‘A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like A Medicine:’ An Admonition To Savor And Enjoy This Holiday Season, As It Might Just Be Our Last -Redux

Well friends, we survived another year on this earth – a year of more of rapidly increasing wickedness, expanding wars, economic collapse, mounting famine and supply chain disruptions, and just the daily frustrations that both comes with the times and even suffering with ourselves; as Romans 8:23 says in part, “even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” If you are saved you know what exactly I am talking about.

At the time of writing this, Christmas is a little more than a day away, and a week thereafter will be the start of the new year. I wanted to take a moment to both reprove, rebuke, exhort you, friend, on what time we have left this year and how we should spend it, and what we can expect moving forward.

I wrote a message similar to this last year, so of my talking points will be the same but are still very much relevant even more than before.

Dear reader, I wanted to exhort you to have some joy and merry this Christmas and New Years, or whatever it is that you celebrate or don’t. Whatever you do or don’t do is none of my concern, but whatever it is that you do, do it with some joy, gladness, merriment, and mirth.

I have already made peace with the issue concerning holidays and what the Bible has to say. I have a lengthy study with tons of scripture discussing the matter, which you can check out as to not repeat myself, titled “The Real Issue With Christian Liberty, Is Not Liberty: It’s Charity.” Every year the “holiday hunters” come crawling out from their filthy lagoon this time of year to impress upon you their vain wisdom they got from the back of a juice pouch, running about to steal your joy and make you feel miserable and as envious as they are. Misery loves company after all.

A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

Proverbs 13:5

Something all people who “loveth and maketh a lie” (Revelation 22:15) have in common is they are these miserable, loathsome, bitter, envious, callous losers who have nothing better to do than waste everyone’s time, in an attempt to stoke their own ego whilst justifying their own sacrilege.

About two weeks these two self-righteous holiday hunters, one of them is a pastor, David Grisham, dressing up as Santa and the Grinch, were holding signs that said Santa is fake but Jesus is real, at an elementary school berating and pestering little children as they tried to walk school. Police had to get involved to tell these two losers to take a hike, and the bus routes had to be redirected because of these two hecklers.

Now you see, this is what causing the word of God to be blasphemed looks like (1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:5). This helped no one, but rather it is just planting seeds that will spring forth into weeds and tares one day. This is not when Paul said, “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised” (1 Corinthians 4:10). Rather, this is what Solomon meant when he said, “A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness” (Proverbs 12:23).

I of course do not believe we should be promoting Santa (an anagram for Satan, and is some myth that takes on omnipotent attributes of our Lord God Almighty); but there is clear a time to discuss that, and not berate little children at a public school. But you see, those idiots – who probably believe in hard-works salvation if not even outright sinless perfection – are just looking to get an adrenaline rush, a “holy high” from doing the devil’s work and patting themselves on the back for being “persecuted.”

[4] I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: [5] Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.

Psalms 75:4-5

There is a HUGE difference between someone who simply does not view any day to be special or of any real significance (which is what I mostly fall into, for the most part); versus these types losers, in person or online, who incessantly shout from the rooftops, clearing up any confusion that they are indeed FOOLS to the highest degree. And then these people want to point the finger and blame you for causing division. Oh the irony!

William Shakespeare had a great way of putting it: “It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt.”

Now, I’m not here to preach to you why should celebrate Christmas. You do what you got to do, and I could care less which way you fall. Whatever floats your boat. Howbeit, I also know that there is no point in being bitter, and a ba-humbug Scrooge either.

But I digress from the point of this article. If you want more surety from the scriptures concerning this topic than go watch my studies on it. If people want to keep pining away whining and preaching to their shadows then they can do that: WE have better things to do with our time, or at least I do that is.

Anyways, here’s the crux of what I wanted to say:

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

After another year of insanity, stupidity, frustration, woe, anger, emptiness, loneliness, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera; we all could use some medicine and some healing.

So, brethren and dear reader, whatever it is that you do this remainder of December, do it with joy, merry, and gladness. For that matter, do all of that each day, but specifically for the remainder of this year.

People, and ESPECIALLY saved, born again believers can be so uptight, high-minded, and persnickety over anything and everything. Believers have a tendency to overcompensate and zealously try so hard to be the ‘ideal Christian,’ you can make yourself go nuts and lose all true, righteous joy and mirth in the process, and end up worse than you ever were. I’ve learned that along the way; and I had to learn it some more this year. I’m guilty of letting of the filth of this world get to me far too often than I should. At that the same time, I am still learning to “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity” (Psalm 37:1). I’ll be the first to admit I am terrible at that at times. But there are many times the Lord still keeps me encouraged, I’ve had to learn to just control what I can control. After all, Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 11:9-10: “[9] Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. [10] Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.”

It has gotten so insanely out of control nowadays, but hardly no one is genuine anymore: everything is artificial and contrived, and done in vainglory for others to see and emulate. I see this even more so with professing Christians. Friend, just obey the book and stop making things harder than they need to be. Do you have the Spirit in you? Do you have God’s word (KJB) to direct you, right? Okay then, just take it for what it is and believe it, and live it.

Reader, there is a HUGE difference between moderation and temperance (Philippians 4:4; 2 Peter 1:1-11) and being menpleasing, lukewarm Laodiceans (Ephesians 6:5-9; Revelation 3:14-22).

[9] And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, [10] The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, [11] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 4:9-11

I am guilty of this too, but we so often forget that the Lord created us for his pleasure, not so we can be monastic Catholics in a dark convent somewhere, where we flagellate ourselves if so much as the thought of sin enters our minds. I am NOT justifying anything sinful, not in the slightest bit, but as I said earlier, trying to be oober pretentious just makes all that stuff worse.

[18] Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. [19] Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. [20] For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

[7] Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. [8] Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. [9] Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. [10] Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, 9:7-10

Flying in the face of the holiday hunters, we are advised by Solomon under the inspiration of God to in fact make merry and have joy in all that we do. Again, this is why I advise brethren and readers to relax and take a spiritual chill-pill: trying to put on all this piety and pseudo-righteousness will just make your life so utterly miserable, to the point where you can no longer take correction and admonishment, as every act of kindness from others is soured upon, while you can barely walk and chew gum at the same time!

Brethren, we all have a date with death. This life will end someday. Instead of wasting it away, Solomon says what he says. The lost world also accepts that they will die, and instead choose hedonism as their guiding principle; or as the scriptures put it:

[17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, [18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: [19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

[15] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. [16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: [17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? [18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. [20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? [21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Ephesians 4:17-19; Luke 12:15-21

Notice how in both passages (and many others like it), CHARITY is neglected and forgotten.

But unlike the lost world which has “no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13), and are “driven away in [their] wickedness” (Proverbs 14:32); those that are saved are supposed to live, believe, and demonstrate that “the righteous hath hope in his death,” (Proverbs 14:32); which according to 1 Timothy 1:1: “God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;” for he said, “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25).

But without charity “I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

All of this to say – coming full circle again to Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 – Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. [5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” Enjoy this life while it lasts: don’t waste it away. Do not do things halfheartedly and do not commit wickedness that will only accelerate your death (Romans 8:13), but go out and enjoy it, and be charitable to others.

Consider this passage:

[17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; [19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

You see that? Be charitable, fear the Lord, depart from evil, all while enjoying this life and things that God has blessed us with. I will tell you as I have grown in grace, and knowledge, wisdom, and perception, prudence, and discretion; even though this world continues to get so utterly disgusting, repulsive, abominable, oppressive, and so forth, and I too get angry, bitter, sorrowful, depressed, nervous, envious – I still have “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:8).

This is why I wish to exhort you, dear reader, to do all in moderation and charity.

