Realities of Christmas: Part One

What do you really know about Christmas? I was recently at a Christmas celebration where they played a game of questions about Christmas. I was appalled to learn that some of my answers weren’t from the Bible at all. I had picked up many ideas from stories and movies about Christmas.

I vowed to go back to the Bible for a fresh start. I challenge you to do the same!

Ecclesiastes 3 says there's a time for everything. During the next 7 days, take time to connect with these scriptures. You don’t have to read them all at once!

Make use of your Bible, an app on your phone, or an audio version.

MATTHEW

1.       Matthew 1:18-25: God deals with Joseph, betrothed to Mary, God’s chosen Mother of His Son.  

2.       Matthew 2:1-12: The wisemen came looking for a young child, not a baby in a manger.

3.       Matthew 2:13-23: God warns Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt; after King Herod’s death, they return to Nazareth.

 LUKE

1.       Luke 1:5-25 and 1:57-80: God gives a baby (John) to a godly couple (Zechariah and Elizabeth) well beyond child-bearing years. He would be the one to announce Jesus’ ministry (Luke 3).

2.       Luke 1:26-45: Gabriel’s heavenly announcement to Mary and her visit to Elizabeth.

3.       Luke 1:46-56: Mary’s song of rejoicing in the majesty and wonder of what God is doing!

4.       Luke 2:1-20: Joseph and Mary must go to Bethlehem to register for Caesar Augustus’ census. The shepherds receive an angelic message and make an effort to check it out for themselves.

5.       Luke 2:21-24: Joseph and Mary’s care of Jesus included being faithful to their religious teachings.

6.       Luke 2:25-38: Simeon and Anna, two faithful and elderly believers, rejoiced to see this child who would bring redemption and salvation.

7.       Luke 2:39-40: Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth, having done everything required by the Law of the Lord, and as the Child grew, the grace of God was upon Him.

Movies have their place, and I wouldn’t want to be without them; however, this year, join me in taking time to review God’s own message to us!

Pixabay: Christmas Nativity Scene, Crib Image; garten-gg.   

 

Christmas Hearts and Hands

There are all sizes and shapes of clocks in the world. But they all have one thing in common. It's what's inside that makes the hands go around.

We have a large and lovely decorator clock in our living area. As much as we have enjoyed the outer beauty, its unseen inner workings are the important thing. Thanks to movements in the heart, the clock’s hands go around, treating us to a short melody every hour.

The Apostle James wrote, “I’ll show you my faith by my deeds” (James 2:18). Faith is like the inner workings of our spiritual heart that moves our hands to do things. He wanted faith to produce some good deeds, something that would meet needs and bring people joy.

He gave us some practical illustrations (James 2:14-18). It’s not enough to say, “Go in peace, keep warm and be well fed.” If you are aware of a need, activate your faith. Do something!

In December, people’s hearts seem more motivated to give. Hands generously drop dollars into red kettles, collect items for food banks and toy drives, and buy gifts to meet needs on Angel Trees.

These donations are important and bless many, but charitable institutions and ministries meet needs all year. That’s why, like the inner workings of a clock, our heartfelt giving should not simply be seasonal!

It’s not necessary to produce good deeds as regularly as the hourly tunes on our anniversary clock, but when it comes to helping others, there's no need to have only Christmas hearts and hands.

Don’t wait to make a New Year’s resolution!

Resolve now to be motivated from heart to hands . . . to meet needs and show your faith. . . all year long!

Pixabay: Hand, Time; geralt. 

What Is The Closest Source of Temptation?

“The devil made me do it,” was a phrase coined by comedian/actor Flip Wilson. It was the way he excused some of the questionable actions of Geraldine, one of his characters.

Some people blame the devil for temptations, while others blame God. But James 1:13 says God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.

But temptations are real, so let’s consider them. For example, when people hear about “acts of the flesh,” what comes to mind is sexual immorality, impurity, drunkenness, or orgies.

While that’s true, there are a variety of other temptations. Look at Galatians 5:19-21. Paul listed only two spiritual temptations: idolatry and sorcery.

