Are You Ready for Christmas?

 

This Sunday officially kicks off the Advent Season and it won’t be long before we’re asked, “Are you ready for Christmas?”  We will begin to hear this common question of the season from the clerk that is checking us out at stores,  bank tellers, nurses at the doctor’s office, strangers and friends. We all know what the question is directed toward—is your shopping complete, presents wrapped and under the tree.  It is hard not to get caught up in the buying, wrapping, glitter, bright lights, and decorations of the season. But perhaps that question  asked should be one we ponder in a different sort of way this year and re-think the words to ask, “Are you ready for Christ?”  In the Gospel of Matthew we hear how John the Baptist made the way ready for Jesus:

 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him. (Matthew 3: 1-3)

 

The term “repent” is not a particularly popular word in our culture today. It means to turn away from  worldly ways, change and transform ones ways to be more like God. It is to ask God to forgive us for our rebellious ways and begin to live more like Him.  This is how we prepare the way for our Lord to live in us each and every day.

Perhaps this season when asked “Are you ready for Christmas?” we replace the word Christmas with Christ and ask “Are you ready for Christ?” This may help us truly be prepared for Christmas!

 

Happy Thanksgiving

As a child  I memorized Psalm 100 and to this day it is one of my favorites. It is one of those passages that reminds us of God’s greatness and enduring love forever and ever. No matter what we have had to endure in 2020, He is given us many reasons to choose thankfulness and joy this day. Let’s do what the Psalmist says in this great passage:

 

100 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

² Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

³ Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

⁵ For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalms 100: 1-5)

 

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

 

Blessings!

 

It is harvest time in America. In Mobile, people are sharing their abundance of oranges, satsumas, grapefruits, lemons and more. In the Hebrew calendar harvest was a huge time of celebration. Harvest is a big part of the Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths when Israel celebrates  the blessings God has given them. 

Moses wrote “Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing  floor and your winepress. Be joyful at your feast—you, your sons and daughters…For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands and your joy will be complete.” (Deuteronomy 16: 13- 15)

When our country was founded, the settlers also celebrated with a time of feasting at the end of harvest, thanking God for all He had provided and asking for His continued blessings. It has been a tradition handed down through the years. Often the root of the celebration has been lost in cooking, eating, football, and other family traditions. No matter what  your Thanksgiving looks like this year let’s make God the center of its celebration, thanking Him for all His blessings provided in both the past and the future. 

What To Do in Time of Uncertainty?

 

There is one thing for sure about 2020, it has been a year of uncertainty. In Ecclesiastes we are told that  you never know what will happen next.  In the same verse, we are reminded that it is easy to be thankful on good days, but in days of trouble—guess what…God created those days too. Have you ever thought about that? When I think about it, I realize that most of my growth occurred down on my knees in troubling times. Maybe that is what this year can bring into our lives—a gratefulness for spiritual growth.  So, let’s step back and ponder what we have learned in these days of difficulty. If we can share thankfulness in the good things, awesome. But if we want to make even more of an impression on others, share  thankfulness for this year and how God has used it to help you grow in challenging days.  

 

When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next.( Ecclesiastes 7:14)

Building Others Up

 

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this week, I invite you to let  those around you know how much you appreciate them. In Paul’s first century letters he began each one with an expression of thanks to the people:

In Romans he says, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world (1:8). He tells the Philippians, “I thank  my God every time I remember you" (1: 3). And he tells the church in Corinth “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus” (1:4). 

 

Telling people thank you forms a bond and trust in your relationship. People need to know they are valued. It is a way we can encourage others and build them up. On this Thanksgiving week let others around you know  how much they mean in your life. 

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” ( Thessalonians 5:11 ESV).

Forget the Past

 

Do you ever find yourself spending time replaying your past? And then before you know it, you have failed  to live and move into the present. Someone once said, “The past should be a springboard not a hammock.” Satan would like nothing better than to hold you hostage to focusing on your past sins, errors, and mistakes.  Paul reminds us to forget the past and look forward to what is ahead.

 

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize. (Philippians 3: 13-14)

 

When you find yourself rehashing your past failings, ask God to help you bury those thoughts and to give you the will and the tools you will  need to succeed, the dreams and the vision to show you the way, and the wisdom to turn any curse into a blessing. Lean on our Lord for direction, and then continue to lean on Him for wisdom and courage to finish the race before you! 

