Now coming the day that is remembered around the world the birth of Jesus, we could use to investigate the origin of this festival.
Today, many Christians still debate whether we should celebrate Christmas, because it originated in paganism. However, others argue with various arguments that do not have any bad celebrate.
Consider several points:
1) Was he born on December 25th?
Those who have read the Bible will have seen that nowhere mentions the day Jesus was born, therefore, can not say he was born on December 25. Moreover, it is believed by the following verse (John 2: 8) was born between September and October.
2) Why do they say that Christmas has pagan origin?
Before it was decided that December 25 would be Christmas, in the reign of Emperor Constantine, by the fourth century, in Rome, the official religion was changed to Christianity. The Romans celebrated a feast in honor of their god Mithra (Saturnalia festival), where it was customary to give gifts, and also be suspended for the work was cause for celebration. But to change the official religion of Rome, the Romans adapted this event, and many no longer see the difference between the Saturnalia Festival and Christmas.
Another argument used by those who believe that we should not celebrate Christmas, because in the pagan festival, also candles, bells, the typical Christmas tree and gifts were used also occurred, while others say that the candles represent the light that is Jesus Christ, tree star to star of Bethlehem, and give gifts to the Magi offered myrrh, frankincense and gold to the little Jesus.
What is the origin of Saturnalia festival?
In the Bible, in Genesis 10, we can see the descendants of Noah, among them we find Nimrod (Genesis 11: 8-9). Its name means "rebel". This character will be a mighty one in the earth, ie, the first ruler. It will create the Babylonian religion, and this will be a priest. As we can see, in verse 9 says "He was a mighty hunter before the Lord .." The word "before" can have two meanings, one of which is "before" and the other is "against or first". In this case, the second was used. People regarded as someone who was Nimrod before the Lord. When it dies, it will be his wife Semiramis, commissioned to proclaim that her husband is in heaven and is now a god, the Sun God. She herself will become priestess of this religion, and will also begin to worship her as the "queen of heaven" in the Bible is mentioned in Jeremiah 7: 17-18. Later, they will want to imitate Jesus' birth, as assert Semiramis will have become pregnant without the intervention of any man, which is not true. Begins to proclaim the followers of Nimrod, this is going to be reborn in his son Tammuz. In the Bible it is also mentioned in Jeremiah 44: 16-19. Hence the worship of the mother and child, which spread in many countries. In Egypt Semiramis and Tammuz were known as Isis and Horus, in Greece as Aphrodite and Eros in Asia as Deious and Cibeles and in Rome as Venus and Cupid.
And this is how we see the source of the Saturnalia festival, which clearly worshiped the God Mithra (Nimrod), and will be introduced later in the Catholic Church. Like Mary and Jesus.
In conclusion: 3) Should we celebrate Christmas?
Christmas though had a pagan origin, has spread worldwide and even today, is the time when the birth of Jesus is remembered. A moment in which we should reflect on our lives, and if we really think that Jesus is born in our hearts.
Actually celebrate or not, the end is a personal decision. Whatever the date, December 25 or another day, think seriously, when we will step aside and let Jesus pass.
For that is the true meaning of Christmas.
God give you peace and give you that infinite love that has shown us that we, the day he sacrificed his son Jesus Christ.
Hello again, dear bloggers. Today we will see the theme "Idols, What are exactly?" We proceed to explain what is an idol. "Figure or image depicting a supernatural being and that is worshiped and worship like divinity itself." Currently , we can see that many churches have images, whether of saints, martyrs, virgins, which people pray and cross themselves up in front of them. Let's see what the Bible says, the
respect.
Leviticus 26: 1: "ye shall not make idols, neither rear you up a carved image or sacred pillar, nor shall stone in your land to bow down to it: for I am the Lord your God."
Exodus 20: 4-5: "Thou shalt not image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.5 not bow down thyself to them, nor serve .. "
As we can see, in the Old Testament and were forbidden to worship idols (images). Let us now in the New Testament:
1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
A God does not like the worship of images and
idol. Remember that he is a jealous God (Exodus 20: 5)
Many believe that these "images" is their God. In Acts 17:29, it leaves us quite clear that it is not, "We must not imagine that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and contrivance of man" Also we see Isaiah 42: 8 "I will not give my glory to another or my praise to sculptures".
