Thursday, December 21, 2017

December 21 Thought for the day...a key to enjoying Christmas


For many Christmas is a time of friends, family, food, and faith. A time where we celebrate the Lord, life, and each other. Yet for some, it is a time of battle, warring depression, loneliness, failed expectation, loss, and many other things. At Christmas and throughout the year we need to maintain our armor, so nothing overcomes us, allow me to help you have a most joyous Christmas and a great New year with this thought.

Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ephesians 6:16

Paul has listed the armor and then states "above all!" He is not saying that faith is more important than salvation, truth, the Word, or anything else. What he is saying is that each of these things works because you choose to apply faith to them. It is impossible to please God without faith, but the Word becomes active in our lives because we believe it by faith. Faith is not greater than any other weapon but is necessary for each weapon to be most effective.

We can go through the holidays and sometimes hit lows, family cause struggles, life hits hard! We know God's Word, but we need to apply it, stand on it, and believe it despite how we feel. It takes faith to make that happen. It also takes to believe God's truth about us that He loves us always and will never let us down!

Another important point Paul makes is "taking the shield of faith." He is saying we can pick up or lay down faith. We have the power to choose to walk by and in faith or not. It is foolish to face this world, the devil, and our own fleshly desires without faith being alive in us.

I want to remind you today that faith is not about feelings. It is choosing to believe God's Word despite how you feel, what you see, or what others may say to you. It is choosing to believe you are loved even if you don't feel it. It is choosing to believe that all things do work together for good when we believe God. It is choosing to believe God always has an awesome plan for our lives despite what people, our bank statement, or our feelings may say! Get ready for a great holiday by raising up the shield of faith always!

I pray this is your best Christmas ever! If you can, come to join us for our Christmas Eve celebration on Sunday, December 23 at 6PM or Monday, December 24 at 6PM. Christmas Carols, shepherd, wise man, candle-lighting and a time of celebration...See you there!

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