 |
A CHRISTMAS TREE FOR JESUS?
Jeremiah 10:3-4
Who would imagine when decorating the Christmas tree, the design we are creating may very well be a reflection of the person we have become?
In honor of the Christmas Holiday, it's easy to recognize that not everyone who decorates a Christmas tree does so in honor of Jesus Birthday. Only one tree was identified with Jesus, it was the tree that held His body at Calvary.
The Prophet Jeremiah was disheartened to see that the people of Judah had decorated a tree with gold and silver in honor of a false god-named Baal. It wasn’t for his birthday.
Jeremiah explains. . . “For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe. They deck it with SILVER AND GOLD; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it moves not.” Jeremiah 10:3-4.
Beloved, ‘people and trees’ are symbolic for this reason, God created both to be fruitful. If it be a plant, or a tree, a rock, or a mountain, or the sea, or the heavens all of God’s Creation can hear God’s voice
As Jesus body was hanging on Calvary’s Tree, the world had no idea that Jesus death was a celebration of LIFE EVERLASTING. JESUS DEATH PUT AN END TO SIN, DEATH AND THE GRAVE.
WHAT SHALL WE GIVE TO JESUS FOR HIS BIRTHDAY? ALL HE WANTS IS YOU . . . TOTALLY!
Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door, (of your heart) and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20.
Because we’re born into a world of customs and traditions, the lighting of candles on a birthday cake is a reflection of another milestone in our lives. Is it a wonder that we light up the world for Jesus in honor of His Birthday?
As a child, on Christmas Eve, it was sheer delight to watch dad nailing our Christmas tree to the living room floor. Watching him that evening, it was because he didn’t want it to topple over when the lights and decorations were added. On Christmas morning when dad lit the tree, he stood smiling as he watched us standing in awe at the beauty of the lighted tree.
Looking back to childhood days, remembering dad’s labors of love for his children, it was the only way our parents knew to express their love on such a special occasion. At that time they were Greek Orthodox.
Could it be possible Jeremiah’s prophecy was coming to pass in our parents very own living room?
To Americans, in celebration of Jesus birthday, a lighted tree is a part of the Christmas tradition . . . like the candles on a birthday cake. Later when my parents understood the true purpose of Jesus coming to earth, Christmas took on a more perfect meaning . . . Christ died for our sins.
Beloved, remember how Jesus warns us that there would be false prophets in the world pretending to be the Christ? Please read Matthew 24:24. We see this happening today more than any other year.
. . . “For there shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, inasmuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” That is a frightening reality. God’s Word declares . . . “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3.
This world would not exist if it were not for light. Nothing lives without light. Because Christians are a reflection OF GOD’S LIGHT OF THE WORLD, no one will ever forget that Christ lives in us. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14.
Beloved, nature is in tune with God just as if it had human eyes and ears. This is one of the mysteries of heaven.
Remember the Bible telling us of the day Jesus was hungry and He walked up to the fig tree for food and it was bare? The tree heard Jesus voice as He cursed the tree and at that very moment the tree began to die. Matthew 24:32-35.
Our Lord communicates with nature just as He communicates with people. His Word says . . . “I wound and I heal.” Deuteronomy 32:39.
The book of St. Luke reads where our Lord gives a message to His Church; “Now the axe is laid unto the root of the tree. Every tree, therefore, which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Luke 3:9. That is where the Christmas tree ends up when the holiday is over.
God’s Word says “the elements (the earth) will melt with fervent heat.” 2nd Peter 3:10. THIS WORLD IS DESTINED TO EXPLODE INTO ONE BALL OF FIRE ALL BECAUSE OF SIN AND SATAN.
God has gone way beyond our expectations to prepare heaven for those of us who follow Jesus and walk in the Light of His Word. John 14:1-6.
One day when we stand before our Maker to be judged, what will we say to Him? WHAT WILL HE SAY TO US? Will it be “WELCOME THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT?” Or, “DEPART FROM ME YE WORKERS OF INIQUITY, I NEVER KNEW YOU!"
What is Christmas all about? St. Matthew’s Gospel writes . . . “And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His Name Jesus; FOR HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.” Matthew 1:21. A sinless life is our door to heaven.
BELOVED, GOD IS WAITNG FOR YOUR DECISION. Have you asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins? IS YOUR SOUL READY TO MEET JESUS WHEN THE TRUMPET SOUNDS? If it were to sound today would you be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air for the marriage supper of the Lamb? Matthew 25:13 -1st Thessalonians 4:16-18.
CHRISTMAS IS A REMINDER OF WHY JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD.
DAVID TESTIFIES IN PSALM 23 . . . God’s ‘GOODNESS AND MERCY’ follows us all the days of our lives to keep us safe. “Lo I am with you always even unto the ends of the earth.” . . . IT’S A PROMISE! What greater gift could we ask for?
Prayerfully, Florence Apolzan
P. O. Box 5097 Deltona, Florida 32728
BELOVED, GOD KEEPS BOOKS!
ARE WE LISTENING TO THE WARNINGS OF GOD’S MINISTERS TODAY AS THEIR CRIES RING OUT . . . “THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND!. . . PREPARE YOUR HEARTS TO MEET GOD.” Our Lord is coming for Born again believers who are waiting and watching for the coming of our Lord.
WHERE DO WE READ IN GOD’S WORD WHERE IT TELLS US MINISTERS SHOULD RETIRE? OUR LORD SAYS . . . “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10 Hallelujah! JESUS GIVES AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE END TIME . . . FIVE SLEEPING VIRGINS MISSED THE LORD’S COMING WHILE THE FIVE WHO WERE READY AND WAITING HEARD THE SOUND OF THE TRUMPET. Please read Matthew 25.
THE DEVIL DOES NOT WANT YOU IN HEAVEN!
AS AMERICA’S LEADERS CONTINUE TO TAKE GOD OUT OF OUR COUNTRY, A WIDER DOOR IS OPEN TO ‘SATANIC RULE.’
Jesus said “In the LAST DAYS there would be GREAT DISTRESS (pain and suffering in the earth. . . An increase of perplexities between nations . . . He said there would be an increase in heart disease (men’s hearts failing them for fear.”) . . . HAS IT REACHED INTO YOUR HOME AS YET? I PRAY NOT! Jesus said “When we see ARMIES SURROUNDING JERUSALEM, THEN KNOW WE WILL ALSO SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD. LUKE 21:20-28.
GOD'S WORD IS A PROTECTOR
WE WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE A LOVE THAT MEASURES UP TO THE ‘LOVE OF GOD.’
When we walk in the light of God’s word, we will have His BLESSINGS AND PROTECTION. If we forsake our Lord, God’s Word says “We will suffer the bread of adversity and the water of affliction.” God has set before us ‘GOOD AND EVIL’ ‘WE’ CHOOSE.
JESUS SAID, “YE HAVE NOT CHOSEN ME, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU.” JOHN 15:16. YOU HAVE MY CONTINUED PRAYERS. GOD BLESS YOU . . . FLORENCE!
|
|
|
|
|