Today is the day after Christmas. All the hype that has been happening is
over. The gifts have been unwrapped. There have been some disappointments
and some grand surprises. There have been family gatherings, and there has
been loneliness. There are those who wish the Christmas season didn't have
to end and others who are glad it is over.
But in the midst of all the festivities, did you remember to give a gift
to your beloved Savior?
At any rate, Christmas day is gone for another year and our focus is now
on the New Year. People are making plans for parties and thinking on
resolutions. Why do we even try to make resolutions? They never seem to
last very long, at least mine never did. That is one reason I don't even
bother. That way, when whatever I resolve to do doesn't work out, I don't feel
so defeated.
However, there is one resolution that I make every New Years Eve. It is one
I have yet to fail at, and that is to make a resolution to my God to get to
know Him better. You see, when God sees a heart that is willing to be open
to Him, He empowers you to fulfill that resolution.
As the year comes to a close, let's take this week to reflect on where we
have been and where we would like to go. We may not be where we want to be
but at least we're not where we used to be.
May you all have a blessed, prosperous New Year!
Happy New Year 2012!
Monday, December 26, 2011
On to the New Year
Monday, December 19, 2011
The Christmas Season
Wishing all our friends a blessed, merry Christmas! May this season be filled with love, joy, hope, and peace to you and your families. And may the fruit of the season be carried in your hearts and lives throughout the coming year.
Christmas is becoming one of those political holidays. People debate about it not being the day Christ was born, or that it is based on a pagan holiday or it has become too commercialized and is all about money and gifts. Christmas is what you make it. It is a day that has been set aside to honor the birth of our Savior. How you chose to celebrate it is up to you. You don't have to buy into all the gift giving and spending. Why would you allow the world to dictate how you celebrate?
This year we have chosen to decorate minimally, just enough to remind me of what Christmas is really all about. We are not exchanging gifts. We are focusing on our greatest gift, salvation. The gifts we will give to our friends and family is the gift of love and the gift of time. Love is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Our time, I believe, is the second greatest. You see, time can never be replaced. So the time we spend with others is priceless.
Why not consider taking a little bit of your time, even an hour, and visit the shut-ins in the nursing homes who have no visitors. Or the sick in the hospitals and give them the gift of hope. Or help at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen to those less fortunate? Or invite the widow across the street that is all alone to join you for dinner? These are the gifts that touch people's lives forever, not the watch that you bought for Aunt Sue or the shirt for Uncle Bob.
While we are on gift giving, why not consider giving a gift to Jesus also. After all, its His birthday we are celebrating. Give Him your life, spend time with Him, get to really know Him. These are the greatest gifts we can give our Savior. These are the gifts He desires.
However you chose to celebrate Christmas, may the blessings of God be added to you.
Merry Christmas!
Christmas is becoming one of those political holidays. People debate about it not being the day Christ was born, or that it is based on a pagan holiday or it has become too commercialized and is all about money and gifts. Christmas is what you make it. It is a day that has been set aside to honor the birth of our Savior. How you chose to celebrate it is up to you. You don't have to buy into all the gift giving and spending. Why would you allow the world to dictate how you celebrate?
This year we have chosen to decorate minimally, just enough to remind me of what Christmas is really all about. We are not exchanging gifts. We are focusing on our greatest gift, salvation. The gifts we will give to our friends and family is the gift of love and the gift of time. Love is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Our time, I believe, is the second greatest. You see, time can never be replaced. So the time we spend with others is priceless.
Why not consider taking a little bit of your time, even an hour, and visit the shut-ins in the nursing homes who have no visitors. Or the sick in the hospitals and give them the gift of hope. Or help at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen to those less fortunate? Or invite the widow across the street that is all alone to join you for dinner? These are the gifts that touch people's lives forever, not the watch that you bought for Aunt Sue or the shirt for Uncle Bob.
While we are on gift giving, why not consider giving a gift to Jesus also. After all, its His birthday we are celebrating. Give Him your life, spend time with Him, get to really know Him. These are the greatest gifts we can give our Savior. These are the gifts He desires.
However you chose to celebrate Christmas, may the blessings of God be added to you.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Challenge your Mouth
Our words are powerful. Think about it. God spoke and it was. In Genesis 1:3
“And God said, Let there be light; and there was light.” In John 1:1 “In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.” Just these two verses tell us how powerful words are.
As children of God, our words are no less powerful. Look at Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits”. Imagine that! Our tongue contains the power of life and death!
Have you ever said something to someone only to see the look of hurt on their face and wish you could take those words back? Have you ever told someone you would do something but never followed through? Of course you have, we all have. Think about the times words were spoken to you and they cut into your heart. Or the times someone promised you something only to let you down. This is the power of words.
It is our responsibility to be aware of what comes from our lips. Someone hears every word we speak. What you say can tarnish your witness, your character. As someone once said, we need to say what we mean and mean what we say. We need to think of what is going to come out of mouths. And let me tell you first hand, that is not as easy as it sounds.
So what do we do? As with everything else, we need to begin with prayer. We need to ask God to remind us to think before we speak. Even Jesus, the Son of God, did nothing but what He heard from the Father. If we call ourselves Christians, and God dwells in us, should we do any less than Jesus did?
Secondly, practice, practice, practice. What are we practicing? The art of thinking and speaking good, uplifting words. And yes, this means to everyone, even those you don't particularly like. If we think on things that are good, holy, pure, lovely, they will overflow out of mouths. Go on, I challenge you to try it for one day.
“And God said, Let there be light; and there was light.” In John 1:1 “In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.” Just these two verses tell us how powerful words are.
As children of God, our words are no less powerful. Look at Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits”. Imagine that! Our tongue contains the power of life and death!
Have you ever said something to someone only to see the look of hurt on their face and wish you could take those words back? Have you ever told someone you would do something but never followed through? Of course you have, we all have. Think about the times words were spoken to you and they cut into your heart. Or the times someone promised you something only to let you down. This is the power of words.
It is our responsibility to be aware of what comes from our lips. Someone hears every word we speak. What you say can tarnish your witness, your character. As someone once said, we need to say what we mean and mean what we say. We need to think of what is going to come out of mouths. And let me tell you first hand, that is not as easy as it sounds.
So what do we do? As with everything else, we need to begin with prayer. We need to ask God to remind us to think before we speak. Even Jesus, the Son of God, did nothing but what He heard from the Father. If we call ourselves Christians, and God dwells in us, should we do any less than Jesus did?
Secondly, practice, practice, practice. What are we practicing? The art of thinking and speaking good, uplifting words. And yes, this means to everyone, even those you don't particularly like. If we think on things that are good, holy, pure, lovely, they will overflow out of mouths. Go on, I challenge you to try it for one day.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Do You Want to Play a Game?
The other day I was sitting at my computer playing one of those games where you shoot the colored balls at like colors to make them disappear. I have to admit I was feeling proud that I was already at level 5. Then, on level 6, I made a few stupid mistakes and lost. I remember thinking to myself that is what happens when you get cocky. But Not to worry, I will just start again. At that point, God chose to chime in and said that is exactly what happens in our spiritual life, too. Now I don't know about you, but God has this way of taking my everyday situations and using them to show me valuable insights. This was one of those times.
Here I was, slowing chipping away at this big block. And I might add, being very successful. But then I messed up, not really paying attention to the screen and keeping up with the colors. Bam! “Game Over” pops up on the screen, then “Replay?” Of course I want to replay! I want to win this game.
Now God steps into my game. Our life is like that big block and both God and the enemy are constantly chipping away at it. God wants to destroy those blocks in our life that hinder our relationship with Him. As the larger block becomes smaller, the obstacles in our sight become less. Once all the blocks are gone, we can move on to the next level. Of course the next level is more difficult, but we bring with us the strategies that helped us destroy those blocks in the previous level.
However, we have a tendency to get boastful and think we can do this without much thought. That is where the enemy slips in. Instead of destroying that block, it starts to become larger and more difficult. The larger it becomes, the more defeated we begin to feel. You see, the enemy wants to keep adding blocks so that our focus is on how large that block is and not on God. Them BAM! We get knocked down but in this scenario, we don't lose. We just get to replay.
No matter how successful we are at defeating obstacles in our life, we must never think we can continue being successful without God. Pride will do us in and we will not be able to advance in our relationship with our Father until we once again realize we can do nothing without Him.
God is with us always, even when we are playing computer games. Remember, the next time you think you are just relaxing and playing, God can take that game and turn into a life lesson.
Here I was, slowing chipping away at this big block. And I might add, being very successful. But then I messed up, not really paying attention to the screen and keeping up with the colors. Bam! “Game Over” pops up on the screen, then “Replay?” Of course I want to replay! I want to win this game.
Now God steps into my game. Our life is like that big block and both God and the enemy are constantly chipping away at it. God wants to destroy those blocks in our life that hinder our relationship with Him. As the larger block becomes smaller, the obstacles in our sight become less. Once all the blocks are gone, we can move on to the next level. Of course the next level is more difficult, but we bring with us the strategies that helped us destroy those blocks in the previous level.
However, we have a tendency to get boastful and think we can do this without much thought. That is where the enemy slips in. Instead of destroying that block, it starts to become larger and more difficult. The larger it becomes, the more defeated we begin to feel. You see, the enemy wants to keep adding blocks so that our focus is on how large that block is and not on God. Them BAM! We get knocked down but in this scenario, we don't lose. We just get to replay.
No matter how successful we are at defeating obstacles in our life, we must never think we can continue being successful without God. Pride will do us in and we will not be able to advance in our relationship with our Father until we once again realize we can do nothing without Him.
God is with us always, even when we are playing computer games. Remember, the next time you think you are just relaxing and playing, God can take that game and turn into a life lesson.
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