Christmas Giving

At Christmas time you will probably experience love, joy, peace, music, excitement, anticipation, decorations, and greetings.  However, what is experienced, far more than anything else, is the act of giving.  We give gifts to those we love and appreciate, and of course, giving brings joy, excitement, and anticipation. Examining the Biblical Christmas Story reveals many elements of giving.

First, God gave.  The act of giving at Christmas began with the wonderful gift of God’s son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  This giving is explained in John’s gospel which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  God gave his son.

Second, the Angel gave.  The angel that appeared to the shepherds on the Judean hillside gave the great news of the birth of Jesus Christ.  The gospel of Luke tells us, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:9-11).  The angel gave good news.

Third, the Shepherds gave.  After hearing the good news, we are told that the shepherds “Hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:16-18).  Then the shepherds gave by spreading the word about the birth of the Savior.  The shepherds gave words of inspiration.

Fourth, the Magi gave.  Not only did the Magi come from the east, but they came with a purpose – to worship the Savior and to present him gifts.  Scripture says, “They saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2;11).  The Magi gave gifts and worship.

As we give gifts to family and friends this year, let’s take time to think about Jesus, who should be the focus of our giving.  He is the reason that we celebrate Christmas.  He is the gift that was given.  Through Him we have been offered eternal life.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  And, this wonderful gift can be ours by believing in Christ and personally receiving him into our lives. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

Thanks for God's Love

There are many things for which we can give thanks.  Take time to read this entire list and think about them as you read them.  The subject of thanks could be: family, health, freedom, life, strength, dexterity, joy, happiness, home, food, safety, worship, instruction, help, friends, air, sun, rain, mountains, trees, flowers, gardens, sky, stars, breath, life, laughter, sight, hearing, taste, feeling, the Bible, godly examples, grass, animals, birds, water, clouds, rainbows, lightening, thunder, fish, oceans, sand, light, atmosphere, temperature, doctors, hospitals, emergency personnel, moonlight, nighttime. Even though this is a long list, many things could be added to it. 

One psalm from the Bible identifies something that God provides for us.  In the 26 verses of Psalm 136 the phrase, “his love endures forever” is expressed 26 times – once in each verse.  This thought suggests four things that the psalmist wanted everyone to know about God.

1)      First, “His” – The Source.  At the beginning of this phrase the psalmist directly identified that God was the foundation of the love for which he was thankful.  The gospel of John identifies the person, character, and the work of the love of God when it says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  The psalmist publicly expressed thanks to God as the source of love, and the action of love that God had revealed to him.

2)     Next, “Love” – The Focus.  The love of God was expressed sacrificially when Jesus died on the cross, thereby paying the penalty of our sin.  In John’s epistle he says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (I John 3:16).  So, the psalmist was grateful for the way God’s expressed his love through Jesus, His son.

3)    Then “Endures” – The Extent.  The love that God shares is a lasting love.  In the book of Lamentations, the writer explains God’s love this way: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).  Similarly, Jeremiah says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).  These expressions reveal the magnitude of God’s love for mankind.

4)     Finally, “Forever” – The Duration.  The extent of God’s love goes on and on.  It has no interval of time when it discontinues. The psalmist said, “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:5).  This quality of God’s love never wears out. The psalmist was grateful for this kind of love, and we should be too.

Think about these questions: (1) Have you experienced God’s love?  (2) Are you glad God loves you?  (3) Have you taken time to thank God for his love?  (4) Are you grateful that God’s love endures forever?  As you think about God’s love take time today to give thanks to God for the love that he has shown to you.

Being Different

Being different can be thought of as either bad or good.  Many people do not want to be viewed as different because that word often places them in the "bad" category and at the center of attention.  When someone is different, they are often considered weird, out of place, not fitting in, or inferior.  Believe it or not, God wants Christians to be different – but in a positive way.  Think about this: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2). Notice these things about being different in a positive way:

1)      Non-Conformity.  The text says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world.”  When a person conforms to the thinking and living of the people of the world, they often “go with the flow” either by saying things that are not good or acting in ungodly ways.

2)      Life Change.  This verse identifies a change when it says, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  The mind is where change needs to begin.  To renew the mind, one must be saturated with, and functioning under the authority of the written Word — the Bible

3)      A Spiritual Difference.  This phrase points to a specific kind of difference - “what God’s will is.”  A godly, different person is one who is in step with God by filling their mind with God’s Word, and by listening to, learning from, and following God's commands. The will of God is lived-out when a person turns from existing like the world suggests and changing his or her thoughts to what God says.

