My daily devotional scripture today hit me on what are attitude should be during Christmas:
(Romans 12:9-13 –      Love in Action        ⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.)
This is truly a time that we need to show why Jesus came to this earth to become Human and the message he brought.   I have become a Mall Walker recently to keep my new knees in shape and I get to see allot of people during these walks.   I really enjoy seeing the joy coming out of all of them – there are always the Scrooges (and I use to be one of them) so those are the ones where that faithful Prayer comes into effect.
I ran across this you tube from Jefferson Bethke: “What Does It Mean to Be Truly Human?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEcvRKsmeoE
This is a scary aspect to be truly Human – it opens you up to be hurt and makes us vulnerable.  This is what Christ did so many years ago and we celebrate that during this time of year.  He came to earth and to become totally human as you and I and experienced all that we go through on a daily basis.  But as Christ Lived – so must we……………….   Love in Action requires us to become uncomfortable and hospitable.   This takes practice and for most of us it does not come easy and when we encounter the hurt because of it –  it is hard to do it again.   We must keep on going forward because that is what Jesus did when he came down to this earth and fulfilled this verse.
“So during this Christmas season – remember that Love is an Action” 
 Bobbyg

Since I have been off of work for @ 3 months breaking in my new Cobalt Knees – my wife bought me a Daily Devotional from Duck Dynasty – it is great.  This has caused us some issues in the morning now – while we are drinking our first cup of coffee and reading our Devotionals (She has her own – 2 of themJ) – we are starting to discuss which one is better.  I will have to say that her Dec. 14^th one was a really good one – I have taken a portion of it and printed it below:
This is an excerpt from the Daily Devotional “The Greatest Gift” by Ann Voskamp:
“And once the light of Christ Shatters your dark, shadows forever flee your shadowlands.  There’s no going back and living in the dark; you live in the impenetrable, safe Light of light, and Christmas never ends for you.  A Christian never stops living Christmas.  True, you cannot light Christmas – because it’s Christmas that lights you.
It’s Christmas that dawns on you, and you only really believe in Christmas when you really live it.  When you light a dark world and the unexpected places with a brave flame of joy; when you warm the cold, hopeless places with the daring joy that God is with us, God is for us, God is in us; when you are a wick to light hope in the dark – then you believe in Christmas.  When you really believe in Christmas, you believe there is really hope for everyone.  When you get Christmas, people get hope from you – they don’t lose it.    Unless you keep passing on the miracle of hope, you live like Christmas is a myth.”
 
I really enjoyed the part that Christmas never ends – if we truly are in the Light – then people should see Christmas in us every day.  This has me really paying attention to what my attitude is for that day – and do they see that Joy in me with a great big smile.  We will always have our bad days – but it is those days that they should see the Hope of Jesus shining through us.   This Christmas every day in us should be something that is contagious and is passed on…   – are you passing it on?

 So as we go out into the world today – look at yourself and see if Christmas can be seen coming through you – every day – and pass it on. 

