Wednesday, December 30, 2015

The Christmas Wig

"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9


Christmas time is over and the world will soon get back to normal. 

Not you. 

For a few short weeks, the world smiles and sings and goes out of its way to be unusually kind because it's Christmastime. 

Not you.

Folks play the part to the fullest on the Christmas stage because at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, the wig must go back in the box and a full year must pass before this opportunity rolls around again. 

You know better. 

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you know that joy and kindness and holiday cheer is not an annual event but a daily joy. Because the baby Jesus grew up, died, and rose up, you have lifetime season tickets to the beautiful drama of "Christ in You, the Hope of Glory!"

 While the world puts its Christmas wig back in the box, remember that Christmas cheer is not an act for you. You don't have a Jesus wig, no, you have His very life in you! 

The rest of the this year and all of the next is your time to shine. Be a puppet on His string and let Him show the world what Christmas looks like on the off-season. 

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

God's Refrigerator

"When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty." Jeremiah 15:16

You can't help but smile as you predict the look on the faces of those for whom you've Christmas shopped. 

I know you're enjoying too much of the wonderful foods you only eat during the holidays. 

Warm fuzzy feelings flood your heart as you watch Christmas shows and movies you watched as a child. You relive the excitement you felt when you first saw them. Double that pleasure if the joy is reflected in the faces of your own children or grandchildren. 

Relatives you don't see near enough come to town, and you are thankful to make another happy deposit into your memory bank. You realize time will inevitably change the family picture, so you drink deeply of these precious gatherings. 

But.

Something is missing. As good as all of the above is, there's a growling in your spirit that refuses, no, CAN'T be satisfied with all these emotional sweets and savories. No.

What you need is a trip to God's fridge: His Word! 

Nothing satisfies your soul like a happy hour visit to the Scriptures. 1Peter 2:2 says to earnestly crave the pure milk of the Word. A few verses before that, Apostle Peter described God's Word as a seed that never perishes . This seed will make you love the unlovely.  (I'll take mine roasted, please!) Wise is the woman who partakes of that seed what with visits with challenging family members, long lines, and holiday traffic!

King David declared God's Word  as sweeter than honey from the honeycomb.(Psalm 19:10) No calories, either! 

The Christmas rush is fun and exciting, but it can run you down physically and emotionally. Make regular pit stops to the well-stocked fridge of the Word. It'll rejoice your heart, enlighten your eyes,  and most of all, restore your soul. Why? It's because these visits are really divine dining with your Wonderful Counselor, your Might God, your Precious Prince of Peace.

Bon appetit and Merry Christmas!


Thursday, December 10, 2015

Sunrise at Christmas

 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 
TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79

Sunrise. It is a daily invitation to begin again, to view life with fresh eyes...to try again. 

 When God pressed the button to unmute Zechariah's mouth, this priest spoke about the Sunrise from on high who would shine on us and light the roadway that leads to peace. 

  Don't miss the Sunrise this Christmas season. Let Him guide you as you shop, bake, give, and visit. 

We are children of the light! We are not like those who walk in darkness, who stumble around and are overwhelmed. 

No more confusion about handling difficult family relationships. The Sunrise has shown us clearly what is good and what the Lord requires of us. Simply yield and agree, with His help, to do what we've been told. This way, the Sunrise not only lights our path, but He warms our hearts and emits the fragrance of what Christmas is all about: hope and redemption . 
    
   Merry Christmas!