Bible Studies By Chalma Smith

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

noreply@blogger.com (Sunset Road Baptist Church) — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 14:56:00 -0800

This time in our study on how to be a godly person, as I promise, we are going to look at the Fruit of the Spirit. Also we are going onto see what we are made up of. This will show us how the Holy Spirit deals with us from the inside out. And uses the things without to teach us and to protect us as we will see later. The Lord tells us that we are in a battle and we are going to learn what we are supposed to do in order for the Lord to be in control of us. The last study that we will do together today is concerning VICTORY AND SUPERNATUAL WARFARE.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Last time there were several typos in our lesson. When I spoke of the Fruit of the Spirit, we wrote "The Fruits of the Spirit". The Fruit of the Spirit is singular and is shown forth through us by the Holy Spirit. As we read the word of God and try to live it, the Holy Spirit brings forth the characteristics that He uses in our lives as we become more and more obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We see the Fruit of the Spirit listed for us in Galatians 5:22-23. Also in this area is listed the Gifts of the Spirit. Not every Christian will receive the same gift or even all the gifts. Again, the Holy Spirit decides how He wants to use the person and each gift will be given for the purpose of accomplishing the works the Holy Spirit wants them to accomplish.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - The outward manifestation of that which is within...

Galatians 5:22-23

Love - Love as God loves us - "Agape Love".
Joy - Love smiling
Peace - Love resting
Long Suffering - Love’s patience and trust in God’s sovereignty
Gentleness - Love showing itself sensitive to others’ feelings
Goodness - Love making allowances/sacrifices for others
Faith - Love being aware that we live by Christ’s faith (Galatians 2:20)
Meekness - Love yielding and showing self-control
Temperance - Love triumphing over selfish inclinations.

The difference is every Christian will be given "Singular" the Fruit of the Spirit. These characteristics will be shown forth in the lives of obedient Christians. You cannot choose one or another. They are all to be shown in our lives. Look at the following list that shows the Fruit of the Spirit:

A Study of I John

noreply@blogger.com (Sunset Road Baptist Church) — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 14:18:00 -0800

CHAPTER 2:15-17 The world John is speaking of in this 15th verse is God created but the world system, which strives to pull man away from God and center man's thoughts on the things of the world and himself rather than on God. It is this world that John warns us against.

If our attention is centered on the world and our desires are for this world's things; Our love will be cold toward God. Be has to come first.

In verse 16, John warns us against the Christian’s three biggest enemies:

THE WORLD (lust of the eyes)
THE FLESH (lust of the flesh)
THE DEVIL (the pride of life).

All through scripture, the doctrine of these three great enemies of the soul is backed up and reinforced. At this point, I would like for us to take the time to at how we are made, what we are made of, and how the Lord deals with us, and how temptation comes to us.

We are fighting a spiritual battle--before a good soldier can hope to win a battle, he must first know the enemy.

LET'S TAKE TIME OUT TO FORM A BATTLE PLAN:

Know the enemy
Know yourself
Get your orders from headquarters
Carry out the battle plan

We can form our battle plan from studying the following chart:

There are outward trials, and then inward temptations. When we are experiencing outward trials we are put in a weaker condition and it is natural to be tempted to doubt, to fear, to give up, etc.
(OUTWARD TRIALS BRING INWARD TEMPTATIONS).

William Barclay makes the following statement:
"As John sees him, the man of the world is the man who judges everything by his appetites, the man who is the slave of lavish ostentation, the boastful braggart who tries to make himself out a far bigger man than he is. Then comes John's second warning. The man who attaches himself to the world's aims and the world's ways is giving his life to things which literally have no future. All these things are passing and none has any permanency. But the man who has taken God as the centre of his life has given himself to the things which last for ever. The man of the world is doomed to disappointment; the man of God is certain of lasting joy."

Verse 18: John again, loving tenderness, warns his readers -- it is the last time (in other words the latter days). WHAT IS "LATTER DAYS"?

Oliver Greene describes the latter days as follows:
"In the language of God, "the last days" covers the entire sweep of God's dealings with a lost world from the birth of Christ Jesus the Saviour to the ushering in of the new heavens and the new earth."

John was living in the latter days; we are living in the latter days.

John goes on to warn us about the Antichrist, that he shall come, and also that even in his day, as ours there are many antichrists. These antichrists are not the man of sin but forerunners. After the rapture of the Church, the Man of Sin will be revealed.

THE WORD ANTICHRIST HAS TWO MEANINGS:

A hostile commander, one who is opposed to Christ.
One who seeks to put himself in the place of Christ.

William Barclay tells us that the simplest way to think of it is that Christ is the incarnation of God and goodness, and Antichrist is the incarnation of the devil and evil.

To John the sign that antichrists were in the world was the false teaching. Christ also warned of these false teachers: Mark 13:16, Matthew 24:5. Paul also warned the Ephesians that after his departure false teachers would come in Acts 20:29-30.

John sees the antichrists as our enemy and the battleground is our minds.

MORE THAN EVER, TODAY WE KNOW THAT THIS IS TRUE. THE BATTLEGROUND IS OUR MINDS!

CHAPTER 2:19-21 --These antichrists, or false teachers that John is referring to here were part of a local church (not the true church, the body of Christ, but the local church.) They had church membership, but they were not members of the Body of Christ, the true church.

THEY HAD A PROFESSION OF CHRIST, BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE A POSSESSION OF CHRIST!

No matter how attractive their teaching was, they were not true God anointed teachers, they were not even true Christians!

JOHN DID NOT HESITATE TO DESCRIBE THEM FOR WHAT THEY WERE. HE DID NOT HIDE BEHIND A CLOAK OF KEEPING THE PEACE OR COMPROMISE. THE TRUE CHURCH TODAY NEEDS TO TAKE A LESSON FROM JOHN!

1 Cor. 11:13-15 --Again describes these false teachers for us and tells us exactly where they come from and who they belong to!

Verse 20-27 In these verses John again exposes false Gnostic teaching that they alone had special knowledge of God. He tells his readers that if they know the Lord as Saviour, they know the truth, for he is truth. Those who are truly saved also have the Holy Spirit as teacher and guide (I Cor. 2:9-16,)

In 2 John 1:7-11 we have a very solemn warning concerning antichrists and their false teachings. WE ALL DO WELL TO HEED THIS ADVICE! MANY A CHRISTIAN BY NOT HEEDING THIS ADVICE HAVE PUT THEMSELVES IN A VERY BAD POSITION AND HAVE WALKED AWAY TOTALLY CONFUSED AND DISCOURAGED!!

