Standing Around the Tree

We stand around this tree of evergreen,
A family tradition, a wonderful scene.
Pulling out the garland and orbs so bright,
The tree is trimmed and topped with a star of light.

We recall the time long ago,
We rejoice in what we know.
Jesus came down in manger of low estate,
He came on a cold and bitter night, so late.

The tree is a symbol of His undying love,
And He came down from Heaven above.
Faithful He will be forever more,
By His cradle we will come and adore.

We stand and look upon the cross,
Knowing what He did came at great cost.
The tree, where precious was the flow,
Take me there, so that I may know.

Whose Reputation Are You Concerned About?

I was at my church's Sunday evening service and our pastor talked about the Faith of a Great Leader.
Hebrews 11:23-29

I. Decision of Refusal(v. 24)

II. Decision of Rejection(v. 25)

III. Decision of Reward(v. 26)

   A. He rejected a title.

   B. He rejected the pleasures of Egypt.

  C. He rejected the riches of Egypt.

IV. Decision of Resolve(vs. 27-29)

(My Notes on the Sermon- We can be offered all the things that the world has to offer, and come away from it all empty-handed. If we can refuse what the world has to offer; there is a much greater reward in Heaven. The question that I would ask here is eternal riches or temporary pleasures of the world? Rejection is hard to deal with for most of us, but what did Christ suffer for us? I have already asked the question about rewards, so what will you choose eternal or temporal? We all have a title in some form or another, but Moses chose his God over what Egypt could offer him. When Moses made these decisions; he knew what he had to do and God guided him on the journey that he had ahead of him.

I am resolved no longer to linger, Charmed by the world's delight;

Things that are higher, things that are nobler- These have allured my sight.

I will hasten to Him, Hasten so glad and free,

Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

(I Am Resolved- Palmer Hartsough and James H. Fillmore)

Moses was the great leader that was talked about last night. He used a man with a speech impediment to speak for His people. If He could use someone like this; He can use me. God used many people in the Bible and He is still using people today. Live life like God's reputation is on the line. We do represent our God to those around us.

Salvation: Road to Calvary

In order to fully understand salvation, you must make these stops along the road to Calvary. Jesus did not leave us without a map of how to get there. I was saved through the story of Jonah at the age of six. God kept calling on Jonah to go to Nineveh, but he kept on running away from God's calling. I finally answered the call to salvation. I have been saved for almost 27 years. 

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."(Romans 3:23) No one is discounted from this number. We have all come short of the glory of God. Until we recognize that we have sinned against a sinless God; we cannot begin to understand salvation.

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asp under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of before their eyes."(Romans 3:10-18) The way of the wicked leads to death and destruction. We are reminded about our state apart from God throughout this passage.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) We have no amount of money that would cover the debt of sin. The blood of Christ covered that debt that we owe to a righteous God. He gives eternal life to those that choose to accept His gift of salvation.

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."(Romans 5:8) God saw the plight of man and had compassion on him.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."(Romans 10:9) It is a matter of making the choice to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that He was raised from the dead. We will be saved.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."(Romans 10:13) This verse echoes what verse nine says. This repetition aids learning the principle of how to call upon the Lord for salvation.

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"(Romans 5:1) Having received salvation; we now have true peace with God. It is a greater peace than any man can devise.

Stanza 1:
King of my life I crown Thee now- Thine shall be the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary.
Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.

Stanza 4:
May I be willing, Lord, to bear Daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share- Thou hast borne all for me.
Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.
(Lead Me to Calvary- Jennie Evelyn Hussey and William J. Kirkpatrick)