Princess’ courage during this hard time was a testament to her faith. Every time she reassured her friends she was ok she would add, “They are only things. At least I’m alive.”

Her words really made me wonder: how many of us are willing to say the same thing after such a catastrophe? How many of us are willing to be satisfied with God’s grace instead of questioning why God would allow good people to suffer…

The Holy Spirit guided me and I sought refuge in Paul’s story in 2 Corinthians 12 to gain a better comprehension of the matter. See, at this time, Paul’s “understanding of the principles of gospel truth was equal to that of ‘the very chiefest apostles,’” (AA 469.1, 2 Corinthians 12:11) and yet “there was given to [him] a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet [him]” (2 Corinthian 12:7). Here is a man who was “caught up to the third heaven,” and, “was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Corinthians 12:2, 4) and still the messenger of Satan was allowed to harass and strike him.

After Paul sought the Lord in prayer three times, after he pleaded with the Lord asking that such tribulations “depart from [him]” (2 Corinthians 12:8), God responded saying “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God didn’t want Paul to exalt himself to high measure and thus lose sight of His Heavenly face. God didn’t want Paul to have “confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).

So take heed brethren – although God has promised to not give you more than you can bear (1 Corinthian 10:13), bad things will happen. It is during these hard time that we should remember to seek the Lord in prayer and “most gladly therefore will [we] rather glory in [our] infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon [us] (1 Corinthians 12:9).”

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecution, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.  – Exodus 32:1 (KJV)

Alas! How quick the children of Israel were to forget the miraculous deeds of God. How quick they were to forget the parting of the Red Sea, the plagues in Egypt, and even the pillars of cloud and fire that guided them in the desert. Alas! How quick the children of Israel were to forget and sought another false idol. How quick they were to surround Aaron demanding something to worship.

In many ways I see the children of Israel in us today. We too are quick to forget the power and gifts of God, one of which is life. We are so quick to forget that we live on His grace and mercy alone (James 4:14-15).

Oh indeed, in many ways I see the children of Israel in us today. We are so quick to forget and build ourselves idols. The modern day golden calf has taken a different form however. Today, the calf is the money that corrupts, the television screen that blinds, the food that disfigures, the job that enslaves and many many more!

The Bible tells us to be on our “guard against all covetousness,” (Luke 12:15). The story of the children of Israel lives on today as a constant reminder that we are bound to sway but we all have a chance if and only if we hold fast to the Word. When others build for themselves idols, we should remember to “not lay up for [y] ourselves on earth…but for [y] ourselves treasures in heaven.”(Matthew 6:19-20)

“Cain came before God with murmuring and infidelity in his heart in regard to the promised sacrifice and the necessity of the sacrificial offerings. His gift expressed no penitence for sin. He felt, as many now feel, that it would be an acknowledgment of weakness to follow the exact plan marked out by God, of trusting his salvation wholly to the atonement of the promised Saviour. He chose the course of self-dependence. He would come in his own merits. He would not bring the lamb, and mingle its blood with his offering, but would present his fruits, the products of his labor. He presented his offering as a favor done to God, through which he expected to secure the divine approval. Cain obeyed in building an altar, obeyed in bringing a sacrifice; but he rendered only a partial obedience. The essential part, the recognition of the need of a Redeemer, was left out.” PP 72.1

It fascinates me at times…the things I like taking into my own hands. My best friend once told me (in confidentiality of course) that I could be a control freak at times. But come on, who doesn’t like wielding the power to control the outcome of any event? Who doesn’t like doing things their way? But is this the attitude that I have when it comes to salvation?

The story of Cain and Abel is oh too familiar to many of us. Two brothers who were both equal, both sinners, and who had both accepted the existence of God, but Cain refused to accept the great principles of redemption. He wanted to receive it on his own merits; by his own hard work.

Cain’s legacy lives on today and we can see it in many of us. The first example that popped up into my mind, after reading Sister White’s passage, was the teaching of indulgence. In Roman Catholic theology, the Catholic Church grants indulgence, the remission of temporal punishment due for sins that have already been forgiven, for specific good works and prayer.

