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We are pleased to be sending you our October 2007 edition of the Heed the Watchman Newsletter. You will find four articles in this newsletter: The New China SyndromeScripture Lesson The Holidays Money Saving Tips We hope you are encouraged in your faith and your relationship with the Lord.
The New China Syndrome It seems that China has become a favorite topic in the news these days. Mostly we are hearing about the presence of lead in many products imported from China. Last year it was the poisoning of our pets: now it is our children. The United States has been importing extensively from China for decades—why the sudden criticism? If our government was so concerned for our safety, shouldn’t these issues have been addressed earlier? A recent news article I read also puts much blame on China for global warming. They have also been pointed to regarding the surge in oil prices. What does it all mean? Casual observation should alert us that something is going on… All these things are trumped up issues designed to prejudice us toward the nation of China. During war, it is important for citizens to support their country and it’s political agenda. Yes, World War III is nearly upon us—it has been carefully planned for more than a century. Iran, China, and North Korea are presently positioned to be our adversaries. There is an organization that seeks world dominance and global rule. It is not possible to subjugate nations by military might only—the ruling power must have the willing cooperation of its citizens. Therefore this organization works to secure political headship, financial control, and to bring the various religions under one agreed upon collective. National policies are directed from a world governing body, which is currently behind the scenes. Near the end of the 19th century, the leader of this organization openly stated the agenda of the planned wars that were in store. The Russian Revolution, Word Wars I and II, reinstatement of Israel, the Korean and Vietnamese conflicts, the wars in Iraq, and World War III slated to focus around the Middle East. The Bible supports this World War III scenario, and hints that it could be with China. Revelation 9:14-19 is the scripture reference. Verse 16 refers to a 200 million man army. Mao Tse Tung boasted that China could produce such an army 40 years ago. The weapons description in verses 17-19 could easily be a reference to nuclear war heads. Given the number of casualties listed, one-third of mankind, nuclear weapons are the most likely cause. It is my intent to warn you of this now; only briefly mentioning some of the underlying factors in the world that are playing out. As for reference material, at http://www.EAEC.org/ you will find the books; Architects of Deception by Jüri Lina and En Route to Global Occupation by Gary H. Kah. www.Chick.com features the Alberto Series, which also addresses the dire circumstances in the world. Our next President would likely pull us out of Iraq. It is my belief that World War III will erupt before a withdrawal can be completed. So why all the bloodshed through planned war? Who would do such a thing, and why? The first answer lies in the Bible, which tells us that Satan is the true adversary
Our enemy the devil wants to kill us, steal our faith, and destroy us spiritually. Satan wins when men and women die without salvation. It logically follows that he would initiate greatly destructive wars to achieve his goal. The great lie of evolution has been affecting and infecting mankind for 150 years. It is continually pushed through education, the news, TV programs and more. Evolution is actually anti-scientific, and the greatest lie Satan has ever sold to the world. Evolution teaches that we are baseless, accidental creatures. As mere animals, spiritual concerns are of no value: when the body dies life is over. Morality is discarded, and each of us answers only to him/herself due to the absence of any God. Great genocides and ethnic “cleansings” have resulted from the evolutionary viewpoint. A godless nation like communist China would think of nuclear war only as a means to an end, not a moral atrocity. Organizations such as the New World Order actually consider the earth’s ideal population as one-half billion: and they work radically to achieve that populace reduction. Ultimately, wars are meant to undermine confidence in the current system of nations—pulling us into a world wide federation as an ultimate solution. Personally, I believe the antichrist will arise from World War III. He will do miracles, and bring peace to the earth. He will pose as God or Christ, and unify all religion, and finance. At some point an assassin will deliver a deadly head blow to this leader—and he will be healed! (Revelation 13:3) This display of power and authority will solidify the rule of the “beast”; all will be required to take his mark and worship him. True believers (extremely few) will flee or be put to death. Nearly 100% of all church goers will accept this man as Christ, and comply with his demands. The new age versions of the Bible will support the claims he makes. The pope will be the false prophet by his side. Remember:
These will be the worst days that the earth has ever known. For the believer, it means final deliverance! For the unbelieving, earthly destruction and eternal damnation. Stay close to the Lord! Accept only God’s preserved Word, the King James Bible, as your final authority. Where teachers and preachers disagree with the Word, reject the teachings of men. Time is short, beloved brethren.
