Christians in the New Testament did not celebrate the birth of Jesus as an annual observance. Most Protestant churches did not begin celebrating Christmas until the 19th century. This does not in any way demean the importance of the birth of Jesus, It is something we should think about often (certainly more than once a year). However, His birth was prophesied by….

1. Isaiah – (Isaiah 9:6-7)
2. Micah – (Micah 5:1-5)

The significance of Jesus’ birth is that God has dwelt among men, and established His kingdom or reign that now reaches …

Who is it that needs to be ready (prepared) for Jesus to return?Everyone – (Mark 16:15)! What should man be prepared for?  (Acts 10:42) (2 Corinthians 5:10). Why should we prepare?  (Matthew 24:36-42). When should we prepare for His return? NOW (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)! Always (Luke 12:35-40)!

There are consequences for preparation involving the Lord’s return. There are good consequences for proper preparation (Matthew 24:46-47). There are bad consequences for improper preparation (Matthew 24:48-51). Consider those in – (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Will Jesus …

Man can come up with some pretty creative ways to try and justify his sins.

• It’s not as bad as what that guy does!
• That may be a sin for you – but it’s not for me!
• I can handle this – it won’t effect me!

However, we need to stop trying to justify our sins and do exactly what the Lord Himself said to do with them – (1 John 1:9-10). When we do, He has promised to make us clean. Do you need to work on some things …

(Acts 10:46a)…..For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. (Psalm 34:3)…..Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.

In the New Testament, the word translated “magnify” is the Greek word “megaluno.” It means to make great or enlarge. We certainly cannot make God any greater, but we can perceive Him as greater in our lives. In other words, what we think of God can be enlarged.

When Scripture talks of magnifying God, we assume it meant they were praising God and talking of His greatness …

“OH, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” – (Psalm 107:1)

This Psalm is wholly devoted to the praise of God’s mercy. In each of the twenty-six verses of (Psalm 107), we have the expression: “His mercy endures forever.” The Psalmist was full of this glad thought. Our hearts too should be filled with the blessed assurance. The everlasting, unchangeable mercy of God is cause for unceasing praise and thanksgiving. Let us read what is said about God’s mercy in the well known Psalm, …

This week is Thanksgiving and there is so much to be thankful for. I bet you and I could sit down and make quite the list of Just how the LORD has dealt bountifully this year with each of us. But concerning spiritual things I was thinking of things to thank the LORD for. That list was long, so I will give you four.

Four Things To Thank God For

1. That God Has Qualified U

• (1:12) – says, “giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers

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Life is difficult for sure. Anyone of us could use help to live out this life on a day to day (if not minute to minute) basis. We all could not use another helper? But for the Christian, that has been provided already. We who are Christ’s, have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. (John 14:16-18) says,…..”And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, 17 “even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees …