If Christmas is pagan, should Christians be involved?

Should Christians get involved in supporting or celebrating Christmas? Have you ever heard that argument? Why in the world would Christians want to get involved in something that was really a “pagan holiday,” that we the Church co-opted? So for those critics, I have three points.
Number one: Do you give your kids birthday gifts? You celebrate your kids birthdays, why not celebrate the birth of the Savior? If we’re not going to do it now, when would you decide to do it? That would be a question.
Secondly, in 1st Corinthians 9:22, Paul says, “I became all things to all men, that by all means I may win some.” I can’t think of a time, and I doubt that you could think of a time in the year when there is more focus on the birth of Jesus Christ. Once a year, the world is confronted with the reality of His coming. And I think that’s great!
The third point is in Matthew 16:18,where Jesus said, “On this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The idea is not that we are holding out against the world. The idea is that we are assaulting a world and they cannot overwhelm us. They cannot withstand the assault of the Church. The very fact that you and I are here, 2000 years after the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, is evidence of that. The world has done everything it can to squash the message, destroy the Word, and intimidate believers. Yet, all around the world today there are those who are singing praise, spreading the Word and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, if we co-opt or take over Christmas, that’s what we’re supposed to do. We’re supposed to seize the gates of the enemy. This is why we’re here and why this season is so important.

Gene Cunningham - April 8, 2000

Simplicity in Christ #10

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Simplicity from Prayer

Prayer is a major part of simplifying life. Genuine prayer cannot be separated from the Word of God (Eph 1:15-23, Eph 3:14-20, Eph 6:18). The Lord was compelled to go out and pray (Mar 1:35-38, Isa 50:4, Psa 90:15). God calls us to pray and we don't (Jam 4:2). Prayer is the most often recorded discipline of the Lord in scripture. Jesus exemplified that pray is a necessity for spiritual power and dynamics. The disciples asked why their exorcism wasn't effective; Jesus told them they needed to pray and fast (Mar 9:29).

Jesus and others in scripture set a chosen time in the morning (Mar 1:35, Psa 5:3, Dan 6:10, Lam 3:23). It was a matter of self discipline to the Lord. Jesus found a suitable place. Why did Jesus have to pray? He put a tremendous emphasis on it. The discipline of the Master became the desire of the disciples. Luke 11:1-13 shows the disciples were impressed that prayer was important to Jesus. He taught them to pray by praying after they asked about it.

His prayer had these characteristics:

Relationship: "Our Father" gives us the right to address Him.

Fellowship: "Your will be done" acknowledges His rightful role in our lives. God's name is only "hallowed" if we allow His will to be done in our lives.

Surrender: "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". Obedience is necessary, even when we don't like what is happening.

Dependence: "Give us day by day or daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us." We depend on Him for food, but also forgiveness and grace to forgive others (Mat 6:14-15).

Deliverence: "And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one". Only being led by the Lord can we be delivered (Rom 8:14).

Unity: True prayer is not self-centered, but communal.

Boldness: "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves'" (Luk 11:5-8, Heb 4:16).

Expectency: Prayer is determined to get answers (Luk 11:9-13). Jesus says all prayers are answered. It is God's nature to give (Psa 103:13, Jam 1:17).

Biblical Priorities: "...how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luk 11:13, Eze 36:27, Joe 2:28, Joh 9:37-39). Holy Spirit gave gifts to men (Eph 4:8, 1Co 12:11, Isa 53:12, Eph 1:3). Holy Spirit translates our prayers into what is good for us (Rom 8:26-27).

What kind of impact did the Lord's teaching have on the disciples? "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers" (Mar 1:35, Act 1:14). We are all in equal standing with the Lord (e.g. women and men). Their prayers were focused (Luk 11:13, Act 1:5-8). The early church was effective in sharing and giving (Act 2:42-47). They devoted themselves to prayer and study (Act 6:1-7). God will not move in a mighty way among unbelievers until we give Him the freedom to move in a mighty way among us believers.

How can prayer make life more simple?