Just Another Day?

How quickly the day passes. In spite of all the preparation and all the decoration, Christmas has no more hours in its day than any other day of the year. It is fleeting, transient and momentary. It may be that the decoration are up for a month or so, the packages circle the tree with festive gift wrap and candy, cookies, and other goodies are prepared for with tender loving care. But it goes by just as fast. No slowing down time for this day.

Every day passes so quickly.  Even the best of days melts into ordinary life. We want the best days to go on forever. We want Christmas to last – savoring each joy of packages opened and all the laughter and fun.  We want marriage to last, children to stay young, parents to remain with us and sickness to stay away. Yet each day has its own set of problems. We wake up each morning and don’t know what the day will be like. We could be facing a red letter day or it could be a white flag day. We don’t get to know ahead of time all the things we will go through in our days. But if we did, could we prepare? Would we do things differently? Would we savor the good days and wish they’d never end?

If you are experiencing red letter days, then precious one, enjoy them to the fullest. If you can only find red letter moments in a day, then by all means rejoice in them. Every day is a gift for you, and the good days are especially important to enjoy, to remember and to give thanks for.

If you are experiencing white flag days, then precious one, know that white flag days don’t last forever. There is an end to every struggle, every trial and every problem.  Hardships don’t last forever and neither do hard days, hard weeks or hard times. If you are there, then hold onto God and let Him make you an overcomer through it all.

Aren’t we blessed to know that the same Jesus who was named Immanuel, God is with us, remains with you and I all through the years. Every day is made special by His presence. Every day is a teachable day because God is with us. Every day is worth enjoying because God created it and allowed us to be participants in these 24 hours.  Don’t fret over the day not lasting, rather rejoice over the day having been here.

Give each day your very best attention. Put Christ first, give Him the authority to run your schedule, set your time clock and work your hours.  Rejoice in each and every one of the days you have. Forgive everything that crosses your path. Drop everything that seeks to make your days less than wonderful. You cannot make a day better by concentrating only on the hardness or the pain. This day, just like Christmas, will never come again. There may be other Christmases, there may not. But this day is the day you have and it’s yours to give God the glory and live in the light of His Word.

Oh beloved, thank the Lord for your day. Thank Him for the opportunities He is going to allow you to have. Those opportunities may seem minor to you, but a kind word, a forgiving heart, and a helping hand are marvelous things in the grasp of the Holy Spirit. God knows your days get all jumbled together and He is personally acquainted with all the troubles, rejections, humiliations, problems and fears that you are facing. But because of Christ and His unspeakable gift, you can go through each day with purpose and faith. Don’t focus solely on the problems, but focus instead on the Word of God. You are His blessing to the world and there are wonderful delights awaiting you on this day. It’s not just the day after Christmas, it’s the first day of the rest of your life! Enjoy, receive, remain and give thanks!

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s why you can savor the minutes and the hours of this day and live it for Him. That’s a day with no regrets, living in the light of His glory and grace.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.

Hebrews 13:15-16  Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

James 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Matthew 6:34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Psalm 145:2 Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Merry Christmas Beloved!

Merry Christmas! Such precious words. Such a miracle message. Such a joy and delight. Christmas. How very blessed we are to be able to celebrate a holiday with the One who has given us life and breath and opportunities.  This babe in a manger is no fictitious childhood story that must eventually be outgrown and put away.  His glory does not tarnish. His value does not lessen. He remains the same yesterday, today and forever.  While much about the holidays celebrated is so much pomp and circumstance, storybook adventures and wives’ tales, this message is eternal. This King of Kings is faithful and true.

You may be thinking as you rise early this morning that you left something out of your plans. You forgot a gift, you didn’t remember the cranberries, you don’t have enough cola or punch.  You may be wishing you could undo an error, repair a rejection, restore a friendship or regain a trust.  You may be missing a loved one, longing for a kind touch or wishing you could do things differently.  You might wonder if it will ever be perfect, if the gifts will fit or if anyone will care.  Right about now you may be coming face to face with the fact that you’re not perfect, people aren’t perfect and life is not perfect.

Look beyond all that. Look once more at the manger, the cross, the tomb and the sky. The Light of the World has arrived! The Savior of the nations has been here! The tomb where all your mistakes, mishaps and missteps have been laid to rest is empty! And the sky, where your hope of glory awaits is full of promise, full of mercy, full of grace. Keep watching the horizon, keep searching for His return for He is coming again!