Bobbyg
 

This is just one of the fun songs that I really enjoy listening to during the Christmas season – it keeps reminding me that I can still say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays…    
          “It’s Called Christmas with a Capitol C!”   Here is the You Tube to listen to the song and please enjoy:   and it is sang by a group Called “Go Fish”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ
And here are the Lyrics:
Brad Stine: “I remember when people said things like, ‘Merry Christmas’
to each other. EVERYBODY said, ‘Merry Christmas! Hey, Merry Christmas
to you, Mr. Lohenstein. Do you know why? Because it wasn’t about a
religion, it was about something as a culture that we thought was so
valuable, even if I disagreed with the religion behind it, because it was
good for ALL of us instead of just me. But what do people say now?
‘Happy Holidays.’ ‘See, I just say, “Happy Holidays,” because I don’t
want to say, “Merry Christmas,” because you don’t believe in Christmas,
and I don’t want to offend you, and…*chipmunk noises*'”
It’s called “Christmas”!
I went to the coffee shop
To get myself a mocha
The lady at the counter
Said, “Happy holidays”
I said, “Thanks, lady,
I am pretty happy;
But there’s only one holiday
That makes me feel that way.”
And…
It’s called “Christmas”
What more can I say?
It’s about the birth of Christ
And you can’t take that away
You can call it something else
But that’s not what it will be
It’s called “Christmas”
With a capital “C”
God’s got a law
And we’ve pretty much destroyed it
We’re gonna get judged
There’s no way to avoid
But Jesus came down
To take the punishment for me
He did for you, too,
So now maybe you can see why…
It’s called “Christmas”
What more can I say?
It’s about the birth of Christ
And you can’t take that away
You can call it something else
But that’s not what it will be
It’s called “Christmas”
With a capital “C”
It’s called “Christmas”…
Brad Stine: “Oh, yes, we want to say, ‘Happy Holidays’ because we don’t
leave anybody out. Really? How come there’s a ton of holidays in
February – nobody says, ‘Happy Holidays’ in February, do they? They say
what it is, ‘Happy Valentines’ – OOOO, do you believe in love?”
It’s called “Christmas”
Brad Stine: “But nobody wants to say, ‘Christmas’! Everything
else but ‘Christmas’. Why? I know why. You do, too. It’s because
it’s got ‘Christ’ in it, and after 2,000 years He’s still intimidating
people. You see, when a religious person says, ‘I am the way,’
people don’t want to hear it. They don’t!”
It’s called “Christmas”
Brad Stine: “I say you gotta say, ‘Merry Christmas’ because it IS!
If you don’t believe in it, fine. But I’ve got a flash for you:
Christianity happens to be the religious heritage of my
country whether you like it or not…”
It’s called “Christmas”
Brad Stine: “So if you’re not a Christian, or you don’t like it,
and you don’t want Christmas celebrated, God bless you!
But let me tell you something: if you think you’re gonna stop
me from saying it because it offends you,hey, I’ve got a flash
for you: PUT A HELMET ON! It’s my country, too!”
It’s called “Christmas”
What more can I say?
It’s about the birth of Christ
And you can’t take that away
You can call it something else
But that’s not what it will be
It’s called “Christmas”
With a capital “C”
(Come on!)
It’s called “Christmas”
What more can I say?
It’s about the birth of Christ
And you can’t take that away
You can call it something else
But that’s not what it will be
It’s called “Christmas”
(It’s called “Christmas”)
It’s called “Christmas”
With a capital “C”

     The country music stars but on a Christmas Show last week and Rascal Flats sang the song “A Strange Way to the Save the World” and it really made me think about the Christmas Season – more than any of the other songs.  Here is a connection to listen to the song:        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1iSZi_3s00
    But here are the words to the Song… 

Sure he must have been surprised

At where this road had taken him

‘Cause never in a million lives

Would he had dreamed of Bethlehem

And standing at the manger

He saw with his own eyes

The message from the angel come to life

And Joseph said…

(CHORUS)

Why me, I’m just a simple man of trade

Why Him, with all the rulers in the world

Why here inside this stable filled with hay

Why her, she’s just an ordinary girl

Now I’m not one to second guess what angels have to say

But this is such a strange way to save the world

 

To think of how it could have been

If Jesus had come as He deserved

There would have been no Bethlehem

No lowly shepherds at His birth

But Joseph knew the reason

Love had to reach so far

And as he held the Savior in his arms

He must have thought…

(CHORUS)

Now I’m not one to second guess what angels have to say

But this is such a strange way to save the world

…this is such a strange way to save the world…Saving the World

    If you notice the song is as if Joseph is singing the words – and made me think – what would I be thinking if I were Joseph?  
      You know as I go forward with my Ministry that God has put on me to do – I ask the same question:   God Why Me?    How many of us sit back and second guess what has been asked of us to do..    We would be just like Joseph and thought that there could have been a better way.   But you know that God has a purpose for all of us – no matter what it is – it is how he wants it to be done. 

 So as we go forward in this Christmas Season – think about what it is that God has asked you to do.  God could have saved the World in a much different way – but he chose the way that was best for us…..

And he may be using you at the present time to save the people who you have come in contact with…….
Bobbyg

My wife ordered this Christmas Movie “Last Ounce of COURAGE”  and we watched it last night – it was a powerful message on bringing back the true meaning of Christmas.    It really reminded me of our Upcoming GMM Conference Theme:   “Radical Truth and Grace”.
Truth:   It was a story of a small town’s fight of bringing back the truth of Christmas.
Grace:  All along the way they would always state that this was a fight for Freedom and that it is a must that everyone be allowed to express their personal beliefs – no matter what they are or if we agree.
 
