Month: December 2021

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Look at the Manger

Ever wonder what Jesus has to do with Christmas? I did. I knew we honored his birth and well, His name was part of the holiday. I asked myself the question many do. “Does Jesus just add more to my holiday cheer?”
Nobody denies the fact that people seem kinder, more jolly, and more giving this season. It’s good to help others this season! It’s good to repeat the motivational mantra “It’s the Season of Giving everybody!” I liked sparkly lights, new stuff, and my light veneer of spirituality. It was good.
Then one day, I asked “Why do angels hark er, sing? Why is the birth of Jesus a big deal? With growing interest, I began to look closely at Nativity scenes. My heart asked, “Why is the manger in the middle?” Suddenly, I realized a perfect baby had been BORN for me. His All-Good could replace my Not-Good. Christmas math changed my life.
This Jesus baby came saying “I love her. I will leave perfect glory for her. I will endure poverty for her. I will exchange my life for her life. My Good is her gift.”
Do you see it too? Can you hear Him saying this to you? He is.
TAKE ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE MANGER.
Our family is reading God Came Near by Max Lucado every night this month. We are leaning in for a better look. The God-Man born in a feeding trough. How beautiful that the Bread of Life was born in a manger. Divine nourishment born for you and for me.
This year, receive before you give. His gift for you is in the middle.

Christmas 2018 🙂
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The Best Exchange

HEAR THAT?  Is that an Amazon delivery?? Can I actually get my gift here on time? Holy cow-we need to decorate!  The stress level is mounting for you and me! My prayer for our family is (I’m guessing) the same as yours. We will focus on knowing each other better and less on spending more. What is it about relationships that color this season?

Perhaps because there are only 2 things that that stand the test of time….the Word of God and the souls of people. Both live forever. To a large degree, the state of our relationships can reflect the state of our relationship with GOD. Am I living in love toward others or anger? Am I living in a state of generosity or selfishness? (Note to self: Check calendar for answer.)

We were made for so much more. We were made to love because we were made by the Inventor of Love. We were made to Give because we know the Giver of Life. But…we have to bend low to look in the manger FIRST. I cannot offer to others if I do not possess. God gave us to each other to help point us to the  One True Gift…Jesus.

If I know Christ, I am “Redeemed”. (Literally, “bought back”). This means that when God looks at my spiritual mortgage , He sees “paid in full” across my debt. It just so happens the ink is RED… blood red, as a matter of fact. AMAZING. Because my debt is paid, I am free to spend myself loving and giving to others! Does this change my holiday wish-list? Definitely.

God loved me so much that He didn’t leave me alone…HE  CAME LOOKING FOR ME FIRST. He came in the form of Jesus Christ who loved well, lived perfectly, and died completely. All I have to do is BELIEVE .

He promises to never leave me. He promises me Heaven. He gives me Himself. In my spiritual economy, this is my Identity.

When I sit down to prepare my holiday shopping lists, I will look for sales and deals.

God will remind me that His presence didn’t just START a holiday tradition, it started my freedom. He and I operate in the divine “return” aisle…I exchange my broken stuff for His Brand New Stuff. (See Heb. 13:5, Jn. 3:16, Rom. 8, and Eze. 36:26).

Is this your “faith tradition” as well? Are your holiday celebrations a reflection that you know you are loved and forgiven?

God says you are redeemable and your relationships are, as well. All came be made new! May we live in the fact– not just feeling– that we have been bought by the blood of Christ and that His love can overflow into the lives of others.

 

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You must come to Jesus alone

All of us have to learn to follow Christ ALONE. I was 19 when He posed the question to my heart:”Will you FOLLOW Me?” I was a young sanguine whose life revolved around public opinion . In that moment, I knew exactly what He meant. Would I choose Him over people, loneliness over coolness, and the awful state of being misunderstood over being approved & celebrated? I still remember that moment-my heart sank at the cost & my fearful mind cowered at the prospect of walking away from my constructed life into the total unknown. Yet, in that moment, I remembered His companionship & His identity as One Who Knows Best. That day, in February 1988 & ALONE at the edge of a Brady Bunch green couch, I prayed (no Christian jargon had been learned yet!) “God, I want to give you a shot at running my life!” He flooded my puny heart with peace & wonder at what He might do with my handed-over life!

He’s given overwhelmingly to me & He wants to give do this for you ! First things first, you must sit ALONE with Him. Realize there’s cost. Others may not go with you. You’ll feel ALONE at many points of your trail. But let this sink deeply into you…the cost is minimal in light of the astounding plan He’s saving for you! His joy-yours. His power-yours. His constant friendship-yours. Ready? It’s your turn now, friend. Tell the King-Who-Stays-With-You that you want to follow Him! 😊