Happy Friday Friends! We are one week away from Christmas! I hope you are officially in the holiday spirit. We are closing in on my top all-time Christmas songs. Today, in the #8 spot are two original songs, one with a classic spin on it, and one brand new song that was released this winter and instantly became one of my favorites.
Up first is the song that made me a Meredith Andrews fan for life. Taking samplings from “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” Ms. Andrews gives the world this perfect reminder that Jesus came for us. Stop trying to find God, He’s always been with you. He sent His Son for YOU. Just relax and enjoy His presence.
And my second song for the day is Passion Music‘s epic new Christmas classic: “Hope Has A Name.”
December 18
1Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”…
…9They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him….
…10People gnawed their tongues in agony 11and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done….
…16Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. (Revelation 16:1-16)
As I mentioned yesterday, Chapter 15 and 16 cover God’s final act of judgment on the people of earth. I wanted to focus on this group of verses today because of the point that John makes after two of the plagues. He writes that despite all the pain and torment these lost people are suffering, they still choose to refuse to recognize their sin and their God.
Even as we see the world falling apart around us, many continue to turn from God. Even though they do not believe in HIm, they are usually quick to blame Him for all the problems we face. Most of the problems we suffer in this age are a result of our own actions. We have yet to feel God’s wrath. So if you think COVID, global warming, civil unrest is bad now, wait until these end times. Wait for Armageddon.
Reading plan: Revelation 18
Deeper reading plan: Zechariah 14
Prayer and meditation: We continue to pray that the world comes together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We pray that the miracle of the child in the manger changes this world forever, as it should have nearly 2000 years ago. This week we will also add a prayer for all the lonely and those who mourn during the holidays. We pray they draw close to Jesus as Jesus is close to them.
Fitness challenge: We’re going to start doing AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible): Do a good stretch and then do as many round as possible of the following in 15-minutes:
- 10 x Sumo squats
- 10 x Pike push-ups
- 10 x Leg lifts
- 10 x Pistol squats (5 each leg)
- 10 x Hand-Release Push Ups
Friday fun run: We’re putting a lot of miles in during the week, so Friday’s are for stretching and doing a light one-mile jog.
Common Sense Reborn 