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The Christmas Blessing!
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May your unfailing love rest upon us, O
Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33-22 (NIV)
Christmas this year, brings a greater
sense of giving of one's self for our family. It's not about the
presents under the tree, but more about being the present. The
“spirit of giving” is always a joy and everyone seems to latch on
to the concept of giving to the poor, helping the less fortunate and
being just a little bit kinder. In general, you can even find a
glimmer of this “spirit of giving” at the busiest mall while
people step on one another, if you look hard enough.
While there is a rise in the “spirit
of giving”, there seems to be a rise on tragedy too. Maybe it's
because there is a more stark contrast of good and evil, at this time
of year. However, it's the circumstances around these events that
make me ask questions like, “What is that family dealing with, that
would cause the Father to shoot his wife and children dead?” I”m
sure that I don't need to give you any further examples of tragedy at
Christmas.
When the economy is tough, more are out
of jobs typically this time of year than any other time of year, and
we cry out, “Peace on earth, good will toward men”. Is there
peace on earth?
The greatest peace that I have sensed
this year has been within me, deep down inside.. I even sat down and
tried to cry and let my feelings out, but there was just no way the
tears would come. I even tried to blame someone! That part was
easy, but the clear sense that everything was just fine, never left
me. I finally let my mind succumb to what my spirit already knew.
Although the world around us is tossed between a commercial rush,
economic down-slide and tragedy, sprinkled with bright lights and
hearts that do care, I have an unexplainable peace that surpasses all
understanding. That peace comes from the hope that the Christ child
brings. I am reminded of his purpose, living that he may die, that I
may have life. I have peace, that lets joy break through, because
the meaning of Christmas is real for me. The experience of his peace
and love is not an experience that only happens once a year, but all
year long as I continue to trust in Him as my hope. This is a
testament of God's faithfulness, that cannot be found in this world,
but only in receiving Christ.
Come and bring your gift before Jesus
as you remember him as the Christ child. Remember his reason for
leaving a heavenly throne. Your gift can be no less than all of your
heart. His unconditional gift to you is his peace, and life that
surpasses all that this world can give. This is the Christmas
Blessing!
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No Sugar Added
I don't know about you but my diet gets all out of wack this time of year. Birthdays are one after another in October & then Canadian Thanksgiving too, all in the same month, & then the Halloween candy in the stores... I'm just sooo tempted in October. Once the sugar gets into my system, it's hard for me to stop. The other day I caught myself with 3 chocolate puddings from the fridge in just 24 hours. The package says "no sugar added" & so I consoled myself with those words. The truth is, it's easy to get fooled by the packaging & your taste buds still know that it's CHOCOLATE.
Don't be fooled by the packaging. The enemy can't make something look real good and also be harmless too. He can deceive us to believe that a little sin or a little white lie is okay because we think or hope that the effect of that little lie won't ripple too far. We think it will just be enough to satisfy our need to "smooth things over" or "cover up" the situation.
We all know we try to protect our posterity or "save face" but in the end, the place it hurts the most is that tiny heavy spot of conviction in the center of your heart. Although we know that the packaging on our food may be misleading, God's packaging should always speak the truth. It's better to tell the truth, in love and apologize for any mis-givings right away. It leaves the heart clean & light. You are a person reflected with transparency & integrity. That's the only kind of packaging that is worth reading!
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
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Seasons of Growth - Growing Stronger
The changes of life can feel easily as uncomfortable. Trials, temptations and tribulations are what makes us grow in our walk with God. Without them, we can be shallow in our understanding of the struggles of life and we are like naive children in some ways. If we don't grow in His Love and gain greater understanding and compassion for others, we can quickly become one who judges our sisters and brothers. Our spiritual vision can becomes narrow and dim. Everyone is in a different place of growth and handles that growth differently, however we are never alone.
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there
Psalm 139:8
He is in the heavens and he is in the depths, and so he is also found anywhere in between. He is never absent from any detail and our test is to ensure that we turn to him in our hour of need for his peace and direction.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Victory in overcoming every situation is possible by the power of his Word and simply because his presence is within you. Remember this when you feel the seasons of life change, like the cold winter wind and you are faced with the challenges that test your faith and love for him. This is just a test, and he knows that we can pass every test if we trust him and draw on his strength. That's all he's asking us to do.
