I'm sure that most everyone remembers the words to Santa Claus is Coming to Town. The lyrics from that song remind me of when I was a kid at Christmas and my parents used it to persuade me to behave to make sure I landed on the nice list instead of the naughty.
But I couldn't help almost hearing that song in my head this morning as I was reading in Galations, Chapter 5.
You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
"So I say live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to sinful nature." v16-17
"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the life. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." v19-21 aka The Naughty List
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. v22 aka The Nice List
Santa will be in town the night of December 24th. If you're on the nice list you receive all the gifts you wanted for Christmas. If you're on the naughty list you receive a lump of coal or bag of switches. We don't know when Jesus is coming back but we do know that He is. When He returns, will your name be written in the book of life so you can inherit the kingdom of God, which is greater than anything you'll ever find under a tree? Or will He say "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Now that is one naughty list I definitely do not want to end up on.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for strength today to resist the sin and temptations of the world. I pray for the strength to produce good fruits. I thank you for your mercy and forgiveness for when I fail in both of those areas. Help anyone today who does not know you as their Lord and Savior to repent, and ask you into their hearts and to remove the evil and replace it with good this Christmas season. Thank you for sending your son Jesus as the most wonderful Christmas gift ever. In His Holy name I pray, amen.
But I couldn't help almost hearing that song in my head this morning as I was reading in Galations, Chapter 5.
You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
"So I say live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to sinful nature." v16-17
"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the life. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." v19-21 aka The Naughty List
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. v22 aka The Nice List
Santa will be in town the night of December 24th. If you're on the nice list you receive all the gifts you wanted for Christmas. If you're on the naughty list you receive a lump of coal or bag of switches. We don't know when Jesus is coming back but we do know that He is. When He returns, will your name be written in the book of life so you can inherit the kingdom of God, which is greater than anything you'll ever find under a tree? Or will He say "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Now that is one naughty list I definitely do not want to end up on.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for strength today to resist the sin and temptations of the world. I pray for the strength to produce good fruits. I thank you for your mercy and forgiveness for when I fail in both of those areas. Help anyone today who does not know you as their Lord and Savior to repent, and ask you into their hearts and to remove the evil and replace it with good this Christmas season. Thank you for sending your son Jesus as the most wonderful Christmas gift ever. In His Holy name I pray, amen.
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