The Bible has a lot to say about the way we speak and often warns us to be careful with the words we use:

 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”  (Proverbs 18: 21) “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

 

Tongues can be the end of friendships, careers, marriages, reputations and even life. Tongues can also reconcile people and make peace. Tongues can reunite marriages, families, friends and even countries. Sometimes biting one's tongue and reaching  for peace is to be commended. In Matthew 5:9 Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Each day we must ask ourselves what is filling our heart?  For Jesus also said, “Out of the abundance of the heart [the mouth]  speaks” (Luke 6:45). We all know that an ungrateful heart breeds grumbling, a self-righteous heart produces judgement, and a bitter heart brings about meanness. None of which represents the life of Jesus. Instead let’s fill our hearts with “…joy, peace,  forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5: 22-23).

Be Careful What You Think

 

We live in a culture that is pulling us in every direction. In today’s verse Paul is telling us to be careful with our thoughts. Don’t let this fallen world reel you in, rather keep your focus on God  who will transform you into a new person—changing the way you think.

 

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12: 2)

 

In this process we are being changed into the image and likeness of Christ, as we abide in Him and He in us. It is a lifelong process that requires daily vigilance. In order to become more like Him we must spend time with Him. It may  mean walking away from other things that affect our thinking such as TV or social media and delving into His word. In getting to know Him better,  His thoughts begin to become a part of our thinking and over time we look more and more like Him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Careful What You Watch

 

Jonathan Rothwell writes an article entitled “You Are What You Watch? The Social Effects of TV”.  In  the article he tells us that other than sleeping and working, Americans are more likely to watch television than engage in any other  activity. In addition,  he points out that there is new evidence that viewing habits can affect your thinking, political preference, even cognitive ability. If that is the case, we must ask ourselves,  what am  I watching and how is it affecting my thinking and shaping my thoughts and  decisions?   It sounds as if the words of David in the Old Testament were a warning to beware of what we watch when he says:    “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me…” (Psalm 101: 3 ESV)    Yesterday we saw how the Bible warned us to be careful of what we listen to. Today we are warned to be careful  of  what we see. In this psalm we see King David’s devotion to integrity. He understood the importance of guarding what he “set before his eyes” because setting our gaze on worthless or wicked things or people can provide space to gain a foothold in our lives. Unless we guard our eyes and compare everything we see and hear against the Word of God, we will place our attitudes in the hands of the wrong realm. Attachments area ReplyReply allForward

Be Careful What you Listen T0

 

Yesterday we looked at several things the Bible tells us to be careful about. One of those is to be careful what you listen to. The verse we considered was from 2 Timothy:

 

³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4: 3-4)  

 

The verses that proceed these verses tell about the importance of sound teaching of the truth, because we are warned that in time—truth is rejected.  That is what was happening in Ephesus where Timothy was during this time. Sound doctrine is the wholesome truth of Scripture and teaches a transformation of life in the name of Jesus Christ. 

 

But more and more Timothy found that teachers were telling the people what they would  like to hear. People wanted a teacher to suit their own desires. Instead of wanting to hear the truth they preferred novelty.  Truth is found in the teachings of  living a holy life, worshipping our Lord and Savior, and learning to be like Him as the salt and light to others in the world and then sharing His great salvation story with others. When we get off on secondary issues, we tend to wander instead. 

 

The Apostle Paul would caution all of us to keep the goal of life transformation the primary driver behind why we do what we do.

Even when the people we are speaking to are more interested in novelty than truth, we stay the course for Jesus!

 

Be Careful

Yesterday we talked about how all of the adverse happenings and  overwhelming news can negatively affect us. If we are not careful this can be  harmful.   The Bible repeatedly reminds us to be cautious about what we listen to, what we see, what we think about, and how we speak.  Here are a few verses you may want to place in your arsenal:

 

 Be careful what you hear “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3)

Be careful what you see –“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” (Matthew 6: 22)

 “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless…” (Psalm 101: 3a)

Be careful with your thoughts-- “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.” (Proverbs 4: 23) “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12: 2)

 Be careful with your words – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”  (Proverbs 18: 21) “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) 

Let’s focus the eyes of our heart on Christ— and as we are directed throughout scripture—take control of our thoughts and imaginations and  let the mind of Jesus dwell in us richly. Have a blessed week!