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Celebrating Truth and Life
“So God created man IN HIS OWN IMAGE, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27
Sometimes it’s hard to hear about tough subjects. Especially if it means facing our own past or perhaps realizing that we need to have a greater accountability in our walk with God.
Topics such as politics, child slavery, abuse, euthanasia and abortion are not subjects that we talk very much about, with such a direct fashion in the church. Let’s face it! We like to be comfortable and we like the sweet joy that the Lord gives that makes our day go so well.
It’s with hope, that the church is teaching the Word of God and the people of God grow in conviction and a “knowing” in our own spirits, about the things that ring true and break the heart of God. If it’s sin, it breaks the heart of God, but this world paints grey lines around these subjects. This way it makes it easy to leave them in the back of our minds. As a result, it sometimes becomes easy to let it slip away when the time comes to take a stand.
In general, the respect for life and recognizing that life begins at conception has been skirted. I’ve even heard some Christians say that they believe that the soul doesn’t enter the child’s life until he or she takes its first breath outside the womb, in the same way that God breathed life into Adam when he created him.
Scripture indicates that the order of creation for the soul would be at the same time of conception.
Psalm 139:13-16 - For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. YOUR EYES SAW MY UNFORMED SUBSTANCE; IN YOUR BOOK WERE WRITTEN EVER ONE OF THEM, THE DAYS THAT WERE FORMED FOR ME, WHEN AS YET THERE WAS NONE OF THEM.
Jeremiah 1:5 talks about how God knew the prophet Jeremiah BEFORE he was born … and so it is with all of us. He knew us before we were born. In order for him to know us, we would have a soul.
Imagine the wonder of being created in the image of God, and never having the chance to live out this beautiful life, with all of the sorrows, victories and joys, that you know now in Christ.
On September 25th, the 40 Days For Life Kick-Off Rally marks the beginning of 40 Days focused on prayer for the unborn, mothers wounded now by the after-effects of abortion, for God’s sovereignty and mercy and the absolute halt of abortion in our country.
Take joy in the stand for the unborn and know that the Lord will say “Well good, thou good and faithful servant of mine.”
Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? Proverbs 24:11-12
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Filled Up! Not Fed Up!
What a statement! In Christ is found the fullness of the Deity in bodily form and that we also are given fullness in Christ. Wow! That thought alone almost goes over my head and beyond my imagination. This is especially because when you begin to ponder all that Jesus is, how wonderful, how beautiful and how perfect that He is, and that His fullness dwells in us... well I'm still gasping for air just thinking about it!
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Feel Good Gospel
Have our lives become so frantically busy that we are constantly focused on what feeds our own needs first? Day in and day out, do we focus on what benefits us? Do we only read the Word of God to find what comforts us, or run with what speaks to our own needs and desires? Do we respond only to what is going to fill us, make us laugh, or give us that "feel good" feeling? Is the message we hear on Sunday morning, a message that challenges us, provokes us, or are we only interested in something filled with "fluff" that makes us feel good?
Do we avoid anything that requires involving ourselves
in the joys or ministry of others, or the needs of others?
All these questions ...... It's okay to "fill up" when we're empty, to take time to drink and refresh, to eat and feel satisfied, however, if that's all we ever do, eventually it has to spill out, overflowing and go somewhere. I have to ask the million dollar question. If we've truly experienced this satisfying fulfilment in Christ, then where does it flow to? Are we so tightly fisted with our minds already made up, that we are not moved by the sponteous revelation of other's lives and what they need? Oops! That was just one more question.
I'm sure that you'll have to contemplate, but there is nothing that gives God more pleasure than seeing action because the heart has truly responded out of compassion. Rather, in these days, you often hear the expression, "Well I don't know if that would be the best thing for you if I help you." . Then there is the other phrase that's commonly used ...
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
If you have the opportunity to teach someone to be sufficient on their own, this is a rare opportunity.
