Fail not to call to mind, in the course of the twenty-fifth of this month, that the Divinest Heart that ever walked the earth was born on that day; and then smile and enjoy yourselves for the rest of it; for mirth is also of Heaven’s making.”
–Leigh Hunt
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.”
–Psalm 95:1 (NKJV)
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“Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Joy! Joy!
Jesus Christ was born for this!”
–Heinrich Suso
Joy, do you have it? It is somewhat of a misnomer when you see a so-called Christian stepping on their bottom lip. Yes, discouragement does come, read the Psalms, but overall we are to live a life full of joy. Look at what Paul wrote.
“Rejoice always.” –1 Thessalonians 5:16 We should be in the habit of rejoicing. Rejoice, if for no other reason than your name is written down in heaven. This is not earthly joy, but spiritual, heavenly joy. Joy that goes beyond understanding. Joy that resides in the midst of sorrow and suffering. Joy because of Jesus. That’s why this is such a joyful season, Jesus came in the flesh; He came to redeem mankind. Rejoice!
Another thing that we are commanded to do is, “Pray without ceasing” –1 Thessalonians 5:17. We need to live life “with a mindfulness of God’s presence all the time. We do this by acknowledging Him throughout the day and developing a habit of talking to Him about every experience we have in life, whether it’s good or bad.” (Jack Graham) There is a time for formal prayer. There is a time for making your petitions known to God. However, to develop a relationship with Christ there must be conversational prayer. Just talking with Him, friend to friend. During this Christmas season, take time to just talk with the Lord. He came to earth to develop a relationship with each of us. We must do our part to develop it. Read what He has to say, then discuss it with Him. People clamor that Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship, yet they will not take the time to develop the relationship.
“In every give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” –1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) Listen, sometimes we must be intentional about being thankful. We may sit down at the table and mutter a short prayer of thanksgiving, but what about the tough times? What is there to be thankful for? There must be a time when we contemplate the situation and then thank the Lord. In the midst of life’s trials, sufferings, difficulties God is good. The situation may not be good, but God is! Therefore, no matter the situation you are going through, God is with you and God is good. The Father sent His Son for us–if that isn’t “good” I don’t know what is. While we were yet sinners He sent His Son to this earth for each one of us. Think on that this Christmas.
“He hath ope’d the heav’nly door,
And man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!
————————————-
“Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Joy! Joy!
Jesus Christ was born for this!”
–Heinrich Suso
Joy, do you have it? It is somewhat of a misnomer when you see a so-called Christian stepping on their bottom lip. Yes, discouragement does come, read the Psalms, but overall we are to live a life full of joy. Look at what Paul wrote.
“Rejoice always.” –1 Thessalonians 5:16 We should be in the habit of rejoicing. Rejoice, if for no other reason than your name is written down in heaven. This is not earthly joy, but spiritual, heavenly joy. Joy that goes beyond understanding. Joy that resides in the midst of sorrow and suffering. Joy because of Jesus. That’s why this is such a joyful season, Jesus came in the flesh; He came to redeem mankind. Rejoice!
Another thing that we are commanded to do is, “Pray without ceasing” –1 Thessalonians 5:17. We need to live life “with a mindfulness of God’s presence all the time. We do this by acknowledging Him throughout the day and developing a habit of talking to Him about every experience we have in life, whether it’s good or bad.” (Jack Graham) There is a time for formal prayer. There is a time for making your petitions known to God. However, to develop a relationship with Christ there must be conversational prayer. Just talking with Him, friend to friend. During this Christmas season, take time to just talk with the Lord. He came to earth to develop a relationship with each of us. We must do our part to develop it. Read what He has to say, then discuss it with Him. People clamor that Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship, yet they will not take the time to develop the relationship.
“In every give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” –1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) Listen, sometimes we must be intentional about being thankful. We may sit down at the table and mutter a short prayer of thanksgiving, but what about the tough times? What is there to be thankful for? There must be a time when we contemplate the situation and then thank the Lord. In the midst of life’s trials, sufferings, difficulties God is good. The situation may not be good, but God is! Therefore, no matter the situation you are going through, God is with you and God is good. The Father sent His Son for us–if that isn’t “good” I don’t know what is. While we were yet sinners He sent His Son to this earth for each one of us. Think on that this Christmas.
“He hath ope’d the heav’nly door,
And man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!