CHRISTMAS DAY: DON'T FORGET THE PAIN AND SORROW
BY DEVVY KIDD
republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
By: Devvy
December 25, 2016
NewsWithViews.com
December 25, 2016
NewsWithViews.com
"I
hold the precepts of Jesus, as delivered by himself, to be the most
pure, benevolent, and sublime which have ever been preached to a man."
Thomas Jefferson to Jared Sparks, November 4, 1820
Today
is the big day. Christians around the world are celebrating the birth
of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lots of cheer, the Christmas tree,
gifts and too much snow in many places. I hope everyone is able to be
with their loved ones this day. Family is what makes our lives worth
living, at least for me. Of course, our troops are still not home, but
I'm not going to use this column for any commentary on the war. Just
wish to say God bless our troops and their families. I also wish to
send God's blessings to everyone and hope this day brings joy in your
heart.
Know
one of the things I think about today? I think about the Blessed Mother
and her pain of bringing forth a child into the world knowing that one
day she would see her son die in the most horrific manner because that
is what Almighty God intended:
John
3:16-17 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved.
Mary
must have treasured each day with Jesus as He grew to manhood. The pain
the Blessed Mother went through as she watched her son die a slow agonizing
death must have been beyond what most of us can imagine. As I mother,
I cannot even imagine such pain and sorrow. When my daughter had surgery
(three times), I just sat there like a lump praying to God that He keep
her safe through the operations. The agony of Mary bringing forth the
savior of the world for you and me knowing the outcome. How can we not
weep to think of it?
Our
Heavenly Father promised us through his son, Jesus Christ, that if we
lived by his commandments and repented of our sins, our reward when
we leave this human body would be greater than any earthly riches. As
I am fond of saying, eternity is a long time.
God
commands us not to sin: Kill, lie, cheat, steal, commit adultery, worship
false gods, honor our parents and so on. Unbelievably, today's modern
pastors of these mega social houses called churches who make millions
of dollars personally, care no more about saving souls than they do
about an ant on the sidewalk. This may offend some, but I've read a
load of material on Rick Warren and Joel Osteen (who gives me major
creep factor) and I wonder what Bible they preach from? I see these
IRS sanctioned churches of all denominations who have allowed themselves
to be silenced and instead, preach feel good rhetoric instead of what
each of us must do to enter the Kingdom of God. Heaven forbid they should
chastise their congregation and remind them of God's commandments and
the price they will pay for ignoring them!
For
those who admire Rick Warren, I say to you, beware
of this wolf cloaked in "good works":
"Best-selling
author, social activist and megachurch pastor Rick Warren described
the social gospel supported by many of the mainline churches as “Marxism
in Christian clothing. [W]e don't need to care about redemption, the
cross, repentance. All we need to do is redeem the social structures
of society and if we make those social structures better the world will
become a better place,” explained Warren as he described the beliefs
behind those who support the "social gospel," in his interview
with Beliefnet.com, which was posted Monday. “Really in many ways
it was just Marxism in Christian clothing,” he criticized."
We
don't need to concern ourselves with redemption, asking God to forgive
our sins? We don't need to care about the cross where Christ met the
most horrible death? The cross is the symbol that has given hope to
billions for over two thousands years by reminding us of Jesus' sacrifice
for us. What shocking words from a pastor.
I
would say given the state of the world and our republic, that mankind
has failed miserably in keeping God's Commandments. We are all sinners,
but we can ask for God's forgiveness. He knows what is really in your
heart no matter how you try to fool Him.
I
know people have great hope following Donald Trump's election, but I'm
sorry, 2017 is going to be a rocky one - especially
the economy. Millions will cry, "Please God, help me with the
rent or my car payment or just some money to buy food for my children!"
It's natural to ask for God's help, but I am wondering what He thinks
about these same people who ignore His commandments and then expect
a miracle on demand?
If
we desire God's blessings can we expect them if we lie, cheat, steal,
kill unborn babies in the womb, use His name as a curse word, wallow
in the filth of sexual deviancy, sleep around like dogs on the street
and worship mega pastors who lead their flocks astray? Can we expect
God's blessings by picking and choosing which of his commandments we
like even though the act of disobedience brings the stain of sin upon
our soul? Can we expect God's blessings by forgetting His gift to the
world, His son, Jesus Christ - except when we want something material?
I
know secularists in this country disparage people of faith and that
my questions are most likely considered corny. The good news is, I really
don't care. Secularism is a system of political or social philosophy
that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship. Those who believe
in nothing are but one heart beat away from eternity. I would not wish
to be in their place.
We
dearly love our spouses, parents, children and good friends, but God's
love above all is what we seek through his son, Jesus Christ. I believe
that's what today is all about, isn't it?