But he also lists temptations we rarely consider. They come from our soul, the seat of our emotions.

For example, have you ever been tempted to hate someone, sow discord, act out in jealousy, or rage? We can be tempted to envy. And what about causing rivalries or divisions, or joining in factions where groups refuse to make peace?

We need to be alert to temptation because it begins as a tiny seed thought or desire. The problem comes when we entertain it long enough that we decide to act on it. James explains it this way (James 1:14-15):

 We are tempted/enticed by our own evil desires.

When we allow them to turn into actions, it gives birth to sin.

Sin, when fully developed, gives way to death.

Galatians 5:16-26 speaks clearly about not gratifying the desires of the flesh, but choosing to walk in the Spirit to please God.

The closest source of temptation is within you. But you are not hopeless or helpless. Whether it’s physical, spiritual, or emotional, you can ask God to cleanse your heart.  

David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Become a doer of His Word and not just a hearer (James 1::22).  

Pixabay: Thinking, Thought, Pondering; johnbloor.

  

Ask, Believe, Receive

God hears our prayers, but the answers come in His time. I want to share something good that happened to me this week.

I went to the “residents’ dinner” and sat by a pastor and his wife who rarely come. He shook my hand and asked why I was using a cane. I explained that due to a fall, I’d had hip surgery, but I had an atrophied muscle that could not be reattached.

He asked what that was, and I explained it was a rotator muscle in the hip. He asked, “What does it do?”

I said, “When I try to pull my leg toward the center of my body, I feel a pull all the way up to my hip.” He made the move with his right leg, and I said, “You’ll have to turn your foot toward the center to feel the pull.” He did.

The next thing I knew, he was holding my right hand and, with bowed head, was quietly praying for God to heal the problem with my right leg. 

I said, “Thank you,” and we talked with the others at the table while waiting for dinner to start.

After prayer, I started to get up. I noticed his intense interest in my feet. Suddenly, he said, “You turned your foot!” I stopped to think about it and realized I had not felt a pull. I said, “You’re right. God touched me. I’ll be sure to give Him the glory.”

Later that evening, I noticed I had no pain in my hip, and my leg seemed easier to move toward the center. The next morning, it was the same. I had more freedom to move with no leg or hip pain. A definite difference!

The morning’s devotional was based on James 1:6, a reminder that we are to ask God for things in faith, without doubting. It seemed the pastor had done just that with his intense observation and declaration of faith the night before.

I had asked God to heal my hip several times. It hadn’t happened, but I believed it would, in His time. 

It did happen, and I can’t say, “Thank you, God,” enough! It's nice to no longer have to depend on a cane.

Pixabay: Calendar, Months, Wood Image; Alexas_Fotos.

Vines and Branches

Have you ever had the pleasure of walking through a vineyard? I have, and it’s a happy memory.

I once lived in a house surrounded by acres of green grapes. My father-in-law knew one of the owners, and it was our pleasure to glean after the harvesters were done.

In my memory, I still see the strength of the vine along the top, full of branches hanging down. And on the branches hung clusters of beautiful grapes.

It wasn’t hard to understand Jesus’ teaching that He is the vine, we are the branches, and that if we remain in Him and He in us, we will bear much fruit (John 15:5).

There is beauty in a cluster of grapes. Each grape hangs individually while being part of a bunch. That’s the beauty I see in the spiritual life of a church family.

My husband and I were once on staff serving a large congregation. I always called it “a world-class” church, because we had a wide variety of ethnic groups, cultures, and economic levels. What a joy to worship and serve the Lord together.

After serving there for many years, I could still say, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers (and sisters) live together in harmony (or unity). (Psalm 133:1).

One thing we need to remember about the vine and branches is their production of a unified fruit. Spiritually speaking, let’s call it “love.”

Love produces unity. The reasons are many, but let’s consider Ephesians 4:1-16:

• First, we are reminded to be humble, gentle, and patient, while bearing with one another in love (v. 2).
• Next, we must endeavor to keep the bond of unity in peace (v. 3).
• We are also to build ourselves up in love as each of us does our part to serve in the body of Christ (v. 16).

