Have you heard the joke about the Lone Ranger and Tonto? The Lone Ranger and Tonto were surrounded by Indians on the warpath when the Lone Ranger asked Tonto in desperation, “What are we going to do now?” Tonto replied, “I don’t know about you Kemosahbee, but…” (raising his tomahawk and slapping his mouth) “Wo,Wo,Wo,Wo,Wo,Wo,Wo…” Hahaha. The moral of this funny narrative is that in times of our greatest need even our closest friends may turn their backs on us or let us down. How many have learned this discouraging truth the hard way and were devastated when those closest failed them?

The Bible teaches there are friends on whom we can depend who will “love at all times” (Pr. 17:17). But, on the other hand, there are also fair-weather friends. “All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him?” (Pr. 19:7). We all may have some on our friend list who only stick around until we fall on our luck or need their help and then learn they are nowhere to be found even when we have been there for them. And, the ones I am talking about are the ones who are able to assist but choose not to.

So unsurprisingly, the Bible teaches that our absolute trust should reside in God alone (Pr. 3:5; Jer. 17:5-8). He is the primary source of all our help (Ps. 46:1; 121:1). Of course, the Bible is not instructing us to live without depending on anyone else because we all have a God-given responsibility to one another (Rom. 12:13,15; Gal. 6:10; 1 Thess. 5:14; Jas. 1:27). And having good dependable friends is a result of our choices. We just need to use a little wisdom in choosing our friends. The book of Proverbs offers some wisdom in this area.

• Choose faithful godly folk as your closest friends ( 1:10).
• Seek older wiser Christians as friends also ( 16:31).
• Be a friend that others want for a friend ( 18:24).
• Never develop a friend for only a resource ( 19:4,6).
• Good friends should make one another better ( 27:17).
• As a friend, practice being dependable and loyal ( 27:10).

But never forget that our most dependable friend is the Lord who will never let us down as long as we remain faithful friends to him (John 15:14; Heb. 13:5-6).

I love Christmas and celebrate it every year, but I stay away from the lies of Christmas. Christmas is a wonderful time that should be enjoyed with an understanding of right and wrong (Is.5:20; Jas.4:17). There are things that are right with Christmas and things that are wrong with it. Many believe Christmas is both a national holiday and a religious holy day. First, Christmas is a national holiday that is celebrated with lights, trees, gifts, stocking stuffers, food, friends and family. There is biblically nothing wrong with getting together with family/friends, sharing meals, and exchanging gifts. Santa Claus and his reindeer are a big part of the tradition. The myth of Santa is not necessarily a lie but an untruth if it is not taught to deceive. Parents should tell their children the truth about Santa and reindeer (Eph.4:25; Col.3:9). It will not diminish their joy and excitement of the day and season. Next, saying Christmas is a holy day because it is the birthday of Jesus Christ is a lie. There is no scripture that Jesus was born on December 25^th. The Lord’s birth could not have been in the winter (season of bitter cold and snow), since the shepherds were out in the field keeping watch over their flocks by night and would not have been outside in frigid temperatures (Lk.2:8). The devil is the father of lies and deception (Lk.8:44; Rev.12:9), but the God we serve is a God of truth (Deut.32:4; Ps.31:5). His subjects are people of truth. “Buy the truth and sell it not” (Pr.23:23). “Speak the truth in love” (Eph.4:15). “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor” (Eph.4:25). “God is a spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn.4:23-24). “Be established in the present truth” (2Pet.1:12). The truth is ascertained from Jesus and his word, not the world (Jn.14:6; Eph.4:21). Next, Christmas is not a holy day for such days are commanded to be observed. However, nowhere in the New Testament was Jesus Christ’s birthday observed by Christians. It is the Lord’s death, not his birth, that Jesus commanded Christians to observe (Lk.22:19-20; 1Cor.11:23-34). This is the only holy day for Christians which is observed on the first day of every week/Sunday (Acts 20:7). So, can Christians observe and enjoy Christmas as a national holiday? Absolutely! But understand, Jesus is NOT the reason for the season. The word “Christ” may be in “Christ-mas” but Christmas is not in the bible. Therefore, keep the spiritual things out of it and keep it away from the church. Put away the nativity scenes, angels, stars, and carols about Jesus’ birth. While these things have aspects of truth they only lend themselves to the devil’s lie during this time of the year. Therefore, enjoy a non-religious Christmas season.

In Numbers 35:9-34 and Joshua 20:1-9, after the conquest of Canaan, the Lord’s people were told to appoint six cities of refuge for the one who unintentionally slays someone without premeditation. If the manslayer made it to one of the cities, they would be safe, and a hearing would ensue to make sure their claim of accidental homicide was justified. But if someone seeking vengeance slew them before they made it to one of the cities, the killing was justified. Now, a few parallels between the cities of refuge and the Lord’s church today.

