Tag: Christianity

The Meaning Behind ‘He Made A Way In A Manger’

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AMY TURNER

Lee Black’s Christmas song “He Made A Way In A Manger” tells a powerful story. The song, now 20 years old, was written by Black and his friend Steve Merkel.

The idea came from a Christmas card Merkel received. It had a simple drawing of a manger on the front with part of a famous Christmas lyric. Inside, it showed Jesus on the cross, finishing the lyric.
This inspired them to write a song connecting Jesus’ birth to his death. Black wrote the words, and Merkel composed the music.

Provided to YouTube by DistroKid He Made A Way In A Manger · Lee Black ‘Tis The Season â„— 2796642 Records DK Released on: 2022-11-04

The song reminds us of a scripture from Jeremiah 33:15-16:
“In those days and at that time
I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
he will do what is just and right in the land.
In those days Judah will be saved
and Jerusalem will live in safety.
This is the name by which it will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Savior.”

This prophecy points to Jesus as the savior, born in a manger but destined for the cross.

Black reflected on the song’s meaning, “I think the joy of Christmas is tinged with just a bit of melancholy, knowing that the baby in the manger is going to be the Christ of the cross. But what a gift we’ve been given in that.”

The song captures both the joy of Christmas and the sorrow of Jesus’ sacrifice. It helps us see the whole story of Jesus, from his humble birth to his redemptive death.

Igniting Your Spiritual Fire: The Role of the Holy Spirit

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JEFF TURNER

Today’s distractions make it easy to lose sight of what truly matters in our spiritual lives. Yet, as we reflect on the words of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11, we’re reminded of a powerful truth: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.”

This fire of the Holy Spirit is not just a distant concept, but a living reality that should burn within the hearts of believers. Just as we find comfort in the warmth of a fireplace on a cold night, God desires His people to be spiritual fireplaces, radiating His divine presence and power.

A church that’s truly on fire for God is far from a drowsy, lethargic organization. Instead, it’s full of life with the Spirit’s energy. This fire consumes what’s unnecessary in our lives, purifies us, prepares us for service, cheers us in times of despair, softens hearts, unites believers, and empowers us for God’s work.

When a church is ablaze with God’s fire, it naturally turns to fasting and prayer. These spiritual disciplines become not just occasional practices, but essential parts of seeking God wholeheartedly. The Bible promises rewards for those who fast in secret, and history is filled with examples of great spiritual breakthroughs that came through prayer and fasting.

A church on fire also finds itself uncomfortable with worldly pursuits. The love for God burns so brightly that it naturally diminishes the attraction of worldly things. As 1 John 2:15 warns us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Perhaps one of the most visible signs of a church on fire is its deep care for souls. Just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem, a Spirit-filled church is moved with compassion for the lost. This compassion isn’t passive; it spurs believers to action, leading them to share the gospel wherever they go.

Being a church on fire means allowing the Holy Spirit to work freely among us, transforming us from the inside out, and using us as instruments of God’s love and power in the world. It’s a challenging call, but one that promises an adventure of faith like no other.

Are You a Genuine Follower of Christ? Examining Your Faith

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER STAFF

In Matthew 7:21, Jesus delivers a sobering truth: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” This verse serves as a warning against superficial faith and challenges us to examine the authenticity of our relationship with Christ. In today’s world, many people treat faith like a consumer product—if they don’t like one version, they simply shop around for another. This mindset has led to a proliferation of “generic” Christianity, where people seek convenience and comfort over true obedience to God’s Word. The question we must ask ourselves is this: Are we genuine followers of Christ, or have we settled for a watered-down version of faith?

Many individuals approach Christianity as though it were a buffet, choosing what suits their preferences while discarding the rest. If someone doesn’t like the teachings or practices of one denomination, they can find another that aligns with their lifestyle. For example, some churches may tolerate behaviors like drinking or gambling that others condemn. Similarly, when it comes to Scripture, many turn away from the King James Bible or other translations rooted in historical accuracy and opt for modern versions that feel easier to digest. While diversity in worship styles and translations isn’t inherently wrong, when these choices are driven by personal comfort rather than a desire for truth, they reveal a deeper problem: a lack of commitment to God’s authority.

