Are You a Grinch or a Scrooge?

Remember how the Grinch hated Christmas so much that he didn't want anyone else to enjoy it? Remember when Ebenezer Scrooge only begrudgingly gave his employees half of Christmas day off? Does your own family or friends think you’re a Grinch or a Scrooge?

To avoid being labeled as one of those maligned characters, try to emulate the qualities that made them change by the end of their respective tales (and take note of the biblical principles demonstrated).

1.       Learn from your past mistakes. Scrooge traveled to different stages of his life to figure out what had made him the way he was. But in the end, he didn't allow those experiences to control him, and he changed. “When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

2.       Treat others better than you’d want to be treated. Pretty much everyone in Whoville shunned the Grinch because he didn't want anything to do with them. But even the most bitter person doesn't really want to be a recluse. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

3.       Realize that having fun is easier than being a grump. Think of the energy both Scrooge and the Grinch wasted making everyone else’s life (and their own) miserable. Learn to enjoy life. Laugh a little! “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).

4.       Watch how children enjoy life, and follow their lead. Cindy Lou Who single-handedly helped the Grinch’s heart grow. And Scrooge had Tiny Tim to warm up his stone-cold heart. “Let the little children come to me...for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

5.       Throw a great party. One of Scrooge’s dreams took him back to observe his old boss, Mr. Fezziwig. This was a man who enjoyed life and knew how to throw a great party. Scrooge learns from this and buys the fattest goose in town to take to the Cratchitt home for Christmas dinner. “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!” (Philippians 4:4, The Message). _{- Copied}  

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

 FOR EDUCATION MINISTRY LEADERS: GBACE Annual Conference, Lizella Baptist/Lizella, January 22, 2015 - http://www.gbace.org/annual-conference.html

FOR EDUCATION MINISTRY LEADERS: 2015 BACE Conference, Johnson Ferry Baptist/Marietta, April 9-10, 2015 - http://www.baptisteducators.org/conference/

FOR CHURCH DEVOTIONALS: DevoHub is Coming! Church devotionals delivered directly to personal devices - http://www.devohub.com/?emid=BL-BSI-DevoHub-20141118

FOR NEW BELIEVERS: The Beginning -http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Disciples-Path

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERS: Gospel-Centered Teaching Conferencewith Trevin Wax, January 24, 2015 (for those using The Gospel Project Bible study resource) - http://gabaptistsundayschool.org/gospel-centered-teaching-conference-january-24-2015/

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: 2015-18 Plans for The Gospel Project unveiled – A Chronological Journey for all ages! -http://www.gospelproject.com/2015-2018/

FOR LEADERS USING EXPLORE THE BIBLE: Free helps for lesson preparation and teaching tips for leaders in adult, student, and kids age group ministries -http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/explorethebible

FOR LEADERS USING BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE: Free helps for lesson preparation and teaching tips for leaders in adult, student, and kids age group ministries -http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/biblestudiesforlife

FOR LEADERS USING THE GOSPEL PROJECT: Free helps for lesson preparation and teaching tips for leaders in adult, student, and kids age group ministries -http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Praying with Paul by D.A. Carson - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/praying-with-paul-leader-kit-P005644096?intcmp=Praying-MTX-Text-LeaderKit-20141031

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Jesus > Religion by Jefferson Bethke (student edition available also) – http://www.lifeway.com/Product/jesus-religion-leader-kit-P005615715

FOR FAMILY MINISTRY: Building a Family Legacy by Dr. James Dobson - http://www.lifeway.com/n/product-family/building-a-family-legacy

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: D’Now resources -http://www.lifeway.com/n/merchandised-landing-page/DiscipleNow?intcmp=DnowSearch-MTX-Button-ViewAll-20130227

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: LifeWay Girls Conference, Nashville, TN, February 20-21, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Student-Event-LifeWay-Girls-Conference-Nashville-TN

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Sermon on the Mount by Jen Wilkin  -http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-sermon-on-the-mount-leader-kit-p005644877

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: What Love Is by Kelly Minter - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/what-love-is-the-letters-of-1-2-3-john-leader-kit-P005635537