Who, What, Where, When and Why

Throwback Thursday Post from 2019

The Good Word

Do you remember in school being taught the 5 W’s? That when you’re studying anything you should understand the Who, What, Where, When and Why of the topic?

These crucial questions should be answered when researching anything, yet how often do we forget to do this in our walk with the Lord? How often do we read a Bible verse than use it in conversation or even to try to win an argument but really have never studied the verse or in some cases even read the entire chapter?

It is crucial to understand who the Bible was referencing or what the story was about, why it was occurring or why God said or did what He did, to know what the context of what you’re reading is, know where this part of the Bible took place and when. Know every detail about what is going on.

Remember the Bible…

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Bonus In The Christmas Series: 12 Days of Christmas

First off, I just want to say I hope everyone had a great Christmas.

Many people end their Christmas celebrating right after Christmas or at the latest New Year’s Day.

However traditionally Christmas is just starting on Christmas Day.

It is the first day of 12 days of Christmas with the final day being the Eve of the Epiphany.

Now I always make it clear, I am not an expert on the Bible or Church history. I write about things as I learn them.

So rather than me explaining some of the important post-Christmas dates. I am going to provide some links to some articles from a site called “Why Christmas”.

Have a Blessed Week and Happy New Year!
Chris

Links:
https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/12daysofchristmas.shtml

https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/epiphany.shtml

12 Days of Christmas Performance:

Christmas Series: Worship and Remembrance

This week is our final entry in the Christmas Series, this post is a simple post but the most important.

Because the most important aspect of Christmas and the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ.

At this time of the year, we must remember Him and why He came. We must worship Jesus as He truly is and thank Him for coming to Earth for us because He loved us.

There is nothing more to say, let us just read the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke…

Luke 2:1-20 (ESV)
The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration when^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,^[b] who was with child. ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.^[c]

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”^[d]

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Have a Merry Christmas!
Chris

Times of Struggle

Five years ago I started this blog. This is the only entry from December of that year. While it’s a bit rough around the edges (heck we all know things don’t “always work out well in the end”) I think it’s good to repost these entries and see growth in my writing, spirituality and my understanding of God’s Word. God is with us and we can have hope in Him and His promises even when things appear bleak or don’t work out.

The Good Word

God is not going to make life perfect for us on this Earth. We are going to go through struggles, pain, suffering and loss. The key is to continue to trust in him. Things always work out well in the end. Remember this life is a blink of  an eye compared to entirety with the Lord. John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.”

Remember to continue to do Gods Work during your time here. Always trust in him during your times of struggle, in the end you will be at peace.

God Bless You All

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Second and Third Sunday of Advent Church Services

Two for Tuesdays!

Second Sunday of Advent:

Third Sunday of Advent:

Christmas Series: Joy

Today in our Christmas Series I am going to be discussing joy.

The word Joy is everywhere during the Christmas season, commercials, shows, movies, heck you can buy pretty much anything with the word joy on it during Christmas.

But in reality, all that stuff for the most part is fake and not real joy. I saw a commercial that said, “spread joy” and of course doing so was by buying presents from their store for other people. But that’s not joy that is temporary happiness.

True joy is found in God.

Joy not only in the good times but in the times of struggle and pain.

We can have Joy in knowing Jesus is Lord.

And at Christmas time we have joy remembering that He came to Earth for the purpose of redeeming us and bringing the Kingdom of God to Earth.

God is true Joy.

Have a Blessed and Joyful Week,
Chris

Daily Bible Readings

Monday – Micah 5:2-5a

Tuesday – Psalm 80:1-7

Wednesday – Hebrews 10:5-10

Thursday/Sermon – Luke 1:39-55

The Lack of Trust in the Church

This post is from a couple years ago. I have nothing more to add about the first half but the second half I’ll say seems more relevant today than it did two years earlier.

The Good Word

I once got into a debate with a person in the comment section of a video. They were arguing against giving a church or pastor money when they asked. They argued if a church needed Bibles or anything like that he would send them the items but he won’t send them money. I countered him with different arguments but couldn’t change his view.

In the end we decided to end the debate as neither one of us was getting through to the other.

I’ve thought about that conversation many times since. I get hung up on that debate due to a trend recently I’ve seen of people holding a similar view or even more harshly where they refuse to give anything to a church or pastor.

When the subject comes to my mind I try to think of more points I could have made.

But recently it hit me, I…

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Christmas Series: Generosity and Charity

Two of the most important aspects of Christmas is generosity and charity.

Often however that is forgotten in all the chaotic planning, in all the fun things like movies, events, light shows, caroling and sometimes even at church.

In the world they make the getting more important than the giving and even when the world mentions giving its really about the getting, as in getting your money.

The truth is giving, generosity and charity is so important to not just Christmas but the Christian life in general.

I have a Christmas story to tell about both generosity and charity.

Years ago, my wife and I were involved at a church that was definition of a family church. Every member except maybe 5 people (including us) were relatives of each other. The church had a wonderful heart but was a bit impulsive. One year they gathered brand new Christmas presents for children in need. They ended up with three large black garbage bags filled with toys. I couldn’t even count how many there were.

One problem, they had no idea where to take them to. The Pastor called me panicked asking if  I knew anyone who needs them. I told him I thought of one family but that’s it he told me to just take the presents to them.

Now this family was dirt poor and were on the brink of eviction. They kept managing to hold on to their apartment through help from others but at this point they were out of options.

We arrived and gave the presents to the children.

The two children, one boy and one girl were overwhelmed with happiness. The mother who had been raising them on her own was weeping from what had occurred. She revealed to us that the children had no presents for Christmas and she felt so ashamed of her situation.

The generosity and charity the church had shown her and her children brought joy to them in a seemingly hopeless situation.

Joy is another important aspect of Christmas but more on that next week.

Money and possessions isn’t the only thing that can be given. You can give your time, generously use your talents, love and complements are free, give those in plenty.

Be generous and charitable in your actions, in patience, kindness and forgiveness.

Be generous and charitable in the ways of God.

Have a Blessed, Generous and Charitable Week,
Chris

Hanukkah

Throwback Thursday Post from 2018. In the past three years Messianic Judaism has grown more and more, praise God. There is a  wonderful Messianic Jewish organization in Israel called One For Israel, feel free to check them out. https://www.oneforisrael.org/

The Good Word

There seems to be a new debate on whether or not Christians should celebrate Hanukkah or other Jewish Holidays. I personally am fascinated by the celebrations from the Old Testament and Judaism. Jesus of course followed the traditions of His heritage.

The Gospel of John even mentions Jesus entering the temple for the “Festival of Dedication”, which is Hanukkah.

Here is an interesting article on John 10: 22-23 and Hanukkah.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-s-keener/jesus-and-hanukkah-john-10-22-23_b_2233251.html

With the exciting movement of Messianic Judaism I feel there will be an increase in Jesus followers celebrating the traditional Feasts and Holidays.

Pastor Steve Cioccolanti has a video on How to Celebrate Hanukkah as a Christian and a Jewish Follower of Jesus. I enjoyed watching this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Da9pVkJyoo&t=1s

Anyways to those who chose to celebrate it, have a happy Hanukkah and may Yeshua/Jesus be the light in your life that burns forever and ever.

Have a Blessed Week,
Christopher

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