Christmas: Are you sure it is for the Christians?

Christmas: Are you sure it is for the Christians?

Christmas day has always been an annual festival celebrated by Christians across the world. Christmas season is characterized with the fun of various music, new attractive clothes and shoes, fireworks, decorations, feasting, exchange of gifts and so on.

But, I became uneasy when I read through the Bible without locating any verse that points to the Christmas festival. No verse in the Bible mentioned the birthday of Jesus to be 25th December. No verse in the Bible instructs Christians to celebrate the birthday of Jesus.

I had noticed a lot of ‘mixed-up’ in the Christendom and promised myself not to be a ‘zombie’. I don’t want to be carried away by the popular doctrines or practices in the church, but to be secured by the Word of God in the Bible.
I was shocked when I discovered the origin of Christmas!

What is Christmas?

Christmas is a word created by the Roman Catholic. It means ‘mass on Christ’s day’. History explained that the gospel of the Roman Catholic is completely different from the gospel of Jesus.

Roman Catholic gospel echoes more of Virgin Mary and idolatry practices. Everyone who watches Pope Francis during the Christmas Eve mass will agree with me that catholic embraces idolatry worship. Pope kissed a statue of Baby Jesus to kick off the mass in st Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican City.

 

Exodus chapter 20 verse 4 and 5 says: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.”

Origin of Christmas

In the 4th century CE, the Roman Catholic Church had the intention to win the souls of large populace of the pagans. So, the church leaders decided to Christianize the famous pagan party called the Saturnalia festival.

 

Saturnalia festival is a pagan celebration for the birthday of ‘Unconquered Sun’.
This celebration involves wild parties, exchange of gifts and feasting in the temples of the ancient Rome.

The leaders of the church welcomed the pagans and their festival into the Christendom. And the population of the church rose, but the leaders could not stop the pagan festival. So they named the last day of the one week Saturnalia festival – December 25th as the birthday of Jesus Christ.

You may care to know that the first Christmas day was celebrated in the pagan style of singing naked in the streets (this had been refined to modern caroling), drinking, sexual indulgence and all other forms of unclean practices. The Christmas trees, mistletoe, Christmas presents and Santa Claus are modern ways of representing the ancient pagan rituals.

Ancient records show that Christmas has no origin from God or Jesus Christ. I would love to quote a part from the Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911 edition: “Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the church… Pagan customs centering round the January Calends gravitated to Christmas”.

According to Britannica.com, “December 25 was first identified as the date of Jesus’ birth by Sextus Julius Africanus in 221. And one widespread explanation of the origin of this date is that December 25 was the Christianizing of the “day of the birth of the unconquered sun”.

Celebration of Christmas

Our parents, various organizations, and the government always play a big role in the joyful celebration of the Christmas festival. So, we never thought of checking the Bible, if the Lord had asked us to celebrate His birthday.

I am sure that the writers of the Bible wouldn’t have skipped the birthday of Jesus if it was celebrated. If you are a Bible-believing Christian, I implore you to search through the scriptures and find out if the genuine children of God should partake in the celebration of Christmas.

The celebration of Christmas has no honor to Jesus, because it was the tradition of men. Matthew chapter 15 verse 9 says: “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

I am not comfortable with the Roman Catholic church who refused to take away idols from their church. And the obedience to human law that established Christmas festival was obeyed to the letter.

Jesus says in Mark chapter 7 verse 7 and 8: “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men–the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”

You might say: “oh! I love the fun of Christmas, but I don’t take part in the pagan practices”. Well, I want you to understand the truth that the origin of the Christmas festival is not from God but the sun-worshipers.

This practice of Christmas is synonymous to a particular generation of the Israelite who thought their idolatry lifestyle is normal. But when the Book of the Law was read to remind them about the righteous way of the LORD, they wept and amend their ways. You can read the details in Nehemiah chapter 8.

I want us to trace our steps backward to confirm from the Bible if we are doing what is right by celebrating Christmas.
Christmas festival appears to glitter like gold, but is it truly gold?

Did you see Christians as Disciple of Jesus today?

Did you see Christians as Disciple of Jesus today?

The disciples of Jesus are people who surrender their lives to the LORD. The difference between a disciple and an apostle is that the former is a follower of Jesus, while the latter is a special messenger of Jesus Christ. If you believe and obey the teachings of Jesus Christ, then you are a disciple.

Research by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace had revealed that the disciples of Jesus (Christians) are increasing at 1.32%. Christian population in 2013 is 1.99 Billion and 2.21 Billion across the world in 2014. The disciple of Jesus is leading the global population at 32%. And the top three largest National Christian Populations are United States (246.78 million), Brazil (175.77 million) and Mexico (107.78 million).

I am glad about the good news that the population of the disciples of Jesus Christ is the largest. But my question is how faithful are the Christians to the call of disciples?

How to become a Disciple of Jesus

If you want to follow Jesus, then you must be interested in the two major rules:

1. Put aside Selfish Ambition
Selfish ambition means devoting all your time and energy to temporary things of this world. A disciple of Jesus must always consider the poor, and to help the needy. Jesus says: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21)

A disciple of Jesus must be ready to deny the ‘worldly enjoyment’, because the primary aim of Jesus is to devote His time to preach the Gospel and to help the needy. Thus, the disciple of Jesus must follow the same practices.

If you are a disciple of Jesus, then always devote your free time to preach the gospel.

The disciples of Jesus will not go to games, parties, casino, clubbing, movies and all ungodly ‘enjoyment of life’. However, Christianity is not a boring life! Evangelism is full of fun when you are in the midst of the people who are eager to hear the Good News of Jesus.

2. Shoulder Your Cross Daily
Your cross is the duty the Lord assigned to you. The disciples of Jesus must use their spiritual gift(s) for soul winning every day. And if you are a disciple of Jesus, you are expected to be focused with your responsibilities every day. You must not be distracted by the debaucheries of this world.

“Then He said to the crowd, “if any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life…if a person is ashamed of me and my message, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in my glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.” (Luke 9:23-26 NLT)

First Corinthian chapter 12 verses 6 to 11 says: “And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

If you don’t shoulder your cross daily, then it would be easy for the distractions in this world to take you away from Jesus. Examples of terrible distractions that had crept into the Christendom include: love of money, love of high positions in the church, acquisition of luxury and imitation of worldly (ungodly) style of doing things in the church.

Jesus says in the book of Matthew chapter 10 verse 38 to 39: “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

The Duties of Jesus’ Disciples

When you give your life to Jesus, the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you. And you will be filled with power and authority of the Lord. So, you are a disciple of Jesus when you become born again in Christ. Your main duties include:

1. To Preach the Kingdom Of God
Jesus Christ had never established the principle of division of labor to the global preaching of the Gospel.
I felt uncomfortable with the settings in some part of the Christendom. Some gatherings believe that it is the duty of the Evangelist to go out there and preach to the unbelievers. And it is the duty of the Pastors to sit down in the church to receive the new converts. And the obligation of the church members is to be faithful to the attendance of all the weekly services. There is an error somewhere!

Jesus made it an obligation to every follower to go out there and preach the Kingdom of God. He is not interested in our church building worth of millions of dollars.

Jesus always instructs the new disciple to go and preach the Kingdom of God to people. Luke chapter 9 verses 57 to 62: “… Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”… You go and preach the kingdom of God.”

2. Go Perform Miracles
Since the power of Jesus is upon you, the healing power of God will flow through you into the body of the sick person. Always preach the gospel to everyone and pray for them. Then the powerful signs and wonders will proceed from the Lord into their lives.

Jesus says in the book of Luke chapter 10 verses 8 and 9: “Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’.”

3. Give Daily Report to God
The Lord expects you to always give Him a feedback on the task He assigned to you. Always ask yourself before going to the bed; how many souls have you preached the gospel to? How many needy have you helped? The seventy-two disciples gave their report to Jesus in Luke chapter 10 verse 17: “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” (NLT)

 

The reward of every disciple of Jesus can be seen in the book of Luke chapter 10 verses 19 and 20: “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Are you playing your roles as a disciple of Jesus?

Terrorists: Great Tribulation of the End Time

Terrorists: Great Tribulation of the End Time

It is unfortunate that the terrorists are part of the fulfilment of the prophecy related to the great tribulation. Terrorism across the world is a serious threat to the survival of Christians in the last three decades.

Terrorists are the soldiers of devil and they have the intention to kill Christians and hinder the spread of the gospel.

Jesus knew that the terrorists would come on board. So, He encouraged us in the book of John chapter 16 verses 33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

 

Global Tribulation from Terrorists to the Christians

Terrorists might not be active in your area, but some Christians are going through terrible tribulations. Below are few occurrence of terrorism across the world:

• Twelve Christians were tortured and murdered by the Islamic State terrorist group for refusing to embrace Islam in Syria. This persecution included a 12-year-old boy who had his fingers chopped off, three women who were raped and three others who were crucified.

• Islamist terrorists returned to the scene of an earlier massacre in Borno State, Nigeria and shoot nine survivors in addition to burning thirty-churches and three-hundred homes.

• A handful of devout Muslims storm a Christian college at Garissa city, Kenya and separated the non-Muslims, and execute one-hundred and fifty in cold blood.

