IF GOD PUTS YOU ON HOLD - DON'T HANG UP

If God Puts You On Hold - Don’t Hang Up”

(A Sermon on God’s Timing)

by Pastor Mark Taylor

 “Those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) 

Most of us have called a place of business and have been asked the question: “Can you hold?”

or heard a pre-recorded message say: “Please hold, while we are speaking to someone else.  Your wait time is approximately 15 minutes or less.”

I want you to know that you are not just a customer  when you dial God’s number. You are one of God’s chosen and He hears your prayers the moment they are prayed. There are many promises in the Bible that reminds us of that promise.  “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15).   “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3).  Our Lord Jesus promised this to those who love Him and serve Him: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”  (John 15:16).

When you pray, God is not busy on His prayer line just listening to someone else.  He is listening to you too.  But sometimes He puts us on hold while He is working on our prayer request.  God is never in a hurry, but He is always on time.  While you are waiting, God is working.

When God appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18, it was with the intention to tell Abraham that he and Sarah were to finally have a son. Unfortunately, Abraham was 99 years old at the time, and Sarah was 89 years old. 

They knew that it was physiologically impossible for them to have a child.  But God kept His promise and gave them a son, Isaac as He had promised.

Mary and Martha watched their brother, Lazarus, become sick and die  (John 11). They had sent desperate messages to Jesus to come and help but He did not. Four days after Lazarus’ burial, Jesus appeared.  Out of desperation, they cried, “Lord, if you had been here, our brother would not have died.”  The Lord answered their prayers.  He was right on time:  “Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.  And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”  Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”  And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”  

Lazarus lived again that day.  You and I, and all of our loved ones in Heaven, are alive today because of the Lord’s power over death.  “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die”.  (John 11:26).

While we are on “hold”,  God sees the big picture.  In Isaiah 55:8-9 God reminds us of a fundamental truth. He says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways . . . As the heavens are higher that the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” This tells me that God operates on a different thought level. He has a vantage view that I am incapable of having.

2 Peter 3:8 says, that “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” Obviously, God runs by a different clock. He functions on a totally different time scale. His time is not our time.

In Jeremiah 29:11, God makes a wonderful promise. “For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  You see, God functions at a very different level of intentionality. Unlike you and I, He has only good plans.  Romans 8:28. Paul writes, “We know that in everything, God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” This forces a conviction upon us that says that whatever happens to us fits a design. God is in control of our lives and He alone knows what is truly for our best.  Armed with this truth, we can now turn to the most important lesson of faith. Isaiah 40:31 states:  “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall rise up on wings like eagles. They shall run and not be wearied; they will walk and not faint.”

The question is “What do we do while, we are on hold?”  What do we do while we are waiting upon the Lord? 

 Hang in there…don’t hang up. Too often we are impatient when a business puts us on hold, we just hang up. Remember the words of Scripture, “Faithful is He that calls you who also will do it” (I Thessalonians. 5:24). 

Believe that God is working on your behalf.  He is busy working for you, while you are waiting.  

While you are on hold, look at yourself and see if there is a reason that God has you on hold.  Is it possible that there are known sins in your life that God is waiting on you to turn away from?  “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1,2).  Sin will keep you on hold for a long time.  “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18).  While you are waiting, confess your sins to the Lord and ask Him to give you power over them.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of all our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9). 

While we are on “hold”, we need to be more serious about our prayers and conversation with the Lord about our problems.   When the disciples could not cast a demon out of a child, they asked the Lord Jesus why.   “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?  So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”  (Matthew 17: 19-22).

Finally, remember and remind yourself that He loves you and is listening to you.  “I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.” (Psalm 116:1).  If God puts you on hold, don’t hang up!!

"HIS NAME SHALL BE CLLED WONDERFUL"

“HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL” 

ISAIAH 9: 6

By Pastor Mark Taylor

When you were planning a name for your child, you may have looked at many names and the meaning of those names.  God told the prophet Isaiah 740 years before the birth of Christ what His names would be.

Today, I would like to examine one of those precious names of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – “Wonderful”

Why do you think Jesus’ name would be called “Wonderful”?  I am sure there are many reasons, but I would like to express some of the reasons I think His name was and is still called “Wonderful” today.

Every ordinary thing He touched became “Wonderful”.  When He touched water it turned into the best wine and became wonderful.  When He touch ordinary bread and wine, it became the extra ordinary symbols of His Body and His Blood that would be broken and given for us, and it became wonderful.  When His Body touched the “Old Rugged Cross”, it turned a dreadful sight into the wonderful picture of sacrifice and love.  When His Body touched the empty tomb, it became our wonderful symbol for our hope of the resurrection. 

