Christmas Behaving Badly

It's no surprise to any of us that we hear more horns honking, see more one-finger salutes, hear more yelling and endure more grumpy people during the holiday season.  Makes one think about saying, "Bah Humbug!" 

During this month we will see a spike in alcohol sales.  Again, no surprise we will see a spike in drunk driver convictions. 

During this month we will see a surge in visits to the divorce lawyer.  January has more divorces than any other month of the year.  

Romans 12:9 - 13 9 Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. 10 Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself. 11 Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. 12 Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. 13 Take care of God’s needy people and welcome strangers into your home.

I read this passage this morning and thought, "Wow!  If we all could behave this way!"  

9 Be sincere in your love for others. 

- Don't fake it.  Be concerned for others.  You cannot fix the world, but you can help someone address one problem. 

Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. 

- If it's evil, don't ignore it.  Push it away.  But remember, you have to hold tight to what is good.  The world will do everything it can to rip it from your hands. 

10 Love each other as brothers and sisters 

- That is a love that goes beyond what is "expected".  It is a love that goes the extra mile.  The person who is receiving this love doesn't have qualify for it - they simply deserve to be loved by you. 

and honor others more than you do yourself. 

- Encourage others and lift them up.  Don't become arrogant and self-righteous. 

11 Never give up. 

- If Paul is telling you to never quit that means you will be given ample opportunity too. 

Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. 

- Follow, don't lead.  The Holy Spirit knows where you need to be.  Serve God by serving others in need. 

12 Let your hope make you glad. 

- Biblical hope is based on the promises of God.  Promises that He never breaks.  Therefore, you have hope in God. 

Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. 

- These are acts of faith.  When in trouble, wait.  God is on the move.  Never stop praying.  Persistence will build your faith. 

13 Take care of God’s needy people 

- There are those who cannot help themselves.  Find a need and fill it. 

and welcome strangers into your home.

- Be hospitable to people that you don't know.  Especially when they cut you off in traffic.   

PRAY: Dear Jesus, help me to be an example to others.  Let me treat others as You would treat them.  AMEN  

Christmas Quiz:  From the picture above, can you name the movie this house was in?