Need a Good Reason to Celebrate Christmas?

A friend from Northwest Arkansas posted a little video of her boys, ages 6 and 3. She asked them what Christmas was all about.  They got very animated and said toys, gifts, fun!  Off camera you could hear her saying “and it’s Jesus’ birthday”.  They got wide eyed and whispered “Jesus birthday?”  and then they both said, “Happy Birthday Jesus!” They just smiled at each other and you could tell they liked the idea that it was a birthday.  The reason for the Season is easily lost in all the hubbub and celebration of the stuff we get, the places we go and the food we enjoy.  

But the truth about Jesus is all around us during this time of year.  There are the ornaments on the tree. Full of crosses and angels, along with stars atop shining brightly for the world to see.  There are the gift exchanges, signifying the giving of gifts by the Magi to the Christ child.  The evergreen tree reminding us that Jesus is the eternal, everlasting God. 

I saw a sign that I really liked and I think it says it all.  “Jesus is Not Just the Reason for the Season – He’s the Reason for Everything”.  Think about it. He’s the reason we live and move and have our being. We’re not here by accident but by divine decision. He’s the gift that keeps on giving. We receive Christ as our Savior, but that’s not the end of it. He continues to give us a reason to live every single day of our life, no matter what. And if God allows us another day on this earth, it is there to glorify the one who gives us breath.

We look for fulfillment probably more at Christmas than any other time. And yet, more people are sad and lonely and depressed at this time of year than any other. If Jesus is the Reason for the Season, then surely there must be more than this. It must be more than the gifts under the tree, the fellowship among friends, the hugs of family and the expenses incurred. It surely is more than the sorrow we’ve had, the sickness we’ve been through and the rejection, the pain, the loss and the questions that we are going through.

Look beyond the star and into the manger. Behold the Lamb of God! Behold the Christ who came to be all you will ever need! In Him is all your heart has ever desired. In Him is the meeting of every need you will ever face, every Truth you seek and every blessing you long for. This Holy season is a magnificent reminder that Jesus is the Reason for Everything.

Oh beloved, while you are rushing around trying to meet your own needs and the needs of every other person you have to buy for, impress and deliver to, there is Christ! He’s calling you to greater fellowship with Him. He’s calling you to be in tune with His heart so that your heart won’t grow cold in this season of stuff. There will never be another person, relationship, provision or source that can meet your deepest need. But He’s calling you to give you so much more than those gifts. He’s giving you Himself. And that, beloved, is all you will ever need. Let Him love you, let Him speak His truth into your heart, and let Him give you His rest and joy as you fellowship with Him. He will make your Christmas and every single of the 364 other days the most magnificent days as you lean on Him, learn of Him and live for Him.

Christ the Lord is your Savior and He loves you and He’s for you and He is your reason for living for Him all the days of your life.

Colossians 1:13-20  For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,  and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (Amplified)

Put Your Foot Down and Count on the Word of God

The other day when I had a houseful of grandchildren, one of them wasn’t listening. It gets hilarious when they’re all running around having fun, but one needed to stop doing what he was doing! I finally decided to count! I began with “one”…to which little Stella, barely 2 years old, chimed in…”two, tree, por, pie,six,seben…” I was shocked to hear her pick up the count so well. 

Of course, even though I was quite serious and trying to put my foot down to restore order, we all know that that cute little sweetie melted my heart and the sternness was left behind. We all fell into laughter and the race was on again!

There is one who is always trying to put his foot down. Usually it’s on our necks. He wants us to believe what he says.  If he gets his bluff in we will be reduced to captives. He counts out loud to tell us that we are less than, worse than, weaker than, and more. His tactic is to put his foot down and demand that we believe him.  His name is satan and he is no friend and no leader we should follow. He is a liar and the father of all lies. His desire is to crush us and make us crippled spiritually, emotionally and physically.

For believers, there is wonderful news! We have a Savior who is always encouraging us to live in the light of His Word. His actions lift us when we’re down, cheer us when we’re sad and encourage us when everything seems to be going wrong.  He is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother and He always leads us into all Truth – and His Word is Truth.   Unlike the demanding enemy, God doesn’t demand from us, rather He woos us to live in a way that will be a blessing. He tells us too that we are more than, better than, stronger than and more! His desire is to teach us Truth so that we will be lifted up and walk free of the crutches that the world says we need. Even when things seem hopeless, He has given us heaven where we know we will live in perfect freedom forever with Him.

Who we truly believe is who we obey.  What we really believe as truth is lived out in our lives. We must become people of the Word so that even if all else is taken from us we can live as more than conquerors surrounded by the love of God forever!  It’s more important now than ever in our history, for much is given out these days as truth. 

Oh beloved, are you struggling beneath the load of care? Have you succumbed to the lies of the enemy of your soul? Have you knuckled under his jabs and fell victim to his lies? God is greater in you than the enemy who taunts you! He speaks to you and He says I AM your way, your truth and your life! I love you with an everlasting love and therefore I AM calling you out of darkness into My marvelous light! If you will trust Me and stand on My Word, you will be stronger than any bully, wiser than any adversary and able to make it as a victorious believer, no matter what comes your way.

It’s time to put your foot down and say no to the tactics of the enemy of your soul! God loves you and He’s for you and that sends the enemy running every time.

Psalm 18:3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.

Deuteronomy 30:14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.

Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Ephesians 6:10,11 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

What a Day for Decisions! God Will Guide You!

He spied Danny doing bike blessings at a booth during a rally a couple of years ago. The two friends hugged and he asked Danny to go with him to meet a friend. “I’ve been telling her she’s got to meet you!”  He went on to explain that just like Danny had shared Jesus with him at another rally in eastern Arkansas, he now wanted Danny to share Jesus with a friend of his. He just knew that she’d jump at the chance to meet Jesus if she could just hear the truth. 

Danny was introduced to the young woman and they began to talk. Towards the end of the conversation, she explained something profound to Danny: “I believe this is all there is. When you die, you die and that’s it.” Of course Danny shared that we are all eternal beings, and we will spend eternity somewhere ---forever.  By not making a decision, she in fact was deciding her future.

The old biker friend shook his head. He just couldn’t believe someone would hear the Gospel so simply spoken and refuse it.  She went away still trying to convince herself that there is no “afterlife”. We still pray that those seeds planted will produce a harvest of faith in her life when someone else comes along and waters that seed with more Truth.

Our lives are full of decisions. From small decisions we make as children, such as which toy we want for Christmas on to adult decisions that carry bigger responsibility. Some decisions have little if any real consequences. Others, as we get older have monumental outcomes which will turn our lives in one direction or another forever.

Today is another incredible day for decision making.  We are making history like never before. I just pray, and I hope you do too, that God will not be writing our prologue, but that one of us will be writing about the greatest Revival ever seen. Right now we still have a choice; right now we still can make a difference. Today is all we have.

Oh beloved, run to the Author and Finisher of your faith! Let Him direct your decisions beginning fresh and new today! He cares about your past, so much that He made a way to redeem each and every one of your sorrows and wrong decisions. He cares about your present so much that He is eager to lead, guide and direct your every move today. He cares about your future so much that He’s made a way for you to live with Him forever. Not only that, He’s made a way today for you to live so there are no more regrets!

Thank Him this morning for His incredible gift of choosing you!  Thank Him too that you can now choose to walk in the light of His Word and live as an overcomer, victorious and confident in Him! What a Savior, what a Friend, what a King!

2 Timothy 1:12 I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until the day of his return.

Ephesians 1:4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.

2 Corinthians 2:14 But thank God! He has made us His captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.

Psalm 34:22  But the LORD will redeem those who serve Him. No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.

Psalm 32:8  The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

Ephesians 1:7-8 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.

You Don't Have to Run on Empty - Fill Up with God's Word.

Last night I went to one of my grandson’s football games. He didn’t play until 7:30, so by the time I left the house it was dark. Another grandson, Blake, went with me. He was excited to get to see Lucas play.  As we traveled through town and out towards the sports complex, I remembered that I had been needing to stop and get gas for a couple of days.  For some reason, I drive right by our favorite station everyday yet often don’t remember or don’t take the time to fill up.  Then I find myself, like last night, with the red needle all the way down.  As we entered the road leading to the football and soccer fields, we wound on through the baseball fields that were well lit and full of activity. We turned the bend in the road and found ourselves in the woods! Suddenly Blake said, “Ooh it’s dark in here!” We had left the comfort of the light and I was on a road I’d never driven. I agreed and hoped again that I had enough gas to get me through the dark and on to the fields.  After the awesome game, of course with #56 being my favorite player, we got our chairs and headed for home. On the return out of the complex roads and onto the main street, I realized there was a huge hill up ahead. Did I have enough gas to make it through the line of cars in front of me and behind me? Did I literally have enough steam to get where I needed to go?

As we got to the gas station, I breathed a sigh of relief. As I opened the gas cap, I heard a huge exhale of pressure and I knew that I was running on empty. As I filled the car up I vowed to not let it go so long. It’s not safe to be out at night and take the chance of running out of gas. It wasn’t like I didn’t have plenty of gas stations in town to fill up at; it was just that I hadn’t taken the time. I was busy. I got the needed petrol to make it on home and to more events the next day. But I cut it awfully short.

Are you running on empty today?  Are you busy with everyday events, trying to juggle the house, the office, the church, the family and more? Are you running around on fumes, hoping that last month’s or last quarter’s Bible study is enough to get you where you need to go?

Oh beloved, run to the Lord this morning and take freely of all He has for you! He beckons you to come and fill up on His Word, so that you have the steam to make it through the day. There will be mountains to climb in the faith and you may encounter things you’ve not mastered before. You will need all God has to get you through!  How marvelous that God is standing there beckoning you to stop and fill up each and every day.  All of His promises, all of His fuel for living, is readily available, free for the asking and never in short supply.  Oh how He waits for you to stop and drink freely of His living water! Oh how He watches over you even while you let yourself run on empty.  All you need to fill up your heart completely with His power for living is to stop and rest in Him. Oh how He loves  you! Oh how He’s on your side! Oh what a Savior!

Proverbs 19:20-21 Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail

Isaiah 55:1 Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat.

2 Thessalonians 1:11  So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

Psalm 107:9  For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.

Psalm 143:8  Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.

Acts 2:28  You have shown me the way of life, and You will fill me with the joy of Your presence.

Nothing to Fear When You're Looking into the Father's Eyes

Stella is learning to be a toddler. Sometimes she will take a step or two on her own. But most of the time she likes to hang onto someone’s finger with one hand. She’s little yet, so her mother gets a backache after a while. The other day she held on to a stick that her mother was holding onto. She walked and walked. As soon as she let go of the stick she was down. Her mother would try to let go of the stick and Stella would teeter for a moment and go down again. Some would call that a crutch. I would call that faith.  She knows that the stick is not important but the fact that her mother has the other end, that’s what’s important. She’s not looking at the stick itself for support but into her mother’s eyes.

Learning this life of faith can have its ups and downs.  We try to hang onto people, things, dreams, money and more.  We look at each one and if it fails or we lose our handle on it, we find ourselves down again. But when we look at the Lord, hold tightly to Him and let Him hold all our possessions for us, we walk confidently as our eyes are on Him.

Oh beloved, look into your Father’s eyes. Concentrate on Him alone for He is the one who gave you new birth and will carry you through to the end. He promises that nothing will separate you from His love, that all things will work together for good and that no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Hang on tightly to His Word for that is His Nature. He means what He says and when He says I love you and I’ve got you He means it! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Micah 7:7  As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.

Psalm 112:7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 12:2 a We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Romans 8:28  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

FACEBOOK

Okay, okay, somebody said, "You HAVE to get on facebook!" Well, it seems I had already tried to sign up with my email sometime back and signed in as Danny Beene, so now actually DANNY is on facebook! hehe

And, funnier than that, one of his buddies from northeast Arkansas is on there too! He found Danny! Okay, grandpas on facebook - that's a good one.

Guess it's for everybody.

Just like the Gospel. One size fits all. One Savior does all for us. It doesn't matter if you like social networking or talking on the phone. Jesus is the Person who never hangs up, never uses up His minutes or yours and never has a computer crash! That sounds silly, but the fact is, in this world of ours, with tumbling 401 K's and stock market plummets, housing prices going down, etc. - we are most fortunate to have Jesus, who is not only on top of all the world's problems, He is for us!

God loves you and me. And, He's FOR US! Get it? Whatever problems you are facing today, or whatever "thing" you are doing that you'd rather not do, God loves you and He's for you!

He's on your side and do you realize how big that is? Psalm 118:6 READ IT! BELIEVE IT!

Today, may you realize, more than ever before that GOD LOVES YOU and HE'S FOR YOU!
Get it down in your spirit, so you can live it out and after you begin to live it out you'll give it to others! You can't help but give out what comes to you.

Have a good day - and what? That's right! God Loves You and He's for You!!!!!!

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