There are so many things we worship in this world like money, clothes, sports teams, possessions etc. Sometimes we worship these only because we are pressured to. We have to have the nicest clothes, we have to have nice things, we have to agree with everyone, if we don't we wouldn't fit in! OH NO! We can even worship it so much that it clouds how we worship and serve God. He related this to the infamous Black Friday. We're so obsessed with going shopping and spending every last dime on that Friday because we are pressured to. All the stores open early, there are SALE signs everywhere, in the paper, on the news, radio, internet. Everyone knows about Black Friday. If you are not out there, you are not cool. This day wouldn't exist if it weren't for those advertising pressures! Everyone is pressured to go broke because that's what everyone does. If you don't spend all your money, something is wrong with you. Just because everyone else does it does not mean it's the Godly thing to do. That goes for many factors in life not just Black Friday.
The pastor told the story of Daniel and the lion's den. Basically, Daniel was going to be punished for worshiping God rather than the kings of his time. Everyone was worshiping these kings and because Daniel was not, he would get thrown into the lions den to be killed. The king said if your God is real he would save you from this. Daniel spent the whole night in the den and when the king went to check on him, he was unharmed. God had sent an angel to protect him. There is a similar story in Daniel 3. When has God protected you when you did something outside of the norm?
Basically, this means don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, even when it's not the norm. Pray in public, dance in church, wear all purple for all I care, do what you believe in. Don't be afraid! When you have God on your side you will not be abandoned. If it is something God doesn't want you to do he will put that burden on your heart. God's opinion matters more than anyone else.
As a side note, understand that I'm not saying don't go shopping, I'm saying do it for the right reasons, don't spend too much because you "have to." I was just using it as an example. Besides what is Christmas really about?? Do you even remember what you got last Christmas?
Thanks for reading my rant! I hope at least one person got something out of it ;)
The pastor told the story of Daniel and the lion's den. Basically, Daniel was going to be punished for worshiping God rather than the kings of his time. Everyone was worshiping these kings and because Daniel was not, he would get thrown into the lions den to be killed. The king said if your God is real he would save you from this. Daniel spent the whole night in the den and when the king went to check on him, he was unharmed. God had sent an angel to protect him. There is a similar story in Daniel 3. When has God protected you when you did something outside of the norm?
Basically, this means don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, even when it's not the norm. Pray in public, dance in church, wear all purple for all I care, do what you believe in. Don't be afraid! When you have God on your side you will not be abandoned. If it is something God doesn't want you to do he will put that burden on your heart. God's opinion matters more than anyone else.
As a side note, understand that I'm not saying don't go shopping, I'm saying do it for the right reasons, don't spend too much because you "have to." I was just using it as an example. Besides what is Christmas really about?? Do you even remember what you got last Christmas?
Thanks for reading my rant! I hope at least one person got something out of it ;)
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