Presence
Here we are, the day before Christmas. I think silent night was definitely the night before Jesus’ birth. Think about it, when He was born…A mother let go that last pushing delivery cry. A babe, God/man, let go birth cries as He inhaled stable air. Angels burst forth telling shepherds He has arrived. It was not silent.
Once the shepherds made their way to the stable it wasn’t so quiet either. I say this because the Bible says: “After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:17-18 BSB) That means they were either rousing people from their sleep or, in that overcrowded little town where so many had come for the census, they were up and about.
I wonder, did those they spread the news to go to the stable? Were they too busy with their lives? Did they find lowly shepherds not worth listening to? Was it just more noise in their day?
We live in a noisy world. Airplanes and vehicles sound in the distance no matter where we are. Refrigerators hum along with other appliances 24/7. Phones chip. Even birds constantly chatter. Sometimes we want the quiet, but about the time we get it, we pick up the phone or turn on the tv.
I think the enemy likes it this way. As long as he can keep us distracted, we won’t hear the good news. We’ll forget to take time each day to listen to our Lord in His Word.
But right now, listening or not, God is calling to us. “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NLT) A daily Christmas gift, the present of His presence.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!” (Luke 2:14 BSB) May this amazing gift give you a very Merry Christmas!
For All
Hard to keep focus right now. There’s all the planning, purchasing, and preparing. Boxes arriving almost daily, cards from far off friends, not enough wrapping paper or gift bags stored away from last year. Then the last-minute additions to the calendar. The babe in the manger becomes a bit blurry.
Time to get back to truth even if only for five minutes to seek words of treasure. I’m starting with: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8 ESV emphasis mine) Even our belief, our faith is not our own doing. God gives us this gift – He shows it to us wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
It takes effort on our part at this time of year – the busyness and the heartaches and trials that don’t let up because it’s Christmas. This world will make us feel lacking in gifts (for others and from others). But truth tells us that the moment we accept Jesus any other gift pales in comparison.
So, here’s the thing. The gift isn’t just for you or for me. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10b NIV) That’s what I want to give this year. Sure, I want the excitement of grandchildren seeing sparkly lights, melting marshmallows in hot chocolate, tearing open wrapped packages.
But what I really want, is for them to open their hearts to Jesus. I want my children to have new awe. I want my friends and family who just don’t get it – to finally receive it.
When I bake the gingersnaps a little too crispy, when I hope Amazon comes through in time, when I crawl into bed with tape stuck to my arm – I still want to see the babe in a manger. He came and endured all we endure and more. He gave His life to give us eternal life. Emmanuel – God with us. Jesus, with us always.
Holy Spirit, slow us down enough that we don’t miss the wonder. The Good News isn’t 2,000 years old. It’s new every morning. This Gift keeps on giving.
May you hunger to open it and examine it, slow down a little while each day. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. From heaven, to the manger, to the cross, to your heart – a gift to cherish forever.
Worthy
I recently visited a place called Windswept, not thinking much about the name. The waters were tranquil, the wide beach was hard packed with ripples in the sand. Perfect for long walks either direction. Then suddenly one night the winds started gusting. The next morning trees were swaying in the force and gray skies loomed. The sun kept trying to break through, but clouds kept sweeping it away.
This seemed familiar somehow. Maybe it does for you as well. Life seems to be tranquil or at least predictable. Then one day the winds pick up and a ‘new normal’ keeps sweeping away the light. The foreseeable road seems filled with unpredictable. (Think about North Carolina literally being swept away by winds and torrents this past October. Think about many of our lives – security, health, relationships.)
Love these lyrics (song posted at bottom): Do you feel the world is broken? Do you feel the shadows deepen? But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the Light from getting through? Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (Yes, we do!!)
No one likes darkness, shadows. We hurry along night streets, scurry down dimly lit hallways. Searching for the light. The Light the song lyrics are referring to is Jesus…“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12b NLT)
This was the Christmas message told of hundreds of years before the Savior’ birth (Isaiah 9:2). And then, at just the right time, announced.
“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” (Luke 2:9-10 NLT)
The Light broke through 2000 years ago. The Light still breaks through today. When all seems bleak, will we grope in darkness? Or will we turn to the One who can light our path. Perhaps only a step at a time, but that’s okay. Just one step at a time.
Sometimes the darkness will flee as though never there. And sometimes it will be gradual, like clouds parting as they pull away. But the good news of Christmas is found in the last chapter of the last book: “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 22:5 NIV) A wonderful reason to be Merry indeed!
Fight of Faith
For a brief four weeks, whether most of the world gets it or not, our focus is redirected – to an event a little over 2000 years ago. I was thinking of Mary in those last couple weeks of pregnancy. Not in the comfort of a home, not getting the baby’s room ready, but on an arduous journey to a place she’d likely not travelled to before. Wondering: ‘will we make it back home in time; what will happen if he comes while on the road; is this really God’s Messiah I’m carrying’?
Yes, I think she probably wondered that. She was human like us. Her baby was God in flesh, but she was flesh. And with all those around her doubting, whispering, and shunning – yes, she had moments of doubt.
Knowing this helps us, doesn’t it? After an angel encounter and knowing she had not been with a man, still doubt could creep in – this means when you and I have our doubts amid the trial, remember we’re created by the same Creator who fashioned Mary for His good purpose.
While I can’t pretend to know or comprehend how difficult or easy it was for Mary to trust and live those nine months (and the next thirty-three years), I know it stretched her. He’s stretching me right now, how about you?
Sometimes I’m in a fight of faith. Nothing to do with believing in God, knowing Jesus as Savior – those are a firm foundation. It’s a fight to believe that I will make it through. That it all is for good (because I love Him). I have to fight because the enemy loves to plant seeds of doubt, whisper about me to those who’ll listen, and causes me to feel shunned.
It’s been this way since the garden. The devil and his cohorts have been casting their evil shadows of fear and worry as long as man has walked this earth. And in 2 Thessalonians 2 Paul reminds us of how the enemy is at work and will be – but will be overcome once and for all. In verses 16-17 Paul strengthens our faith with this: “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
That’s the beauty of the Bible. God’s Word made flesh that dwelt among us for a while (John 1:1-14 NIV) is on every page of the Bible. We will find Christmas and hush doubt when we make room for the Word. May you find the tidings of comfort and joy in its pages and remember our encouragement is eternal, our hope is good, and He is strengthening us through the battles.
For the joy?
Turns out, no matter how hard we try, we are like toddlers who think they are the center of the universe. Every time we answer in exasperation, make rude comments in the privacy of our car about the other driver, and when we would rather pout than surrender.
God’s love is beyond our imagining – so pure that He never tires of our crossed-arm stance, wanting things our way – again. Putting up with our thinking a whole lot less of others than we do of ourselves – if we’re being truthful.
I can’t fathom God’s patience. (I have so little myself.) Yet, day after day, He, through His great grace and mercy, continues to polish our rough edges. This verse gives me pause: “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2b NIV
Knowing our self-centeredness, knowing we will fail time and again, knowing we cannot come close to reciprocating His depth of love and faithfulness, Jesus saw joy set before Him. As He was going to the cross to die! You and me, with all our faults, are His joy.
Not only that, He now sits with God telling the Father how awesome we are. As satan taunts how rotten we are, Jesus speaks louder telling of our great value.
So, just in case you doubt there’s much to be thankful for this year at Thanksgiving, remember there is One who willingly died, who looks forward to embracing you, and in whose eyes you will see pure joy as He holds you and smiles – and all of yesterday’s, today’s, and tomorrow’s sorrows will flee never to return again.
Happy Thanksgiving! Amen and Hallelujah
Immersed
Lately I’ve thought a lot about Jesus’ words as He prayed that final prayer recorded for us: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42 NIV)
I think we sometimes add that on to the end of a heartfelt prayer almost like insurance. But I think if we were being real with ourselves, what we want to add on is: ‘my way this time, ok?’ It takes a lifetime of work in us for God to get us to the point we are really praying His will, not ours. (At least for me, I’ve come to the realization it’s taken all these years to pry my fingers open and want His perfect will without my extra input.)
