The Love Gift

February is nearly complete, but the month is known for love.  Probably this is so because of Valentine’s Day which is a day set aside to honor lovers.  Many people use this occasion to send greeting cards or gifts to each other to express affection.  Valentine cards are often designated with hearts to symbolize love.  The more I thought about the love month, the more I was reminded that love is reflected in who God is and what He came to this earth to do.

First, love is a description of God.  The Bible emphatically states, “God is love” (I John 14:6).  This statement doesn’t tell us what God does, it express who God is.  Before we understand the loving actions of God we need to recognize that love is His very essence and characterizes Him in every way.

Second, God has shown His great love for us by providing salvation through Christ.   The great love-verse of the Bible points this out 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).

Third, God has sent His love to us as a greeting card.  The Apostle John tells us about this greeting card when he says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loves us and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (I John 4:9-10).

Aren’t you glad that God is in the business of loving?  Aren’t you glad that He is in the business of loving you?  The question is, what should we do with these expressions of  love?  Here is the answer:“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (I John 5:12).  This suggests that we need to make sure we put our faith in the Son of God and trust Him as our Savior and Lord.  The Apostle Paul said, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10).

Let God’s love-gift make a difference in your life.  That difference will be felt both now, and for all eternity.

God's Abiding Presence

The Bible says, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).  These were the comforting words God shared with Joshua as the Children of Israel headed into unknown territory.  He only asked them to trust Him, spend time in His Word, and be obedient to what He had to say.

You and I head into unknown territory as well.  Although we are well into the first month of 2019, most of the year is ahead of us.  And yes, what is ahead of us is unknown.  But we can be completely confident in God’s abiding presence.  Let’s not take His presence for granted, but as we continue through this year let’s do what he asked the Children of Israel to do—trust Him, spend time in His Word, and be obedient to what He has to say.  Here’s what the Bible says, “Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written it it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:7-8).

What is Christmas?

Think about that question.  What might your answer be?  For some people, Christmas is giving and receiving gifts.  For others, it is the bright colored lights, beautifully decorated trees, and the joyful sounds of the season.  Still others would explain Christmas as family get-togethers, laughter, and lots of great food.  Some might even say that Christmas is church programs and Jesus in a manger.  All of these are part of Christmas; however, Christmas is much more than that.

Christmas is explained in God’s Word when it says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11).  Do you see it?  Christmas is the gift of salvation that comes to us through the person of Jesus Christ, all because of God’s wonderful grace.  The angels announced the coming of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem.  However, the announcement recorded in John 3:16 reminds us that Jesus was God’s love-gift to us.  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.”

Aren’t you glad that God, by His mercy and grace, is a giving God?  Aren’t you glad that He gave His only Son as a love-gift so that you and I might receive salvation by personal faith in Christ? “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  God’s love gift is significant, but we need to make it ours.  How?  Simple.  Look at the instruction to us, “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).

The gift of Jesus is ours by believing in Him.  Don’t let Christmas pass and enter the New Year without experiencing God’s wonderful grace—Jesus Christ.  To know Him is life eternal.

Christmas is explained in God’s Word when it says, “For the grace of god that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11).  Do you see it?  Christmas is the gift of salvation that comes to us through the person of Jesus Christ, all because of God’s wonderful grace.  The angels announced the coming of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem.  However, the announcement recorded in John 3:16 reminds us that Jesus was God’s love-gift to us.  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.”

Aren’t you glad that God, by His mercy and grace, is a giving God?  Aren’t you glad that He gave His only Son as a love-gift so that you and I might receive salvation by personal faith in Christ? “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  God’s love gift is significant, but we need to make it ours.  How?  Simple.  Look at the instruction to us, “Yet to all who receved him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

The gift of Jesus is ours by believing in Him.  Don’t let Christmas pass and enter the New Year without experiencing God’s wonderful grace—Jesus Christ.  To know Him is life eternal.

Refections Based on the Actions of Columbus

Columbus Day honors the first voyage of Christopher Columbus to America in 1492.  Columbus had a dream of becoming a sea captain.  He took education seriously and learned as much as he could about everything – but particularly about the seas.  He didn’t let discouragement keep him from following his dream.  Using Columbus as an example, let’s reflect on what we might be able learn and to do from a Christian perspective.