Scripture Lesson Almost every Christian has heard the verse; “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20 Many people then isolate this verse, and claim that an individual or organization is godly because of a good work they have done. Actually, it is another way of saying that the end justifies the means. When taken with the rest of scripture, however, the Godly meaning becomes clear. First, we can directly look at this passage—taking in the surrounding verses that also apply here. We should take verses 16-23 in clarifying the concept of verse 20. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:16-23 Emphasis needs to be on the tree (v. 17&18) that is bearing the fruit. Certainly the individuals referred to in verses 21 and 22 had some good-looking works, or fruit. Yet they were rejected, and never knew Christ as they should have. The original sin in the Garden of Eden is a great example of observing the tree, instead of the fruit. God identified that tree (Genesis 2:17) man was not to touch; confirmed again by the woman in Genesis 3:3. After the serpent beguiled her by his words, check out Genesis 3:6:
She found it had “good” fruit, was pleasant to look at, and desirable. The outer appearance seemed terrific—but God had identified the tree as a no touch item! We need to use the Lord’s discernment to evaluate the “trees” we may run into each day. How do we discern? Let the Holy Spirit guide you into the Word of God. Verses 24-27 of Matthew chapter seven tell us the same:
This is why it is so vital to know and believe Jesus, The Word of God. New bible versions are only a counterfeit of the truth, and will ultimately tear down your faith. Please wee our section on the Word of God, to understand more on why the King James Bible alone is the true Word of God. I Corinthians 13:1-3 agrees with the verses in Matthew seven. It tells us that the outer works are not always an accurate record of what’s inside a person. (I Samuel 16:7) Remember also that a kingdom divided against itself can not stand.
An example would be Mel Gibson producing the movie, The Passion of the Christ. Though this may seem like a good work, the fruit produced can only be evil! Mel Gibson is Catholic, and is openly vile in the movies he makes. Vulgarity, lies, murder, and adultery are all strongly promoted within those films. So what does Satan want to accomplish here? Catholicism is not Christianity. It is a works—based salvation system, whose members try to earn favor with God and the Catholic Church. Through this movie, Mel Gibson became even more filthy rich than before. This wealth also spilled into the coffers of the Vatican, promoting ecumenical ties favorable to Catholicism. Mr. Gibson was trying to secure heaven by his works; reducing time he will spend in the imaginary purgatory of the Catholic system. If you are a true believer who has seen this movie, you know the truth behind it. God will be merciful for what was done in ignorance. Believe the Word of God, and realize the truth we spoke of in Matthew 12:24-26. Satan will not cast out Satan: therefore, Mel Gibson was not doing a work of God! Some of you will no doubt declare that this movie still did much good for the cause of Christ—wrong! Any time a film like this is made, it adds and diminishes from the Word. This is strictly forbidden! (Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:5,6, and Revelation 22:18,19) “…A corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” If you are truly saved, you did not lose your salvation from watching The Passion of the Christ. But do not deny Jesus by trying to defend your actions! Learn and grow. Also, at times a new ministry will start, and show great growth in numbers. We accept that it is successful because it is of God. Again I would ask you to take a closer look, while cross referencing the ministry with God’s Word. II Corinthians 4:11 states,
Consider the following example, as well. In Acts chapter two, the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4). When Peter spoke, three thousand were saved! But look at chapter seven, concerning Stephen. In Acts 6:5 and 7:55, Stephen is also reported to be full of the Holy Ghost. Yet him they stoned to death! This is an important lesson we should remember; that the outer appearance doesn’t measure what is within. Whether or not something is successful in the eyes of men does not mean that God considers it the same way.