• Ten Christians were targeted and murdered by the Islamic terrorists at South Kordofan, Sudan. This tribulation included four children and an elderly woman. Their church was also destroyed.

• Five young Christian fishermen between the ages of 18 and 22 were brutally slaughtered by some terrorists at a lake in Macedonia.

• An Iraqi Christian who refused to convert to Islam was beaten by the Islamic State and then executed.

• Targeted suicide bombings near two churches by some terrorists left fifteen dead worshippers and seventy injured in Pakistan.

• A dozen Christians on a refugee boat were thrown to their deaths by Muslims in Italy.

• On the 27th March of this year, Al-Shabaab terrorist group released a video showing the brutal execution of six young Christians.

• A retired missionary couple was among four Americans taken hostage and executed in cold blood by Muslim pirates in Oman.

Terrible tribulations are happening to Christians across the world. This is an eye opener for you to believe the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew chapter 24 verses 29 to 31 explained the events that would take place after all these tribulations: Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

So, it is wise you take your relationship with the Lord very serious than before. And It is good you act like the five wise virgins who had an extra jar of oil to lighten their lanterns. Terrorist and the act of war in the world are clear signals of the end time. Please let’s stay on the path of righteousness as we expect the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Bible study: 7 Reasons to Personally Study the Bible

Bible study: 7 Reasons to Personally Study the Bible

Bible study is the act of digesting the word of God in your heart for a healthy spiritual growth. It is unfortunate that the Christians across the world could not tackle the rise in abominable acts in the societies. Why? The significance of personal Bible Study got diminished!! We need to promote private Bible Studies.

The 2012 online survey of Life-Way Research shows that only 19% of churchgoers personally (not as part of a church worship service) read the Bible every day.
But the shocking statistics for 2014 conducted by the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture says only 9% of Americans read the Bible daily.

According to the Canadian Bible Engagement study (May 2014), 55% of Canadians never read the Bible, 28% seldom read the Bible and 11% read it once a week or more frequently.

The British Bible Society released a study showing many British citizens cannot identify certain Bible stories; 43% of children have never heard the story of the crucifixion.

This sharp drop in Bible studies is a signal of end time tribulation. The faith of the young ones in Jesus Christ is becoming irrelevant. Jesus predicted this faith scarcity recorded in the book of Luke chapter 18 verses 8: “… Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?

The seven reasons for a personal Bible Study include:

1. God’s Identity Card

Bible study is the easiest way to identify God. The reason for the high number of lukewarm Christians is due to the failure to know the profile of the Lord Jesus Christ they accepted as Savior.

It is impossible to enjoy a good relationship with someone you can’t identify. And you will find it easy to know the identity of the Lord when you always study the word of God in the Bible.

For instance, you might not know the name of the Lord if you have never read a passage such as Exodus chapter 3 verse 14: “And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

2. Authentic Road Map

This generation is filled with false Pastors and Prophets. If you obey their teachings without studying the Bible, then you will miss the right track to heaven. The Bible is the only perfect Book that describes how to live in holiness, love and peace.

The journey to heaven requires bible study. This is synonymous to your map readings, and obedience to traffic rules when driving on the highway.

If you don’t study the word of God regularly, then it is impossible to know the right lifestyles acceptable to the Lord. Second Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 and 17 says: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

3. Bible Study yields Miracle

The study of God’s word in the Bible can ease your heart from heavy burden. It restores hope, strengthens faith and can heal your broken heart. I had never regretted studying the Bible every day.

In the past, I suffered memory loss. But, when I gave my life to Jesus and read the Bible daily, I noticed a great improvement. I’m no more suffering from memory loss! Hallelujah!!

4. Bible is God’s Amplifier

God is not dumb and He won’t hesitate to speak, if you are ready to hear from Him. Your regular Bible study will give answers to questions bothering your heart.

For instance, I noticed my heart always becomes troubled when I play jokes. And my pastor did the same to make us laugh during the church service. So, no one told me it was wrong to be a clown! I prayed to God to explain the misery of my troubled heart.

I didn’t hear from God until I stumbled on Ephesians chapter 5 during my personal bible study at home… “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”

Bible study will save you from a lot of mess in the Christendom today.

5. Understand God’s cultural views

The careful study of the Bible shows that God is so much interested in the cultural practices of His beloved children. He warned the Israelite not to follow the culture of the Amorites and others, because such cultural practices are bunch of abominations. (Exodus 23:23-25)

In a scenario where the culture of your land contradicts God’s view, it is wise for you to engross yourself in an uninterrupted bible study. For instance, America and some countries had legalized the practice of homosexuals which is against God’s will.

