How Not To Lose Patience

Have you ever lost your patience with others? Do you still tend to grow impatient with other people? 

Maybe it’s because of things they should or should not do. Perhaps it’s because they ask you for your advise time and time again yet they ignore it. Maybe they ask you to pray for them regarding a particular situation in their life but they do nothing to rectify it.

Maybe you feel like you are at your wit’s end with them. You are frustrated. You are ready to give up on them. Perhaps you even want to give them “what for”. 

When you are about to lose all patience with people like this stop and take a step back. Consider how patient God has been with you. God shows great restraint and patience with each of us. Sometimes He even sends very patient people into our lives to help us get on track. That’s love! 

Perhaps consider if you had to put up with some of the things you have done just how patient would you be with yourself? Yikes! When I think about that I cringe. You see, I know me. I realize just how impatient I have been with others. Sometimes I still catch myself being impatient. There are times others point my impatience out to me. 

We should be grateful and thankful that God loves us unconditionally. He wants what is best for us. By the way, patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit that should be prevalent in the life of the believer (Galatians 5:22-23). 

Anything worthwhile takes effort. If patience is a problem in your your life pray and ask God to work on that in your life. Be prepared. He will work on helping you become patient.

Until next time...enjoy the journey,

Ray

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What Is Your Favorite Thing About Christmas?

When you ask people what their favorite thing about Christmas is you get a variety of answers. Some will say seeing family they don't have the opportunity to see often as one of their favorite things about Christmas. Some say its the fellowship you have visiting with and sharing stories with one another. Some say it's the food. There always seems to be a big meal on Christmas. Others say its the presents or gifts that they enjoy the most. 

While there is certainly nothing wrong with any of these responses it is important to acknowledge the reason why we celebrate Christmas. Christmas Day is the day that has been set aside to acknowledge and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ - the Savior of the world. Everything else is secondary.

You see, we give and receive gifts in honor of God giving His Son, Jesus, to all of mankind. Jesus was the greatest gift ever given. It's so important that we understand and acknowledge this. 

I want to encourage you, as we enter Christmas week, to keep the Main Thing the main thing. Keep Jesus central in your life and Christmas celebrations. In the midst of the business of the season make time for Jesus. Read the story of the birth of Jesus. It truly is the greatest story ever told.   

I also want to take this opportunity to wish my family, friends and anyone else who reads my blog a very Merry Christmas! You are loved and appreciated. 

May God's blessings be upon you as you celebrate the true meaning of the season. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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The Greatest Gift Ever

Today we find ourselves nearing the end of the busiest shopping days of the year. Yes, we are in the midst of the Christmas season. 

People are caught up in the hustle and bustle of the shopping season. Some enjoy the whole "shop 'til you drop" mentality. They thrive on that. Christmas music is played in nearly every store. In fact, in many cases its been playing for months. The bargains. The deals. People are looking for that "perfect" gift for their loved ones or friends.

The reality is there has only been one perfect gift. That gift was Jesus. There has been no greater gift ever given. 

The bible tells us in 1 John 4:14 "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."  

People spend all that time searching for the perfect gift for their loved one only to see it eventually swept aside, put under the bed or in the closet to be forgotten. 

Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving. He saves (salvation, deliverance, healing) us. He keeps us, giving us assurance of our salvation. He will take us through troubled times. He will be with us during the storms of life. He's there holding our hand as we pass through the valleys. At times He even carries us. He empowers us through the Holy Spirit. He leads, guides and directs us. 

Jesus never becomes irrelevant, Himself. However, believers sometimes push Him aside. We get too busy with the cares of this life. We put Jesus on the back burner of our lives. We want to only pull Him out when we need Him. In essence, He becomes like that "perfect" gift we give that eventually gets tossed aside. 

I want to encourage you to keep Jesus at the forefront of your life. Remember the reason we celebrate this season. Give Him preeminence in your life. Make Him count in your life. Let Him be the Savior He desires to be for you. He will bless you beyond measure. Or...as I sometimes say, 
He will bless your socks off!

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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Santa’s Prayer

Many of you may know that I am Santa Claus during the Christmas season. I love doing what I do. The excitement and joy that I am able to bring to children, as well as adults, is humbling. 

For those who may disagree with me doing this please don’t bother to send me messages telling me how wrong I am. They will fall on deaf ears  

I do know and acknowledge the true meaning for this season. Jesus was born of a virgin to enter this world. While He had an impact in His earthly ministry, His ultimate purpose for taking the physical form of a human was to die for the sins of the world.  

As Santa, I often have the opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas. What a joy this is. Who better to tell the true story of Christmas than Santa? The children listen to Santa. I share the story in an interactive way getting them involved.

I have always liked the picture of Santa kneeling before baby Jesus. It gives it perspective for me.

Today, a friend posted on another social media site the picture below along with Santa’s Prayer. I think that sums things up very well. I pray it blesses you.

Let’s keep the Main Thing the main thing not only at Christmas time but all year long. 

Santa’s prayer.... ❤️ ❤️

My dear precious Jesus, I did not mean to take your place,

I only bring toys and things and you bring love and grace.

People give me lists of wishes and hope that they came true;

But you hear prayers of the heart and promise your will to do.

