Happy New Year

Happy New Year

 This has been an awesome year, and next year will be even better, as we continue celebrate living in the love of Jesus.            God Bless you.

Christmas Time

 

Well it’s Christmas time again, and most of the world is very busy doing their last minute shopping preparing for the biggest Holiday of the year, even in Mexico, except for the poor people. So why do people celebrate Christmas? Well, many people would probably say, because it’s the day they celebrate Jesus birthday. Others would say it a great day to celebrate whatever you believe, as many others religions now do during this particular holiday season, but call it a different name. Most see Christmas as a time to be with friends and family along with a lot of good traditions, including Santa Claus and candy canes and lots of delicious home cooking, plus giving presents or helping others, including oneself. After all they feel they deserve something too. Do you?
 

If you ask Christians why they celebrate the 25^th of December, Christmas Day, they would say, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” It all seems to be tied somehow to the nativity story in the Bible. But if you ask them, if they really believed it was Jesus’ birthday they would probably say, “No, but it could have been.” Plus, it a great excuse for having fun and singing songs for nearly a month along with all the Christmas music playing in stores starting the day after Thanksgiving, along with colored light and all kinds of decorations on display or to purchase for around houses, buildings or on street post and even the town squares city park. It’s a time they get together with friends and family they haven’t see in a week or two or longer. 

I used to celebrate Christmas too, big time. But as I got to know Jesus better I found it harder to really see Christ all the religious activity. Then there was the deception, greed and self indulgence that I saw taking place even in church with very little thought about God or the poor on this man-made holiday with all its tradition. It grieved me until I finally repented of the whole mess many years ago.

As sons of Light to the world, where in the Bible does it tell us to honored or celebrated Jesus birthday? Obviously someone came up with the idea a long time ago and this religious idea has spread though out world with the help of sermons, songs, novels and movies until it has become the largest man-made religious holiday that most of world celebrates, being reinforced with billions of greeting cards. But it’s still not one of God’s Holy Days. 

 

Many non-Christians have also added their own twist to the whole mess, including songs of white Christmas, flying reindeers and live snowmen and much more. Billions of dollars are spent each year on advertizing to keep this Holiday alive and well, so they can still make more money. So when did this all begin and why? 

Christmas means, Christ mass, it was started around eleventh century and is roots are found in pagan worship and the festival of winter solstice and their gods. The Christian became jealous of their celebration so the decided to have their own, by making the 25th the birthday of Jesus and add some of their traditions. Pagans at that time were the only ones to celebrate birthdays, and that was the beginning of Christmas. 

Today, many ministers realize this is true, but still chose to ignore or really don’t care about how it was started. They choose to compromise the truth in favor of doing what everyone has come to love and enjoy, because it makes everyone feel good and brings people into church this time of year. Many think there is really nothing wrong with celebrating Christmas. But then Eve didn't think it was wrong until she ate the fruit from the forbidden tree, just because it looked good. She also believed the serpent’s lies rather than obeying God. There are many others lies that Christians still believe. However, most Christians today wouldn't even consider not celebrating Christmas; it's just unthinkable, even ungodly. Plus, a minister could lose their license, or be removed from his church for even suggesting such a thing as no Christmas. Your friends and family would probably start ignoring you, thinking you've lost your mind. And so this religious holiday lives on. All because religious leader refuse to admit they are wrong or the courage to tell the truth. 

The simple love of the Heavenly Father and His Holy Days found in Christ just doesn’t seem to be enough for many people, but that will change. In the Kingdom of God there is no such day as Christmas or Easter, just passionate lovers of Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Yet for those whose hearts are still tied to the Kosmos and its pleasures still enjoy talking and looking at a baby in a manger. Yet, when our focus is turned toward the exalted Lord Jesus Christ, all those others things lose their power and allure; and then Abba Father gets all the praise and glory.

The Joy of Giving

 Remember the Poor

This past year I have gotten to experience the real joy of giving. As a disciple of Christ I have always enjoyed giving and helping other people, but since coming to Mexico God has taken it to another level. My giving has become a way of life. I give in many different ways, such as food, time, prayer and money—mostly money; even though I don’t have much compared to many Americans. I’m not writing this to brag in any way, but to share the transforming power of the grace and love of God that has taken place in my life over the years. Now that I am in Mexico I am seeing God’s love flow through me in such a way that I’m even surprised by some of my own actions. It does not matter whether they are young or old—I want to help; wishing I could still do more, but that will happen and on a much larger and more powerful scale. I find myself caring less for my own personal needs when I see others who have so much less. 

