After the Party Is Over
Yesterday was NewYear's Eve Day, leading to today being the first day of the new year. This made me think. We have these holidays, but what difference do they make the rest of the year? Pick any holiday: Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Easter Sunday, Labor Day, Reformation Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, et al. Some places have holidays that are specific to their locale, and we can't forget birthdays or anniversaries either.
And after the celebration ends, what happens? Costumes are stored, candy eaten, wrapping paper disposed of, cookies and/or cake overeaten, turkey and fixings reconsituted for more meals.
Are most of us more thankful after Thanksgiving?
Does Christmas make us think of more of Christ or more of temporal gifts?
Are New Year's resolutions even made any more?
Do we skim past Easter once we no longer get excited about looking for eggs or getting baskets of candy or new clothes?
Does the significance of Reformation Day escape us in the run up to Halloween?
When your birthday comes, what do you think about?
After the party is over, what grips your mind?
I urge you to prayerfully make reading the Bible a priority in 2019. Begin in either Genesis or Matthew. Keep at it, a bit at a time, Keep a notebook handy so you can write down questions or observations; yes, you can do this online, too.
There is one verse you must realize the truth of and it is Hebrews 9:27: "It is appointed to men to die once, and after that comes judgement." Once means once.
How can you escape that judgement? I'm glad you asked.
Repent, and "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed'--for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for 'Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:9-13).
And after the celebration ends, what happens? Costumes are stored, candy eaten, wrapping paper disposed of, cookies and/or cake overeaten, turkey and fixings reconsituted for more meals.
Are most of us more thankful after Thanksgiving?
Does Christmas make us think of more of Christ or more of temporal gifts?
Are New Year's resolutions even made any more?
Do we skim past Easter once we no longer get excited about looking for eggs or getting baskets of candy or new clothes?
Does the significance of Reformation Day escape us in the run up to Halloween?
When your birthday comes, what do you think about?
After the party is over, what grips your mind?
I urge you to prayerfully make reading the Bible a priority in 2019. Begin in either Genesis or Matthew. Keep at it, a bit at a time, Keep a notebook handy so you can write down questions or observations; yes, you can do this online, too.
There is one verse you must realize the truth of and it is Hebrews 9:27: "It is appointed to men to die once, and after that comes judgement." Once means once.
How can you escape that judgement? I'm glad you asked.
Repent, and "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed'--for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for 'Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:9-13).
posted by Ebeth | 9:15 AM
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