Category Archives: Traditions / Holidays

Hope, Kindness / Gentleness, Purposeful / Intentional, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Traditions / Holidays

Unity in God’s Image: Reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.

As we pause to reflect on the life and contributions of Martin Luther King Jr. as a nation, let us also turn our attention to the guiding light of God’s word in the Bible. In today’s world, where the color of our skin often takes center stage, it’s crucial to revisit the fundamental truths of unity and equality that God’s word imparts.

1. One Human Race in God’s Image

In the face of a society that sometimes overemphasizes our differences based on skin color, the Bible presents a different perspective. It reminds us that there is only one race of humans—no distinctions based on color. We are all equal and share the divine image of God. Skin color is just one facet of the rich tapestry of God’s creation, like hair color, height, or eye color.

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness… God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27)

2. All One in Christ Jesus

The apostle Paul underscores our unity in Christ Jesus. In God’s eyes, there is no division based on ethnicity, social status, or gender. Instead, our faith in Christ unites us, making us heirs to God’s promises.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:28-29)

3. The Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is a testament to the pursuit of equality and unity. In his iconic 1963 speech in Washington, D.C., he invoked the principles of America’s founding documents and the teachings of Christ to champion a vision of unity, not division.

4. Progress and Peaceful Resolution

As a nation, we have made significant progress in the decades since Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech. However, today’s challenges require careful consideration. Rather than emphasizing division and conflict, we should focus on peaceful solutions that unite our great nation. Our aim should not be to create enemies but to draw closer to God, which, in turn, will bring us closer to each other, regardless of our skin color.

5. Embracing the American Dream

Martin Luther King Jr. was a firm believer in the American dream. He did not see America as a place to be torn down and rebuilt but as a nation with the potential for greatness. He inspired hope and encouraged us to envision a future where individuals are not judged by the color of their skin but by their character.

6. A Vision of Unity and Brotherhood

In his “I Have a Dream” speech, King envisioned a world where valleys are exalted, mountains made low, rough places made plain, and crooked places straight. He foresaw a day when all of God’s children would unite in brotherhood.

A Prayer for Unity

As we remember Martin Luther King Jr. and his message of unity, let us pray for our nation. May we come together as one nation under God, embracing the beautiful diversity He has created among us. Let us reject divisions based on physical differences, recognizing that we are all one, made in God’s image. In our quest for unity, may we seek God’s perspective and view one another as He does—equal, beloved, and deserving of love and respect, regardless of the color of our skin. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Holy / Set Apart, Purposeful / Intentional, Seeking God, Traditions / Holidays

Christmas on Trial – the Closing Argument

Enter the courtroom of conscience as we put Christmas on trial.

In a world adorned with festive lights and holiday cheer, let’s set aside sentimental traditions for a moment and embark on a truth-seeking journey.

Brace yourself for a compelling case presented by Clyde Kilough, challenging the origins of Christmas and its alignment with God’s will.

Join the jury of reflection and let the evidence unfold—because it’s not just Christmas that’s on trial, but perhaps our understanding of what truly pleases our Creator

Before we start, I invite you to pray with me:

Father, help me to consider the facts and perspective laid out in the article today with a heart that wants to please You above all others. Help me to be courageous to challenge emotional family and cultural traditions against the truth of Your word. Help me to truly reflect on and consider what change I should make for myself and my family in regard to popular holidays.  Amen.

Christmas on Trial

Imagine a courtroom where Christmas is on trial, charged with false impersonation of legitimate, godly worship. Both sides have presented their cases. Now it’s the prosecutor’s turn to make his closing argument. It could well go something like this.

By Clyde Kilough

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you’ve heard the defense supporting the religious practice of celebrating Christmas. I trust you noted it was not a biblical defense, because none exists.

Let’s step away from human reasoning and emotion, and revisit the facts presented to you by history, scholars and God’s Word itself.

You’ll recall that all the expert witnesses—secular historians and theologians alike—attested that modern Christmas practices can be easily traced back to non-Christian origins. Their sources were so numerous that no one bothered to present counterarguments.

