. The wisest and richest man ever. Why he thought having 1000 wives/concubines was a good idea however, was not one of his better decisions. We all make foolish mistakes being human, no matter who we are, or how wise we might be. Solomon found that to be true.

Another thing he found  to be true, was the emptiness of life lived apart from God. He spared himself no indulgence or physical pleasure known to man, but found it all fleeting, unsatisfying, empty, a "vanity of vanities." He found it to be like a "chasing after the wind." Remember, there has never been or ever will be a richer man, according to God. So, Solomon had it all, so to speak.

So, why not make 2014 the year you agree with Solomon? This was his conclusion after trying every pleasure known to man.

"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."

Solomon realized that God will have the last say and judge our works and motives, so we best be about His business, not ours. And, His business is that we honor and glorify Him. If we don't then we should fear His wrath with reverence and respect.

Fearing God doesn't mean to cower in fear. It means to acknowledge and respect Him as being Supreme in our lives, to put our faith and trust in Him. Let Him be in control of our lives. Allowing Him to work out His plan and purposes through us. Who knows better what is best for us, than the One who created us?

Don't let 2014 speed quickly by, without putting your faith and trust in the only One who can fully sustain any of us. His name is Jesus. He loves us so much that He came and died in our place, paying our sin debt, (which is death), in full. He did this so we could come back into communion with God. Sin must be paid for with a perfect and holy sacrifice of infinite worth. Only Jesus fit that bill. If we reject the sacrifice Jesus has made for us, then we must pay for our sin ourselves.The problem is we can't. So we will not go to heaven where God in Holiness and perfection reigns. Nothing sinful can enter there, regardless of what anyone may have told you. Pastor, priest or otherwise. Gods' Word, the Bible, is very clear on it.

Hell on the other hand, is full of good people, with good intentions. Who did good things, and lived good lives. This might be shocking to hear, but it's not about us being good people. It's about us being forgiven people. We're only acceptable to God through the righteousness and holiness of Christ.

It means giving up our pride, but we'll gain everlasting life and a peace that passes all understanding. An assurance of heaven, a new love, hope, perspective and purpose for life, and so much more.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8.  It's not rocket science, but it's far more important. It's the simplicity of the Gospel and personal pride I believe, that holds most people back from accepting it. They feel they must earn it. But, we can't earn it. It's just not possible.

I believe what King Solomon learned was basically, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?".... Mark 8:36

It profits us nothing. We will suffer immeasurable loss, pain and suffering forever. Life becomes a "vanity of vanities", a "chasing after the wind". Life ends with an eternity spent in outer darkness, apart from God's presence and with a loss of everything that is good, righteous, perfect and just, in a place that was created by God for Satan and his demons.

God doesn't need our money. So no need to fear that. He wants us because He loves us, and wants for us to love Him and commune with Him. He wants us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. I can't think of anything better than that.

Choose to be wise and don't make a foolish mistake. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. That's proven to us everyday. Eternity is forever, there are no second chances, and where we spend it is at stake.The time to act is now. A simple heartfelt honest prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner" is all that's required. God will do the rest. He'll start a good work in you, and won't stop until He completes it. Don't put it off. Tomorrow may be too late...


c.mcgrath

Keep plugging away

Lately I've really been feeling extra burdened for the lost. I almost feel like running around screaming my head off, that Christ is coming back soon! Get ready! Like John the Baptist did, yelling REPENT! I don't though, for the simple fact I'd be branded a raving lunatic. Maybe I have been anyway. It's like Abraham told the rich man in the parable. If they won't hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they hear someone who returns from the dead. They have God's Word(Bible)and there's many good preachers. I believe if someone returned from the dead today, some people still would not listen. They'd find some way to explain it away.

It's frustrating. I see people everywhere, going about daily routines and I wonder, how many of these people know Jesus? Are they ready for what's soon coming? How can we tell them so they will understand and believe? Go into most churches today and they're practically empty. Go to most sport stadiums and they're packed to capacity.

It's difficult to walk up to strangers today. People don't look at strangers, never mind talk to them. Satan has done his homework. He's been working tirelessly, deceiving  many with all the pleasures of sin for a season.With his continued questioning of  "hath God really said?" just like it was in the Garden of Eden. The same ploy still works.
It's almost like we've entered a post evangelism era. Unsaved people aren't flocking to church anymore, despite the myriad of programs. In 12 years I've been able to get my neighbor out to one Christmas concert. It seems that not many are listening, or even interested.

Why is the Gospel so offensive? Why is the thought of a perfect God entering His creation and dying in our place, so offensive? Why is relinquishing control of our lives to the God who created us, and knows why, and for what He created us, so offensive? Why is the thought of Christ paying for our sins in full so offensive? Why won't people see that their eternal destination is at stake? What makes people take such a chance with that? They will buy insurance for everything else, and leave eternity completely to chance. Why? People will believe the theory of evolution. A theory that can't be proven. Over the Bible, which has proven itself through fulfilled prophecy. Why? It takes more faith to believe in evolution, than it does to believe in creation. Logically it makes no sense.

