2001-12-18 - Christmas

2 Corinthians 6:2 Behold, now is the acceptable time.

I'm not trying to pick on Australians here, but I came upon these statistics and I thought that, while they probably apply the same everywhere in the same proportion, they are interesting. Did you know that 142 Australians were injured in 1998 by not removing all the pins from new shirts and 31 Australians have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the lights were plugged in. In addition, 19 Australians have died in the last three years by eating Christmas decorations they believed were chocolate. Lastly, and this is for free, three Australians die each year testing if a 9-V battery works on their tongue.

These were all meant in fun, even though they are true. All we should take from this is to remove the pins from your new shirts, don't eat Christmas decorations, don't test batteries with your tongue, and most importantly, if you have a Christmas tree, unplug it before you water it. My point today is that Christmas is upon us. Christmas means many different things to different people. Some make a deep spiritual connection to it and others simply look at it as some time off to enjoy family. I think the matter is really up to the individual. We don't see the New Testament Christians recognizing Christmas, but I bet there are a lot of things they did that are not recorded in God's Holy Word.

For many, Christmas is a very special time where they feel closer to God and I am all for getting closer to God. If Christmas is a day where you feel closer to the Lord then take advantage of it and don't stop there, continue on. If you have to wait until January 1 and make resolutions to grow close to the Lord then do so, but I will submit this to you -- December 18, 2001, today, is no different from either of these days. If you wish to grow stronger in grace and your walk with Christ, why not start today? In fact, I think doing so would make this Christmas season all the more special to you.

If you have been reading these devotionals for any time you know I have one theme, I hope, that dominates. I beg you to seek to grow in your walk with the Lord. If you need special days to help you do so then use them. If you need to go for regular walks to secure your prayer life, as I do, then go for a walk and talk to the Lord. If your Bible reading program is suffering then call a friend who is awake earlier than you and tell him/her you wish them to call every morning 1/2 hour before your normal wake up time and make sure you are up and spending time with the Lord. Develop your own program, but do something and if what you are doing isn't working, then do something else. Find someone you know who does walk with the Lord closely and ask them what they do -- copy them!

It is so easy to get into a rut and if Christmas or New Year's resolutions can help you get out of a rut and strengthen your walk with Christ, use them. But you can start today. Reading the Bible, prayer, and Scripture memory will add more to your life than any TV show, movie, or other pursuit you can engage in. It will change your life and I know many of you reading this are living examples of this very fact. Press on, and seek His grace all the more.

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

 tim@cfdevotionals.org
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