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| Photo by Josh Harrison [Unsplash] But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night. (Nehemiah 4:9) |
Well it should be Anyway!
This time of year what is commonly referred to as the Christmas season is really in the Christian tradition, Advent! The word Advent simply means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. But for us it's much more. It is a time to celebrate and prepare!
CELEBRATION AND PREPARATION
The celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ's first coming and preparation for His second coming (the timing scientifically unknown yet uniquely sacred to His Saints). But for many it is interrupted by Bad Actors of the holiday season. A powerful reminder that advent can be the UNHOLIEST TIME OF THE YEAR! God's Word warns us that as sheep among wolves we should be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves"(Matthew 10:16). We need to remember that dishonorable people are also preparing with wickedly ingenuous ways to cause innocent people harm.
SCAMS, PORCH PIRATES & IDENTITY THEFTS
As we move deeper and deeper into the world of technology and social media we find evil has kept pace as well! Even though we are consistently warned and have expensive apps at our disposal none can guarantee absolute safety from theft. During the holidays we are busier than ever which means that we become distracted more easily. A phone call sounding like a loved one in trouble; a text from an online shopping store warning you of expensive purchases being charged are all meant to frightened you into giving up confidential information. FEAR is a well used and faithful tactic that works during this season! "But God has not given us the spirit of fear but power, love and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
TEMPTATION, RELAPSES & SELF HARM
We must not forget that every danger a Saint faces does not come from outside. "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak, Jesus says in Matthew 26:41. Emotions and temptations run the gamut during this season of supposed joy and festivities. Everyone wants to capture the feeling of lightness and giddiness to temper at least for awhile the troubles plaguing us at other times! But remember my post from a few weeks ago, The High Cost of Misspent Emotions! For some the cost is bondage and even death!
Single Sisters: Beware of Holiday Hookups as temporary relief from loneliness! Business Owners: avoid price hikes or the use of inferior materials to boost profits and make up for Down Times in sales! And one more! Saints don't like to talk about this one! Buying or charging an expensive outfit for a party; wearing it hiding the price tag and then returning it to the store after Christmas! THIS IS DECEPTION AND IT IS THEFT!!! (Leviticus 19:11)
CHRISTMAS, ADVENT, KWANZAA, YULETIDE - Call it what you want...
BUT IF JESUS AIN'T HAPPY, IT AIN'T HOLY AND YOU WON'T BE HAPPY EITHER!
UNTIL NEXT TIME...
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