Please remember these facts:

    • Christmas is a man-made holiday. The Bible has zero reference to celebrating Jesus’ birth, which was probably in the autumn, not winter. Not until nearly three centuries later, in fact, did a “birthday party for Jesus” make its way into religious observance. Not until A.D. 336 did a Roman calendar officially note celebrating Jesus’ birth on Dec. 25.
    • So how was Dec. 25 selected for this celebration? Pope Julius I decreed it. Why? Because syncretism, the blending of religions, had become a common tool employed by the Roman church for assimilating “heathens” into its fold. Midwinter pagan festivals were immensely popular throughout Europe, so mixing these into the church’s rituals was an easy method to induce nonbelievers to embrace their version of Christianity.
    • What were these festivals? They included:
    • The birthday of the sun god Mithra.
    • Saturnalia, a time of debauchery honoring the Roman god of agriculture, Saturn.
    • Northern European celebrations of the winter solstice glorifying the sun’s return.
    • The Scandinavian Norse religion’s yule celebrations Dec. 21 through January, with its abundant superstitious customs.
    • The German version revering their god Odin. Interestingly, Odin is supposed to have made nighttime flights during which he would watch people and decide who to bless and curse. Hmm. Isn’t that reminiscent of a modern tale of a mythical guy who flies at night, somehow having godlike powers to know “who’s naughty and nice”?

People aren’t easily converted from entrenched popular customs, but church leaders had their methods. Let the people keep their customs, they figured, but simply syncretize them with ours and call them Christian. Instead of celebrating Dies Natalis Solis Invicti—the birthday of the unconquered sun—we’ll say we’re now honoring Jesus, the Son of God.

I remind you of the historian who quoted Augustine of Hippo, a great church influence, as saying in a Christmas sermon, “Let us celebrate this day as a feast not for the sake of this sun, which is beheld by believers as much as ourselves, but for the sake of Him who created the sun.”

If Jesus appeared today, would He okay our worshipping on a holiday borrowed from pagan religions that idolized the sun, moon and rocks?

I’ve barely recapped the historical evidence, but clearly, no one can legitimately argue for any biblical support upholding any aspect of Christmas as a Christian holiday. In fact, virtually all of our Christmas traditions—trees, mistletoe, gift-giving, wreaths, caroling, Santa Claus—sprang from these pagan festivals.

It is the thought that counts!

So, ladies and gentlemen, let’s examine the defense’s arguments in support of observing Christmas today, beginning with the contention that “at the end of the day—so what? It’s the thought that counts!”

Actually, I agree 100 percent! It is the thought that matters—and it’s God’s thought that matters most! God left ample evidence of His thought on this in His Word, the Bible.

I remind you of the religious scholars who admitted that God has always adamantly opposed syncretism, often bemoaning how His people mixed their idolatrous neighbors’ customs with their worship of Him.

When God delivered Israel from Egypt, what did He command? “Do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way.”

What part of “you shall not” is so confusing for us humans?

For emphasis, He added, “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.” That’s in Deuteronomy 12:30-32.

So, centuries later, after watching the people continually blend pagan practices into their worship, taking from and adding to everything He’d said, God told them through the prophet Amos, “I hate, I despise your feast days” (Amos 5:21).

Did God use lightly the words hate and despise? If not, why should we assume He feels differently today?

In the same verse He also said, “I take no delight in your solemn assemblies” (Revised Standard Version). Today’s most important “solemn assemblies” are Christmas and Easter, but they are not the holy days God appointed. Even then, God told them, “Take away from Me the noise of your songs” (verse 23). They may be beautiful and catchy songs, but because of what they represent and where they come from, to God they are just noise!

Now, since God says in Malachi 3:6, “I am the Lord, I do not change,” and emphasizes in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” we have to ask, “Has God now changed His mind about such things?” If Jesus appeared today, would He okay our worshipping on a holiday borrowed from pagan religions that idolized the sun, moon and rocks? Because someone mixed it into religion and called it “Christian,” does that mean God sanctioned it?

It is the thought that counts—but what does God think?

But if my heart’s right …

You also heard from a defense witness who reasoned, “I know Christmas’ origins are wrong, but I know in my heart why I go to church at Christmas—it’s to honor Jesus—and I believe it’s what’s in my heart that counts!”

Absolutely—the heart does count! That’s big on God’s list of qualities! But don’t forget what Jesus said about the heart in Mark 7:6-9: “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.” Jesus doesn’t accept just any worship, even if in our heart we think it’s okay.

Notice, too, He said, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”

Christmas offers a prime example of this. Isn’t God the One who said, “Do not lie”? But what is one of the biggest Christmas traditions people cling to? Lying to kids about Santa Claus! How does that honor Jesus, who commands us not to lie! And don’t forget Easter. How do people lie to their kids that rabbits lay eggs, then trot off to church saying it’s all about worshipping God?

Do we really think we can reject doing what God says, instead borrowing religious practices from pagan religions, and think He’ll be happy about it because we say “my heart’s right”?

Tradition does not trump obedience. If our heart’s right, won’t we be striving to worship God “in spirit and in truth,” as Jesus told the Samaritan woman (John 4:24)?

Saying “Lord, Lord” to no avail

You also heard this line of reasoning from the defense: “Yes, everyone knows the bad side of Christmas—the partying, commercialism, indebtedness, greed and so on—but most people have a very merry Christmas. What’s wrong with families enjoying being together with good food, gifts, pretty music and lights, or helping the needy? There’s far more good than bad, and a lot of it involves good Christian acts!”

Well, of course God loves good things and seeing people happy. But do good deeds justify bad actions? Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Who was He addressing? Religious people proudly pointing out all their good deeds!

“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

There is more “Lord, Lord” talk at this time of year than any other, but does it impress God when we persist in lawlessness—doing things He tells us not to do?

We say we’re worshipping the baby Jesus, but we’re not doing what the grown-up Jesus told us to do! If people were really serious about doing God’s will, we’d see real “peace on earth” and “goodwill toward men.” We’d see good deeds all the time, not just during a few days when they get in the “Christmas spirit.”

People of truth?

You also heard the defense try to poke a hole in our case by arguing, “The Jesus I know isn’t so radical about something that brings so much fun and enjoyment to everyone, even the fantasy part for the kids.”

Ladies and gentlemen, this one’s simple. Answer this, please: Would you like it if someone told your kids lies about you and got them to believe it? I don’t think so.

So how do you think God feels when He’s being lied about?

This is so important because of where it comes from. Jesus explained one time—in John 8:44—that the devil “is a liar and the father of it.” The people He was addressing were the religious leaders of the day, and He angered them by saying they were of their father the devil. It doesn’t matter who you are—if you lie, or perpetuate a lie, it’s wrong.

If people claim to follow God, isn’t it logical that He expects them to not lie? Aren’t Christians to be people of truth—telling the truth and practicing the truth?

Sad to say, for thousands of years God has seen people lying about Him, even under the guise of claiming to speak for Him.

Long ago God spoke through Ezekiel words that are just as true today: “Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. … Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken.” That’s Ezekiel 22:26 and 28.

Putting words in God’s mouth is just a bit presumptuous, wouldn’t you say?

What’s really on trial?

So, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, let me ask you again: Given the weight of evidence, both factual and circumstantial, if Jesus were here today, do you think He would attend Christmas Eve services, or exchange gifts around the Christmas tree? Would He have a “Put Christ back into Christmas” bumper sticker—or would He say He was never in it to begin with?

Would He still stand by His words in Matthew 4:4, that man shall live “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”? I ask, can you do that and observe Christmas at the same time?

I rest my case; but as you make your decision, I urge you to remember that it’s not really Christmas that is on trial—we are.

© 2019 Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc. ·

As we conclude this courtroom inquiry, the verdict lies in the hands of your conscience.

Take a moment for introspection, laying aside the tinsel and carols. Let the evidence presented resonate within your heart.

In the quiet chambers of prayer, seek guidance and discernment from the One who sees beyond the glitter and garlands. Reflect on what truly pleases our Creator, and may your decisions align with His timeless wisdom.

May your journey of faith be guided by truth and a sincere desire to honor the One who remains unchanged. Be still, reflect, and may your path be illuminated by the light of understanding and obedience.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John

 

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross. 

Fear / Reverence for God, Guide, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Teachable, Traditions / Holidays, Unteachable / Foolish

Can We Turn What God Calls Bad into Good?

Have you ever found yourself caught in the embrace of cherished traditions, those familiar threads weaving through the tapestry of your life?

The warmth of holiday memories, the joy of family gatherings—these traditions often feel like an integral part of who we are. But in the gentle balance between faith and tradition, a thought emerges:

Can we, in our heartfelt attempts, turn what God deems as bad into something good?

Christmas, and many holiday traditions common to Christians today, serve as powerful examples. There are many traditions of pagan origin. Many don’t know this and don’t even think to ask or test their traditions. Many more do know the traditions are of pagan origin, but convince themselves that we can turn what God said was bad into something good by associating Christmas traditions with Jesus.

Is this true? What does God say in the Bible?

📜 Lessons from Exodus: A Warning Echoes Through Time

Picture this: A people, just liberated from slavery, witnessing the miraculous hand of God through ten plagues and also miracles like the parting of the Red Sea, the defeat of Pharaoh’s army, God appearing as fire and smoke to lead them, manna and water miraculously to meet their needs in the dessert.

Surely, we would think that generation could never turn from the ways of God, but they did. They allowed themselves to revert to influences from the Egyptian culture in which they had lived for generations and worship the Golden Calf.

But if we look closer, they were not worshipping Egyptian gods, but Yahweh! They called it a feast unto Yahweh who led them out of Egypt.

Did this effort to tie pagan traditions with worshipping Yahweh turn what was bad in God’s eyes to something good?

Exodus 32:1-10

The Golden Calf

      1Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2Aaron said to them, “Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4He took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it into a molten calf; and they said, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 5Now when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” 6So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

      7Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8“They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” 9The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. 10“Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.”

Clearly God was not pleased and did not consider it good to worship along pagan customs like the golden calf… even if the people were attributing it to Yahweh.

Have you ever found yourself holding tight to holiday traditions that you know are of pagan origin, but making excuses for why they are good because we have tied them to Jesus?

Despite your good intentions, it may be time to ask yourself if what you are doing aligns with God’s desires.

📖 Scriptural Clarity: Yahweh’s Unchanging Standard

In the sacred verses of Deuteronomy 12:30-32, a timeless truth resounds. The Israelites, worshipping Yahweh through the Golden Calf, mirrored the detestable practices of pagan nations and God was not pleased.

Can we glean insights into God’s unchanging expectations for our worship and traditions today?

Deuteronomy 12:30-32

30beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ 31“You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, for every abominable act which the LORD hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

      32“Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.

The Israelites may have been worshipping Yahweh, but they were doing so in like manner to how the Egyptians worshipped their false gods by making idols.

Yahweh has not changed His opinion on what is good and what is bad. He still does not want us to worship Him with idols or with any of the manners or traditions with which the pagans worship false gods.

If we take the time to study our common Christmas and Easter traditions (and other traditions as well), we will certainly find the history of many of these traditions are derived not from God’s word, but from pagan worship practices.

Christians have created new meanings for many of these traditions and tried to tie them to Jesus, as the Israelites tied worshipping God to the golden calf, but they still are derived from pagan worship.

As we saw in scripture with the golden calf, Yahweh is not pleased, even if we say it is Him whom we are worshipping.

Do not repeat the error of the Israelites, which drew great anger from Yahweh. Instead, learn the history and true origin of the traditions you practice. Reject the ones that are derived from pagan worship. Do not accept something just because it is a family or cultural “tradition”.

Test and explore to understand the true origin and whether or not it may be offensive to our Lord.

Do not fool yourself that you can take what is bad in His eyes and make it good by creating new Christian stories around old pagan traditions. Choose the Lord’s ways over even dear traditions that may be emotionally difficult to walk away from.

Do not be like Lot’s wife who looked back at Sodom while leaving, but rather leave behind the past things without looking back on them.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please lead and guide Your people. Help us to have discernment and courage.  Help us to be hungry to seek Your ways and quick to challenge our own traditions against Your holy word in the Bible. Help us learn from the Israelites history documented in the scriptures that we cannot turn what is bad into good. We can simply choose whether or not to turn away from what is bad toward Your ways. Amen. 

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Parables, Traditions / Holidays

A Heartfelt Reflection on Family Traditions (The Parable of Two Fathers)

In the heart of a town, two fathers stood as neighbors, each with a son, driven by a common desire to honor God. Both attended church faithfully, praying and reading the Bible with their sons. Yet, their paths diverged, shaping the destinies of their families.

The first father, unwavering in his commitment to God, faced mockery for standing firm in his convictions. He refused to lie to his son, and his son noticed.  His son observed this courage, and the father’s honesty resonated deeply. He instilled a belief in one God, teaching that God defines good and bad, and sin carries consequences.

As the son grew older, he sometimes wondered how he could know Jesus was real since he could not “see” him or “touch” him but accepted it because his father was always honest with him. He learned to stand for Jesus even when it was hard, because he learned by watching his father.

In contrast, the second father clung to generational traditions, content in a comfortable existence. He blended truths with fanciful tales, weaving a web of make-believe characters into his son’s life. It felt comfortable, most of his friends and neighbors lived their lives in a similar manner so there was no conflict.

He did not feel that God really cared that much about some areas of how he and his family led their daily lives. He told his son that Jesus was the way to God, but he also liked to tell his son seemingly harmless made-up stories about make believe characters. He enjoyed telling his son about the tooth fairy, Easter bunny, and of course Santa Claus. He continued the stories for many years until finally his son would learn on his own that each story was not true.

The father even went out of his way to provide false evidence that the stories were true… like money under the pillow for a tooth or telling his son that the bunny hid the eggs and brought him a basket, and of course having lots of presents at Christmas… all from Santa.  He even ate cookies and milk on behalf of Santa. After all, it’s just a bit of fun. What harm can it do?

Yet, as his son grew older, the line between reality and fiction blurred, leaving him with doubts about Jesus and the Bible. The son sometimes wondered how he could know Jesus was real since he could not “see” him or “touch” him. He loved his father, but throughout his life his father had lied to him and even gone out of his way to fake evidence in many make-believe characters. He could not help but wonder if Jesus and the Bible were like the rest of the made-up stories and he had many doubts.

Reflections on Tradition and Truth

Let’s pause and consider the stories we tell our children. Are we unknowingly weaving a web of lies, disrupting the authenticity of our faith journey? Beyond the potential mistrust caused by falsehoods, we must scrutinize the deeper impact of our traditions.

Take the story of Santa Claus—a representative example. It shifts the focus of Christmas from giving to receiving, emphasizing deserving gifts based on behavior. The supposed accountability for “bad” actions becomes inconsequential, undermining the idea of consequences for wrong choices. Furthermore, Santa, an all-knowing and eternal figure, can be seen as a subtle replacement for God.

Christmas Traditions and Their Underlying Messages

The story of Santa, widely accepted and celebrated, inadvertently draws attention away from God, causing confusion and doubt. As Christians, it’s crucial to question whether our cherished traditions align with God’s message. It’s not merely about lying to our children but about the values and lessons embedded in these stories.

Trying to tell a child Christmas is about Jesus, but then overwhelming them with presents and made-up stories about Santa is like telling a child to eat a carrot and then putting in front of them a table full of cookies, brownies, cakes, and ice cream. At the very least, the table of desserts is a major distraction. In most cases, the children will remember the desserts long after they forget the carrot.

After spending years lying to children and convincing them that Santa is real, even when they start to recognize it and ask questions, we will then tell them it was all in fun… but trust me about Jesus.

Even Atheists Like Santa

Santa is in fact accepted around the world by many because he is absolutely not pointing to God, but rather distracting attention away from God or replacing God completely. Christians and non-Christians alike accept him. In one example, Santa’s picture was used as a spokesman for a billboard campaign by atheists basically saying we can be good without need of God. “Go ahead and skip church! Just be good for goodness sake.” (link to article here). [How an atheist can define “good” while claiming there is no God is an interesting conversation for another day.]

The Emotional Challenge of Change

Recognizing the need for change is emotional and challenging. Yet, standing for Christ above all else, even within our families, is a commitment Christ himself acknowledged would stir discord. (Matthew 10:32-39)

Choose God’s Ways Over Man-Made Traditions

In the spirit of self-reflection, challenge yourself to objectively evaluate your traditions. Seek God’s truth in His word and apply it in your life. Remember, God desires His people to be holy and righteous, placing Him above all else.

A Call to Prayerful Action

May this reflection be an awakening, prompting prayerful consideration. We encourage you to seek God’s guidance, bravely stepping into a journey where His ways triumph over the traditions of man.

Closing Challenge: Put God First

As we conclude, remember the words of Jesus—choose God over familial bonds, prioritizing Christ above all. For in giving up our lives for Him, we truly find life.

God wants his people to be holy (set apart for God’s use) and righteous (living according to God’s commands rather than the world’s). He wants us to put Him first, above everything else.

Challenge yourself to objectively evaluate your traditions and seek first the kingdom of God. Do not dismiss this quickly but rather prayerfully seek God to show you the truth of His word and how to apply it in your life.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Holy / Set Apart, Parables, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant, Traditions / Holidays

The Widower Who Remarried: a Parable for the Holidays

In the tender narrative of a devoted widower, a poignant tale unfolds—a love story marked by cherished habits and traditions. This man, who once joyfully celebrated his first wife’s preferences with flowers, candy, and thoughtful gestures, found himself caught in the grip of those very traditions when she passed away.

Just to be clear, this is not a biblical parable, but one based on biblical teaching and one that is true many times over.

Grief-stricken but resilient, he remarried after a time of grieving, unaware of the impending storm that would brew within the walls of his new life. His second wife, with distinct tastes and desires, yearned for a love uniquely tailored to her. Despite gentle pleas for understanding, the man clung tenaciously to the echoes of his past, repeating gestures and traditions designed for his first love.

The stark contrast between his professions of love and the unchanged traditions left his second wife wounded and questioning. The pain intensified as the man, well-intentioned but misguided, failed to recognize the stark difference between honoring her and just holding on to the traditions of the love he once knew.

This thought-provoking parable serves as a mirror reflecting the way we often treat our relationship with God, especially when it comes to celebrating holidays. Steeped in long-held traditions, some stemming from ancient pagan practices, we, too, risk offering God a bouquet of weeds while insisting they are roses.

The parallel to our spiritual journey is striking. Are we, like the widower, willing to shed the comfort of familiar traditions and embrace God’s desires as communicated in the scriptures? Despite the discomfort and familial challenges, the heart of the matter lies in whether we choose man-made traditions over God’s prescribed path.

Diving deeper, the revelation unfolds that many commonly cherished celebrations—Christmas trees, wreaths, mistletoe, and even the December 25 date—are rooted in pagan worship practices. The Church, unable to quell these practices, eventually embraced them, akin to giving a weed the name of a rose.

The call is clear—to love God deeply is to align our lives with His desires, not clinging to traditions offensive to Him. The scriptures lay out the path, highlighting God’s Moedim (appointed times) or holy days for celebration, contrasting with the man-made festivals we’ve come to accept.

Acknowledging this truth is a challenging emotional journey. Admitting the need for change amidst familial resistance is a test of our devotion to Christ above all. As Jesus forewarned, following Him may stir discord even within our households, yet true discipleship requires prioritizing Christ over all familial bonds.

May this narrative stir a courageous introspection, prompting a prayerful pursuit of God’s kingdom above the familiar and cultural traditions. As the challenge resounds, may our hearts find the courage to trust in God’s ways over those of men, embracing the transformative journey toward a life more pleasing to Him.

If you truly love God, and submit your life to God… take the time to learn more about what He wants and not just stick to traditions of men that are offensive to Him. You can easily study online even using Christian encyclopedia’s like Zondervan or other encyclopedias. The origins are not secret, only that it has been accepted to celebrate God in ways that were developed by pagans for their gods. 119Ministries.com has put together an effective documentary in video form you can watch (The Christmas Question). They have previous teachings available for free you may consider as well (Sunburned – Part 1 and Sunburned – Part 2).

The LORD has also given us instructions on what holy days to celebrate to point to Him and our relationship with Him. They are called the Moedim and are outlined in Leviticus 23 and other places throughout the Bible.

You can find scripture where Jesus participated in the Moedim. You will never find record of Jesus celebrating Christmas and Easter (or almost anything we celebrate commonly today) in the Biblical record.

Passover and Easter are very different. See what they focus on. With God’s celebrations, the focus is always on Him and not gifts or food or simply ourselves. To learn more, scroll through and read from our Traditions/ Holidays category of teachings.

I recognize that this is an emotional subject for many and admitting that we should change is very hard. Even if we accept it and change our behavior, there will be much difficulty among family. This is to be expected when we stand for Christ above all others. Jesus said so himself in Matthew 10:23-39.

32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

35 ‘I have come to set a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36     Your enemies will be right in your own household!’[l]

37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

We each must decide whether or not we submit to God fully or hold tightly to the traditions of man. By the way… study of the new testament clearly shows that clutching to the traditions of man was the way of the Pharisees and Sadducees, not the way of Jesus.

God wants his people to be holy (set apart for God’s use) and righteous (living according to God’s commands rather than the world’s). He wants us to put Him first, above everything else.

Challenge yourself to objectively evaluate your traditions and seek first the kingdom of God. Do not dismiss this quickly but rather prayerfully seek God to show you the truth of His word and how to apply it in your life. Ask yourself about any tradition you claim to observe to honor God, if you were not influenced by family or cultural traditions would you naturally come up with this tradition by studying the Bible? If not, that can be a good indicator.

Pray that God would give you courage and boldness to pursue him with how you live. My family and I have been on this journey, we remain on this journey still today. It is difficult at times, but well worth pursuing to grow closer to Him and be more pleasing to Him. Trust in His ways over those of men.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Holy / Set Apart, Traditions / Holidays

Are Christmas Trees in the Bible?

In the enchanting glow of Christmas traditions that colored my childhood, this season held a special place in my heart. Yet, as adulthood unfolded, the Lord gently nudged me to unravel the origins of these cherished traditions, turning what was once my favorite time of the year into a journey of profound introspection.

One tradition that captivates families during this season is the joyous act of bringing a Christmas tree into the home—a tradition I enthusiastically partook in for decades. While undeniably fun, the pursuit of “fun” is not the moral compass by which we determine right from wrong. Sin may cloak itself in enjoyment, but its fleeting happiness pales in comparison to the profound joy found in a genuine relationship with our Heavenly Father.

As believers, we anchor our understanding of good and bad in God’s standards, illuminated through the pages of the Bible. Regardless of one’s perspective on its divine inspiration, the Bible remains the most accurate record of God’s relationship with His people and His guidelines for righteous living.

My quest for truth led me to scrutinize whether Christmas trees found a place in the Bible, and to my surprise, a passage in Jeremiah 10:1-4 seemed to allude to them. It cautioned against adopting the practices of non-believers, condemning the cutting of trees for decoration—a striking parallel to our modern Christmas traditions.

Some will argue this is focused only on idols, but it seems to apply also to Christmas trees.

Jeremiah 10:1-4 (KJV)

1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

Delving deeper into the roots of Christmas, I discovered that many of its customs have pagan origins. While this revelation might be startling, it underscores the importance of Yahweh’s call for believers to be set apart and holy, avoiding the adoption of worldly practices under the guise of Christianity.

For those intrigued to explore further, additional articles and videos are available, providing a comprehensive understanding of Christmas traditions. I urge you to prayerfully consider these revelations, seeking the courage and discernment to distance ourselves from heathen practices in alignment with God’s teachings.

To learn more:

In conclusion, I invite you to join me in prayer:

Father, grant us the strength to prioritize Your instructions above all else. Instill in us the courage and discernment to detach from traditions rooted in heathen or pagan origins, which stand contrary to Your teachings. May an awakening sweep through Your people worldwide, turning them away from worldly ways and toward Your divine path. Amen.

Shalom

John

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Submitted / Servant, Teachable, Traditions / Holidays, Wise

Unwrapping the Truth: Does Celebrating Christmas Please God?

Ever wondered about the true history and implications of Christmas in the eyes of Yahweh?

It’s time to explore. Join us in unraveling the Christmas Question—a thought-provoking documentary by 119 Ministries.

Most spend at least a month focused on Christmas every year… invest 1-1/2 hours in this documentary and gain insights that might reshape your perspective on the holiday that is cherished so widely. The real gift lies in understanding, and this documentary is your key.

Don’t just celebrate Christmas because you always have; understand if it’s truly pleasing to God.

The Christmas Question | 119 Ministries (link)

The Christmas Question documentary unravels the history of the Christmas holiday and explores the implications for believers today.  Our desire is to present historical information about the Christmas holiday and its traditions through interviewing a collection of historians, scholars, academics and theologians. The purpose behind this documentary is not intended to be something that causes division nor condemnation.

Instead, we seek to help believers determine if celebrating Christmas is a sin and how Scripture indicates the Father feels about the various Christmas rites and origins. We ask an important question. If there is a chance that any part of Christmas would offend the Father, then should we still do it?

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Provider, Thankfulness, Traditions / Holidays

Give Thanks to the LORD for He Is Good (Thanksgiving Table Devotional)

We should always seek to be thankful to the Lord for all He provides, but Thanksgiving is a great time to remind ourselves to come together as a family and as a community, and as a nation to give thanks together to our Lord,  YHWH. For those who follow Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus), we always have that most important gift of salvation through grace by faith for which to be thankful… no matter what else may be going on in our lives.

I have found it is very easy to lose focus on the Lord as we get busy with our holiday traditions and celebrations… even Thanksgiving. It seems the Lord dropped a surprise in my shopping bag on trip to the store several years ago.  I want to share it with you. Lifeway Christian store put together a small booklet of scriptures into a “Thanksgiving Table Devotional”. We have it at our table and we read and share as we come together to eat our meals.

Psalm 106:1

1Praise the LORD!
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:17

17Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Philippians 4:6

6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Psalm 9:1-2

1I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.

      2I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

As we read these scriptures together we take time to go around the table and ask about examples of things that are specific to us for which we are grateful to our Father who provides. This is not particularly unique, but it sure is easy to overlook. I appreciate the Lord putting these scriptures where I would find them as I was looking for ways to make Thanksgiving more meaningful and focused on Him for my family. Praise the Lord He cares for each of us as His children!

What will you make the focus of this Thanksgiving season? Football, shopping, food, fellowship… or our Creator and Father and the right attitude towards Him? My suggestion is to focus on our Father with a healthy side of family fellowship.

Take some time to pray right now and give Him thanks in your own words. Ask Him to help you have wisdom on how to approach your family traditions such as those around Thanksgiving.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Holy / Set Apart, Purposeful / Intentional, Satan, Traditions / Holidays, Wickedness / Evil, Worldliness

Should a Follower of Christ Celebrate Halloween?

Far too often we just go along with whatever “everyone else” is doing when the holidays are concerned. We can always rationalize why many of the common “holidays” such as Halloween “are harmless” or even “an opportunity to participate so as to lead others to Christ”. However, never in scripture does God encourage us to in any way imitate the pagan celebrations of others as a way of “getting along with” or “blending in with” or even witnessing to non-believers. We are instead called to be set apart from pagan traditions and worship of false gods in every way. We are to do things only in God’s way. Being different is an important part of being a light to draw people to Christ. If those who follow Christ blend in with everyone else, why should any non-believers accept Christ and change their lives.

The following article is a good summary of Halloween, so I choose not to write my own. I recommend you pray for God to give you an open mind and test celebration of Halloween, not against what your church does or your family has done for generations, but against the word of God.

A few easy questions to ask yourself…  “Does celebrating this holiday honor God and point others to Him? Could it actually confuse others as to what Christ calls us to do and how He calls us to act? If I ignore traditions of men for a moment and test the holiday (and how it is celebrated) against scripture, is there any way I would ever reasonably conclude I should celebrate this based on the Bible itself?” Perhaps one final question, “If I am not sure it is good and honoring to God, should I skip it or celebrate it anyway?”

ChristianAnswers.net – Should Christians participate in Halloween?

The October 31st holiday that we today know as Halloween has strong roots in paganism and is closely connected with worship of the Enemy of this world, Satan. It is a holiday that generally glorifies the dark things of this world, rather than the light of Jesus Christ, The Truth.

Have you noticed how costumes and masks are getting generally more bloody, gory, and depraved each year? Unfortunately, the gruesome and grotesque and the occult are increasingly glorified in American society, not only on Halloween, but throughout the year in frequent horror movies and television programs.

My family does not celebrate it or participate in it. We do not believe that our children are “missing out,” and neither do they. Other days are used for costumes and parties. Happily, all of our children have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We have found that Halloween provides an excellent time to remind our children that, as Christians, we are different, and not of this world (Heb. 11:13-16; 1 Pet. 2:11).

What about church “Harvest Festivals” held on October 31? Although we understand the rational and good intentions behind them, we don’t think they are the best approach. Our family tends to agree with the author of an article called “Are ‘Harvest Parties’ for Christians?” (written by a self-avowed former witch and now active Christian). Harvest parties on October 31 tend to assume that “our children need something to take the place of Halloween, since they won’t be participating in the secular and pagan celebrations. It suggests our kids are missing out on something. And indeed they are, if we allow them to spend Halloween in celebration.” There are better things to do on Halloween than partying.

Also, we need to teach our children that “the fight isn’t against occultists, non-Christians, Christians who feel differently than we about Halloween, or institutions that promote Halloween, but” “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV).

Click the following link to read the full article: ChristianAnswers.net – Should Christians participate in Halloween?

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please lead Your people away from worldly celebrations that draw them in and lead them to embrace Your celebrations and Your ways. Help us to be set apart from the world, not blend in. Help give courage to those who struggle to break away due to family and emotional attachments to worldly holidays and celebrations. Help us to choose You first! Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Teachable, Thankfulness, Traditions / Holidays

Embracing Sukkot by Increasing Our Understanding

Once again, I am focused on Yahweh’s appointed time of Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles. It is a fun celebration that reminds us how God led His people out of bondage in Egypt and looks forward to the return of our King, Yeshua, when He will dwell among us again.

Today I am highlighting two resources for you to consider that can help to broaden your understanding of Sukkot and how to celebrate it. I encourage you to explore both and test them against scripture. Both present a view of this appointed time in the context of scripture and our Messiah. You do not have to agree with everything they say and do in order to learn from the material which is well laid out and I find very helpful.

119Ministries.com will provide a video to watch. SetApartPeople provides personal insight into their journey celebrating this appointed time. You can refresh the search to get more recent articles on their page by searching “Sukkot”.

I include a few additional links below. However, be sure to validate everything you read against the truth of scripture. As a last encouragement, note that Yeshua even set an example by celebrating the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles, despite people seeking to kill Him (John 7). I encourage you to click the link and read all of John 7.

Have fun with it. This is a celebration! Our Messiah returns! Consider even some easy online searches for songs or music videos associated with Sukkot. We have found some that are very cheerful and fun and some that are more spiritually focused and meaningful. Do not be discouraged from these resources because Sukkot is celebrated by Jews. It can be observed by anyone who rejoices in our Creator and His appointed times. With Christ, we have even more reason to celebrate these appointed times.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to embrace Your appointed times. Help open the eyes of Your followers everywhere to Your celebrations and their purpose in drawing us closer to You. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.