Blame It On Christmas

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When we’ve called ourselves Christians for a long time, but no one around us has a clue that we profess Jesus Christ is Lord, it can be an awkward step to speak out about our faith and to walk it out in front of our friends.

What better time to take advantage of the holiday season? Blame it on Christmas! Speak out a little bolder, give a little more generously, love a little more freely – and blame it on Christmas. Jesus IS the reason for the season, take advantage of that.

Speakers sometimes brings up the challenge, “If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Does it make you feel a little uncomfortable, do you squirm in your seat a little more than usual? Do you wonder? Where is your evidence?

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In James we read, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus, also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is on God. You do well. Even the demons believe - and tremble!  (James 2:14-10 NKJV)

Yes, our faith empowers our works. Without faith in God, nothing we accomplish will mean a thing throughout eternity.

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It’s time for your big break, hide behind the mantel of the season, if need be, but exercise your faith. Speak up when conversations or situations make you uneasy; it’s the Spirit of God inside of you moving you to speak, to take action.

When you feel that nudge from God – blame it on Christmas!

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Prove Yourself, God!

A thought that enters into many conversations in various forms comes out in a question that begs: Why doesn’t God prove Himself if He’s real?

If I stand beside a nonbeliever and compare what I have with what they have, looking for who has the most ‘blessings’ – I won’t necessarily see that I have more with my natural eyes. But natural eyes are all the nonbeliever has to see with.

If God always showed the world how He blesses the believer, nonbelievers would find it easier to want those blessings, too, and accept that He is. But God doesn’t want any of us seeking Him simply because of what He can give us.

If I say I prosper more because I’m a Christian, and a nonbeliever sees that his bank account puts mine to shame, he’s likely to say that he prefers his prosperity over mine.

If I go into a third world country and expect God to provide me with a large house with clean running water, grand furnishings and more food supplies than I could distribute, many might believe it’s my God providing for me and seek after that same God. But would they be seeking Him, or merely what He has to give?

God wants us to love Him, to seek after Him – for who He is, not just for what He can provide for us.

Old movies show a king or millionaire making himself out to be a commoner to find the love of his life who will love him for who he is, not for the riches he has. Why would God want any less?

Seek His heart – not His hand.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." Matthew 6:33 (KJV)