Verse 28-29 --1 John 2:28 John cautions us to abide in Christ. This means to walk near him daily, resting in him, and meditating on his love and mercy toward us, ever thankful for that unbountiful grace that provided us the faith to accept the great gift of our salvation.

If we abide in him like that we will be looking forward to his coming and will be living expectantly! We will not be ashamed. We will have been obedient!

Verse 29 --William Barclay has the following comment which says it all! "In verse 29 John comes back to a thought which is never far from his mind. The only way a person can prove he is abiding in Christ is by the righteousness of his life. The profession a man makes will always be proved or disproved by his practice."

CHAPTER 3: 1-2

In these verses John tells us to stop and consider closely the great love the Father has for us that he would adopt us into his family and call us his children!

These two verses are full of promise for the children of God! They tell us of the great love the Father has for us. They tell us of our standing in the family of God, a position to ever be thankful for. They tell us of a day when we shall be with Jesus and have new bodies. The process of being conformed to his image will be complete. We shall not only see him face to face, but we shall be like him! They promise us that we shall see him as he is--we shall behold him in all his glory! Nothing hidden, nothing concealed from us! WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW GLORIOUS THAT WILL BE! Maybe this was part of what Paul was thinking of when he said, "BUT IT IS WRITTEN, EYE HATH NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NEITHER HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN. THE THINGS WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM." I Cor. 2:9

In his book, William Barclay shares the Scottish paraphrase of these verses and it is so beautiful, I want to share it with you:

Behold the amazing gift of love
the Father hath bestow'd
On us, the sinful sons of men,
to call us sons of God!

Concealed as yet this honour lies,
by this dark world unknown,
A world that knew not when he came,
even God's eternal Son.

High is the rank we now possess,
but higher we shall rise;
Though what we shall hereafter be
is hid from mortal eyes.

Our souls, we know, when he appears,
shall bear his image bright;
For all his glory, full disclosed,
shall open to our sight.

A hope so great, and so divine,
may trials well endure;
And purge the soul from sense and sin,
as Christ himself is pure.

When death these mortal eyes shall seal,
And still this throbbing heart,
The rending veil shall thee reveal
All glorious as thou art.

In these verses John warns us that because we are the children of God and are being conformed to the image of Christ, the world will not accept us. If the world rejected Christ, then we too can expect to be rejected. Jesus said "the servant is not above his master".

Verses 3-8 --We need to read these verses carefully, and go back to them for reference again and again as we study this section of scripture

William Barclay explains these verses beautifully and the following is an excerpt from his book:

THESE VERSES EMPHASISE OUR OBLIGATION OF PURITY

The man, who knows that God is at the end of the road, will make all life a preparation to meet him.

This passage is directed against the Gnostic teachers. As we have seen they produced more than one reason to justify sin.

John goes on to analyze sin and state that no one is superior to the moral law.

He tells us what sin is: It is the deliberate breaking of a law which a man well knows. Sin is to obey oneself rather than to obey God.
He tells us what sin does: It undoes the work of Christ. To sin is to bring back what he came into the world to abolish.
He tells us why sin is: It comes from the failure to abide in Christ. So long as we remember Jesus, we will not-sin; it is when we forget that we sin.
He tells us whence sin comes: It comes from the devil; and the devil is he who sins. We sin for the pleasure that we think it will bring to us; the devil sins as a matter of principle. The New Testament does not try to explain the devil and his origin; but, it is quite convinced--and it is a fact of universal experience--that in the world there is a power hostile to God; and to sin is to obey that power instead of God.
He tells us how sin is conquered: It is conquered because Jesus Christ destroyed the works of the devil. The New Testament often dwells on the Christ who faced and conquered the powers of evil (Matthew 12:25-29, Luke 10:18, Col. 2:15, I Peter 3:22, John 12:31).
HE HAS BROKEN THE POWER OF EVIL AND BY HIS HELP THAT SAME VICTORY CAN BE OURS.

Verse 9 --This verse of scripture is a prime example of how we are to study the entire Bible in context, comparing scripture with scripture. At first glance, without studying farther a person would be tempted to think that here was a good example of the Bible contradicting itself, but this is not true.

The Greek language has many tenses, just as ours does. Earlier when John said "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.", sin in this passage was not "THE STATE OF SIN", but INDIVIDUAL ACTS OF SIN.

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SAVED AND DELIVERED FROM THE STATE OF SIN, IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS NOT A SPIRITUAL WAR GOING ON: THE FLESH WARETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT!

We will all (saved individuals), commit individual sins, and we will all fall-short of the glory of God!

What John refers to when he says "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
WE ARE NO LONGER IN THE STATE OF SIN WE ARE JUSTIFIED IN GOD'S EYES THROUGH CHRIST JESUS!!

A Christian cannot habitually sin. No Christian can possibly be a deliberate and consistent sinner. A Christian cannot live a life where sin dominates his actions.

Many people have professed to know the lord, but their lives do not reflect their profession. These people are not truly saved. True salvation changes lives!! (2 Cor 5:17"therefore is any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

The bible does teach that a Christian can backslide, but before that life will be totally taken over by sin, and before that person becomes totally used by Satan to bring shame and reproach upon the name of Jesus, they will be removed. There is such a thing as the sin unto -death. (I John 5:16, I Cor. 3:15,)

Verses 10-18 --these verses are very specific in their description of a child of God. These verses prick the conscience and stir the soul!

Wescott, a renowned bible scholar has said "life reveals the children of God. There is no way of telling what a tree is other than by its fruits, and there is no way of telling what a man is other than by his conduct. To be righteous is to love one another. The entire Christian faith is based on love! What are to two commandments Christ gave? (John 13:34-35, Matt. 22:35-40.)

From the time a person accepts Christ they accept their obligation to love. John tells us the final proof that a person has accepted Christ is their willingness to love. NOT JUST TO LOVE THOSE WHO ARE EASY TO LOVE, BUT TO LOVE THE UNLOVELY!

Only through Christ loving through us can we love like that...
IT IS NOT NATURALLY IN US...THAT’S WHY IT IS FINAL PROOF OF OUR SALVATION!

Verse 15 -- Here John compares those who allow hate to reign in their hearts to murderers. I am sure when he said this that his mind raced back to that day on the Jerusalem hillside when he sat and listened to our Lord as he preached his beautiful Sermon on the Mount. Matt. 5:21-22, On that day Jesus made it plain that if we hate our brother it is the same as murder. We murder his self-confidence, his sense of worth, and we rob him of the satisfaction of being accepted and treasured as a person. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS, AND YET ALL OF US HAVE COMMITTED THIS SIN. OH, HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS MY HEART EVEN AS I WRITE!!

MY GREATEST SHORTCOMING IS NOT LOVING AS MY LORD WOULD HAVE ME LOVE. AND MY GREATEST NEED IS TO SO SUBMIT TO THE LORD THAT HIS LOVE COULD FLOW THROUGH ME. I NEED YOUR PRAYERS.

Christ set the example for us to love in his life, his ministry of reaching out to the needs of all around him, his willingness to suffer in our place, his willingness to die for us, and so precious to each Christian, his loving tenderness when he deals with us about unconfessed sin as he is so willing to show us his great grace and mercy given to us through his loving forgiveness!

Verse 18 --John goes on to tell us that we must love in practical ways. Again William Barclay states "Fine words will never take the place of fine deeds; and no amount of talk of Christian love will take the place of a kindly act to a man in need, involving some sacrifice, for in that action the principle of the Cross is operative again.

Many of the descriptions of the Armour of God were shown to me be Oliver B. Greene who was a wonderful preacher/teacher. (Chalma Smith 1974)

VICTORY IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE (Ephesians 6:11-18)

Picture yourself as a soldier and let's think of some things we would need as good soldiers.
What thoughts have you had in the past when you heard the song "Onward Christian Soldiers"? Would a man do his best in battle and have a good chance of defeating the enemy if he didn't believe he could do it?

Turn to Eph. 6:10
"Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might". This is why Paul admonishes us to be Strong in the Lord- and in the Power of His might! When we put our dependence solely in the Lord and the power of his might, we recognize that we have the victory!

Then we can claim Phil. 4:13
"I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me".

As we have the confidence to win, we must now recognize who our adversary is: Does anyone remember what one of the biggest hazards and problems was in the Vietnam War? (You could never be sure who your enemy was.) That had to hinder victory. When we learn that Satan is our enemy and that he is real and we are in a spiritual warfare and also when we learn what weapons and strategy he uses, then we can prepare ourselves for the battle!

I Peter 5: 8-9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." What comes to your mind as you think of a roaring lion? Compare those thoughts with Satan: Satan cannot be fought by physical means or in our own strength. He is a spiritual being and has supernatural powers. Only thru Christ are we conquerors, yea, more than conquerors!

This is why Paul says before any other preparation is made, we must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might..............................................................................

No good soldier ever went into battle without the proper equipment and dress. It would be so foolish for a soldier to face high powered artillery, atomic weapons, tanks etc, with a mere sling shot! Some of you may be thinking-----David did, and he won! David had more than his sling shot; he had clothed himself in the whole armour of God! He said to the Philistine, "And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword or spear, for the battle is the Lord's. He will give you into our hands."

Paul explains the importance of this as he explains in Eph. 6:11-12 "Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Eph. 6:13 "Wherefore take unto you the whole amour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Paul tells us to take the whole armour of God. Our defense is not by our own strength and ability. He did not say make your armour, but take God's armour! He also tells us to take the whole armour of God. In fighting a soldier would look for the weak unprotected spot of the enemy and concentrate on it. The devil does this to us. Any area of our life we do not clothe in the whole armour of God is vulnerable! If we think we can handle one detail in the flesh, we are open to defeat!

Verse 13 says stand several times, what is meant by this? In the Greek, this implies a stand against great opposition. The evil day is describing when Satan comes at us most intently. Don't give an inch! Stand firm! Scripture says -neither give place to the devil. You see, he is the type that if you give him in inch, he will take a mile! If we allow Satan to have access to, or control of any part of our lives, he will never be satisfied until he has destroyed every area of our lives that could be a witness for Christ. He is a greedy adversary and will not stop until he has destroyed us!

...........................................................................

Verse 14: "Stand therefore, having your loins gird about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;"

What is a girdle? How was a girdle used in battle? The girdle protected the inner parts, and held the sword. If we don't submit even the most private areas of ourselves to Christ, we cannot handle the sword of truth as we should. We will lack faith to claim the promises and the power to teach the word and live by it (the word of God being the sword of truth).

What does Paul mean when he says be girded about with truth? Jesus said--- "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."John 8:32: "I am the way, the truth and the life."John 14:6; "I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing."John 15:5

Therefore, the girdle of truth is JESUS!

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Verse 14: "--and having on the breastplate of righteousness;"

The next piece of armour is the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate is a defensive weapon. What does it protect? (The most vital parts, where the wound would be fatal). Satan will come at you and tell you that you don't have what it takes to live for Christ. He will tell you that you are not strong enough or good enough. This is why we are to take on the breastplate of righteousness; not our own, because, all our righteousness is as filthy rags. We are to take on the righteousness of Christ!

Phil. 3: 7-9: "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith;"

I Cor. 1:29-30: "That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."

Therefore, the breastplate of righteousness is JESUS!

Eph. 6:15"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace."

Put on your Gospel Shoes! Paul is inferring----always be ready-----be prepared thru study----thru prayer----thru total surrender----be ready to share the Gospel of peace anywhere, at any time! Only when our feet are shod (covered or protected) can we stomp all over Satan! What is the gospel of peace? Scripture tells us this about Jesus--"His name shall be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!"

Therefore, the gospel of peace, our gospel shoes are JESUS!

Verse 16: "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."

We have a shield, and with our shield we quench the fiery darts of Satan. Be sure you do not forget your shield! ABOVE ALL, this is of utmost importance! The shield is faith. "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Do not rely on your own faith to sustain you, for we all grow weak in faith from time to time, but rely on the faith of Christ. His faith will always sustain you!

Eph. 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Claim Galatians 2:20"I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. If we see clearly that the shield of faith that guarantees the quenching of all the fiery darts of the wicked one is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ."

Therefore, the shield of faith is JESUS!

