December 18

Romans 13:11-14

 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Some days it just feels like life is getting worse and worse and worse.  War rages, natural disasters devastate countries, terrorism has become a cancer invading innocent places like schools and Christians are debating what sin is.  We are surprised.  Shock fills our conversations, but should we be?  The Bible says this is what is going to happen as we approach the return of Christ.  We need to move out of the “shock” phase and into a proactive life.  Christ is returning soon!  We need to be a light to those around us.  We need to live differently than the world.  Jesus needs to be the center of my being.  The more I immerse myself in His Word, the more I will live a life of light.  As I look around me to all that is happening in the world, I realized that it is difficult to live differently.  It’s easy to be swept into the tide of complacency.  Take this season to think about who Jesus is - this baby who came to earth then conquered death and is returning.  Allow the words of scripture to change who you are.