The hoopla is Christmas; and JESUS…an afterthought – Ali Winters

Are you holy or hollow? Is your walk of faith fruitful or faltering? When was the last time you bowed low before Jehovah God confessing your sins, crying out in anguish and shame as you realize how far you have drifted from biblical Christianity? How often do you stop and thank God for His promises, His provision, His protection; or do you feel “lucky” or a victim of circumstance? When was the last time you…

Thanksgiving has passed, Christmas rush is in full swing… the latest gadget, the newest toy, holiday shopping; weary and tired, cross and cranky…the reason for the season lost among the hustle and bustle, buried beneath tinsel, wrapping paper and twine. But for millions the reason for the season is the latest gadget, the newest toy, the shopping, the show the hype. The hoopla is Christmas; and JESUS…an afterthought, if He is thought about at all.

Candle light services and holiday cheer all too often reflect man’ love of self– his commitment to religion but not righteousness. The church has rejected Truth to preach, teach and exemplify a worldly religion. The church that rejects biblical teaching has nothing to stand on. If some biblical writings are questionable, according to many, then the entire scripture must be cast aside as a fake, a phony, a lie. We laugh, we sing, we enjoy time with family and friends, satisfied but not surrendered, sanctimonious but not sanctified. January arrives and we awaken the same lost sinner; running scared, out of control as our moral compass continues to spin.

The times that try men’ souls has come upon us. Our world teeters on the brink of self-destruction. See the carnage, hear the cries of the lost as nations continue to reject God while embracing all that the world, the flesh and the devil offer. Example: a Christian pastor has received death threats, been harassed, threatened and forced to resign his job at a local primary school after saying he believes gay pride events are harmful, (I call gay pride events evil, they are unholy, ungodly and amoral. Homosexuality/an LGBTQ lifestyle choice is a sin). The pastor also suggested Christians should refrain from taking part in gay pride events as they do not align with biblical teaching. Expressing his concerns, he said; “they promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to Christian faith and morals, they are especially ‘harmful to children.”‘ It is not the man, it is JESUS within the man that the ungodly hate and attempt to silence.

The word ‘sin’ has virtually disappeared from modern conversation. Afraid of sounding judgmental, evangelical christian organizations and denominations are openly accepting of the LGBTQ lifestyle. Embracing a false gospel, sin is no longer sin, it’ a mistake, an addiction, a tendency, a bad decision, all too often ignored, accepted as normal, ‘natural’ behavior. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our LORD JESUS Christ. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.

JESUS Christ, Immanuel– God with us, The Redeemer of mankind, The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world will return: as Judge, warrior King, The Lion of the tribe of Judah to destroy the works of the devil. What then will become of the latest gadget, your newest toy? Time is running out,  all flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flowers fade because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades but the Word of the LORD stands forever. We are a people who live on the fringe of righteousness, doing the least that we can to remain in the good graces of the secular church; unity at all costs, following a worldly Jesus…religious but not righteous, satisfied but not sanctified and sadly content, comfortable in our relationship with God as we make allowances for the  unabashed sin within the church, the government and within our homes. For He is LORD of lords and King of kings; and they that are with Him are called, and chosen and faithful.

This Christmas season make it right…..Christ is LORD of all or He is not LORD at all.