Eph. Verse 17: And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."

What areas does a helmet protect? The brain. Each child of God must have the assurance of their salvation! Satan will rob you of this piece of armour.

Recognize that our helmet of salvation is none other than JESUS!

II Timothy 1:12"For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

"Christ in you, the hope of Glory!" Read John 3:16 often; believe this scripture and stand on it!

Therefore, the helmet of salvation is JESUS!

Eph. 17: "And take the helmet of salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."

Please take note! This is our only offensive weapon! What is an offensive weapon? (This is the weapon we use for attack!)

Hebrews 4:12:"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and-of the joints and-marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Speaking of Jesus--Revelation 19:13: "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and his name is called The Word of God."

Do you want to attack Satan and defeat him? Know the word of God and use it! Realize that the word, the Bible, is the communication to us from Jesus, telling us about himself, what he expects of us, and what he promises us thru his word!

Therefore, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God is JESUS!

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Eph. 18: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

Now that we have our armour on, do we run right out to battle? NO! WE GET OUR ORDERS FROM HEADQUARTERS!

Never forget that a good soldier always obeys orders. In order to know our orders, we must be willing to ask for leading, listen for leading and be obedient to the leading of the Lord!

NEVER FORGET, THERE IS NO ARMOUR PROVIDED FOR OUR BACKS!

We are never commanded to retreat, but we are commanded to be diligent in the work of the Lord and to stand steadfast!

Merry Christmas 2006

noreply@blogger.com (Sunset Road Baptist Church) — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Merry Christmas! In thinking about what I wanted to share, I had said before the next thing we would talk about would be the fruits of the spirit. But if Christmas had never occurred, there would be no fruits of the spirit. We would still be lost in our sin.

In celebration , I would like to share parts of an old book. When I was very sick, my dear husband gave me this book during the Christmas of 1967. This book encouraged me to get well because it reminded me that Jesus gave me 3 treasures that I would love all my days. My 2 babies, Phil and Stephen and the third is my husband, Steve, my forever love.

I would like to share these next stories with you from my heart:

A Candy-maker's Witness

A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols from the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.

Unfortunately, the candy became known as a Candy Cane -- a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the meaning is still there for those who "have eyes to see and ears to hear." Every time you see a Candy Cane, remember the Wonder of Jesus and His Great Love that came down at Christmas, and that His Love remains the ultimate and dominant force in the universe today.

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The Legend of the Christmas Tree

There is a legend from the early days of Christianity in England tells the story of a Christian monk who was trying to spread Christianity among the Druids. One day, surrounded by a group of his converts, he struck down a huge oak tree, which, in the Druid religion, was an object of worship. As it fell to the ground, the oak tree split into four pieces and from its center sprung up a fir tree.

The monk told the Druids, "This little tree shall be your Holy Tree tonight. It is a wood of peace, for your houses are built of fir. It's the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are evergreen. See how it points toward the heavens? Let this be called the tree of the Christ Child. Gather about it, not in the wilderness, but in your homes. There it will be surrounded with loving gifts and rites of kindness." And according to the legend, that is the origin of one of our loveliest Christmas symbols - the Christmas tree.

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Silent Night! Holy Night!

The origin of the Christmas carol we know as Silent Night was a poem that was written in 1816 by an Austrian priest called Joseph Mohr.

On Christmas Eve in 1818 in the small alpine village called Oberndorf it is reputed that the organ at St. Nicholas Church had broken. Joseph Mohr gave the poem of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber and the melody for Silent Night was composed with this in mind. The music to Silent Night was therefore intended for a guitar and the simple score was finished in time for Midnight Mass. Silent Night is the most famous Christmas carol of all time!

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O Little Town of Bethlehem

Rector Phillips Brooks (1835-1903) of Philadelphia, wrote the words to O Little Town of Bethlehem in 1868, following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was inspired by the view of Bethlehem from the hills of Palestine especially at night time hence the lyrics of O Little Town of Bethlehem. His church organist Lewis Redner (1831-1908) wrote the melody to O Little Town of Bethlehem for the Sunday school children's choir.

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Francis of Assisi and the First Christmas Creche

It was the bitter winter of 1223, and Francis was living in a little rock-hewn cave, close to the village of Greccio, in the Italian province of Umbria. Here, he was very much alone, praying and meditating. As it was drawing near Christmas, he pondered over the wonderful story of the Incarnation. A great desire took possession of him, to bring this message home to the hearts of the villagers, and so all were asked to come to the village church at midnight on Christmas Eve. Full of curiosity, they obeyed. All came from far and near, picking their way by the light of lanterns, up the steep hillside to the church.

There they found a comer of the Church which had been transformed unto a stable, strewn with clean, dry straw, and in a crude little wooden crib, lay a tiny sleeping figure of the bambino, wrapped in swaddling clothes, much like the Holy Child must have peacefully slept, on that first Christmas Eve, twelve hundred years before.

In awestruck remembrance, the Peasants knelt in adoration. After mass was sung and Francis himself had read from the Gospel, the little congregation streamed out into the frosty night air, and took their way homeward, their hearts filled with a mysterious wonder and the song of the angels still ringing in their ears - "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace to men of goodwill."

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"The Three Kings"
A Christmas poem by Longfellow

Three Kings came riding from far away,
Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar;
Three Wise Men out of the East were they,
And they travelled by night and they slept by day,
For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star.

The star was so beautiful, large and clear,
That all the other stars of the sky
Became a white mist in the atmosphere,
And by this they knew that the coming was near
Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy.

Three caskets they bore on their saddle-bows,
Three caskets of gold with golden keys;
Their robes were of crimson silk with rows
Of bells and pomegranates and furbelows,
Their turbans like blossoming almond-trees.

And so the Three Kings rode into the West,
Through the dusk of the night, over hill and dell,
And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast,
And sometimes talked, as they paused to rest,
With the people they met at some wayside well.

"Of the child that is born," said Baltasar,
"Good people, I pray you, tell us the news;
For we in the East have seen his star,
And have ridden fast, and have ridden far,
To find and worship the King of the Jews."

And the people answered, "You ask in vain;
We know of no King but Herod the Great!"
They thought the Wise Men were men insane,
As they spurred their horses across the plain,
Like riders in haste, who cannot wait.

