Author: Christine

“I need to return this gift.” “I am going to return to the story for a forgotten item.” “We will return in a few hours when the movie is over.”

Things you say to a clerk, a spouse, a baby-sitter. What do they all have in common? “Return.” Same word, yet used in multiple sentences, context is key to the meaning each time.

As I began my study in 1 Peter this week, I paused on the word “return.” 1 Peter 2:25: “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” The return here is telling us to come back, to turn toward the Shepherd and Overseer, Jesus.

Did you once make a profession of faith and have since walked away? God is calling you to return. Did you once go to church as a child and loved being there? God is calling you to return. Did you once attend youth group as a teen and enjoyed the games and pizza and would vaguely listen to the message, silently hoping for more time with friends? God is calling you to return. Been through the wringer in church by other supposed “Christians?” God is calling you to return.

Do you find yourself straying from the faith you once had? Are you questioning what you believe? I implore you to return. Return to God’s word. Study one book of the Bible. Delve in, see Jesus in the pages of scripture. Return to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul. He is waiting and welcomes your return to Him.

A date. A time of gift giving. A house to decorate. Carols to sing. Special meals to prepare. Gatherings. Church specials.

A heart to prepare. Your heart. My heart. A baby born in a manger. Angels bringing good tiding of great joy. A declaration of a promised birth of long, long ago. Fulfilled in the babe in the manger. A Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The angels couldn’t keep quiet. They praised God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace, good will to men.” Luke 2:14 The shepherds obeyed and went and found this babe, the Lord made known to them. They, too, couldn’t keep quiet. “They made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.” Luke 2:17

This babe, our Savior, came for everyone who would believe. That every person who truly believes, examines his/her sinful heart, admits that there is no cure, no work, nothing to be done by human hands to be reconciled to God. When you receive this Gift, you are a new creation, made new in Christ Jesus. Would you receive God’s Gift? Have you already received God’s precious Gift, His Son Jesus? Praise God. Let us go, like the angels and shepherds and bring “good tidings of great joy to all people.” Luke 2:10b

Spending time with small children allows you to see the wonder in their eyes as they explore and learn about the world around them. Their unending questions, their joy in seeing butterflies and the sounds of nature. Perhaps they have even brought you some nature to enjoy with them!

At this time each year, as I study and remember the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus, I am left in awe and wonder. The God of the universe stepped down from heaven, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. All the Old Testament prophesies fulfilled in Jesus. God kept His promise to send us a Savior, His Son. That all who believe would have life in His name. His life lived was one of Light in the darkness. Illuminating our sin and providing hope. Our faith in Him.

But God, did not leave us to wonder on our own. The bible is filled with all of God’s promises so that we don’t remain as babes in Christ. We, too, have the light within us, commanded by God to share the truths of the gospel. The Good News.

Let us enjoy the wonder of this beautiful time of year but let us remember, as we look for the bring star in the sky, as we enjoy the beautiful lights of this season, that we look for the “blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13) His second Advent. Be in wonder and hopefulness as you live a life of faith, during this Christmas season and all year long.

Noise can be a wonderful sound. The crowd cheering after a winning touchdown. The excitement, wonder and chatter of children. Sometimes, though, it is good to get away, to hit “mute” and be alone in the quiet, with God. Time to re-center our attitudes, our demands. Time to focus on His word, to renew and re-energize us, to be ambassadors for His Kingdom.

Find time to sit in the quiet. Even if all around you is noisy, escape to allow your soul to be revived in Him. Even if it’s only for a few minutes at a time. You will be thankful for the time spent with Him.

People coming over. Redd-up the house. Everything just so. After the gathering, as I am cleaning up, I notice the back porch railings are dirty. Ugh! I thought everything was perfect. Now, everyone knows I have a dirty back porch. Not perfect. Flawed.

We all have things about ourselves that we like to “pretty up” for the world to see. When we allow our friends and family to get close, they see our flaws, our imperfections and love us anyway. My friends saw my dirty back porch, enjoyed the gathering and loved me anyway.

