Thanksgiving has come and gone. Thanksgiving almost got lost in the mad rush to get consumers in a buying mood for Christmas. Merchants started even before Halloween to set the stage and start the ball rolling. Wal-Mart set a new record for sales the day after Thanksgiving. So, here we go again. Speeding down the highway of time toward Christmas. Do you think it will get any less hectic before December 24th?
In church and religious circles leaders are searching for new ways to present old truths. Do we need more magnificent staging, more songs, more animals in our Nativity Scenes? However we go about it we are still telling the Old, Old Story of Jesus and His Love.
We have a new pastor in our church. I’ve already expressed to him that I “Like his style.” I hear our service on the radio. I listened yesterday as the theme for the service was built around a word I would never have thought of –PROGNOSTICATION. The leader of the children’s church even had the kids saying it! I’m glad the pstor didn’t leave us hanging very long. He told us that was another word for prophecy – even if I’ve never read it in Amos, Hosea or Isaiah. He proceeded to tell us that Christmas was a planned event. And if God planned Christmas maybe He has a plan for you and me.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that what was prophesied about the coming of Jesus into our world was true. He is IMMANUEL, God with us.!!
Like it or not Christmas is upon us. We find ourselves doing all those things that hve been ingrained into us by those who have gone before us. Old habits are hard to break. For instance, the habit of buying gifts for every one in the family. We were caught up in this for years. Hazel started shopping for next Christmas during the after Christmas sales. Usually, by the middle of summer she had completed her Christmas shopping. Our kids envied her.
Do we stop to think about why this desire to give? One reason, for sure, is because they are family and we love them and the giving of gifts helps express that love. This is good. In our family we have been taught that the desire to give is an expression of love that goes back to God’s love for His creation. God so loved that He gave His Son, Jesus. Jesus so loved that He willingly gave Himself so those who believe in Him have eternal life.
Out of this has come the expression, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.”. As I think of this I have a desire to give in response to God’s giving. Although I enjoy giving gifts to my children and grand children, I find a growing desire in my heart to give to meet the needs of people less fortunate than I. The Rescue Mission, Feed the Children, the Shoe Box ministry of Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse Ministry. Many, many other ministries are helping meet the needs of others.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for blessing you so you can give and be a blessing.
Christmas is not only for giving it is a time of receiving. Think about this. Mot of those reading this are in the group we classify as “Senior Citizens.” In your life-time you have received many Christmas gifts. From the coal in your stocking-a reminder that you had not always been good-to the candy and orange and apple along with a few nuts to show that you were loved anyway. Gifts have been practical or useless. Some have been pretty, some have been ‘ugh’. From the 5-hole mousetrap I gave my aunt (we had mice) to the sweet smelling perfume. All given in love.
How did you receive these gifts? Were you hurt or offended by the seeming thoughtlessness of giver? (My aunt set the trap & caught 3 mice.) Did you receive, grudgingly acknowledging the gift? How one receives gifts or compliments reveals a lot about our character. Receive gladly and joyously the gifts that come to you. Make the giver happy by your response.
The greatest giver of gifts is God, our Creator and Heavenly Father. The greatest gift is Jesus Christ, Son of God. God gave His Son that the world might be saved. The gift of eternal life is received by those who believe on/ receive Jesus. How do you respond to God’s gift? Make God glad by receiving His gift. There is rejoicing in the presence of angels when this gift is received.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the grace to receive God’s gift.
EXCITING
We are living in a most exciting time. The excitement aroused by the preaching that we are living in the last days before the coming of Jesus. Could it be that He will come in this generation? WOW! Are you aware that millions are being saved around the world? Evangelists who preach the Good News to the masses of people in Africa, India and other places are reporting that millions are being saved.
I have a friend who is a Southern Baptist missionary in Africa. He does not minister to the masses but to old men in the villages out in the bush areas. In this culture old men will not listen to young men or to women. But they will listen to an old man. My friend is old enough that they will listen to him. In the few months he has served he has led over 200 of these men to trust Jesus Christ as Saviour. It is an exciting time for him and his wife as they minister in the name of Jesus.