But the “Cain syndrome’s” severity is not only evident in the doctrines of a whole church, but also in the lives of many who go out trying to do good to justify sin.

Now I know, how absurd right? Since when did doing “good” ever become wrong? I remember a story that my Sabbath School teacher once told me about the people who were facing judgment at the end of time. A woman step before our God pleading to see the Heavenly kingdom saying, “I was a singer in your church. I sang every Sabbath,” but she was denied. A man step before our God pleading to see the Heavenly kingdom saying, “I was preacher in your church. I preached your word,” but he too was denied.

Now I am not condemning singing in church or preaching, but we cannot do these deeds expecting them to justify our wrongs and give us redemption. For it is not through our own deeds, nor our own merits that we shall see the Heavenly kingdom, but through His blood and His blood alone.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is a none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

I went into this super-anxious about all the possible side effects, but I’m happy to report none of the things in my silly imagination actually occurred in real life. No headaches. I was able to go to work without fainting somewhere between the parking lot and my desk. And, I didn’t cave in and raid my neighbor’s pantry in the heat of passionate rage. God was with me. It was a prayerful challenge and somehow comfort food took on a spiritual identity. It was more of the Word I craved, and the aroma of free pizza and sweet cupcakes on the office couldn’t entice my taste buds.

Matthew 5:6 resonated deeply with me, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.”  Each night I went to sleep I’d say goodnight in prayer to God, and each morning I woke after resting in His arms. It was a peace I couldn’t reproduce with a mani, pedi, or full-body massage – this was a cleansing from the root upward.

The first Sabbath of the year and in the middle of my 10-day journey, I was able to partake in communion at church.  I remember thinking how fitting it was to literally feel each bread crumb crumble between my teeth after 7 days of liquid only. “Give us this day our daily bread…” (Matthew 6:11).  Running on empty with God fueling your needs just as needed is an incredible experience. Somehow worries slip away, and problems find their solutions in that contentment the comes with clinging to Christ independent of circumstance. My body felt a physical transformation, energized by a spiritual one.

See, God and I have the frequent tug-of-war where He tugs on my heart telling me to let go of the reigns, and I pull back wanting control in the do-it-yourself mentality that only wears me down with a mountain of stress on my back.  Emptying me of me knowing there couldn’t be an “I” in this equation of achieving 10 days absent from the dinner table gave me something much more satisfying. I remember one day sitting at my desk I was hungry and ready to down another 16 ounces of beets and other veggies. For whatever reason, I couldn’t untwist the lid on my juice cup. I was so frustrated and overwhelmed with hunger. In my heart I cried out in frustration to God, and He responded instantly. I grabbed my mouse pad, gripped hard and untwisted the cap.  I had to smile as He whispered in my ear, “…in my strength.”  Looking at the red lines on my hand I thought to myself, “Why didn’t I just ask Him 10 minutes ago?” 

We are nothing. There is nothing we can do on this earth in our own strength.  When I think about my fingers’ ability to gracefully dance around this keypad, every keystroke is because of Him.  Every breath, every blink of the eyelid – it truly is funny how I think I can control the order and progression of my life. It’s just been a few weeks since that experience of charging up every day through intense and focused bible study. Over the past few weeks, I’ve come to realize just how little I am and just how amazing it is that I can so quickly forget it’s NOT worth fighting alone. I like how The Message says it in Luke 18:27, “No chance at all,” Jesus said, “if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”

There’s just nothing as satisfying as being empty, when Jesus is the one to fill your cup.

A bittersweet emotion filled the room. Our time together was winding down, but our mission back home was about to launch. We began early Sunday morning just as every other morning at 7:30AM. Charissa Fong spoke about Elijah’s experience and humanized this prophet of God.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. – James 5:17

“God is always found in the quietness of a trusting heart that simply desires to abide in Him,” Charissa reassured. We don’t have to wait for GYC 2012 to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, after all, He was sent to reach us wherever we may be whenever we may need Him.

