A Star or a Stable?

Unable to attend my regular church, I turned on the TV and heard this lesson of the wisemen looking for a star and finding a stable. Jentezen Franklin's message on TV was clear and will stick with me for many Christmas seasons in the future. Here it is:

Many times, we think following Christ will bring us all the wonderful things we're seeking. Then we loose our job, kids rebel, spouse's have affairs and friends die. Whew, what's with all this? I thought I was doing good and all these bad things happened.

We were, like the wisemen, looking for a star, but finding a stable (just an analogy since we know they actually found him in a house a couple years later as a young child).  Here's what to do when we're trying to stay faithful during difficult times:

1. Keep Following - Don't turn back, keep on keeping on with God
2. Give Our Best - the wisemen gave their precious gifts anyway
3. Accept the Change - the wisemen went out a different way. Things make us bitter or better.
Choose to end up better. Someone once said that happens when we get our eyes off ourselves (the "i")

So if you are in a slump this Christmas, I pray you realize wise men (and women) worship and serve God in spite of whether they feel like it, everyday, not only at Christmas. And when they do, the darkness becomes brightness, God's presence strengthens and infuses us with hope.

I write this to all of you as a reminder to myself. Right after hearing that message I almost set the kitchen on fire and asked, "Could I accept that my carelessness caused a loss?" Well, thank God this time He kept it from happening. Another time, I may have to "practice what I preach" and praise God in the stable. Have a blessed Christmas enjoying God's presence.

Lifeline: Do what you have to and later you'll feel like it

                                    - Pastor Bob Taylor