It’s just that we are so…human. The Bible says made in His image, not made to be God. Though we reflect Him once we know Jesus as Savior, the truth is we are His creation. And so, we pray for what we see, forgetting He sees tomorrow.
Last night as I pondered wanting to move to that place where I truly want God’s will more than my own, I realized it’s not a one and done thing. I can have head knowledge that His will is best; I can have a calm heart knowing His will is best – right now.
What about when the emergency happens? When life changes from what it was just hours ago, to what it will be going forward? Things like: a sick child, a car wreck, a job loss, serious health issues.
They say the best way to learn a foreign language is immersion, “a process that goes beyond learning a language. It is an educational approach that involves complete immersion, surrounded by native speakers and everyday situations.” Hmm, sounds like what the Bible actually call us to.
We need to read God’s Word daily, soak ourselves in it. Not only that, but let songs of praise and worship be what is on replay in our heads. Read what Christian authors have experienced and learned. Be in Bible study with others. Immersed.
“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 12:2 NIV) Let’s pray what is on our hearts, no holding back, but pray knowing His will is perfect and even though it hurts now, He will make all things beautiful in His timing.
Wait
Sometimes an aha moment happens, and it can change perspective. This happened to me over the course of just a couple days, when it kept being reaffirmed. But that’s how God’s truths are. They are alive and active and working in us and through us. And when we are ready to receive them, they will take on a whole new meaning.
I share here because His life changing truth, love, and words are not just for me (while at the same time they can seem to be just for me). It’s why we can read the same Bible passage over the course of many years and think ‘I don’t remember that from before’.
Today’s words were from an unlikely passage, because I thought I knew it so well. But with the help of a friend and two different authors, I saw the story in a whole new light.
It’s the story of Joseph – you know the coat of many colors – the unfair treatment – the rise to prominence. I always thought of him as the victim, as we usually think of ourselves in the hard stuff. But Lynn Austin in her book Pilgrimage points out that the Jewish people see him in the story as selfish, a spoiled brat – and who had a God-given dream that he decided to take into his own hands and make it come to pass.
She goes on to say, “Before God could fulfill His promise and raise Joseph up, Joseph would first have to go down into slavery and exile and suffering.”
I encourage you to check out her book, as she develops the actual text of the story beautifully. Joseph had to wait – a long time. As did so many others that God so lovingly chose to put life stories of in the Bible. Daniel lived 70 years in exile. Paul lived the rest of his life with his ‘thorn in the flesh’.
Yet each knew God’s promises were true. They still are today. We may have to wait – a long time – and we may never see the fulfillment we hope for. But will we choose to trust God’s plan for us even amidst suffering?
Every Word of His is true. Just as He worked all for good for those who called on His name thousands or hundreds of years ago, He is still doing the same today. God does not change. He is always faithful. “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” (1Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV emphasis mine)
Goodness
What a day to be writing. America at a crossroads election. My hubby starting chemo again but stable and feeling good. Blustery wind outside the window. Sun peeping through fast moving clouds. And a heart that says to my soul – find a way…to tell of the goodness of God.
In so many ways I miss being young (not a child or even young adult but those mid-years of 30-50). Yet each decade has added a layer of God’s work in my life. I would say the current one has been the most challenging. How deep His love, that with all He’s given me in life, He would show His strength and guide me now in what I would call the desperate hours.
Funny, to most that may not sound like love. Love sounds more like smooth sailing, no heartache or body pains.
Very slowly I’ve learned Love loves enough to continue rubbing off the rough edges – and someday, I hope, shapes my soul to fit His eternity just right.
How about you? Where are you on your journey with God? I love the fact that this world is not our home and at times feels foreign. But it is a ground we must walk – sometimes with much appreciation for all the beauty of His handiwork and sometimes with eyes blinded by hard stuff that puts us back on the path to our real home.
