WHEN IS CHRISTMAS OVER?

Today I heard on the radio the discussion about taking down the Christmas tree and Christmas lights.  How long do you leave yours up?  It dawned on me that is what happens to Jesus and His birth as well.  When the tree and the lights come down, so does He!  It seems to be back to normal.  Christmas is over.  It's another day.  We just celebrated the birth of the Christ Child and today we are putting it behind and  planning New Year!

I have a beautiful and precious great grandbaby, Piper,  that was born 9 months ago.  On the day she was born, we celebrated.  Family was all together, gifts were given and everyone was focused on this little baby born to us!  You know what?  The next day we were still celebrating; she was still receiving gifts; everyone was still excited about seeing her and holding her and loving her.  Almost every day since her birth acts of love are being extended; she has been receiving gifts and pictures are being made and shared on Facebook; and she is visited often.  Even her Pops that lives 3 hours away did not leave the hospital and go back home and not celebrate her birth any more.  No, he has daily talked about her and shared pictures of her and stays in touch.

I don't think we are as excited about the birth of Jesus, the Son of God.  The baby born to redeem the world from sin that separates us from our Creator God.  The greatest birth ever in the history of the world seems to get boxed up with the ornaments and Christmas decorations and left until next year!  I hope this makes you feel as sad as it does me.  Actually, I am a little short of being angry.

Because I am excited about this Baby that changed the world, I plan to continue to celebrate Him with as much excitement and enthusiasm as I do this precious special little girl He has given to our family.  I plan to keep giving Him the gifts He loves - spending time with Him daily; reading His Book; loving others; feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; care for the orphans and widows; visit the imprisoned and sick; be a witness wherever I go telling what I know about Him; gather often with other Believers to worship and praise Him!

I am praying that The Lord will impress others to continue the celebration of JESUS CHRIST EMMANUEL!  Some say GOD is Dead.  PLEASE don't say He's your Saviour and live like He is dead!  HE IS ALIVE and He ought to be obvious in the lives of those who claim His Name and Salvation...Let's celebrate and cause the world to want to join us! You might start getting excited by singing along with these children:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf90f0Lz0_o

"I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD"

In my Daily Delight today I saw some marvelous things I hadn’t noticed before and I am encouraged and excited.

Before going to the cross Jesus tried to prepare His disciples, but they didn’t believe Him.  He told them they would scatter and leave Him alone, but He wouldn’t be alone because The Father is with Him.  He said:  “These things I have told you so that you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Jesus said He was not alone, The Father is with Him!  He also told His disciples that He would send them the Holy Spirit; and later He said The Father would send them the Holy Spirit.  This would be the same Holy Spirit of God The Father that Jesus had, that we too now have…if we are Born Again Believers.  That makes me want to shout!  Jesus said:  “I will never leave you nor forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5)

He also said that in the world we would have tribulation.  I see that as battles; battles in every area of our lives.  We battle for our bodies to produce health.  We battle for our minds to have good thoughts; to focus rightly; to be wise .  We battle for our heart and emotions to be stable, virtuous and moral.  We battle for our spiritual life to produce holiness; to demonstrate the Spirit and power of God within us.

We battle and struggle for peace.  Jesus said to cheer up because He had overcome the world!  Remember He said:  “I will never leave you nor forsake you so that you can say, The Lord is my Helper and I will not fear what man may do to me.”  He has overcome the world.  We don’t need to fight our battles alone…The Overcomer is with us…believe it!

Lord, thank You for I don’t have to stand alone in life’s battles.  You are with me and I am part of Your Powerful Body – the Church - The Army of God!  Help us to keep Your orders and be battle ready daily –physical, uniform & weapon (body, soul & spirit).  Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world!