Truth is Truth

"You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me." - Psalm 40:11 This is a sometimes monthly column concerning the truth of Christ Jesus and the issues that face our world as published in various newspapers and journals by Pastor Dave Seaford. You can return to the home page of the church by going to: http://www.fbcredway.com

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Location: Redway, California, United States

Tuesday, December 08, 2015

Christmas AGAIN &%^$@*!?

OK, so there are some Christmas' that are better than others and to some of us it seems the "better" ones are fewer than the "not so good ones". I have to fight the crowds, buy the presents and what do you get for your 94 year old grandmother that never leaves her house? I've got to clean the house, prepare for guests and not burn the stuffing all at the same time... and this is suppose to be great, joyful and celebratory? How can we ever get back to the sanity and sanctity of Christmas?

The good news is that you are not alone. The panic began on the first Christmas as the angel appeared to the shepherds in the fields keeping watch over their flocks in the night. The difference is that their panic was over what they did not know and many of us as Christians are panicking in spite of what we know! We are focused on the wrong things and giving priority to the wrong preparations.

Perhaps it would be better this year to clean less and prepare more to share the gospel with those you truly love and care for. Perhaps it would be a better use of time to set the timer on the stuffing and sit in prayer for those loved ones while the stuffing bakes. Perhaps the quiet work of studying the Scriptures and rejoicing over the fact that the Messiah has come and atoned for your sins and desires a personal relationship with you, would be a more productive preparation for the relatives coming than washing the dog would be.

May I suggest a reading before your Christmas meal this year of Luke 2 and Luke 23. Chapter 2 is His coming. Chapter 23 is why He came. The manger ought never to be viewed outside of the shadow of the Cross! If you know Jesus, you are blessed this year to have a Savior that came humbly and willingly, and that loves you and is with you even now. IF you do not know Jesus the good news is that you can know Him right now, right where you are sitting. Take that dusty Bible off the shelf and and turn to the book of Romans (it is about 80% of the way into the Bible). When you get there go to Chapter 3, verse 23. There you will find that you are not alone in needing a Savior. We are all sinners. Then turn to Chapter 6, verse 23 and there you will see that we are doomed without finding that Savior (The wages of sin is death), BUT "the free gift of God is salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans chapter 10 verse 9 tells us HOW to receive this salvation and HOW we can walk in this life without the panic of a secular Christ-less and Panic filled Season!

There really is good news and you should share it this Christmas. You can begin that reality by setting your mind and heart on the person of Christ and the Good News of Salvation!

Merry Christmas!