What a relief to be able to know we don’t have to be perfect. But God…sent His Son, the Perfect Man, to be the perfect sacrifice, the perfect plan of redemption only in His Son, Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord. I, an imperfect human, follow a perfect Savior. As such, Jesus wants me to come to Him, confess my flaws and imperfections and follow Him. He doesn’t want me to stay there, though. As I grow and mature in my faith, I see my flaws, my sins, give up the things that cause me to stumble and move closer to Him.

So, yes, the next time I had a gathering, my back porch railings were clean. But, this time, I noticed a dirty window. Ugh! Again, not perfection. But, I am learning, growing, seeing Jesus ever before me, striving under His Lordship. Not content to remain in my current, flawed self.

When I am… Tired. Overwhelmed. Defeated. Your word reminds me that I am not alone. I am weak, but You, O Lord, are strong. When I seek to worship in Your presence, I am calmed. Your word reminds me You alone are in control. You strengthen me, give me resolve to press on. To continue to live for You, shine my light for You, love in Your name. You alone are worthy, Lord.

If you have these same human feelings and emotions, I pray the following verses bring calm to your day and strength to your spirit.

2 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. “

Ephesians 3:16-20 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”

Romans 12:2 “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.”

Psalm 51:10-12 “Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Watching 50-60 foot long leaf pine trees sway in the wind as the storm approaches. They bend. They sway. But mostly, they remain intact. An article I researched on the long leaf pine says, “It has less dense foliage and a large, deep taproot which serves as a sturdy anchor during wind storms.” (americaslongleaf.org)

What deeply roots you during a storm? Is it your knowledge and expertise? Is it the availability to newer, better, more advanced technologies and medical services? Is it a community of friends and family that you surround yourself with? Yes, yes and yes!

But, is your faith your deepest root system? For God is able to give us the strength to withstand the wiles of the devil. He puts His light in us so we do not need to fear the darkness of evil. We are children of the Day, children of the Light. Le us be “firmly established in the truth.” 2 Peter 1:12

Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

Above all the chaos, the news of the day. Above advice of friends. Above the doubts swirling in your own head. Hear Jesus. Let His words, His truths, resound as an anthem. One you believe, trust and follow above all other voices.

When you listen to, read and study God’s word, His voice confirms what your heart knows to be true. Listen to His voice!

It is early still this morning. The sun not yet risen. The dog woke me, needing to go out. Trying to recapture the sleep I was awakened from, I failed. My mind started filling with the thoughts of the day, troubles of this world and I couldn’t find the “off” button. I put my headphones on and chose a favorite Christian station on Pandora. Soon, my thoughts turned to God, drowning out my thoughts. Praise the Lord!

May I ever be aware of my daily need for God. From my waking up to my lying down. May my thoughts be Your thoughts, Heavenly Father. May Your word be in my mind, in my thoughts, in my heart, on my lips. Let me meditate on Your love, Your goodness, Your sovereignty in my life, in this world.

Thank you Lord for allowing me this quiet time to dwell in Your presence. Thank you for Your word that brings joy to my soul. “Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 104:35b

What does Christian service look like? Is it teaching Sunday school or heading up a fall festival event? Is it taking care of babies and toddlers in the nursery so busy mommas can have an hour of peaceful worship every Sunday? Is it counseling fellow sisters in Christ, helping them navigate life, whether it be relationships, jobs, child rearing, seasonal adjustments and understanding the place God has put you, right here, right now? Is it through prayer, lifting up the many needs and interceding on behalf of the saints? Is it visiting the sick and elderly, making a meal, writing a card? Is it mowing, cleaning, hauling off debris? Is it being available when a need arises? Is it walking alongside another, offering wisdom and encouragement? Is it sharing the gospel with those in need of a Savior? Is it being out in public and being a light to a lost and dying world who desperately search for peace, joy, love, comfort?

The short answer is, “Yes!” Jesus commands us with 2 things:

1. Matthew 22:37-38 “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 
2. Matthew 22:39 “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Serving does not have to be a program. Serving does not have to be scripted. What is does need is a heart of love from God, ready, willing and available.