Stay Out! ~Day 15 12-15-21

 Today I want to talk a bit about Christ followers who keep learning the same lessons over and over. God gave us a whole Bible and we have a lot to learn from it. It seems sometimes that people go through the same struggles over and over again. They return to pray for help, then go back to the mud an walk in it again. So the same lesson has to be learned to trust God and follow His example and do not walk in the same mud again. We need to move forward in our Christian walk. That means we learn from the past but do not relive it. 



So, let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. Hebrews 6:1-3

God is here to help us through whatever we are going through repetitively, but He wants us to know that He knows if we are really following the example He has given us to live.  
For instance, following the world's example of how to celebrate Christmas is easy to do because its mostly made up of traditions of man.  But when we celebrate according to the Word of God, we rejoice in the Son of God being born, and we express love for one another by making sure people are fed, and clothed, etc. Maybe because of tax write offs but it seems to me people give more freely at this time of year to the poor and needy. The thing is they are poor and needy for more than just Christmas. People need help all year round. The hope is that the help given at Christmas will be spiritual as well as physical and the people will come out of thier poverty and need. That the help they can get at Christmas because of peoples generosity being so strong is evident, and if they reach out for it they can get what they need. 

God is the one we go to to help others, as well as to get help ourselves.  If you read on in Chapter 6 of Hebrews you will find encouragement to be repentant and enlightened by the Holy Spirit who shows us His goodness in the Word of God. 

What it also teaches it that we cannot force repentance but we can speak the truth in love and let Him direct them. Then it is up to the individual. 

We need to allow the people to make the choice, so help them with things they need, and share Jesus with them. Then allow them to take the next step. I think thats the best gift we can give someone this year! The gift of Jesus. 

Think about the people you see every day that may need some help. Whether its spritual or physical remember, give to the poor and needy. Take care of the fatherless and widows this holiday season.  Do the work of the Father, in Jesus' name.