Monday, December 19, 2011

THINK ON THESE THINGS - MONDAY

PERSONAL CHALLENGE FOR CHRISTMAS WEEK!


We are less than one week from Christmas Day. Therefore in honor of the angels who proclaimed the Good News to the Shepherds, we look at several themes surrounding the phrase "Peace on Earth"!


The following item was in our local village newspaper, under the heading "INNER PEACE"
If you can start the day without caffeine....
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains....
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles....
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it....
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time....
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment....
If you can conquer tension without medical help....
If you can relax without alcohol....
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs....
THEN YOU PROBABLY ARE....the FAMILY DOG!!!!!


The thing is - why can't we live that, all the time?
Why do we have to get strung out, all the time?

Why do we lose our cool, all the time?
Why can't we remain cheerful, all the time?....When we claim that "The Joy of the Lord is our Strength?!!


You get the picture! I acknowledge a cup of coffee is required for the day to start of right and that's the first thing some people run too right out of bed. I refuse to program my coffee machine to kick on automatically. I also refuse to sit down with the time with Jesus in the morning and have coffee with me, distracting me from my time with Him. Never done that never will


It should actually be Jesus and thanking Him...not a jolt of Java. So you get the picture.


The challenge for us on this busy Christmas week is to keep from running around with our heads cut off and focus more on Him....the true reason for the season. 


Look at each of those "If you can..."statements and see how you measure up. Then, read this portion of Psalm 34, pray it back to the Lord and watch the entire focus of your week readjust! Amen!

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
(Psalm 34:1-8 ESV)


(image courtesy google images)

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