"Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth." - Revelation 14:1-3 (NIV)

Christmas is a time of wonderful songs of joy. Just about every Christmas movie comes with Christmas songs. Some communities celebrate Christmas with concerts and special performances of Handel's Messiah. I see people in our Christmas services that come only once a year, but they sing the Christmas hymns with great gusto. In the words of Josiah G. Holland, "There's a song in the air!"

Yet, there's a song that runs deeper than "a song in the air". The Lord has placed a new song in the heart of those who follow him. David wrote in Psalm 40:3..." He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.". When Paul and Silas were found chained in prison they "were praying and singing hymns to God" (Acts 16:25). You see, God gives new songs to all who have been redeemed throughout the ages. For those who love the Lord..."There's a song in the heart!"

Does Christmas bring you songs of joy that have been hidden away since last year? Or, do you have a song in your heart every day of the year? The last words of Holland's song read, "And we greet in his cradle our Savior and King!" When Jesus becomes YOUR Savior and King there's more than a song in the air... "There's a song in your heart"

"All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world." - Revelation 13:8 (NIV)

Oil and water don't mix. They never have mixed and they never will mix. You can freeze them or you can boil them, but they will never mix. They are both liquids and seem to show similar qualities from a distance, but they are just different. Seals and otters need water to live, but when they swim out into spilled oil, they eventually die.

In the end, when the days of tribulation come upon the earth, the great distinction between believers and unbelievers will be seen. Believers have new hearts that worship God alone, and their names are written in the book of the Lamb. Unbelievers have no heart for God and their names are not written in God's book, so they will gladly worship the anti-Christ. When it comes down to worship and eternal destiny, believers and unbelievers don't mix. They never have mixed and they never will mix.

An old phrase comes to mind on this subject. "Be in the world, but not of the world, be in contact with the world, but not in contract with the world". While we strive with all diligence to lead unbelievers to Jesus, remember the stark difference. At the end of the day, unbelievers will worship anything and anyone before they will worship God. In contrast, we who are believers only worship our Lord. Don't be confused... believers and unbelievers don't mix.    

"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." - Revelation 12:10-11 (NIV)

"And now, the rest of the story" So were the closing words of Paul Harvey, in radio broadcasts that spanned over seventy years. His commentaries covered everything from news to human interest stories. At every broadcast the listener would intently follow the story line, waiting with anticipation for "the rest o the story".

In today's passage we have one of the Bible's great revelations. While spiritual battles are fought furiously throughout the ages, one encouraging truth overshadows all of them. The accuser of our brothers has been hurled down. In other words, Satan looses and Jesus wins. As the words say in one of Ron Kenoly's songs; "Jesus is the winner man". Now, "that's the rest of the story"!

Today may bring highly discouraging moments and you may feel defeated. Stay true to the blood of the Lamb and to your testimony of faith and you will overcome. The battle may seem overwhelming and your strength may wane, but don't give up. Just remember, "Jesus is the winner man". That's the life changing, all inspiring and everlasting "rest of the story".

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." - Proverbs 30:5 (NIV) 

The Christmas story that tells of the Magi is filled with intrigue. In the midst of a beautiful moment of joyful worship a warning is sent to lead the wise men safely home. Shortly afterward, Joseph is directed to flee to Egypt for the protection of the young child. The atmosphere of tranquil peace with family and friends was so quickly upset by approaching danger. At a moment like that, just the right word from the Lord was a welcomed shield from the coming storm. Every word of God is flawless.

In the Christmas story God spoke through Angels and dreams, but today he speaks to us through the precious words of Scripture. He gives us counsel, comfort and correction as needed. He always has just the right word for every situation. The storms will come, even to the child of God; we are not exempt from the dangers life. But, those who take refuge in the Lord will always find his word to be the perfect shield for safety. Every word of God is flawless.

Your life may not be as filled with the same intrigue as those days in Bethlehem, but you will still need a shield for the battles ahead. Every challenge will be unique and will require insight from someone who is far wiser than the Magi. Let the Lord be your refuge today because... Every word of God is flawless.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds...Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit." - Psalm 147:3, 5

I have served the Lord in the pastorate for thirty-two years. Over those years I have visited people with all kinds of injuries and illnesses. I have seen some in the greatest pain a body can experience, but the one condition that seems to overshadow them all is the broken heart. I have looked into the eyes of those who lost a young son, or a wife, or a husband, or a parent at an unexpected age. The brokenness lasts longer and the wound runs deeper than any bodily hurt. The heart is tender.

There are never enough words or the right words to comfort the broken heart. There are never enough books to read or counselors to see to heal the wound. There is only one Physician who can reach down into the depths of your soul to restore. He is the one whose understanding has no limit. Only the Lord knows how to heal the hurting heart, because... His heart is tender too.

Others will weep with you and try their best to comfort you when your heart is hurting, but the Lord is touched and moved with compassion with your pain. From years of experience I can say without a doubt; He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Go to the Lord with your brokenness because... His heart is tender for you.  

"The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign." - Revelation 11:15-17 

Another date to fear has surfaced: 2012. Theories are running rampant as to what will happen to the world on December 21, 2012. The real heartbeat of fear is rooted in man's limited view of God's plan. Many see this world as their only source of hope. If the kingdom of this world should end: what then? The words of the prophet say this world will end, but he also says that another world is coming. A world where evil will be judged and destroyed and God's people, small and great, will be rewarded. There is reason to hope.

The angel told Mary that her child would "reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:33) This part of the Christmas announcement is so often passed over. This world with all its bells and whistles is going to be replaced with the kingdom of God and Christ shall reign forever. Christmas is a date, which we should never fear. This day is the birthday of a King who will, one day soon, take his great power and begin to reign. This is reason to hope.

Christmas may not bring all the joy and celebration to you that others experience. It may be a day that you fear because you feel empty and unsure of the year that will follow. You may feel that this world has let you down in many ways. Well, Christmas can be a joyful day if you will fall before the King of Kings, open your heart and invite him into your life. The future kingdom will become a "present" kingdom when he reigns in you. This is reason to hope.

"Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” - Revelation 10:5-7 (NIV) 

Every year in late November the Christmas countdown begins. The decorations and songs are seen and heard even earlier. Christmas is coming and everyone is gearing up for the big day. We know Christmas is coming, and we know the exact day it will be celebrated. The first Christmas came in the same way, as God knew he was coming and knew the exact day he would arrive... and he wasn't late!

Jesus is coming again, first to judge the world and then to reign on the throne of David. This coming was announced to his prophets in the very same way as it was for his first coming. That day is coming just like the first Christmas came and with it God's long expected work will be accomplished and age old questions will finally be answered.

Are you gearing up for the Second Coming in the same way you prepare for Christmas? Are you excited and filled with great expectation? Are you telling the story of Christ in the clouds as often as you tell the story of Christ in the manger? Do you live as if you had a Second Coming countdown? No one on earth knows the time, but God has the date set on his calendar... and he won't be late!