1)    Have a dream.  The Apostle Paul’s dream of an ongoing personal relationship with the Lord could well be ours.  “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).  Does your dream include getting to know God better?

2)    Learn all you can – especially about the Bible.  Paul’s focus suggested that he knew the importance of study and learning.  “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).  Are you learning all you can about how God wants you to act and what He wants you to do?

3)    Realize that in spite of discouragement God will help.  The apostle Peter explains how to overcome discouragement.  “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:7).  Are you willing to take every difficult situation that causes you to be anxious and place it in God’s hands?

Let’s use the thoughts about Christopher Columbus as a time to turn to the Lord and His word, the Bible.

Fundamentals 101

When school begins in the fall, boys and girls are faced with the challenge of going back to the basics.  In the classroom, on the sports field, or in the music room, teachers and coaches emphasize the importance of fundamentals and they repeat those basics over and over again.  Fundamentals are also important in the Christian life.  The Apostle Peter says,“And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.  Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.  For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:19-21).

These verses tell us that God’s Word is basic for Christians.  We need the fundamentals of Scripture for Christian faith and for daily living.  Notice some specifics from these verses:

1)      We can have confidence in God’s Word.  It can be counted on in all kinds of

situations because it is “more certain.”

2)      We need to listen carefully to God’s Word.  In fact, Scripture is so important that we would “do well to pay attention to it.”

3)      God’s Word is a light for guiding us when things seem unclear.  It provides direction like “a light shinning in a dark place.”

4)      God’s Word originates with and has its source in God, Himself.  What is written in the Bible is not just “the prophet’s own interpretation” but it is “from God.”

Therefore, God Word is completely dependable.  This fall is a great time for all of us to open our Bibles and get “back to the basics.”

Growth, Celebration and Freedom

July is always a fun month.  It is the middle month of the summer – a time when we see plants, gardens and crops growing and producing.  It is a month during which we celebrate the independence of our wonderful country.  And of course, independence means that we enjoy the freedom that comes with it.  Let’s take time to personally apply growth, celebration, and freedom to us from a Biblical perspective.

Growth.  God wants us to grow in our knowledge of Him and in appreciation for what he has done for us when He says, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever!  Amen” (II Peter 3:18).

Celebration.  God wants us to be joyful and observe with celebration who He is and the good things He has done for us.  “They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness” (Psalm 145:7).

Freedom.  Real freedom is spiritual freedom and it is available to us through the Lord Jesus Christ.  “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

This summer as you view God’s creation growing and producing, as you celebrate the wonderful independence that is yours, and as you enjoy your personal freedom, I encourage you to think about these blessings and the spiritual application of them to you.

Awesome Lessons About Summer

The month of June traditionally begins the summer season, although the actual first day of summer is in mid-June.  Summer is one of the seasons of the year that is defined by the position of the earth in orbit around the sun.  In summer the northern hemisphere of the earth is tilted toward the sun resulting in longer and warmer days because of the more direct rays of sunlight.  Consider this from the Bible:

1)    God created summer.  “It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter” (Psalm 74:17).
2)    Various signs in the natural world point to the coming of summer.  “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near” (Mark 13:28).
3)    As long as the earth endures there will be summer.  “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Genesis 8:22).
4)    One day there will be an end to summer.  “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).

Here are some spiritual lessons based on point #4:
1)    Summer should remind us about the urgent matters in life.  Many times we get so busy with all kinds of activity that we forget about that which gives meaning and purpose to life.

2)    There will be a time when we can no longer make spiritual decisions.  If we do not take care of the needful things in life we will soon find that it is too late to take action.  Physical life will come to an end whether we are ready for it or not.
3)    We must be diligent to take care of spiritual matters.  If we wait too long we will lose out.  Of course, the most important spiritual matter is our salvation in Christ.

As you think about “summer” and your life, here are some things to consider: Turn your life over to God.  Receive into your life Him by faith.  Tell Him that you love Him.  Repent of your sin.  Remember, the Lord is “Patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).  Make this summer a significant milepost in your life by beginning and developing your relationship with God.