Is it possible that the world has gotten caught up in different traditions to celebrate this time of year?
Jesus is the reason for this season.
Many people have latched on to traditions, and have allowed themselves to become distracted from the true reason Christmas is celebrated.
Jesus is the reason for this season.
Black Friday has turned into green Thursday by having people work on Thanksgiving day, in order to get people to shop for early deals on Christmas presents.
Jesus is the reason for this season.
Some people will camp out all night in all types of weather, to be the first person in line to get in the store when the doors open for that one flat screen TV.
Jesus is the reason for this season.
In many instances, purchase will be put on credit cards that will run up a balance that might take the entire year to pay off.
Jesus is the reason for this season.
Instead of being caught up in a season, let us try to remain focused on the reason.
Jesus is the reason for this season.
Seasons will change, but Jesus never changes.
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”
“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” John 19:30
Webster defines procrastination as “the action of delaying or postponing something.” Often times we procrastinate because the task that needs to be done is something that is unpleasant or tedious. We will find excuse after excuse as to why we just simply don’t want to complete the task, often procrastinating until the last minute, and then we finally realize that “I’ve got to get this done!”
Procrastination will and can rob anyone from having the feeling of completion. Procrastination really is finding ways to avoid doing a task which needs to be done. It is also stalling, being hesitant, or delaying something because it is something that may be unpleasant or boring to do. When a person avoids doing a task that needs to done, or continues to find excuses not to do something, they are in the act of procrastinating. Waiting until the last minute to get something done is the “fruit” of procrastination.
At the tender young age of twelve, Jesus was focused on completing what He was sent by God to do. When He and his parents travelled to Jerusalem to celebrate the yearly Feast of the Passover, when it was time for them to leave, Jesus was found in the temple, “sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking questions”. Luke 2:46
Upon finding her son, she asked Him, “Son why have you done this to us? Look your father and I have sought you anxiously”. (Luke 2:48). In verse 49, Jesus responded, Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?
Jesus did not procrastinate, or lose His focus on completing His Father’s business. Imagine if He procrastinated about going to the cross? What would have happened if Jesus found ways to avoid being crucified or waited until the last minute to go to Calvary?
Our Lord and savior dwelt here on earth among us and was a living example of what it truly means to finish whatever He started. We as the children of God, should learn from the example that Jesus set. We should remain focused on the task at hand and put forth the effort to finish what we start regardless of the cost, the difficulty, or the tediousness of the task. Once we have completed the task, we not only will have a sense of accomplishment, but we will be able to say just like our Savior, “It is finished”.
Lord Jesus, help us to follow Your example of completing what is set before us. Give us strength so that we will not procrastinate and instead give us the ability to complete the tasks that lie before us. Give us a sense of accomplishment and allow our works to always bring favor to others and more importantly, glory to You. In Jesus name, Amen!
Romans 8:37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
First step “Claim the victory”
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Second step “Obtain the strength that you will need from the correct source”
2nd Corinthians 10:3-4 and 5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. Vs 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, Vs 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”
Third step “Dress correctly for protection and use the right weapons to become victorious”
Ephesians 6:10-17“10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.“
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 ¶ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Fourth step“Vision yourself as being more that a conqueror”
Romans 8:38-39 “for I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—-beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, Vs 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Amplified version]
The term “more than a conqueror” means that someone not only has achieved a victory, but are overwhelmingly victorious leaving no doubt as to who not only won the battles, but also who won the war.
When a person is considered to be “more than a conqueror”, they are sometimes seen as; a winner, a hero, a subduer, a vanquisher, a victor, and defeater.
When the enemy comes in like a flood, and a person is facing trials in their lives, it looks like the odds are against you, take a moment to remind yourself that greater is He that is in you, than he who is in the world, then look at yourself as being “more than a conqueror” and claim the victory.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the authority and power to be “more than conquerors”, in your precious name…Amen!
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (NKJV)
Three of the gospels record Mary (the sister of Martha and Lazarus) with the act of anointing Jesus with oil.
John 12:3 “Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”
Mary performed this act to signal her devotion, and may not have realized the significance of what she was doing. Mary’s act of anointing Jesus, symbolized the anticipation of His death and burial, also the anointing of Jesus by Mary can also be looked at as an act of worship.
Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men (people pleasing) Vs 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
Incentive: something that motivates or encourages one to do something or work harder.
Mary had the incentive to use expensive oil contained in an expensive container, not being concerned about the cost of the oil or the container.
1st Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”
Motivation: the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
Mary was motivated to do what she did as an act of worship, and not to impress Jesus or others that were there in the house.
1st Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Priorities: the order of importance of doing things.
Mary’s priority was focused on doing what honored Jesus, and not being discouraged about the comments or what people were saying about why she was using the expensive oil, or breaking the alabaster flask.
Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Often time’s people will question your actions because what they see you doing does not make sense to them. One of the disciples, Judas asked the question “why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Financial gain should not always be the incentive, motivation or the priority for a person’s actions.
Father in heaven, may both our words and deeds magnify and glorify you, and be pleasing in your eyesight, in Jesus name…Amen!
Continuing in His service…Rev
Daily Scripture
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.
The mission of Wright Way Ministries is to be obedient to the call of God to a ministry that will allow us to minster to people of all ages and from all walks of life.