God's Presence in Our Midst

 

Yesterday we talked about finding God in  the midst of our busy lives.  I vowed to turn off the news  and social media for the next few days and  try to be more focused on God’s presence in my midst. When we look, it is amazing what we find. I found God in the ladies at our church diligently packing boxes filled with warm food. I observed God in a homeless man who came to the kitchen door looking for something to eat.  When I delivered meals to a man who recently lost his sight, I saw God in his smile. Last  night I noticed God in the children as they silently sat as the Word of God was read. And when I  was putting gas in my car, I looked up and there it was an unexpected rainbow in the sky—a reminder of God’s covenant to never flood the earth again:

 

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (Genesis 9: 12-13)

 

For God truly is in expected and unexpected places. Today let’s be alert to God’s presence and  continue to see Him in our daily walk.  

 

How do we find God in our busy daily lives? If we encounter God on Sunday’s alone we will be seriously lacking and incomplete. But sometimes  in the grind of life, God seems far away. We are so easily distracted by the report that must be in at a certain time, meetings here and there,  running errands, getting the kids to soccer, fixing the car and the list goes on. Then how can we discover God in the busyness of life?

 

Maybe we fail to really look for God. For God is in expected and unexpected places: the sunrise, the changing leaves, a baby’s laughter, the eyes of a stranger, the wisdom of our elders, the smile of a child— just to name a few. Today let’s be alert to God around us—let us look beyond the ordinary happenings and press on to know him more intimately!

 

"Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him! Then he will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring." (Hosea 6:3)

 

Every Season has a Purpose

This past weekend we enjoyed a short trip to Birmingham to celebrate my grandson’s 2^ndbirthday. As we sat in the backyard watching the kids play, I couldn’t help but notice the beauty in the changing foliage as the red, yellow, and orange leaves shimmered against the blue sky. Every new season brings with it a sense of awe. In Ecclesiastes 3:1, we are reminded of the changing seasons of life: “For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”  

Just as the leaves fall to the ground, autumn invites us to let go of some  of the things of our past,  so we can move  on to the next season of life.  In this unusual year where much has been lost—let’s ask God to fill us with all joy and peace as we trust him—so that we overflow with hope—regardless of what the next season brings.

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

In this season, where we are mourning so much loss—of loved ones, of jobs, of our way of life—we must  become a voice of hope in this world of hopelessness. Let’s turn the page and embrace the beauty of a new season.

 

Lagniappe

 

Kindness and love are closely related, but  I often think of love as an “unexpected bonus” or a “Lagniappe.” This is a term we often heard in  the year we lived in Louisiana. Lagniappe is an unexpected bonus that comes with something else—it is the extra that makes kindness special. 

 

A teacher asked her pupils to tell the meaning of loving-kindness. A little boy jumped up and said, “Well, if I was hungry and someone gave me a piece of bread that would be kindness. But if they put a little jelly on it, that would be loving-kindness”  (God’s Little Devotional Book for Women). Kindness provides a home, but love makes a home. Kindness packs a satisfactory lunch, but love puts an inspirational note inside. Kindness sends a child to bed for the night, but love tucks the covers around their neck and gives a goodnight hug and kiss. Kindness keeps an orderly house, but love adds a fresh bouquet of flowers. 

 

Love is taking the extra step to make life truly meaningful. Love is he 13^th doughnut added to a dozen or the whipped cream added to a beautiful bowl of berries—it is a lagniappe! Let’s top off kindness with love!

         “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in

          truth.” (1 John 3:18)

Learning from All

                                      Thoughts for the Day November 5, 2020

 

A few months ago, I was about to go somewhere with my grandson who was 5 years old at the time.  As we were about to leave I verbalized my frustration in figuring out something on my phone. Cam said, “Minnie,  let me see it I  may be able to fix it,” I thought with much hesitation, right? In no  time he figured it out, handed me the phone and said, “See Minnie here it is.” That experience made me think of this old saying, “I am defeated, and know it, if I meet any human being from whom I find myself unable to learn anything.”

 

Every person has something to teach us, not only those who are experts in their fields. Each person is a living encyclopedia of ideas, insights, facts, experiences, and opinions. Today let's listen and learn from others around us.

 

         “A wise man will hear and will increase learning, and a man of

         understanding shall attain with wise counsels.” (Proverbs 1:5) 

Attachments area

 

The Bible tells us again and again to remember the importance of our words. We should think carefully before we say whatever’s on our mind. Pastor’s often open their message with this passage:

 

Psalm 19:14 NASB
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

 

These are great words for each  of us to use at the beginning of every day.  We are  in difficult times where people often spout out at the restrictions and changes being put in place. People are tired of the pandemic, hurricanes, unrest, and a heated political election. What they need are words of encouragement and we are the people to offer them. Let’s be different by inspiring others in a time of uncertainty—for we have hope—let’s share it. Have a blessed week!

 

Proverbs 16:24 NIV
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.