Christmas

Christmas

Today I am thinking about Christmas.  The joy of celebrating our Savior’s birth.  Some find it hard to fathom Jesus’ birth.  Born of a virgin.  By God’s design.  Others celebrate with their eyes on Santa Claus.  No father no mother.  Poof out of nowhere with only material gifts in his bag.  Often unwanted gifts or ones that are so shabby their life span is short.  Conversely Jesus brings us the gift of salvation.  Life everlasting.  The hope of tomorrow. Santa is here and gone in the blink of an eye.  Jesus is forever.  Wonder why folks settle for a fable when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is available to each and every one of us. Just bow our heart and receive the best gift one could ever obtain plus it is an everlasting gift. Celebrate Christmas with the joy of Jesus in your heart and pass that joy on to others.  Possibly a Santa lover might just catch the joy of Jesus if we were to share Him. What a wonderful time of the year to share the joy of Jesus as our Savior.

2 Corinthians 4:18

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Baggage

Baggage

When my church was building a new sanctuary a schematic was placed on an easel showing an architectural drawing.  As our pastor shared he said the architect must have used a computer program for an airport terminal showing people coming toward the church from the parking lot.  Those coming from the parking lot were pulling suitcases behind them.  The thought struck me that this is so appropriate.  Is not the church the place to bring life’s “baggage?” Life’s cares. The secret is to leave life’s “baggage” at the altar, thereby releasing the burdens of life.  How many of us take the same cares home after service instead of leaving them with Jesus?  Maybe the church is more like a terminal that we realize.  Check your baggage at the altar releasing it to heaven and leaving with the cares of the world lifted from our shoulders.  When we leave our burdens with Jesus it releases our spirit to be set free.  Thank you Jesus for Your provision for freedom.

Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Emotional Wounds

Jeremiah 30-17  For I will restore you to health and I will heal you of your wounds, declares the Lord.

As I was praying Jeremiah 30-17 it is as if He said how can I heal your wounds if you keep picking the scab off.    Emotional wounds that is.  Don’t ruminate on the past.  Leave that to Jesus.   Look to Jesus.  Enjoy the present.  The past is buried in Christ.  The present is filled with the hope of Christ. Walk in the light of the love of Jesus. Lean on Him for strength.  He is your strength and joy.

This is the day the Lord has made rejoice in it.

Are You Loaded Down With "Stuff?"

Are You Loaded Down With “Stuff?”

Mark 6:7-9 And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs; and He gave them authority over unclean spirits; and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff; no bread, no bag, and no money in their belt, but to wear sandals and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.”

When I think about the disciples going out, I picture in my mind them walking along a dusty road, no one carrying anything to weigh them down on their journey.  I suppose the staff they were carrying was to help them as they climbed a steep incline or to lean on as they rested.  No money.  Full trust.  Interestingly, the one who betrayed Jesus carried the money bag.

I think of my life so full of ease – more than enough clothes, money, food or any of the material possessions I might desire.  These things could be a stumbling block if they define who I am but I cannot let them.  Only Jesus can define who I am. When I go out to minister or if I just stay at home and am ministered to by Jesus, I need to set aside all the trappings of ease.  My Bible is my staff to lean on when life gets tough, to glean from when I read His word.  It will teach me to trust in good times and lean times.  When sorrow comes I must realize Jesus is enough.  We need to remember that all the worldly things are worthless unless we focus on the sufficiency of Jesus and Jesus alone.

A Stone A Day Keeps The Devil Away

This morning as I was writing in my stone journal about encouraging a lady in Ross the Lord dropped a phrase in my mind “a stone a day keeps the Devil away.” This particular lady was quite lovely and I complemented her on how lovely she was. She turned to me and said you don’t really know how much I needed that today. Well after we hugged I told her that in truth I needed to bless someone today as much as she needed a blessing. It was a Jesus moment for both of us. Now back to a stone a day keeps the Devil away. About a month ago Jesus told me to make a stone journal recounting all the times He had intervened in my life to guide, protect, bless or otherwise been present. Joshua 4:6-7 directed the children of Israel to place stones in the Jordan River as a memorial to His faithfulness in their crossing the Jordan so in the future when their children asked about the stones they would share with them how God had lead and directed them. As I reflect on all the wonderful times He has intervened in my life and encouraged me to share Him with others I anticipate His next adventure. When I go into the marketplace with a heart turned to Jesus He is almost always faithful to provide an adventure worth recording in my stone journal.

I Thessalonians 1:25 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Leaping for Joy

                               

Leaping for Joy 

                  

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.  And a

certain man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they

used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg

alms of those who were entering the temple.  And when he saw Peter and John about to go into

the temple, he began asking to receive alms.  And Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze upon

him and said, “Look at us!”  And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive 

something from them.  But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have

I give to you “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene - walk!”  And seizing him by the right

hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.  And with a

leap, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and

leaping and praising God.  And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

                                                                                                                                   

 I remember the day Jesus came into my heart.  My priest prayed for me for a long time and then

 he quietly left the church.  I prayed ever so long at the altar after he left.  Jesus gently took my

 soul and restored me.  My soul was as equally as crippled as the man sitting at the gate.  My

 friends had taken me to the temple for healing.  What a blessing to have friends who recognized

 the condition of our soul and lead us to the Savior. After receiving Christ I well remember my

transformation.  Not only was it spiritual but also physical. I felt as if I was walking on tip toes for eons.  I well can relate to the man in scripture when with a leap he stood upright.  My joy was so deep it was evident to those around me.  The first time I saw my sister-in-law, she asked  “what are you on now?” Formerly I had been on tranquilizers and beer.  Joyfully I could tell her Jesus had become my Savior.  Some of us are so crippled our first instinct is to leap for joy when Jesus enters our life.  The blessing for us it is so real we leap for joy the rest of our lives.

     

Elephant Ears

Elephant Ears  

My daughter’s ears slightly protrude.  As with many teens, she focused on her shortcomings rather on her assets.  It never helped while in elementary school her friends called her elephant ears.  No encouraging words absolved her anguish.

One Sunday after church a friend of the family asked her if she would pose for a brochure their Christian radio station was producing. The irony of the situation was that she wanted Anne to wear a cross earring, her ear being the focus of the picture.  We had to laugh at God’s provision.  He took the thing she was most self-conscious about and used it in attracting people to listen to a Christian station. Isn’t that just like God to take the things in our life that are far from perfect and use them for His glory.  I wonder what elephant ears loom in our life?  You’ve heard the old saying “make a silk purse our of a sow’s ear.”  God made a call to listen to His music from elephant ears.

Romans 8:28   And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Elephants

Elephants   

This morning I was listening to a story about elephants.  When elephants are young, the trainer puts a chain around his leg attached to an immovable object.  The baby pulls against the goad until it finally gives up.  He has accepted his limitations forever to be controlled by learned behavior.  When the elephant is grown, the trainers need only put a rope around his leg and a small object at the end of the rope.  At any moment the elephant could walk away unhindered.

When we become Christians, Satan tries to tether us with “I can’t, He won’t, miracles were for Bible times, and on and on and on.”  Some folks bite into “I can’t” and never realize the destiny God has for their lives.  Others step out for Jesus and realize the shackles were not from God.  Trusting God they soar for Him.  Much of Christianity has been deceived into thinking the move of God was for Bible times.  Jesus said we would do greater works than He had done.  If we believe that to be true why are we letting Satan keep us on a short rope.  Do we go to church, hear a sermon, sing a song and leave unchanged?  Have we not seen the Savior in action by bringing folks to salvation, healing and deliverance?  Sadly enough we have been accustomed to thinking attending Sunday morning worship is all there is to being a Christian.  Let us break with tradition and expect to see the living God work in our lives without restrictions either from Satan or earthly imposed restrictions.

Matthew 19:26   Looking upon them Jesus said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

A Trip to Nowhere

A Trip to Nowhere

The other evening I was visiting with a young lady in my neighborhood and she was sharing with me about a wonderful trip she and her husband were planning.  It sounded quite delightful.  This brought to mind a special trip my husband and I had taken several years ago.  He had wanted to go to a tool store in Kentucky and since Kentucky and Alabama are quite close we were afforded several days to do anything we might enjoy.  We termed our trip a “Trip to Nowhere.”  We toured the Blue Ridge Parkway and many other lovely sights.  Nowhere turned out to be a wonderful destination.

Thinking about our “trip to nowhere” this morning my heart was gladdened that Jesus destination for our life is nothing like a “trip to nowhere.”  While here on earth He has wonderful adventures planned for us with our final destination Heaven.  How blessed we are to have a Savior that does not drop us here on earth without opportunities to serve Him and when our time on earth ends He has a wonderful destination for us.  More often than not our Jesus trip is revealed day by day with Jesus at the helm.  How thankful I am that He is so involved in my life that my final destination is secure and until that day His promise that He will never leave me nor forsake me is sealed by His blood.

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way.

Better Than I Can

When my daughter was about three years old she said to me one day, “Mom, I love you better than I can.”  That has always been a favorite expression in our family.  When you love beyond what you can verbalize or even imagine, you love better than you can.

Several days ago I found myself saying to God, “I love You better than I can.”  As I worked around the house, those words came out of my mouth.  I pondered this statement.  How did God view those words?  I then realized He might feel just as I did when my daughter said them to me.  Loved so dearly she did not have words to express her love.  God, I don’t have words to tell you how much I love You or more correctly how much I want to love You.  Could You just accept “I love You better than I can” as heartfelt adoration.

Deuteronomy 6:5

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

Are You Running on Empty?

