When it comes to Christmas, some parts of the Christian community have had a lot to say about the subject of Santa Claus. Many believers view Santa as a secular myth that causes huge distraction from the true reason we celebrate Christmas ââ'¬" the birth of the Son of God, born to save mankind. I understand why Christians have an issue with Santa. The distraction is real. During the 1800s and early 1900s, American folklore regarding Santa Claus evolved until we ended up with the Santa we know today.
There are three kinds of grace that operate in the life of every believer—saving grace, sanctifying grace and serving grace. All three come from God and are essential for the Christian life and for end-time service in the kingdom of God. Saving grace comes to you when you first hear the gospel and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. In Ephesians 2 and verse 8, the apostle Paul writes: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God…."
"When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." (Matthew 27:50) At Easter we remember the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary and how He took the judgment and chastisement for our sins upon Himself. But there's another significant event that took place at the moment Jesus cried out from the cross and yielded up His spirit. Scripture says that the veil in the Jewish Temple was suddenly ripped in two. It was not simply pushed aside, it was violently torn apart from the top to the bottom!
In the midst of believing God for a miracle this Christmas season, or even in the midst of spiritual war, we should know how to have joy. We don't need a new baptism of joy, we need to return to the joy we once had. We need joy to permeate our hearts! King David proclaimed: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit." Psalm 51:10-12 (NKJV)
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."  Acts 10:38 (KJV) If Jesus had to be anointed, then you and I need to be anointed too! As Christians, there is already an anointing within us, but our goal should be to get that anointing to increase. We want to experience more than a visitation, we want the anointing to abide continually and increase over our lives. In order for the anointing to increase, we have to have understanding. Many times we don't obtain fresh anointings because we don't know how to reach for them and pull them into our lives by faith.
Colossians 1:9 (Amplified) "..we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things]."

We must understand the importance of the verse above. The writer of this epistle makes it clear he prays for one goal in every believer. Spiritual understanding, discernment and insight all point to this one word: accuracy. Today as never before, there is such a need for accuracy in the body of Christ. Goodhearted works and intentions can't produce it. Even willing, zealous believers without accuracy cannot be productive.
If you obey God, persecution, offense and slander wars will come. Jesus said they would, especially during the last days of this dispensation. Expect that everything you stand for will be tested. How real are your convictions?

All persecution, including slander, comes with the purpose of causing you to withdraw from your position. We don't believe in withdrawal or retreat.  We only have charges. NO retreat allowed! Remember you are neither the first nor the last to be persecuted, just the next one. You are in good company.