4)      Difference Maker.  A clear declaration is pronounced by the expression “in view of God’s mercy.”  What is changed is being different in a positive, godly way.  God’s mercy is extended to everyone who believes in Christ and receives Him as Savior.  When they submit to God’s involvement, that means that they are ready to “offer [their] bodies as a living sacrifice[s]  To give everything that a person is and has to God is reflected in how that person lives his or her life.

Are you different?  Are you different in a good, godly way?  Have you determined to stop following the actions and attitudes of the world?  Has your life been transformed?  Do you realize that you are the recipient of God’s mercy and that you need to present your body as a living sacrifice to God?  Let’s be different together.

Are You Growing?

Why talk about growth when the Fall and Winter seasons of the year are close at hand?  Depending on the temperature, tree root growth takes place in the winter. Many plant seeds rely on the winter temperatures because moisture freezes the seeds and expands them so they can break their hard shell and sprout in the spring. Other plants need a time of hibernation. In general, growth refers to an increase, expansion, or maturing that happens over time.  If there is no growth in plant, animal or human life, there is great concern because without growth there is stagnation, decrease and ineffectiveness.  On the other hand, growth suggests life, vitality, increase, and effectiveness.  The Bible points out that there needs to be spiritual growth in the life of a believer.  For example, a Christian is instructed to:

1)     “Grow up into him [Christ]” (Ephesians 4:15).  We need to make sure that Christ is the focus of our spiritual growth.

2)     “Grow up in your salvation” (I Peter 2:2). Once a person receives Christ by faith, they need to feed on the Word of God (the Bible) for proper growth.

3)    “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). Inactivity will never advance spiritual growth.  There must be continuous study to know Christ better and understand how to progress in the Christian life.

An axiom says that where there is growth, there is life – at least where there is healthy growth there is healthy life.  Our spiritual growth takes place in many ways, but to see progressive growth on a regular basis we must be wise in what we do to encourage our growth.  Some good questions we need to ask ourselves about our spiritual growth:

1) Am I spending time reading, reflecting and studying the Bible?

2) Do I find myself thinking about ways to help people as I serve the Lord?

3) Do I live my life in such a way that it is a godly example for others?

4) Do my actions please God and help others grow spiritually?

Maybe it is time that each of us take time for personal examination to make sure we are growing in a manner that pleases the Lord.

Using Time Wisely

Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are upon us.  I trust that you have had a great time enjoying the warm weather and the beautiful colors that abound in the summertime.  But summer is almost over.  Well, at least it is already 2/3 over with just the month of August to go. Fall is right around the corner and soon children will head back to school.  I am sure you have heard comments such as: “Time sure flies” and “Where has the time gone?”  Yes, these comments seem to be true.  Maybe that is why the Apostle Paul decided to share important insights about time with the people to whom he was writing.  He said, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). In these verses Paul suggests several things:

1)      Pay attention to how you live.  The challenge to “Be very careful” suggests the importance of being alert and cautious about how we act and live.  Wise thought needs to be given to the way we live because time does pass quickly and if we are not sensbile we can live in ways that do not please God.

2)      Be wise in the use of time.  The comparison of “Not as unwise but as wise” becomes a word to the careful person since we can so easily waste our time by letting it escape without accomplishing anything worthwhile or godly.

3)      Make sure to do what is important. The idea of “Making the most of every opportunity” suggests that we ought to seriously consider using our time to focus on things that are positive, purposeful, and productive.  Our activities should benefit God’s kingdom and help people bring glory to God.

4)      Recognize that foolish endeavors can easily emerge. The phrase “Because the days are evil” helps us realize that there is wickedness all around us which can so easily draw us and others into involvement in things which do not please God.

People want, desire, collect, and yes, even demand “things.”  However, once things are accumulated it usually does not take long to discover that those things do not provide satisfaction.  What people need is a right relationship with God.  When people become rightly related to God through personal faith and trust in His Son Jesus Christ, they discover real purpose in living.  With a right relationship with God people will delight in doing things right as well as in doing the right things. When we do things that are right, our actions and attitudes please God.  God is delighted and glorified when we pay attention to the time that He has graciously given to us.  Ask yourself: Am I spending time in God’s Word?  Am I investing my life in people?  Am I allowing God’s Spirit to direct me in living my life for God?  Time does pass quickly.  Let’s use our time wisely.

Signers of the Declaration

Have you ever wondered what kind of people signed the Declaration of Independence or what happened to them?  This important document was signed by 56 men who were soft-spoken, wealthy, and educated.  However, by signing their names to the document they put their lives and the lives of their families in jeopardy.  Having their names on that manuscript meant that they valued liberty more than their own safety. Some of these men were soldiers in the war and died from the wounds they sustained. Some were captured and tortured, and others had their homes ransacked and burned. A few were driven from their homes and lived in forests and caves and some family members were dispersed and never found again. 

