23/12/09

What kind of celebrations have you planned?

Colossians 3:14 - above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.


As true Christians why do we need to witness for Christ and give the Good News to His people?

Why are we told to love our neighbors as our selves?

Why are we told to give in such a way that we receive not here but in Heaven?

The reason we do and should do all this is only for Christ, so that Christ is glorified over all creation.

If we love Christ we will love the people who are a part of Christ - His Body. If we truly love Christ we will keep His Word and show Him unto the world. He was perfect and so we need to show that perfectness unto the world.

This festive season what are your plans? Whom are you giving gifts? Who are your invitees whom you are planning to call over for dinner? Who all are on your list, whom you will pay a visit?

If you are in the world you will do things by which you will be rewarded in the world, but if you are of Christ you will look for rewards which are heavenly.

Jesus gave us a clue of how to really celebrate in Luke 14:12-14

To have a happy celebration call your friends and rich neighbors, but if you want to have a joyful celebration call over people who are needy, like the old woman you have been seeing wearing the same dress almost everyday, or that poor family who's child is always crying to its' parents to buy some toy. It does not have to be only the financially poor but could be a person spiritually poor, like the old man who is very sad since his whole family is far away, or could be physically poor, like the young boy who can not leave his house to go to school or to play.

Just pause for a few minutes and I am sure you will have a list of people with whom you can celebrate a Joyful Christmas.

Are you celebrating Christmas because of yourself or because of Christ?

If Christmas is because of Christ, do it the way that will please Him.

Worship the Lord and celebrate in ways that please the Lord.

Do not plan to have a happy Christmas which will end as soon as the holidays are over, but have a Joyful Christmas which will last till the coming again of Christ.


[ Prayer Starter ]
O Lord Jesus, not again, let not this celebration be all about gratifying of one's carnal self. Let your people celebrating in remembrance of You do it in ways that please You and not your enemy - the deceiver. Let this Christmas be about You and to show the world who You are. Renew our minds and help us control our worldly desires...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Luke 14:12-14
12 And he said to him also that had bidden him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors; lest haply they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.
13 But when thou makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14 and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not wherewith to recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the just.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others.
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