My Inbox of Daily Inspirations: Daily Heartlight -- December 20, 2007

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December 20, 2007

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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================

Is This On Your List?, by Larry Davies

Let's see if I've got my Christmas to-do list done?

√ Put up the Christmas tree -- check. √ Bought
Christmas presents -- check. √ Hung stockings with care --
check. √ Children visited Santa -- Oops! too old! √
Watched Miracle on 34th St 4 times -- check. √ Heard,
"Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" 400 times -- Ecch! check.
√ Confessed and repented of my sins! What?

"Confess and repent?" What a depressing way to think about Christmas.
Larry, don't you know those old-fashioned terms are out? Codependency,
dysfunctional, fetish, psychosis, neurosis and other excuses are the
new terms for the 21st century. Why go back in time? Yet every year
during Christmas and Easter, church leaders and pastors usually read
from the Bible about a prophet named John the Baptist and his emphasis
on confession and repentance. Why?

This is probably not the Christmas message you want to hear. Am I
right? Don't lose hope; there is an uplifting ending, so stay with me.

In each of the four Gospels, you can almost hear the shrill voice of
John the Baptist, the animal skin clad, bug-eating prophet who
proclaimed himself as "A voice shouting in the wilderness; 'Prepare a
pathway for the Lord's coming! Make a straight road for Him!'" (Luke
3:4).

His next statement, however, should get your attention: "You ungrateful
pile of snakes! Don't just talk about being a follower of God, do
something about it!" That's pretty strong language. Wait! There is
more! "Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised ready to sever your
roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped
down and thrown into the fire" (Luke 3:7-9).

* You ungrateful pile of snakes!

* Don't just talk, do something!

* God's judgment is poised like an ax!

* Every tree not producing fruit will be chopped down and burned!

Ouch! No wonder John the Baptist was beheaded. But he is right. We need
to hear the voice in the wilderness crying out to "Prepare a pathway!"
which describes three basic tenets of our faith:

1. Sin is anything that separates us from God. We all do it. We all
must face it.

2. Confession is the courage of admitting we are flawed human beings
in need of help.

This kind of preparation applies to all!

3. Repentance is our willingness to ask for and accept God's power to
change us.

A recent Gallup poll showed that Americans believe in Christ, but few
translate that belief into action. Studies show as much dishonesty and
unethical behavior within those claiming to be church members as among
those who do not. Divorce rates are as high within the church as out.
When surveyed, people described religion as a balm for overcoming
depression rather than a call for serious change. Yet the voice of John
the Baptist rings loud and clear: "Don't just talk; do something!"

The crowd responded to John the Baptist by asking, "What do we do?" (Luke
3:10-14). He said:

* Share: Not just with your family but anyone in need. Give some of
your blessings away. Learning to give is not just putting more
money in the offering plate; it's a foundation of your faith.

* Play Fair: Be honest in your relationship with others! Employers --
treat workers with genuine respect! Employees -- earn your pay!
Take a stand for what is right but with an attitude of love.

* Be Content: We all want to be successful but God often has
different ideas on what success really means. It may be time to
ask: "Am I where God wants me to be?"

This kind of preparation applies to all, from preachers to pew-sitters
to sleep-in-and-forget-about-it believers. "Making a straight path" may
be the most important Christmas preparation we attempt.

What about you? Does your Christmas list include an old-fashioned
straight talk with God about your sinful behavior? God promises to
listen with compassion, offer total forgiveness, enable you to change
and continue loving you. Isn't that great? The "Good News" is about
listening to John the Baptist now so you will really appreciate what
happens on Christmas Day. "Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming!"

---------
(c) 2007 Larry Davies < LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com>,
Sowing Seeds of Faith <http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com>.

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Daily Heartlight -- December 20, 2007