And the truth is that the images and sculptures are matter, created by man. Let me give an example, say you go to church, you approach the statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe, you persignas and then pray asking for your mother has fractured the head, after praying, you stand and you're going when hear a hit, turn around and see that someone has encountered the statue, and this has been dropped puzzling. Tell me, if the single statue, his head can not be fixed, how will you heal your mother?
Idolize, is not only to worship or pray to images or sculptures. It idolizes also devoting time to other things other than God. For example, it is wrong to spend an hour on the Internet, and we dedicate to God, only 15 minutes a day. Do not forget that without God we are nothing.
Another type of idolatry are processions, what are the processions? "March of orderly and people walking solemnly down the street with a ceremonial occasion, especially of the Catholic religion." And this "formal reason" is to worship an image. An example? The Lord of Miracles. I know the story, but should know that despite everything, is still an image. You might say "but that image is God." You're wrong, if that image were God, why then he has left totally prohibited the worship of images? Furthermore, God is spirit (John 4:24) and not matter.
Let's see other verses about "images":
Romans 1:23: "And changed the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."
Isaiah 40:18: "To whom then will ye liken God, or what likeness will?"
Isaiah 45:20: ". Gather together and come; together, you fugitives of the nations they have no knowledge who carry their wooden idols and pray to gods that can not save."
That's all for today. Do not forget to give time to God every day of their lives, do not know the blessing that will bring to their lives.
God bless you, he loves you.
A final request, pray for the children of Syria, Iraq and all countries in need more than ever the help of Almighty God.
Mary is reported and outside.
Hello again, dear bloggers. Today's topic is "How do I get happiness?". Many people in the world, have the wrong idea about how to find "happiness". Some believe that is in the yoga, others in money, and even women and men. This is a big mistake. 1st place money does not make you happy, how many people have ended their life by suicide and were millionaires.
And this happens because they seek happiness in the wrong place. The same Solomon, the wisest man after Jesus and the history millionaire man says in Ecclesiastes 2:11 "Then I considered all that my hands had done and the labor which I had insisted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind, and no profit under the sun. "
There was a time when Solomon became separated from God, luckily before he died again. In the passage we saw previously we see how recounts what he felt at not being with God.
The word vanity means "hollow, empty." How many times we have felt empty? Without having a sense in which to live?
God created us to look for it, and give us peace that no one else can give us. "And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, will bring peace into your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:17)
Now, many people say and have Jesus in your heart, and attending church, but in his personal life remain the same as before, maybe worse. They say go to church, and continue with their sin. Many people think they can do both at the same time, I must say that this is not correct, at least if you want to live according to the will of Christ. "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or appreciate the one and despise the other You can not serve God and mammon.." (Matthew 6:24)
As we saw, happiness depends a lot on morale. What is the moral? "Philosophical discipline that studies human behavior in terms of good and evil" .What God says about it?
"So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the Lord your God gives you forever . " (Deuteronomy 4:40)
You want to do well? Want to succeed? Would you like to find happiness? Obey God. Keep his statutes. And he will prosper.
We must bear fruit, as proof that we have changed. We are no longer the same as before, we now have another moral, another way to see the bad and the good. How result? Have you ever seen a tree with its leaves and fruit? Have you ever wondered what the difference between the leaves and fruit?
Well let me explain. When a tree is growing strong sap begins to sprout leaves, but when you already have too much sap that accumulates on branches, forming the fruit.
The leaves are convictions in our life. We can not bear fruit without convictions. ¿Convictions? Trust God.
That is, when we accept Christ, we are like a tree, we do not understand that a tree stands alone must absorb nutrients from the soil through the roots. So we, Jesus feeds us with his word every day (Matthew 4: 4), the more we feed, the more we grow, we begin to sprout leaves, and when we have more, come off.
What fruits I see in my Christian life? Peace, self-control, love, peace, security in God. I know that nothing is missing. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" (Psalm 23: 1)
Well that's all for today. Remember happiness is in God, not in the world. "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is our strength" (Nehemiah 8:10)
God give you peace, and happiness, not stop praying, which is our greatest weapon in the spiritual world.
Mary is reported and outside.
Hello dear bloggers. Today's theme is "Death". I guess all we've ever asked, what is there after this life? End there die when all hope of new life? Will I ever see my family or loved ones who have departed?
Let's see what the Bible says about it:
1) There is no purgatory, it says in Hebrews 9: 27 "And as it is appointed for men to die once and after this the judgment"
Many believe that the more are their prayers are more likely than their loved ones to be saved and forgiven their sins. So they believe save them from eternal fire. But I must say that once a person dead, there is no chance of being saved, unless you die before accepting Jesus as the only savior.
2) Whatever you do, no one will decide for you, to be saved. You choose, people who love you can pray for you, but you're the one who in the end, kneels, and agree that in this world can not survive without Jesus. Each of us when he dies, will be judged and if your name is not in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
3) We will all be resurrected. As it says in John 5: 28-29 "Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come away Those who have done good they will rise to live, but. those who have done evil will rise to be condemned "
4) 3 deaths, spiritual, physical and eternal.
A) Spiritual Death: The separation of the spirit of the man of God, but temporary. All are spiritually dead at birth, since Adam and Eve disobeyed. Since the sin, died in spirit, we all inherited. But when we accept Christ as Savior, we come back to life. (John 11: 25-26)
B) Physical Death: The separation of spirit from the body. This happens when we die.
C) Eternal Death: The final separation from God in spirit. This happens when you die physically and spiritually and were dead. Here there is no salvation and eternal damnation.
Really death is a deep subject. That is all for today. I want to say something, do not expect to come hard times to seek God. We must look at the good and bad. What else will (Matthew 6:33).
Do not let be spiritually dead for long. Ask for forgiveness of their sins that Jesus will be there when we need it (1 John 2: 1), back to life with God. He is worth.
God bless you and return to the path of life.
Mary is reported and outside.
Hello again, dear bloggers. Today we will talk about "Marriage". What is marriage?
According to the encyclopedia is the union of two people by
certain rites or legal formalities and is recognized by
and family law.
Many people marry today, increasingly they are younger and inexperienced in life. This is one of many reasons why divorce is given. Many say divorce for the simple reason that "there is no love," or no longer feel full or happy with their marriage.
What does God say? In Matthew 5:32 we find:
"But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
What does this mean?
When one separates either for different reasons, and marries another, she is committing adultery. "Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). What God has joined no man put asunder (Matthew 19: 6)
To better understand this issue. see this example:
- Suppose you're married or married to a believer. By constant disagreements and arguments decide to separate. Then about two months, you become married. And you go to church, you ask the blessing Pastor, for your new marriage. But he did not want to give you the, confused or confused you ask why. And respondiéndote tells you: ".. By committing adultery If you want to bless you, first be clean and restore your marriage For sin shall not be blessed"
We must understand that marriage is the union of two steaks in one. You're not you and him or her. Now they are one person. You might say that your marriage does not work anymore, because there is no love maybe, or your husband is a person with vices, or abuses you, and separate you prefer. You can not do that, if you have problems, appeals to God. Pray, read the word, but do not commit adultery, do not separate.
In the Bible, we are found in 1 Corinthians 7: 10-16
"To the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord: A wife must not leave her husband (but if you leave, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife. But to the rest say I, not the Lord, If any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him not divorce her. And the woman whose husband is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her and not leave her husband because the husband is not a believer is sanctified through his wife. and the woman who is not a believer is sanctified through her believing husband: else were your children unclean; but now they are saints But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave;.. in such cases the brother or sister is not required, but God has called us to live in peace Well how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? "
As we have seen, we can separate, but only when it comes from someone who does not believe in God.
Leaving aside the issue of divorce, marriage no rules that God has imposed. Here are some of them:
- "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord; For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, which is His body, and He is the Savior "(Ephesians 5: 22-23).
Here it refers to the decisions of the family, taking the man. That sounds a little sexist, but I do not make the rules but God, remember that what God does is perfect, you should also have their own reasons, will probably never come to understand, "(Isaiah 55: 9)
- "So husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife, he loves himself. For no one ever he hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church "(Ephesians 5: 28-29).
