So, This is Christmas

Here it is, that time of year that the entire world, in one way or another, will celebrate Christmas.  Many will go through this special season and that is all that will be recognized, that being that it is a special time of the year.  Perhaps to some, it is the conclusion of one year and the beginning of another.  To some it will be all about family, or all about Santa.  While to others it will be  ecclectic in that it will be a mixture or combination of a variety of types of celebrations.  While listening to special music, eating special seasonal foods, giving and receiving of gifts, etc.  It is the most wonderful time of the year.

However, we as Christians must remember who this celebration is all about.  That being the birth of The Lord Jesus Christ.   The incarnation of Christ Jesus, the Son of God.   It is a wonderful occasion and a wonderful truth for the whole world.  Consider Luke 1:31-33 to know who this baby was.
What Child is this?  This, this is Christ The Lord.

In the text:  His Name is Jesus:  Yeshua in the Hebrew, God is our savior.
                   This Child is the Savior. See also, Mt.1:21.
                  He shall be Great:  Splendid, Magnificent, Great in Being, Life
                                                 The Sinless Savior
                  The Son of the Highest:  The Son of God
                  The Sovereign:  Given the throne of His father David

This Baby that was born there that night was and is:  The Savior of Sinful Men
                                                                                     The Sinless Son of God
                                                                                     The Sovereing Lord of all

Celebrate, we must celebrate that God would descend to mankind and dwell among us that He might saves us from our sins.  Praise God for the Christ of Chrismas and the Glory of God Incarnate (Jn.1:14).

Threats, Intimidation, Deceit

Ammendment One Opponents Are Saying: a) That the Ammendment itself is worded in a way that is confusing. (What is it that they dont get? "Marriage between on man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be vaalid or recognized in this State.") Doesnt appear to be difficult to understand to any one that can read. b) That Ammendment One is unnecessary, since homosexual marriage is already illegal in North Carolina. (Knowing that a good liberal judge/court has been able to change this in other states and that an ammendment to the constitution could not be so lightly and liberrally treated.) c) That Passage of Ammendment One would unfairly remove basic civil right from some citizens. ( Do they mean the right of some to engage in homosexual marriage? No one, in the history of the world has ever had that right. They have created yet another new "right". d) That Passage of Ammendment One will hurgt the economy of North Carolina. (Fact: American Legislative Exchange Council: Rank states by economic performance and outlook: Eight ofthe top ten performing states have marriage ammendments whereby none have legalized homosexual marriages. Nine of the ten states forecast to have the poorest economic growth have legalized homosexual marriage. Now the truth concerning the possibilities of invalidating domenstic violence laws, nullifying medical power of attorney, wills and trusts, child custody and visitation rights. The answwer to all of the preceeding is a resounding "NO", "NO"! Think about the "How". This Ammendment will not affect the legal aspects of any of these. Now, how deceitful do the opponents want to be? Seemingly as deceitful as necessary to have homosexual relationships legalized by redefining marriage. One thing they will never accomplish is the altering of God's Word. What He has said He has meant and meant to be forever. I rest in His Word and His Word alone. Threats, insults, intimidations, and deceit are to be expected from an immoral society or culture. Christians are expected to be Christians and stand for the Word of God. Someone once said: A man who stands for nothing will probably fall for anything.

Same Sex Marriage

A simple way to summarize the Bible's teaching on sexuality is to begin with God's blessing is only withing the marriage covenant between a man and a woman. Sex outside that covenant relationship is expicitly forbidden, regardless of the alternative expressions form. Every believer knowsthat prohibitions are for our good. The Bible prohibits all same sex acts and behaviors. Therefore we know that homosexuality is a sin and to bless it or approve of it is sin as well. Marriage is a public institution. Historically societies have granted special recognition and privileges to marriage because it is the central organizing institution of all society. Marriage regulates relationships, sexuality, human reproduction, lineage, kinship, as well as family structure. Marriage regulates morality. This Ammendment One issue is about the redefining of reproduction and parenthood. It means that the replacement of something that has been the "social" order by the adoption of a new morality. All of this chaos simply because sinful man refuses to accept the true love of the true God. That by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that men must be saved from their sins. May God grant mercy to the unbeliever that he would believe God and take God at His Word.

