Things we could learn from Santa

Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

– Luke 2:10-11

So, it's almost here..... Christmas is in the air!!!! and we are already rejoicing!!!!

One of our families' favorite Christmas Movie is the "Polar Express"... If you only "Believe". haha!!! (Great Movie to get in the Christmas mood)

Good ol' St. Nic.... He should be an inspiration to every single one of us. 

Believe it or not, the jolly ol' fellow was a godly man, whose reputation for giving caused him to become the icon of what true compassion and giving is all about!!! (Straight up!!) 

He wasn't a jolly, cumbersome, fat, little old man who climbed up & down chimneys... and he didn’t have flying reindeer!!1 ( Even though that would have been Beast!!!)

The stories of who St. Nic was—and what today's Santa Claus has become—have been misleading and distorted by the Enemy. What has been done to weaken and distort the testimony of this godly man, is waaaaay wrong.

The true St. Nic lived a life full of Christian beliefs, morals and values....

Born in Turkey in the third century, Nicholas was raised by Christian parents. 

From the time he was born in A.D. 280, they considered him a gift from God. 

They diligently taught him devotion to God and to be very generous to the poor and needy.

At 19, Nicholas was ordained a priest. (How would you like to have Santa as your Pastor? haha)

His uncle, a bishop, prophesied that Nicholas would offer guidance and consolation to many people... and that he would eventually become a bishop, and live a life of enlightenment. 

All of this was fulfilled in Nicholas’ lifetime.

Many accounts have been written of his dedicated life. It has been said that he would spend all night studying God’s Word to bring it to the people. (That's awesome!!)

He was known for helping the poor, for praying, fasting and standing strong in faith and goodness. (that my friend is an Epic Santa)

The true story of St. Nic is a beautiful picture of the giving that Christmas is all about.... The Spirit of Giving, wanting nothing in return!!!!

But...The greatest gift of all is the gift of Jesus... given to us from God the Father. 

Jesus is our hope, redemption, deliverance and victory. He is our advocate with the Father, our blood-covenant friend who will never leave us nor forsake us. In Him we have the joy of living a heavenly life on this earth!!! Man, what a blessing!!!!

He is the ultimate meaning of Christmas. There are different translations for the word Christmas... I really like this one... Christ mass means “anointed celebration.” 

It’s the celebration of “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.” 

It’s the celebration of how the anointed Jesus “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38). 

It’s the story of our triumphant Savior, Jesus (the Christ), the Lord of lords and King of kings! 

Now, that’s a Merry Christmas!!!

This Christmas, as we reflect on our blessings, let's remember, the Ultimate Gift, the whole reason we celebrate Christmas.... Jesus!!!

Have a wonderful Holiday, and a very Merry Christmas!!!

Blessings,

Burk

4 Little Words

Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

– Mark 11:24

It all boils down to one word..."Believing". That my friend is the main key to unlocking everything in the kingdom of God. 

It's the way we are able to tap into the very power of God. Most of us know that... But do we know how to put it into action? (BU-YAH!!! I knew I'd getcha!! Haha)

Actually it's incredibly simple, so simple, it'll blow your mind. It's as simple as saying, "I believe, I receive."

Something happens in your spirit when you say those words. 

I'm not quite sure "why" it works, but it does. 

I don't understand how the digestive system works, it just does? All I have to do is take a bite of a Five Guys Burger (MMMM Five Guys) and it goes to work. I don't have to make it happen. I don't have to feel it, for it to happen. It just happens. That's the way your body is made up.

Exact same way, when you feed on God's promises and "swallow", they go into your spirit by saying, "I believe, I receive,"  then faith is released. 

You don't have to "make" it happen.... Nope!! You don't have to "feel it" happen. It just happens. Your spirit is just made up that way.

When you constantly say with your mouth, "I believe, I receive... my healing" or "I believe, I receive... all my financial needs met," and then begin to speak scriptures that back up those things, faith is released in your life to bring power to those needs.

One of my favorite ministers, Dr. Kenneth Hagin always says, you need to "keep the switch of faith turned on." 

It's really not difficult...just begin with the phrase, "I believe, I receive". Say it when you pray.  Say it when you praise God. Say it when you read the Word.

Especially, say it in the face of darkness when it looks like you're not receiving. When everything looks the worst, is when you should say it the loudest. "I believe, I receive!!"

Do you want to activate your faith today? Then make these four key words the most important words in your vocabulary. Use them every day. You'll soon discover, just as we did...they work!!!

Have a blessed week, until next time!!

Burk

Your Inner Image

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

– Romans 8:24-25

According to the book of Romans, HOPE... is actually looking at something that you can't see. 

(I know what you're thinkin'... Burk you are throwing that crazy Yoda-isms at us!!) haha

I'm really not, but ask yourself... How do you do that? You do it by looking at the promises of God in His Word until with your inner eyes (the eyes of your spirit) get a clear picture.

Here's an example, one of the hardest things I have to overcome and face, is the fact that the inner image I have of myself is being a Failure / not somebody of value . Having all the talent in the world, and never being successful with any of it... (Most people don't even know this about me) It doesn't matter how hard I try to change that perspective of myself, it won't go away. 

So I find myself always striving to try and be successful... Be the next "Big Thing". Do something that will leave a mark in this world.... and you know what? 

I have had a lot of success in my lifetime, and a lot of it came through the talents the Lord has blessed me with... but it's the thoughts and the inner perspective of myself that I have to battle against.

I finally had to admit that as long as my inner image of myself was that of a failure, my outer self was going to match it. (WOW!! That preaches) Remember, it's faith that changes things, and without the inner image of HOPE, faith cannot work.

So I have decided to search my Bible for every scripture I could find on victory, success, hope, joy, peace and God's love for us... and in my search I have found tons of "Soul Food" to chew on.

When I'm having one of those down moments I pull out those papers and meditate on every one of those scriptures and pray. What am I doing? I am grabbing hold on a different inner image.

This is not something you can do overnight. (Heck, I've been doing this for years now...) It takes time. Especially if the inner image you're changing has been there for years.

But you can do it!! I have faith in you... Go to the Word of God today and begin to change the images inside you. Change them from images of depression to images of hope. Images of discouragement into encouragement... Map out a plan in your heart and allow God to strengthen your faith to build on it!

I'm being really transparent with you today.... I just want you to know, we're going to make it!!! and hopefully, these lil' tid bits of "Soul Food" can help sustain!!

Until next time, have a wonderful weekend.

Blessings,

Burk