As many of you know, we have been going through a sermon series based on Isaiah 9:6 and the names given to Jesus by his Father. We know and believe that the events leading up to the birth of Christ were not coincidental, but were put in place by God. In fact, God was so anxious to let the world know about His son, that he announced Jesus’ arrival 700 years before it actually happened. And everything that happened, from the time the census was ordered, to everyone going home to their own city to register, to the birth of Jesus while Joseph & Mary were in Bethlehem, was orchestrated by God. Out of Bethlehem, a small town, meaning “House of Bread”, came the Messiah, the Bread of Life. His birth was the beginning of something incredible. To think that Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of God, would leave His throne in glory, take on human flesh just to bring salvation for those would accept Him and reconcile us to God, blows my mind! He came into this world as a helpless baby, grew into a toddler, then a teenager before growing into an adult and experienced humanity at all levels so that He could truly identify with each of us in all stages of life. That very first Christmas, God gave the greatest gift that we would ever receive… His Son! And His Son turned around and gave the gift of His life – which was why He came. Because of this, we can have relationship with God. Because of Jesus Christ, we are Sons and Daughters of the Most High God! AMEN!! So this Christmas, let’s remember the ‘True’ Christmas story, which led to the ‘True’ Easter story. No matter how “worldly” the world around us is becoming, trying to make this season the “unnamed” holiday, let us boldly proclaim the truth about the birth of Jesus. The true reason for the season, and keep CHRIST in in CHRISTmas !

As I’m sitting here staring at the computer screen, I’m reading the words on the screen that I have seen several times around me: “Keep CHRIST in Christmas.”  And I thought about these words, it comes to mind that so often these days we see Christmas with the ‘Christ’ taken out and replaced with an ‘X’. “Merry X-Mas!” the window says, and anger and sadness some to my heart.  It seems like it has become a nameless celebration today. We as Christians know how far from the truth that is. We read in the Bible that there were angels who appeared to the shepherds and declared the birth of Jesus, who is the Christ (the Messiah). There is no way this can be nor should be a ‘nameless’ event, but it should be a wonderful celebration of the greatest event this world has ever seen- the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior, and the reconciliation to God He brought to all of us. So let’s keep the “Christ” in Christmas. Christmas must always start with Christ, because He has saved us and has changed our lives.

Old Mr. Webster defines complacency as “A feeling of being satisfied with how things are, and not wanting to try to make them better.” and when we associate that with our walk with Christ, it’s a little bit frightening. And may also add that it is exactly where Satan wants us to be. When we convince ourselves that we have reached a point of comfortable satisfaction in our faith, and when we feel we no longer need to move any further toward pleasing God and getting out of our comfort zone, we have lost the battle. And we have been deceived by the Enemy. When we get to the point that our spiritual life takes a backseat to OUR life, we have been defeated. Why? Because complacency is the most dangerous place we can be as believers. This is where we become lazy; this is where we become lukewarm; this is where we are deceived and can be easily overtaken by the enemy (the devil). Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21-22 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.”  This verse comes across as powerful, encouraging, and even convicting to the Christian. We all have good intentions when we start talking about growing stronger in our relationship with Christ. “I need to read my bible more”, “I can’t wait to get into the new Bible study at the church,” even “I need to pray more and have a spirit of expectancy,” but somewhere along the way we lose focus and our drive and all we have to show are our good intentions. At what point do we just take a step back and examine our hearts, our situation, and our motivation? Life happens, I understand that completely; our kids have SO much they’re involved in now, working around the house that needs to be done, prior commitments, this or that, the list goes on and on. One day comes and goes, and so does the next, and all this time we’re on spiritual cruise control, simply cruising through our daily routines while the hours fly by. Then there are those who are in hot pursuit, hurrying to get to the next thing and wanting to conquer the next obstacle that is ahead of us. Consumed with the taste of success, and the life we have achieved (or want to achieve) for ourselves and our family; all the while forgetting who has provided the very opportunities for us. Have we forgotten Psalm 46:10 tells us to “Be still and know that I am God!” ? There’s not an exclamation point on the end of that sentence for no reason. I believe God was trying o get our attention and realize that He IS in control!! So many times we also tend to point our fingers toward other things and blame other people for making us so busy, but, Galatians 6:5 tells us clearly “For each one shall bear his own load.” We have become complacent. Many have, it’s not just a select few. Sometimes we have become so complacent in the fact that we are complacent! We listen to the devil as he tries to remind us that we are just so busy and we have to get this done or that done, that we simply do not have time for the “church thing”. “We’re doing just fine the way we are.” What is it about our walk with Christ that we feel we can put it on the back-burner? What is it about our salvation that we feel like tomorrow is the perfect day (and then all our tomorrow turn into another tomorrow)? We have lost motivation, as well as our sight of what should be the driving force of our lives. For me, being lukewarm and being spit out of God’s mouth is not something that I’m exactly striving for (Rev. 3). Lou Holtz once said, “Ability is what we are capable of doing, motivation determines what we do, and attitude determines how well we do it.” God gives us the ability, with his power and guidance, to do anything – Philippians 4:13. It seems many times as though many of us choose to be complacent and allow our faith to be stagnant, and let our own agendas become the priority over strengthening our faith in Christ. Take a moment to step back. Then take a look at your priorities and desires. All of these factor in on our complacency in our Christian walk, or in our thriving Christian life. It’s up to you and I, to fight our complacency, find our motivation, adjust our attitude, and give Christ first place in our lives. Be compelled to worship, be driven to serve, and eager to work toward the life that God has called us to live. And do it all, for HIS glory!!!

Here I sit this this Sunday evening at the church and it’s the day before Labor Day. Many of you are trying to enjoy the last days before the Fall season “unofficially” begins. I just read a story that I’d like ot share with you.

The story is told of a woman who cleaned the same office building for many years. When asked how she endured the doing the same chores day in and day out, she replied, “It’s not that boring to me. I’m working for the King and He’s pleased, (along with others) when I do my best.” This woman had found the secret to meaningful work.

How about you? Are you willing to start back to work with a fresh mind and a renewed spirit after tomorrow’s holiday? Even if you’re not doing exactly what you “want” to do, let usbe thankful for the blessing of having a  job. But even more, we should make sure that when we work, “we do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”