This is an exciting time in history. It is also an exciting time of the year. CHRISTMAS ! Our hearts should beat more rapidly as we recognize afresh what the Christmas season is all about. God is here! Immanuel, God with us! Get with it! Let the reality sink in. Then, Go, Tell it to others. As they see the joy, excitement and assurance in your face and hear the joy-bells ringing in your voice – the Saviour might become a reality in their life. Hallelujah! Exciting times…Yes!!!
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the excitement of IMMANUEL!
John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..”
Think about this. Proverbs 11:24-25 “It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” WOW! Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. It works.
Proverbs 15:23 “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply. It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time.”
“Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God.”
Charles Schultz – “Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.”
Gail Godwin-- A personal testimony: “A new heart that will be able to walk accordingly with God and feel shame when it deviates: that is the kind of new heart I would like to know.”
Will Rogers – “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”
Mike Adkins - “You’ll never have a harvest if you don’t plant a seed.”
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that you are able to Thank and Praise the Lord for this wonderful time of the year. Immanuel – God with us. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!!
Time is growing shorter. The pressure of the many sales going is getting greater as the merchants seek customers. Television is giving us more Christmas programs every day. Some radio stations are playing Christmas music 24 hours a day. The kids can’t wait till school is out for Holidays. (God forbid that we be intolerant and say Christmas!) That is not acceptable in our “politically correct” society.
I note that are many events unfolding daily. Over the past weekend there parades here, there and yonder. I watched our local parade on TV. I noted there were bunches of younger children either marching or riding on floats. All these things point toward the coming of Christmas. I think it is wonderful! Overdone –but wonderful!
With everything that is happening, what do you Focus on these days? Are you ready and willing to march to the tune of a different drummer and FOCUS on the real meaning of Christmas – Jesus Christ - Son of God - Son of man - Saviour of all who believe in Him? I challenge you to push aside everything else and FOCUS on Jesus.
Faith in God. Think of it this way: FORSAKING ALL...I TAKE HIM.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for IMMANUEL – God with us!
The team of mules was straining every muscle as they pulled the wagon loaded with hay up the steep road. Then, the driver shouted, “Whoa !” They stopped. Their muscles relaxed. Their breathing slowed. They were still for a few minutes of rest.
Psalm 46 describes the wondrous works and activity of God. Then the psalmist quotes God, “Be still.” Whoa. Stop for a few moments to take in all that has been said of God. Just be still.
How this advice is needed in this season of frenzied activity. We rush here and run there. We attend this function and participate in that activity. We have something special scheduled for every night of the week. All very good things. But there needs to be a time every day when we say, “Whoa, stop, be still.” Let the wonder of it all sink in. God is reminding us of His place in our lives. “Know that I am God; I will be exalted.”
I think that possibly Mary, the mother-to-be of Jesus, was seeking a time ti think through all that was happening to her. She went into the hill country to the home of her relative, Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant. They rejoiced together at what God was doing. It was a time of affirmation for Mary. Yes, God was involved in all that was happening.
Whoa ! Stop ! Don’t just slow down. Stop. Be still. Let the still small voice of the Holy Spirit calm your spirit. Let your muscles relax. Breathe deeply. Rejoice because of the presence of God in your life.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the moments we can hear the Spirit say, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Our attitudes change about many things as we make the journey from childhood to maturity. As a child the big question at this time the year was, “What are you getting for Christmas ?” Even at an early age we learned to fantasize. “I’m asking for a bicycle” or whatever else seemed to be in keeping with what the other kids were asking for. We knew all the time there would be no bicycle. Most of my childhood Christmases we were fortunate to get cheap toy or two, some oranges (which we had only at Christmas), some hard candy, a few nuts, etc.,. Yet we were excited about Christmas.
In my more mature years my attitude has shifted from getting to getting. I am as excited about giving as I ever was about receiving. The joy of being able to give an offering for missions. In our Baptist churches this is an offering in honor of a woman who gave her life as a missionary in China – Lottie Moon. In anticipation of this offering I put back some of my income so I can give to this offering – over and above my regular offering to my church. It is always a joy to see our church reach the goal for this offering.
There are always many opportunities to give to worthy charities. The Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army and many others.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He gives us the opportunity to know by experience that it is “More blessed to give than to receive.”
There is a special day in each year for every one of us. The day of our birth. When calendars come out for the new year get one to see what day of the week October 27th is on. Why? That’s my birthday. I know some people are peculiar when it comes to birthdays. They say they would like to by-pass that day. We kid about being “39 and holding.” One little boy asked his grandmother how old she would be if she turned loose!
God gives us the days of our lives. I choose to rejoice, be glad, praise the Lord and give thanks for the days He has given me.
William Harold Neidlinger wrote a song about a birthday:
THE BIRTHDAY OF A KING
In the little village of Bethlehem, There lay a Child one day; And the sky was bright with a holy light O’er the place where Jesus lay.
‘Twas a humble birth-place, but O how much God gave to us that day, From the manger bed what a path has led, What a perfect, holy way.
Alleluia! O how the angels sang. Alleluia! How it rang! And the sky was bright with a holy light, ‘Twas the birthday of a King.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the One whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas Day.
FRIDAY GEMS
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given…”
Charles Lowery – “The Spirit of Christmas is to take Jesus where He needs to be taken.”
Dear Abby – (12-2-02) “He who takes care of the least of us invests the best in us.”
Eleanor Roosevelt – “When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than to avenge it?”
Anonymous – “May you have the strength of eagle’s wings. The faith and courage to fly to new heights.”
Bob Knisely in One Day At a Time - “Good friends are like angels; you don’t have to see them to know they are there.”
Get this: “You can’t live wrong and die right!”
Proverbs 13:3 –“Those who control their tongue will have a long life; a quick retort can ruin everything.”
Col. 3:17 “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.”
Seen in an e-mail titled, As Much Sense as a Goose – “It is indeed a reward, a challenge, and a privilege to be a contributing member of a team.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – “In this world a man must be either anvil or hammer.”
Proverbs 12:25 –“ Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.”
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that “When you’re down to nothing, God is up to something.”
PONDER
I’ve heard the expression “ponder over it” all my life. I had a general idea of what was meant. It’s like, “I know what it means I just can’t put it into words.” That really didn’t satisfy me so I did what any intelligent person would do. I went to Mr. Webster for a definition. This is what he writes. “Ponder – to weigh mentally, think deeply about; consider carefully. To think deeply, deliberate, meditate.” Exactly what I thought it meant!
This Scripture keeps coming to my mind and I do ponder about it.
Proverbs 12:24 (NIV) “It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything.” Now that takes some pondering.
V.25 “The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
V. 28 “Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in the spring.”
I ponder these verses. Worldly people..those who leave God out of their lives.. see this as foolishness. Give it away to become more wealthy? No way! Hang onto what you have. I ponder what God says, “…the stingy will lose everything.”
The Word says that if you want to feel good (be refreshed), help others feel good. Have you ever gone to visit a shut-in or someone in a nursing home so you can cheer them up? When you left you find that you are feeling good (refreshed)?
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the ability to ponder the truths of His Word and to be guided by these truths.
CHARGE
We were in Rome, Italy, in early 1975 as a part of a trip to the Holy Land. We had a woman guide who took us to the various sites visitors were guided to. We rode a bus. We walked. This was very challenging, especially if we had to cross a street. The guide would get in front of the group, check the traffic, and at the right moment she shouted, “Charge.” Every one rushed across the street.
In our society we see another meaning to the word charge. The banks keep a steady flow of invitations to get a credit card so you can “Charge it.” Some retail businesses seek to lure customers with “No down payment and no payments till some future date.” People have responded and burdened themselves with debts they struggle to pay. I tell my children, “If you can’t pay it off at the end of the month don’t buy it.”
