ANDREW V. BARBER, PhD CHRISTIAN APOLOGIST, COUNSELOR, AUTHOR, PUBLISHER

Lesson: Still Need to Do Day
This is a secular observance (December 29) that is set aside to take care of personal business that has been on hold during the holiday season. Many people will be returning gifts, doing repairs about the home, cleaning up the garage, or going back to work to get caught up. It is a good idea to keep a to-do list for occasions such as these. I always have a list, without which I would simply forget, and more rapidly as I age. There is no official history of this occasion, but it has been around for about five years, and it’s probably here to stay. Given that there are several observances ascribed to this date, this one seems the most practical. It is not a good idea to procrastinate in doing something worthwhile or necessary, meaning it is probably long overdue.

PRO 14:23 ~ All hard work brings a profit; but mere talk leads to poverty.
ECC 9:10–11 ~ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, device, knowledge, or wisdom in the grave where you are going. I returned, and realized that the race does not belong to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor sustenance to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the skilled, but time and chance happen to everyone.
ECC 11:4 ~ Watchers of the wind will not sow; watchers of the clouds will not reap.
LUK 9:62 ~ Jesus said, “Nobody who puts their hands on the plow and then looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
1 CO 14:40 ~ Ensure all things are done properly and in the right order.
JAM 4:16–17 ~ If you boast about your great plans, your boasting is evil. When someone knows what is proper, but does not do it, that for them is sin.

When it comes to knowing the Lord and the true meaning of Christ’s birth, it is wise to be sure. Those who entertain themselves during the holidays but neglect spending time in church or in worship are missing the point. Today is a good day to figure this out before putting Christ on the back burner for another year. The to-do list can wait if you have left this undone.

DEU 32:35 ~ To God belongs vengeance and recompense. The evil nation will slide in due time, for the day of their calamity is at hand; that which comes upon them will come fast.
1 CH 16:29 ~ Give to the Lord the glory due Him; bring your offerings and worship Him.
LUK 12:35–37 ~ Keep your pants on and the candles burning. Be like those who wait for the master to return from the wedding feast, so when he comes and knocks, you will be ready to let him in. Blessed are the servants who the master finds watching, ready to serve when he arrives.
JOH 9:4 ~ Jesus declared, “While it is day, we will do the work of Him who sent me, since the night approaches when nobody can work.”
GAL 6:9–10 ~ Let us not grow weary in doing well; for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up. When the opportunity arises, let us do good to all people, especially those in the household of faith.
EPH 5:15–17 ~ See that you live prudently, not as fools but as wise; making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but be wise in understanding the will of the Lord.
HEB 12:11~ In the moment, all discipline may seem painful; but it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those trained by it.

As we ponder the mystery of Christmas, which has now passed, and look towards the new year, it is a good time to establish our goals and priorities. What do we need to do that we have put off? Maybe it is a new year resolution that we keep making but never follow through. Maybe it is a promise we have made to a loved one or to God about how we intend to modify our behavior or quit a bad habit. I remember making a resolution for five years straight to quit smoking. Finally, one day my wife and I decided to wean ourselves off of cigarettes and nicotine by vaping; it is like titrating yourself off of a medication you no longer need. Little by little we reduced our consumption, reaching zero nicotine in about a year’s time.
For those of you who neglected to attend church services, you missed all the great decorations, spirit filled carols, worshipping and fellowshipping, the Christmas cheer, and the joy and peace that goes with the pageant and the program. Perhaps you need to get with the program.

GEN 2:15 ~ The Lord God brought the man into the garden of Eden to work it and nurture it.
PRO 16:3 ~ Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.
ECC 3:13 ~ Everyone should eat and drink and enjoy the results of all their labor for this is a gift from God.
MAT 13:1–23 ~ Jesus told a parable about sowing to the Spirit: A sower of seeds left seeds by the wayside where the birds ate them. He left seeds in the rocky ground where there was insufficient soil for them to grow. He left seeds among the weeds and thorns where they were choked to death. He also left seeds on fertile ground where they grew and bore fruit. The seeds represent the Word of God. If the Word is left by the wayside, it will be snatched away by the wicked one. If the Word is given to those with a heart of stone, it will never take root in their hearts. If the Word is given to corrupt and worldly people, it will be choked out by the lusts of the flesh. But if the Word is received by someone who listens and understands, it will take root in his or her heart and that person will bear much fruit.
JOH 16:12–14 ~ Jesus informed them, “I have many things to tell you but you are not ready for them yet. Nevertheless, the Spirit of Truth comes; He will guide you into all truth. He does not draw attention to Himself but to me. He hears and He speaks, and He will show you things to come.”
ROM 14:5–8, 22–23 ~ Whatever you believe and whatever you do, let it be for God. If you eat or if you fast, do it for Him. For nobody lives to themselves and nobody dies to themselves. Regardless of whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. If you have faith, maintain it between you and God. Blessed is the person who is not condemned by the same things for which he or she has given approval. If you have any doubts, do not do it; for whatever is not of faith is of sin.
PHP 1:9–11 ~ I pray that your love abounds continuously in knowledge and judgment; that you approve of things which are excellent and that you remain sincere and without offense until the Lord returns; being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the joyous season that we are in, especially we rejoice for the coming of your Son, our Lord. We also thank you for our loved ones whom we shared quality time together, and for the family of saints we worshipped with. Help us to use our time wisely, and give you the glory when we are successful. Let today be an opportunity for us to reevaluate our situation and what needs to be finished, ensuring our priorities are in alignment with yours. Thank you for the chance to labor with your Holy Spirit in our daily duties, our duties to the church, and especially our duties to you, Father, on behalf of the baby Jesus, Amen.

Posted: Andrew Barber (12/28/2024)

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Presidents' Day

Previous lessons are provided below.

August 2022
Vexation of Spirit