A message from the Cross Platform Team

Christian greetings and blessings in the name of our Lord from Cross Platform Faith Online.

I just want to wish you a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year! May this week be filled with the love of the Lord as you share it with friends, family, and the church of Christ. My prayer is that you remember all that the Lord has brought you through this year, all the blessings (both small and big) that He has so graciously laid on your path, and all the challenges He has strengthened you to overcome.

For many this year, we may have lost loved ones, faced battles and trials, or experienced one of the toughest years in a long time. The Lord has been with you, closer than a brother and as loving as a father. Remember that His grace is sufficient, His love is warm, and His joy will strengthen us. Never forget what James 1: 2-4 says:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Many of us might be conflicted during the time of Christmas. You might have learned about the hand of paganism in the holiday of Christmas. Some Christians believe that we must have nothing to do with Christmas celebrations. Santa Claus, Christmas trees, jingle bells, and the 25th of December have nothing to do with the birth of Christ, and thus, we must remain as far from the Christmas festivities as possible.

Others say that while Santa and reindeer have nothing to do with the story of Christ's birth, it is still an opportunity to remember the miraculous birth of our Savior, commemorate the coming of our Lord to die for our sins, and even share Him with someone else by inviting them to church on Christmas day.

Amidst this debate, be reminded of what the apostle Paul said to the Roman church when Christians had disagreements:

Romans 14: 1-9

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.  If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

With this in mind, let us remember to continue loving one another, just as Christ has loved us. Let us share with each other, be gracious to one another, and be peaceful in all things, giving glory to God. Have a lovely week further, loved ones. I pray that this app has been a blessing to you this year, and we hope that it continues to bring you closer to the Lord through His scriptures. God bless!