Everyone He touched changed from ordinary into “Wonderful”.  At His presence, the blind would see, the deaf could hear, the lame could walk, and the dead could be raised from the dead.  When Jesus came by, people felt His “wonderful” presence and everyone He touched received something “Wonderful” from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Jesus said this about Himself: 

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." (Luke 4:18-19).  

Everything He did was “Wonderful”.  He fed thousands of hungry people with His “Wonderful” miracles.  He ate and fellowshipped with the outcasts and unlovable in His community.  He brought the message of eternal life to all who would hear and receive it.  He received and ministered to children, tax collectors, demon possessed people, social outcasts, and anyone who would come to Him.  They would have certainly described their time with Jesus as “Wonderful”.

Everything He said was “Wonderful”.  He talked about living forever with Him in Heaven.  He talked about having rewards for living a good and righteous life.  He talked about forgiveness for all the sins we have committed.  He talked about His love for us and the need for us to love others.  His words made  everyone that followed them feel “Wonderful”, as it will for you and me.  He said His words would last forever: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

Everything He has planned for our future is “Wonderful”. He has planned on giving you and me eternal life that we would never die.  "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26).  “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:11-12).  

He has planned on giving us a “Wonderful” place to live with Him: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4).

I hope all of us will not just think about how “Wonderful” He is.  He is “Wonderful” all the time, because that is His name.  If He is living inside of you through the Holy Spirit, you too can live a “Wonderful” life.  He will allow your words, your relationships, and your actions be “Wonderful” to others as you go through this next year.  The next time you hear someone say that you are “Wonderful”, then you can know it is because Jesus is living inside of you.  “His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful”!!

MAKING GOOD DECISIONS

MAKING GOOD DECISIONS

by Pastor Mark Taylor

If you love the Lord and are doing your best to keep His commandments, He wants to bless you.  There are some principles of life that will help you to see if the way you are living, behaving, and thinking is working or not working.  I hope today if the Holy Spirit reveals to you something in your life that is not working, you will resolve to change it.

Problems do not get better with time.  You cannot change what you do not acknowledge.  And what you do not acknowledge is going to get worse until you do.

Failure and bad decisions are the result of a lack of knowledge and wisdom.

Knowledge is the information we obtain, while wisdom is the ability to use it in the right way.  We get wisdom from God and we get it the same way we get our salvation, through faith.  “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him. But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing. For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For do not let that person think that he/she shall receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:5-7).

There is more than enough information in God’s Word to help us make the right decisions if we will look for it.  “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

When you know better, you can do better.

The first principle of life that God’s Word gives us is that you are accountable for your own life and experiences.  “A good person out of the good treasure of the heart brings out good things; and an evil person out of the evil treasure brings out evil things. But I say to you that every idle word, whatever men/women may speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned” (Matthew 12:35-37).  Good or bad, successful or unsuccessful, happy or sad, fair or unfair, you are accountable for your own life.

If you cling to the belief that you are “right” and your problems are not your fault, you will not successfully create meaningful or lasting change in your life.  You must accept that you are not a victim, but that you are going to learn to make better decisions.    Work only on those things that will truly change your life.  You need to stop saying: “Why are they doing this to me?”

You need to start asking: “What thought, behavior, and choices can I change to get a different result”.  Remember life is not about whether you are right or wrong, but whether the things you are doing are working or not working.

In life, “When you choose the behavior, you choose the consequence”.  Your thoughts are behavior also.  There is a pattern. “Watch your thoughts; they become words.  Watch your words: they become actions.  Watch your actions; they become habits.  Watch your habits; they become character.  Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny!”

If you hope to be successful in your spiritual life and in your personal life, you have to be honest about where your life is right now.  Stop making excuses and start making results. 

Today, we need to get with the Lord and ask for forgiveness and accept personal responsibility for our sins.  Poor decisions either are sin, or they will lead to sin.  “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving-kindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me completely from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I confess my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done evil in Your sight” (Psalms 51:1-4).

The first step in problem solving is to recognize you have a problem and then to identify that problem.  Denial not only keeps you from solving problems, but it keeps the Lord from helping you solve them.  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9).  You can lie to yourself by misrepresenting the truth, or you can lie to yourself by omission.  Denial is what kills dreams and hope.  It kills what might have been a real chance to overcome a problem had the solution just been pursued in time.  What most people want is not truth, but validation.   They will make comments about their problem such as “Well, no one is perfect.” They want reinforcements for their thinking, right or wrong.  They seek out the people and the information that support the conclusions they have already reached, factual or otherwise.  The only things they want to hear are things that make them feel good, that give them comfort about who or where they are, right now.

The second thing we have to do to become more successful in our lives is to  take action.  Good intentions are not enough.  “Even so, if it does not have works, faith is dead, being by itself. You believe that there is one God, you do well; even the demons believe and tremble. But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:17-20). It has been said that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”.  

Our number one fear is rejection because we measure the results of our efforts in terms of whether others accepts or rejects us.  The Lord is not going to reject your efforts to improve your life. Whatever your habit and your harmful patterns have been, you must recognize that you no longer need to live your life in that way.  Ask the Lord to help you leave behind things that have been harmful to you and resolve to take a risk to make the effort to accomplish your goals. Start today to measure your life and its quality based on results.

A NEW YEAR - A NEW OPPORTUNITY IN 2016

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

NEW BEGINNINGS IN 2016 - PART ONE

NEW BEGINNINGS IN 2016 - PART TWO

NEW BEGINNINGS IN 2016 - PART THREE

A NEW YEAR - A NEW OPPORTUNITY

by Pastor Mark Taylor

 “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5)

Today, I am not asking you to make a New Years Resolution but begin setting some realistic goals.  Create a Plan.  Ask for help.  Get started.

A resolution says I am going to lose 50 pounds this year.

A goal says I am going to find a nutrition plan that works for me.

A resolution says I am going to read the Bible through this year.  A goal says I am going to read the four Gospels one or two chapters at a time until I finish and then read another Book of the Bible that is interesting to me.

We are going into a New Year.  The Lord is a creator of new and wonderful things.   We should recommit ourselves to allowing our Lord to lead us in becoming new and better this year.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." (Revelation 21:5).

Our LORD is in the creating business.  He wants to create something new in you this year.  Every Spring He creates new flowers and foods for us to eat.

We are all different.  The same kind of plan will not work for everyone.  Some people are sequential logical thinkers and others are abstract random thinkers and doers. God has created some of you as "right brain" people who are very creative in talents involving music, art, and innovators.  Others of you God has created you to be "left brain" people who are problem solvers, direction followers, and good at staying on a budget.

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1:16-17)

This could be your year to accomplish that new thing that God has given you the ability to create.  Ask him to give you both the desire and ability to start that new thing in your life.  Three years ago I started writing a book. Just a few days ago, I finished it.  Two years ago I started reading the BIBLE through and I just finished it.  

What is it that God you want Him to do for you in 2016.

Ask Him and then get busy working on it.  Read a book on self-improvement or learn how to do something new this year in technology or a new skill.  Join the choir or use your speaking and singing skills at a retirement home, nursing home, or some public venue.                                 

Set Realistic Goals.  "If you aim at nothing you will hit it."

I am not talking about us that are in our 60's and 70's running a marathon, but we could walk around the block several times a week.  No matter how many times you have failed it is time to start again.  Some people say they don't set goals because because they tried before and failed.  Let me give you some examples of some people who did not follow that way of thinking:

Abraham Lincoln lost eight elections, went bankrupt twice, and suffered a nervous breakdown before he became one of our nations greatest Presidents. He was elected as the 16th President of the United States after all of these failures.  He refused to give up.

Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times, but he also hit' 714 home runs.

At the age of 65 With his social security check of about $100 Cornel Sanders started KFC.

Get rid of the word 'I can't' and remind yourself of the scripture;  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4; 13.                  

As we enter this new year of 2016 we should expect God to lead us into new areas of growth and ministry.  He wants us to know that “you have not passed this way before now” (Joshua 3:4), and it may be somewhat different and even frightening.  

But He also wants us to know and have the confidence that He is with us when we attempt new things.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;" (Philippians 1:5-6)

I would encourage our Church as well as all Churches to pray that God would do more with them this year than He did last year.  The Lord has given us a ministry to reach out to other people. When He accepted you into His family He has a purpose and mission for you.

How can you use your gifts and abilities that God has given me to make a living  to serve Him  next year?

Grace is about new beginnings and the mercy of God starting over in our lives.  

“The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalms 145:8).  “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon you” (Psalms 86:5).

As we look into 2016 we look at a block of time. We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds. And all is a gift from God. 

We have done nothing to deserve it, earn it, or purchased it. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life.  Like receiving a brand new calendar, the slate is clean and ready for us to post our appointments, meetings, dates, anniversaries and celebrations. 

So let us pencil this in, more time for loving our families, more time to take care of ourselves, more time to do what we really want to do, more time to follow our dreams and more time with the Author of time and the Author of all things, our Lord Jesus Christ.  