Study the Word of God. Believe it in faith, and be careful about adding to it. The Lord will enable you to discern the truth. (James 1:5)
The Holidays This time of year, there is a certain stirring within as we approach the holiday season. Sales for Christmas gifts, decorations, and lighting, virtually explode on the scene. Parents and children alike feel the excitement in anticipation of giving and receiving gifts. Even churches deck their halls; choirs rehearse, and plays are put on. Yes, I was one of the many celebrating. We set up a nativity scene, set up a tree, and sang carols. Our family was at its religious best during Christmas. We must be “good” to get presents, you know! Then one day I came upon the unpleasant truth. It made me angry beyond measure, because I knew that many church leaders are also aware of the truth—but keep congregations in the dark. Still, I did not leave the celebrating. Wasn’t I accepted by God, through Christ’s blood? Besides that, absolutely no one wanted to hear it! It was too much for me to fight alone. After some years, the Lord provided me a true help-mate who loved Jesus first, as did I. More years passed, and my heart grew heavier each time the lies were recited concerning December 25th. My wife and I stood together; and by the Holy Ghost’s power were able to break the hold of Christmas idolatry. To keep participating would be to deny Jesus—and that means sin. (see John 8:31,32; James 4:17) Years after knowing the truth, I was led to a little book called, The Truth About Christmas. It can be found to purchase at www.EAEC.org, and is a very good way to study the subject and share with others. Reprinted here is the first section; Should Christians Celebrate Christmas? It is the testimony of Charles Halff, Director of The Christian Jew Foundation. You may write to them at P.O. Box 345, San Antonio, TX 78292 This section will be reprinted in each newsletter leading up to the holidays. I strongly urge you to visit www.EAEC.org, and check out their resources. As believers, we need all the spiritual ammo we can get to fight Satan! Should Christians Celebrate Christmas? Charles Halff, Director The Christian Jew Foundation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What a Christian Jew has to say about Christmas... Up until 25 years ago, I used to celebrate Christmas as much as - or even more than - any Gentile. You might think that is strange since I was born and raised in a Jewish home. But my family always had a Christmas tree every year because it was the popular thing to do. We had ornaments, mistletoe, holly wreaths, presents and everything else that goes along with the Christmas celebration. You see, Jewish people celebrate Christmas today, not because of Christ's birthday, but because it is popular tradition and part of our present-day culture. It's as American as apple pie and hamburgers. And I observed Christmas for nearly 22 years of my life, until God opened my eyes to see the falseness of this pagan holiday. It's not because I'm a Jew that I don't celebrate Christmas now. That has nothing to do with it. Let me tell you the real reasons why I no longer observe this pagan holiday. Christmas Not a Bible Doctrine In the first place, Christmas is not a Bible Doctrine. If our blessed Lord had wanted us to celebrate His birthday, He would have told us when to celebrate it and how to celebrate it. But Christ never told anyone to celebrate His birthday. Furthermore, we know from the Bible and from church history that the apostles and the early church never celebrated Christ's birthday. The Bible is God's complete and final revelation to man, and it tells us everything we need to know for our spiritual lives (II Timothy 3:16). We don't have to go outside the Bible for anything. God's Word tells us how we're to worship, how we're to give money for the support of the Lord's work, how to evangelize the lost, how to observe the Lord's Supper and everything else pertaining to the Christian life. But not once in the Bible does God tell us to celebrate Christmas! We're told to remember the Lord's death, but nowhere are we told to celebrate His birth. God's people are supposed to be Bible people. We are supposed to live by the teaching of the God's holy Word. So the very fact that Christmas is never mentioned in the Bible is sufficient reason for us not to have anything to do with it. But that's not all. Christ Not born on December 25 The second reason I don't celebrate Christmas is that Christ was not born on December 25th. Notice:
Don't miss the point: the shepherds WERE IN THE FIELDS taking care of their flocks on the night Jesus was born. As the shepherds were watching their sheep, the message came to them of the birth of Jesus. It's a well known fact that December falls in the middle of the rainy season in Palestine, and the sheep were kept in the fold at that time of the year. The shepherds always corralled their flocks from October to April. They brought their sheep from the mountainsides and the fields no later than October 15th to protect them from the cold, rainy seasons that followed that date. So the birth of Christ could not have taken place at the end of December. Secondly, Luke 2:1, 3 tells us that at the time of the birth of Jesus it was decreed that, "all the world would be taxed...And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city." This couldn't have taken place in the winter. Caesar Augustus, the ruler of Rome, would certainly not call for such a taxing in the depth of winter. Travel at this time of the year is extremely difficult; hence, it would be virtually impossible for everyone to comply with the decree if it had been given then. The Lord Himself testified to the rigors of traveling in winter, for He told the people to pray that their flight at the end of this age would not be in winter (Matthew 24:20). No one knows the exact day when Jesus was born, but in all the probability He was born sometime during the first part of October. We can be reasonably sure of this because His earthly ministry lasted 3 1/2 years, and He was crucified on the 14th day of the month of Nisan, which corresponds to our April (John 19:31, Leviticus 23:5). If we go back 3 1/2 years to he time when Jesus was 30 years old - when He began His public ministry - we come to the month of October. This was probably the month when our blessed Lord was born into the world. However, let's remember that it's not the date of Jesus' birth that's important. The important thing is that He was born and that He died for our sins. We're not worshipping a helpless infant lying in a manger. We are worshipping a risen and exalted Christ who has all power in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18). Origin of Christmas Where do you suppose Christmas Originated? Certainly not with God! Christmas started with the sun worshipers in the time of Nimrod, the man who supervised the building of the tower of Babel. And that's another reason why I don't celebrate Christmas. Thousands of years before Jesus was born, heathens in every country observed December 25th as the birthday of a god who was called the sun-god. Semiramis, the widow of Nimrod, was his mother. She claimed to be the queen of heaven. And she had a son who was supposed to have been born on December 25th; his name was Tammuz. According to all the heathen religions of that time, Tammuz had a miraculous birth; and for centuries his birthday was celebrated with feasts, revelry and drunken orgies. The heathen celebrated Tammuz' birthday according to the very example he set for them. He was the world's greatest lover of women, strong drink, dirty jokes and other sensual fun. It is said that he loved everybody and that everybody loved him. And it was on December 25th that all the pagan religions celebrated the birthday of Tammuz, the son-god. This is all clearly brought out in Alexander Hislop's great book, "The Two Babylon's." Any reputable encyclopedia will also verify these facts. It's plain to see, isn't it, that Christmas is a pagan holiday that came out of old pagan Babylon. As born-again believers, let's have nothing to do with it. Christmas: A Catholic Holiday The fourth reason I don't celebrate Christmas is because Christmas is a Catholic holiday. Why should I steal Christmas from the Catholics? They got it from the pagans, and I'm happy to let them keep it. Notice what Encyclopedia Americana has to say about Christmas and Catholicism. "Christmas – it was according to many authorities NOT celebrated in the first centuries of the Christian churches as the Christian usage in general was to celebrate the death of remarkable persons rather than their birth. A feast was established in memory of the birth of the Saviour in the FOURTH CENTURY. In the Fifth Century the Western Church (Roman Catholic) ordered it to be celebrated forever on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol. The holly, mistletoe, the yule log and the wassail bowl are of pre-Christian times. The Christmas tree has been traced back to the Romans. It went from Germany to Great Britain." Encyclopedia Britannica has this to say about Christmas: "Christmas (i.e., the Mass of Christ) was not among the earliest festivals of the church." After Constantine became the Emperor of Rome, he forced all the pagans of his empire to be baptized into the Christian Church. Thus pagans far outnumbered true Christians. Since the church worshiped the Lord Jesus as the Son of God, when the 25th of December rolled around and the pagans wanted to worship Tammuz, their sun-god, Constantine knew that he would have to do something. So he had the church combine the worship of Tammuz with the birthday of Christ, and a special mass was declared to keep everyone happy. Thus pagan worship was brought into the Christian church and called "Christ-mass." Every time we say "Merry Christmas," we're actually mixing the precious and holy name of Christ with paganism. This is not right. God says in Ezekiel 20:39, "Pollute ye my holy name no more." The World and Christmas That brings me to the next reason why I don't celebrate