Christmas, Just an "Exchange Religion"?

from Senior Pastor Timothy Satryan

A few years ago, in an article in World magazine, Marvin Olasky noted that the emphasis on material gifts at Christmas may make us think of Christianity as just one more “exchange religion” – meaning, you do something for a god, who will then do something for you. The pagan citizens of Rome some 2,000 years ago readily recognized what “liberalitas” were – giving to please the receiver of the gift, who will then at some point want to please you. The common mind set of ancient Rome was that it was better to give than to receive, because by clever giving to wealthy friends, you could receive more in return back from them. Unfortunately, they applied the same concept theologically, offering sacrifices as investments.

Those early believers in Christ did something far different than the pagans. They practiced “caritas,” providing help to the economically poor, without any expectation of receiving something in return. They did that to imitate Christ, who was unjustly abandoned, tortured and killed for the sake of all who believe in Him. They praised God’s willingness to pour his grace over those who had done nothing to earn it.

Christmas is about God’s caritas. While today we display artistic scenes of the baby Jesus lying in a manger as a way to decorate for Christmas, we need to take time to recognize that the incarnation for God was the most humiliating action that could ever happen. For God to become flesh, to leave heaven and become a part of His own creation, is far worse than if you or I had born as a dog.

And yet, Christ showed caritas right to the last, by telling one of the thieves dying alongside Him that they would be together in paradise.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 5.48. Live for God, on purpose, demonstrating the true spirit of Christmas giving – giving even as Christ gave of Himself.

Keep Shining

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Keep Shining

The Four Candles burned slowly. Their Ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...

The first candle said, “I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit.” Then Peace’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.

The second candle says, “I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable.” Then Faith’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.

Sadly the third candle spoke, “I Am Love and I haven’t the strength to stay lit any longer.” “People put me aside and don’t understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.” And waiting no longer, Love goes out completely.

Suddenly... a child enters the room and sees the three candles no longer burning. The child begins to cry, “Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end.”

Then the Fourth Candle spoke gently to the little boy, “Don’t be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles.”

With Shining eyes the child took the Candle of Hope and lit the other three candles. Never let the Flame of Hope go out of your life. With Hope, no matter how bad things look and are... Peace, Faith and Love can Shine Brightly in our lives.

What Do You Do When You Feel....?

What Do You Do When You Feel...?


Anger
• Ephesians 4:26 – In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

• Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Anxiety
• Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• Psalm 94:19 – When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Brokenhearted
• Psalm 34:18 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Confused
• 1 Corinthians 14:33 – For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the congregations of the saints.

• 1 Corinthians 2:16 – But we have the mind of Christ.

Depressed
• Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

• Psalm 34:17, 19 – The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles... A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

Discouraged
• John 14:1 – Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.

• Hebrews 10:35 – So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

Fearful
• 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

• 1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

• Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

Guilt
• 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

• Romans 8:1 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Helpless
• Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

• Psalm 33:20 – We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.

Insecure
• Romans 8:31 – What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

• Psalm 71:5 – For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.

Lonely
• Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

• Psalm 68:6 – God sets the lonely in families, He leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Lustful
• 2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

• Galatians 5:16 – So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Persecuted
• John 15:20 – Remember the words I spoke to you: “No servant is greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also.

• Romans 12:14 – Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

• Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Sad
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

• Isaiah 61:1-3 – The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.

Tempted
• 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Unforgiveness
• Matthew 6:14-15 – For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

• Mark 11:25 – And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Unloved
• Jeremiah 31:3 – The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”

• 1 John 4:7, 11 – Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. . . Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Weak
• Romans 8:26 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Weary
• Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

• Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Worried
• Matthew 6:31, 33, 34 – So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”... But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

• Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.

• Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.

You Are Part Of Christ's Body On Earth

You Are Part Of Christ's Body On Earth

1 CORINTHIANS 12 NLT

12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up
only one body. So it is with the body of Christ.
17 Suppose the whole body were an eye--then how would you hear?
Or if your whole body were just one big ear, how could you
smell anything?
18 But God made our bodies with many parts, and he has put each
part just where he wants it.
21 The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The
head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you."
22 In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least
important are really the most necessary.
27 Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of
you is a separate and necessary part of it.

Scripture says we are a Body -- not just that we are "like a
body." You ARE connected to everyone who acknowledges Jesus
Christ as Lord -- whether you like them, or think they are
necessary, or not. Whatever happens to ANY member of the Body
does have an affect on EVERY member.

Remember this the next time you are tempted to speak ill of
another believer, or mistreat them. Even if they don't believe
exactly like you, or go to the same church -- they are still
connected to you in Christ. So be nice to your Body!

SAY THIS: I am a member of Christ's Body on earth. Today I will
let Jesus Christ manifest His love and wisdom through me.

Five Qualities of a Servant's Heart

Five Qualities of a Servant’s Heart

The Heart of a Servant Is Humble – What is humility? Humility is not denying your strengths. Humility is being honest about your weaknesses. Humility is when you’re so focused on serving other people that you don’t even think about yourself. “All of you must put on the apron of humility to serve one another. For God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

The Heart of a Servant Is Compassionate and Loving – Sympathy is when you say, ‘I’m sorry you are hurt.’ Empathy is when you say, ‘I hurt with you.’ But compassion is when you say ‘I’ll do anything I can to stop your hurt.’ In Matthew, chapter 9, the Bible says that Jesus was filled with compassion.

The Heart of a Servant Is Obedient – A servant obeys God, not out of convenience, but conviction. A lot of people want to serve the Lord if it’s convenient, but a real servant will serve the Lord from conviction. “The one thing required of a servant is that he be faithful to his master.” 1 Corinthians 4:2

The Heart of a Servant Is Not Selfish – A servant will put others before himself. He will relinquish his rights in order to serve others. It was once said that the true way to joy in our lives is Jesus first, Others second, You (ourselves) last. “Jesus gave up everything and became a slave when He became like one of us.” Philippians 2:7

The Heart of a Servant Encourages Others – A true leader will build up those around him. A true leader makes those around him better people with his words, actions and reactions. “Encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Keep Your Fork-The Best is Yet to Come

Keep Your Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live.
So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparingto leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request" said the pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who arein need of encouragement.'In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.'
It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?". Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork ... the best is yet to come."
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?"
And over and over he smiled. During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Feed My Sheep

Edward, the author of this message has painted the above picture of Jesus. You can see Edward also in the above photo. Edward is a co-worker with us, hailing from Vegas, USA.


When Jesus heard of it, He departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed Him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick. And when it was evening, His disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto Him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, He blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children (Matthew 14:13-21).

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And His disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children (Matthew 15:32-38).

In God's family today there is a famine and a drought going on. This is not a only a famine of hearing God's truth harshly being spoken out by our apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, but a famine within the body itself. The love of many in the church has waxed cold, as foretold by Jesus in Matthew 13:15.

"For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them".

John 21:16 : "He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep".

As we read above, Jesus desires us to feed His sheep. But in today's churches, there are those who are unwilling to serve, yet they desire only be be waited on themselves. This goes beyond the example the Lord gave to us when He washed the disciples' feet:

"After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded" (John 13:5).

If we, as the body of Christ, desire to be more like Him, if we desire to "put on Christ", then it is time that we do as the Master did and rise up from being served ourselves, laying aside our garments in complete humility, and washing the feet of the saints (John 13:4).

We need to "take heed" and stop looking to our own selfish needs, and set our eyes on the feeding of the church of God, of which the Lord has made us all overseers . Acts 20:28.

Remembering that in our faith, the Lord will also clothe us. Matthew 6:30.

And we must also do this because we love the Lord, and we love his church, laying aside any obligation and any thought of reward. Remember, Jesus will never force us to serve others, yet again, we are showing Jesus how much we love him by serving others. This is the way to show the unadulterated, simple, unrestrained, but immense love of the Lord that resides within each of our hearts to others. This is the way that we need, and are called, to witness (1 Corinthians 13:3).

Are you willing to feed the 5,000 plus? Are you willing to feed the 4,000 plus? Then start today. In His ministry Jesus fed a total of 9,000 plus people with only 12 loaves and a few fish. This is a true miracle that Jesus gave us. But He has empowered us today to perform the same miracle. How many loaves of bread, how many fish does it take to witness the love of Jesus to the church, and the world today? I encourage the body of Christ to remember the words of Jesus:

"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many," remembering that revival tarries even in our hearts, because we do not as in the early church and have all things in common (Acts 2:44).

May the Love of Christ fall on us all

A Kindom Offering

A Kindom Offering

"And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all." Luke 21:3

A friend of mine was telling me about a teaching that she had heard on the difference between being a "kingdom person" or a "church person". She said that the teaching was very good, but when the preacher got ready to take up the offering, what he said really bothered her. He told the congregation not to give a "church" offering, but to give a "kingdom" offering- (from all accounts he meant that they should put in a big offering that was becoming of someone who was blessed and favored of the Lord).

I would like to clarify something, just because you put "big" offerings in the offering plate doesn't necessarily mean that you are a "kingdom" person. One day Jesus was sitting near the treasury watching people come and put money in the offering. In this story He mentioned two different people- those who were rich with plenty to spare and a poor little widow woman with only two mites. He was also showing us a picture of "kingdom" people and "church" people. Kingdom people are those who give everything without reservation to God (whether it's a little or a lot); they are those who don't hold anything back from Him no matter what it cost them; they don't give to be seen of man. In the story of the rich young ruler, the thing that stopped him from "entering into the kingdom of God" wasn't the fact that he didn't give, it was the fact that he wasn't willing to give it all- he wasn't willing to give everything he had to God; holding nothing back for himself. (Luke 18:18-24) Church people, on the other hand, give but they always make sure that they save something for themselves to fall back on should they need it (they give "out of their abundance"). They also like for others to notice what they are giving.

Being a "kingdom" person is a state and condition of the heart,"The kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21b) - not the amount you give, not the ability to give big offerings, it's not how much you posses materially, it's not what kind of car you drive or house you live in or name brand clothes you wear. Thank God if you can give big offerings, but the size of the offering doesn't determine who is and who isn't a kingdom person.

Have a great day. A real kingdom offering is... yourself (given without reservation to God).

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Welcome to My Sharing Blog

Welcome to my sharing blog, please make any comments that you have by clicking on the word Comment under this post. I would love to hear your comments and views even if you disagree we can still be agreeable. May God bless you and yours.

Love, Alice

Checking

Ok checking this blog the printing was hard to read in the previous one I posted.
I hope it shows up this time or I will have to delete this blog if people cannot read it.

Love, Alice