Most people believe that when they die, they're going to heaven because they're a pretty good person. They've lived a good life. They haven't wasted their life. They've succeeded. I hear it all the time. So and so has gone to a better place.
Everyone wants to go to heaven, but not the way of Christ. They want to pay their own way. Problem is, they can't. There is no other way.

So, how do we present Christ in this day and age? The same way as always, that's how. The Gospel. If the Holy Spirit is working in someone's life, they will respond. If the Holy Spirit is not working in them, it'll be received as foolishness and no amount of church programs, facebook postings, twitter tweets or whatever method will help. It's really that simple.

It's not our place to be frustrated, gloomy, or despondent. The joy of the LORD is to be our strength. It's our place to pray for our fellow man and present the Gospel, and disciple those who respond to the Holy Spirit's call.

Some people are just not going to make it to heaven. I wish that wasn't true, but it is. Their pride and foolish intellect and education will keep them from believing. Their loss of respect or possible advancement in their profession, will keep them from believing. We need to keep plugging away, for the sake of those who will believe. Who will make it.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Jesus said we must enter the Kingdom of God as little children.We don't need to be Theologians. Little children trust their father completely.( If he's a good father)

And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
It doesn't get any simpler than that, or easier to understand. God will lift Satan's veil from the eyes of those His Spirit is calling.

Imagine the frustration that Noah must have felt. He preached repentance for many years while building the ark. The ridicule he must have endured. When the flood waters began to rise, only 8 people were on the ark with the animals. Only Noah's own family. Not many listened then, and not many are listening now.

"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man."  Luke 17:26 

Keep praying and plugging away... 

c.mcgrath

There is hope

Oh that I could make you see,
the love that Christ has truly shown.
In giving of Himself so free,
so we could be His very own.

I pray that Christ will open eyes,
so people see through Satan's lies.
The veil he's cast, it's not so thin,
and all around, they die in sin.

But, Christ is risen, we have hope,
this is no matter of little scope.
If we will put our trust in Him,
He'll  give us power over sin.

And when our life on earth is done,
we need not fear what ere may come.
Our future safe in Christ will be,
for now, and all eternity.

c.mcgrath

Engage the culture

              "You are the light of the world, a city built upon a hill cannot be hidden."  Matthew 5:14

Are we as Christians engaging our surrounding culture enough? Are we shining our light so that those in our culture can see their way through the prevailing darkness of Satan's kingdom?
Today we have amazing tools in social media. Every Christian who can, needs to be using these tools and at least trying to make a difference in their surroundings.

I've recently discovered the world of Twitter, much to the dismay of many, I'm sure. Maybe they'll thank me later, most likely, not. Maybe they'll tell me to go get stuffed! Like I told someone to do recently. (By the way, not a recommended practice, and doesn't tend to further God's Kingdom.)

 The Gospel can be tweeted all over the world from wherever we happen to have access to the internet, or cell phone service. Which is most everywhere now.
I see Christians on social media. But what I see mostly, is more "Christian camps." Christians preaching to, arguing doctrinal positions, with one another. While all around them the culture continues to decay. Don't be afraid to add non-Christians to your facebook or Twitter, or whatever you're using. They need the light.They may not know it, but they do. Be prepared to be cursed out, and berated in every way imaginable. Be prepared to even see and hear some "bad language". Whoooo!

I'll be the first to admit that I don't have all the answers. However, I can give a small example of what I'm talking about, and not to pat myself on the back.

Recently on Twitter I saw a comment written by a columnist for the Toronto Star. A national newspaper, where in his tweet he used the word  f...ing. I found it very odd that a columnist would use such language, so I tweeted him back and asked him why? He said, "for effect, on occasion. If you don't like it, you can block me".
Now, anyone who knows me, knows the hair stood a tad taller on the back of my neck after reading that, so, that's where I proceeded to tell him that I was," just asking, and that he could stuff his attitude!" (Again, not recommended.)
To which he replied, what attitude? Then proceeded to tell me how twitter works. Anyhow, it ended with smiley faces all around and each wishing the other a good night. We were engaged in a cultural battle for a short time at least.

Maybe it will make him think twice about using that word again, maybe not. Maybe it'll make no difference at all. Only God knows. The point is, we don't run and hide or circle our wagons and talk and complain amongst ourselves about how bad society is becoming, when we're not willing to do anything to curb it. We have to cross enemy lines and do battle. Have a say, and hopefully shed some light and salt.

Think of it this way. Your church body is an army of light for the dark culture surrounding it. Your pastor has given you all flashlights, candles, flares, whatever. You leave church on Sunday morning take your lights home and stuff them in the closet till next Sunday, or in some cases Wed night, then you bring them all back to church only to "be blessed" with more lights to hide the following week. All the while, those outside the camp continue to stumble around in darkness, needing the light we have hidden. Sounds rather dumb to me, but that's what many of us do.
Any army general will tell you, an army that won't engage isn't worth having. In fact, it's useless. Gideon is a great example in Judges chapter 7 of what a small army can do with the LORD leading. Make some noise, shine some light and the enemy can fall.

Seek to make a difference each day. Cross into Satan's territory and engage in the fight. Shed some light in a dark world, regardless of how small it is. It's still light, and light and darkness cannot both exist at the same time. Walk into a dark room and turn on a light. What happens? Darkness disappears! But, walk out (or stay out)and turn off the light, darkness returns or remains.
Shed some light when you see darkness. God has given us some amazing tools. I've talked to people I'll never meet on this earth through social media. A word of encouragement, spread some hope, some love, some help, be a listening ear, anything at all.....Engage!

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your Father in heaven"  Matthew 5:16

c.mcgrath

More concern for the created, than the Creator.

We're a messed up bunch. We've progressed beyond all common sense it would seem. Tonight a program airs on TV about the terrible conditions that chickens are made to endure on chicken farms. It'll be a good program, I have no doubt. Don't get me wrong, I believe all of God's creatures need to be treated with respect, not abused, maimed, or wasted in any way. Yes, even chickens. The only animal that I've seen, that will continue to peck and eat it's food even while it's feathered colleagues are being placed on the chopping block right beside them, having their heads removed. A more stupid animal, I have yet to witness. Not saying one doesn't exist. Just that I haven't seen it.
Now, I have to believe that most people would consider themselves to be of infinitely more value than a chicken. I could be wrong, but I choose to believe that anyway. But it's seems that there are those among us who don't think so, and, in my opinion, prove it by their actions.

Yes, of course I'm talking about the "pro choice" people. They believe that a woman has the right to choose, whether her child, or excuse me, "blob of tissue" lives or dies. It can be legally ripped apart, and sucked from her body, or hey, if necessary, and carried to full term, have it's spinal cord snipped during birth to kill it, or it's brains sucked out, in a partial birth abortion. Quite gory I would imagine, but hey, it's a quick solution to an unwanted "problem". Where pray tell, is the TV program about that? Why aren't we seeing a program that shows that going on?

Surprisingly, through the recent pregnancy of Kate and birth of Prince George, I don't ever remember him being called a "blob of tissue". Readily and immediately what Kate was carrying was referred to as a new heir to the throne. So one would have to assume that it was in fact, a baby that Kate was carrying. Not a blob of tissue, but I digress.

We eat chicken in some form around our house almost every day. We eat a lot of chicken. On  the other hand, we've never eaten any humans, or blobs. Common sense tells me, that we just might be a tad more important than chickens. At least I'm pretty sure KFC thinks so.

Life, I believe is a precious gift from God. How can we be so selfish, irresponsible and callous with human life, yet be so concerned about the abuse of a chicken, something we all eat for food on a regular basis.
We're really messed up people. Really messed up, and God is weeping over his children being murdered.

I believe God is sovereign. He either brings it to us, or allows it to happen. Everything has purpose. Whether we understand it, believe it, or not. God never wastes any circumstance. Yes, even rape. James Robinson, TV evangelist, and provider of water wells to many third world countries, is a product of his mother being raped.
Rape is a hateful thing, a criminal and selfish act, don't get me wrong. But God can use anything for good, and He does. James Robinson is but one example. I'm pretty sure he's not the only one
.
We live in satan's domain. This is his world. Jesus Christ will eventually put all things right. Until then we shouldn't be surprised by what goes on here. That everything's messed up.After all, satan is the father of lies. He comes to kill, steal and destroy, and that's what he's doing.

He's convinced some of us that we need to murder our future in the womb, but save our chickens from abuse.

"They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen."   Romans 1:25

"Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap" Galatians 6:7

What do you think we're going to reap from abortion? We need to repent of this slaughter so that God  may have mercy on us... So messed up!

c.mcgrath

God is in control

" For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." Psalm 73: 3

When I read this verse this morning it was after gassing up the car and finding prices had risen again by 10-12 cents/liter. I could relate.

 They seem to put whatever price they like on gas now, and whenever they feel like it. Gas moves an inch on the world market(up), and a mile at the pumps, a mile on the world market(down), an inch at the pumps.

Then a little further on I read: "Surely you put them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!" Psalm 73:18-19

I realized that God is in control. If these business practices are not above board, God will hold them to account. They will not prosper forever.
God has also promised to meet my needs. I can have full confidence according to Philippians 4:19, that he will do so.
I no longer need to fret about the oil companies or government taxation, etc, etc... God will hold them all to account. My job is to trust Him. "And my God will meet all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus". Phil 4:19

My rant for the day!


cmcgrath