These men agreed to the following statement: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”  Together they had a firm trust that the hand of God would rest on them despite anything that may happen to them.  They were confident that physical and spiritual freedom was of great value – “If the Son [of God] sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).  And they were assured that they needed a firm trust in God – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

These men knew that the document they signed would have a lasting impact on all Americans for years to come.  As a result of their bravery, today you and I have much for which to be thankful to God.  We should be grateful for the forefathers of our country who put their lives on the line when they took quill in hand and signed their name on this document.  And we should give thanks to God for the unlimited blessings he has provided for us in this great country of ours.

The Flag and Our Banner

Since September 11, 2001, and the terroristic attacks against the United States, Flag Day has taken on greater meaning.  June 14 is the anniversary of the official adoption of the American flag by the Continental Congress in 1777 as Flag Day.  Celebrations on this day gained in popularity in the eighteen hundreds.  In 1894 the governor of New York ordered that the American flag be displayed at all public buildings.  President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first nationwide Flag Day in 1916 and in 1947, President Harry Truman signed legislation requesting that National Flag Day be observed annually.

The U.S. flag contains 13 red and white stripes which represent the original 13 colonies.  The 50 white stars on a blue background represent the current 50 states comprising the USA.  The colors of the flag are symbolic.  White signifies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue, vigilance, perseverance, and justice.  The stars, stripes and colors of the flag is why it is sometimes referred to as: “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “The Stars and Stripes”, “The Red, White and Blue”, or “Old Glory.”  For Americans, the flag represents all the above.

Not only do Christians stand under the American flag, but they have a special banner flying over them.  That banner is none other than God’s love.  The Bible says, “He has taken me to the banquet hall, and His banner over me is love” (Song of Solomon 2:4). The Scriptures further state:

1)      God loves people so much that He sent Jesus to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

2)      We can have a positive relationship with God because of His gracious act of love. “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (I Peter 3:18).

3)      Being part of God’s forever family is based on receiving and believing.  “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

4)      Living with God eternally has been made possible because of Christ. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

The American flag should cause us to well up with loyalty and allegiance to our country.  God’s banner over us (His love) should also cause us to well up with gratitude and thanksgiving for His involvement in our lives and the many blessings He provides.

The Glory Due His Name

What is it that God wants you and me to do?  More than anything else, God wants us to live our lives so that He receives glory.  Three verses of scripture express this thought through the phrase “the glory due his name.”

1) "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.  Bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” (I Chronicles 16:29).

2) Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness” (Psalm 29:2).

3) “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts” (Psalm 96:8).

The underlined words in the above verses indicate exactly what you and I need to do to give God credit for who He is and what He has done for us.  We are to:

• “Bring an offering” – No one should come into God’s presence without bringing something.  This gift acknowledges that everything – including oneself – belongs to God.
• “Come before Him” – To come is God’s call suggesting that He is a personal God and desires that people enter His presence.  Because Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, we become the righteousness of God when we put our trust in Him.
• “Worship Him” – Since God is worthy of all praise and honor, we should acknowledge his graciousness and goodness as we lift his name in praise and thanksgiving.
• “Come into His courts” – To be in God’s courts means to be in His presence, and we can do so no matter where we are.  However, in a gathering of God’s people (like at a church) we corporately worship him.

Each action above is an extension of oneself to God to lift the Lord up and give Him the glory that is due His name.  As you reflect on these thoughts ask yourself:

1)      What action have I taken that ascribes to the Lord the glory due his name?

2)      Have I brought an offering that suggests that I belong to God?

3)    In what ways have I worshiped God through expressing my praise of him?

4)    Have I come into God’s presence to simply spend time with Him?

We ought to think carefully about God and act each day to make sure that we ascribe to the Lord the glory that is due His name.

The Surpeise of the Ages

Because surprises can be negative or positive, people either dislike them or thoroughly enjoy them. A surprise suggests both the unexpected and the unanticipated.  If a surprise is negative it is disliked, hated, or detested.  When the surprise is positive it usually brings a smile to the face and joy to the heart.

After Jesus died and was buried, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to his tomb. There they were given a wonderful surprise that was explained this way: “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you” (Matthew 28:5-7).  What a wonderful surprise this must have been.  Not only was Jesus not in the tomb but an angel of the Lord told them that he had in fact risen from the dead and they should quickly go and tell the disciples this wonderful news.

