Yesterday marked the beginning of the 2011 Advent season. As we step into this time of year, many of us are filled with thoughts wondering what to get each person on our Christmas lists. There are children and parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, coworkers and aquaintances. The list goes on and on.
Last week, as I prepared my Sunday School lesson, the question that rolled around in my mind was one that struck me in a profound sort of way and is still on my mind. What will I do for Jesus this Christmas season? We are-in fact-celebrating His birthday. His gift should be the one to be most concerned with. Thinking on this question, I look at myself and think about what I have to offer Him. He has given me abundant life and promises too numerous to mention here in a few words. Anything I can think of seems to come up short. However, as I search my heart and pray for guidance, I trust He will help me to know what it is I should give Him.
Have you considered this question before? Maybe, this question is one you focus on each year. If not, maybe you would like to think about it. In the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season, let's not forget the wonderful, blessed gift of Jesus we have all been given. May we remember the true meaning of this holiday is not gifts, but the giving of life from our Savior, Jesus Christ to each and every person who will call on His name to be saved (John 3:16-17).
So my question for you is this: what will you give (or do for) Jesus this Christmas?
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Powerful Praise
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." James 1:2 NASB
What trials are you facing today? Have you thanked the Lord for them? James admonishes us to consider it all joy when trials and hardships come along. Something from this passage of Scripture that leaped squarely off the page into my focus, and rested on my heart was the word when. James doesn't say if-he says when. Dear friend, trials will come. If you haven't encountered them yet then God bless you, however they will undoubtedly come to us all in one form or another. Likewise, for those of us who have and are encountering them now, how are we handling them?
Acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives and laying it all down before Him, that is the greatest gift we can give Him. Tough times are around us everywhere. I don't think I know of anyone who is not encountering some kind of trial at this time. Each one is very different. Each person deals with their "stuff" differently. However, don't judge a book by its cover. Realize that some are more private than others and do not want to share it. Yet, for the most part, we all struggle or have challenges of some kind.
Can you praise Him anyway? Can you lift your hands, right now wherever you are and thank God for all the things in your life, good and bad? Will you trust Him to "never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5) and to be with you wherever you go? Relying on Him and going through trials will test our faith and produce endurance.
Here we have another promise. When our faith is tested it produces endurance. In order to run a marathon, we must have endurance. Like a marathon, this life on earth we have been given to live takes endurance. It is riddled with times of testing. How we go through it is what matters. Are we going to allow it to make us bitter or better? The choice is one each of us make, each and every time we come up against some kind of trial.
Let's commit to raising our hands and falling on our knees praising God through the storm, until we see the sun break through. He loves you so much. He knows every part of you, even to the hairs on your head. Trust Him. Have faith in Him. Give Him all of you.
Dear heavenly and gracious Father,
Lord, thank You for Your promises. Thank You for always being with me and guiding me through every day. Help me to trust in You more and more each day. I pray for Your guidance, wisdom and discernment as I face trials. Help me Lord, to look to You, lean on Your Word, and praise You in the midst of all that happens.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
What trials are you facing today? Have you thanked the Lord for them? James admonishes us to consider it all joy when trials and hardships come along. Something from this passage of Scripture that leaped squarely off the page into my focus, and rested on my heart was the word when. James doesn't say if-he says when. Dear friend, trials will come. If you haven't encountered them yet then God bless you, however they will undoubtedly come to us all in one form or another. Likewise, for those of us who have and are encountering them now, how are we handling them?
Acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives and laying it all down before Him, that is the greatest gift we can give Him. Tough times are around us everywhere. I don't think I know of anyone who is not encountering some kind of trial at this time. Each one is very different. Each person deals with their "stuff" differently. However, don't judge a book by its cover. Realize that some are more private than others and do not want to share it. Yet, for the most part, we all struggle or have challenges of some kind.
Can you praise Him anyway? Can you lift your hands, right now wherever you are and thank God for all the things in your life, good and bad? Will you trust Him to "never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5) and to be with you wherever you go? Relying on Him and going through trials will test our faith and produce endurance.
