Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
Well, speaking of stress------many people this time of year become stressed and why? We tend to forget the meaning of Christmas, actually, we change the meaning of Christmas where we briefly think about Jesus Christ and then go into shopping mode for Christmas. In other words, we make Christmas a time to think about buying presents for grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, children and then stress even further when fighting crowds and driving to shop.
Maybe we need to step back and survey the real meaning of Christmas. Oh, yes, you will have those who start to argue that December is not the time of Christ's birth, it is a pagan holiday, and on and on.
Christmas is a time we should be thinking about why Jesus came, what HE did for us, and the joy of being in a relationship with JESUS CHRIST. We should be more like Onesiphorus. Who? Who is that?
well, dear friend, this was a man of whom Paul held in high esteem. Let us look at the scripture and talk about it for a moment.
2 Timothy 1:16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
Paul is asking GOD to give mercy or bless the house of Onesiphorus. Why?
First, he was quite kind many times to Paul (he oft refreshed me). We should show kindness to all around us, not just friends and family.
Second, (not ashamed of my chain) Some of Paul's "friends" did not like associating with him since he was chained and in prison. We should look past this barrier. This is a big stumbling block for me personally, and I pray God helps me overcome it. We need to see people as a single person who needs a friend unconditionally.
Third, (he sought me out very diligently), is there someone you should seek out, hunt down, fellowship with and do good will to and with? Someone you should cheer up? Then go, do it. This is another of my short comings.
Fourth, back to the first, we may not be able to bless or reward the people as necessary, but GOD can. We must pray for God's blessings on others.
I do hope we forget the spirit of shopping, fighting crowds, road rage, and remember the spirit of Onesiphorus. This is closer to what Jesus would want us to do than shopping and buying things for others that they don't need or appreciate. May JESUS be the center of your Christmas. Thanks for reading. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
p.s. tomorrow, are you as phygellus and hermogenes?
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