2016 is a new year with new opportunities.  You and I can start over.  Remember that our past sins can be forgiven by God: 

"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Hebrews 8:12).

As we begin to think about this New Year, I would like for us to start our lives like the new calendar.  We are encouraged by the Bible to leave last year behind us.

 “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before”   (Philippians 3:13). 

I realize we cannot completely forget, but we can purposely dwell on positive things that will help us this year.  

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Another thing we are encouraged to do to start our lives off with a clear slate is forgiveness. Even forgiving ourselves. For failures. Don't live your life as a victim.

Understand that all of us have been hurt by others.  Life is not fair and there are cruel and mean people who don't  care about others feelings.  The important thing is that we don't become victims.  We give them another victory by spending time and energy thinking about them.

We should ask forgiveness from our Heavenly Father for the sins we have committed this past year and make an effort to live better lives.  Grace is not only a matter of our receiving a “new beginning”, but it is our allowing others to do the same.   Forgiveness is difficult and the actions which have been done to us does not easily fade away.   Forgiveness is an unnatural act.  It requires divine assistance.  But regardless of how difficult it is, our forgiveness from the Lord is tied to our forgiveness of others.  

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).  

Forgiveness is not about others deserving it, but it is about you.   When you forgive, you are doing something wonderful for yourself, and allow God to bless you with good things.

In starting your “new beginning” in 2016, set reasonable, realistic, and measurable goals.  It is God’s will that you be successful and happy.  

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper." (Psalm 1) .

God wants to bless you, but his blessings are directly related to your love and obedience to Him.  God’s grace does not give you permission to sin.  There is still a spiritual law of sowing and reaping.  Jesus said:  “If you love Me, keep my commandments”.  (John 14:15).

Today is the day to begin.  

“Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). “This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it”  (Psalms 118:24).  

To use a football analogy:  

For Some of us it is half-time in our lives and we need to get back on the field and play the second half better.

For others of us it is the last quarter and we are behind in our goal setting and accomplishments.  We need to dig deep and work with our team to win.

For some of us we are at the two minute warning and we have the ball.  We need to look at our options and listen to the coach.  He has a plan and has led many other teams to victory.  I am talking about the Lord Jesus Christ - our coach.

Let us ask our Lord to give us the right plays this year.  It is not just about us, it is about winning for our children, grandchildren and our friends.  If they see us play the game of life well, they will be motivated to do the same.  If we quit it might affect their desire to continue.  They might quit too.

So let's have a great 2016 starting today.  Don't just make a resolution let's set some realistic goals, create a plan, ask for help, and get started.

YOUR GIFT OF GOD'S SON

YOUR GIFT OF GOD’S SON

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“Unto Us a Child is born, unto us a Son is Given” 

Isaiah 9:6

Our Lord and Savior, was both born and given to us.  He was truly-born as a child as you and I were and became a human.  As Jesus Christ, God’s Son, He was given, begotten of His Father, not made, but of the same substance of His Father.  This is a mystery utterly beyond the understanding of any human being.  As one great preacher, C.H. Spurgeon said: “It would be like a gnat drinking from the ocean for a finite creature to comprehend the Eternal God.  A God whom we could understand would be no God.”  

Jesus Christ as a child was born, but Jesus Christ as a Son was not born, but given.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).  It is true that “unto us a child is born”.  It is a fact that a child is born.  It is a fact more fully established than any other fact in history, that the Son of God became a man and was born in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.  The unbeliever may dispute it, but we, professing to be believers in Scripture, receive it as an undeniable truth, that God has given His only begotten Son to be the Savior of men and women.

If this child who we see through the eyes of faith wrapped in swaddling clothes in Bethlehem’s manger, is born to you, then you are “born again”. “Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3). For this child is not born to you unless you are born to this child.  Only men and women who are “born again” can claim the babe in Bethlehem as being theirs.

How can you know if you are “born again”.  There are several ways.  Have you come to Christ and asked for forgiveness of your sins and asked Him to be your Savior?  Is there a change within you that makes you care about spiritual things?  Is there a change in you that makes you want to avoid sin and the pleasures of this world?  “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2).  The new birth does not consist in washing the outside of the cup, but a cleaning on the inside, in the inner man.  If you are not changed inside, this child is not born to you. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Another way you can know if you are “born again” is that there is a change on the exterior of your life.  Do your friends and family observe a change?  If there is no change in the outward life, there is no change within.  The proof of the Christian is in the living.  When we live in sin and worldly pleasure, and seek our own desires, and not God’s will, and we deceive ourselves.  “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:6-8).

