Hoopla, Heartache, Hope

 

     Well, let’s admit it. Along with the delightful, smells, tastes, sounds and anticipation of the season, there is more. More stress, more busyness, more annoying relatives. There are the gifts that don’t work, that don’t fit, that we don’t need. We overeat, we over shop and wo overdo.

     Take a break before the hectic days and the hoopla begin and remember the One above watching over us, above all else He is there.

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.  Colossians 3:2

  This time of year is especially difficult for those grieving the loss of loved ones. Jesus is there to comfort, to find hope, to remind us of His great gifts. Remember the blessings and, remember, there is a great cloud of witnesses awaiting us in heaven.

     What do you think? Can we rise above the craziness and focus on the hope that awaits? Shine with hope this season. Let’s focus on the love around us and share memories of loved ones waiting for us and the One who came for us. It’s all about Him after all. He can change everything.

Jesus,

Calm our spirits as we get ready to celebrate the loveliest and purest gift ever given, the life You sacrificed for us, offering us grace and forgiveness. Keep our focus on You and on sharing all of the noble gifts You give to us. Please comfort those who mourn.

Amen

The Aroma of Christ

 

     The sights, smells and sounds are upon us. Leaves have fallen. Christmas lights and displays are ready to greet us. The smell of pine will soon infiltrate our homes. Many of us will savor the smell and taste of our Thanksgiving feasts. I love this time of the year and look forward to decorating, baking, spending time with loved ones. Picking out gifts and delighting the young ones around us add to the holiday anticipation.

     What about the reason for the season? What about the anticipation of celebrating the miraculous birth of Jesus? The sights and sounds of the choir of angels greeting the shepherds as they tended their flocks? The realization that the Savior of the world was wrapped in swaddling clothes? What were the sights and sounds and smells of the manger where he slept?  The surroundings were common, but the magnitude of the event, astounding!

     Did you know we can be the aroma of Christ? Imagine that as this season engulfs our minds and hearts, as we become distracted from the true meaning of Christmas.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.  2 Corinthians 2:14

Jesus,

Help us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of You throughout this season. We celebrate You. Born of a woman and the Son of God! Sent to save us all. We look forward to celebrating Your birth. Help our focus to remain on You throughout this busy season filled with sights, sounds and smells of the holidays.

Amen

Spirit and Truth

 

     Being a Christian should make others want to be a Christian. Somehow Christians have the reputation for being judgmental, for bombarding others with rules or pointing out what others are doing wrong. Sometimes we push non-believers away. On the other hand, sharing the message of Christ with only grace may leave out truth. Is there a balance?

God is Spirit and His worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. John 4:24

     Let the Holy Spirit guide you on how and when to speak up about Jesus. Some will listen and will be open to truth. Others will not.

And I will ask the Father and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him for He lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

     Lean on God’s wisdom. He will guide you. Show the love and joy of Jesus. Shine with His light. Someone may ask you about the joy within you and the Spirit of truth will give you the words. Some will hear. Remember the Holy Spirit does the changing after someone believes. Don’t focus on the bad, when they do not yet know the goodness of Christ.

Father,

Take away fear and discouragement. You put people in our lives for a reason. Let our lives count for You. Show us how to share Your grace and Your truth.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Think On These Things

 

     The Bible tells us, in the last days evil will be called good and good evil. God is pure and holy, blameless and true. Our culture is filled with evil, but our culture calls it good. If it feels good do it. Lust, sexual immorality, brawls and violence, shootings and anger, drugs and porn, all permeate our society. None of it is pleasing to our God.

     Listen to these words of what to expect before Jesus returns.

But mark this; there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God-having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

     Quite a list, isn’t it? We want to believe things will get better. Tolerate everything and let everyone do their own thing. The Bible is clear. Evil has to run its course. The times will get worse before Jesus returns. But, never forget, light shines brightest in the darkness. If we spend more time in the world than with our God, which voices will speak the loudest?Think on these things.

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8

     Focus on Jesus and let Him transform your life into something admirable, right, lovely and excellent. He changes everything.

Lord,

Keep us from becoming frightened or filled with dread and doubt. You knew the end of the story before you created the earth and man. Change our hearts and our minds so that they may be filled with what pleases You and not the world around us. Help us to be pure, lovely and admirable in Your sight.

Amen

Pray For Others

 

     Never underestimate the power of prayer. We have a hunger to save lost souls. The Bible is clear. There is a heaven and a hell. Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone in Scripture. Our souls will live forever in one place or the other and the choice is ours.  Jesus tells us not to be afraid, even of death.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Matthew 10:28

     Pray for others. Look for ways to share your faith. Watch for opportunities Jesus places in your life. God maneuvers the right people to fill in for Him at just the right time. He might choose you and use you today. You have a testimony. You have a story. It is yours to share. Here are some verses you can pray for those who do not believe.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us. Ephesians 1:17-19

     You may plant a seed. Someone else may water it and the Holy Spirit will continue the work.

Jesus,

Give us a chance to save others with Your free gift of salvation. You are the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through You. Those are Your words. Give us courage in these dark days.

Amen

A Simple Prayer

 

     Have you confessed the hope you have in Christ? Here is a promise for all of us.

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

     Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart. So simple and we make it so complicated. Open your heart and seek Him. He is standing at the door of your heart. If someone you know wants to receive Christ, ask them to pray after you:

Dear Jesus,

I believe in my heart that you came to earth, you died for our sins, you were buried and rose again from the dead. Forgive me, Lord, for anything I have done against You. I receive you now as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life so I may follow You.

Amen

     That’s all it takes. Can you imagine the wonder of helping someone get to heaven? What a privilege. What an honor to bring glory to God. Amen!

Good News!

 

     What is the Gospel message? If someone asked you how to receive Jesus, would you know what to say? We know it is a gift. We know He died for us. In Paul’s letter to the city of Corinth, there is a clear message for us to share.

By this Gospel you are saved if you hold firmly to the words I preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance-that Christ died for us according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.  1 Corinthians 15:2-4

    Believe that Jesus is Lord of all, that He sacrificed Himself on a cross for our sins, that He was buried and rose again. That’s it. Ask Him for forgiveness, turn from your sins and accept His free gift. It is hard to believe many will turn away from this offer. Jesus suffered for you and for me. He suffered more than any of us. He moved from glory to be one of us.

     Share the good news. He does not want to lose one.

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Jesus,

Your good news brings tidings of great joy. We want to sprinkle seeds of hope to others. Let that be our greatest desire until we reach heaven.

Amen