If you have been keeping up with my most recent Blogs – they have been about the true meaning of Christmas and that we must do something.   This movie brings all of that together….
After you have looked at the information I have supplied below and would like the Movie – I will give my copy to the first person who calls me…..   307-631-1464…
 Below is a movie guide write up on it.
https://www.movieguide.org/reviews/last-ounce-of-courage.html
Very strong Christian, biblical worldview about a mayor and his family who are standing up for Christmas; no foul language; bloody wound on motorcyclist, war footage with soldier dying, perilous situations; no sexual immorality; no nudity; some alcohol use; no smoking or drugs.
Summary:
LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE tells the story of a fight to restore the celebration of Christmas, which has been banned in a small mountain town. LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE dramatically tells an important, captivating story and ends on a spiritual, heart-rending, patriotic, life-changing note.
Review:
LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE dramatically tells an important story and ends on a spiritual, heart-rending, patriotic, life-changing note.
 
                 Here is a short Trailer on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5iue0Wi3gY 
 
At the end they had a song that put me to tears:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlVdQRDxiRE
 
I hope that you enjoy it as much as my wife I did….
it was based around a Soldier who died fighting for our freedoms….
 
Remember the Reason for the Season and please share it
 
Bobbyg
 

My wife gave me this question the other day after reading it in a devotional and it was a great question.                              Story Below….
Matthew 2:1-12                          The  Three Wise Men
 1. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2. and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;  for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”   7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”  9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
     As you see from the story that the Wise Men went in search of Jesus and even stopped to ask directions J… and they did not stop until they found him.   They followed the light and listened to what the spirit had to say – then when they found him they worshiped him….     How much Wiser can you get?
My next question is:   Do we follow the same wisdom when we are seeking Jesus?  We should always have a relationship with Christ if we have accepted him – but there are those times that we try to do in on our own and really blow it in the process.    So during those times when I need to seek him out again to help me along the way – do I follow the wisdom of the wise men?

1.  Do I search him out until I find him?
2. Do I listen as the Spirit as he guides me along the way?
3. Do I seek advice when I cannot find him?  **The right advice…
4. Do I worship him when we are connected once again?
5. Do I bring him all of my gifts – or all that I have?

These are questions that I should be asking of myself when my relationship with Jesus is not at its fullest…

 So if your relationship with Christ during this Christmas Season is not at its fullest– ask these questions and fulfil all of them…

Bobbyg

Well it is the beginning of a new week and we  just finished Thanks Giving – Diane are so Blessed and Thankful for our Family and Friends that have taken care of us over the last 2 months “THANKS”.
It has been a while since Diane and I have been able to make it to church – but we did it yesterday – we really needed that…    Shaun was still preaching from Matthew and one part of his sermon raised a very good question about if we are walking the talk or not.  Jesus is being challenged by the Chief Priests and Elders and one of his responses is this parable.
Matthew 21:  28>32.  The Parable of the Two Sons:
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”   “The first,” they answered.   Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.
32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
      Now the big question is:   Which of the two Sons do we fall into….   Are you the one who is actually going to do something?  I know that we are very reluctant to do something that will be asked of us when it requires hard work and maybe long hours…..   We also blow it like that first Son did – but do we finally go forward and do what is asked of us.
Matthew West has a song out – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I2csO7_pOI  “Do Something”
The Song talks about someone who is asking God Why is he not doing something about all the problems in the world and Gods answer is I did:   “I did, I Created You”.  Please listen to the song – if it does not inspire you to go forward – then you really need to set back and re-evaluate your relationship with Jesus.
Lyrics:  http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/matthewwest/dosomething.html
As I look back on my own life – I can see me falling into both responses from the two sons…   but as I am going forward – I am trying to be more aware of what is being asked of me and what my response is.   I have to tell you that it takes practice to actually to what God has in store for us and it requires Obedience and Faith.

  So as you forward this week think about your what question is God asking you – and look at what your response is when asked to work today in the Vineyard.       “Do Something”

 Bobbyg
 

I have just started reading the first part of Exodus and have looked at what they went through then – we can see that we still go through the same things today..    In the first part of Exodus – Obedience is being stressed to Obey God and his commandments….   If you did not – then God would take his blessings and protection from you and you were on your own – and the worst part was that God was Angry with you.  There were severe consequence when this happened and the results were extremely unpleasant.
So tonight I was talking to my Brother (Mike) about this and the discussion was about his experience when he was in College…    My Brother had an accident and was in a Coma for @ 6 months and was not expected to come out of it….   But he did – sometimes I question whether that was a good thing JJ… but it turned out to be a great thing.  But his testimony is about his Obedience and how he failed….   He would keep Sunday Holy and went to church and had some great friends there.   But During the week was different – he partied allot and the Obedience was no where to be seen.  He will testify that God took his Blessings and Protection away and that is how his accident happened.
Now my thoughts go to me…. Or you….   Are we being dis-obedient in ways in which God has commanded us to do – that would take his Blessings and Protection away from us.   I am still thinking about this one….   — I need to pause and come back with an answer…..
OK – after Pondering this for a day – there are so many things that separate us from God (Sin) and it looks different for everyone.   My Brother has a testimony that he shares because of his disobedience and he has been going forward since then.  Yes there are times we blow it as the Israelites did – but when it requires something as dramatic as my Brothers Car Accident to turn us around – then we need to reevaluate our Obedience.
***I would like to give you the opportunity to share your story about how God has turned you around.
So if you have a testimony to share – please send it to this email and let me know if I can share it on the Web Site…    gmmgodsmightymen@yahoo.com
Bobbyg
 
 
 

I am currently reading the Book of Joshua and it is amazing how God can work through him as long as he is in Obedience, and this took allot of Faith.  When Joshua took God’s people into the Promise land – he was given assurance that they would receive much – as long as they were Obedient.
Joshua was able to over throw many of the other countries as long as he followed God’s Guidance.  There was the one time that they failed to defeat their enemy because one family had taken some of the loot when they were told not to.   When they had repented and taken care of the disobedient family – then they were able to succeed in going forward with God’s Blessings.
Joshua was constantly seeking God’s advice and direction – he would either be asking God what to do or he would be sending people forward to make sure they were doing the right thing.   Many times they were instructed to Kill all the Men – Women – Children and Animals of the opposing Tribe…
So my thoughts are – Do we follow in Joshua’s footsteps as we go forward…    Are we Asking God for advice…..?    Are we seeking council to make sure we are doing the right thing……?    We will probably never be asked to Kill everyone, but God does have a plan for us.    In Joshua 22:5  (But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”)  He is giving advice to the Eastern Tribes that are returning.  If we follow the same advice – then God will be directing our path as we go forward and we will receive his blessings.
So as you go forward this week – Seek God’s Advice and Seek Council to make sure that you are going forward in his will.
Bobbyg
 
 

I was focusing on Obedience and Faith recently and it brought me back to previous Blog I had written… enjoy.  Change is coming….                         Bobbyg
My thoughts have been with Change and what does God require of us in going forward:  I read this saying about              *Obedience Versus Sacrifices:  “God says many times that he doesn’t want our gifts and sacrifices when we give them out without love and obedience.”    — Along with came a few comments, here are a few of them.

• **Obedience is far better than sacrifice:
• **God isn’t interested in penance; he wants a broken and contrite heart
• **God doesn’t want sacrifices:  he wants our loving loyalty.  He doesn’t want our offerings; he wants us to acknowledge him.

So when I look at this – how does that affect the way I go forward in what he requires of me…   We just finished Easter and when I look at this – I ponder about our GMM Theme this year “Activate Your Faith” and what that look liked to the Disciples as they went forward.   Jesus changed the world and going forward was changed – it is now a Love and Obedience requirement instead of a list of rules.   The same is relevant for us today – we must also go forward as the Disciples did and change is required.
Pastor Shaun was taking about Matthew today and Jesus call was to Follow him… and Matthew did – but the verse’s that stood out for me was.                  Matthew 9:16-17   ¹⁶ “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. ¹⁷ Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
            In our Changing times we must be willing to change in how we do evangelism… if we do not adjust to what is happening around us – we become ineffective in our ministry.  We must be putting the new wine into new wineskins…   My study bible states it this way:   “The gospel did not fit into the old rigid legalistic system of religion.  It needed a fresh start.  The message will always remain “new” because it must be accepted and applied in every generation.  When we follow Christ, we must be prepared for new ways to live, new ways to look at people, and new ways to serve.”
WOW – this is a challenge that is a must if we are still going to be affective in our times… we may not have chosen the direction our country is going – but God is still in control and he must be working through us as we go forward…    Get ready for the Challenges – as the Disciples went forward, there were allot of challenges that they had to get through – we will have to do the same.

“Activate Your Faith”

 Bobbyg