Living in San Carlos, I have also seen many North Americans and how they live, who have so much more; I don’t envy them anymore. I love the poor in Mexico and I am praying that the wealthy people will someday have a change of heart. For it’s still easier for a camel to go through an eye of a nettle, than for a rich man today to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I think very few people really believe that Jesus meant that or that maybe it doesn’t apply for today. Many people also don’t think they are rich. But the Bible says, “If you see your brother without a coat and you have two coats; give him one of yours and the same with your food.” Wow! That puts a whole new perspective on being rich doesn’t it?

  

In wealthy parts of the world, people often compare themselves with others who have much more. And end-up striving for many things that are so meaningless, as King Solomon said, “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.”  

Often at this time of year and even other holidays, there is much celebration and self-indulgence; people purchasing things, including an abundance of food, then stuffing themselves along with their family and friends who are not in need or starving. Yet, little effort or thought is giving to helping the poor. Sure they may put in a few coins or dollars in a Salvation Army bucket or some other charity or in an offering plate for the needy, but the amount is so small in comparison to what they have or will spend this Christmas. And yet they will feel proud, because they have done their “good deed.” I wonder what it would take for people to switch those percentages around in giving this year or even the next, if that is where their heart is. 

True giving is not to be a “seasonal things,” but part of the joyful life style of those who follow Christ. Do we really care and desire to please God? Ask the Lord where He wants you to give, what to give, and how much. Then do it; be His hands extended, and do it again until you feel His joy welling up within you and flowing out onto others. Look for the opportunities God brings your way and then do something about it. Let your love, be the answer to someone’s prayer. Don’t leave it for someone else to do. You will never regret it. If you do, then maybe your heart is not in the right place. Jesus said, ”Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” 

The reason I talking like this, is I would like to encourage you to not wait as long as I did to find the real Joy of giving. Jesus also said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” So why wait until you’re older or have more money. Share from what you already have now and experience the blessings today. God wants us to help the poor, and that is the example Jesus set throughout His ministry, and Heavenly Father still met all His needs, including His disciples. The apostles also encouraged all new converts to ”Remember the poor.” 

If you want to see miracles, then be a miracle.

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

“It is easy to love the lovely; God’s love is best demonstrated to the unlovely and the ungodly.”

“To only pity a brother in need is not love;

To HELP a brother in need is love."

"Love is hungry, so it feeds the hunger-poor.”—Sheldon David

Jesus said, “When you give a dinner or luncheon, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor your rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:12-14.

Wow! Wouldn’t it be something if Christians just did this once a year? Some theologians say this passage of scripture must be applied within its contexts. That Jesus was speaking to a Pharisee and that His words applied only to him and not others. However, I disagree, because the Spirit of Jesus’ words also apply to those who think and act like Pharisees; and unfortunately many Christians still do. I also consider this passage as “the lost commandment,” because I have never heard any minister preach on this passage, nor can I think of anyone I know personally who has done it. I wonder why? Maybe there are those who have, I sure hope so. I know there are people like Mother Teresa, and soup lines ministries for the poor and hungry, but I believe we can do better. Let’s pray that God opens our eyes to the Joy of giving, so that we can make these words of Jesus become a reality. Remember, that is how we were first invited to come to the Father’s feasts. He reached out to us when we were lost, poor, blind, and crippled, and then fed us; allowing us to sit with Him and feast at His table along with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Amen! 

“Ministry toward Christ’s Body happens one selfless act at a time.

God see every selfless act of love—and takes notes!”—Sheldon David

Working with God

A painting I brought to the Children Mission for "show and tell" from Pilar's art gallery..

This last past month has been very busy. I went to the children’s mission a couple more times, before they started some remodeling and construction work for a couple weeks in December. One time there were about fifty children, but there was no teacher for the younger one so I got to speak to all of them. I talked about David and Goliath, and I had brought the sword that I gave to Ricardo. The children really liked that, especially when I pretended to cut off the head of the giant. I also mentioned other giants such as sickness, disease, poverty, and addiction that God is cutting off their heads too. Then I placed the sword in Maria’s hands as symbolic of transferring the “Sword of the Lord” authority and prayed for her. She was very moved by the word’s I spoke. Then another time, I brought this beautiful painting of dolphins and other sea creatures. I talked about God creating the heavens and earth, and all the lived on it. After I spoke the children all clapped their hands, in appreciation for me, and then I sat down. But then again Maria surprised me by having all the children face me and reach-out their hands to me as she prayed for me. I am always amazed by her love and the children’s that God has brought into my life. After she finished praying, I thanked them for their love in Spanish.

