Good morning,
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)
The Christmas season is upon us. Opportunities will abound for us to tell others about WHO Christmas is about. The question is, will we be ready?
Before we can tell others about Jesus our minds and hearts must be in sync with the Bible. To live above the lights and glitter of the season, we must remember that we are in a spiritual battle. Then we must remember who we are in Christ. Followed by our responsibilities as followers of Christ.
Then, we will be ready to take advantage of our opportunities to share about who Jesus is, why He came, and how those we witness to can accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.
SPIRITUAL BATTLE (EPHESIANS 6:10-12)
“ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Our battle is not against man, but against Satan and his demons.
SPIRITUAL MIND (PHILIPPIANS 2:1-18) KEY VERSES 2, 3-16
- Like minded, same love, being of one accord, one mind V2
- Put others first V3-4
- Let the mind of Christ be in us V5-6
- Humble ourselves as Jesus did V7-8
- Bow to Jesus and confess that Jesus is Lord V 10-11
- Work out your salvation with fear and trembling V12
- God works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure V13
- Do all things without murmurings and disputing v14
- Result that we might be blameless V15
- Holding forth the word of life, that I have not run in vain,neither labored in vain V16
“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.”
We must have the right mindset to traverse the Christmas season with success.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
Leave a Reply