All of us have looked on with interest at the happenings going on in Ferguson, Missouri. Many of us who went through the social action activities of the sixties are astonished that in the year 2014 we still need social action to right wrongs and to ask for equal protection and justice under the law.

I don't know all the details of what happened in the death of Mike Brown, the black teenager killed by a white police officer. What we do know is that he was shot six times and that there is some questions as to the reasons, the how and perhaps the why was he shot.

As a Christian I am disturbed that in this great nation of ours we continue to struggle to demonstrate to the world the Christian principles of love, compassion, patience, tolerance, and even acceptance of our differences. Jesus demonstrated this when he spoke with and accepted the Samaritan woman even though His disciples felt that he should not.

Racism and injustice is nothing new in our world. You want to think however, that we have learned from our past and we are ready to move forward with accepting differences of others.  Unfortunately some are determined to hang onto to their ignorance, blindness and prejudice.

As Christians we have to ask God to help us step out of the things that make us uncomfortable and to step into His love and trust of others.

As our world shrinks in terms of our ability to get around it, we are more apt to come into contact with others who are different from ourselves. How we respond to them and how we treat them will say a lot about our relationship with the Christ we say we love.  The Apostle Paul makes it easy for us with his description of what love is and what it isn't: 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:3-8a)

We at Shekinah Tabernacle Gospel Church will be praying for peace in Ferguson and around the world. Join with us because we believe that prayer truly does change things. Let's all agree to take at least five minutes of the day to pray for peace and a peaceful resolution to the issues in Ferguson, Missouri. Let's agree that we will do all we can to make sure that the Spirit, and doctrines of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ are being displayed by us wherever we are. God bless you and God be with you.

We are quickly moving our way into the Christmas holiday season. There will be many who will be shopping for gifts, attending office parties, preparing dinners, getting into the spirit with beer, wine and liquor while others will be doing it with mind altering drugs.  There will be those who want to spend their time this Christmas season trying to answer the question that Charlie Brown asked in the cartoon movie, A Charlie Brown Christmas, “Does anyone know what Christmas is all about?”

First let’s start with what Christmas is not about. It is not about a “jolly ole elf” that comes down your chimney to leave you gifts. It is about a savior that came down from heaven in flesh to gift you a gift of eternal life (The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23).  It is not about a snow man that came to life one day, but it is about a savior that died on the cross for our sins but came back to life by the power of God (Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead. Hebrews 11:19).  It is not about a reindeer that used his nose to light up a foggy night so that the jolly ole elf could find his way. It is about as John the Baptist said, a savior that lights up the world for all of us to see the Glory of God and find our way (Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12).

This year as we prepare to celebrate the Christmas “holyday”, let us keep in mind that Jesus is the reason for the season. That this holyday is about a world that was and is spiritually dark from sin, but God sent His Son into the world to be a light into the world.

How can we celebrate CHRISTmas without Christ being in it? You may say how is He not in it? When we put our focus on us and the receiving of gifts verses the giving of our service to others in need. When our focus is on things and not on Him. When we don’t wrap ourselves in love for Him and others and instead wrap ourselves in selfishness, greed, and pride, we take Christ out of Christmas.

This year I beseech you to put Christ back into your Christmas. How can you do that? You can start by serving others instead of wanting others to serve you. Second, by asking God for the gift of His Fruit of the Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Kindness, Faith Meekness and Temperance). Third, by asking God our Father to give you wisdom and a greater knowledge of Himself and His Son Jesus. When you do these things you then put Christ back into Christmas.

In the gospel of Matthew it tells us that wise men from the east came seeking the Christ child.  The word wise means, having the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting, or that of being sagacious (a wise leader). It also means exhibiting common sense; prudent: making a wise decision. So this is what we know about the wise men, a. They knew that Jesus was identified as a king, b. They knew that prophecy said that He (the Messiah) would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Thus they used wisdom or common sense in acting on what they knew to be true.

The second thing they did was to seek Him. The word “seek” means: To try to locate or discover; to search for; to endeavor to obtain or reach; to go toward; or to inquire for; request. In Matthew 2:2 we read, “Saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and we are come to worship him.” Verse 10-11, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

Some people seek Him today only for what He can do for them materialistically not spiritually. They don't seek Him with the proper perspective. Especially during this time there is amongst Christ is not in their Christmas. We seem to have so  many people today that seek after Jesus for all the wrong reasons. Concerned more about what He can do for them physically or materialistically as opposed to what He can do for all of us spiritually. What some don't seem to understand is that the baby that was born the first Christmas morning came to give us a gift, that of eternal life. Thus Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Let us be like the wise men and seek after the King of kings and Lord of lords. Let us seek after the Messiah, seek the one who gives us the gift of eternal life, seek after the redeemer, seek after the Son of the Living God, seek that little baby born into the world to die at the hands of the world to save the world.

Without giving Jesus all the Glory, honor and praise. Without celebrating in Spirit and in truth He that so loved us so much that He died on the cross for us. Without honoring Christ by being a servant to others and giving to others, particularly those in need we then shut Christ out of all that we do.  With that being done then Christmas just ain’t Christmas without Christ in it!

Father God, in the name of Jesus we pray that Christmas will once again have true meaning for the world. We pray that it will be a day of service in your name and that you will be Glorified by our celebration of this "holyday" We pray that it will be a glorious Christmas because Christ will be in it. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

As we all watch and observe our government leaders demonstrate for us how government should not be run, we wait with anticipation of a resolution that will bring order back to the governance of our country.

The Book of Proverbs counsels us that, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (NIV) Why is wisdom and understanding so lacking in our country today? Why does tolerance seem to be a thing of the past, as well as respect, compassion and forgiveness?  James 1:5 gives us a solution, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (NIV) If our leaders would truly trust in God as they govern our country perhaps childish stalemates, name calling, and blaming would not be the rule of the day.

Our great example of how we should relate to each other in matters of disagreement is and always will be our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I was always taught that we can disagree, but don’t be disagreeable. In other words we can respectful disagree with each other without being mean-spirited, hateful, or hurtful in our disagreement.

If we truly trust in God in matters of disagreement and not in political parties, or philosophies we may be able to come to agreements. Psalm 118:8 reminds us, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” (KJV) Let us pray to Him who is able to keep us from falling, for guidance and direction in matters of misunderstanding. Proverbs Chapter 3: 5-6 cautions us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)  Does America truly trust in the Lord today?  I think not. Let us pray for our country today.

“Father we come into your presence to first tell you, thank you.  We thank you for the great country you have given to us. We thank you for the many freedoms that we have as a result. We thank you for democracy. We pray today Lord that you would touch our leaders and give them wisdom and understanding. Bless us today to seek you out and to be guided by your Spirit. Bless our leaders and bless those in disagreement to put away personal pettiness, pride, and blindness to see the possibilities we have working together. We praise and thank you today Lord. In Jesus Name we pray.” Amen