The fight is to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. These are qualities that do not come to us naturally. They come through the gift of the Holy Spirit, yet if we are not careful that old self will try to squeeze these out of our lives. This is where the fight begins, to look at ourselves in the mirror of God’s word and tell that person glaring back that today we will fight the good fight of our faith.

Maybe it’s the Irish in me, but I’ve always enjoyed a good brawl. As we grow up the things we use to fight over we discover are really not that important. Today though Paul reminds us that there is still a good reason to roll up our sleeves and throw down; our walk with Jesus, the unity of the family, the salvation of those we love. These according to the scripture are worth the tussle. Let’s get ready to rumble.

So, how do I overcome this blah feeling that seems to have attached itself to my soul? The Holy Spirit reminded me in Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We have to remind ourselves that Christmas is not about the calendar and it is not about how we feel. It is about truth. The truth that God came in flesh and dwelt among us for the purpose of overcoming evil and Jesus did this by the greatest good. He laid down His life for all mankind, so that all who would call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be saved.

This is the example that I choose to ponder upon and grab hold of. I too can overcome evil with good because of what Jesus has done. Let me encourage you to not let the enemy steal from you the amazing truth that all of us who are in Christ are free and have the right to experience the true joy of Christmas.

Thanksgiving, a day to ponder upon everything that the Lord has blessed us with. Most of us are thankful more than just once a year for our wonderful families, our homes, the nation in which we live, and even for our jobs. But, as we sit around the table salivating over that beautiful brown, tasty bird will there be a thought to thank the Lord for our trials, for those thorns in the flesh?

The apostle Paul may not have been thankful, but he did learn to be content in what these trials were trying to accomplish in his life. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.  (2 Cor 12:9-10)

I know, I know, it sure sounds great when you read it from Paul’s perspective, but the truth is still the same for us. Our Lord Jesus loves us so much that He also brings things into our lives that will make us have to trust Him more, to grow us more. To remind us that when we recognize our total dependence upon our Savior, that is when we really have strength. So, as we sit around the table, or alone in our devotions, remember to thank and praise the Lord for all of these things, including those thorns and trials because in and through them He is making us something wonderful.

Happy Thanksgiving!