Here we have another promise. When our faith is tested it produces endurance. In order to run a marathon, we must have endurance. Like a marathon, this life on earth we have been given to live takes endurance. It is riddled with times of testing. How we go through it is what matters. Are we going to allow it to make us bitter or better? The choice is one each of us make, each and every time we come up against some kind of trial.
Let's commit to raising our hands and falling on our knees praising God through the storm, until we see the sun break through. He loves you so much. He knows every part of you, even to the hairs on your head. Trust Him. Have faith in Him. Give Him all of you.
Dear heavenly and gracious Father,
Lord, thank You for Your promises. Thank You for always being with me and guiding me through every day. Help me to trust in You more and more each day. I pray for Your guidance, wisdom and discernment as I face trials. Help me Lord, to look to You, lean on Your Word, and praise You in the midst of all that happens.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Spiritual Checkup
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 NKJV
Have you taken the time lately to analyze your relationship with Jesus? Whether or not you have, there is no time like the present to get alone with the Lord and your Bible, prayerfully reading the Scriptures to examine yourself. We have the wonderful privilege of a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe, thanks to Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation at the cross.
On a scale of 1-10, how important is that relationship—one being not important at all, ten being the most important relationship in your life? We have promise upon promise to hold on to, with words of encouragement for the darkest of days. Joy and peace {just to name two} are gifts waiting for us; ready to be opened.
It amazes me how we can become so absorbed in family, life, church work, volunteering, our jobs and hobbies leaving our relationship with Him until last. Our focus can be shifted so He comes first then the rest comes after. The better we know Him, the more trust and faith we will have in Him.
Bad things sometimes happen in our lives and we want someone to blame. Sometimes we blame God. Yet, when bad things do happen, we are given an opportunity to ask God what He wants us to learn from that particular trial. Growth is never easy. Just ask a teenage whose legs are aching from the growth in their bones. We have a Savior who is with us always and who loves us with a love that is greater than we can begin to understand. That is the hope we have in Him.
Isn’t it exciting to know He cares? He loves you beyond your wildest dreams dear one. Let the truth of the Scripture soak into your soul and may you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let's pray together,
Heavenly Father, thank you Lord, for Your amazing grace that meets us fresh and new each and every morning. May we not take it for granted, not even for one minute. Lord, speak to us through the powerful Words of the Bible. We long to know You more. Help us to know You better and to trust You more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have you taken the time lately to analyze your relationship with Jesus? Whether or not you have, there is no time like the present to get alone with the Lord and your Bible, prayerfully reading the Scriptures to examine yourself. We have the wonderful privilege of a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe, thanks to Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation at the cross.
On a scale of 1-10, how important is that relationship—one being not important at all, ten being the most important relationship in your life? We have promise upon promise to hold on to, with words of encouragement for the darkest of days. Joy and peace {just to name two} are gifts waiting for us; ready to be opened.
It amazes me how we can become so absorbed in family, life, church work, volunteering, our jobs and hobbies leaving our relationship with Him until last. Our focus can be shifted so He comes first then the rest comes after. The better we know Him, the more trust and faith we will have in Him.
Bad things sometimes happen in our lives and we want someone to blame. Sometimes we blame God. Yet, when bad things do happen, we are given an opportunity to ask God what He wants us to learn from that particular trial. Growth is never easy. Just ask a teenage whose legs are aching from the growth in their bones. We have a Savior who is with us always and who loves us with a love that is greater than we can begin to understand. That is the hope we have in Him.
Isn’t it exciting to know He cares? He loves you beyond your wildest dreams dear one. Let the truth of the Scripture soak into your soul and may you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let's pray together,
Heavenly Father, thank you Lord, for Your amazing grace that meets us fresh and new each and every morning. May we not take it for granted, not even for one minute. Lord, speak to us through the powerful Words of the Bible. We long to know You more. Help us to know You better and to trust You more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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