After breakfast, the GYC Executive Committee formed a panel and were open to any questions or suggestions from the floor. The committee expressed a desire to be accessible to and open with us.  Many came forward asking questions ranging from controversial topics such as homosexuality, to minor details like can we reformat the lyrics on the screens so short people can read them. Many ideas surfaced including the need for a children’s component of GYC. We were all encouraged to get involved by volunteering to help meet some of these needs.  Make contact with GYC by emailing info@gycweb.org or visit the GYC on Facebook.

At the final Commitment Service, the new executive committee was introduced. Justin McNeilus will continue as President. Several new positions have been added, and a much younger group will comprise the executive committee going forward. After 10 years, this is the first executive committee in which none of the original founders will serve.

GYC is moving into Europe this Summer 2012! GYC Europe is expected to take place in late July 2012 in Austria. You’ve got to check this out:

GYC Europe from GYC on Vimeo.

“A New Day” indeed it is, Sebastian Braxton entitled his message. Again, visit the GYC website to hear the message for yourself, but in short Braxton distinguished the essential from the incidental elements of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Essential elements included 1) acceptance, reception of Jesus, 2) Prayer, and 3) an entire/complete surrender to Jesus. He reminded us that just because you’re filled, that doesn’t mean everyone will accept it. Braxton called for unity and the ministry leaders to come together in this work.

And then it was over. The new and old executive committee stayed behind to answer any questions. Others of us ran up front to take home some of the flowers that had decorated the stage, and goodbyes were hugged away.

For those of us here in Texas, Southern Youth Conference (SYC) will take place June 29-July 1 in Richardson, TX and the theme will be “Crucified.”

And GYC 2012 will be in Seattle, WA starting Friday evening December 28, and ending the following Tuesday on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013. The theme is “Acts: The Revolution Continues” and will be a case study of the spirit-filled book of Acts (not a theme text, but a theme book). Get involved now at your home church, and make plans to come to Seattle already filled with the Holy Spirit – testimony in hand.

Wow, GYC I’ve really missed you. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been able to attend and this has been such a blessing. We already have plans underway for things at Houston International SDA Church. On a personal level, I’m so not ready for this high to come down. I’ve started my post-GYC devotional using Mark Finley’s upper room workbook.  My prayer is that God will reorient my priorities and use me this year in a way He never has before. I’ll post to keep you posted.

God bless!

“. . . for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” – Matthew 7:13

It was like the scripture came to life as we exited the convention center and walked down Avenida de las America. The sidewalks were brimming with people on both sides of the crowded street. On one side those of us leaving the evening devotional session, the other a citywide party to bring in the new year.

It seemed the avenue paved a line of demarcation between us.  The Sabbath was long over, but the New Year’s Eve celebrations were just beginning. Two separate venues, hosted by two separate masters.  GYC attendees were headed to pray in the ballrooms from 10pm-12am, an event hosted by our Lord and Savior.  Houstonians were ready to party it up and drink in the new year decked out with LED lights in a fatal attempt to brighten the master of darkness. Our Light shined in our hearts, when earlier that evening attendees crossed the avenue and handed out GLOW tracts.

And speaking of outreach, I should share with you the results from Friday’s outreach. In just a few hours, 2,750 GYC attendees visited 23,626 homes, prayed with 2,300 people, and 2,016 homes requested bible study. Praise God!

On Friday, there were some who couldn’t fit on the buses, so they decided to walk around the area and talk to people on the streets of downtown. One particular story ended with a Metro city bus driver hopping off the bus and approaching the GYC attendees with this question: “What can I do to be saved?”.  Everyone waited on the bus, while the driver got a quick bible study. So many miracles to share.

So about Sabbath at GYC…

Of course we had morning worship, then Sabbath School, and Dwight Nelson brought the message for Divine Worship. We ended the service answering an appeal to be wall-breakers, not wall-makers. “The enemy of darkness wants to keep the walls up,” Nelson preached, but we must tear down barriers such as racial division before we can expect the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon this church.  You can listen for yourself now, so I won’t spoil the rest of the message. Check out the recordings online at the GYC website.

Sabbath afternoon we participated in totalCHURCH breakout groups. These sessions covered topics surrounding the church life including meeting physical needs, planning spirit-filled worship services, effective evangelism in small groups, etc. I attended Ron Clouzet’s “Apostles’ Teaching” on discerning and dealing with error and false doctrine.

DeVasher’s evening worship message was one that really hit home, “Respectable Conventionality.” The message centered around James 4:17, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” DeVasher emphasized Ellen White’s guidance that practical work will have a far greater effect than merely preaching. Over the background noise of booming speakers play outside, DeVasher boldly called us out. Those of us living the conventional life need to strive for more than just a spouse, house, kids & grand-kids. We must realize that the world needs more than a proclamation, the world needs a revelation. We need to meet real people’s real needs.

As I glanced across the street at my 150,000 neighbors partying it up, I thought about heaven and wondered how many are waiting on me to cross the street to share a real piece of heaven on earth.

My friend and I ended up in Doug Bachelor’s session after she shared with me she was ashamed to not ever have heard of Bachelor when a non-SDA friend approached her with one of his DVDs. So we spent a few minutes in that seminar covering again characteristics of the Holy Spirit. Then we headed over to another session entitled “Teach Us to Pray – The Model for Prayer” by Jorge Baute. This was her first day ever to attend a GYC conference, so she had to get a taste of how the different presenters worked.

I was once again encouraged by the divine message poured out this morning. Practical guidance on The Sanctuary Prayer model was so enlightening. We picked up quick nuggets of gold, learning how the sanctuary represents so clearly how we are guided to the most intimate prayers with God.  Here’s how it flows:

1) Enter with praise – Psalm 100; Luke 10:21
2) Confession – 1 John 1:8,9; Romans 10:9, 2 Timothy 2:19
3) Recommit my life to God – Psalm 51:10
4) Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Luke 11:13; Galatians 5:22-25
5) Strength for the day – John 6:32-33; Romans 13:12-14; Put on the whole armor of God – Ephesians 6:10-18
6) Intercession – Philippians 1:3,4; Romans 1:9,10
7) Intimate communion with Jesus – Psalm 16:8, 11. Enter into the heavenly sanctuary with Christ. Hebrews 10:19, 20

“At the sound of fervent prayer, Satan’s whole host trembles.” (1T, p.346)

Of all the quotations, this was my favorite this morning at Module 3. You see, when I think about what my full-time occupation has been these past few days, and when I consider the thousands of young people assembled in downtown Houston – I can barely fathom the amount of trembling going on right now. Satan’s whole host trembles.  Whether the Sanctuary model or The Lord’s Prayer, just communing with Him in ceaseless prayer trips up the devil. Powerful.

The plenary sessions take place just before lunch, and you’d think by this time our tummies growling might deafen our ears. This is not the case.  Jan-Harry Cabungcal describes himself as a neuroscientist who believes in the 6 literal days of Creation.  He shared his personal testimony and the amazing work taking place through Europe 4 Jesus during today’s Plenary session. Cabungcal’s message today once again urged us to respond to the cry of the lost.  They have an equal right to the knowledge and hope we know.

Ok, so back to outreach/evangelism day.  We had a quick bite to eat, and then it was finally time to line up and depart on one of 55 buses.  A small group of youth from my local church and I loaded up on a bus.  We were headed to Brazoria County, that is ccounty number one on the list for highest suicide rates in the state of Texas.  We prayed and thanked God for using us to plant these first seeds in a place full of despair.  And just like that, we were dropped off  on a neighborhood street corner in the middle of this country town Alvin, TX.  We had materials to distribute and people to pray for and with.

Just the thought of this experience is uncomfortable for most. Yet the Holy Spirit’s leading during this simple exercise is critical and overwhelmingly visible when present. For instance, we knocked on one door and the same message of GYC 2011 rang boldly from the lips of a complete stranger. The first guy we prayed with encouraged us, “The filling of the Holy Spirit is key.”  Then he hopped on his bicycle and rode away.

There are people waiting for someone to come. Others are living in a really dark dark place, and need our prayers – even when they reject them. Between puffs of cigarette smoke, one guy told us every time he goes to church someone dies. Bible study and church just aren’t his style. We left materials with him anyway, and paused on his sidewalk to pray just for him. Planting the seed in Alvin, TX where there’s currently no established English-speaking Seventh-day Adventist Church was yet another divine appointment completed at GYC 2011.

