SEASON SOUR?

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Right?

Come on the holiday’s are jammed with joy aren’t they? They are warm and wonderful. We walk in winter wonderlands and hear the sleigh bells ring and squint at the snow glistening. They are basking in beautiful sights and happy night’s right?

Or maybe not.

For some the holiday’s mean heartache.

Instead of those cozy comforts, the holiday’s serve up inadequacy, feelings of pressure, fear and dare I say it, dread. Instead of a serene snow-filled filled scene outside the windowpane some see the onset of a pending blizzard.

I am not talking about simple “BAH HUMBUGS” either. This is more like BAH-LAH-LAH-LAH-LAH HUMBUGS!

Sadness creeps in because of the divorce. Loneliness creeps in because it’s the kid’s year to be with that “other person”. Maybe you can’t come home for Christmas because of challenges with money or consequences. Maybe it will be the first time dad won't pass out the gifts or mom isn’t there to make her famous Christmas cookies.

Now I am not trying to be a downer; not at all. Instead, I am hoping to encourage those who are suffering more than celebrating.

Remember! GOD’s WORD took life to create this “season”.

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

And it is that same “WORD” that breathes hope and possibility into this “season” when it begins to sour.

Truth and hope like…

1 Corinthians 1:4

…He comes alongside us when we go through hard times

Remember HE, this Jesus, this “reason for the season” comes along side us when things aren’t so wintery and wonderful. In fact, we are reminded at this time of year that HE IS “WITH US”

Isaiah 7:14

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin[a] will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

So don’t let the stress of the “season” sideswipe you.

Instead pause and remember that JESUS, this wonderful GIFT, this "Immanuel GOD with you" is beside you this season and every season and He isn’t going anywhere and will get you through!

Hebrews 13:5

“I will never leave you;

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney