Merry Christmas!

"Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you"- Psalm 128:1-2 (NIV).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). This "fear" is not distrust or terror of God, but reverent awe and faithful worship. Since the fall of man, we have labored to produce food for our table and many will bow their heads this Christmas thanking God for His blessings; the greatest of which, and Whom we are most thankful for, His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Through Jesus we have redemption, forgiveness...according to the riches of God's grace...which God purposed..that He might gather together in one all things in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:7-2). You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you! Praise God and Merry Christmas!  

Carpe Diem

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"- John 10:10 (KJV).

Carpe Diem...live life abundantly; live like it's your last day...because you aren't guaranteed tomorrow. Today, this moment in time, maybe all you have. Like all things in life, we even take "time" for granted. This brings to mind the story of Martha and Mary. Jesus' visit changed Mary's "to-do" list for the day. Mary chose to use her "time" to sit at the feet of Jesus, while Martha bustled around taking care of household needs. Jesus tells us that Mary had chosen the One thing needed...and would not be taken from her (Luke 10:42). Don't let your "to-do" list steal, kill, or destroy the One thing needed, who gives you life more abundantly. Join Mary's "time" management philosophy. Carpe Diem!  

Power In Trust

"But now, this is what the Lord says--He who created you...He who formed you..."Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine""- Isaiah 43:1 (NIV).

God desires your trust. From the beginning of creation God has asked us, wanted us, to trust Him. He has never forsaken those who do (Psalm 9:10). God's promises do not waiver, are never found powerless, and cannot be disproved. Daniel trusted Almighty God when King Darius, the Mede, threw Daniel into the lion's den, where certain death would come through the brute strength and fangs of a starved lion. The next morning, no wound was found on him, because Daniel trusted God (Daniel 6:23). When fear comes upon you...trust God (Psalm 56:3). Remember His charge: Be strong, be courageous, do not be terrified, nor be discouraged...for He is with you...always (Joshua 1:9). 

Highly Favored

"But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; His kingdom will never end"- Luke 1:3-33 (NIV).

Consider that miraculous moment for Mary. A celestial being, Gabriel, bringing her, an ordinary girl, a message from God. She was going to participate in the event of all events: The restoration of mankind to God. Days, weeks, months, years went by without any other heavenly communication. She gave birth, raised the Son promised, and watched the death and resurrection of the Messiah. Sounds like she may have felt abandoned by the silence from Heaven. Of course not! Every time her Son opened His mouth to speak she was hearing God. He ate with her, slept with her, walked with her, embraced her...in the most personal level, He was with her: ""and they will call Him Emmanuel" (which means "God with us")" (Matthew 1:23). Gabriel told Mary she was highly favored (Luke 1:28). God was with her. God is with you, too,. You are not alone.

Born to Die

"Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give You," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me"- Matthew 4:8-9 (NIV).

At the beginning of His ministry, following baptism, Jesus fasted, no bread or water, for 40 days. At this time, the devil tempted Jesus with physical provisions and power...if He would only worship Satan. If Jesus had accepted the devil's offer, not only would He have immediate gratification, but He wouldn't have had to suffer and die, but He rebuked the devil. Jesus was also tempted at His Crucifixion. Those He suffered for mocked Him to come down off that cross and save Himself, if not, let God rescue Him now, if God wanted Him (27:40-43), but Jesus asked God to forgive those He was sacrificing Himself to save. The devil couldn't give Jesus what He already had, nor could sinners wrench themselves out of His grasp to their own deserved punishment. Jesus was born to die. What great love He has lavished on us, to be called His children (1 John 3:1). 

Come to Me

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light"- Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV).

A lot of devotional messages were about comforting and peace this morning. Do you feel peaceful? Do you need comforting? Love, joy and peace are the first three items listed from the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:20). I spoke with a mother yesterday who was anxious and a friend this morning who was stressed. Their spiritual level, if you compared it to a gas gauge, was in need of a service station fill-up. Do you remember the full-service stations of years gone by. They prided themselves on servicing your entire vehicle in record speed, while you rested behind the wheel of the car. Texaco's theme song was, "You can trust your car to the man who wears the star, the big bright Texaco star!" You knew, that when you left that station, your tire pressure, oil, water, windshield(s), and gas were all at optimal levels for performance. When you see your spiritual gauge in need, you can trust Him to service you, restoring you to optimum performance levels. There is nothing required of you, than to come.

Assured of the Outcome

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will measured to you"- Luke 6:38 (NIV).

Here is an example. There are two cooks in the kitchen: One who throws a little of this and a little of that and the other cook measures mechanically, holding the cup to eye level to make sure the quantity is exact. Which do you think is the cook with more anxiety? We can relate the differences in the attitudes of the two cooks to life in general. The first cook is freely pouring out what is needed, while the other is reserved, fearful of the outcome...too much, too little. Let's live and love like the cook who is dancing through the kitchen, the mixing bowl a collection of generous and happy contributions, freely loving, giving, and living. Let's own the attitude of the first cook, enjoying the generosity of measuring, shaking, and our cup running over...assured of the outcome.    

Sure to Stand

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised"- Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV).

We are sure to stand! God did not give us a spirit of fear; no, He gave us a spirit of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). The Father calls us to be strong and courageous...for He, Who is omnipotent, is with us (Joshua 1:9). Our courage and confidence is in Christ alone. And until Jesus returns, or calls us home, in the power of Christ we'll stand. C.H. Spurgeon is in agreement, "He is at our right hand to guide and aid us; and hence we are not moved by fear, nor force, nor fraud, nor fickleness...we are sure to stand."