Hectic Holidays by Joe R. Price



(Current events in the light of Scripture)




Long lines. Heavy traffic. Winter weather. All these (and more) can combine to bring a feeling of frantic frenzy as the holiday season approaches. They can also contribute to Christians having less than godly attitudes, charitable words, and kind actions. Here are a few reminders we believe will help us navigate the season with grace and a godly influence. (And, they are also valid qualities to have as we navigate life in view of eternity.)

Plan ahead. Waiting until the last minute to buy groceries, shop for a gift, or do a good deed for others usually brings its own set of challenges. Don’t wait until the last minute is good advice, not only for the holidays, but also for getting ready for the Lord’s return. Being unprepared, the foolish virgins were unable to enter the wedding feast (Matt. 25:1-13). Thinking we will can take care of our spiritual lives at the last minute is very foolish (see Jas. 4:13-17). Plan now to enter heaven. Get ready, today (Acts 22:16; 2 Cor. 6:2).

Exercise patience. Anxiety (which can happen because we are unprepared) contributes to being impatience, harsh with our words, and rash with our reactions. Expect the unexpected, anticipate delays and troubles – not only during the holidays, but throughout your life. Self-control is needed to retain holiness when provoked. Love is not rude and is not provoked (1 Cor. 13:5). Longsuffering and forbearance help us not to retaliate when cut off in a parking lot – or when sinned against (Col. 3:12-13). Patience is the quality of endurance when mistreated, when provoked, and even persecuted. Patience works to mature our faith when we are tested (Jas. 1:3-5).

Consider others. Others have deadlines, appointments, and somewhere to be, too. They face similar demands in life that you face. Being unselfish helps us remember to treat others like we want to be treated (Matt. 7:12). More than that, considering others reminds us they also need to be saved. Let us help save them (not hinder them) by our holy conduct and godly influence (1 Pet. 2:11-12). 

Joe Price can be reached through Bible Answers website.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

There are No Material Possessions

Image
  Things Not Found on Judgment Day, Part 4   Introduction A tough case was being argued in court. The defense attorney, feeling that he was in trouble, sent the judge a bottle of hundred-year-old brandy. The defendant was fit to be tied. “The judge will kill me,” he said. “Trying to bribe him; we’re dead.” “I don’t think so,” his attorney told him, “I sent it in the other lawyer’s name!”   You Can’t Take it with You In ancient Egypt, Pharaohs were buried with luxurious items such as gold, jewelry, family heirlooms, paintings, and even a chariot. It was said that they would need these items in the afterlife. In the more modern times, people are buried with sentimental items that meant something to the individual. For example, actor Bela Lugosi; known for his role as Count Dracula was buried in his Dracula cape. Princess Diana was buried with a set of rosary beads given to her by Mother Theresa. There are, others, who are buried with their fortunes; money mostly, bu
Read more

Who Wrote the Bible?

Image
  Introduction Several years ago, I attempted to talk to a co-worker about the bible and he wasn’t interested. I was trying to tell him it was written by God; even though he had several human writers. His comment to me was, “Are you trying to tell me that God whispered in the ears of these men of what to write?” At the time, I didn’t have an answer. But it does make one pause and ask the question, who did write the bible? We’ll look at some possibilities below.   Potential Authors AN UNBELIEVER—How ironic would it be if the scriptures were, in fact, written by an Atheist? He would show how foolish it is to waste time worshipping someone, or something, that doesn’t exist. For sure, he would discuss the worship of idols like in Isa. 44:8-19; how one would spend all this time worshipping an inanimate object, hoping to be rewarded. But it isn’t written by an Atheist as they wouldn’t include verses like Psalms 14:1, The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."
Read more

The Death of Marriage

Image
  Divorce and the Bible, part 1   Introduction In Malachi 2:16, it is written, “For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.” Marriage is an invention of God, divorce is an invention of man, therefore, God hates divorce. And, it’s not just an unscriptural one either. He hates it altogether. In this series of articles, we’ll look at what the bible has to say about divorce.   Definition of Divorce 1828 Webster’s Dictionary —   A legal dissolution of the bonds of matrimony, or the separation of husband and wife by a judicial sentence. This is properly called a divorce, and called technically, divorce a vinculo matrimonii.   Easton’s Bible Dict. — The dissolution of the marriage tie was regulated by the Mosaic law Deut. 24:1-4. The Jews, after the Captivity, were required to dismiss the foreign women they had married c
Read more