Christmas

It's been a while since I checked in on my blog (darn finals!).  I'm glad to be back, though!  :-)

Lately, the Lord has been speaking to me consistently about one specific area:  Pride.  Today, He spoke from Luke 10 (particularly verses 17-24).  Here we have the return of the 72 that Jesus had sent out to proclaim His coming.  Imagine the scene of their return:

The 72:  "Jesus, so many amazing things happened!  It was awesome!  Even the demons submit to us in your name!"
Jesus:  "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."

...what?!  What type of response is that?  Is Jesus being "like a child" and engaging them in an argument of accomplishments (ref. the Disciples in Luke 9:46)?  Certainly not.  I mean, could you imagine the Lord of the universe actually arguing with a mere man about good works?  The thought is laughable!  I mean, what "good" can man do apart from God?  But I digress...

Instead, Jesus was presenting a clear warning:  "Be careful of pride."  Pride can sneak in; and it tends to do so when God is truly moving in our lives and blessing us with victories over sin, financial increases, etc.  In those times, we become susceptible to looking at the gift more than the Giver; thus, eventually forgetting that it was God who supplied--not ourselves.  This is why Jesus points the 72 back to the fact that He had given them the authority that they had experienced (v. 19).

It's crazy to think that if I'm not careful, I'll start thinking that I had some hand in God's blessings!
"God surely blessed me, but:
- ...it was my gift of gab that made that auto shop give me a $300 discount."
- ...it was my sheer will and effort that kept me from sin."
- ...it was my obedience to the doctor's instructions that helped me recover from surgery so quickly."
- ...it was my decisive words that led to ______ getting saved."
The list could go on, but the fact remains that we must be on guard against pride in our lives.  Otherwise, the same sin that led to Satan's fall could kill us spiritually; leading us to focus on ourselves instead of what Jesus has done and is doing.

Instead, let's focus on the Lord!  He's not just the reason for the Season, but the reason for everything!  Speaking about joy, Jesus tells us to find joy in salvation (v. 20)!  Not only that, but we can find joy in the fact that God has revealed to us His plan of salvation--something that prophets and Old Testament kings longed to know more about (v. 21-24).  So let's move forward, shutting out all forms of pride and rejoicing in the finished work of the Lord!  Merry Christmas, indeed!!!

(Get it?  Christ-mas?  English-Spanish combo?  "More Christ"?  C'mon...I know you see it!)

("Rejoice")