Plain Red Cup~

November 10, 2015

If we knew what everyone stood for, believed in, and supported, and based our living on that, we would die… We would not shop here, or there, or take our children here or there, or, or, or…  We are in this world, but not of it. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own.  Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15: 18-19).  We do not have to support those who do not believe, but, if we are Christians, we do have to shine God’s light… the light that gives hope to a dying world.  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”(Matthew 5:16).

I once walked in darkness.  I am thankful for God’s grace, and the grace of His children who shared with me who He is, so that I can obtain this blessed hope!  “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”(1 Peter 1:3).  God provides for us through people that do not know Him.  Our role here is not to condemn those who do not believe, but to live life in such a way that they see what we stand for, believe in, and support, and that they might see our good works and glorify… Our Father in Heaven… not us, not what we think is right, but glorify all that is right.  

We are quickly approaching the Christmas season.  Every day is Christmas to me, as His mercies are new every morning.  The gift of His birth, death, and most importantly, His resurrection is one that I am thankful for each and every day!  All that claim to know Him and call themselves His children should be.  I’m not better than anyone else in this world.  We are all sinners in need of a savior, some just don’t know it, or want it.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”(Romans 3:23).  ALL… including me, and every human that exists, or has ever existed.  

Satan is a big fat liar, and is currently using a stupid red cup to cause division, and upset.  It’s a cup people.  The owner needs to see Jesus, not crazed people that call themselves Christians saying "my name is Merry Christmas” or any other negative action that is being taken.  My name is redeemed, and I am forever grateful for that!  I want to be salt, not ice water.  May the Lord open all of our eyes on how we can truly show His love, and stand up for Him, not what we think is right.  

As Christians, we know and value what Christmas is about.  The Bible doesn’t say Merry Christmas in it anywhere… It does say “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men!” (Luke 2:14).  Our Jesus, our Savior, and salvation, was born in a dirty stable because there was no room for them in the inn…  I don’t think God is too concerned with the cups at Starbucks… He is concerned for the hearts, minds, and souls of all He has created though… Let’s be smart… Keeping Christ in Christmas should look a whole lot different, don’t you think?