Same Sex Marriage: AKA Ammendment One

It Gets Complicated in Our Sin Cursed Culture

Would you have ever imagined in your lifetime that even the simplest things in life have developed into major complications? Marriage for example, is basically a simple institution. An institution that was "ordained" by our Creator and is designed by Him with great purposes and plans. The structure is simple, it is to be between one man and one woman til death do us part (that's a lifetime of covenant together). Companionship through marriage was the first mention of purpose and then the byproduct of that relationship was the perpetuation and propagation of the human race. Pretty simple and concise, huh? Why the complications? Well along came sinful man that thinks, for some reason, that he himself has become the creator. Thus recreation is his goal. Lets redefine marriage so that it allows for all of vices of humanity. Man says, "man with man" or "woman with woman". Count them as married and provide all the government provisions and free services that we can. Sinful man brought into marriage: a) deceit, b) infidelity, c) polygamy, d) adultery, e) fornication, f) homosexuality, g) divorce, h) remarriage, i) disfunctional families j) more personal debt k) child support, l) physical abuse, m) emotional abuse, and the list goes on. Now think of any or all of the preceeding as to the complications that are involved simply because we (mankind) have attempted to recreate Marriage. When will we ever learn that what God has joined...let no man put assunder. (See: Romans 1:18-32) The only hope that we have is to do things in a manner that honors what God designed and desires for our lives. Therefore we must return to our creator through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Reconciliation is a must and that can only occur upon repentance, regeneration, salvation through the sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. He is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only, but for the sins of the world. Even the Gospel of Christ is Simple, Salvation is simple for it is by grace and grace alone. Build your lives on the written Word of God, follow God's plan and desire and discover the abundant life that He and He alone can give. In Christ Jim

This is all about the Gospel

While men and women, from all ethnic backgrounds, are debating about "Ammendment 1" the time to vote draws nearer. Nearer for man to vote on an issue that was never meant to be a political issue no more than it could ever be just a "social" issue. This sinful topic was created by sinful man and is supposed to be resolved by sinful man. Could you imagine the outcome for this? It has to be a calamity one way or another. Any attempt that man has in resolving or changing what God has established has to be of no good nor Godly end. Fact of the matter is, that the marriage ammendment is not about rights, discrimination, benefits, nor any other humanitarian good. This is all about man and God. Or should I say, man and his rebellion toward God. I think that Romans 1 is quite clear on the matter. As the apostle Paul brings many issues to the table, including many sexual sins that were being practiced in that society, he does not home in on one particular vice but rather society and its attitude toward God. When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, changed the glory of the God into an image, changed the truth of God inot a lie, did not like to retain God in their knowledge; these are some of the ways that man treats his Creator and Maker. But not God has action to take as well. For example in vs 24 God gave them up to uncleaness, vs 26 God gave them over to vile affections, and then in verse 28 God gave them over to a reprobate mind. Now this sounds like a battle going on between man and God and mankind is losing. Man, in his degenerate condition, is in need of help. A true help that brings hope into his life. That hope is in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I marvel continuously at the effectual working of the gospel. Here man is in rebellion toward God and what was God's remedy? God's answer for sinful man and his rebellion is that Jesus, His Incarnate Son, gave His life on the cross for the sins of mankind. Through the gospel man that is sinful can be restored and reconciled unto God. He is ready to forgive and restore creation into a right relationship with Himself. Ammendment One is not the war, its just another attempt of mankind to dethrone the Sovereign God and my friend that will never be accomplished. Come to Christ and be saved, be at peace with God in a genuine God pleasing way. Jesus said, that "I am the way, the truth and the life..."

What Marriage is "NOT'

1)Marriage is not a casual institution. 2) It is not a social contract designed by man that was found useful in society for a while. 3) Marriage is not "bad". 4) Marriage is not the lesser of two evils because of the sexual relationship between two partners. 5) Marriage is not outdated or antiquated. 6) Marriage is not a temporary relationship. 7) Marriage is not between same sex partners. Passages for study: Genesis 2:1-25; Matthew 5:31-32, Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19; I Peter 3:3-7 Now, all of the above is from God's Word, the Bible. For any that do not believe the Bible, then all you have is your human reasoning and when left to itself leads us in various and diverse directions in life. For those of you who believe the Bible, then assuredly the directions are clear and without questions. Thank God for His obvious establishment for all society that has been perpetuated from generation to generation. Note: Please dont forget the rally "For Ammendment 1" the 20th of April at Halifx Mall in Raleigh, NC at 11am. The crowd is expected to be around 12,000 to 15,000. You may want to arrive early. I am told to expect a great day as masses cry out for a moral and righteous good.