The Iron Pen #79

God & Country

"A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do, we are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about." Woodrow Wilson

The Old Cross and The New
A.W. Tozer

We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, or the world of sports, or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.

God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life he offers is life out of death. It stands always on the far side of the cross. Whosoever would possess it must pass under the rod. He must repudiate himself and concur in God’s just sentence against him…Let him not seek to make terms with God, but let him bow his head before the stroke of God’s stern displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die.

Having done this let him gaze with simple trust upon the risen Savior, and from Him will come life and rebirth and cleansing power. The cross that ended the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner; and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him to a new life along with Christ.

As Alisa Bonaparte, Napoleon’s sister, lay dying, someone commented that nothing was as sure as death. Alisa quickly added, "Except taxes." Hence the oft-quoted saying, "Nothing is sure except death and taxes." (Readers Digest)

CHRISTMAS
Dr. David L. Brown

I have written many articles, published several tracts and preached many sermons about Christmas. Two of my favorite articles are "The Christmas Candy Cane" located on our web page at -- ..\Holidays\candy.htm and "Christmas: What Makes It Important?" at ..\Holidays\c-tract.htm. For those who have read my articles over the years, it is no secret that I do not like the pagan and secular aspects of Christmas. I believe that our focus should be Christ, for, after all, Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! In light of that fact, I want to share with you this Christmas acrostic –

C is for Cattle, their manger His bed.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

H is for Herod, who murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. Matthew 2:13

R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus Christ comes in!

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. Luke 1:14

I is for Immanuel, which the prophet Isaiah foretold would be born of a virgin, "God With Us" behold!

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

S is for the Savior. To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him Jesus as His name.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

T is for Tidings related to all, telling of Him who was born in a stall.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10

M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38

A is for Angels, appearing so brightly, telling of Jesus the first Christmas night.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord…And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host… Luke 2:10-11 & 13

S is for Salvation, which is offered unto you; trust Jesus as your Savior for He is calling you.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

May you have a blessed Christ-centered Christmas. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

"Feeling is a token of life; and like as the body is not alive, if he feel not the pricking of a pin, even so when we are wounded in our soul, and have committed evil, [if] it grieve us not, then is not our soul alive, but dead." (From: Enchiridion Militis Christiani or Handbook of A Christian Solider by Erasmus Desiderius Roterodamus1469-1536)