by Jesse Abel
Thoughts from Papa “J”
We pray that this Christmas is bringing you close to your loved ones. Remembering who are temporarily absent, hugging those who are with you and comforting those who need you. Love and joy is made perfect in this. John 15:9-17
Good Morning
Last evening I met a man in his sixties who was very animated while I was speaking. Whatever actions that came from me he would play them out too. I sought to ignore him, but it was impossible; he smiled and bobbed his head and sometimes waved his arms. He was with his wife, his son and his son’s wife and his folks did not seem to mind in the least of what he was doing.
At the end of our candle light service the church provided a small and cozy dinner and good fellowship. As I approached the table to sit while the final preparations were made for the meal, the chair next to this man was vacant. I thought “should I sit down next to him?” Nah! I’m finding another spot. And the very next moment, my buns landed in that empty chair and I said, “Hi!” and he said “Hi Jesse” he had remember my name from the introduction.
I wonder why we tend to be (or maybe it is just me) so judgmental at our first observation of people. He is a very nice man, who is challenged, so was his son, his son’s wife and I do not know about this man’s wife because she did not say a word the whole time we talked. This elderly gent was very happy being himself, yet I truly was ready to find fault; that is before we talked. Well the fault was there, but it was in my mind; not his.
For me one of the hardest things to accomplish in the Christian Way of Life (now there is a Way of Life for everything under the sun, including Christians) is to walk in the Spirit, yet as we learn in our studies, it is the only way. If we do not believe what the Holy Bible teaches regarding an absolute state of spirituality in our way of life, then we do not represent Jesus to the lost or the saved who are always in need of COMFORT.
It is not spiritual to sit down next to someone because you feel intimidated by them and want to challenge or belittle them in front of their loved ones, which could have happened. Yet it is also just as evil to avoid a confrontation by ignoring the empty seat. Being spiritual is allowing yourself to listen to God the Holy Spirit and when He says; “Sit down” you listen and you sit.
Doing what God desires of us brightens the moment in time for someone, if you miss that moment by selfishly turning away, that moment will never come to you or them again. Are you not glad that God took the time to reach out to the world through His Son, Jesus Christ who came alongside in our moment of need and brightened our day with TRUTH and by FAITH you believe Him?
Now, these days; that is in this time of the CHURCH, God is using you and me; men and women who are good in God’s eyes because of the treasure that He has placed in our soul. What is that treasure (The birth and resurrection of His Son Jesus). But we must understand too that there is evil lurking in our hearts as well and we can and often do allow the abundance of our evil to override the abundance of God the Holy Spirit’s mission to comfort and to guide into all truth. Merry Christmas!
Remember: Christmas time is no time to diet… so grab a fork and dive right in!
We pray that this Christmas is bringing you close to your loved ones. Remembering who are temporarily absent, hugging those who are with you and comforting those who need you. Love and joy is made perfect in this. John 15:9-17
Good Morning
Last evening I met a man in his sixties who was very animated while I was speaking. Whatever actions that came from me he would play them out too. I sought to ignore him, but it was impossible; he smiled and bobbed his head and sometimes waved his arms. He was with his wife, his son and his son’s wife and his folks did not seem to mind in the least of what he was doing.
At the end of our candle light service the church provided a small and cozy dinner and good fellowship. As I approached the table to sit while the final preparations were made for the meal, the chair next to this man was vacant. I thought “should I sit down next to him?” Nah! I’m finding another spot. And the very next moment, my buns landed in that empty chair and I said, “Hi!” and he said “Hi Jesse” he had remember my name from the introduction.
I wonder why we tend to be (or maybe it is just me) so judgmental at our first observation of people. He is a very nice man, who is challenged, so was his son, his son’s wife and I do not know about this man’s wife because she did not say a word the whole time we talked. This elderly gent was very happy being himself, yet I truly was ready to find fault; that is before we talked. Well the fault was there, but it was in my mind; not his.
For me one of the hardest things to accomplish in the Christian Way of Life (now there is a Way of Life for everything under the sun, including Christians) is to walk in the Spirit, yet as we learn in our studies, it is the only way. If we do not believe what the Holy Bible teaches regarding an absolute state of spirituality in our way of life, then we do not represent Jesus to the lost or the saved who are always in need of COMFORT.
It is not spiritual to sit down next to someone because you feel intimidated by them and want to challenge or belittle them in front of their loved ones, which could have happened. Yet it is also just as evil to avoid a confrontation by ignoring the empty seat. Being spiritual is allowing yourself to listen to God the Holy Spirit and when He says; “Sit down” you listen and you sit.
Doing what God desires of us brightens the moment in time for someone, if you miss that moment by selfishly turning away, that moment will never come to you or them again. Are you not glad that God took the time to reach out to the world through His Son, Jesus Christ who came alongside in our moment of need and brightened our day with TRUTH and by FAITH you believe Him?
Now, these days; that is in this time of the CHURCH, God is using you and me; men and women who are good in God’s eyes because of the treasure that He has placed in our soul. What is that treasure (The birth and resurrection of His Son Jesus). But we must understand too that there is evil lurking in our hearts as well and we can and often do allow the abundance of our evil to override the abundance of God the Holy Spirit’s mission to comfort and to guide into all truth. Merry Christmas!
Remember: Christmas time is no time to diet… so grab a fork and dive right in!
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