It’s safe to say that most of us have eaten too much over the last week and over-indulged a little. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to cut back a little before the pounds begin to show. Christmas puts us together with relatives and old friends and we like to share lots of food, pies and chocolates that we don’t normally eat. In the Bible, early Christians liked to do that too, although Christmas wasn’t celebrated then. “They were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart” (Acts 2:46).

It’s interesting how we try to get together at Christmas with people we don’t see much the rest of the year. Uncles and aunts turn up and we send cards to people we haven’t seen in years. Even though we don’t get along with a person or two, we still attempt to be friendly and check on them. Again, this was a habit of the Christians we read about in the Bible. “But encourage one another day after day” (Heb.3:13).

My grandmother used to enjoy making Christmas ornaments out of colourful beads. They were usually bell-shaped; she was quite good at it. One day she gave us about half a dozen of them for our tree and we still put them up every Christmas. It’s our way of remembering her. Most of her descendants have a few. Christians, likewise, remember each other. “Remember those who fed you, who spoke the word of God to you, and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (Heb.13:7).

There’s a lot of love going around during the holidays. We overlook people’s flaws and extend a bit of affection. It’s good for us, and good for those we care about. Even a few black sheep in the family get a pat on the head. New Testament Christians were well known for their care. “For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Phil.1:8).

Here’s my point. All the good things we do at Christmas don’t have to stop the rest of the year. In Christ, we practice kindness, love, encouragement, meals together, and even thoughts of those who have left this life for the next. We practice many of these good things every Sunday and every Wednesday night. That’s why I’ve included the above scriptures.

We are not only blessed this time of year; we are blessed all year. It’s great to be part of the church.

– Tim Johnson

National elections can be very stressful. A few months ago, we voted in a new government, which of course is the previous government reworked. Many people worry about how well our federal politicians will perform with the kinds of challenges Canada faces these days. In the United States, people are upset with the troubles in which their government is embroiled. This is the nature of democracy. Leaders are voted in when the previous ones have run out of time or become unfit to continue. Often the same people are placed in power for another mandate. We have the privilege of voting for the people we think are best, but we don’t always get what we want. In my lifetime, there have been 13 different Prime Ministers so far.  

If we worry about the suitableness of new leaders every four or five years, what would it be like if our great high priest in heaven changed every few years also? Wouldn’t we worry about his ability to keep us saved?

The writer of the Book of Hebrews discusses this in chapter 7:23-25. He reminds us that a new high priest had to be appointed over the Israelites every time an old one passed away. “They existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing.” Like our modern-day politicians, people never knew what they would get.

But Jesus is different. He will never become incompetent or die. He sits in heaven permanently, which gives us confidence that we will continue to be saved and looked after every day. “He, on the other hand, because He abides forever, holds his Priesthood permanently. Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

National leaders will come and go. But Jesus will always remain our great High Priest. He sits on the throne forever. He can keep us saved right to the end. Do not worry.

– Tim Johnson

When Napoleon was made emperor of France in 1804, he used two crowns to mark the occasion. First, he wore a golden laurel wreath which symbolized he was an emperor like the Caesars of Rome. Then he put on another golden crown which had been made exclusively for him, which he called the “crown of Charlemagne.” He was known for vanity and his crowns displayed it.

With so many kings and queens of past centuries, most European countries own an assortment of historical crowns, usually on display in museums. The most well-known collection is the British crown jewels, heavily guarded in the Tower of London.

In Bible times, the average person had no contact with anything like a royal crown. They were obviously enjoyed only by powerful people. It must have been startling when John revealed in the book of Revelation that God will reward faithful Christians with a crown. And not just something loaded with diamonds and jewels. He said, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev.2:10). Napoleon enjoyed his personal crown for a few years, but then he died in exile. But our crown is a reward that will last for eternity.

John included a peek into heaven in chapter 4, and what do we see? Twenty-four elders sitting on thrones that circled God’s, and they’re all wearing golden crowns (v4). These men represent the entire church, protected and rewarded by God. You are represented in this group, for you are God’s son or daughter. A crown is waiting for you.

Don’t worry about collecting a lot of gold and jewels during your lifetime on earth. They’ll only be with you temporarily. Determine to be faithful until the end of your life and receive your crown from Jesus.

Not even Napoleon had one as precious as the one coming for you.

– Tim Johnson

In a recent article we looked at the great wisdom and fame of king Solomon, the author of most of the Book of Proverbs. We remember him for his fabulous wealth, his popularity among the ancient world’s leaders, and for his pledges of faithfulness to God. Yet in the pages of the Bible he died a disgraced man.

In his elderly years he stocked his harem with an amazing number of foreign wives. He became a womanizer. 1 Kings 11 tells us that his wives were idolaters and Solomon accommodated their beliefs by building shrines where they could worship. He compromised. But it also seems that the king became comfortable with all his wealth. Chapter 10 describes the precious objects he owned, his palace and its splendor. His wives and his wealth took his heart away from following God.

There’s a tendency in north America these days, in all our relative wealth, to become too comfortable. Many people surround themselves with costly things, the best quality that can be found, and connect their homes with every convenience and form of entertainment. They enjoy their wealth and often become insulated from the hardships of other people. Unwilling to lose any of it, they determine to protect it at all costs. But worst of all, like Solomon, their hearts turn away from God through compromise and weakening conviction.

Perhaps it’s hard for us to identify with someone as wealthy as Solomon. Nonetheless, we all seek to have comfortable surroundings – and there’s nothing wrong with that. Harm comes when we let comfort keep us from our responsibilities to God.

Don’t let comfort cost you.

– Tim Johnson

We are living in scandalous times. With our modern press listening to the words of prominent people, any verbal mistake can be emphasized and used against them. Several politicians and well-known celebrities have recently experienced downfalls over their words.

In the Bible we can read of the fall of the Babylonian ruler Nebuchadnezzar. God heard him elevate himself as if he were some sort of deity, and quickly brought him down (Dan.4:30-31). The Judean king Manasseh, removed by God for his royal crimes, repented in prison and expressed words of sorrow. God heard and elevated him back into power (2 Chron.33:10-13). Our words can bless us and everyone around us or cause us to fall and be ruined.

Christians have a special responsibility to be careful with the words we allow to come out of our mouths. We represent Jesus Christ in this world, and we must be pure. Ephesians 4:29 directs us to “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.”  The Greek literally censures “rotten words.” It’s common to hear trashy talk in our society, but it should never come from a Christian. Don’t let it even proceed from your mouth. Rather, people should hear things that are edifying, appropriate for the need of the moment. This implies consideration and thought. We ask ourselves, “what does this person need to hear from me right now?” Then we try to provide it.

Through our words we offer “grace to those who hear.” Grace is something we don’t work for nor do we deserve. It’s a gift. Perhaps the people we speak to don’t deserve edifying words from us, but they need to hear it anyway. Isn’t that what Jesus practiced when He was in the world?

We all have trouble with our tongues, but Jesus gives us an important goal. Don’t let your words ruin you. Let them be a blessing.

– Tim Johnson