Today I have a short and simple message of encouragement and exhortation. The necessity of this message was revealed in a note I received at Christmas two years ago.
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Hi Steve,
First of all, Merry Christmas to you and your whole family. Yes, this season brings up some crumby memories, but being all alone for Christmas and Holidays in general is the worst. All the ads dwell deeply on buying gifts for family, and gathering around a dining room table for a family meal. I have none of that. I love that Christ was born just to die 33 years later for our sins, but this commercialism is HORRENDOUS!! There are no commercials for people all alone for the holidays; we should be celebrating His birth instead of the “bottom line”. Say a special prayer for all of us alone during this time. It truly hurts so much emotionally. To God be all glory!
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For those who find themselves in this situation, I am deeply sorry for how we have crowded out Christ and have forgotten those who are alone. I pray that your day will be filled with reverence and joy. I pray that the Body of Christ would rise up and truly be your Family during this time.
For the rest of us, we need to do better! This should not happen within the Body of Christ.
At the end of the passage on putting on the full armor of God, Paul writes about what we are to do once we are fully dressed and ready for battle.
Ephesians 6:18
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
There are people within our Family who need extra prayer during this season. Is there an individual you can adopt during Christmas? This is what a Family does; this is what it means to be the Body. Let’s rejoice! Let’s worship! But let’s not forget those who are alone for Christmas.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
**** Reading Plan ****
Dec 24 Zechariah 6:1-7:14; Revelation 15:1-8; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 30:24-28
Dec 25 Zechariah 8:1-23; Revelation 16:1-21; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 30:29-31
Dec 26 Zechariah 9:1-17; Revelation 17:1-18; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 30:32
Dec 27 Zechariah 10:1-11:17; Revelation 18:1-24; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 30:33
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