SUFFICIENT GRACE

Hebrews 11:1

All praises and honor to God for the privilege to see the last day of the year.

A leaking roof is a clear sign of trouble. It allows water to seep in, damaging what's inside. In life, a leaking roof represents the issues we overlook, unresolved sin, spiritual neglect, or cracks in our faith that threaten the stability of our walk with God.

As we approach the end of a season, a year, or even a chapter in our lives, we are often faced with mixed emotions. "Rounding up on a high" means finishing strong, completing your God-given tasks with excellence, and positioning yourself for the next level of divine blessings.

'For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. "

When zeal is not grounded in knowledge, wisdom, or God's purpose, it becomes vain or nisplaced. Examine your heart today to determine where your zealousness for God might be misplaced.

The Christians' Rewards

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him" James 1.12

IS IT WRONG TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS?

For most of the religious community, Christmas is celebrated
as the day of Jesus’ birth. We often see signs and other items
with phrases such as “Let’s keep Christ in Christmas ,” or
“Jesus is the reason for the season.”
What does the Bible have to say about Christmas? Should we
celebrate the birth of Jesus? What is the origin of Christmas?
These are some of the many questions we hope to answer in this
study.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS?

History records that some celebrated Jesus’ birth as far back
as the 2nd century A.D., being noted in the reign of the Roman
emperor Commodus, who died in A.D. 180. During the reign of
Diocletian, (A.D. 284-305), a group of Christians had gathered
to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the city of Nicomedia.
Diocletian ordered the building doors sealed and then set fire
to the building, killing all those inside.

The
Catholic Bishop Liberious (circa A.D. 354) suggested the date
of December 25, not because of any special significance, but
because many parishioners were taking part in the pagan
holiday festival of Saturnalia, or the feast of the pagan god
Saturn. (Saturn was the god of agriculture.) This festival was
instituted by decree of Caesar Augustus and was celebrated
from December 17-23. It was reasoned that local church members
could continue to celebrate the pagan holiday under the guise
of celebrating the birth of Christ.

WHY THE DESERT ROUTE?
Deuteronomy 8.1-2

Blessed be the name of the Lord - FOR HE BEARS OUR BURDENS