The Pilgrim Path---First John 3: 8 

“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”

THE REASON…

The Advent Season is upon us. What a glorious time! Part of the wonder for most of us would be the memories---that treasure trove of love notes past. Some of us have more scenes to recall than others. Christmas---Yuletide is hard for many. They are alone now---or the time conjures up episodes they would rather not re-play in their mind. My prayer for You, is that the Spirit of God will use Scripture---and the best of souls you have encountered to bring you joy in the God-Man Jesus. All the decent people that we have been encouraged by---are gifts from God! Give thanks for them---and spread the cheer.

My maternal grandmother was a most entertaining character. Her name was Fannie Ermine DeLay. She would have been born in the late 19th century. She was legitimately “Old School.” A treat for me growing up---was being able to spend the night with her. Then, “up and at ‘um” to the stores---and she walked everywhere---because she never learned how to drive. Coming back from the A & P Grocery Store---I carried the six pack of--- six and a half ounce--- single bottles of Coca Cola (because that was the “only real Coke that was in existence”---in the six and a half ounce returnable bottle). Often, we would go by Woolworths and get a banana split at the inside restaurant counter. Wow. The price of the “split” was determined by popping one of many hanging balloons around the top of the counter (corny---but fun). Somehow---my grandmother got quite a few of the 1 cent banana splits. She loved it---and so did I. By the way, a few of her friends called her, “Ermine”--- virtually all her family called her, “Mama Lay.” That is good Southern talk---and real endearment for a matriarch (thus my mother was, Mama Rose).

On occasion my mom’s work schedule would involve some substitutions (she typically worked early evenings). This would mean my Dad would have to leave work and then drop me off at Mama Lay’s apartment. Of course, I would have homework to do---but that was not always the first thing on my mind. Wouldn’t you know---it was on my grandmother’s mind! She would ask if I had gotten to that list of school assignments. I would say, “No Ma’am.” And her response, “The road to HELL is paved with good intentions.” That was so irritating---But So True! I put matters off. I procrastinate. I wait. But when I know what needs to be done---and have the means to do it---what am I waiting for? Many, many souls “do” this with the Gospel of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. They “hear” of faith and repentance---and WAIT. Some may wait---for a time they will not have. A tomorrow--- that may not be theirs. We tell people during this Advent Season that the LORD Jesus Christ came to “destroy” the works of the devil. As the Beloved Apostle John tells us in Revelation chapter one---Jesus came to show us He has authority “over” death, hell, and the grave. We may sweeten matters for hearers, as John Owen used to---“if they can find anyone EQUAL to Jesus Christ---they need not consider Him. What they need to do---Is Consider Him---and learn of Him from Scripture (he has no peer). They will see He is the wisdom and knowledge of God---and the ultimate satisfaction for the human soul.” People need to, “taste and see that he is good” (Psalm 34: 8). Perhaps the best thing we may do for an unsaved acquaintance in the coming weeks or months---is simply prayerfully start reading through a chapter of a Gospel with them (say, the Gospel of Mark---10—12 verses at a time). You do not have to be a Bible scholar---just care about their soul. The practical teaching of First John 3: 8, is that the LORD Jesus came so that we would not have to keep “living to practice sin---but begin living unto Him.” Wow---the Christ of Christmas--- in the hearts of people. And when we fall---HE picks us up---and we begin again. We do not “like” dishonoring Him----but He empowers Us to die more and more to sin and live more and more to righteousness. Thanks be to God!

My grandmother was a fine cook and a good baker. At Christmas she sold a lot of Fudge and Divinity. It is kind of odd that they call Georgia the, “Peach State.” I think one county in South Carolina produces as many peaches as the whole state of Georgia (the wonders of marketing). What Georgia leads the nation in production of: Pecans. My grandmother’s fudge and divinity had a lot of pecans. Nothing fancy in presentation. Placed in men’s shirt boxes(brand new)---with wax paper. She really put that stuff out at Christmas time. One of my Aunt’s was a Duty Sergeant at the main Police Station. She was the point person for sales. Those women moved those Holiday goodies. All that to say, tell people they probably have not had the BEST taste yet,

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalm 34: 8

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“The LORD has become sweet to you because He has saved you. When you used to rely on yourself, how bitter you were to your own self. But now, O drink sweetness! Welcome the assurance of richness so vast!” Saint Augustine of Hippo

HYMN

O Jesus Christ, grow thou in me,

And all things else recede!

My heart be daily nearer thee,

From sin be daily freed.

More of thy glory let me see,

Thou Holy, Wise, and True!

I would thy living image be,

In joy and sorrow, too.

Fill me with gladness from above,

Hold me by strength divine;

LORD, make the glow of thy great love,

Through my whole being shine.

Make this poor self grow less and less,

Be thou my life and aim;

O make me daily through thy grace,

More meet to bear thy Name!

Johann C. Lavater (1741—1841)

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason