More is not Merrier

On Black Friday, I read a headline which stated, “Employee dies after being knocked down by shoppers.” I was astonished. What is this season turning into? Acquiring a large amount of gifts is not necessarily a goal that has to be achieved. On the first Christmas, the quality of gifts was valued over the quantity.

Matthew 2 describes the Magi's journey to find baby Jesus. The scripture does not reference numerous gifts that each of the kings had. Rather, it mentions three gifts that were significant in nature. Gold, Frankincense and myrrh were intended for Jesus (v.11). Gold is durable and everlasting. It is lustrous and a beautiful yellow in its color. Frankincense is a whitish resin that is known for its distinct aroma. Myrrh is a reddish-brown resin which has a powerful scent that is known to cover foul odors. It can also be used for antibiotic healing purposes.

Notice that the Magi were not fixated on their gifts. They were focused on searching for the bright light, which was the purpose of their journey. The Magi were instructed to “Go and make a careful search for the child (Matthew 2:8).” They did not frantically rush to find the king, but reverently sought the star. Finally, the light stopped over the child, and the Magi found the king (v.9). “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed (Matthew 2:10).”

How would the story have been different if they were focused on the gifts rather than finding the star? The purpose of their search would have taken a different meaning. They chose to seek the light that brought them to our Savior; the “wonderful counselor” and “prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6).”

Thankful Power

Sociologist William Isaac Thomas stated that “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.” This statement is better known as a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” According to this principle, individuals can determine how they view a situation. Even though we do not have control over what may happen to us, we have the power to choose how we will react to it.

Recently, I have focused on changing my attitude in circumstances that are difficult. Specifically, I have tried to think of what I am thankful for in that situation in order to diminish any negativity. Cultivating thankfulness is important, because we are called to recognize it at all times. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 states, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Being thankful in all situations is a challenge, because it is not a natural response. Negativity can easily take hold of us, and eradicate our sense of graciousness. When negative emotions arise, we should examine them. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him (Psalm 42:11).” In difficult situations, we can alter our mindset in order to find the blessings that are already present.

To make this commitment a reality, prayer is a necessary element. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).” Eliminating negative feelings is impossible, but finding a healthy release for them is attainable. We are given an invitation to present our difficult emotions to God in exchange for peace and thankfulness.

Healing Wounds

I have a friend who is ninety-two years young. On one occasion, he took a bad fall and bruised almost his entire left arm. He came to church with a bulky bandage and was in a lot of pain. I was concerned for my friend, and told him to call me if he needed help with anything. Sure enough, later that evening I received his call. He asked, “Can you come over and help me change my bandage?” The girl inside of me took over, and honestly, I was grossed out. Indecisively, I located some sterile gloves and headed to his house.

I found him sitting in his favorite chair, holding his arm in pain. He explained that it would be a challenge to remove the bandage. Likewise, I was thinking the same thing. I knew that if I was going to help him, it would not be on my own. I remembered the verse, “ If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Christ Jesus
(1 Peter 4:11).”

I relied on God's strength to help me care for someone who was injured. As I carefully discarded the bandage, numerous wounds were exposed. I saw each cut and bruise that surfaced his arm. Rather than feeling a sense of hesitancy, I couldn't help but think of Jesus. My friend's injury reminded me of the many wounds that Jesus withstood for our sins. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed (1 Peter 2:24).”

I gently applied ointment to the wounds. Together, we wrapped fresh gauze and bandage on his arm. These very wounds forced me to visualize the sacrifice that our Savior made for us. The apostle Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:15, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe in him and have eternal life.” Despite my reluctance to serve a friend in need, I was given an opportunity to remember the cross. Sometimes it is the little things in life that remind us of the enormous sacrifice that Jesus made for the remission of our sins; that we might experience everlasting life!

The Transformed Child

The Encyclopedia of Immaturity: How To Never Grow Up states, “Breathe on the bowl of a spoon, so it gets a little foggy. Lean your head way back and press the spoon on the bridge of your nose. Very slowly, bring your head down and make sure other people are watching (Cassidy 2007).” I reluctantly tried this exercise, and laughed hysterically when I failed.

It amazes me how easy it is to loose the inner child inside of us. Throughout life we focus on finding answers to questions; such as, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “How much money will you make?” “When will you get married?” “How many children will you have?” These questions tend to surface our mind and surround us from individuals within our lives. It is concerning that we focus on mastering adulthood more than mastering childhood. Transforming ourselves into the children God intends for us to be is a lifelong process that deserves great attention.

Jesus proclaims “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-4).” Children are amazing to watch. They do not know what will happen to them that day, week or even month. They embody humility, not control.

It's easy to feel that we will gain a sense of mastery when our career is successful and we have accomplished our goals. These things are healthy to strive for in life, but not necessarily what defines us. Thus, we should ask ourselves how that will advance the kingdom. If it has no place in the kingdom, then we should refrain from claiming that as our completion. John 15:10 explains that, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Finding completion is through God's love, which comes in abundance when we approach Him as His children.

If we are focused on preparing for the kingdom, then shouldn't we be preparing to live like a child? Ask yourself what you can do to help master your childhood. What a privilege we have to be known as children of God! “ How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are (1 John 3:1).”

Wash . . . Rinse . . . Repeat

My husband and I are still considered newlyweds, and are enjoying the experience. It has been an eye opener to learn to live with a male. I am still amazed at the difference in time that it takes us to get ready in the morning. He is showered and ready to go in no more than twenty minutes. With me, well, it takes a lot longer than that. We both have our morning routines, and have adjusted to the time that it takes for each one. However, there is a morning ritual that does not involve soap, shampoo or deodorant. It is a daily ritual that is spiritual, and needs to happen on a consistent basis.

During a Sunday message, the phrase “dying to ourselves daily” stuck in my mind. We were focusing on the verse from Luke 9:23 which says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” I kept focusing on that word “daily” and realized how easy it is to miss the meaning. After we dedicate ourselves to Christ, it is easy to think that we are set for life and all of our problems will be solved. Since life surrounds us with challenges, it is not that easy. It hit me that I needed to take this ritual to another level.

Christ wants us to take up his cross, so we can gain his life through us. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. (Luke 9: 24-25)?” Our relationship with Christ needs to go beyond Sunday morning and whenever we happen to open our Bibles. Why not go deeper? Our relationship needs to be renewed every day.

I feel led to explore this instruction of taking up his cross daily. Experts say that it takes twenty-one days to form a habit. So, I have decided to use these days to create a ritual of dying to myself daily. I invite you to accept the challenge along with me. You may read this and think that it sounds good and you should do it. But why not actually try to experience it, and see what blessings are in store? Create a routine that allows you to make a commitment. Perhaps you want to include this in your morning prayer, write in a journal or mark it on your calendar for each day. Whichever you choose, make sure to do this everyday, and be ready to follow him.

Christ wants us to find hope from the ways of this world. If you are dissatisfied with your life, then you are ready to take this challenge. Be ready to surrender the trials and hardships of your life. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17)! What will your routine look like tomorrow? How will you incorporate your submission? Experience the challenge to die to yourself and surrender to Christ, which transforms our commitment each day of our lives.

Myriad of Stains

It was the first Sunday in October, which meant it was a communion service. As music played during the meditation time, I gazed up at the stained glass window that read, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” I focused on the many colors that were in the glass, and realized that each piece was so different. More importantly, I noticed that each piece had to have been broken in order to create this beautiful, finished work of art.

The blessing was made upon the bread, and I thought of Christ’s death as I held that broken piece of his body in my hand. “ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (1 Corinthians 1:19-20).” As I focused on the bread, I realized that Christ’s death and submission to his Father became the most necessary act that would allow us to become whole. He was willingly to be broken, in order to find completion.

Broken pieces of our lives can be so confusing. Why do we become so discouraged when we experience these trials? It’s natural to feel this way, because we don’t know the finished product. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).” God is close to us when we are broken, because he is ready to restore our souls.

“The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me

(1 Corinthians 11:24).” We engaged in partaking the bread, and experienced Christ’s fullness.

Perhaps we wouldn’t be so discouraged if we knew that our brokenness would be used to create something beautiful in its completion.

What will become of your brokenness? What could be made of it? How will the end result look? “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Sweet Smell of Forgiveness

I have been attending the same church since I was eight years old, so it wouldn’t be necessary for me to show up one Sunday wearing a name tag. On the other hand, I have some friends that attend a very large congregation and are used to the routine of wearing one. It is a clear way to get to know one another. Although, if someone wrote on his name tag “Hello my name is…desperate;” I don’t think it would attract the right attention. However, the truth is that this is the exact state that Jesus wants us to reach.

In Luke 7, Jesus is dining with a Pharisee when a sinful woman interrupts them. She is caring an alabaster jar of perfume and weeping. The woman “began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them (Luke 7:38).” This woman barged in, unannounced, to show her desperate need for Jesus. She kissed the dirtiest part of his body, and didn’t seem to mind. She let down her hair, which should have been covered, and used it to wipe her tears. She poured perfume to create an aroma of adoration. This woman did not let herself or her sin get in the way of her love for Jesus. “People who are desperate for spirituality very seldom worry about the mess they make on their way to be with Jesus-Michael Yaconelli.”

Jesus proclaimed, “Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little (Luke 7: 47).” Jesus chose to focus on her love rather than her sin. He did not tell the woman that she needed to wait to be forgiven, or that she needed to earn it. She was forgiven at that very moment.

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives (1 John 1:8-10).” It is inevitable that we will sin in this world, but how will we deal with it? We need to confess our sin, and have faith that Jesus will forgive.

This woman’s desperation led her to recognize the fullness of the love of Jesus. Ask yourself what you would do in order to receive this? Desperation should not equate with sadness or solitude, but as a means to experience the sweet forgiveness and love of our Savior.

A Courageous Conversation

gazed out the window and smelled every flower that was in bloom. It was clear that spring was in the air. My husband and I were on our way to participate in the water bottle ministry, which would take place in front of our church. Numerous water bottles had been prepared with labels that read, “Whoever drinks this water I give him will never thirst (John 4:14).” Our mission was to bravely distribute as many bottles as we could and hope that the message would make an impact.

Jesus depicts courage in his encounter with a Samaritan woman when he asks her for a drink. This conversation was unheard of, considering it was unacceptable for Jews to speak to Samaritans. Jesus was exhausted from his travels to Galilee, but he found an opportunity to speak to a woman who would be forever changed by a single conversation.

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan, how can you ask me for a drink? For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water (John 4:9-10).”

Jesus took a risk to speak to this woman by breaking down social boundaries. How many times do we dismiss conversation when we are worn out, tired and do not have the time? Jesus took the time to have a courageous conversation despite his physical state and cultural norm, which would otherwise prohibit such interaction. “Jesus answered, everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4: 13-14).” Jesus initiated this conversation, because he had an opportunity to share the truth. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:22-24).”

Our water bottle ministry prepared us to converse with individuals about the truth. However, what will we do when there is no preparation? How will we approach a courageous conversation by ourselves? It can be difficult to find such interactions in our fast pace world. However, when we look for the opportunity, we should ask ourselves… are we ready to be courageous?

A Joint Heir with Jesus

More than ever before, developmentalists are having a difficult time defining the word “family.” It is a challenge, because there are so many different kinds of families. Children live with biological parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, foster parents or even in a shelter. Despite the struggle to reach a consensus, family resonates a certain culture within all of us. A culture that should encourage us what is acceptable and unacceptable. A culture that is stable and predictable.

Families can often be identified by unspoken rules. Some of us are notorious for being the family that has assigned seats at the dinner table and a special designated recliner for dad in the family room. This culture affirms that we have a sense of belonging. However, there is a membership that is greater than our own family; it’s a place in the family of God. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-to the praise and glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (Ephesians 1:4-6).”

People can recognize a family when they see one. They live in the same house, ride in the same car and eat the same meals. Although, how will the family of God be recognized? What characteristics will define its members? What is the culture in which we will live?

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:15-17).”

The same love that God has for Jesus as His son, is the same love that unites all of us as God’s children. Some people have found an identity through family and others have not had the privilege of knowing their family. However, we are given the promise that we are identified as joint heirs with Christ in the family of God. “How great is the love that the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God (1 John 3:1-2).”

More Than a Simple Sacrifice

It was a Thursday evening as I was preparing myself to meet a woman for the first time who was trying to obtain custody of her teenage granddaughter. I looked at my directions and the location had included a “1/2” in the address. I have never heard of this before. I called the woman and shared that I could not find directions to her home, because the “1/2” was rejected by the computer. She disclosed to me that it was because she lived in half of a house. The woman verbally explained how to find her home, as I was reluctant that I would be able to recognize it. This was a destination that I was scared to find, but ended up being truly blessed as I had the pleasure of meeting this incredible woman.

I found the home and was greeted by a grandmother who was filled with joy. She explained that she did not have a bedroom and slept on a bed that was in her living room. I gently informed her that by law, she would need to have a bed for the child. Without hesitation, she said that she would offer her bed to her granddaughter and she would sleep on the couch or even the floor for that matter. Coming from a person who is very particular about her bed and pillows, I was truly humbled by this sacrifice and gained a valuable lesson.

“In tithes and offerings, you are under a curse-the whole nation of you-because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it (Malachi 3:8- 10).” This woman sacrificed her comfort and personal space for her granddaughter. I further questioned her to see if she would be okay with this adjustment, and she shared that she would do whatever it took in order for her granddaughter to be in her care. Just as it teaches in Malachi, we need to bring meaningful sacrifices to the LORD. Despite the “1/2” house that she made into her home, this woman did not let that stand in the way of the “whole” offering that she sacrificed with a joyful heart.

No tear was shed from her eyes and not an ounce of fear was expressed on her face. She would be honored to provide a home for her granddaughter and revealed that she serves as her motivation to do whatever it would take to make it happen. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

As I drove home, I realized that this woman’s sacrifice was nothing but simple. She had one luxury of a comfortable, warm bed, yet it meant nothing to her. Through the storm of living in a small, lonely home, she kept her eyes on her goal. This can remind us to focus on the blessings that are in store rather than the things of this world. For we are promised, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9).”