Pastor Roger Hatfield of the Bremen Holiness Church in Bremen, Ohio, sent this message in response to our question on this page a few weeks back:
It is an absolute necessity to keep the spiritual life of the church what it should be. We have two revivals per year to stir the saints and also evangelize the lost. I have pastor’d for over 30 years and have seen the mighty impact of anointed preaching and evangelism. And, I attend other area revivals as my schedule permits.
The real reason . . .
We also asked for your thoughts about being one of the “shoppers” who couldn’t miss the opening bell at stores offering “early bird” sales on Black Friday. We received this message from devoted enLighten listener, Debbie Bohrer of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin:
The excitement and anticipation of Christmas can be compared only to our Savior’s glorious resurrection! Now, THAT’S a reason to celebrate!!
The media hype, stores overstocked with more junk that we THINK we can’t live without, the weary clerks and travelers, and the general feeling of “controlled chaos” all play right into Satan’s hand. “Get the focus off Jesus” is the evil one’s command! And don’t we easily comply?! How right Jesus was to compare us to sheep!
On the expressway, we once followed a tractor trailer carrying a load of live sheep. Seeing their noses pressing against the grates gave me cause to picture us the same way. “Come on, fellow lambs, this guy is taking us for a once in a lifetime ride in his shiny truck! This will be fun! He promised fresh hay, cool water and a new adventure. All aboard!”
And don’t we do the same thing? “Gotta get the newest phone gadget for my teen so she can have yet another reason to not communicate with me; little toddler HAS to have more toys … otherwise I might actually have to read him a story; my husband will just LOVE the new golf club which will provide him with yet another reason not to take us to church, etc. Keep the focus off Jesus. Come on, this will be fun!
How we must break God’s heart. He gave the only Perfect gift. His Son. He alone is the reason we have forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus alone! And, if you decide to accept His gift, you’ll possess the greatest joy you’ll ever know! Priceless. No returns. One size fits all. Get the focus ON Jesus and watch His peace wrap you and His love be the ribbon that ties you. Now THAT’S a present!”
The Real Meaning . . .
There’s a song that the Ray Conniff Singers recorded back in the 1960s that I’ve loved ever since I first heard it. While it’s not considered a sacred carol … consider these opening lines:
Oh, the real meaning of Christmas
Is the giving of love every day.
Oh, the real meaning of Christmas
Is to live as the Master may say.
Doesn’t that say it like it is? Do you think Jesus would take issue with this message?
Marlin