Christmas. Christmas is of the world, and we're commanded, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." I John 2:15 The very fact that the world which hates Christ and His blood atonement for sin makes more fuss about Christmas than any other holiday proves to me that Christmas is not of God. If December 25th were truly the birthday of the blessed Son of God, the world would have nothing to do with it! You don't have to be a Christian to celebrate Christmas. Even in non-Christian countries like Japan, Czeckoslovakia, Poland and Russia the people celebrate Christmas. People throughout the world, who for the most part have no awareness of the Bible or Jesus Christ, eat up the Christmas celebration. To take Christmas from the world would be harder than taking candy from a child. Let's face it, the world is married to the idol of Christmas. In fact, more people get drunk at Christmas than any other time of the year. There are more big parties and more selfish spending than any other season. Doesn't that prove that it's not of God? The world loves Christmas, but it hates Christ. Unscriptural Traditions Another reason why I don't celebrate Christmas is that it's filled with unscriptural tradition. The exchanging of gifts, the Christmas tree, the singing of carols and Santa Claus are all pagan origin. These all crept into the church during or after the Fourth Century. There are many unscriptural traditions that have cluttered up the story of the birth of our wonderful Saviour. For instance, many people believe that the wise men of East and the shepherds were together in Bethlehem at the time our Lord was born. But nothing could be further from the truth. The shepherds came to Bethlehem to see Jesus at His birth. The wise men came to Nazareth to see Jesus when He was almost two years old (Matthew 2:16). Furthermore, the Bible says nothing about three wise men, nor does it say that they were kings. The fact is the Bible does not give their number at all but merely states that they were wise men. Perhaps the worst part of the Christmas celebration is thousands of parents will teach their children the falsehood of Santa Claus. Children are taught that Santa Claus makes his home at the North Pole, and once each year he fills his sled with toys for the boys and girls who have been good throughout the year. If they are good, he brings them toys on Christmas Eve, and if they are bad, he passes them by. Is it any wonder that many times when children grow up and learn the truth, they question whether Christ is also a myth? The Bible says in Colossians 3:9, "Lie not one to another,". We are commanded in Ephesians 4:25 to put "away lying," and to "speak every truth with his neighbor." Now I know that some of you loving mothers are saying, "Don't you think we should give the children a good time? They don't understand all the paganism behind Christmas." Let me ask you a question, mother. Is it necessary to drag the holy name of our blessed Lord down to the low level of fleshly gratification and drunkenness to show the kiddies a good time? A thousand times, no! Let's teach our children the truth about Christmas. God's Word says that we should bring up children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Why should we dishonor the name of Christ in such a manner under the pretense of showing the children a good time? There are 364 more days in the year during which we can give gifts to our children. Merrymaking and Exchanging Gifts Without question, the most important part of Christmas for most people is buying and exchanging gifts. I don't celebrate Christmas because exchanging gifts has nothing to do with Christ's birthday. Perhaps some of you are asking, "Didn't the wise men give gifts to Jesus?" They certainly did, but they didn't give them to one another. And their gifts were not birthday gifts because the wise men did not come to visit Jesus until He was nearly two years old (Matthew 2:16). The shepherds came to visit Jesus as His birth, but the wise men came to see Him nearly two years later. Did you know that giving gifts to a king was common custom in the Far East? That's the reason why the wise men brought gifts to Jesus – because He was born to be King of the Jews. But they were not birthday gifts. So there is no connection between Christmas and the birthday of Jesus in this respect. One final word before leaving the matter of exchanging gifts. Let me point out that even this is a part of Satan's antichrist program. The greatest Christmas celebration yet to come will be during the awful days of the tribulation. During the antichrist's reign all hell will be loose. The two witnesses who God shall send to the people of the earth will be killed when God is finished with them. Can you guess who will kill them? The antichrist will put them to death. Listen to God's Word:
It is under antichrist's reign that the last and greatest Christmas celebration shall take place. As a result of the death of these prophets of God, the world will be so delighted and thrilled that they will exchange gifts with one another. Here is what the Bible says,