And when they came to Jerusalem,
Herod the Great, who had heard this thing,
Sent for the Wise Men and questioned them;
And said, "Go down unto Bethlehem,
And bring me tidings of this new king."

So they rode away; and the star stood still,
The only one in the grey of morn;
Yes, it stopped --it stood still of its own free will,
Right over Bethlehem on the hill,
The city of David, where Christ was born.

And the Three Kings rode through the gate and the guard,
Through the silent street, till their horses turned
And neighed as they entered the great inn-yard;
But the windows were closed, and the doors were barred,
And only a light in the stable burned.

And cradled there in the scented hay,
In the air made sweet by the breath of kine,
The little child in the manger lay,
The child, that would be king one day
Of a kingdom not human, but divine.

His mother Mary of Nazareth
Sat watching beside his place of rest,
Watching the even flow of his breath,
For the joy of life and the terror of death
Were mingled together in her breast.

They laid their offerings at his feet:
The gold was their tribute to a King,
The frankincense, with its odor sweet,
Was for the Priest, the Paraclete,
The myrrh for the body's burying.

And the mother wondered and bowed her head,
And sat as still as a statue of stone,
Her heart was troubled yet comforted,
Remembering what the Angel had said
Of an endless reign and of David's throne.

Then the Kings rode out of the city gate,
With a clatter of hoofs in proud array;
But they went not back to Herod the Great,
For they knew his malice and feared his hate,
And returned to their homes by another way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Birthday Gift
by Christina Rossetti

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a Wise Man,
I would do my part,
Yet what can I give Him,
-Give my heart!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting. It was his turn to lead the discussion so he sat down and wrote. He showed the essay, titled "The Room" to his mother, Beth, before he headed out the door. "I wowed 'em." he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer, It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote." It also was the last. Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teary Valley High School. Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every piece of his life near them - the crepe paper that had adorned his locker during his senior football season, notes from classmates and teachers, his homework.

Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment of the teen's life. But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce Moore realized that their son had described his view of heaven. "It makes such an impact that people want to share it. You feel like you are there." Mr. Moore said.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, - the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

Brian seemed to excel at everything he did. He was an honor student. He told his parents he loved them "a hundred times a day," Mrs. Moore said. He was a star wide receiver for the Teary's Valley Football team and had earned a four-year scholarship to Capital University in Columbus because of his athletic and academic abilities. He took it upon himself to learn how to help a fellow student who used a wheelchair at school. During one homecoming ceremony, Brian walked on his tiptoes so that the girl he was escorting wouldn't be embarrassed about being taller than him.

He adored his kid brother, Bruce, now 14. He often escorted his grandmother, Evelyn Moore, who lives in Columbus, to church. "I always called him the "deep thinker", Evelyn said of her eldest grandson.

Two years after his death, his family still struggles to understand why Brian was taken from them. They find comfort at the cemetery where Brian is buried, just a few blocks from their home. They visit daily. A candle and dozens of silk and real flowers keep vigil over the grave site.

The Moore's framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him again someday." Mrs. Moore said. "It just hurts so bad now."

The Room

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Brian Moore." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents."

I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I have listened to," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!"

In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep.

Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again.

He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no, " as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards.

I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our Lord is with us at all times through all situations in our lives that we did not forsee.

But I pray as I have this privilege to talk to you that you will always, no matter what, remember that we have two commandments:

1. Love the Lord our God with all our heart, our mind and our soul.

2. To love one another as Christ loves us.

You cannot do the second without being humble before God, loving Him, praising Him, studying His word and living it out. The the Holy Spirit of God is in complete control of us and we will obey the second commandment without even realizing it. Be conscious of the people you meet because the Lord give them to you to love.

My husband took me to Walmart the other day in my wheelchair. He had to leave me and the buggy to try to find a gift. I decided to try to push the buggy while in the wheelchair. Naturally that can't be done! A middle-aged man asked if he could help me. Simple incident isn't it? No! No! It was MY opportunity to love, thank and encourage him. I told him in the end that he had completed a random act of kindness and we both realized taht only the Holy Spirit of God and our Savior put us in each other's lives.

Put Jesus first as we celebrated Christmas. We have always had the story of baby Jesus read in our family. Each piece of the nativity scene is chosen in advance by the children. As that item is mentioned during the story, the child choses where it belongs in the scene. Afterwards, a birthday cake is brought out and we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and allow the smallest child to blow out the candle on the cake. The reason I tell you this is because I never realized the importance of that act of worship to my children until Stephen, who is now a grown man, told me the other day that was the most exciting thing for him at Christmas and he listened carefully to the story of the birth of Jesus so he wouldn't miss the time to place his piece where he wanted to put it. You don't have to be a parent to do this, but his comment showed me that the true spirit of Christmas was burned into his heart from the time that he was little.

We all can share Jesus so simply by stating to each one we meet what a wonderful gift God gave and wish them a very blessed Christmas. When you meet the Lord, how thick will YOUR file be in the box of people you shared your faith with? That it the greatest gift we could ever give anyone ever! Let's recommitt ourselves to being sensative to the needs of others and be willing to share our faith. Don't be shy. Jesus will be so proud of you. This is my goal for the rest of my life. It's amazing the number of people Christ puts in my path even being disabled. As I witness I have so many new friends now. Jesus says that when He calls us to do something, He gives us the words and the strength to be obidient to Him.

Oh what a gift that is to us! I pray for all of you even though I don't know some of you. But as the old song says, "Let Us Be Christian Soldiers". I know you will all have a blessed Christmas if you determine within yourselves that Christ will be honored in your home.

I love all of you. I really do, even though we don't all know each other. But God's love has been put in my heart for you.

Let's always pray for each other and the needs of others.

In Christ's Love,
Chalma

Becoming a "Godly Woman" Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Sunset Road Baptist Church) — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 18:44:00 -0700

By Chalma Smith
October 24, 2006

Hi, this is Chalma again. I apologize for the delay in our next step in becoming godly people.

Last time, we looked at all the things the God is. After all, if we strive to be godly, we must know what God's characteristics are.

I prayed long and hard, "What next Lord?" For I do not want to mislead anyone! I felt that I know the answer, but I continued to pray until full and Godly information was given to me.

I believe with all my heart that we must receive God as sovereign in our lives. He created with a plan from the foundation of the earth. Sometimes we maybe persecuted, allowed to go into situations that hurt us. We may be given a "thorn in the flesh" (physical pain). We will always be tempted by Satan. Sometimes we will fail. Sometimes we will resist by learning God's promise to give victory over temptation. Plead the blood of Jesus over this.

I got ahead of myself. All of these things, though, follow the very first things we must do to become a godly person. It is to accept God's free gift of salvation through Jesus. That means not just believing in the mind, put it in your heart. Loving Him and accepting His free gift. "For salvation is of grace, not of works, lest any man should boast." Over the years I have learned that we are all on level ground. God has said "For all have sinned and fallen short of the grace of God". This is why salvation, by submission, is our first step. You may been saved for forty years or more. I have, but only by readying and studying God's word will we ever know all that submit means.

Next, I would like to recommend a wonderful book of prayers. They have been compiled for Christians to grow by. The book is titled "Prayers That Avail Much" written by Germaine Copeland (ISBN: 1577947525). It is a 25th edition of 3 volumes put together. Please read the following prayers from the book:

Submitting All To God
Father, You are the Supreme Authority - a God of order. You have instituted other authority structures that will support healthy relationships and maintain harmony. It is my decision to surrender my will to You, that I might find protection and dwell in the secret place of the Most High.

Father, thank You for pastors and leaders of the church - those who are submitted to You and are examples to the congregation. I submit to the church elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church) - [giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel].

Lord, You know just how rebellious I have been. I ask Your forgiveness for manipulating circumstances and people - for trying to manipulate You to get my own way. May Your will be done in my life, even as it is in heaven.

Father, when I feel that my life is spiraling out of control, I bind my mind to the mind of Christ, and my emotions to the control of the Holy Spirit. I loose my mind from obsessive thought patterns that try to confuse me.

Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Father, You are much more interested in my listening to You than in my offerings of material things to You. Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshipping idols. Forgive me for practicing witchcraft and worshiping idols.

Father, You deserve honesty from the heart; yes, utter sincerity and truthfulness. Oh, give me this wisdom. Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood, and I shall be clean again. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. You have rescued me from the dominion of darkness and brought me into the Kingdom of the Son You love, in Whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Lord, I want to follow You. I am putting aside my own desires and conveniences. I yield my desires that are not in Your plan for me. Even in the midst of my fear, I surrender and entrust my future to You. I chose to take up my cross and follow You [cleave steadfastly to You, conforming wholly to Your example in living and, if need be, in dying also]. I desire to lose my [lower life] on Your account that I might find it [the higher life].

Father, You gave me Jesus, to be my Example. He has returned to You, Father, and has sent the Holy Spirit to be my Helper and Guide. In this world there are temptations, trials, and tribulations; but Jesus has overcome the world, and I am of good cheer.

Jesus is my Lord. I choose to become His servant. He calls me His friend.

Lord, help me to walk through the process of surrendering my all to You. I exchange rebellion and stubbornness for a willing and obedient heart. When I refuse to listen, anoint my ears to hear; when I am blinded by my own desires, open my eyes to see.

I belong to Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, Who breaks down and destroys every yoke of bondage. In His name and in obedience to Your will, Father, I submit to the control and direction of the Holy Spirit Whom You have sent to live in me. I am Your child. All to You I surrender. I am an over-comer by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of my testimony!

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Scripture Reference:
1 Corinthians 14:33
1 Timothy 2:2
Psalm 91:1
1 Peter 5:5
Matthew 6:10
James 4:7
1 Samuel 15:22-23
Psalm 51:6-7
Colossians 1:13-14
Matthew 10:38-39
John 16:33
John 15:15
Revelation 12:11

To Walk in God's Wisdom and His Perfect Will
Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being. You adopted me as Your child through Jesus Christ, in accordance with Your pleasure and will. I pray that I may be active in sharing my faith, so that I will have a full understanding of every good thing I have in Christ.

Father, I ask You to give me a complete understanding of what You want to do in my life, and I ask You to make me wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way I live will always honor and please You, and I will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, I will learn to know You better and better.

I roll my works upon You, Lord, and You make my thoughts agreeable to Your will, so my plans are established and succeed. You direct my steps and make them sure. I understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is for I am not vague, thoughtless, or foolish. I stand firm and mature in spiritual growth, convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God.

Father, You have destined and appointed me to come progressively to know Your will - that is to perceive, to recognize more strongly and clearly, and to become better and more intimately acquainted with Your will. I thank you, Father, for the Holy Spirit Who abides permanently in me and Who guides me into all the truth - the whole, full truth - and speaks whatever He hears from the Father and announces and declares to me the things that are to come. I have the mind of Christ and hold the thoughts, feelings, and purposes of His heart.

So, Father, I have entered into that blessed rest by adhering to, trusting in, and relying on You, in the name of Jesus,. Hallelujah! Amen.

Scripture Reference:
Revelations 4:11
Ephesians 1:5
Colossians 1:9-10
Proverbs 16:3, 9
Ephesians 5:16
Colossians 4:12
Acts 22:14
1 Corinthians 2:16
Hebrews 4:10

Next time, we will look at the fruit of the Spirit. This, we must understand and let our fruit shine forth in our lives

I love you all. I pray that God will take what we have learned and hide it deep in our hearts that we might not sin against our lovely, wonderful and glorious Jesus!

Lord, You are always with us, even when we wage the strangest battle of our lives. Your presence, You are with us. Let all who desire in our hearts to be Godly men and women depend on this. Godly persons learn that by faith and not feelings. For, He is always with us, even when we feel He has deserted us.

I'll talk again soon and thank you for reading this next step of our journey toward becoming Godly.

With Christ's love,
Chalma

PS

After I finished our lesson, I saw an old lesson that is still so relevant today. Again, the Holy Spirit to me always, that a godly person knows Him through His word. This is one of my unusually simply lessons. Sometimes simplicity is best.
You can find the lesson at the link below:
http://sunsetroadbaptistchurch.com/files/Chalma020997.pdf

Becoming a "Godly Woman" Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Sunset Road Baptist Church) — Fri, 8 Sep 2006 20:03:00 -0700

September 8, 2006

Hello again to all those who are taking the journey to know how to be a Godly Woman. After I said that, it was as if the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder (I know he did). This journey is for men and women. I just simply happen to be a woman. God also speaks to women and commands us to show certain attributes to younger women.

I have studied many things about God in my "Holman Bible Dictionary". After this, I think you will be very surprised at the direction God is taking us. So, hold onto your seatbelt.

Thank you, Daddy God, Jesus, my Savior, and precious Holy Spirit, for making the information you taught me. But Lord, I cannot remember all of this information, so will you bring forth what you have taught me when you want to use me or times when I need to remember.

Most of all, help me to always remember that "God is love." A Godly Woman would show forth His love. Help me God.

May the Light and Love of God be with us all. - Chalma

P.S. Pray for me please! Satan is attacking my eyes. I have an illness, "shogrens sydrome". For several years, I have not been able to read. God gave me the very wonderful give to be able to read for 15-20 minutes at a time. Please pray for my eyes. I will NOT give up! The Lord wants me to take this journey to strive to be a "Godly Woman". Also, my hands are crippling and painful since I have been writing. "He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world."

I praise you Daddy God for all that you are; more that in this life we will know. We praise you oh God, the father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, forever and ever.

You can study what the definition of "GOD" means according to the "Holman's Bible Dictionary" at this site: http://www.studylight.org/dic/hbd/view.cgi?number=T2335 Be sure to click on the bible verse links to see God's word in this. HIS word is the only definition that counts.

Becoming a "Godly Woman" Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Sunset Road Baptist Church) — Fri, 8 Sep 2006 20:01:00 -0700

August 12, 2006

Hello to all I love. This is Chalma. I have been invited to share what the Lord teaches me for Sunset Road Baptist Church's web site and I am sending what He teaches me to others that I love.

I am on a journey to understand how to become a "Godly Woman". I invite you to join me on this journey and learn with me.

Many of you are aware that I have spinal rheumatoid arthritis. I stayed in constant agony and was sent to Duke for help. I was told at that time that this disease was no longer responding to medicine for pain and the slowing down of the disease. (Please forgive me if it seems that I am going around my elbow to get to my thumb.) It's important though for you to see the extent that my Lord had to go to in order to knock me down that I looked up to see many spiritual needs in my life.

I was sent to the Charlotte Pain Center in hopes that they may use their knowledge to calm down my pain. This past week, I was given nine shots at one time in hopes of calming the pain that rages up and down my spine to go throughout my joints. I asked if soon I maybe able to function enough to do some of the things I used to do and be able to minister to others at least sometimes. I was informed that my body would only get worse. I needed to accept the fact that I would never be free from pain.

I am so glad that the background which woke me up is finally shared. Yes, I have become quite the crier. The tears just seem to come and I cannot stop. I was taught not to cry. It showed weakness in a person. I thank Steve Bass for teaching me tears are a gift from heaven and many times God can use them to minister to others. Well, God gave a lot of these to me. As I cried going home, the Lord shook me and reminded me that my greatest desire had always been to be a Godly woman. The bible emphasizes many times the importance of women becoming Godly and an example of certain things He wants them to practice, that the younger women maybe taught early and look forward to being an example themselves.

I made such a terrible, terrible mistake. As I spent much time teaching others, I would always ask the Lord what those I was teaching at the time would need and He used me through the Holy Spirit and the word of God to minister to them.

This is all good, as long as you don't become too busy to listen to what the Lord is trying to teach YOU PERSONALLY. This was one of my big sins that Satan blinded me to.

Goodness! Here I am "an elderly" woman, I prefer "Senior Citizen" because of the discounts you maybe given.

I had to pray first for forgiveness of ignoring my own spiritual needs.

A "Godly Woman"... I want to know all that means. I asked God to please teach me through the word and other means. If I am to be "Godly"... I feel that word means to show both all Godly ways and characteristics.

Here is where I must stop... I have to learn all I can about God. If I ask each of you "Who is God?" many answers would be given. He is many things and reveals Himself to us to meet our present needs.

Jesus left only two commandments. Matthew 22:37-39 "seems easy enough":
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

The second commandment cannot be done until we have fulfilled the first commandment.

I thought I did this. No, no... I have to understand my God first and then as I learn more about Him, He will His kind of love He is talking about in both commandments so they can be obeyed.

So... here I am, back again, to my desire to be a Godly woman. WOW! What a circle!

God, will you please teach me who you are by any means you choose. I lack the love of God that I beg you to give me. Thank you Lord! - Chalma.

God, as I asked, put into my hand an audio tape that I had listened to a long time ago. The name of the tape is "Cries of the Heart" by Ravi Zacharias (When All Seems Wrong)

Every word I say is his. He starts by this sentence "Bringing God near when He feels so far".

Five descriptions of God are shared for all who hear, to learn and to keep in their hearts:

Take comfort in the fact that the battle is not yours, but His.
Draw comfort that God is in history.
Remember that He is the God who was, who is and who will be the same as yesterday.
God is sovereign over history. We are to study and proclaim the Lord's death in the past and look forward to His physical presence at any second!
God moves in mighty and loving ways in all of our situations, to give unique and surprising opportunities to witness for our Lord.

Whew! Well, that is enough for me to learn and hide in my heart and in my spirit for right now. Thank you Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit!

May the Light and Love of God be with us all.

Chalma

The Three Crosses

noreply@blogger.com (Sunset Road Baptist Church) — Fri, 8 Sep 2006 19:57:00 -0700

The First Cross - Cross of Rejection
Luke 23:39
The first cross represents those who hear the word of God and still reject Jesus. Isaiah 53 says prophesy of Jesus sufferings on the cross and it says that he is despised and rejected by men. Rejection of Jesus sends you to hell.

The Second Cross - Cross of Repentance
Luke 23:40-42
The second cross represents turning from sin toward Jesus. A complete turn around, recognizing that Jesus has just made you a new person. We need more of Jesus today because more and more people are rejecting the truth as prophesied in the Bible. We're told to spread the gospel and not be ashamed. Go out in the hedges and bring them in. In this day and age, many people that are unsaved will not grace their presence in the church ever.

Third cross - Cross of Redemption
Luke 23:43 and Luke 23:46
The third cross represents redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus' blood. No one can save us, but Jesus. The angels said you shall call His name of Jesus for He shall save his people. The Lord blesses thee.

Numbers 6:24
He will make previsions for you. Our blessing from God is speaking well of Him and his blessings are doing good for us.

