Real

Frankly Speaking,

“For THE WORD OF GOD will never fail!” ~ Luke 1:37 NLT

THE SURPRISE OF CHRISTMAS ~ MARY: THE MOTHER OF JESUS! Decisions: Life is full of them every day. Mary had a decision to make when the angel Gabriel appeared to tell her that she would be the mother of Jesus. She could embrace this decision or refuse to agree fighting and fussing all along the way. It was her decision.

Imagine for a moment that you were given the opportunity to take a pill which would ensure that you find love, peace, joy, and hope. You decide to accept this pill, and your life just gets better. It is not your circumstances that change, but your outlook and attitude are brand new. Every day brings fresh wonderful news, and problems no longer seem overwhelm you.

Now, imagine that you choose not to accept this pill. You refuse because you fear the side effects, or what your friends might think. You do not believe that the pill is real. Maybe it is just a hoax that people have fooled themselves into believing. This whole pill thing is just a conspiracy theory. You finally decide, “It’s just a placebo that people have bought into to make themselves happy.” So, you sit cynical, miserable, and frustrated.

What will you do? You must choose: to quote Charles Schulz as Linus, “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.” When Gabriel appeared to Mary, it was “Good News!” “Hark the herald angels sing.” Listen to the message of Jesus arriving though Zecheriah. John the Baptist would herald His coming!

“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, 77 to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:76-79 NLT

LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS.

Blessings in CHRIST,

Pastor Wes

I PETER 3:15

FRANKLY SPEAKING,

25 And Micaiah replied, “You will find out soon enough when you are trying to hide in some secret room!” ~ I Kings 22:25 NLT

TRUST! Have you ever thought about how many people have proven themselves to be untrustworthy? Right now, I am praying for men in whom I believed, admired, and trusted. However, each of these men for whom I am praying have a fatal flaw. They harbored secrets which ultimately overshadowed and discredited all the good they did in their lives. Like many of you, I find that as I have grown older, my willingness to trust in others must be earned. I used to be poly-anna and naïve. Now, there must be a long-standing record of trustworthiness which includes a faithful walk with JESUS and a great deal of evidence of a deeper relationship with HIM.

Don’t misunderstand, we ought to love and care regardless of a person’s choices and history. Yet, if any of us are going to allow someone to be a spiritual leader in our lives, then that leader has to walk close to JESUS every day. We are surrounded by spiritual leaders who have telecasts, podcasts, web-shows, blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, Instagram messages, and so much more. If they do not walk step for step according to Scripture, WATCH OUT!!! The BIBLE was not written to make us feel better about ourselves.

16 All Scripture is inspired by GOD and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

II Timothy 3:16 NLT

When listening or reading something your spiritual mentor has shared, be sure that it resonates with THE WORD OF GOD. There can never be a statement which says, “I know what the BIBLE says, BUT…” Someone once said, “Keep your but out of the BIBLE.” 😊 I like this one, “GOD said it, and that settles it!” ~ “It’s true whether you believe it or not!” ~ Intense? ~ yes! Great Christian leaders point to JESUS and no one else! This is the only way to ensure that the one who is leading is worthy of our TRUST!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST,

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

PS…

If what you believe does not agree with the BIBLE,

then you need to change what you believe!

I do not change the BIBLE to agree with what I believe!

I change what I believe to agree with the BIBLE!

readyforafreshstart

Bold thoughts from a bruised theologian with a touch of balderdash

THE SURPRISE OF CHRISTMAS: MARY!

TRUST!