We returned to downtown Houston singing songs of praise on the bus, sharing testimonies from our experience and bonded closer with our peers and Maker. I was happy to hear one young lady from my home church say, “We have to make it to Seattle next year” (GYC 2012 will take place in Seattle, WA).  This is why GYC is more than a department nestled within a bureaucratic administration, and truly a movement. GYC demands young people (and old) to – get to work!

The night ended by “Killing the Fat King.”  Kameron DeVasher was back with an incredible twist on the story of Ehud in Judges 3. “We need more Ehuds,” DeVasher pleaded. Too often we continue paying taxes to the fat king of sin. Tonight we left beginning a tax revolt, one by one dropping in surrender to God and letting go of those sins we like to hate and hate to like. Just as Ehud had a message from the Lord in a sword which slain King Eglon, we must take up our bible and use it as a sword to defeat the enemy.

“Comfort and convenience are not the primary objectives of this conference due to its intense nature.” – GYC Program: General, p. 5

Today we sweat a little inwardly and outwardly – for the Gospel.

The day started at 7:30AM morning devotion with Charissa Fong of Sydney, Australia. Eyes burning from lack of sleep, she jolted me into intense focus telling the story of Asa in 2 Chronicles 14. She outlined the work of the Holy Spirit that is, 1) conviction, 2) conversion, 3) cleansing, and 4) commission. The caution and powerful point of this message was that we must finish well and continually seek God’s face.  Asa’s diseased feet told the story of his heart, Charissa shared.  Never to walk again, Asa started well spiritually but he did not finish well. To finish well, we must cling to God.

We took a break for breakfast, and then had 18 different options on the menu for modules or 2.5 hour seminars with various speakers all taking a slightly different angle on the theme for our conference, Fill Me: Our Earnest Plea. Module 1: The Foundation for me was “Living on E” with Annie Morgan. When I first saw the title, I knew it was for me. A few months back my best friend responded to an email warning me, “U r running on empty jb…Spiritually.”  So when I read the last sentence of the description, “Discover the thrill of ‘living on E’ where all our comfort comes from Jesus,” I was really curious how being on E could be a good thing.  Module 1 was the highlight of my day, and possibly my entire 2011 GYC experience. But that’s just the thing, the Holy Spirit is already in this place – it’s up to the attendees to let Him dwell in our hearts and convict us with the message tailored by God just for us.  Just for GYC 2011.

But then if morning worship and seminar time wasn’t enough, we had a plenary session just before lunch. Janet Page shared her personal testimony and the necessity for daily time with God and the power of prayer. We ended this session as we do every session with a season of prayer. Only this time, we were encouraged to pray in bits and pieces with words guided directly by the Holy Spirit. One short prayer followed by another and another, round and round we went. It was beautiful, short nuggets of an earnest plea for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

After lunch, 2.5 more hours of seminar time made Module 2: The Understanding. This time I chose Jeffrey Rosario and David Asscherick’s “Theological Realities” module.  The assembly hall was packed and so was the message. We tackled and established through intense scripture searching: 1) The Holy Spirit is a person, 2) The Holy Spirit is God, and 3) The work of the Holy Spirit is 4-fole: on, in, for, and through us. Our parakletos or advocate, the Holy Spirit walks beside us magnifying the image of Jesus to and through us.  Thing is, if we don’t intend to be a magnifying glass, the Spirit is not working through us. We ended this session with four prayers that the Holy Spirit might work on, in, for, and through us.

Oh, there were so many choices…and I will have to catch many others online later. As we scattered across the convention center into different rooms, the message was consistent – Fill Me. That’s what’s different about GYC this year. We are all crying out and seeking one thing. Our study time is more than a demonstration of the theme, it’s the Spirit responding to our prayer – it’s God in action.