Romans 1:8
Those the Lord blesses are surely blessed. (Happiness & Joy). The joy of our Lord is our Strength. (Scripture - the joy of the Lord is our strength and through his blessing we received His joy that can come only from Him not matter what circumstances we are in. If we surrender ourselves to His sovereign will.

John 10:29
He blesses us and he will keep thee.

Ephesians 4:30
Devine protection as we stay in the center of His will for us. We can chose to go our own way, outside of His divine will, but we cannot expect to protect us because we are not where we should be.

You Never Walk Alone

noreply@blogger.com (Sunset Road Baptist Church) — Fri, 8 Sep 2006 19:52:00 -0700

I use to teach at Oaks Rest Home and I remember an elderly woman who was completely bed ridden, but she was able to use her arms. Her name was Mrs. Christian. I don't remember her first name, because I would always call her Mrs. Christian out of respect and because I loved her name - Christian.

Mrs. Christian was married to a wealthy lawyer before being placed in the rest home. She had no children and had been in search of her only living relative, a niece for a very long time. Mrs. Christian took me as her spiritual daughter and we spent a lot of time together.

Mrs. Christian was filled with the Holy Spirit and although she was bed ridden, she had found several ways to minister to those around her. She set up a call ministry where she would call people, share the word of God and witness to those in need. She would crochet crosses and given them away as a ministry and she contributed articles to the rest home's weekly newsletter.

I remember whenever I would complain about my aches and pains to the Lord and ask Him why me, why have you deserted me, I would be immediately reminded of Mrs. Christian. It were as though the Holy Spirit was saying to me, "Why not you? Aren't you ashamed?"

In one of Mrs. Christian's contributions to the newsletter, she wrote the following and shared it with me.

Written by: Mrs. Christian
As taught by the Holy Spirit

YOU NEVER WALK ALONE

"You never walk alone my son though you may think you do for in sorrow and despair God always walks with you. There is no hour, no passing day He is not by your side. And though unseen He is still is there to be your friend and guide. When ever you think you walk alone reach out and you find the hand of God to show the way to bring you piece of mind."

NO LONGER
As quick as a prayer can bring Him, He answered my calling aid and doors that were locked sling open and I am no longer afraid. No evil has power to touch me as long as I am His own and placing my feet in his foot steps I find I'm no longer a lone.

He shows me the wisdom of patience. Consoles when the going is rough. And pleasures that use to entice me are strangely no longer enough. With him I find a completeness fulfilling my dearest hope. He lends me his shoulder to lean on when I can no longer cope.

The joy that surrounds His presence enriches me greater than gold. His gentle hands lift the burden that I can no longer hold. He dresses the wounds of my spirit inflicted at such a cost. He reaches for me through the darkness and I am no longer lost.

For I am the captive He ransomed the reason for which He came and touched by his infinite mercy my heart is no longer the same. Born without any possessions, what do I care when these be gone for I belong to the Master and I am no longer my own.

The Judgement Seat Of Christ For Believers

noreply@blogger.com (Sunset Road Baptist Church) — Fri, 8 Sep 2006 19:44:00 -0700

WORKS THAT WILL STAND

(GOLD) = Deity and divine activity.

Did you let God work through you? Was this work done in the name of Jesus, for his honor and glory, and to magnify his name as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

(SILVER) = Redemption.
Silver when it is refined, shows a bright reflection, Were you a reflection of Christ in your life? Did this work illuminate Jesus and present him as the Son of God, Savior of the world according to scripture? Were Lives changed and people led to Jesus or drawn closer to him through this work?

(PRECIOUS STONES) = Fellow believers.
Did this work uplift, edify, strengthen and encourage other Christians? Priests in the tabernacle wore 12 different precious stones to symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel as they served as Israel's spiritual leaders. Christians are described as stones in (I Peter 2:5) "Ye also as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ"

WORKS THAT WILL BURN

(WOOD) = Humanity.
Was the work done in your own strength, as you pleased? Was the motive for self glory and prestige of men? Was it done because others said to do it? Did this work encourage others to look at each other, themselves?

(HAY) = The root meaning in Greek is court or garden; pretty on the outside, but shallow on the inside.
Hay also is defined as grass having a hollow stalk. A life and work may look strong and good on the outside and be empty in reality. Hay is also easier to build with and less costly to use, but has no inner strength when tested. Works with these qualities will burn.

(STUBBLE) = Short stalks of grain left in the ground after reaping. In other words, the waste or leftovers.
Did you give God the very best that you had; or what was Left over? Was there sacrifice involved or just the leftovers'? Did the work require effort: and self denial or the leftovers?Our lives should be so structured that our honest prayer would be as John stated in (I John 2:28) "And, now little children, abide in him, that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming."

THE REWARDS GIVEN AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

A place of service and ruling. (Matt. 25:21) "His lord said unto him, well done thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Rev. 4:10) "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth." We shall reign as the bride of Christ not for self glory, but for Jesus' glory.

The victor's crown. Scripture lists at least 5 different crowns to be given.

1). THE INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN - This is given to believers who faithfully run the race, and who crucify selfish desires to Lead others to Jesus. (I Cor 9:24-25) "Know ye not that they who run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?! So, run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible."

2). THE SOUL WINNERS CROWN - It will be given to all born again believers who witness to the saving of God. (I Thess. 2: 19-20) "For what is our hope, or joy or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?"

3). THE CROWN OF LIFE - This is for those believers who endure trials and tribulations or severe sufferings, sometimes even unto death. (James 1:12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." Look up (Rev. 2:8-11) for details.

4). THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - This is for the believers who love the appearing of Christ, who anxiously wait and look forward to the day when he will return for his saints (II Timothy 4:8) "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

5). THE CROWN OF GLORY - This will be given to the ministers who faithfully feed the flock. (I Peter 5:4) "And when the Chief Shepherd: shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

WHAT WE WILL DO WITH THESE CROWNS

We will give them back to Jesus and praise him forever and ever! These are the victors' crown that we will receive and we will know and acknowledge that HE is our victory. We will cast them before his throne and worship, praise and adoration. (Rev. 4:10) "The four and twenty elders fall down before him that is seated on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne, saying , Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created .

"Only to Jesus and him alone, belongs the Kingly Crown; for he is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We will praise him for all eternity! "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."