So, hang in there! Enjoy clinging to “The Vine” while being one of the “branches” and bearing much “fruit.”

It brings much joy to Jesus, Owner and Overseer of His spiritual vineyard.

Pixabay: Vineyard, Wine, Vine Image; Kranich17.  

Love is More Than a Feeling

In marriage ceremonies, my minister husband always included these words: Love is more than a feeling. It was followed by a few simple reminders that love also included actions of caring and kindness. I’ve never forgotten how he put those words into action.

As a newlywed, I was heating spaghetti sauce in a Pyrex container with the required little wire underneath. Suddenly, the container exploded and spaghetti sauce was everywhere! I was not only shocked, but horrified. What a mess!

My husband came to check on the explosion. When he saw the mess, he said, “You go ahead and sit down. I’ll clean this up.”  What a guy! Right then, I knew his love was more than words or just a feeling.

Let’s focus on the practicality of love. Feelings of love are wonderful, uplifting, and exciting. We need them; however, love’s feelings need to be grounded in action.

It’s like a hot air balloon ride. You can enjoy the feeling of floating above the earth, enjoying the beauty of the day. But at some point, the balloon must land. Then you’re back to where actions are needed as well as feelings.

First Corinthians, Chapter Thirteen (1 Cor. 13:4-8) provides guidelines for love in action. If you haven’t read it lately, I urge you to do so.

Have you ever prayed, “Lord, help me to love by helping others in practical ways?” Here are some examples of this kind of love:

•   God loved the world and sent His Son, the perfect sacrifice for sin (John 3:16)
•   Jesus loved us and gave up His life for our salvation (John 10:17-18)
•   Joseph loved his brothers with forgiveness (Genesis 50:18-21)
•   Dorcas loved others by making clothing (Acts 9:36-42)
•   Paul loved by suffering hardships and persecution to share the gospel (2 Cor. 11:24-28)
•    Four men loved by lowering a friend on his stretcher to ask Jesus for help (Matt. 9:1-8)

You can probably think of your own Biblical examples.

This week, remember:

Love is more than a feeling!

What will you do to show love in practical ways?

Pixabay: Amour; OpenClipart-Vectors.

How's Your Hearing?

 

Have you ever heard this conversation?

 “Hey, did you hear me?”

“What? Oh. Sorry. I wasn’t listening.”

Or, how about a radio ad? “We’re presenting (whatever kind of music) for your listening pleasure.” In other words, relax, keep us in the background. You don’t have to concentrate on us. 

I had a good relationship with my mother-in-law. She was easy to talk with, and I remember she would say, “Now, listen!” whenever she wanted to say something she felt was extremely meaningful---usually a good piece of needed advice.

Hearing and listening have been considered inter-twining acts throughout the ages. Listening is lightweight; hearing implies a deeper level of understanding.

My *Bible dictionary had a very brief, but interesting, article under EAR. Here are three examples from those mentioned:

         1. To incline the ear was to hear (2 Kings 19:16)

         2. To give ear was to pay careful attention (Job 32:11,12)

         3.  Covering the ears was a refusal to listen (Acts 7:51, 57)

As I studied my Bible lesson today, Jesus had some important, but hard, teachings. He knew not everyone would incline their ear. His opening line was “to those of you who will listen, I say . . .” (Luke 6:27-36).

Then came simple teachings that even a child could understand. But simple does not mean easy, and to this day, only those willing to truly hear, obey them.

What do YOU think of Jesus' teachings? (1) Love your enemies, (2) Do good to those who hate you, (3) Bless those who curse you, and (4) Pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27,28).

He also said: (5) Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and (6) Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (v. 31, 36).

How’s your hearing? I’ve been asking myself that question today.

Do I truly incline my ear to hear ALL of Jesus’ teachings? Or, do I casually listen, then pick and choose what I want to hear and obey? It matters!

In the Parable of the Sower, the seeds on good soil are those who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop (Luke 8:15).

*EAR, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, p. 448; Copyright 2003 Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, TN. All Rights Reserved.

Pixabay: Sound, Listening, Man; OpenClipart-Vectors.