 

A lot of good finger food and I made the flower arrangement from the flowers at my house.

Then this past week, Palir had another art show at her gallery and I got to touch more lives and eat some great food. The next day I when with a family to meet a couple who had been in a motorcycle accident, when a car hit them and this past month. Neither party in the accident had insurance. So to pay the medical bills the injured couple, confined to wheelchairs with broken right legs, had to sell everything they owned and they are still unable to work for a few months in order to buy food or pay rent on their small house. Their teenage daughter was able to help them with the cooking and doing other things. But they need help with food and I also gave them money for rent, but more important, I was invited to pray for them and so I did; believing God has restored them, and will meet all their needs as their provider and the Great Physician. 

After we left there, we went to another friend’s house and had lunch. While I was there, I also got to meet their youngest daughter, who was only fourteen years old, very pretty and very pregnant. Then I met the young handsome father too. I prayed and bless both of them and their unborn baby. God loves us even when we make mistakes and this young couple needed His love rather than our criticism. God’s love covers a multitude of sin, amen? It was an awesome day and I love doing thing likes this. 

Last week, I got to spend a couple days with my landlord, and share some things before he went back to the States. He is a very nice man and God is working in his life and marriage. I am still communicating with other young people, mostly Christians, viva the computer translator, some have confided in me and wanted advice and prayer. I am honored by this. However, it is going to take more than just words, but the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to open the hearts and minds of lives in Mexico and around the world. Many Christians, young and old, still don’t realize the true cost behind the walk they confess to believe, but I’m declaring that will change too. 

Giving Thanks

Another Sunday afternoon with the Lopez family and friends. I got to cut up a lot of fish.

Last Thursday, Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in the United States by most everyone, but in Mexico they don’t celebrate that Day. Yet there were some Americans and even some Mexican that celebrated that day. Every believer should be grateful for the abundant blessings of God, and that is one of the reasons why God established the Festival of First Fruits and Tabernacles.

Anyway, I had wanted to do something nice for a poor family of four in San Carlos. So after I left the Children Mission last Thursday, I stopped by a Wal-Mart on the way back to my house, and bought some groceries to drop off at their home, which happens to be an old 30’ travel trailer. But when I got there no one was home so I went to another house, but they were not home either. So I went home a little disappointed and ate my meal alone with God which I enjoyed. However after I ate, I still felt I was to go back and try again, so I did. When I got about a mile from their trailer I saw my friends walking home with their two young daughters carrying some groceries, (they have no car) so I stopped and gave them a ride home and the food I purchased for them. They were very grateful and thanked me and then I left. Again God’s timing was perfect and I was grateful too.

While I was thinking about thankfulness, I also wanted to take the time to thank you, my friends and blog readers for your faithfulness. I know reading my articles are not like reading about the lives of men like John Crowder, Todd Bentley or David Hogan. But then God is not through with me yet.

Can you imagine what it would have been like to read a weekly scroll by the prophet Elijah during his first three years of ministry. First, he starts off by making a very bold proclamation to King Ahab; declaring there will be no dew or rain on the land until he says so. But then Elijah goes off on a field trip to the mountains alone, and he is fed by ravens and drinks from a stream until it goes dry. Not much excitement there, unless you are into bird watching, or ecology or maybe you just want to lose your appetite. Then the Lord sends Elijah to a widow’s home where he learns how to eat the same food prepared 99 different ways. (I’m sure most Americans eat much better than he did, including me.) True there were a couple miracles, but otherwise, talk about some boring reading for the “intellects” of today. Yet, something else happen during that same time — something much more important, but still difficult to explain or write about. I believe, Elijah got to know the Father’s heart more intimately. I think you understand what I’m driving at. One night, God told Sheldon and me, “Do not despise small beginnings.” And so again, I want to thank you for your faithfulness while I got to know Abba Father a little better, and hopefully you have too.

“In all things give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you.”