The Advent Season

Advent means arrival and it refers to the arrival of Jesus Christ into the world. The Advent Season starts four weeks before Christmas and finishes with the celebration of Jesus' birth.
Churches celebrate the Advent Season in many different ways. My church starts the Advent Season off with a candle lighting, wreath hanging, and church decorating ceremony. We light the first candle during this ceremony and light the other three every Sunday morning worship up to Christmas. The four candles stand for:

Week 1 = Hope
Week 2 = Love
Week 3 = Joy
Week 4 = Peace

 

Churches celebrate the advent season because it helps Christians reflect upon an event that happened over 2,000 years ago when Jesus Christ came to earth in human form. The Bible tells us,
"The Word became flesh and the made His dwelling among us." (John 1:14)

 

God became man because He loves us and wants every one of us to spend eternity with Him.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
Jesus was Wonderful because He did many miracles and "The people wondered" (Luke 11:14)
Jesus was the most amazing counselor to ever live because "No one ever spoke the way this man does." (John 7:46)

Jesus is The Mighty God because He and God the Father are one. (John 10:30)
Jesus is the Prince of Peace because there will be no lasting peace on Earth until He comes again and defeats Satan. Also, none can have peace with God without knowing Jesus and becoming cleansed by His precious blood. (Colossians 1:20)
Jesus can become all of these things and more to you if you let Him. All you need to do is accept the free gift of salvation that is already given to you. All you need do is "take hold of the eternal life to which you were called." (1 Timothy 6:12)

 

by James Apple Jr.

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Christians in Conflict - 3 Step Solution

I am personally involved with a church that is experiencing a time of conflict. This conflict is not coming from outside the walls of the church as one would expect, but from within. The circumstances behind this conflict is not important, only the damage upon the church from this disagreement is of true concern. If not resolved as soon as possible, this damage has the potential to be more devastating than anything secular opposition could bring against the church within such a short amount of time. When a church body is united as one, nothing can come against her. But, when a church is split, the church is weak and very susceptible to attacks by Satan from all directions. Satan will use the instability in the church to his advantage and will use it to turn people away from Christ.
Unfortunately, this problem with Christians in conflict is nothing new. Much of the writings of Apostle Paul to the early churches had to do with conflict within their own congregations and misinterpretations of Paul's teachings. It only makes sense to believe that Christians in conflict is a reality that is with us to stay, but what are the steps to a Godly resolution when conflict rears its ugly head within the church body?

Step 1 - Resolve in a Loving Way

I believe the 1st and most important step to resolving differences in the church body is to always do it in a loving way.
Jesus taught us this in John 13:35, when He said:

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Christians must be careful to do everything in love, this is just as true when dealing with internal conflict because not only could a church drive away unbelievers with unloving actions, but may also drive away believing members within its own church body. The negative effects of outsiders looking in at the internal conflict within the church is bad enough, the church must take extra precautions to ensure that the damage does not fester from within and send their members running away to another church.

Step 2 - Resolve with Scripture

Now that we know that we are to first use love, next the church must rely on God's Holy Word for guidance to finding the best resolution for the church. As humans, our first basic instinct is to allow our fear or anger to take over, which may lead us to sin. I believe the church body must count back from 10, take a long deep breath and cling to the biblical teachings most mature Christians know very well. Only then, will the church be resolving its differences according to God's will.

 

I believe christians in conflict should pray and meditate on God's word for guidance. One great scripture for a church to turn to would be:
Philippians 2:1-11 - If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Step 3 - Who's church is it anyway?

My last step for Christians in conflict to find resolution is for everyone to remember that the church belongs to Jesus, not man. If you are a Christian, and you find yourself supporting something that hurts the church. You must remember that you are supporting something that is hurting Christ as well. Does the source of the conflict originate because of a discrepancy against God or man? Is someone upset because of personal reasons or for Godly reasons? One must put personal beliefs and feelings aside and remember that the church belongs to Jesus. If you are on the side that goes against what is best for the church, you may be sinning against God and need to pray for forgiveness and ask God to give you a mind like Christ in order to understand His will for the church. Church members must remember that no matter how long he or she has been a member of a church and no matter how deeply they believe a church should follow a path they feel is appropriate; the path and will of God may be different from their own.

 

I know this 3 step plan makes finding resolution for Christians in conflict seem much easier than it really is in most situations. For many churches, it will take a lot of time and healing to recover from their internal wounds. However, I pray these 3 steps may be used as a simple guide for church members and leaders to use.
Please join me in prayer to help churches everywhere to find resolution in accordance to God's will.
by James Apple Jr.

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You Don't Look for Jesus - He is Looking for You

You Don't Look for Jesus - He is Looking for You

Today, as I was silently praying for the lost, I was laying special emphasis on a few words in my prayer that were directed toward those I know personally. I was praying over and over, "Lord, help them find you! ... Lord, help them find you!"


Then, Suddenly it hit me! What am I saying? ...This makes no sense! Why am I praying for them to find You? You haven't gone anywhere. You have always been there for all of us. These people do not need to look for Jesus. Jesus is looking for you!


In fact, Jesus makes himself more available to the lost than He does the saved!

Luke 19:10 tells us "For the Son of Man came to seek and the save what was lost."


We know this to be true from the way He lived his life. He always jumped at the opportunity to witness to the sinful and lost.


Why? Because He loves all of us and wants everyone to be with Him in Heaven. He wants all the lost to be led to righteousness.


Mark 2:17 says "... 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'"

In Luke 19:1-10 Jesus was a guest of the known sinner and tax collector, Zacchaeus.

In John 8 Jesus stopped the agry mob from stoning to death the adultress by saying, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

Jesus was not concerned with the status quo! He always did what was necessary to bring the lost to salvation. Because He loves them! Just like He did with the calling of the Levi.

27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" Luke 5:27-30

There are other examples that I could mention, but not needed because the point is clear. There is no need for Christians to pray for the lost to find Jesus. Jesus has been there all along.

You see, Jesus is a gentleman! He is standing at the door and he is knocking. All we have to do is open the door and let Him in.

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20

I ask all Christians reading this post to pause for a moment and pray for the lost to open their hearts to Jesus. Many know that He is there and hear Him there knocking, but can't let Him in because the world has hardened their hearts. We should pray that something will break the barrier they have placed around their hearts and allow the love of Jesus to fill their Souls!