Jesus Christ, A-Z

Visit the Recent Stories in the right panel.

Starting July 12th,
we’ll start with
A and work all the way to Z
for 26 weeks in an exciting new project titled

Alphabet Christ

Alphabet Christ is a collaborative project
with the message of Jesus Christ.

This project will be composed from those who have a passion for Christ,
and long for others to have a deeper walk with Him.

COLLABORATE WITH US!

If you have the gift of writing, contact Mark Ewing for more information
about how you can contribute to this project.

SPREAD THE WORD!

Let everyone know about our WordPress site, and be sure
to follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Yearly

Just as soon as the Christmas dinner leftovers are put away, all of the shreds of wrapping paper spread across the floor find their way to the trash, and after we’ve announced to the entire Twitter and Facebook world that we’re glad Christmas is finally over, most people begin thinking of the same thing… New Years Resolutions.

I’m gonna lose 20 lbs, I’m going to exercise more, I’m going to finally finish a book, I’m going to be a better person… These are the ones that are the most popular.  We set goals… Some are more unrealistic than others, but we have good intentions.  Statistics say that most people have given up on these goals before the beginning of February.  Wow… When there are 365 days in a year, statistically most people give up on their goals before 30 days.

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

⁹ The heart of man plans his way,
    but the Lord establishes his steps.

When we trust Jesus to direct our paths, we can accomplish so much more.  When we mut our creator in charge of our footsteps, we will walk in the right direction.  When we trust in Him, we won’t stop walking.  We will do what we’ve set out to do with His guidance, having the assurance that He is walking right along side of us.  He has never given up on us, so why give up on Him?

So, while you’re setting your goals these next few days, seek God for wisdom, and pray that He will guide you.  If you’re serious about a new start in 2013, make it known in your prayers.  Appoint Jesus as your tour guide in life, and admit that you might get lost on your own.  He will take you by the hand and lead you over the hills and through the valleys.  He’ll also help you get those 20 lbs off that you’ve been seeking to lose!

Questions to ask yourself…

1. Have you given up on your goals before seeing them come to pass?
2. Have you found yourself guilty of trusting your own direction rather than trusting in Jesus?
3. Are you willing to ride shotgun, and let Jesus take the wheel?

 

COMPOSED BY: Mark T Ewing

Xmas

At this time of year, there are sometimes conflicting views of how Christmas should be celebrated in America.  There are those in this country who recognize Christ as Savior, and they celebrate with recognition of His birth…  There are those who could care less either way, but still choose to celebrate, exchange gifts, and stuff themselves with ham on Dec 25th…  And there are the atheist groups who insist on being troublemakers.  In fact, a group has started problems in Century FL where they’ve demanded that the small town remove the nativity scene from in front of the town hall where it’s been located every December for decades.

Luke 2:1-20

New International Version (NIV)

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to himand was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays, Xmas…  Regardless of what you call it, Christmas is about the birth of Christ.  It always will be, whether a group wants to recognize it or not.

When you exchange gifts this year, take time to reflect on the birth of Christ… why He came, and why He left.  Why He started as a King, and became a child. and then became a King again… so that everyone could know what Christmas was really about.  Mercy, grace, and forgiveness by taking away the sin of the world so that we all could be free.  Merry Christmas, Dear Savior!

Questions to ask yourself…

1. Have you ever allowed a “scrooge” to distract you from the true meaning of Christmas?
2. Do you reflect on the birth of Christ during the holiday season?
3. Have you ever read the Christmas story from the gospels with your friends and family?

COMPOSED BY: MARK T EWING

Wasted

Alcohol…  Beer, Whiskey, Vodka… it used to be my vice of choice.  Many nights (and afternoons) were spent guzzling the addictive liquid in my past.  I consumed it for many reasons, none of which I can say honestly enhanced my life at that time or the one I live today.  When under the influence of this, my mind was impared.  Although I didn’t have concern for my problems during that time, they did however expose themselves the next morning, along with additional complications.

In today’s culture, including the one that involves many people who call themselves “Christ followers,” the consumption and enjoyment of alcohol is a hotly debated topic.  Many followers defend their right to consume, while others call it sin and steer far from it at all cost.

1 Peter 5:8  (NIV)

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

In this scripture, we are clearly instructed to be free from distractions that move us away from the great commission, because the enemy wants to destroy us.  He also wants to destroy those around us.  Imagine getting a call from a friend, and they tell you that they have a pistol in their lap, and you have 5 minutes to talk them out of it.  If impared by alcohol, or any other distraction for that matter… drugs, unnecessary worry, or even the Super Bowl… could you be ready to have the clear mind that is needed to thwart the enemy’s evil agenda?  I’ve gotten that call before.  I had to be ready.  Thank heavens, I was ready and sober minded.

Alcohol is fun.  If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be the billion dollar industry that it is.  If sin wasn’t fun, Satan wouldn’t have to work overtime to tempt us.  But sometimes the fun times can distract us from reaching that lost and dying world that needs us to be Christ in shoe leather.  If we’re wasted, so is that opportunity.  It can end in a bang.  Let’s not let that happen!

Questions to ask yourself…

1. Have you ever been distracted by a vice when you were needed on the spot?
2. Do you allow the things of the world to take you away from trusting in Christ?
3. Are you prepared to speak the gospel to someone at a moment’s notice?

COMPOSED BY: Mark T Ewing