The Birth of Jesus - Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2: 1-20 (NIV)

Serving the King -: "Slain in the Spirit" - Is it for Real?

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As a Christian, I have seen many charlatans, including having gone once to a Benny Hinn event where, sitting in the stands, I watched as they manipulated the seating to make it appear to cameras that the arena was full, and people pushed and shoved each other to be the first down the stars to the floor, where they could get in line to be touched by Benny - if Benny's guards, who were stopping and questioning each potential sick-person-in-need-of-healing, allowed you to. The air was thick with the power of a spirit in action; only I don't think it was the Holy one...

And yes, I have stood at the prayer altar and felt a pastor try to push me, with two fingers on my chest, back into the arms of someone standing behind me. I stood straight, and kept praying to Jesus that what ever His will was, that I would do. But I wasn't going to lay down for any man. The pastor seemed to get frustrated with me, and moved on.

However, there was once, at an average chapel service at a small church

Read More: Serving the King -: "Slain in the Spirit" - Is it for Real?
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GOP forcing Healthcare Bill back to House for a Second Vote

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The Senate GOP Has forced the Healthcare Bill back to the House for a Second Vote. The Senate parliamentarian agreed this was necessary because of unfunded mandates for the Student Loan legislation that Democrats piggy-backed onto the Health care legislation.

Did you think they would stop with the federalization of healthcare? Of course not! They federalized Education funding at the same time!

With all the frightening things this Health Insurance legislation is bringing on us - such as punishing doctors for making referrals to Cancer specialists, Pulmonary specialists, Ear, Nose & Throat Doctors, Orthopedists, or ANY specialist, for that matter - and mandating that Parents be responsible for their children's health premiums all the way till they are 26; well into adulthood - and that abortion funding loopholes still exist -and Robbing our Elders of their Insurance by robbing Medicare - AND FORGETTING their promise that Children are immediately benefited by coverage that ignores pre-existing conditions -

And lots more stomach turning nonsense - none of which actually improves health care in America -

PLEASE PRAY about this forced vote!!

We all know that NO Democrat will change his/her vote outside of a miracle. Through Deception, whether it be a bought vote, or Obama/Pelosi pressure, or an extremely liberal district, they are all determined to push this horrendous bill through. And Pundits say that once it is in place, it will be extremely difficult to repeal.

Therefore, it will only be through a miracle that this bill is defeated.

Please - we don't know what God's plans are; we are humans with only limited insight -Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding"

So, although what I think we want is for at least four Democrats to suddenly vote "No" on the bill and for the bill to fail, I am praying for God's Will, as He has the whole picture in view - Colossians 2:3 "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

I pray, therefore, for God's Will to be Done. I pray for my Nation, I pray for it's leaders, and I pray for it's people.

Lord God, Jesus Christ, My Lord and Master, Please shape our country the way you want it shaped, according to Your Will, and Your Will alone. Lord Jesus, please protect Your children, take Care of Your Children. Please Set in place the Leaders that You want to have leading, who will bring about the things that You want brought about. If it is Your Will that America fail, make that way easy, open the doors for that to happen, and please give me the Grace and courage to accept it.

But if NOT, Lord Jesus, I ask in Your Holy Name, that You Close all the Doors that are attempting to destroy our Country, lock those doors, and prevent the destruction from happening. And Lord Jesus, please make it very clear that this is Your Move and Will, no matter what. Thank You Jesus, for your Wisdom, Grace and Protection. Thank You for answering our Prayers. Amen.
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Breaking Christian News Site -

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Don't forget - this new Christian News & Resources site has everything a person needs: Breaking US, World, and Christian news, Bible Study Tools, Christian Media, Ministries, & more -

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Global Christians -

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Rom. 12:1

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Hiatians saying God wants Change -

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Some Religious Hiatains are saying that the Earthquake was God's way of forcing change - www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,583236,00.html
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New Site for Christian News & Resources

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Breaking Christian News & Resources: Bible Study Tools, Christian Media, Ministries, & more -

This fantastic site is a full service News & Resource portal for the Christian community. It includes links to Breaking News, Bible Study Tools, News Commentary, Christian History, Christian Media, Christian Blogs, Denominations, Christian Ministries, Christian Resources, and general information related to the Christian Worldview. It also has an incredible list of online Bible Study tools and Resources. Try it!

http://www.christsinternet.com/

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Joel Osteen - Pastor or Profiteer?

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Joel Osteen preaches that "All people can reach their God given potential of health, wealth and happiness." He tells women to tell themselves;"Ten years from now I will be married" and "He's going to be rich and good looking!"

Is that what God is really looking for in our prayer? God's purpose for us is clearly stated in Genesis 12:1-3 and restated throughout the entire Bible. God's children have a Great Commission to be a light to the rest of the world, and preach the Word with the courage he provides through the Holy Spirit. And the Word, the Good News, the Gospel is this: that Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came to die for us in order to save us, despite the fact that we are all sinners and don't deserve his gift of salvation. We have been given the gift of salvation, and all we need to do is realize our sinfulness, humble ourselves, repent, ask for forgiveness, and accept His gift.

Where and how do rich husbands fit into this picture?

Osteen chooses to focus on lusting for potential gifts from God rather than repenting from sin. He rarely uses Scripture and instead, claims he is a Christian "life coach." Yet he doesn't use Scripture as a text. At times, he has even seemed to deny that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.

Osteen seems to be a saleman and "Christian" events are his marketplace. Note the amount of money spent at his events, and remember that neither Jesus nor any of his true disciples required funds from their listeners. In fact, Jesus fed the lot of them - for free - simply because they needed to be fed.

No wonder Osteen doesn't understand the deity and purpose of Jesus Christ, nor the purpose of Scripture, nor the purpose of Christians. Osteen has never studied theology or even religion at a college of seminary. He attended Oral Roberts University for a short time, but reportedly didn't take the theology courses while there.

Pay close attention to God's warnings in Matt 7:15, Acts 20:29, Romans 16:18, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, and 2 Peter 2-3.
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