Assuming that by teaching people to prosper, or do what you do, that you help solve their own personal needs, is not what Jesus taught. Neither does it mean that they are called to live life as you do. When John the Baptist was preaching and preparing the way for the Messiah, he teaches in Luke 3:9-11(9)
"The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (10) “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. (11) John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
John is simply saying that if you have more than enough and someone has need, then you should share your abundance. In verse 11 this was preceeded by saying, that any tree who does not produce good fruit will be cut off and thrown into the fire. So the fruit, in this case, is actually referring to the action of responding to the needs of others out of your abundance.
Truthfully, the condition of the person you are helping is none of your business, but it IS your business to stop contemplating their welfare and SIMPLY JUST HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD AND OBEY! It doesn't matter what their condition is, it's your condition of obedience that is what matters. If you've had to ask yourself, "Will this be the best thing to help them?", then you have virtually judged the condition of their heart and that's not your job. In fact, that's God's job. By contemplating reasons to justify why you shouldn't help someone whether they are legitimate or not, then you may have already shut the door on your blessing and may not hear the voice of God speak to your heart.
The common, unknown "Christian Joe" who gives his shoes to a shoeless homeless man, will receive a crown of glory, as much as the preacher who served with the same intent. Then logically, it's also true that the preacher or common man who passes by the homeless man, or refuses someone in need, or even passes by without consoling and lacks interest, will be cut off and thrown into the fire, as scripture says.
So what is "the fire" that John speaks about in verse 9. Is it a place of purging and purifying to pure gold that we may serve Him more effectively or is it the fire of eternal damnation? It could be one or the other I suppose, depending on where you are in life, close to life's door or death's door.... close to repentance and re-dedication or close to Christ's return. As it is our own personal choice to act on compassion or anything else in life, it's all about choices. If you choose to serve Christ, stop following religious expectations and start responding with the true compassion of Christ where life is most fulfilling as you serve God. There is no higher call, than to respond through His love, as a believer in Jesus Christ.
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The Gift that Keeps On Giving
The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
When governments all over the world, the world economy, and so much of humanity seems to be in turmoil with hopelessness and in a state of desolation, we have a hope. The government has a hope, all humanity has a hope. That hope is in Jesus Christ. He broke all the chains on the cross and set the world in motion to be delivered from itself. This hope and freedom is a free gift. I can't imagine refusing a gift that comes with such fringe benefits. However, there are those who have individually refused to receive this beautiful gift. In general, the world has refused this free gift because it continues to spiral every day with reports on the news of murders, catastrophies and evil doing.
As God's children, one of the beautiful things about this free gift of freedom and hope that Jesus, God's son has offered you and I, is that it's all renewable from day in to day out. His loving kindness, His mercy, His compassion and love are new for us every morning. If you feel that yesterday was a blunder for you and you really blew it, or you are falling short of expectations, then how wonderful for you! You have the blessed hope and freedom extended to you, to receive a fresh new dose of the Lord's loving kindness, mercy, compassion and love for you.
Take time today to receive this fresh new touch today, and tomorrow and the next day ... and every day after this, because the hope and freedom beyond all that you can imagine, is available to you. He calls us close to His side, to have conversation with Him, spend time with Him. He is always the best company because He knows our hearts better than anyone else. Unwrap this free gift from God. If you take the time to accept it, He will regenerate and renew your spirit today and all of your tomorrows.
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The Right Road -- Are You Spinning Wheels?
What a bleak picture! Sadly, this perspective on life is real for many people. The good news is that there is a key that unlocks how to change this picture. In order to understand how to change this picture, one must discover what the missing pieces of the picture are. It really is a puzzle. If what you're doing is not working, then you're missing the "WORKING PARTS".
There's a popular saying that says:
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
There's such a thing as believing that what you are doing is right and continually failing until you finally get it right. That's called tenacity. To have tenacity means that you stick with something even when the going gets tough. Never give up. Never surrender!
