CHRISTMAS 2005

" This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." [II Tim.3:1]

Who would have thought that the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would be under such great assault? And in our own country, no less. And by our own government agencies. We understand the godless and hateful groups that operate freely within this country, and their sworn duty to destroy the freedoms we have. We understand the politicians that will say anything to get elected, and then once they are, deposit their spines, consciences, and faith(if they had any) in the coat room and conveniently forget where they left them. We understand the retailers that operate under the premise of greed and profit only, and will try to appease everyone, Muslim, Jew, Cultist, Catholic, Atheist... everyone that is, but the professing Christian.

But Christmas? Why Christmas? Hey, it's really not about Christmas at all. It's just the inflammatory timing. The spilling over disdain for Biblical Christianity has finally come out of the closet, and they are roaring in their antichrist rhetoric and lawmaking. Our nation has abandoned its heritage. They have turned their backs on the true and living God and His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. They have become like the heathen and decadent lands of Europe and Asia . Perilous times have come and we all must meet the challenge of the day in which we live.

It is fruitless to depend on government to reverse the trend. They are not the same government, nor do they operate on the same premise. Former President Ronald Reagan opposed this modern idea of banning God from public life. He once said, "If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." He was right. But his kind aren't around anymore. Today they have no respect for the truth, neither do they know it, because in their world view, all things are relative, and there can be no absolutes. As in other lands historically, true Christianity becomes a threat to the plans and aspirations of all godless systems. It matters little what one professes - we live what we really believe, and when the two contradict - it's what one lives that teaches more than what one professes.

In perilous times special measures of grace are afforded to God's people to stand up for the truths and the faith, "once delivered unto the saints." Can God count on you? Or has the fact that Jesus Christ has been so openly rejected and despised once again discouraged you into doing nothing.? Keeping quiet. It could well be that your profession was an empty one and these times are manifesting the lack of genuine faith within. Christ is still calling you and waiting for you to realize your spiritual need of salvation through Him alone. He is still giving you another opportunity to receive Him as your personal Savior from sin as you repent toward God and trust Christ for your salvation. If you haven't received Him, won't you call on Him now and make sure of your salvation.

Christian, this is a great time to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. The world is proudly and openly mired in darkness. Let them see what Christmas is all about in you and from you. Surely we have more to be proud about and open as to our beliefs than the darkness. Don't be intimidated. Go on the offensive with the Gospel of Christ, for it is still, "...the power of God unto salvation to all that believe..." May God grant us all who believe a blessed time as we rejoice in the miraculous Incarnation of God being manifested in the flesh, as He came , "to seek and to save that which was lost."