AVOID CHRISTMAS TENSION

Christmas is fast approaching, and the desire to celebrate this festival often brings pressure, stress, depression, conflict, and all kinds of evil during this period. While this festival period is known as the most significant season to be jolly for many, especially Christians, it is sad to say that some people can feel overwhelmed by the excess, expectations, and exchange of gifts that they become depressed and are tempted to do evil.

In the name of the Lord Jesus, I warn you: do not live like those who do not know God—those whose thoughts are worthless and whose minds are in the dark. Such people have no part in the life that God gives, for they are completely ignorant and stubborn. They have lost all feelings of shame; they give themselves over to vice and do all sorts of indecent things without restraint. They are ready and willing to do anything—even to kill—to satisfy their evil desires—all in the name of Christmas.

Some will engage in dubious businesses, while some will use other means, and even “religion” to make money, thinking they would become rich overnight. Well, as the Bible teaches, religion does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have. After all, what did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:5-10).

Bear in mind, however, that the solid foundation that God has laid cannot be shaken; and on it are written these words: the Lord knows those who are His, and those who say that they belong to the Lord Jesus Christ must turn away from evil. They must depart from iniquity—from all kinds of evil practices (2 Timothy 2:19).

The Bible reveals that the sins of some people are plain to see, and their sins go ahead of them to judgment, but the sins of others are seen only later. In the same way, good deeds are plainly seen, and even those that are not so plain cannot be hidden (1 Timothy 5:24-25).

As followers of Jesus Christ, let us try to avoid all these things—all evil practices and wicked ways of living life—not only during this Christmas period but thereafter. Let us strive for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness and run our best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for ourselves; for it was to this life that God called us when we firmly professed our faith in Christ Jesus before many witnesses.

Those of us who are rich in the things of this life should not be proud but place our hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. He has commanded us to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share with others. In this way, we will store up for ourselves a treasure that will be a solid foundation for the future. And then we will be able to win the life which is true life.

God’s grace and peace, which is far beyond human understanding, be with you all and keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus during this Christmas period and beyond. Amen.

Blessings!!!

Ike Ozuome​
© 2022 . Ike Ozuome Ministries . All Rights Reserved.

"God So Loved the World, that He Gave His One and Only Son, that Whoever Believes in Him Shall Not Perish, But Have Eternal Life."

John 3:16