The Bible is replete with stories of you and me. We see ourselves in Joseph’s undeserved treatment. We long to be a Proverbs 31 woman. And Peter, oh, that chosen disciple. Sometimes I resonate more with him than any other. Brash, impulsive, not always trusting. But look at the work God did in him. That is the goodness of God.
He uses our imperfections, our trials, our triumphs, our joys. Like a master weaver, a master artist, a virtuoso at his piano – He is working out all things in you, in me, and in this broken world for a yet unknown beauty.
Oh, but someday, there will be no more question of the goodness of God. For we will behold it, abide in it, and continue a most wondrous journey. It may not seem so now – but don’t let go, for it is His free gift to you through Jesus His Son and our Savior.
Confidence
I think David (in the Bible) was one of those people that would have totally intimidated me – while at the same time intrigued me. So expressive, flamboyant, and brave – but also a deep thinker, remorseful, and ever faithful to God.
Confidence has been a word on my heart as of late. As I pondered the word initially, thinking of the season I am currently in, my thought was: it doesn’t describe me. Then a gentle nudge that maybe the word I need is Godfidence. All my wandering thoughts and fears are because I am human, and my confidence can’t be in me. But it can be in Jesus – because He is perfect love, perfect peace, perfect strength – and He is perfecting me.
Psalm 27 is the only one where David uses the word confident. He starts and ends with it. Being stalked by those against him, he turns it over to God: “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” (Psalm 27:3 NIV)
Though David faced actual armies, we face our own battles. They cause us to grow weary, to want to give up, or run away. He could pen those words because he was turning his focus towards God. In the very next verse, he dispels fear with all God has done, is doing, and will do.
Today my favorite author, Holley Gerth, posted a blog that brought this full circle for me. She said, “I realized I thought I wanted a solution but what I really needed was to surrender.” It’s true, but sometimes we see a quote like that, and we don’t really know how – not completely.
The beauty of it is how she concluded: “Surrender is often a process, not an event.” I encourage you to read her post if you’re in a place where you feel lost or stuck (https://holleygerth.com/two-sentence-prayer/) David reached the same conclusion at the end of Psalm 27: “I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (vs 14)
Different Harvest
Autumn…my favorite season. We do get it in south Florida – just not in vibrant color. But often the final hurricane of October will suck out much of the humidity and lower the temperatures. The sun is at a different angle in the sky. And the breezes invite long walks. It’s harvest time in the colder regions. We see the bounty at the pumpkin patches and in the stores.
For some time, I’ve been praying about a harvest of a different kind. Thinking about our country – as well as the world. “Then He said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38 NIV)
Struggling hearts, broken families, loneliness, disease – many are ripe for the harvest. Sharing the only solution for this mess falls to us. Sure, we have many of the same struggles, but our souls know there is more. Their souls wander aimlessly, increasingly dismayed.
The last couple of years have taught me compassion at a new level. Now when I see someone who has physical pain, who has a scarf to cover their bare head, who is frail and bent over – my heart tightens and my eyes mist. I want to fix it for them, but I can’t.
Then there’s this: someone doesn’t have to have a physical ailment to be hurting. Our hearts hurt and the wounds are often deeper. There’s no urgent care that can bandage it, no treatment to cure it.
I long to find my place in this. I’m not an evangelist, I’m not an extrovert. I am quiet and reserved. It’s not in my wiring to go up to a stranger and hug them or tell them I have an answer. How about you? If you’re the opposite, then yes, don’t hold back. But what if you’re more like me?
God always has a way for His faithful to share Jesus. So, I’ve found little ways. I have a couple of resources that share prayer needs, complete with address and email. I love to write notes and encourage others. I have a stash of cards and the Holy Spirit always gives me words to share.
When someone shares a need with me or tells me of a friend or loved one in need of prayer, I don’t say I’ll pray. I say, “Let’s pray right now.” I’m hoping the Lord shows me many more ways I can be used by Him to soothe hearts and give assurance from His Word. In the meantime, I call on the Lord of the harvest in prayer, knowing that He hears and answers perfectly.
parisrenae 