​It’s the time of year when the word “Christmas” comes to the forefront of society.  It’s interesting how it divides into 3 different camps:  Those that see it from a religious standpoint as the birth of Christ.  Those who see it as a time for Santa Claus, flying reindeer, and the magic of a man who brings presents to children.  And  lastly, those who don’t care about any of it.  I am refraining from entering into the discussion of the true meaning of Christmas, however I want us to consider something often overlooked in scripture.  In order to set this in context, we must revisit the garden and Genesis 3:12-15 during the time Adam & Eve were beguiled by the serpent.  During the sentencing by God, he expressed to the serpent, the offspring of the woman would crush his head, and he would bruise the heel of the offspring; we all know this was fulfilled at Calvary.  Back to Jesus.  Suffice it to say when Jesus was born, was not as important as his death.  I believe we can agree on that, but my focus is on what happened at his birth (whenever it was).  I’m not pointing at the manger, the wise men, the star or any of those things.  I’m looking at Satan, as he has for thousands of years, awaited the seed; the conqueror, the one coming to destroy him.  It was during the birth of Jesus, that Satan entered the heart of Herod the Great.  As a result, Herod attempted to put baby Jesus to death by killing all the male children two years old and under.  Can you imagine what that slaughter looked like?  Have you ever given thought to the impact it had on the families of these children?  Jesus came into the world to overcome death, and death reacted in this gruesome way to prevent his arrival. What was the birth of Christ?  It signaled the end of Satan’s reign of death on humanity.  At his birth, the Bible gave us a closeup glimpse of how terrible the reign of death would continue to be, if not for Calvary.  Celebrate what you will this season, but for me, I thank God for the cross today and every single day.
 
Blessings!
 
Lamar

​It’s hard to believe after this week, there’s only one more Sunday in this year.  I usually ask myself, where did the year go, but this year has been different from the usual.  It’s been a very trying year full of a few ups and very deep downs.  It is usually about now that I begin to assess the year.  I am not referring to the events of the year, but how did I do in achieving my spiritual goals that I set for myself in the beginning of the year?  Did I make progress in loving my neighbor as myself?  Did I do my best to shine the light of Christ into the lives of others?  Have I grown in showing compassion for the poor and homeless? Did I handle my hurts and disappointments with a view toward glorifying God?  Did I add to my knowledge of the Word of God?  Did I achieve my goal of living to God’s glory instead of my own?  These are just a handful of the many, many important questions I ask myself each year.
 
I began doing this when I realized long ago that I was living each year without any spiritual goals - as if God didn’t matter.  I pondered this and concluded to do so is to live not with a view towards God, but a view towards myself.  It’s when I reasoned that it is God who has blessed my years, and it is God who takes me from one year to another, that I changed my perspective.  If you have realized you are in a similar situation, I encourage you to sit down and map out your spiritual goals for the coming year.  I assure you if you do, you will notice your year will be full of blessings beyond words.  Our God loves us and is faithful in all things.  He wants to bless us to live spiritually abundant lives.  Glorify Him.
 
Blessings!
 
Lamar

​Back in the 70’s (I know I’m showing my age) comedian Flip Wilson created a skit whose signature phrase was “The devil made me do it.”  As America laughed, something unexpected happened.  This phrase began to show up on the lips of many Americans, as if Flip finally helped all to understand, why they do what they do.  What made this scenario so interesting is everyone who bought into this felt  absolved from their sin, because the devil “MADE” them do it.  No doubt they are giving the devil much too much credit, because if he could make them sin, then God could make all men do the opposite. The truth is, the devil doesn’t make anyone sin.
 
As James puts it in James 1:14-15, “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”  The process of sin is not in the hands of the devil, but in the heart of man.  It’s our evil desire that entices us; and our desire which gives birth to sin which leads to spiritual death (and in some cases actual physical death).  I realize there exists a multitude whose desire is for Flip Wilson to be right, but the truth is, the evil of our own hearts is the real reason that Satan can do with us what he does.  We all carry something within us that in a moment, given the right circumstances, can drag us away, and that is why the Apostle Paul warned all to put on the whole armor of God DAILY, so that we can stand against the wiles of the devil. Don’t buy into the hype, the Devil doesn’t make us do anything. 
 
Blessings!
 
Lamar

​It was one of the most dramatic moments in the Bible.  God tells Abram to take his only son and sacrifice him on an altar.  By now I hope you are beginning to understand the magnitude of this request, which is only compounded when we consider that by now, Abram is north of 100yrs old, and his once-barren wife is nearing 100 also.  Therefore, the chances of a repeat performance of another child in their eyes is not likely.  The trouble is when God says do, that leaves no other options.  So, Abram did as he was commanded.  Wait a minute, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, because before he placed his only son on the altar, Abram makes two very huge statements.  The first came when he told the servant who accompanied them on the mountain that day, “stay here, the boy and I will be back shortly.”  What a statement from a guy preparing to kill his son.  The second and most touching statement came when as they were preparing the altar; Isaac looks at his father and says,” I see the altar and the wood, but where is the sacrifice?”  To which Abram replied, “God will provide.” What faith.  What trust in God.  I can’t begin to imagine walking in those footsteps and believe many of us would say the same.  Well, now for the rest of the story as they say: God put a ram in the thicket (I like saying that) as the sacrifice.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t begin to count how many times that Ram was caught in the thicket in my life.  Life happened and I needed something beyond me, and God provided.  And He keeps providing.
 
That got me to thinking.  If we all would take this inventory and recall how many times God provided when we needed it most, and how He continuously provides; then what happens when the body comes together because the church has a need?  We all turn to God in unison because we know as He has provided for us as individuals, so will He provide for his kingdom.  We need to keep that before us and remember in ALL circumstances our God is able and He will provide!
 
Blessings!
 
Lamar