Our family sat down to dinner the other day, and our five year old stated he wanted to bless the food. We bowed our heads, turning our attention toward Heaven, and he started: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...." It took me a second to realize what he was doing. He continued: "That whosoever believed in Him would not perish, but have eternal life. AMEN."
"Seffie" had recently learned John 3:16 in his Awana's Spark's class, and I guess no one ever told him NOT to pray it. He'd said many prayers before - beautiful prayers that were intense with the emotions of his little heart, but this one struck me as one of the most precious.
My initial thought was to explain to him that we needed to pray for the food and ask God to make it healthy for us. After all, we were about to eat. Yet, in an instant, I was reminded by the Spirit to keep quiet. Why should I tell him any differently? Why should their be a "right" way to speak to God and "wrong" way. On the contrary, it was a WONDERFUL thing that he prayed the Word of God, back to God. And more importantly, I'm sure it put a smile on the Lord's face.
Oh, and what better prayer could there be this time of year, when all the world struggles with being focused on getting, instead of giving...even in Christian circles. So, I think I'll end this little blog with my own John 3:16 "Christmastime prayer." Won't you join me?
Thank You, my God, for SOOOO loving me that You decided to give me a present that I never deserved, nor could ever earn. Thank You that at just the right time, you placed Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary...that You taught her how to teach Him...that You provided His life for mine...that You chose to allow Him to come and save me. Thank You that you didn't just do that for me, but You did it for my family, my friends, even those that care nothing about me. You chose to bless them with Your precious Gift...if they would only choose to believe. Thank You for the eternal life You have provided for me...for the fact that this eternal life, doesn't just start when I die. My abundant life started the moment I believed and is my comfort here on this earth, until my eternal life continues with You in Heaven. Thank You for Your Gift, God. Thank You for Jesus.
Oh, and thanks for my food, too!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Christmas - The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?
I've talked to alot of people over the last few weeks, and it seems that more often than not, Christmas-time is difficult. It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, and in reality IT IS. But for some, the most wonderful time of the year is actually the most difficult. Memories flood their minds with loss, and pain takes the place of joy.
And it's not just those who've had loved ones die over the past year. The Christmas-time Blues can hit anyone at anytime. Sometimes I get them - the Christmas-time Blues. I don't necessarily have a reason. I do, however, have a remedy for my "blues" that I think can help transform Christmas for those of you who really DO have a reason to be sad this year.
First and foremost,spend time with Jesus. That must be the priority of your day. You might have been hoping I'd write something else - something magical to take away the pain completely, because spending time with Jesus just seems way too simple. Yet, I've found NOTHING can lighten my heart like time spent with Him. There's no replacement for sweet fellowship with my Savior.
You have to be intentional. Everything seems to rev-up during this time of year, so your desire to hear from Him has to rev-up, too. Start now by carving out time in your day to spend in the Word and in prayer. Better yet, spend your whole day with Him, carving out time for everything else! Speak to Him before you ever put your feet on the floor. Then, grab the Word and "sit a spell," really focusing on what your reading. I think that's a lot of our problem. We don't train our minds to focus on His Word. We focus on the TV just fine, but when it comes to reading the Bible, we think we've heard it all before. Instead of coming to Him with that attitude, how 'bout we come to His Word EXPECTING Him to speak.
Talk with Him about your day - about your grief - your depression - your loneliness - and then tell Him AND yourself that: 1) You know He has a plan for this hurtful thing in your life (Rom. 8:28); 2) He knows what is best (Is. 55:8,9); and 3) You trust Him implicitly (Pr.3:5-6). Then, when your time at home with Him is spent, don't leave Him there. Take Him with you the rest of the day, talking with Him about everything. When you feel the sadness kicking in, tell Him and ask Him to replace your sadness with His joy...your mindset with His. Speak His Words to yourself. Press deeper into Him. Share your deepest thoughts and concerns with Him, as if He were in front of you, staring intensely into your soul. I promise you. You'll begin to hear Him speak to your spirit...calling to mind verses of Scripture that you didn't even know you knew. You'll feel lighter, more joyful, more at peace.
To further emphasize how important this aspect of your life is and how desperately we all need Him, I want to share a few lines from a Christmas card I received this week. My dear friend's husband went to be with the Lord this past July. This Christmas will be her first without him. These are her words:
The family and I are learning to live in our new reality. We have wonderful memories and we still hear his voice, sense his presence, and feel his love. We are grateful to the Lord for the legacy of unconditional love and commitment that Bob instilled in our lives. I find each "first" to be a challenge but I know I have to go through them, and with the Lord's comfort and strength I am doing well. I find that when I take my eyes off of Jesus I can get drawn into a deep pit of sadness and grief. When I look to the Lord who promised me that He would never leave me nor forsake me (Deut. 31:8) I am able to hear His voice and move on. I know that there is a purpose for me to fulfill in this season of my life.
Take it from someone who knows the pain of "firsts." My friend knows what it's like to be without her husband of 50 years for the "first" time. Christmas will never be the same - BUT it will be wonderful - just the same. For you see, my friend knows these things that affect us here on this earth, don't affect the reality of Christmas. The reality of Christmas stands, regardless. For without the birth of Christ, there would be no joy, no peace, no wonderful times. Talk about depressing. Without Christmas, we'd all be downright hopeless. So, whether we know it or not - whether we recognize it or not - whether we FEEL it or not, Christmas truly IS the most wonderful time of the year.
We thank You, God, especially this time of year for Your GIFT of salvation through the Baby Jesus. And we thank You, Jesus, for being willing to clothe Yourself in the rags of humanity, so that You could clothe us in royalty. We praise You, Jesus. Praise You.
P.S. Oh, and one more thing: DO something for someone else. Make a meal for an elderly person that you know. Rake leaves for the widow down the street. Pay for the meal of the person in the car behind you in the drive-thru. Visit a nursing home - a children's hospital. In your sadness, learn to brighten someone else's day...and Scripture promises that "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself" (Prov. 11:25).
Have a wonderful Christmas!!!
And it's not just those who've had loved ones die over the past year. The Christmas-time Blues can hit anyone at anytime. Sometimes I get them - the Christmas-time Blues. I don't necessarily have a reason. I do, however, have a remedy for my "blues" that I think can help transform Christmas for those of you who really DO have a reason to be sad this year.
First and foremost,spend time with Jesus. That must be the priority of your day. You might have been hoping I'd write something else - something magical to take away the pain completely, because spending time with Jesus just seems way too simple. Yet, I've found NOTHING can lighten my heart like time spent with Him. There's no replacement for sweet fellowship with my Savior.
You have to be intentional. Everything seems to rev-up during this time of year, so your desire to hear from Him has to rev-up, too. Start now by carving out time in your day to spend in the Word and in prayer. Better yet, spend your whole day with Him, carving out time for everything else! Speak to Him before you ever put your feet on the floor. Then, grab the Word and "sit a spell," really focusing on what your reading. I think that's a lot of our problem. We don't train our minds to focus on His Word. We focus on the TV just fine, but when it comes to reading the Bible, we think we've heard it all before. Instead of coming to Him with that attitude, how 'bout we come to His Word EXPECTING Him to speak.
Talk with Him about your day - about your grief - your depression - your loneliness - and then tell Him AND yourself that: 1) You know He has a plan for this hurtful thing in your life (Rom. 8:28); 2) He knows what is best (Is. 55:8,9); and 3) You trust Him implicitly (Pr.3:5-6). Then, when your time at home with Him is spent, don't leave Him there. Take Him with you the rest of the day, talking with Him about everything. When you feel the sadness kicking in, tell Him and ask Him to replace your sadness with His joy...your mindset with His. Speak His Words to yourself. Press deeper into Him. Share your deepest thoughts and concerns with Him, as if He were in front of you, staring intensely into your soul. I promise you. You'll begin to hear Him speak to your spirit...calling to mind verses of Scripture that you didn't even know you knew. You'll feel lighter, more joyful, more at peace.
To further emphasize how important this aspect of your life is and how desperately we all need Him, I want to share a few lines from a Christmas card I received this week. My dear friend's husband went to be with the Lord this past July. This Christmas will be her first without him. These are her words:
The family and I are learning to live in our new reality. We have wonderful memories and we still hear his voice, sense his presence, and feel his love. We are grateful to the Lord for the legacy of unconditional love and commitment that Bob instilled in our lives. I find each "first" to be a challenge but I know I have to go through them, and with the Lord's comfort and strength I am doing well. I find that when I take my eyes off of Jesus I can get drawn into a deep pit of sadness and grief. When I look to the Lord who promised me that He would never leave me nor forsake me (Deut. 31:8) I am able to hear His voice and move on. I know that there is a purpose for me to fulfill in this season of my life.
Take it from someone who knows the pain of "firsts." My friend knows what it's like to be without her husband of 50 years for the "first" time. Christmas will never be the same - BUT it will be wonderful - just the same. For you see, my friend knows these things that affect us here on this earth, don't affect the reality of Christmas. The reality of Christmas stands, regardless. For without the birth of Christ, there would be no joy, no peace, no wonderful times. Talk about depressing. Without Christmas, we'd all be downright hopeless. So, whether we know it or not - whether we recognize it or not - whether we FEEL it or not, Christmas truly IS the most wonderful time of the year.
We thank You, God, especially this time of year for Your GIFT of salvation through the Baby Jesus. And we thank You, Jesus, for being willing to clothe Yourself in the rags of humanity, so that You could clothe us in royalty. We praise You, Jesus. Praise You.
P.S. Oh, and one more thing: DO something for someone else. Make a meal for an elderly person that you know. Rake leaves for the widow down the street. Pay for the meal of the person in the car behind you in the drive-thru. Visit a nursing home - a children's hospital. In your sadness, learn to brighten someone else's day...and Scripture promises that "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself" (Prov. 11:25).
Have a wonderful Christmas!!!
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