Last night I was talking to my sister-in-law and she was telling me she had to take her daughter, Teresa, to work because her car wouldn’t start.  Teresa had neglected to keep her gas tank filled, allowing the gas line to freeze.  This was new to me because in Alabama we usually don’t have severe enough weather to freeze our gas line.  But there is a remedy.  Putting a can of Heat in your gas tank will prevent your line from freezing.

As I lay in bed this morning the Lord brought this incident to mind.  Immediately, I realized He was showing me that we are much like a gas tank!  When our hearts are not full of Jesus, we resemble a gas tank that is not full, and our hearts begins to freeze. This is so gradual we hardly notice our heart’s condition.  The longer I neglect fellowship with Jesus, the colder my heart becomes.  I am sure when Teresa parked her car the night before, she had no idea the next morning it would not start.  How many days had she neglected to fill her tank?  Likewise, how many days do I ignore Jesus and go my merry way until one day I realize my heart is cold?  I have to ask Jesus to forgive me for my neglect.  Fortunately, He is faithful to forgive me.  That certainly is wonderful but like the car parked in the drive, I have parked my heart and missed many opportunities for fellowship with Him and perhaps even chances to bring His glory to others.  I am sure today Teresa will purchase a can of Heat so that she will be able to start her car in the morning.

 I pray every morning when I wake up that I will check my spiritual “tank” and be sure to fill my heart with the presence of Jesus.  That way when I meet someone “running low” or burdened with life’s cares I will be so full of  Jesus’ presence that I will be able to pray with them thereby helping them to refill their heart with Jesus.    The lovely thing is we don’t pay $3.68 a gallon.  His presence is free.  All we need to do is humble ourselves before Him; ask forgiveness and praise His holy name thereby entering into a vibrant relationship with our Savior. 

Thank you Jesus, that you are always available to hear my prayers and touch my heart with Yourself.  Don’t forget to keep your heart full and you won’t find yourself stranded and unable to cope with life.

Hebrews 10:23-24 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds

Tin Cup Ministry

        Tin-Cup Ministry

         The greatest fears in my teens stemmed from movies in the 40's and 50's.  Gangster movies and epics in which Christians would be persecuted were the worst. The other day I was telling someone about my fears.  I was in prison and banging my tin cup on the bars, and begging for my release as I was innocent.  I had been unjustly imprisoned.  The gangsters in the movies were always banging their cups on the jail bars and proclaiming their innocence.  As I write this I realize I had been imprisoned before coming to Christ.  I had cried out in my soul for help, like banging my tin cup, and no one heeded my cry.   The jailer had turned a deaf ear to my pleas.  Then at 33 the jailer was overturned, and my rescuer came and released me.  Jesus, the Savior of my soul, released me from the hands of Satan. My other fear was that I would be thrown into the arena and the lions would be released to kill me because I would not deny Jesus.  Although I knew I did not understand about appropriating Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I knew I had to stand for Jesus and never deny Him.  As a teenager I realized I did not have the strength to do that, but I knew I would need that strength if the occasion ever arose.  After my rescue from prison I knew I had the strength to stand for Jesus. I realized that one aspect of the arena is our everyday life in the marketplace.  We must take every opportunity to stand for Jesus so that those who are “imprisoned” may be released.  Their shouts and cries may not be heard by those around them, but Jesus hears them.  We must tune our spirits so we recognize those who are crying out for their cells to be opened can be set free.  Maybe we need a “Tin-Cup Ministry” so that instead of those captives banging their tin cups on the bars, we with our ministry might fill their cups with living water.  What a release from bondage that would be. 

          John 8:32   “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free”

Pooper Scooper

Pooper Scooper    

                    

I live in a condo village.  In the bylaws there is a “poop” ordinance.  Your dog poops you scoop. One day I noticed someone taking a trowel and throwing the poop through the chain link fence onto the property on the other side of the fence.  Now this area is vacant but the owner mows it regularly.  At some point the mower and the poop are going to connect thus leaving the mower a bit worse for wear.  This reminds me of humanity.  Out of selfishness we scatter our selfish ways whenever and wherever we go without regard for the feelings of others.  By doing this we leave the stench of sin all around us and those we encounter.  The condo has bylaws and Jesus has instructions for a Godly life.  One is love your neighbor as yourself.  I wonder if we loved our neighbor as our self would we scatter the debris of our life so unfeeling on others.

In the 21^st century one the mottoes of life seems to be “if it feels good do it.”  In life I find the most blessed feelings come from listening to the still quiet voice of Jesus and obeying it.  The problem I don’t always obey this voice.  The other day I was running late for an appointment and noticed a car waiting to get out of a parking lot.  I knew in my heart I should allow the car to exit the parking lot but I just went on my merry way. I now regret my actions. How do I know that this person’s appointment might have been far more important than mine or just needed kindness shown to them at that particular time.  Oh, how we walk in selfishness through life whether pitching our dog poop through the fence or ignoring the needs of others in a multitude of ways.   Lord, help me be a person that is not too proud to humble myself and be a servant of others.

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.