We ended the day with evening devotionals as Kameron DeVasher presented the message.  DeVasher bluntly asked, “Do you even really want to go [to heaven]?”  It’s not about whether you get in to heaven, but whether you fit in. DeVasher emphasized, “The primary role of the Holy Spirit is  not to make you more powerful, but to make you more Christ-like.” Scripture says it best,

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. – Philippians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

Packed. The day downtown for me ended somewhere around 9PM. Some attendees went to choir or orchestra rehearsal. Anyone who would like to be a part is able to join the mass choir and orchestra. Others headed up to the small group sessions to review Mark Finley’s 10 Days in the Upper Room devotion for the day. And then some others made their way to the Prayer Room where testimonies are in the making all day throughout the conference. I headed home so I could make it to bed by 11PM, only to wake back up somewhere between 5 and 6AM.

A small price to pay.

As I jumped on the escalators at the George R. Brown Convention Center everyone was heading down to the main auditorium. I couldn’t help but notice the crowd seemed much younger than I remembered, but perhaps this was just me settling in to my late twenties. Anticipating just under 5K attendees this year, the place was buzzing with friends reuniting.

While the faces may have changed, entering the worship service brought back that familiar pungent GYC spirit. We made it through the preliminaries and were briefed on what to expect over the course of the next few days. Lots of prayer, time for small groups, evangelism, and even a personal devotion time slated in the schedule. Mark Finley’s 92-page “10 Days in the Upper Room” devotional workbook was distributed at registration along with your name badge and program guide. It was time to get down to intense study and revival… Ready.

Set. Go. Justin McNeilus led us straight to Truth with a message focusing on our theme for the week, Fill Me: Our Earnest Plea. We started in Acts 1 and identified the effect – the gospel going to the world, and rewound to understand one cause – Jesus being at the center as our foundation.

Justin, the banker juggled the numbers and broke down any doubt about the ability to take the message to the 7 billion people occupying planet Earth. With 120 people in the upper room challenged to take on 180 million people in the world at that time, we can’t get overwhelmed by the current stats. The ratio landed somewhere around 823 souls to be reached by every 1 SDA individual. “It’s easy,” Justin said.

But the message went on and we zoomed in on Acts 1 verse 4.

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (KJV)

After instructing the disciples to take the message to the world, Jesus then commanded them not to leave Jerusalem. The process outlined like this: Jerusalem > Judea > Samaria > World.  Likewise, we  have to take care of business at our home churches, and reach our neighbors before worrying about what we’re going to do about our neighboring countries. The process outlined like this: World < Country < State < City < Local Church < Y o u.  First we have to be reached in order to reach.

Justin put it plain and simple, “You have no business making plans to reach the world when your prayer meeting in your own church is suffering.” We must wait, as the verse says (something we Millennials don’t like to do). The call is that we must bring about revival in our home churches.

Following the message we had some time for prayer (real, honest, scripture-focused prayer). Reading Joel 2:15-17 we prayed that God would help us take this solemn event seriously, that He might cleanse us of our sins, and rid us of those things hindering our ministry. Kneeling on the concrete floor, praying our hearts out to God in silent earnest unison as Peter did many years ago:  F I L L  M E.

So that’s what we’re here for. The journey has just begun.

Join us online with live broadcasts of the main sessions on 3ABN and follow the blog each day for a brief update!

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. – 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

So, I admonish you brothers and sisters to be proactive and allow the Holy Spirit to empower you in all situations. For those friends and family members who are adamant about the pagan practices they see protruding from the Christmas season, support their protest of paganism. Then, with meekness and a spirit of love, unveil to them the multiplicity of paganism that has captured the entire world along with the vast majority of protestant churches, who are Biblically and rightly referred to as Babylon. For those who are holding on to the season as a time to celebrate the precious gift God gave to us, please encourage their joy, excitement and love for the things of God. But afterwards, your duty calls you to show them from God’s word those things that God ordains to be celebrated far above any other holiday, like that special day and time Jesus set apart for us to remember, that Christians always forget. These truths are among those that represent “present truth”. These truths are among those that the three angels speak about. These truths are those that Jesus wants us to proclaim through the entire world, and it starts at home.

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. – Revelations 18:1,2

There can be no silence in the loud cry.

Lionel Mosby, Jr.