There was a popular jingle that helped sell millions of packs of chewing gum. The commercial told us that we could double our pleasure by chewing “Double Mint Gum”. God gives us commands in His Word that brings double the blessings. If you want to double your pleasure, “Give respect and honor to whom it is due” (Romans 13:7). To some of God’s servants we are to give DOUBLE HONOR! Paul instructed, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” (I Timothy 5:17). Paul said “double honor”, in other words – twice the honor you’d give someone in a place of secular authority. In the context, it includes the way we financially honor ministers.

Multitudes have viewed the new movie “The Passion of the Christ”. I have observed that most people exit the theatre after viewing the suffering and crucifixion of Christ with a holy hush, speechless, or in sacred silence. When Jesus died on the cross at 3:00 in the afternoon, darkness had fallen across the land, followed by an earthquake – rocks split apart, the curtain in the temple that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, was torn in two – from the top to the bottom. The Roman soldiers and others at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that happened. Heaven was silent! (See Matthew 27:45-54.)

In just a few short weeks we will be observing Valentine’s Day – a day we express love to our sweethearts with candy, cards, and flowers. A favorite icon for the day is Cupid’s heart with an arrow through it. But what kind of heart does the greatest lover in the universe look for? What kind of heart pleases God? Is your heart pierced by God?

One of the greatest love stories in all of literature is the story of David. The life of David is a great character study of a heart that pleases God. (I and II Samuel) David was called a man after God’s own heart. What a great distinction to be known for.

Each year it seems that God speaks to me in a unique way concerning Christmas. God does speak to us if we keep our ears, eyes and heart open. In the past, God has given fresh insight and revelation. Sometimes through a Bible passage, perhaps a sermon, or a musical production like “Young Messiah,” or through books like Lew Wallace’s Ben Hur or Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, or some special serendipitous happening.

This year a warm light flooded my soul as I viewed again the video, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” at our Kid’s Club Christmas party. The old worn out VCR malfunctioned just like a lot of things in Charlie Brown’s growing up.

For many people, especially for the thousands incarcerated, the Christmas season is a time of extreme loneliness, pain, and despair. But the radiant hope of the good news is shining into the darkness bringing the light of life.

One of the greatest revelations of Christmas is found in the name given to the Christ of Christmas – Immanuel. Isaiah prophesied of His coming, “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’” (Isaiah 7:14 NLT). In Isaiah 8:8 the prophet cried out, “O, Immanuel.” Whatever battles you may be facing in your life today, Isaiah point us to Immanuel. “Call your councils of war, but they will be worthless. Develop your strategies, but they will not succeed for God is with us” (Isaiah 8:10 NLT).

The splendor and splash of autumn leaves and the golden hue of harvest signal that the fall season is upon us. For some people, fall is a time for Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns, ghost, goblins, and witches. Several years ago a popular television series “Bewitched” portrayed a fun loving, harmless witch named Samantha. But witchcraft is not fun and games nor is it harmless. Satan’s aim is sinister and deadly. (John 10:10)

It is interesting that Paul uses the word “bewitched” when writing to the Galatian Christians. “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1)

What we need is an old-fashioned Christmas. Oh, I’m not advocating a nostalgic, picture post-card Christmas. But a real Christmas, where the focus is on the reason for the season – the birth of Christ Jesus, Messiah, Lord of heaven and earth. Many believers are opting out of the over commercialized, secular Christmas. The glitz and gifts galore have left them tired and empty. Instead they are getting back to a simple old-fashioned Christmas where there is time to reflect on why Jesus came to earth as a babe in Bethlehem and to give devotion and worship to the Holy one, the Christ of Christmas.

I like newness. New things give us a certain feel, a certain excitement. I like a new ink pen, a new notebook or journal, the smell of a new car, a new calendar, a new Bible, new potatoes, the wonder of a new born baby, and a brand new year, to name a few. What are some new things that you enjoy? Perhaps you have made some New Year resolutions or set new goals. Unfortunately many New Year resolutions are broken and new things wear off or get old. But the new things that God gives are eternal. Let’s consider some new things that God gives. They are inexhaustible.

It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. To many people, Christmas is a portrait of peace. We send and receive Christmas cards with serene nativity scenes of contented animals in a cozy stable. The picture of a white Christmas with a sleigh riding through a winter wonderland with happy, singing carolers fills our minds. Strains of “silent Night” bring a calm nostalgic glow to our hearts. “Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright, ‘Round yon virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.”

I love a new year. Perhaps it’s the opportunity for a clean slate, a new start, a time to reflect on life, a time to refocus. But if good intentions alone could change the world, the New Year’s Day would usher us into a utopia. As it is, most New Year’s resolutions are stillborn. Resolutions can be the essential first steps to change and a higher level of excellence – but they are only first steps. Resolutions must be followed by revolution. Just as works cannot separate faith, our resolutions must have an inner power for our goals to be realized.

There is an insidious assault on marriage. The devil hates holy matrimony because God instituted marriage. God created and brought Adam and Eve together. In the beginning of His creation, “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him’” (Genesis 2:18). There was no companion in all the animal kingdom that was suitable for Adam. “So the Lord God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. He took one of Adam’s ribs . . . then the Lord God made a woman from the rib and brought her to Adam” (Genesis 2:15-22 NLT).

“Mary” was harried and hurried when I met her that cold and wet December morning. “Have a Merry Christmas!” I exclaimed as I held the door open for her as she exited the store. “What’s so merry about it?” she sighed. “My husband is laid off, we have very little money for Christmas, and I just locked my keys in the car.” “Marvin’s” face lit up as we sang Christmas Carols at the nursing home where he lives in a tiny, dimly lit room with a roommate who is hard of hearing and on oxygen. Marvin seldom has visitors.

Perhaps you’ve seen the amusing Christmas commercial from Tractor Supply stores. A rugged “he-man” type, I’ll call him Gus, is asked by his wife to deliver some animals and other props to her church’s live nativity. Gus enlists his buddy to help him. They go to the local Tractor Supply store to get a trailer. When they arrive at the live nativity scene, Gus discovers that his wife has volunteered them to be in the scene. The camera shows Gus and his friend dressed up like shepherds, standing stoically in a stable, looking down at the Christ child lying in a manger. Gus got more than he bargained for.

As I wished my friend a “Happy and prosperous new year”, I thought about what he had been through the past year. Could I really believe that the New Year would be happy and prosperous for him? Was my wishing people a “Happy New Year” just a trite greeting, an illusionary wish? Many people are facing the New Year with tragedy, terror, taxes, and trillions of dollars of national and world debt. But there is hope for a Happy and Prosperous New Year!