Oh beloved, Jesus is the reason for the season to be sure. But it’s more than that!  He’s the reason you live and move and have your being. You are no accident, this day is not an error and your life is no mistake. You are waking up to the most wonderful day of your year. You are alive and you are capable of taking in His Truth and living out His purpose.  Rejoice in all you are In Him! He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Prince of your peace, the Counselor with all your answers and the Majestic One Who is praying for you day and night at the Father’s Right Hand.

Quickly, before others get up and the day gets covered in wrapping paper, ribbons and too much food. Slip into the Father’s waiting arms and read His book of love! Every wonderful Truth is your gift from Him to you.  He is everything He says He is. He does everything He says He will do. Open all the gifts, don’t leave one unopened. Rest in His care, delight in His presence, grow in His grace, feast on His manna and walk in His anointing.

Merry Christmas beloved of God. True happiness is found in Him. Overcoming life is met in Him. Purpose and victory, honor and commitment are abounding through Him. He loves you and He’s for you and those gifts cannot be taken from you  all the days of your life.

Colossians 2:9-10 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Ephesians 1:6-8  So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.  He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

1 Corinthians 1:7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Habakkuk 3:18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and He has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and He is eternal life.

Go Ahead! Pick Every Ornament from the Lord's Tree!

Our littlest granddaughter loves to pick ornaments from our tree. She will stand and look and fidget and talk and then plop one has been taken in her sweet little hands. Of course this gets a rash of no no’s and don’t do that’s! To which she responds in her baby talk “but I want that!” Sometimes we miss the picking and find an ornament in the kitchen floor or behind a chair later when she’s gone. Just like all children, she loves the shiny baubles and unusual delights hanging. We have lots of lights on our tree as well so all the ornaments shine.

While we like our trees to be merry and bright representations of Christmas in our hearts, we really like the tree to stay full of the things we put on its boughs. Imagine people coming into our homes and going to the tree to pick an ornament and take it with them. Why we’d have nothing left. Our tree would be bare. The things we cherish the most would be gone.

Jesus is the Light and Savior of the world. He came and filled the tree of our lives full of wonderful things. Priceless treasures we can’t hope to have in our own meager means. Each facet of His life holds wonder and awe. From the cross to the grave to heaven – He made the choice to give Himself away so that we could have it all. And now He daily presents those things to us as ornaments hang on the tree.

But the difference is, He says go ahead pick. Choose each ornament. Take it home with you. Live with it. Display it. Shine it. Wear it. But not just on your sweater, wear it in y our heart. Everything God has for us is an object of the heart, for our good and for His glory. It shines, oh how it shines – each and every gifted ornament that’s supposed to be worn by a believer.

What do we see on the tree of life that Jesus has decorated so beautifully? We see Salvation – choose it first, for unless you have that, the other ornaments won’t even budge from the limbs. Choose reconciliation. That’s one of the most beautiful ornaments of the Christian – for it reconciles us to God and it reconciles us with others. Sanctification is another lovely jewel – we must pick it for that’s our key to becoming heavenly minded. Then there are the other wonders of the life in Christ: love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and more. There is mercy and forgiveness and righteousness as well! There is purpose – and oh how we all long to live a life of purpose.

No child of God ever has to live in want of any of the beautiful things God has. Even when life around you seems sorrowful, weary or lackluster, the ornaments of the Christian life will warm your heart and keep your mind on Him no matter what.

Oh beloved, go ahead! Run and pick every ornament God has from His tree of life! It’s all yours for the taking. No holding back. No waiting in line. No wondering if you’ll be scolded. Everything is freely given and never runs out.   Open up God’s book of love and see what all He has waiting for you, just for the taking to the heart that belongs fully to Him. While sorrow, sadness and pain can be a huge part of the holiday season, Christ is the reason for Christmas and Christmas can be enjoyed fully with awe and wonder as we look to the One Who loves us unconditionally and watches over us with uninterrupted care.

Jesus desires that your arms and heart are full of His wonder and His joy as you live in the light of His Word.

Romans 6:23b …the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption…

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

It's Time for the Party! Jesus is the Reason!

It’s Christmas Eve. There’s still time you know. It’s not over yet. In just 48 hours it will all be over. Christmas will be a thing of the past. But for now, in the hush of early morning, there’s time.

When our kids were young and had birthday parties we didn’t have a single party without them. They were, after all, the reason for the celebration.  A sweet confection with their name on it, candles aglow, and even gifts were made ready.  But without the presence of the birthday boy or girl it wouldn’t be much of a birthday party.   Without Christ there can’t be a Christmas. He is the reason for the Season! You just can’t have Christmas without Christ! Try as the world would like to snuff out the star, dismantle the stable, rearrange the cross, not find the tomb empty, He is there! He is here! He is the Christ, the Son of the living God! He is the Savior of the world!  He is the reason we have this special day!