If this “Child”, the Lord Jesus Christ is born to you, you must come to Him as a child with faith.  “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4). Do you take God’s Word just as it is, simply because your heavenly Father says it is true?  Can you believe the mysteries of God in the Bible without demanding to have them intellectually explained to you?  Can you say and believe as the Psalmist says: “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.” (Psalms 119:89-91).

If this “Son” is given to you, you have become a son or daughter of the Heavenly Father.  “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13).  Does the Holy Spirit speak to you about your relationship with Him.  “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”  (Romans 8:15-16).  If “unto us a Son is given”, then we are given to the Son.  "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” (John 6:39).  The Lord Jesus Christ is praying to the Father for you today if you are His son or daughter.  "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.” (John 17:9)

If you receive the gift of salvation from God the Father then you have been born again - “unto you a child is born”,.  If you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior, “unto you a Son is given”.  How is it we give so little to Christ who gave Himself for us?  This Christmas realize the greatest gift you have been given is the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is a personal gift that each person has to receive.

"I BRING YOU GREAT JOY"

“I BRING YOU GREAT JOY”

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10)

When Jesus came to Earth, He brought great joy with Him.  "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”  (John 15:11-12). Great joy comes in loving God and loving others.

I would like to talk to you about happiness that will in turn add to your joy.  Happiness is a decision you make, not just an emotion you feel.  When you get up in the morning, you can choose to be happy and enjoy that day, or you can choose to be unhappy and have a bad day.

Many people live their lives in constant turmoil and confusion.  It is extremely important that we know how to live a life of peace and joy.  These are the gifts that Jesus left us.  They are also called the fruit of the Spirit.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Happiness is not always displayed in the same way by everyone.  God has given each of us different personalities.  Some people have a bubbly personality that shows when they are happy and when they are not.  But other people are more reserve and even shy and they may not always demonstrate their happiness by laughing or smiling.  But we should all learn how to smile more and laugh more.  “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones”  (Proverbs 17:22).  Both the Bible and behavioral science research both remind us of the good health we can receive if we live a happy life.  As Christians, with the Holy Spirit in us, we have the potential to have great joy both inward and outward.

To be happy you need to learn how to live one day at a time.  By an act of your will, you need to choose to forget about yesterday and tomorrow and think about today. You have to forgive others for their mistakes as well as yourself.  You have to choose to be happy and receive that great joy that God has sent through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Life is too short not to enjoy every single day. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24)  Learn to enjoy your family, your friends, your health, your work, your church, and everything God gives you.  Maybe it has been a long time since you have had that great joy.  Pray this prayer every day until an answer comes.  “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” (Psalms 51:12-13).  Remember the source of great joy is from the Lord.  It has been brought down to you for you to receive as a gift from Heaven.

To be happy you need to learn not to let life’s little things get you upset.  Normally, it is not the big things in life that get us upset, but more often it is the little things that turn up becoming big things.  When negative things happen to us, no matter how much we rant and rave, it’s not going to change anything.  No matter how much we murmur and complain, it’s not going to make anything better.  You can decide not to let little things get the best of you. You can also decide to follow this great advice from God’s Word. 

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).

To be happy don’t wait on some event or person to make you happy.  Big events will not keep you happy.  People cannot keep you happy.  Having the right relationship and fellowship with the Lord can make you happy: “For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10).

To be happy, learn how to be content with where you are in your life today.  If you will make the decision to stay faithful and be content, at the right time God will change your circumstances.  The Bible says: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)  “For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11). You may have some obstacles today, but some people would give anything in the world to have your life.  We should stop emphasizing what is wrong and start thanking God for what is right.  Be thankful and mindful of the things that God has already given you.  Have a grateful attitude.  Learn to be happy in spite of your present circumstances. You have a lot to be happy about.  One of those things is your future in Heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ.  “Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20 ).

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom on how to look at your life as someone who has been blessed and is being blessed every day.  If you are always discontented, something is wrong.  If you get up each morning dreading your day, you need to ask the Lord to change your attitude. Make a choice to be glad and joyful.  “Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”  (Psalms 32:11)

To be happy, understand that God has your best interests in mind as you go through trials and difficulties.  “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way.” (Psalms 37:23)  There is a reason why you are where you are and God will direct your steps until he leads you through the valley.  Remember change is by steps, not giant leaps.

If you will apply some or all of these principles to your life during this season of the year, you will have a “Merry Christmas”, regardless of what you have or don’t have. “If you know these things, happy are you if ye do them.” (John 13:17)