Tangled Lights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t you just hate it when your pretty Christmas lights get all tangled?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a mess to sit there and tediously unravel the pile of lights to make them useable and restore them to their Christmas glamour.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/23-1024x1024.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nLikewise, individuals in the body of Christ can get tangled with other believers. We can get tangled with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ when we get into arguments and disagreements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the church lacks unity and invites bitterness and unforgiveness into the fellowship of believers, we aren\u2019t functioning at our best as ambassadors for Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, just like that pile of tangled lights gives us a headache to fix, Christians who are in the middle of tangled and messy inter-church issues are not bringing the best to non-believers around them but can cause strain and tension for those needing to see Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/22-1024x1024.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBelievers without unity can bring confusion to unbelievers because we aren\u2019t demonstrating the brotherly love to which Christ called us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Relationships that are tangled and messy aren\u2019t functioning smoothy or working properly to bring usefulness to the people in the world we\u2019re suppose to serve (Ephesians 4:1-6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Star At The Top Of The Tree<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOne of the most central elements to Christmas decorating is the colorful Christmas tree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And although the lights wrapped around bring a certain flare and joy to the holiday spirit, it\u2019s the bright star at the top of the tree that really completes the feeling of Christmas. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/25-1024x1024.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThat star serves as a final beacon illuminating the coming holiday for which we so eagerly await. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was another glorious star that was eagerly awaited a long time ago that lit up the night sky in Bethlehem (Mathew 2:1-12), and He\u2019s the same bright star we eagerly await today (Revelation 22:16, 20). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus is the bright Morning Star and the star of our lives, not just at Christmas but year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter how brightly all the various Christmas lights may shine, it\u2019s that one star at the top that brings everything together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, Christians may look good on the outside and do all kinds of good works for the community around them, but any efforts of righteousness and kindness are lacking and dim unless it is done under and through the power and light of Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He holds all things together and He lights the way for us. It\u2019s His light we are called to emulate (1 John 1:5-7; Ephesians 5:8).<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/24-1024x1024.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nChristmas Calling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis holiday season, let\u2019s remember to keep the true Star above all other sources of light around us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s look to Christ as our goal for how we should shine as His lights wherever God has placed us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s remember that we are God\u2019s representatives, His lights that have been carefully equipped and placed all around to bring His glory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are to shine like stars in the world, and we do so by holding firm to the word of life (Philippians 2:15). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I pray that each day of December, with each look at a beautiful Christmas display and with each strand of Christmas light you hang, that you are reminded of God\u2019s calling for you to function together with others in the body of Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we shine for Him together, the real meaning of Christmas can be revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFreebie!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nClick below to download a free smartphone background to remind you of the true Light this Christmas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-Lights_Freebie_iphoneWallpaper1-576x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nLikewise, individuals in the body of Christ can get tangled with other believers. We can get tangled with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ when we get into arguments and disagreements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the church lacks unity and invites bitterness and unforgiveness into the fellowship of believers, we aren\u2019t functioning at our best as ambassadors for Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, just like that pile of tangled lights gives us a headache to fix, Christians who are in the middle of tangled and messy inter-church issues are not bringing the best to non-believers around them but can cause strain and tension for those needing to see Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBelievers without unity can bring confusion to unbelievers because we aren\u2019t demonstrating the brotherly love to which Christ called us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Relationships that are tangled and messy aren\u2019t functioning smoothy or working properly to bring usefulness to the people in the world we\u2019re suppose to serve (Ephesians 4:1-6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Star At The Top Of The Tree<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOne of the most central elements to Christmas decorating is the colorful Christmas tree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And although the lights wrapped around bring a certain flare and joy to the holiday spirit, it\u2019s the bright star at the top of the tree that really completes the feeling of Christmas. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThat star serves as a final beacon illuminating the coming holiday for which we so eagerly await. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was another glorious star that was eagerly awaited a long time ago that lit up the night sky in Bethlehem (Mathew 2:1-12), and He\u2019s the same bright star we eagerly await today (Revelation 22:16, 20). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus is the bright Morning Star and the star of our lives, not just at Christmas but year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter how brightly all the various Christmas lights may shine, it\u2019s that one star at the top that brings everything together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, Christians may look good on the outside and do all kinds of good works for the community around them, but any efforts of righteousness and kindness are lacking and dim unless it is done under and through the power and light of Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He holds all things together and He lights the way for us. It\u2019s His light we are called to emulate (1 John 1:5-7; Ephesians 5:8).<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nChristmas Calling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis holiday season, let\u2019s remember to keep the true Star above all other sources of light around us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s look to Christ as our goal for how we should shine as His lights wherever God has placed us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s remember that we are God\u2019s representatives, His lights that have been carefully equipped and placed all around to bring His glory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are to shine like stars in the world, and we do so by holding firm to the word of life (Philippians 2:15). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I pray that each day of December, with each look at a beautiful Christmas display and with each strand of Christmas light you hang, that you are reminded of God\u2019s calling for you to function together with others in the body of Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we shine for Him together, the real meaning of Christmas can be revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFreebie!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nClick below to download a free smartphone background to remind you of the true Light this Christmas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThat star serves as a final beacon illuminating the coming holiday for which we so eagerly await. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was another glorious star that was eagerly awaited a long time ago that lit up the night sky in Bethlehem (Mathew 2:1-12), and He\u2019s the same bright star we eagerly await today (Revelation 22:16, 20). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus is the bright Morning Star and the star of our lives, not just at Christmas but year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter how brightly all the various Christmas lights may shine, it\u2019s that one star at the top that brings everything together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, Christians may look good on the outside and do all kinds of good works for the community around them, but any efforts of righteousness and kindness are lacking and dim unless it is done under and through the power and light of Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He holds all things together and He lights the way for us. It\u2019s His light we are called to emulate (1 John 1:5-7; Ephesians 5:8).<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nChristmas Calling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis holiday season, let\u2019s remember to keep the true Star above all other sources of light around us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s look to Christ as our goal for how we should shine as His lights wherever God has placed us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s remember that we are God\u2019s representatives, His lights that have been carefully equipped and placed all around to bring His glory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are to shine like stars in the world, and we do so by holding firm to the word of life (Philippians 2:15). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I pray that each day of December, with each look at a beautiful Christmas display and with each strand of Christmas light you hang, that you are reminded of God\u2019s calling for you to function together with others in the body of Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we shine for Him together, the real meaning of Christmas can be revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFreebie!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nClick below to download a free smartphone background to remind you of the true Light this Christmas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Click below to download a free smartphone background to remind you of the true Light this Christmas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n