 When I thought about Jesus' humble birth this Christmas, He reminded me of how He told His followers why He came.
In John 3:16 he told Nicodemus (and us), "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." In John 10:10, Jesus confronted the religious leaders with these words: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." In Matthew 5:17-18, Jesus spoke these words to His followers: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." He spoke to John (and to us) in Revelation 3:20, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Think About It God loves each of us with an amazing and everlasting love. Will you respond by accepting His love? You may think that His ways are difficult, but they are the path that leads to peace and hope and eternity with Him. Pray About It Thank you, Father God, for sending Your gift of love in the person of Jesus. Thank you for Your faithfulness and mercy. Thank you for always being with us. Teach us to be more like Jesus. Amen.
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 What happened in Newtown, Connecticut made me question why such terror happens. People often ask why a loving God would allow it. I cannot give God the credit. No, this utter evil is evidence that Satan lives in some people. If they have rejected God, they give Satan full access to their lives.
Murder begins in the heart. "You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, 'Do not murder,' and whoever murders will be subject to judgment," Jesus said. "But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" (Matt. 5:21-22). We cannot avoid the pain some people cause by things they say or do to us, but we can control how we respond. It is better if we can forgive our offenders and make every effort to reconcile (restore the relationship to what it was before the painful incident), and show love to the person. If we hang on to the anger and store it away in our hearts, it can become an ugly thing inside us. Then other sins stack on top of it. For example, many of the Jews hated Jesus. The things He said made them angry and they became jealous of His popularity. Their anger turned to hate and they began to look for ways to kill Jesus. It is strange that these Jews were religious leaders. They studied God's law, but they were ready to sin to get rid of Jesus. That's what they thought they accomplished on the cross. Thanks be to God, He rose from the grave, pushed away the stone and more than five hundred witnesses saw Him and talked to Him before He ascended into Heaven. Jesus overcame sin, death and Satan. Think About It The children who died at the hands of a very evil man are in Heaven with Jesus today. But their families' hearts are broken (mine too). Don't let your anger get out of control so that you sin and hurt others. Forgive people who mistreat you and ask Jesus to help you. He said He would always be with us. We are never alone. Pray About It Thank you, Father God, for showing us a way out of sin. Help us the next time we are angry to know You are with us. Teach us Your ways and show us your paths. O Lord, comfort the families of those lost in Newtown. Show them your amazing love and compassion. In Jesus' name, Amen.  Christmas is a time to believe, a time to love and share. Many people say they don't believe in God or in Santa or Christmas. Are you kidding me? Who can hold a newborn baby or experience a miracle and not believe in a God who loves and cares about them? What kid doesn't get excited about the tinsel and ribbon under the tree?
Last week I helped second graders with their Christmas shopping in the school store. Several times before the children entered the room with the tables of merchandise, teachers admonished, "This is the time to shop for people in your family, not for yourself." One by one as the kids filled their bags, I led them to a table in the lunch room where we waited for the last minute shoppers to finish. One little boy played with a toy he purchased. "Whose that for?" I asked. "Me," he said. "You weren't supposed to shop for yourself," I replied. "I know." He smiled. How many of us are guilty of buying for ourselves while we shop for Christmas? I have to confess I am as guilty as the little boy. Yet, I find more joy in wrapping gifts for others, than in satisfaction of buying things for myself. Think About It Jesus said, "It is more joyful to give than to receive." Although it is challenging, it is a lesson worth learning. There is a pair of fur lined shoes I'd like to have, but this year, I choose not to think about them. When I see their picture in ads, I delete them off my e-mail, and switch my thinking to others and what I can do for them. Pray About It Father God, I want to be more like Jesus, but it's hard this time of year. I see a lot of things I want when I go shopping. Help me to be content with what I have and find things to give others, even if it's a smile or a hug. Amen.  What is your favorite part of the Christmas story? Mine is the angels. The last time angels appeared before the Christmas story was during the time of Daniel when someone like the Son of God stood with Shadrack, Meshack and Abednigo in the fiery furnace. That was seven hundred years before Christ.
So when the angel came to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist, do you think he was surprised? Do you think he was afraid? I think he was both. I think he must have blinked his eyes to make sure he wasn't imagining things. Maybe he scratched his head to believe what he saw and heard. I have wondered what it was like for Mary when the angel spoke to her. Even though she must have been afraid, she believed and said, "I am the Lord's servant." This was after the angel said she would give birth to the Son of God. She wasn't married yet. All I can say is, "Wow!" An angel came to visit Joseph too, and a host of angels came to the shepherds in the fields, telling them about a newborn King in the town of Bethlehem. This was a special time in God's plan. He loved us so much He sent His only Son to earth to take on flesh like us. The event was so special God surrounded it with angels. That's why I like angels. They remind me God is near. Think About It Jesus shared His first coming with the angels. Heaven came down to earth and changed everything. No one in the history of mankind changed the world more than Jesus. He taught us how to live for God and died to take away our sin so we could live with Him forever. In response to God's amazing love, I want to tell others the truth--the truth that will set them free to live for God. What about you? How has God's love impacted your life? Pray About It Thank you, Father God, for your love that sent Jesus to show us the way to live and provide a way for us to be with you for eternity. Teach us you ways. Show us your paths. Amen. |
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