The Twelve Bars of Christmas
Good Morning Friends,
Somebody with too much time on their hands calculated that James Bond would have died at age 56 from liver disease. The message is coming out now as a warning for those who would overindulge this season. It is after all the time of the year when being of good cheer in the fruits of the Spirit takes on a different meaning. People get confused. It is the time of the year where people get crazy smashed visiting The Twelve Bars of Christmas.
Scripture: Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:21 ESV
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Ephesians 5:18 ESV
Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
Romans 13:13 ESV
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 ESV
Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
Proverbs 31:6-7 ESV
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Proverbs 20:1 ESV
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
Matthew 11:18-19
(NRSV)
Drink no wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons, when you enter the tent of meeting that you may not die; it is a statute forever throughout your generations.
Leviticus: 10:9 (NRSV)
Message: Pub tours are fine but 12 in a day is a bit much. Well we do want to “feel” the presence of God, but I do not think we can drink ourselves there by getting smashed day in and day out during the holidays. The Bible has several examples of drunks with stories of bad endings, but also of people who took wine in moderation without falling overboard. We have the story of Hanna, in 1 Samuel 1:1-20 and the story of Pentecost in Act where being in the Spirit is confused with being drunk. We have the story of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron getting drunk and making an offering and getting burned up themselves. In Judges 19:1-30 we have the story of the Old Levite and his concubine where drink, sex and murder converge. We have the story of King Elah who got drunk and ended up dead. Lot and Noah got drunk and ended up in bed with their own family. Timothy took wine in moderation for his health and then, of course there is the story in John 2 of the Wedding at Canaan… the miracle of new wine. Friends, there is something that happens when we receive His Holy Spirit. When we are filled with His Spirit something unexplainable happens. You will know that your life has changed and that God is with you. This is the power of faith! And you cannot drink it into existence. So not be confused about the Holy Spirit, but also do not be surprised if God uses even those with hangovers for God will be what God will be.
Pray we are not confused. Pray we not worship God with wine but with our hearts. Pray we recognize the Holy Spirit difference. Pray we are Spirit led. Pray that we as children gain an understanding of scripture in a way that is spiritual. Pray we learn the need to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit putting God first. Pray we are filled with the Holy Spirit and with FIRE. Pray our words come from our heart not our head. Pray we drink of the new wine of Christ. Pray we had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy but Safe New Year.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 