One city was not as good as another. The Levites had forty-eight cities but only six were designated as places of refuge (Num.35:6-7; Josh.20:7-8). In a similar way, there are many “churches” today but only one whom the Lord has designated as a place for asylum and protection for the soul. Jesus built “one church” of refuge, which is his “one body” (Mt.16:18; Eph.1:22-23; 2:16; 3:6; 4:4; 5:23).

There was mercy in the cities of refuge. Accidental or not, murder was still murder and a violation of the law. “Thou shalt not kill” (Ex.20:13). However, within the cities of refuge mercy was granted and one was not given the death they deserved (Gen.9:6; Ex.21:12). Today, all have sinned and are guilty and deserving of spiritual death (Rom.3:23; 6:23; Rev.20:14). However, there is no condemnation for the faithful in Christ (Rom.8:1). There is mercy in Christ and in his church of refuge (2Cor.1:3; Eph.2:4; Tit.3:5; Lam.3:22; Acts.2:36-42,47). Those who have obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ were added to the Lord’s church of refuge
(Acts.2:41,47).

One had to remain in the city of refuge. If one left the city for any reason, they could be killed by someone seeking revenge (Num.35:26-27). Nevertheless, there was one condition in which the manslayer could leave the city in safety without the threat of harm. It was only after the high priest died (Num.35:28; Josh.20:6). Jesus our High Priest, unlike the mortal high priests, lives forever (Heb.4:14; 7:22-25). This means that once we have fled to the church of refuge we can never leave (Heb.6:18-20). The safety of our souls depends on our continued faithfulness in the Lord’s church of refuge (Rev.2:10).

Thanksgiving Day until the New Year will have Americans concentrating on family, goodwill, and thanksgiving. It is this time of the year when most folk including Christians contemplate their numerous blessings. Although Christians should focus on these things year round, we too are overwhelmed with gratitude by this seasonal atmosphere of kindness and love. Our neighbors encourage us as we see so many with exhibiting Christ-like behavior. They are trying to mimic the goodness of Jesus (Acts 10:38), and for this we are grateful. Christmas is not a religious holiday or Jesus Christ’s birthday. There is no bible authority for Christmas or for Christians to annually observe December 25^th as Jesus’ birthday. (Col. 2:8,16; 3:17) The shepherds who were out in the fields when Jesus was born would not have spent the winter nights outside in the cold. (Luke 2:7-8) This thought alone points to another warmer month for Jesus’ birth. Since the bible does not tell us when, it is not for us to know. (Deut. 29:29) However, Christians are commanded to weekly remember/observe the Lord’s suffering, death, burial, and resurrection every first day of the week/Sunday. (Mat. 26:26-29;

Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-34; 15:1-4) Nevertheless, it is still comforting seeing so many recognizing and proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world at this time of the year. We should be thankful for times like these as they present new opportunities to share the gospel of Christ. (Rom. 1:16; 1 Pet. 3:15) We have a lot to be thankful for. (Eph. 5:20) As our children make their lists of Christmas desires and we our lists of what we can afford, there ought to first be a list of thanksgiving. What are you thankful for? Can you name 10 things you thank God for? Write them down and then thank God again (Heb. 13:15).

1. _________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________
5. _________________________________________________________
6. _________________________________________________________
7. _________________________________________________________
8. _________________________________________________________
9. _________________________________________________________
10. _________________________________________________________

In the immediate context of Psalms 96:7-9, worshiping and giving glory to God, the psalmist said to “…bring an offering, and come into his courts” (v.8). Every child of God should honor and praise God with their life through their words and actions. But they should also do so through their giving. “Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase” (Pr. 3:9). Our giving is reciprocated to God for all he has given to us. We should not feel that we will have less if we give generously. One, because it is not true. “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6). Then two, because such thinking lends itself to the concept that we can somehow out give God, meaning we can give more than he can bless us with. Nothing can be further from the truth. Here are two reasons why.

I. Nothing in this world is really ours. Everything belongs to God only. “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that is therein” (Deut.10:14; 1 Cor. 10:26,28). This means the whole universe is the Lord’s possession. While speaking to Job out of a whirlwind the Lord said “…whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine” (Job 38:1; 41:11). God also said “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and all the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof” (Ps. 50:10-12). The Lord even declared that all people are his (Ezek. 18:4). The reason everything belongs to him is because he is the Creator of everything (Gen. 1:1; Acts 17:24-26). You cannot beat God’s giving when you own nothing to give.

