Author: Christine

Not snowflakes. Not flowers. Not even identical twins. I was reminded of this truth while doing some last minute shopping. A young woman, colorful hair, tattoos, large earrings. But, when she turned, her shirt proclaimed Christ. With probably not much else in common, Jesus brought us together. Today. To shine this truth in my heart. Not all Christians look alike and I do not know whom God is calling to Himself. I only know I am commanded to preach the gospel, wherever I find myself. Whether it be in a store or an online blog.

2 Corinthians 5:20 “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

May the love of Christ dwell in you richly and may you boldly proclaim Christ in your quiet, every day life. Like the girl in the store, quietly going about her business but calling attention to her Savior through the message on her shirt.

Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Our church has been visiting our shut-ins each Christmas in an event called “Ring and Sing.” We make up baskets and cards, have a list of whom we will be visiting and decide on the carols to sing.

The joy, tears, fellowship is worshipful. By showing up, they realize they are not alone, they are not forgotten. We receive joy by greeting them, singing with them, praying for them. There are people in our circle of influence who are feeling alone, forgotten, in need of comfort. Let us bring love to them.

For God did not forget us when we were at our lowest, when our eyes were opened to our sin and our need of a Savior. Jesus, the Son of God, the promised Messiah. God did not forget us when He sent His Son into the world, born of a virgin, in a lowly manger. Jesus did not forget us at the cross when He became the sacrifice for our sin. When He redeemed all mankind. We are not forgotten. God has given us the Holy Spirit and as children of God, we have the Holy Spirit guiding and directing our paths.

Praise God for His great love for us that we may be called children of God and as such, let us live as children of the light. Let us shine bright in a world filled with despair, anxiety, loneliness. Let them know they are loved, they matter. They are not forgotten.

2 Corinthians 4:5a; 6 “ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, … For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

1 John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

It’s not about a place. The glistening sandy beaches or snow-filled mountains.

It is not about what is under the tree or how beautifully your home is decorated.

It is about the heart. Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” Have you humbled yourself before God, confessed your sins and come to Him in faith?

For it is about a place… Bethlehem… the promise fulfilled by God. Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

It is about Who was born in the lowly stable… Jesus, the Messiah, Son of David. Matthew 1:1 “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham;” The long awaited Messiah, whose birth was heralded by angels. Luke 2:13-14 ” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

And it is about the cross. John 3:16 “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.”

Wherever you are, wherever you find yourself, the message of Christmas: God’s love for all mankind, God fulfilling His promises, God giving us His Son as a ransom for many. The message this Christmas is what God has done… for us, for you, for me.

This Christmas, open your heart. See with your eyes the wonderful promises of God and His unconditional love for you.

My morning routine in the kitchen. I look up and see the Christmas lights reflected in the microwave door. I am reminded of Christmas’ past. First one up turns on the lights. Shopping in downtown department stores. Admiring the creative Christmas displays in the windows. Singing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” after dinner each night while lighting the advent candle on the table. Going to church on Christmas Eve, driving around afterwards to see the Christmas lights and luminaries.

During this advent season, I am also reflecting on the birth of my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. The promised Messiah. God’s son in human form, born to live the perfect life. Born to die as the sacrificial Lamb. Thankful for God’s promise back in the Garden, that as a sinner saved by grace, I may enjoy fellowship with Him now and for all eternity. Reflections… looking back and remembering. Looking ahead with a thankful, redeemed heart.

Meditate on it. On what? God’s word. That means to read God’s word, study it thoughtfully. When? 24/7. Once you read a passage, a verse, it lingers in your brain. The Holy Spirit will bring applications across your path and you will be reminded of the passage or verse you have just studied. Why? God gives us His word to know Him more. To honor Him, to follow Him, to worship Him. He wants us to observe His word- in all that we do, say, think. When we saturate our whole mind, body and soul into God’s word, our mindset is heavenly and we can do as the Bible commands: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Anchored. Secured. Firmly planted. Rooted in the ground. For some plants, roots run deep, grow in size, supporting with a firm foundation. While others have a shallow root system and cause the plant to sway, fall, and be carried away by a strong wind.