This consumer-driven faith mirrors the way people view generic products in stores. Generic medicines often come with disclaimers stating they are not made by the original manufacturer. In the same way, generic Christianity lacks the qualities of true discipleship as taught by Jesus. Genuine Christianity is defined by love, humility, sacrifice, and obedience to God’s will. Yet many settle for an imitation—a faith that looks good on the surface but lacks substance. Jesus warns in Matthew 7:22-23 that many will claim to have served Him but will be rejected because their hearts were never truly aligned with Him. These sobering words remind us that outward actions are meaningless without inner transformation.

Some people mistakenly believe they can earn their way into heaven through good deeds or financial contributions. Acts 8:18-22 recounts how Simon the sorcerer tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, only to be rebuked by Peter for his misguided thinking. Similarly, today’s “generic Christians” may rely on church membership or acts of charity as their ticket to salvation. However, God desires more than empty gestures—He seeks hearts fully surrendered to Him. True giving flows from gratitude for God’s grace, not an attempt to earn His favor. Genuine faith is marked by humility and a deep understanding of our dependence on Christ.

To avoid becoming a generic Christian, we must examine our lives honestly. Are we motivated by God’s work in us, or are we simply going through the motions? Psalm 119:165 reminds us that those who love God’s law will not be easily offended—a sign of spiritual maturity and peace. Genuine Christianity requires faithfulness, commitment, sacrifice, and moral purity—qualities that reflect Christ Himself. Heaven will not be a mixture of genuine and generic believers; only those redeemed by Christ’s blood will enter.

Now is the time to get real for Jesus—to reject imitation faith and pursue an authentic relationship with Him that transforms every aspect of our lives.

Arson Fire Destroys Church in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan

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JEFF TURNER

A fire that destroyed a church in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, in September 2024, has been determined to be the result of arson, according to a news release from Loon Lake RCMP. The press release says a suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident.

On the morning of September 28, 2024, Loon Lake RCMP were called to respond to a fire at a church on Main Street in Loon Lake. When officers arrived, the building was already fully engulfed in flames. Loon Lake Fire Services were on the scene, working to control the blaze. Fortunately, no one was in the church at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Initially, the RCMP described the investigation as being in its early stages. Officers asked the public for help, encouraging anyone who had seen anything suspicious or who had security camera footage from the area to come forward. At the time, the cause of the fire was unknown, and police considered it suspicious.

After weeks of investigation, RCMP announced an arrest in the case. On December 7, 2024, 25-year-old Shandon Chief, from the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, was taken into custody. He has been charged with one count of arson under Section 434 of the Criminal Code. In addition, Chief was arrested for breaching a conditional sentence order.

Shandon Chief appeared in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on December 9, 2024. The RCMP have not released additional details about the evidence that led to the arrest.

The destruction of the church marks a significant loss for the Loon Lake community. Police continue to encourage anyone with information about the fire to contact them.

The Eternal God and Our Salvation

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JEFF TURNER

Understanding God’s eternal nature goes beyond just knowing He will exist forever. As described in Revelation 1:8, He is “the Alpha and the Omega,” existing outside of time itself while holding all of time in His hands.

This eternal nature of God has profound implications for our salvation. When God accepts someone into His family, He already sees their entire life – past, present, and future. His decision to save isn’t based on our future performance or dependent on whether we might fail Him later. Instead, God sees all our future failures and sins at the moment He chooses to save us, and He loves us despite knowing everything that will happen.

This is why we can be confident about eternal security for believers. God’s acceptance isn’t a temporary decision that might change based on our actions. His eternal nature means His plans and promises are unchangeable. When He promises to save us on the final day, He already sees that day as present reality, making His promise as good as fulfilled from the moment He makes it.

This truth gives us tremendous assurance – our salvation depends not on our performance but on the unchanging love of our eternal God.