Author: Jacobs, Jarrod

To observe Christmas as a “religious” holiday is wrong! It is wrong because the Bible has not authorized it. Friends, the day of Christ’s birth is not revealed in the Bible, and we need to respect that (cf. Deuteronomy 29:29). We also need to shun the speculation which says, “Christ had to have been born sometime, and December 25th is as good a day as any to celebrate His birth!” Let’s just obey what God has authorized, remember the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection, and leave our speculation out of it.

May God help us as we strive to cope with these present problems. May we humbly turn to God and submit to Him in all things. May this wake some up out of their spiritual slumber (Romans 13:11) and may many become Christians before it is too late (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Have you been following God’s pattern (Matthew 7:13-14)?? By refusing to follow the pattern we can read about in the New Testament, we are refusing God and turning our backs on Heaven (John 14:1-3). Let us remember that we glorify God and Christ when we lovingly follow the pattern that has been laid out for us in the Bible. Think about it!!!

Therefore, while “temperance” can have reference to one not drinking alcohol (1 Peter 4:3-4), we see that the definition of temperance encompasses much more than not drinking. The term “temperance” has an effect on all aspects of our lives as we learn to control our thoughts, words, and actions. As Paul said, “…bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). That is temperance!

I know I do not want to be in that number whom God rejects. I do not want to hear Him say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23). I do not want to hear my Lord tell me, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). Therefore, let us avoid the temptations which lead to such sins as fornication, and all the others mentioned in Galatians 5. Let us avoid these that we might stand pure and holy in His sight. Certainly, this is what our Lord wants from us (1 Timothy 5:22; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Our responsibility is to be engaged in “the works of God,” (Psalm 78:7; John 6:28-29; 1 John 3:7) not “the works of the flesh”! (Galatians 5:19)

Truly, baptism for the remission of sins is one of the most controversial subjects. The reason for this is because men do not want to do it! When we get our hearts right, we will want to do all that God has said. When we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15, 23-24). Dear reader, please consider your soul, and how important it is (Matthew 16:26)! Christ died for you (Matthew 20:28). Do not turn your back on Him, but do what is right by becoming His child today and living for Him all the days of your life (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

Yes, great things took place at Caesarea Philippi some 2000 years ago. Though we are separated by time and miles, we need to realize that the place is not what holds meaning to us, but what occurred there at the rugged slopes of Hermon, and the source of Jordan so long ago. This is what truly matters. This is the reverse of what many think. You see, from Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we have shown that rather than the place giving significance to the event, the event gave significance to the place!

Yes, God’s wants people to enjoy this life, from the young to the old. We need to remember, though, that there is a judgment coming for all of us, and God has a reason for that (Eccl. 11:9-10; Rom. 2:16; 2 Cor. 5:10; etc.)! God’s rules have reasons, and it is high time that we respect His laws and follow them. How much better this world would be, both physically and spiritually, if we simply followed the Lord’s will.

Are we living for God as we ought? Do we appreciate what God has said about these moral issues that come up from day to day? Yes, the Bible is a relevant book, and yes, God’s word has meaning for us today. Woe to anyone who thinks otherwise! Regardless of how “foolish” men think it is, it is our responsibility to preach and promote God’s word to a lost and dying world.

Hebrews 7:25 also says that the only ones Christ makes intercession for are those “that come to God by him” i.e. Christians! Seeing that this is true, only Christians have that right to the mediator, the daysman, between us and God.

Young people need our older brethren to take them by the hand and teach them all the counsel of God (Acts 20:20). We do not need back-slappers, and men who compromise “the faith once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3) to keep the young people interested. This is a detriment to spreading the borders of the kingdom, it is not an asset.