GPS-Red

14 / Sunday Read Ephesians 2:13

Overview: There are familiar reds at Christmastime: Santa’s coat, Rudolph’s nose, and poinsettias. But none of these qualify red as the color of Christmas.

15 / Mon – Christmas red  |  Read John 3:16

During the Christmas season, you can see red everywhere…poinsettia plants, decorations, ribbons and bows, ornaments on the tree, candles, stockings hanging from the mantel. What is your favorite ‘red’ thing from this season? In all the celebrating, this color is also a reminder of why Jesus came. To go to the cross. To give his life for yours. The center of this holiday is the manger where that journey began. For God so loved…that He gave. What does love compel you to do?

16 / Tue – Signs of love  |  Read John 15:13 / Romans 5:8 / 1 John 4:10

Red is also the color of another familiar holiday – Valentine’s Day. Who is the person in your life who has made you feel the most loved and accepted? Of course, there are times when you feel so low that you wonder if anyone truly understands or even cares. Jesus does. His love never wavers. It is not influenced by great accomplishments or any terrible decisions you regret. Will you let yourself rest in his love for you? He thought you were worth dying for. Will you pass this on?

17 / Wed – The redder, the better  |  Read 2 Timothy 3:16

Oxygen is essential to life. The more oxygen in your bloodstream, the redder your blood will be. (Note: God designed us with skin to keep the blood inside because significant blood loss can lead to death.) It is God’s breath in your lungs that supplies the oxygen going into your blood to keep you alive. This is true in your spiritual life as well. All scripture is God-breathed and contains the spiritual antibodies that will kill the sin in your life. You may read the Bible, but will you let its words penetrate below the surface of your mind? That is where life-change begins.

18 / Thu – The combination  |  Read Psalm 16:11 / Romans 14:17

The Christmas candy cane’s red stripes remind us of Jesus’ blood spilled to wipe out our sin. The white background represents Jesus’ perfectly sinless life. When those two colors are blended, they produce the color pink, representing joy. (That is why a pink candle is traditionally used in the Advent wreath on the 3rd Sunday.) Notice the sequence in Romans 14. Is there significance in the order these things are listed? Where does your joy come from in this season?

19 / Fri – When you run out…  |  Read Luke 2:8-10 / John 15:11 / Hebrews 12:2 / John 16:22

The shepherds, one of the lowest occupations on society’s ladder, were the ones to whom God chose to make His announcement of the good news and great joy. Christmas is meant to be that kind of season, but maybe joy is lacking for you this year? Jesus understands. That is why he promised to give you his joy.  It is what carried Jesus past the cross, and he offers it to you today. If this is a tough season for you or someone you know, will you claim this most precious gift? And like the shepherds – and the disciples – when you really see Jesus, no one can steal that joy.

20 / Sat – Back to red  |  Read John 16:13a / Acts 7:51 / Ephesians 4:30

Red can be a joyful color, but there are times it warns you to stop. Like a red traffic light, if you obey, it will protect you from accidents or injuries. Other times, red means to stop and then to go in a different direction. When the Holy Spirit gives you a red light, it is always for your good because God is for you, not against you. Will you follow his lead? Looking back, you will be glad you did. And if you don’t always make the right decision but repent, he will make it all work out for your good. The best way is to resolve never to shut him out but to listen and then obey.