Husbands, love, their wives, Hold them patience and understanding Treat them as if they were queens. Each time you feel eager to exploit or give, pray. Prayer is a spiritual weapon that has a power that can not imagine. God listens to those seeking heart. (Psalm 145: 18)
Finally, the presence and existence of God in a marriage, will bring blessing. Blessed is the home where God is present in every moment of their lives.
May God bring them peace to their weary souls and bless their homes, that their marriages prevail, and the vote of compliance "till death do us part"
And remember ... God loves them.
Mary is reported and outside.
ello again, dear bloggers. The theme of the day is "The Bible and Hell".
Do you think there is hell? Where do we go after death? Several wonder this, and the Holy Word gives us the long-awaited answers.
Many believe that Hell does not exist, and if there was anyone would go to this terrible place because God is "so good" to send someone to Hell. And in that case, they are right. God does not send anyone to Hell. You command you alone. Unfortunately there will be no turning back, not a chance. It's over. There is no purgatory, or reincarnation. It says in Hebrews 9:27
"... It is appointed for men to die once and after this the judgment"
Normally Jesus used parables to teach people, using easy to understand and comprehend comparisons. The passage we now observe is not a parable, it's a true story.
In Luke 16, 19- 31 says:
There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day.
There was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
It happened that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died, and was buried.
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
So far, we can see that there are 2 places where you can go, Abraham's bosom and Hades. But we have something very clear, these places are temporary, until the trial comes. Another fact we can even observe, is that the rich could recognize Abraham, therefore, knew him and knew of him. But by circumstances, it gives the appearance that ignored and mocked God.
Then he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that you received your good things in your life, and likewise Lazarus evil; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Here we realize that Hell is a place of eternal fire, and unfortunately there is nothing that can be done. Those who suffered unjustly now be comforted and those who turned a deaf ear to God, they will be tormented.
Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that they which would pass from hence to you can not; neither there to us.
In this part, Abraham Lazarus explains that even though I would like to water, can not cross over to help, let alone their thirst.
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that you send him to my father's house,
because I have five brothers, to testify to them, so that they also come into this place of torment.
And Abraham said: Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, No, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Finally, we can analyze that evidence you give to anyone, unless you want to believe it will not. And we can not force anyone, we can only pray for him.
What can we do to not go to Hell?
There are 2 steps. 1st place, repent, turn away from sin and completely stop bad habits completely.
Well says John 3:16
And finally, believe. Believe there is hope, that Jesus died for you and me, and with their precious blood clears all iniquity that is in us.
God bless you, and take great pride in our hearts, let us remember that we owe everything to him, and without him we are nothing.
God loves you.
Mary is reported and outside.
Hello again, dear bloggers. Today's topic is "Time with God." How many verses you know by heart? Have you given the opportunity to learn at least one per day? God commands us to learn and memorize his word, as we help you succeed in everything we do. (Joshua 1: 8). Most people do not take time to God, as they are engaged in other activities, but God tells us in Matthew 6:33
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added"
We seek God, and the rest will follow. You probably do not pray, or not seek God as before, because there are problems at home or at work, or in the environment where you unwrap. Many do this, most ignore that in this way only worsen the situation. We seek God, but not just on problems but on a daily basis.
A clear example is the time to wake up and go to work or school. Before you begin your daily routine, take a moment to pray and ask Jesus to guide your steps and give you strength to begin this new day. Do not forget to thank life for having more than one day, because it is a new opportunity to do things holy and pure way he wants and expects from us.
We should read the Bible every day, it is the word of life. Remember that we are like a battery of 24 hours, we need to be recharged, like a cell. Little by little, we will grow spiritually but only if each day we fill us from the love of Christ. How? Obeying his commands and statutes.
God has many time concepts. It's like spending time with your heavenly Father, do not see it as an obligation or as a punishment but as a privilege and a gift.
Time with God is talking to him, telling him all your problems and troubles, is reading his holy word, which really is a sensational hand in this world in which we walk as lost. You talk about others, about God, the wonders he has done not only in our lives but about (Psalm 9: 2). The sun, moon, stars, rainbows, waterfalls, animals, gentle breezes, all those wonderful things are the work of our heavenly father.
Well that's all for today. Remember to allow time for Jesus in our lives is paramount. The rest will follow.
May God bless you and give you strength for these difficult times.
Mary is reported and outside.