II. Whatever we have to give is what God has given us to give. “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?” (Rom. 11:34-35). No one gave to God first but was first given to. We are all stewards of God’s property and should be faithful with it (Mt. 25:14-30; 1 Cor. 4:2). The devil has power to give earthly riches unto men (Mt. 4:8-9). But he understood what the righteous have is because of God (Pr. 10:22). Satan speaking of Job said to the Lord “…thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land” (Job 1:10).

Job understood this as well saying “…the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). It is impossible to beat God’s giving when we only give what he gave us to give. “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him…” (1 Cor. 16:2).

King Josiah was only eight years old when he began to reign in Judah and he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord (2Kg.22:1-2). The book of the law was found in the house of God and read before the king. “And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes” (v.11). Josiah was upset because the people had not kept the law written in the book. The king sent to enquired of the Lord. Because the king had humbled himself before the Lord, wept, and rent his clothes, the Lord promised to bless him. The blessing was that he would be “gathered into thy grave in peace” (v.20). That is probably the desire of us all. I know I would like an easy death. One that is quick and painless. It is not my desire to die horribly or to suffer. However, Josiah’s death was not necessarily an easy one. The good king died fighting in battle (23:29-30). He is not alone. There have been many good faithful folks who have died tragically (Heb.11:35-39). John the baptizer was beheaded (Mt.14:10). Stephen was stoned (Acts.7:59-60). James was killed with the sword (Acts.12:2). Jesus was crucified (Acts.2:22-23).

Therefore, being “gathered into thy grave in peace” is not a promise of having an easy death. It is not speaking of how one physically dies, but of what the faithful in the Lord of will enjoy after death. Peace is on the other side of death for God’s people. There is no true peace here in this world. The world, the majority, live under the influence of the wicked one (Jn.14:30; 1Jn.5:19). There is no peace to the wicked or with the wicked (Is.57:20-21). The righteous are blessed in death by being taken away from the wicked and the evil here that they might enjoy true peace (Is.57:1-2). This is what king Josiah was promised. “…thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place” (2Kg.22:20). Nevertheless, king Josiah’s difficult death was indeed a blessing.

It is easy to think something may be wrong with the Christianity of a Christian who dies horribly in an accident, or suffers tremendously from disease, and so on. However, it is not the death that one dies which determines their faithfulness but the life they have lived (Rev.2:10; 22:14). In addition, God has great concern when his people die. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps.116:15). It is the way God calls us home.

“Rolling stones gather no moss,” is an old saying describing people who do not have commitments and responsibilities because of being away so much. In a forest or river bed, green moss only grows on stones that have been there a while. Rolling stones gather no moss. I want to use this saying in another way that Christians are the stones and the green moss is sin. Jesus Christ is the Chief Stone (1 Pet.2:4; Eph.2:20), but Christians are spiritual stones too (1 Pet.2:5). This means that Christians must keep rolling by remaining faithful and active in their Christianity that they gather no sin.

Christians need to keep rolling to gather no moss of worldly folk. When Christians stop meeting and hanging with brethren they will often pick up the moss of bad characters and habits by running with sinners. The apostle Paul warned brethren not to keep company with sinners (1 Cor.5:9-10). He was not forbidding any association. We work with them, shop with them, bank with them, participate in recreational activities with them in restaurants, movies, and parks, and even have them as neighbors. But, we do not fellowship them in ungodly activities and places. We may work together but after work we go separate ways (1 Pet.4:3-4; 2 Cor.6:14-17). “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph.5:11). Christians are in the world with sinners but to keep rolling we must influence them without being influenced by them (Mt.5:13-16; Phil.2:15).

Christians need to keep rolling to gather no moss of worldly brethren. Paul also warned not to keep company with sinful brethren (1 Cor.5:11). Again, this did not mean to have no association. Brethren should always attempt to restore erring brethren when they can (Gal.6:1; Jas.5:19-20). But Christians are forbidden from fellowshipping wayward brethren as though their sin is not an issue. There was a brother in public sin who had his father’s wife in the congregation in Corinth and they tolerated it (vs.1-2). His sin influenced others to sin. “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump,” to which Paul commanded it be purged (vs.5-6). In other words, to keep rolling as faithful Christians they needed to, “put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (v.13). We must keep in mind that sinful moss sinfully affects us (1 Cor.15:33). Therefore, never stop rolling as faithful Christian stones.

Baptism is For the Remission/Forgiveness of Sins. “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28; cf. Heb. 9:22). “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46-47). “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and BE BAPTIZED every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

Baptism is How We Received the Blood of Jesus Christ.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). “…For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Cor. 5:7; cf. Ex. 12:5-8,13). “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). “…Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev. 1:5). “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and BE BAPTIZED, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

Baptism is How We Imitate the Death of Jesus Christ.

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). “Know ye not, that so many of us as were BAPTIZED into Jesus Christ were BAPTIZED into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by BAPTISM into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12).