"Tis The Season "

This is definitely the season for getting our focus set on HE Who matters. It’s the season to check our relationship with HIM and see what direction we are moving in.

It is the season for Giving, for Receiving, for Sharing, not in vain mind you. But in perfecting the Glory of HE that is to be shared. Jesus the Christ wants and desires a relationship with all of us. 

As we began our winter bible study several weeks ago and the topic of study was announced, it did take some of the congregation by surprise.  To announce that we would be studying the 10 commandments thru Christmas and New Year did catch some off guard. 

As we began our study and took the commandments to task, or rather had them take us to task, we began to see the work of our God Jehovah even in the 10 commandments, continuing to do what was started in the Garden of Eden, ( building and restoring relationships).

What the Israeli children did while Moses was on the mountain was no different than what Adam and Eve, or even ourselves are engaged in today. It involves many sub-plots but they do not venture far from rebellion.

This is the season to analyze our relationship with this SON of GOD. Not just in purchasing and exchanging gifts, visiting friends and family, visiting the Church House maybe, thinking all the time, “well this is all the time and talents I can give, or even, there I did it, are you happy”.

Do we really want peace, do we really seek a relationship, do we really know what the season is truly about and what our role is. God took on a direction when he left the Glory of Heaven and found a room which led directly from the wooden cradle to the wooden cross and its suffering. We will take on a direction this year that I pray will lead us to new heights of worshipping the Living God in the Name of Jesus the Christ.

When the commandments were given to man, they were never to be thrown away, or called outdated, or only good for grandpa, or only for old testament teaching. They were given to man to help us have and enjoy a relationship with The Triune God. (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).

Consider the first three.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before thee.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

3. Thou shalt not take the Lords name in vain.

You talk about God making a statement here, and not just giving rules.

He made it very simple for us to enjoy Him. He made it very simple for us to know Him. He made a covenant with us that He cannot and is not able to break. His Children were influenced then and now by this world and its little gods, or false gods. He wanted something to continually remind us of what He has to offer us.

If you obey Me, I will bless thee, if you disobey Me, I will curse you.  All we have to do is be obedient. We can’t be perfect in the sense of Gods Holiness, but we are called to strive for this Godliness.  This is the direction we are to be moving in, that will consummate our relationship with the God of our Salvation. To stay away from evil, to run from the temptations of the flesh, to seek spiritual discernment. To trust and obey. Not to seek charisma for a season, but the reality of The Truth.

Do we want true peace this season?  It will come freely by our accepting the commandments as the direction we need to move in. I know this might be hard for some to fathom, it was for me for quite a while. God’s presence is vital to our purposes. It is through our obedience that He is known.

Through our obedience, we are moving in the right direction. Some say it’s hard, you don’t understand.

I do understand this. Jesus was obedient to the Holy Father as He left Heaven.

Oh, if we could just have the desire this season to become as Obedient.

What direction are you moving in?  

What is your relationship with Christ?
 

It is definitely the season to Let Your Light Shine for Christ and give others direction.

God Bless and have a wonderful season celebrating the birth of CHRIST.  

Rev. Justin R. Lott