There is another use of the word charge. It is illustrated by Paul’s words to Timothy. 2 Tim. 4:1 “…I give you this charge.” He proceeded to tell Timothy what was expected of him as a Christian and as a preacher.
I submit that in this season when we give more thought to Jesus Christ than at any other season of the year we should remind ourselves that we, too, have a charge to keep. Charles Wesley expressed it well in this song.
A CHARGE TO KEEP
A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify; Who gave His Son my soul to save, And fit it for the sky;
To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill, - O may it all my powers engage To do my Master’s will!
Arm me with jealous care, As in Thy sight to live; And O, thy servant, Lord, prepare A strict account to give!
Today – Out loud and purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for trusting us with this charge to let the world know about Jesus.
A GIVING SPIRIT
Most people have a giving spirit. Unfortunately there are some who do not. Trailor loads of supplies given by generous people were destroyed by fire. Officials said it was arson. I wonder what possesses people who are bent on destruction?
On the other hand, people are generous. People in the areas destroyed by tornadoes are being helped by the generosity of others. Churches, civic organizations, businesses, and individuals are giving to rebuild houses and furnish them. Supplies of food, clothing and Christmas items are being given to meet needs.
A song written by William W. How speaks of our giving in relation to God.
WE GIVE THEE BUT THINE OWN
We give Thee but Thine own, Whate’er the gift may be; All the we have is Thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from Thee.
May we give Thy bounties thus, As stewards true receive, And gladly, as Thou blessest us, To Thee our first-fruits give.
The captives to release, To God the lost to bring, To teach the way of life and peace, It is a Chris-like thing.
And we believe Thy Word, Tho’ dim our faith may be; Whate’er for Thine we do, O Lord, we do it unto Thee.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the who supplies our needs and plants a giving spirit in us that we might give to others.
Are you ready for Christmas? This question is heard more and more as Christmas gets closer. The commercials remind us there are only 4 shopping days till Christmas. Merchants hope this will encourage people to hurry in to buy those last minute gifts.
In our churches we have seen the programs and special choir presentations that let us know we are in the midst of the Christmas season. We celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, into our world. He came that men might have life.
Are you ready for that? Have you recognized that Christmas is far more than meets the eye? Have you considered that by His coming into the world, living a sin-less life and dying a vicarious death – Jesus Christ made possible a personal, saving relationship with the Eternal Creator God? Do you know this relationship is possible only through Jesus? He is the ONLY way to God. Acts 4:12 (NIV) “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Biblical scholars and many preachers tell us the time for the Second Coming of Jesus is near. Are you ready for this glorious event?
Today - Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the love of God that made possible our eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.
Henry Ward Beecher says, “It is not well for a man to pray cream, and yet live skim milk.”
Joyce Myer – “The reason we can laugh and enjoy life in spite of our current situation or circumstances is because Jesus is our joy.”
Kenneth Copeland – “You can’t live by faith without joy. To rejoice means to re-joy, to back the truck up and get another load.”
Nehemiah – “The joy of the Lord is our strength.”
Philippians 4:4 –“Rejoice in the Lord always.”
The angel said to the shepherds, “I bring you good tidings of great joy.”
Vince Lombardi – “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, rather a lack of will.”
Stephen Covey – “If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always gotten.”
St. Francis of Assisi – “It is in giving that we receive.”
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that we can sing, “JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME!!!”
Joseph, the husband of Mary, had a visit by an angel who told him that Mary would have a son. You are to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.
This fulfilled an ancient prophecy that the virgin would give birth to a son, and they will call him IMMANUEL- which means “God with us.”
Angels appeared to shepherds and said, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be to all people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord.”
Today - Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that we can lift our voices and - “Go tell it on the mountain and everywhere that JESUS CHRIST IS BORN.”
It is our prayer that each of you and loved ones will have a most blessed Christmas and a great 2003.
Love and God Bless you each and everyone.
Hazel and Dan.