What further proof do we need that Christmas celebration is not of God? Truly the Lord's people should not celebrate Christmas. It is anti-God, anti-Christ, Satanic, and unscriptural. The call of God is, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate...and touch not the unclean thing." II Corinthians 6:17. God's command to all His people is, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Ephesians 5:11 Christmas Condemned by the Puritans The pagan history of Christmas has been well known throughout history. In fact, at one time the celebration of this pagan custom was forbidden by law in England. In 1644, Parliament declared Christmas to be unlawful; and, consequently, it was abolished. The English Puritans looked upon the celebration of Christmas as the work of Satan At one time in early American history, the observance of Christmas was illegal. A law was adopted in the general court of Massachusetts about 1650, which required that those who celebrated Christmas were to be punished. The statue read, "Whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas, or in any other way...shall be subject to fine of 5 shillings." The law's preamble explained its purpose was "for preventing disorders...(by) observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other countries to the great dishonor of God and the offense of others." After the Mayflower pilgrims landed in 1620, the first December 25th was spent in labor and cutting down trees "in order to avoid any frivolity on the day sometimes called Christmas." Opposition to the observance of Christmas continued just past the second half of the Nineteenth Century. An article in the December 26, 1855 edition of the New York Daily Times stated, "The churches of the Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists were not open on December 25 except where some mission schools had a celebration. They do not accept the day as a holy one, but the Episcopalian, Catholic and German churches were all open. Inside they were decked with evergreens." The Puritans knew the truth about Christmas and regarded it as a pagan holiday. It would be good if all believers followed their example. What About the Christmas Tree? Another reason why I don't observe Christmas is because the Christmas tree is condemned by the Bible. Notice: "Learn not the way of the heathen...For 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. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it may not move. But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities." Jeremiah 10:2-4, 9 Here you have a perfect description of the Christmas tree, called by God "the way of the heathen." We are commanded not to learn that way or follow it! The Christmas tree is also viewed in this passage as idolatry. The fifth verse says that these tress cannot speak-cannot walk-must be carried. Some people misread this to make it say that there is no harm in having a Christmas tree, but that is not what it says at all. Rather, the Prophet Jeremiah tells us that it is vanity and foolishness and says, "Learn not the way of the heathen." Some people will be up all night to work on an old dead tree. They'll trim it all up and stand off a little ways and admire their handiwork. Then many of them will sit up all night and look at that old Christmas tree. I hope some of you preachers will get up in the middle of the night and throw out that old tree out of your house and out of your church right at Satan's head. I realize that some of you will just gnash your teeth and call me "narrow minded." Well, you can call me anything you want, but I'm just giving you the Word of God. Did you know that the green tree is mentioned 14 times in the Bible, and in every instance it is likened with idolatry? There isn't one place in the Bible where God commends the use of the "green tree" in connection with true worship. Perhaps you're wondering why people have a Christmas tree during the Christmas celebration. You can search the Bible through and through, but you won't find a reason for it there. The first decorating of any evergreen tree began with the heathen Greeks and their worship of their god Adonis, who allegedly was brought back to life by the serpent Aesculapius after having been slain. And each Christmas multitudes of people will secure an evergreen tree and dress it up with bright glitter, lights and tinsel, not realizing that they are following the tradition of a pagan festival in honor of a false god! No doubt there are many sincere Christians who think that they are honoring Christ by having their Christmas tree when, in reality, they are dishonoring Him by having anything to do with a heathen festival that God hates. As you read these lines perhaps you say, "I have my Christmas tree but I don't worship it, and consequently, I see nothing wrong with it." Let me remind you, however, that you don't determine what is right and what is wrong. God determines what's right and wrong. If the Christmas tree is not an idol to you, why are you so reluctant to give it up? What are you doing down on your knees when you place your gifts under it? Observing Days Forbidden Finally I don't celebrate Christmas because God's Word forbids the observance of any holy days in this dispensation of grace. Listen:
This tells us that the observance of days is a sign of weakness, childishness and lack of development. There are no special holy days for members of the body of Christ. The Lord wants us to worship Him the same 365 days a year. We're not worshiping a dead Christ or a helpless infant lying in a manger, but we're worshiping a real living Christ who lives all year round. Sometimes well-meaning people will make the statement, "Let's put the Christ back into Christmas." This sounds very good on the surface...but beloved, how can you put Christ back into something when He was never there? Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the famous English preacher of the last century, said, "We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas...we find no scriptural word whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Saviour; and consequently, it's observance is a superstition, because (it's) not of divine authority...probably the fact is that the 'holy days' (were) arranged to fit in with the heathen festivals...how absurd to think we could do it in the spirit of the world, with a Jack Frost clown, a deceptive worldly Santa Claus, and a mixed program of sacred truth with fun, deception, and faction." While the world celebrates Christmas with its gift swapping and wild parties, what should be our attitude? God's Word makes it plain that we should have nothing to do with this pagan holiday. Let's not associate the birth of the holy Son of God with the pagan traditions of men. Let us heed God's command; "Be ye separate, O my people." II Corinthians 6:17
Money Saving Tips We will try to introduce practical money saving tips in each newsletter. You would be amazed at the ways small, daily savings can add up. First, we will quench our thirst! If you spend time to think, there can be savings when you drink! Water is a staple that we all need, but few actually get enough. I do not recommend regular tap water, because of the treatment with chlorine and such. You may have a water treatment system installed in your home, or purchase spring water outside your home. Most spring water is ordinary tap water that has gone through several treatment processes. Water is a healthy, inexpensive way to quench your thirst. Today many have made it expensive through purchasing large quantities of small water bottles. It is ridiculous how lazy we have become, because all these waste bottles are now creating an environmental hazard. We can’t even become healthier without destroying something else! Hopefully, these financial statistics will help to persuade you not to be part of the problem. Consider the following as examples: A typical sale you will find for one-liter water bottles is $3.99 for a case of 24. This is about $1.26 per gallon. Where I go for refillable spring water, the cost is $.20 per gallon. For simplicity’s sake, we will work with the consumption of one gallon per day. Depending on the needs and size of your family, you could require 3-4 gallons daily. One liter bottles Weekly cost Yearly cost Savings $1.26 $8.82 $459.90 — Gallon Bottles Weekly cost Yearly cost Savings $.20 $1.40 $73.00 $386 $.25 $1.75 $91.25 $368+ $.30 $2.10 $109.50 $350+ What could you do with an extra $350? Add that to your health and environment issues, and you can’t go wrong. Now you will need some type of reusable water bottle(s) to take with you. Also, you should replace your gallon containers every 6 months to allow for deteriorating and best cleanliness. The reusable container(s) could be a one time cost of 5-20 dollars. Replacing your water gallons could be about 12 dollars (2 cases water at $6 per case) annually. Using the one liter bottles only, you would be disposing of over 2,900 bottles yearly! Now let’s look at coffee. Supermarket prices have soared with the rise of fuel costs. In our area, it is still possible to get a large can of Folgers for six dollars on sale. In our example, we are comparing store bought coffee to individual 16 ounce cups you would buy on the way to work. For the large can of coffee, we can safely figure 93 servings of sixteen ounces. 250 work days are considered; 50 weeks, 5 days a week. Purchase one 16 ounce cup (250 work days) Store bought At $.70 = $175 about $.07 per cup x 250 = $17.50 At $1.00 = $250 At $1.20 = $300 Here again we see a vast difference of possibly $200 or more every year. Is it worth undermining your finances to serve your “routine”? These are small changes, but they really add up. The principles used here can be applied with many different items. It will require some time and effort, but you will enjoy the reward immensely! God calls us to be good stewards with all He has provided; it is one of our responsibilities as we follow the Lord.  |
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