So were the Mayans right? Is today really the last day of the world?  The Mayans created quite a buzz, didn’t they?  Any time there’s talk of the world ending people talk about it.

It’s good to have a filter for any and all future predictions of doomsday. And we have one.  So why isn’t the world ending today?

Jesus said no one will know the hour when Christ comes back. While Jesus was on earth, he didn’t even know the day or time.  So how could we?  The fact that someone predicted the end of the world on a specific day is virtually ironclad proof it won’t be that day.

As soon as you hear someone predict the world will end on X date, you can be pretty much count on the fact it won’t happen. My personal guess is the world will end the day people finally stop predicting it will end, kind of like the couple who got pregnant when they stopped trying.

As fun and amusing as today’s prediction is, it leaves me uneasy. Here’s why.

One day Christ will come back.

And that will be an awesome day and a terrible day.  When we finally realize it’s actually happening, we won’t be able to change anything.  It might in fact be too late for many people you and I know and love.

Today is not that day.  At least not yet. Which makes what you and I do today so important. Particularly in terms of letting people know that a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is not just possible but desirable and ultimately necessary.

And one day – when we least expect – it will really  happen.

And in all likelihood, it will surprise us all.

An international call to prayer has gone out from Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, for the release of Saeed Abedini, who is imprisoned in Iran for his faith in Christ.

In June 2012, Saeed and his wife, Naghmeh, spent time with Dr. Wood and related Saeed’s plans to return to Iran to visit family and continue his humanitarian work in developing a non-sectarian orphanage. He was nearing the end of that visit when he was detained by Iran authorities and imprisoned.

During these months of incarceration, Dr. Wood has been in constant contact with Naghmeh, who has provided updates on Saeed’s status.

“This is a deeply devout couple who are committed to Jesus,” said Dr. Wood, “and are the parents of two young children.”

Dr. Wood called upon Christians around the world to pray for Saeed while he is in prison, for Naghmeh and their children. He also asked prayer that governmental authorities in Iran would release Saeed, who is an American citizen.

“The imprisonment in Iran of an American Christian pastor is just as unacceptable as it would be to imprison in America an Imam because of the Imam’ s faith,” said Dr. Wood. “This is a precious young couple who should not have to face years of separation because of Saeed’s faith nor should Naghmeh face the possibility of her husband being executed for his faith and leaving their two young children fatherless.”

Dr. Wood is calling for millions of Christians throughout the world to pray mightily for the Abedini family and for all those facing persecution because of their faith in Christ.

He also encourages the Christian community to support the efforts of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) to bring worldwide focus on the plight of Saeed Abedini. The ACLJ today provided the following news release: http://s2.ag.org/acljnr. To read the Fox News article, which broke the story, see http://s2.ag.org/foxnr.

General Superintendent’s Office
The General Council of the Assemblies of God

In my unending quest to keep families together for the holidays I submit to you a sure-fire method to make sure your children come home for Christmas (Special thanks to Twila Jones):

An old man in Miami calls up his son in New York and says, “Listen, your mother and I are getting divorced. Forty-five years of misery is enough.”

 “Dad, what are you talking about?” the son screams.

 “We can’t stand the sight of each other any longer,” he says. “I’m sick of her face, and I’m sick of talking about this, so call your sister in Chicago and tell her,” and he hangs up.

 Now, the son is worried. So he calls up his sister. She says, “Like hell they’re getting divorced!” and calls her father immediately. “You’re not getting divorced! Don’t do another thing, the two of us are flying home tomorrow to talk about this. Until then, don’t call a lawyer, don’t file a paper, DO YOU HEAR ME?” and she hangs up.

 The old man turns to his wife and says “Okay, they’re coming for Christmas and paying their own airfares.”

We’re nearly a week away from celebrating the single most history-altering event known to man: Christmas, the birth of mankind’s redeemer, Jesus!  Here are three simple thoughts related to Christmas in light of current events:

Because of Jesus, everything will be all right. We have been promised the glory of heaven, no tears, no pain, no sorrow, no death, but never-ending joy and eternal happiness. We experience glimpses of that glory even today, God’s overcoming power, but today is nothing compared to what lies ahead.

Because of Jesus, your life can be full of light. You can know God personally, and walk with him every day. You don’t have to stumble through the darkness of sin and uncertainty, because he brings the light of truth into your life.

And, because of Jesus, you must make a choice what you will do with your life. He’s the dividing line between the light and the dark, between happiness and misery, between heaven and hell. He is the inescapable Jesus, because everyone must choose how they will respond to him.

It is my prayer this season you will look at this moment and say, “I choose Jesus to be my salvation, my light, my future, and my hope.”

Each year, as I watch people run out to  save a few bucks on their holiday shopping, I try to keep  a mental count of all the different ways people say, “That’s what Christmas is all about.” It follow several variations.

Being with family, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

Helping the unfortunate, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

Spreading cheer and goodwill, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

My favorite comes from Jay Leno’s Book of Headlines. An advertisement placed by the Center for Dental Implants, states: “The Gift of Chewing Is What the Holidays Are All About.”

That’s why we put up a tree and wrap presents and spend a small fortune decorating our houses — so we can chew.

What is the reason for the season? Well, the correct answer, of course, is Jesus.  Remember that when you discover the bargain promised in the circular is no longer in stock or the person before you took the last gadget you just had to have.

We live for more important things. Even more important than the Cowboys losing to the Redskins!

As we approach the Thanksgiving tomorrow, many people, in spite of all they have, find it difficult to be thankful. It’s easier to focus on the conflicts, the problems, the things we lack. This causes us to develop a “Why me?” mentality.

There’s an old story about a farmer who sat down with his family at the dinner table to pray. He said, “Lord, we plowed it, we planted it, we watered it and fertilized it, and when harvest came we picked it, cleaned it, and cooked it…but we thank you for it anyway.”

Can you see how that farmer’s attitude could keep him from experiencing an attitude of thankfulness?

What would happen if you really believed that life is a gift from God, and that whatever pleasure we get from our relationships, and whatever abundance we enjoy, and whatever good thing we may experience is the result of his his goodness? Can you imagine how believing such a thing could influence your life? Do you see how it could revolutionize your life?

In just about every Thanksgiving sermon you ever hear, the preacher will make the point that we shouldn’t be thankful only one day a year, that we should be thankful year round.

Imagine if we really believe that life is God’s good gift to us, don’t you think it would be easier to be thankful every day?

A pastor friend shared the following from Rick Warren recently.  It was so good I had to pass it on to you!

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for” – Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG).

Here’s a Bible trivia quiz: Can you name any of three men who became so depressed that each of them asked God to take his life?

Answer: Moses, Elijah, and Jonah.

Each of them got depressed, but for different reasons; depression is always a symptom of a deeper problem.

Like a warning light on your car, depression is meant to get your attention; it shouts something is wrong! The real problem is not how you feel, but the cause of those feelings. Here are three of the most common causes of depression.

1. Fatigue (Moses’ problem): When you try to maintain a hectic pace week after week in spite of physical and emotional exhaustion, you set yourself up for depression. Or, if you try to play God, attempting to control everything and everyone around you, depression will eventually catch up with you. In Moses’ case, the solution was to learn to delegate (Numbers 11:10-17).

2. Fear (Elijah’s problem): Whenever you swallow your anxieties, your body keeps score. Instead of focusing on your depression, ask, “What is it that I’m afraid of? What’s got me worried?” Resolve the worry and your blues will vanish, if that’s the cause. In Elijah’s situation, the antidote was to trust God to handle things out of his control (1 Kings 19:1-18).

3. Frustration (Jonah’s problem): When you don’t see a purpose behind the events of your life, when it all seems so arbitrary or hopeless or unfair, then depression strikes. Life without meaning and significance is depressing. That’s why God’s solution to Jonah’s depression was to help him see the bigger picture. Perspective is a powerful cure. When Jonah finally understood God’s purpose for his life, his depression faded.

Does life sometimes seem like an endless rat race to you? Ask God to open your eyes and help you see his purpose for your life. God, who made you, has this to say about you: “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for” (Jeremiah 29:11 TEV).

Are you hoping for a miracle; a stronger faith that will endure even in tough times? At CLC we believe God is BIG and God can do ANYTHING! Our God is a God of miracles!

Join us this Sunday for the launch of “When You Need A Miracle!”