Leviticus chapter 20 verses 13 say: “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.”

Everyone in this generation requires an intensive personal bible study, this will give us the understanding of God’s view on the right culture to practice.

6. Bible Study Exposes Devil’s secret

You will know more of devil’s devices if you study your bible every day. And you will also find it easy to scrutinise the false teachings of the antichrists in the Christendom.

Devil knows that a lot of ‘lazy Christians’ find it difficult to read the Bible, so he is recruiting a lot of brilliant Pastors. Their job is to deceive the people with ungodly doctrines.

The bible study I did in the book of second Peter opened my eyes to see many sugar-coated deceits in our midst. “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” (2 Peter 2:1)

7. You will overcome temptation and sin

Jesus Christ did intensive Bible study when He was young and it helped Him in the desert where there was no Bible to read. He overcame Satan’s temptations through the word of God. Listen! ‘You can’t give what you don’t have!’

The Devil is not happy about God’s salvation for your life. So, he will whisper many temptations to your heart, because he does not want you to be free from sins. But, Jesus Christ will wash your sins away if you give your total life to Him. 

Read your Bible Daily and you will overcome all the temptations of devil.

Love of God and its Counterfeit

Love of God and its Counterfeit

Love of God is the basis for our salvation from eternal punishment. But it is painful that some preachers monetised the Gospel to present a counterfeit love of God to people. You don’t have to pay a single cent to enjoy the love of God….

 
The love of God is available for sinners to repent from their evil lifestyles. And it is also available for the believers to sustain their fellowship in Jesus Christ. God is love and it is dangerous to take the love of God for granted?

 
My concern is that the love of God suffers abuse by a lot of ‘lazy Christians’ who find it stressful to study their Bibles. Their careless lifestyles confuse many new converts that join the church.

Beware of preachers who tells you that anything goes in the presence of God’s love. How could genuine Pastors preach to you that the love of God permits you to do ‘anything’ you like?

 
For instance, one of the top five most influential Pastors in America preached a “Brand New” sermon series in February this year. Andy says that it doesn’t matter what the congregation believe as long as they love.

 

He claimed not to water down the love of God, but his explanation does not guide the listeners to holy lifestyle in Jesus Christ. Andy gave the listeners the impression to do any worldly action as long as they love their neighbours. This is one of the reasons the love for God is growing cold in the Christendom.

 
Romans chapter 12 verse 1 and 2 says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

 
Charles Stanley is a Pastor with a great influence in America and beyond. You have to be very careful with his counterfeit preaching on the love of God. Charles says: “The Bible clearly teaches that God’s love for His people is of such magnitude that even those who walk away from faith have not the slightest chance of slipping from His hand. Even if a believer for all practical purposes becomes an unbeliever, his salvation is not in jeopardy”.

 
This strange teaching on love of God from Charles encourages the listeners to engage in sin with the assurance of not missing heaven. Unfortunately, this ‘new teaching’ was embraced by a lot of preachers in America and other continents.

 
This ‘new teaching’ of the love of God contradicts the Bible, but it is unfortunate that large crowd is embracing it. You can’t disobey God’s rules in the Bible and have any guarantee to enter heaven.

 
The book of Hebrew buttress this in chapter 6 verse 4 to 6:For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”

 
This false teaching about the love of God is synonymous to someone telling you that the President of your country loves you. So, when you break the law of the land, the police will not put you into prison. But, you shall be given a wonderful reward for the crime you committed. Where is it done on earth?

 

Realities of the Love of God

 

• Love of God Saves You from Dying in Sinful Lifestyle

John chapter 3 verse 16 says: “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.”

Thus, believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Bible and you would be saved.

 

• Love of God will Discipline You

God does not want you to live your life carelessly. So, He wants you to obey the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Bible. 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 says: “Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action).” (AMP)

 

• Love of God in Your Life will Save You from Eternal Suffering

Your suffering (endurance) on earth due to persecution of the gospel, poverty, sickness, etc. does not underestimate the love of God for your life. Jesus says in John chapter 16 verses 33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

 

• Love of God is Not Partial
God loves both the believers and unbelievers. His love to the unbelievers is not to continue sinning. Love of God to the unbelievers is to make sure that they hear the true Gospel and repent from their sinful lifestyles.

There is impartial judgment in the love of God. He will separate the obedient children from the disobedient ones. Read details in the book of Matthew chapter 25 verse 31 to 46 “…All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats…”

 
The love of God is available for your righteous stand in godliness. Thus, don’t be deceived by false teachings that encourage you to live your life anyhow you want it. Enjoy the love of God through the biblical rules, and not by the worldly (sinful) rules that surrounds you.