When you first trusted and believed by faith in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, your faith-roots began to grow. As you have read the Bible, studied His word, your faith-roots have grown deeper and stronger. You hear preaching, read devotions with care, only accepting biblical truths, not accepting cultural truths.

As Christians, we are called to examine the scriptures, examine our faith, grow in knowledge and wisdom, share these truths, stand firm, even as the world may mock and laugh at our beliefs. Let us have a heart to share God’s message to the world. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Let us stay firmly rooted in His word.

My dog. Eagerly anticipating a meal. Tail wagging. Excitement growing. Then I make him wait another minute while I take a picture! He is a snuggler. An energetic playmate for our other dog. He is cantankerous with some special digestive issues.

As I observe this guy this morning, I am reminded of my own thankfulness to God. Am I anticipating the day, ready for His divine appointments? Am I thankful for His provisions in the form of food, clothing, shelter? Do I get excited for my daily devotion, weekly bible study and Sunday worship?

Thank you Lord for this quiet time this morning to not only meet the needs of my dogs, but for the truths of Your word that pierce my heart and feed my soul. Help me to go through this day with a thankful heart, praising You for your goodness.

“Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart” by Henry Smith. Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given
Jesus Christ, His Son. Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given
Jesus Christ, His Son. And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us. And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks

Who is Louise? Did she get in trouble for silly comments, bad choices? I’d really like to meet her. Sadly, we have some things in common. I am working on controlling my tongue and sometimes I wonder why I just did what I did.

But God… I love these 2 words. He forgives us when we ask. When we are contrite about our words and/or actions. When we seek forgiveness and are genuine in our repentance, we seek to do better. But not under our own power. Under the leading of the Holy Spirit. We seek to know God’s word more. We learn, He tells us, that the tongue, though a small body part, is a weapon. James 3:8 :”but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Are we using our tongue for good, to bring God glory? Or are we using it to boast, to be prideful? Proverbs 10:19: “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”

Let us seek to be more Christ-like in our walk, with our words. If Louise were here with me today, I would have this same conversation with her. Maybe then, she would shake off the bad rep she has. Maybe then we would say, “Way to go Louise!” or “Well done Louise!”

Hallelujah: an expression of praise and gratitude. “Praise Ye the Lord.”

“Raise a Hallelujah” Song by Bethel Music. “In the middle of the storm. Louder than my unbelief. My weapon is my melody. Heaven comes to fight for me.”

Out of nowhere. You are singing a song. Wammo! The lyrics strike your heart. Thanking and praising God. Thinking of everything and everyone on my heart. All I can do, the most I can do, is to sing a hallelujah.

Praise Ye the Lord.

Living in Florida for a time, you get to know about love-bugs. 2 seasons, generally May and September. A nuisance to your car, especially the hood and grate as it fills with tiny corpses. You learn that it is a single insect, living on its own, figuring life out, trying to survive. When it mates, the two unite and become one. When you look closely, you still see the individual insects, one on each end, now moving and living in unison.

How similar is our own life. Before knowing Jesus, we are out there, living our life, trying to survive, looking for life to give us meaning. Then, we are introduced to Jesus. God, in the flesh, loving us so much, He died for our sin, my sin, your sin. He rose again on the third day and is seated at the right hand of the Father. When you confess your sin, believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ, you are now united with Christ. The Holy Spirit is now living inside you. Your life, now transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, lives in unison with God. The more we know how to live for Jesus, the more we learn from the Bible, others will see Christ in us. No longer living for self, but moving in unison with the Holy Spirit, as He leads, directs and moves us to where He wants us to be. We now have a new identity, a child of God.

Romans 8:5-6 ” but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”