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

Proverbs 18:9

Don’t waste away your life: live it and enjoy it, work hard, stand up for righteousness and truth; love your spouse, love your children, love your neighbor, and praise and fear the Lord. Do the Lord’s work and adhere to his will he has for you in your life, and get busy, but also remember to enjoy the things that God has richly given you. Don’t waste your time aimlessly waiting imminently to be whisked away whilst do nothing and not fighting hard against the wiles of the devil and sin. That’s one of the problems of the imminence doctrine when concerning the resurrection of the saints and the Lord’s return. I’ve touched on this before, but a problem I have both experienced in my walk before and witnessed scores of times over, is that it creates lazy and conceited people; and some Christians taking a page out of Balaam’s playbook, and in many cases wanting sin to increase so God will be forced to judge the world (Revelation 2:13-16) . That’s the subject of a different sermon, but that mindset is satanic, and you need to repent of that pronto, if that is you. But I digress.

Bearing all these things in mind, I must also dispense a sobering warning:

If you have followed The WinePress for any length of time you know that I am not in the business of sensationism, false hopes, fear porn, but dealing with facts, truth, and logic no matter whom it may offend. Unfortunately, many are simple, and pass on and are punished (Proverbs 22:3), and they don’t heed the warnings. I’ve had brethren let me know what goes on some of these forums and chatrooms, that supposedly believe pretty much what I believe doctrinally, and yet refuse to listen to the judgment to come and the problems lying ahead. Apparently, what I report on is just “fearmongering” to some. I mean, I’ve had brethren claim that I am “scaring them” for warning about the obvious dominoes that are and will continue to fall. How sad – but some people just want to live their own little echo chambers disillusioned from life and reality.

But I am being as serious as a shark attack when I say this: enjoy this Christmas and holiday season while it lasts: make merry, enjoy it, savor it, bottle it up and save it; because this will probably one of if not the last genuine ones we have, at least for a while.

Ladies and germs, after tons of research and analysis of events happening in the world across multiple sectors, studying of the scriptures, and prayers and meditation with the Lord; I regret to inform you that 2024 is going to be another very rough and painful year. I said this of 2023, and it of course lived up to that; but, there is no question in my mind that 2024 is going to be full of a number calamities.

I will not delve too much into this now, as I do plan to discuss more of this moving into next year, but the America and the Western world and allies have reached an impasse point, and things are going to get really hairy really fast. If you thought these last several years were taxing, then you best get your body, soul, and spirit in check; for I do firmly believe 2024 will be one of lots of sorrow, distress, and anxiety for a myriad of reasons; and the next phases to teardown the current system will be put into action. But in short, most of what I wrote of in my report “Are You Awake? Are You Ready For What’s Coming? Do You Loathe The Honeycomb??,” I do feel we are finally going to really see some of that come to pass; (which I recommend rereading). 2022 was the calm before the storm I feel, and in 2023 the winds really started to pick up. Now the question is, will 2024 be when the vortex hits the shores, or is it another year of building even stronger torrents…? We’ll find out soon enough.

I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

1 Corinthians 4:14

I shall leave it there for now. For now, as I said, have some merriment as we close out this year. Enjoy this time, if you can, with your family, friends, and neighbors. If you can’t and are alone, or you don’t care at all about Christmas and other festivities, then spend your time in prayers and fasting, and reading scripture and singing hymns; or perhaps do something nice for your neighbor and someone you’ve never met; or give something to someone (who is a not a slothful, communistic bottom feeder); as the scriptures say: “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Or, better yet, go out and witness for Jesus Christ: hand out tracts, give King James Bibles, and so forth; for the people are temporarily more receptive to humoring you than they normally would be.

To all that read: Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Mele Kalikimaka, God Jul, Joyeux Noël, Vrolijk Kerstfeest, Frohe Weihnachten, счастливого Рождества, חג מולד שמח, メリークリスマス, Buon Natale.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Philemon 25

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[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).

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