Children try to be good and not to cry when I am coming to town;

But you love them unconditionally and that love will abound.

I leave only a bag of toys and temporary joy for a season;

But you leave a heart of love, full of purpose and reasons.

I have a lot of believers and what one might call fame;

But I never healed the blind or tried to help the lame.

I have rosy cheeks and a voice full of laughter;

But no nail—scarred hands or a promise of the hereafter.

You may find several of me in town or at a mall;

But there is only one omnipotent you, to answer a sinner’s call.

And so, my dear precious Jesus, I kneel here to pray;

To worship and adore you on this, your holy birthday.

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL!

Isaiah 9:6  "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:  and the government shall be upon His shoulder:  and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The might God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace"

The prophet Isaiah, in his writing foretold the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Additionally he wrote about the life of Jesus, described the death of Jesus and prophesied the coming Kingdom of Jesus. Isaiah had a revelation of the many names of the Savior: Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Today, in this blog, I am beginning a series of these descriptive names of Jesus that will take us through Christmas. Today's blog will deal with “...His name shall be called Wonderful...”.  This speaks of His person and work – speaks of the essence of who He is. Jesus is exceptional, distinguished, and without peer. He is both God and man. The Messiah is prophesied to be a spiritual wonder. He would show His character by His deeds and miracles. Yes, indeed, “His name shall be called Wonderful”!

Jesus was wonderful in His birth. Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” This was Isaiah's prophecy of the miraculous birth of the Savior.  Gabriel had a message for Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Mary was a bit confused by this prophetic message (Vs 29). Gabriel then gave her a reassuring answer (Vs 30).

The virgin birth was, without a doubt, a miracle! There was never one before and there has been none since. There were other miracles regarding the birth of Jesus, as well. The angelic appearances to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. The taxing that brought them to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The arrival of the wise men (Matt 2). These were all a part of God's divine plan.  Don't try to explain away the miracles of Christmas!

Jesus was wonderful in His life. This wonderful baby born in a manger was a miracle, without question. But Jesus is no longer in a manger. His miraculous birth was only part of God's great plan. We no longer worship a babe in a manger. We worship the sinless Savior who gave His life for every man, woman, boy or girl who ever lived or will live – He laid down His life for you and me!

We worship the sinless Savior who meets people in crisis. He is like a hiding place from the wind. He is like a covert from the tempest. He is like rivers of water in a dry place. He is like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. He will meet you in your crisis and deliver you!

Jesus was wonderful in His death (Isaiah 53). All die because of sin (Heb 9:27). Jesus was sinless and died for sinners. Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”

He died carrying our sorrows! He died in our place as our substitute. All our sins were laid on Him.

Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have tuned every one to his own way; and the lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all”

The Message “We're all like sheep who've wondered off and gotten lost. We've done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on Him, on Him”

Jesus will be wonderful in His coming kingdom (Isaiah 35). The One who died and rose again will return again! When He comes to reign the promises to Mary will be fulfilled. “He shall reign forever and ever” (Luke 1:33) and “Of His Kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:33)

“His name shall be called Wonderful” Is Jesus wonderful to you? Trust Him and you will find Him a wonderful Savior. Cast your cares on Him and He'll be wonderful to you. Leave your burdens at His feet and this wonderful Savior will take them. He will be as wonderful to you as you allow Him to be

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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100th BLOG POST

It's exciting to me to announce this particular post is my 100th post on this blog!  We have covered a wide variety of topics and I've even been on my soap box from time to time.  There are many things I feel passionate about and this blog gives me an outlet to share my thoughts.

I want to say to those who take the time to read this blog THANK YOU!!!!  I really do appreciate you.  For those who have forwarded a link to this blog I want to say THANK YOU!!!!  You have helped me get the word our about this blog and others are reading it as a result of you passing on a link to them.

I would like to give you some stats regarding this blog including the top ten most read blog posts that I have made.

There  have been 5193 page views over the last 99 blog posts. These have come from ten different countries :  United States, Russia, Germany, United Kingdom, Latvia, Malaysia, Canada, France, China and South Korea. How exciting is that?  This gives us a bit of an international flavor.

My top ten posts on this blog are as follows:

1. IS TITHING BIBLICAL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH?

2. WHAT ABOUT THE ORDER OF WORSHIP?

3. WHAT ABOUT OUR SUNDAY GO TO MEETING CLOTHES?

4. CHRISTIANITY VERSUS CHURCHIANITY

5. QUIT DOING WHAT GOD NEVER TOLD YOU TO DO

6. THE LORD'S SUPPER OR THE LORD'S SNACK?

7. WHAT ABOUT WATER BAPTISM?

8. SPIRITUAL WARFARE

9. WHAT ABOUT THE OFFICE OF PASTOR?

10. CONTENTMENT

I would like to encourage you to go back and read some of the older blog posts from time to time.  There may be times you are facing something and would be encouraged by something in this blog.  Use it as a resource to encourage and bless yourself as well as others.

I also want to let you know that this will most likely be my last blog post until after Christmas.  It's been my experience that many people are quite busy during the Christmas season with family, shopping, Christmas parties as well as other functions and events.  We are quite busy ourselves with our Santa work.  

From Cindy and I we wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!  Always remember...JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost this blog.