A New Year, Right?

C. Hayden 1-15-2021

 

Well 2020 is over and now we delve into the next promising New Year, 2021. Doesn’t feel a whole lot different does it? We have traveled from one horrible circumstance to another and it appears 2021 is not starting off much better. Let’s recap 2020: Impeachment, Pandemic, Racial division, Protesting with riots, Looting & occupations throughout the summer in multiple cities, State lockdowns, Business shutdowns, Unemployment skyrocketing, A traumatizing election season & outcome, Families separated during Thanksgiving & Christmas due to COVID, Dishonest leaders, and Unbridled wokeness. This list does not even include our own personal struggles and tragedies. Now that we are in 2021, how’s it going so far: Impeachment, Pandemic, Protesting with riots, and…just about the same thing as last year. We pray the Spirit of God reverses these things of course. But we should not be surprised when life appears to go awry.

In John 16:33, Jesus tells His disciples, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” We are warned that difficult times will come. There will be tribulation in this world, and boy can we testify to that with what we have seen in 2020 and the way 2021 has started out. However, Jesus also tells us that if we abide in Him, since He has overcome the world, we are overcomes also in Him. In fact, one of Jesus’ closest friends in the world, the Apostle John says in 1 John 4:3-4, “And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Did your heart grasp the words of John? We are overcomes. And why? Because Christ lives in us and there is no one or thing that is greater than Him. As we enter this New Year, may we remember who we are in the Lord. We are God’s children. And no matter what may be on the horizon of 2021, we are OVERCOMERS. “For Greater is He, who is in us than he (anyone or anything), who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Happy New Year! In Christ!

 

Be blessed even more!!

 

Pastor Chris

 

 

C. Hayden 1-1-2021

 

Once more, we will explore a theme from “A Christmas Carol”. We could spend weeks examining the messages conveyed from Charles Dicken’s novel, but this final installment will be one that challenges us and encourages us at the same time. I know that Christmas is a very special time for most, and it is at this time of the year that people are more open to the Gospel’s message. However, we also need to remember that December 25th is not the only day that belongs to the Lord, but everyday belongs to the Lord. During a scene in the film, the Ghost of Christmas Present touches upon this idea as he works with Ebenezer Scrooge on his continued road to redemption.

 

The scene in question unfolds like this: Scrooge awakens to the very presence of the “Ghost of Christmas Present”. Of course, Ebenezer is quite taken back by this apparition’s flamboyant and very boisterous style. As Scrooge converses with the Spirit, he hears these words coming from this ghostly benefactor. “We Spirits (of Christmas) do not live only one day of the year, but 365 days of the year. Just like the child born in Bethlehem, Who does not live in the hearts of men one day of the year but in every day of the year”. How deep the revelation of that statement! While we may celebrate Christmas only one day out of the year, December 25th is our reminder of the Lord Jesus Christ who is with us (As well as coming in the flesh again), not just one day but every day of the year! Hallelujah! And Amen!

 

The Message version of the Bible records Matthew 28:20 like this, “Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave His charge: ‘God authorized and command me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.  I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.'” God is not only with us on December 25th, He is with us every single day as we continue to follow Him. So in a way, Christmas Day is only the reminder of Christ’s demonstration of God’s love that He has for us every day of our lives!

 

Be blessed even more.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

 

Pastor Chris

December 15th, 2020

C. Hayden

 

Continuing on the same theme as our previous Pastor’s Blog, this week we re-visit the movie, “A Christmas Carol.” After viewing the animated version of the film with my grandson almost every evening during his visit last week, I decided to watch the more mature, 1951 black and white version (Also goes by the title “Scrooge” in Britain), starring Alistair Sim (He was just fantastic as Scrooge). There are many tender and memorable moments shared by both offerings of this film. One of my favorite scenes (seen in the animated film as well as the 1951 version) brings the revelation that Charles Dickens, the author of this timeless tale, had a keen understanding that Christ is truly at the center of this Christmas story.

In a particularly heart tugging moment of the film (I begin tearing up every single time), Bob Cratchit, agonizing over his critically ill son (Tiny Tim), is with his family describing a time where he and Tiny Tim are attending Church together, Cratchit recalls the moment, while sitting in the pew together, his crippled, slowly dying son tells his father that “he doesn’t mind people looking at him in church because he was a cripple, as it might be pleasant for them to remember upon Christmas Day, the One Who made lame beggars walk and blind men see”. Tiny Tim sees the value of his own condition puts aside his own needs, recognizing that God can use his difficulty to reach and touch the hearts of others who are in more need then he is. What a deep message for us. Not that God makes us sick so that He can reach others (that is a misinterpretation). But our Lord can use all things for our good and the good of others (2 Corinthians 12:10).

 

Romans 8:28, Amplified version, says it like this. “We are assured and know that all things work together and are [ fitting into a plan ] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” Tiny Tim knows this truth and is thinking more of others than he does of himself. On December 25th, Central Christian Church will be serving a Christmas Day meal to those that may have no where else to go or family to be with. If you have time and are available, feel free to join us on Christmas Day as we reach into our community, inviting all to come in to minister to those in need, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

 

Be blessed even more. Enjoy this wonderful Christmas time!

 

Pastor Chris