Contagious Christmas Cheer

♦

♦ ♦ ♦ 

♦ ♦ ♦   ♦ ♦ ♦

♦ ♦ ♦   ♦ ♦ ♦  ♦ ♦ ♦

We’re on a roll this season

First, we’re grabbing opportunities to be Holiday Heroes. Second, we are keeping up on Spiritual Housecleaning to maintain peace and joy amid our many holiday guests. Keep sweeping away those spiritual footprints, and do it with joy. “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”  1Thessalonians 5:16-18

Next. Dissolving the friction. We all have those family members and/or friends who insist on airing their judgments about everything and everybody. Yes, I know, we cannot change others, but we can take a battle stance that moves our holiday atmosphere in the right direction–especially in our own abode.

Fighting fire with fire…let’s nix that idea, shall we? Respond gently, and you’ll defuse the rage… (Proverbs 15:1)

Jesus was our model so we could be models for others, and He thoroughly confronted the human penchant for judging others.

“Refuse to be a critic full of bias toward others, and judgment will not be passed on you. For you’ll be judged by the same standard that you’ve used to judge others. The measurement you use on them will be used on you.” Matthew 7:1-2 TPT

So cool: A Bible note says the Aramaic of the above can be translated “Because of this, O human, the Spirit is not speaking through you as you judge another, for against what you judge, you will also revert.”

Sobering! I have no interest in partnering with the Accuser of the brethren. And I do not want to ‘revert.’

To revert: to go back to a former practice, condition, belief; to return to a more primitive condition or type (online dictionary)

To spiritually “go back” sounds a lot like trying to resurrect your dead man, the one that was crucified with Christ so the new man could live.

“Could it be any clearer that our former identity is now and forever deprived of its power? For we were co-crucified with him to dismantle the stronghold of sin within us, so that we would not continue to live one moment longer submitted to sin’s power.“ Romans 6:6 TPT

Awesomeness: The above means I’m dead to my old judgmental self and alive to Christ, who came not to condemn but to give life. I’m now here to be a vessel of life, not carry a gavel. (John 3:17)

Jesus changed the atmosphere wherever He went because He was full of life and love from above. Wherever I go He is there too, because His Spirit is in me.

Pause for one moment to think about your purpose. If a life purpose is too overwhelming or intangible, start with something simple. Like Christmas. Do you believe God can change the mood of a room, even a house, through you? Is it worth trying? Imagine the difference The Prince of Peace could make if you invited Him in on all levels?

Power prayer: “Father in Heaven, I lay down all judgment and bias toward every family member and friend I’m spending this Christmas with. Forgive me for being critical against those You love. Season my words with grace and peace, especially in the face of arising arguments, and help me to be a voice that distributes Your love to everyone. And let it be contagious. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done. In the name of Jesus Christ.”

“Let love and kindness be the motivation behind all that you do” 1Corinthians 16:14 (emphasis mine).

Believe it.
Speak it.
Mean it.
Live it!

Merry Christmas from the Embattled Spirit