Oh beloved, God wants to speak to your heart today. He wants you to know that you are special! That you are worth it! That you are His alone and you are beloved! Maybe your day started out without thinking about Him, but He’s been thinking about you for eternity!  He knows your hurts, He knows your hopes.  He knows your dreams and your hearts’ desires.  He knows today could be looking pretty empty, but with Him….with Him at the center of your celebration all things will turn out right.  

He promises to be the Light for your dark places. He will cover you with the oil of joy for the spirit of heaviness. His loving care is the reason for the Season. His blessings abound for those who celebrate Him now while there’s time.  He promises to turn your mourning into dancing. He walks with you through the valleys of life. He calls you a conqueror! He says your victorious! He says “Behold, I make all things new!” 

He whispers to your heart while it’s still early, I love you! I loved you before you were born, I love you now, I will love you always. And because I love you, together we will not only get through this holiday, we’ll make it Holy! Because I love you I will be with you all the days of your life! Because you are worth it and that’s all that really matters.

Hebrews 12:2  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  NAS

Mark 10:27  Looking at them, Jesus said, “ With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” NAS

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.

Romans 8:32 Since He did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?

Colossians 2:9-10  For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.  So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Psalm 36:5-7 Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths.  You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

Let Christ Make Your Christmas Full of His Joy!

The Christmas holiday is approaching. It’s time to get the tree up and start putting packages underneath the boughs. When we were first married, Danny and I would go out to the woods to pick out a tree. It would end up in an argument because well…I always wanted a huge tree and he always said it wouldn’t fit! He was right of course. My eyes were always bigger than the space we had. Tree hunting was always one of my favorite activities. Many memories are of trees that had to be trimmed to get into the trunk of the car, then trimmed to get in the house and then trimmed one more time to have room to stand it up! With our new open floor plan there is no limit to where we can place the tree because it can be seen anywhere. 

To prep the house for the holidays we have to get out the ornaments and the yard lights and the tinsel and glitter. There are the nativities we scatter around the house and the santas and the angels. There will be stockings and Christmas towels and more. 

But in order to fully enjoy the holidays and prep our hearts, there are things we must put away as well. Who wants to see a bag of resentment hanging from the ceiling? Does anyone need a sock full of malice hanging at the fireplace mantel? Why would we want Santa’s bag to be full of quarrels and unforgiveness? Pack away those things that dishonor others, discard spitefulness and hurtful ways. While I’m cleaning out my cabinets and dusting the furniture, I also want to spend time cleaning out my heart and making room for the Babe in the Manger, the Crucified Christ, the Resurrected Lord.

Glitter will not make you happy, contented, or satisfied. It may help to cover up the truth, but in the end it’s just plastic. But giving your heart fresh and new to Christ and putting away those things that grieve the Holy Spirit will cause even the barest of lives to shine as pure gold. 

Oh beloved, I know it can be hard to celebrate the Season of Seasons when even within your own family there may be discord, anger, lying or more. You may be even suffering at the hands of one who is unhappy, unholy and unrepentant. You may be dealing with these issues in your own heart. But celebrate you must for God Himself is calling you to celebrate Him! He says to you this morning, My Peace is yours for I AM the Prince of Peace! My Joy is Yours for in My Presence is Fullness of Joy! My Victory is yours for I AM Victorious on your behalf. As you celebrate Me and all that I AM you will learn to celebrate all that you are In Me! Others may try to tear down your peace and joy but they cannot as long as you put your hands in Mine and keep your heart focused on Me. I AM your answer to sorrow, anger, resentment, and more.  I AM the one who will teach you to be useful, helpful, tender hearted and forgiving for I have forgiven you freely. Put those other things away and concentrate on Me! Together we will trim the tree, spread the joy and be a shining example of My Love!  Always remember, I love you and I AM your strongest ally. I will take care of the things that hurt you, the things that dishonor you and the things you cannot fix. I AM that I AM – and I AM yours and you are Mine!

Matthew 26:52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished (put away) from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).  And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of Your presence
and the pleasures of living with You forever.

How Many Kings?

Follow the star to a place unexpected

Would you believe, after all we've projected,

A child in a manger?

Lowly and small, the weakest of all

Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl -

Just a child -

Is this who we've waited for?

'cause...

How many kings step down from their thrones?

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

And how many gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that is torn all apart

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior

All that we have, whether costly or meek

Because we believe.

Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure

And myrrh for the cross he will suffer.

Do you believe?

Is this who we've waited for?

All for me...

All for you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulY2KPmpMwk