Tenacity also means a level of quality or a state of being. When you believe in it, then go for it! It's okay to fail, as long as you get back up and try again when you believe in your cause. However, each time you try to succeed again, you have to change the formula or the way you do it, change your attitude, your outlook, your focus or whatever it may be that caused you to trip up when you failed the first time. For example: Many millionaires found themselves literally bankrupt before they made their millions. They had to understand what needed to be done differently the next time, or they would simply be bankrupt again.
You can't fly with the eagles if you're always hanging out with the turkeys; another popular saying that is full of truth. You must surround yourself with people and resources that foster and nurture growth in your spirit and mind. These friends will support your personal growth and are also looking for success in the future for themselves as well.
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Naturally Supernatural
The essence and visual feasts of the
supernatural are heavily streaming through the media. Television
programs that focus on super heroes have become supernaturally
complex, appealing to a variety of people from every walk of life.
There is an explanation for this indulgence in the curiosity of the
supernatural. While we're trying to discover the meaning of life, apparently it's our human nature. We seems to enjoy gritting our teeth,
with tense shoulders, eyes bugging out of heads, while we bite our
nails and hold our breath, as we watch with one eye open. The element
of fear and suspense can be addicting when it indulges our emotions
in the odd, unexplained, curious, frightfully freakish supernatural.
If you enjoy psychology and the
supernatural you will be intrigued by what I have to say. It is
natural for us to be curious of the supernatural realm. Why? Even
though we don't realize it, we are humans who have a mind that
connects to a soul and
a spirit. Since the beginning of time, men and women have endeavored
to fill the spirit. It is easy to fill the stomach. When you are
hungry, you eat. When you need to “fill” your mind, simply
acquire knowledge through research and reading. Emotional needs and
physical needs can also be met with the basics of a home, friendship
and human interaction. However, the spirit goes unseen, unidentified,
sitting behind the scenes, often left unattended to.
At some point, your own “spirit man”
sends you on a quest, sometimes without realizing it. The human
spirit begins to feed on whatever the mind can funnel through. The
spirit will begin to fill up with whatever looks remotely spiritual
or supernatural, no matter what the source. It's up to the heart and
mind to determine the truth, and for some, it takes courage and
personal revelation to face that truth.
Hollywood has done their research and
I've noticed some very realistic exorcisms, hauntings and frightful
smörgåsbords of demonic spooks. How do you think Hollywood is able
to present such productions with such detail? It is because they
understand that it really exists. There is an underlying thread of
truth, behind every fictional supernatural display. Their story was
inspired from somewhere. The truth is, imaginations are not so
creative and producers have been taking credit for what was already
there all along.
So what is there? The virtue of faith
exists because there must be a source from which it came. In the
midst of earthly beauty and intricate creation, we have been given
the ability “to have faith.” What is the source of all this?
There must be a higher being, a higher power. The only conclusion
that I have is that there is a God. This God obviously cared about
the details of how this world appears to our human eye. He also
ensured that our hearts would be able to have the virtue of faith.
You may say, “I had faith at one time.” Although some of us feel
we have lost our measure of faith, each of us began our lives having
faith ... and hope. God has invested so much personal interest into
the details, surely he is personally interested in the details of our
lives, or else why would we have needed “faith”. Just like a
good parent wants to be involved in his children's lives, God, who is
our creator, must have a desire to be involved in our lives too. In
light of this, God must have built within humans, the need to know
Him as well, like the adopted child who has a need to find their
biological parents. Think about it? Humans are constantly on a quest
to discover our world, our roots and purpose for existing.
Inside of us, God has made a place that
only He can satisfy. Our spirit was meant to connect with God who is
also spirit. The indulgence and curiosity of the supernatural will
only satisfy us for a while, until we realize that we are empty and
then we must get more. God knows our hearts, knows our desires, He
knows our personality, and He knows our future. If you allow Him to
be the one to fill your curiosity for the supernatural, by connecting
your spirit to His Spirit, the very existence of God within you, then
you have embraced all that is truly supernatural. You will not become
a god, but you will be connected to the One who is. All grace is
extended to you through His Son Jesus Christ who died for your sins
so that you would have this supernatural communion with Him, and in
turn you will find yourself feeling more alive then you have ever
known.- charged with The Supernatural.
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