This season always seems to bring conflicting choices in how families decide to celebrate. There are both positives and drawbacks in how we respond; however, it’s a great opportunity to tell others of the real reason for the christians Christmas observance. So many say holidays instead of Christmas and rather than be offended by it, we can use the term to expound on the word holidays which has its roots from the word HolyDays!
מועדים
Moedim
This word moed has often been translated as festival or feast, which is not quite accurate. Moedim is plural and they signify covenant relationship with the LORD as His Appointed Times.
We can then take the focus back to our Heavenly Fathers Appointed Holy Days, the times when He desires for us to spend time with Him in thanksgiving, praise and worship in remembrance of Who He Is and What He has done for us.
Specifically we remember the birth of His promised Messiah and Immanuel – He is with us and as Believers, born again from above, His Spirit dwells within us.
This is an opportune time to reflect on a personal level;
first, what we actually believe; and
second, can we clearly articulate it to others?
2Tim. 2:15 encourages us to be diligent and to present ourselves approved unto God a worker who does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of truth.
We should try to state to ourselves what we believe to be the absolute truth of God and then, we will be allowing Him the opportunity to pass it on through us to someone else. If we cannot express ourselves well on each of our beliefs then we must work and study until we can. If we don’t other people will miss out on the blessings that come from knowing the truth. We could start by making a goal to re express a truth of God to ourselves, clearly and understandably; and God will use that same explanation when we need to share it.
However we must be willing to go through Gods’ winepress, where the grapes are crushed and the oil press where the olives are crushed.
It pleased Him to crush Him and it pleases our Heavenly Father to prepare us thoroughly. We too will struggle because He didn’t take our spiritual education and training away so we still have to go through it. He didn’t remove it for His disciples and emissaries… they too drank the cup.
Who are we that we think we get a free ride?
He asks us the same question today…
We must study His teaching, His words, His Torah, His Tanach and Brit Chadashah; and rehearse our words to express clearly to others, the truth of His gospel of the kingdom of heaven.
His words are spirit and life and these are the words that should come from our lips; and which make up the reality of the sword of the spirit, the active part of Eph 6 spiritual armor. His words coming from our mouths not ours…His words cut through darkness and everything that has snared people in a world of sin and negativity.
If we can be ready and prepared, then when the opportunity presents itself, the same expressions of His truth will come easily and smoothly from a prepared heart. We will not shrink back or stutter or recuse ourselves from sharing what we know and believe. It’s not just the pastors and leaders of a local congregation who are to share the gospel, it’s for everyone who declares they are a believer. Don’t take another’s words but rather, state what you believe to be the absolute truth of God and it will make others and ourselves free.
We are to daily practice to study to stir our own minds thoroughly and to think through what we have easily believed. To check out for ourselves if what we have been taught in years past is even accurate.
Our position in Christ is not really ours or established, rooted and well founded, until we make it ours – it’s a choice and it will take commitment just like any relationship /marriage takes time dedication and selfless commitment.
It takes time to study and we need to be brutally honest with ourselves because when we say we don’t have time, then in reality we are saying that we are too busy for the things of God and it’s not 1st place in our lives, where it needs to be.
The one from whom we learn the most is not the one who teaches us something we didn’t know previously though that is always helpful. It is rather the one who helps us take a truth that we have struggled with and they help us give it expression enabling us to speak it clearly and boldly.
It’s only the truth you know and apply that will make you free. Just sitting listening every week and not memorizing what is said, not writing it down and not applying it, is not a productive use of our time; because we are not to be hearers only but doers of His Word.
We are so quick to justify our actions, to compromise our chosen way of spending our time. We become defensive when our choices are challenged and call the challenge being judgmental! We protect our lifestyle at all costs and the scripture says there is a way that seems right
but the end is death.
What we choose to believe – will never change the truth.
As the western calendar draws to a close and many will make resolutions for the coming year; maybe one should be… less social media time and more Word time. Less reading what others write on facebook and instead take those hours we spend seeing what others are doing and replace it with real spiritual facetime with our Heavenly Father and read what He has written for us in His Word.
Instead of the time we spend checking our email and phone text messages, let’s check our hearts and read our Fathers messages to us
for a life of godliness.
For what does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?
It is amazing that we have found time to spend on all the aspects of social media, yet still don’t have time for study. The one thing that will change us from glory to glory, that will strengthen us in the inner man, that will fortify us against the enemies onslaught. That which will cause us to be strong in Him and in the power of His might. Because faith only comes by hearing and hearing by the word. Romans 10:17
Not by any other means and
without faith it is impossible to please God.
Hebrews 11:6
Maybe it’s time to lay some of these distractions aside and make a resolution to apply that time to the things of the spirit of the living God. The time to get ready for the battle ahead, is NOT when we find ourselves in the thick of the fight, but to be ready NOW and then we will not only be able to stand..2Chron. 20:20
but also able to assist others and as a good soldier not being
entangled with the world;
entangled with the world;
but also and most importantly
to endure to the end.Jesus Messiah is no longer a baby in the manger
and neither is He still hanging on a tree,
He is resurrected,
seated at the right hand of His
and our Heavenly Father in majesty and glory
and Has made the Way for us back to having a relationship with Him.
He came and died in our place taking our sins and removing them forever by the shedding of His blood. We are forgiven and made holy – set apart…
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” ..
and that we should share the good news of His gospel and GO and make disciples of all nations….
This is the real reason for the season
and it’s not just for Christmas
it’s for life – chaim!
Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.
We should try to state to ourselves what we believe to be the absolute truth of God and then, we will be allowing Him the opportunity to pass it on through us to someone else. If we cannot express ourselves well on each of our beliefs then we must work and study until we can. If we don’t other people will miss out on the blessings that come from knowing the truth. We could start by making a goal to re express a truth of God to ourselves, clearly and understandably; and God will use that same explanation when we need to share it. 
His words are spirit and life and these are the words that should come from our lips; and which make up the reality of the sword of the spirit, the active part of Eph 6 spiritual armor. His words coming from our mouths not ours…His words cut through darkness and everything that has snared people in a world of sin and negativity. 
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