We celebrate this great surprise today and commemorate it as Resurrection Sunday.  The Bible tells us that Jesus “Himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness” (I Peter 2:24).  Jesus’ death satisfied the penalty for our sin which he voluntarily paid for all mankind.  By faith and trust in Him we can enjoy and experience everlasting life – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  By believing in Jesus and receiving him by faith we become part of God’s forever family. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

No wonder the songwriter (Alfred Henry Ackley, 1933) wrote the music and these words that express that Jesus is a living Savior. “I serve a risen savoir, he’s in the world today.  I know that He is living whatever men may say.  I see his hand of mercy; I hear his voice of cheer. And just the time I need him, he’s always near.  He lives.  He lives.  Christ Jesus lives today.  He walks with me and talks with me, along life’s narrow way.  He lives.  He lives.  Salvation to impart.  You ask me how I know he lives; He lives within my heart.”

Any individual can personally apply this surprise of the ages to their own life by simply believing in Jesus and putting complete trust in Him.  All of this takes place because of God’s grace.  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  The part we play is to simply believe and receive this wonderful gift.  “Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (I John 5:10-12).  Allow Jesus’ resurrection, the surprise of the ages, to impact your life.

Two Perspectives

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Most likely you have had a friend or coworker ask for your perspective about a particular situation.  That person may have asked you what you think about a world problem, a certain kind of music, the strategy of a sports team, or a decision made by an employer or a work associate.  The questioner probably wants to know your point of view or how your thinking compares to his or hers.

Since people think differently, a perspective about how any situation is viewed can change dramatically. Here is an example from a Bible story.  After securing freedom from bondage in Egypt, the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years and finally stood across the river from the land of Israel which God had promised them.  Before entering this “new” land Moses decided that spies should be sent into the territory to see what it was like (Numbers 13:2). 

Twelve men were chosen and after forty days in the land they returned with a report.  They said, “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit” (Numbers 13:27).  Sounds good so far, doesn’t it?  But ten of the men continued with a negative report. They said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are…The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size…We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them” (Numbers 13:31-33).  The bold words in the above verses indicate that they thought a “stop” should be put on any plans to enter the land.

However, two spies – Caleb and Nun – gave the following positive report. “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them” (Numbers 14:7-9). Notice the bold words in the above verses which identify why entering the land should be given a “go”

Wow!  Two different perspectives from two groups of people who had obviously observed identical things.  One perspective was “we just can’t do it.” The other perspective was “with God’s help we can do it.”  What made the difference in the perspective involving these two reports?  From a human perspective, the ten looked at the barriers that might hinder.  From God’s perspective the two looked at the blessings that would be theirs through the eyes of faith.  What a difference having a godly perspective makes.

Maybe you are going through a difficult situation and find it hard to see things in a positive light.  Why not begin looking at your situation through the eyes of faith?  Seeing things from God’s perspective is a challenge and will involve faith.  However, this is the perspective that we all need and it will be blessed by God.

Freedom in Christ

Freedom is important for many people as it was for two United States Presidents whose birthdays take place in the month of February – George Washington (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12).  As you know, Washington was the first president of the United States (1789-1797), but he was also an important military and political leader in America.  He is known as the one who gained independence for the American colonies and later unified them under the new U.S. federal government.  Lincoln was a lawyer and became the sixteenth president of the U.S. (1861-1865).  He led the nation through the Civil War and was successful in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery, strengthening the federal government, and updating the U.S. economy.  He was also a dynamic spokesman for antislavery, eventually issuing the Proclamation of Emancipation which was later accepted in the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution.  It is interesting that the Bible speaks about freedom.  However, the freedom which the scripture points to is a different kind of freedom – spiritual freedom.  Notice these truths about spiritual freedom identified in the Bible.

1)      Christ gives us spiritual freedom. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). If there ever was a guarantee, this is it.  There is no question that God wants us to enjoy spiritual freedom and we can be confident that freedom is ours through God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  This verse notes that the spiritual freedom we obtain through Christ is a freedom that is assured.

2)      Spiritual freedom separates us from sin and death. “Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). We have been freed from sin.  That means that we do not have to sin because Jesus provides strength for us to live godly lives.  We also have been freed from spiritual death.  We can conquer death because God gives us eternal life through His son.  “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (I John 5:12)

The Bible reminds us that “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a).  This death is spiritual separation from God.  Spiritual freedom is a gift that is ours when we receive the Lord Jesus Christ “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23b). Spiritual freedom is fantastic!  It is sad that many people do not enjoy this kind of freedom.  What about you?  Do you enjoy the spiritual freedom about which the Bible speaks?  According to the Bible you can enjoy that freedom today.  John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”  We become a part of God’s family (becoming children of God) when we believe in him and personally receive Him into our lives as Savior and Lord.