As One Thinketh

 

         For as he thinks within himself, so he is. (Proverbs 23: 7)

 

We are what we think, and our lives are controlled by our thoughts. It is true that we have been thrown much negativity in 2020—but we must ask what we are doing with it? Are we allowing it to rule our thoughts? James Allen writes a book that addresses these questions entitled, As a Man Thinketh. In it he writes:

 

“Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results. This is but saying nothing can come from corn but corn, nothing from nettles but  nettles.   Men  understand this law in the natural world, and work with it; but few understand it in the mental and moral world (though its operation there is just as simple and undeviating).”

 

Are you thinking about the news of the day and how bad things are, or how someone hurt your feelings, or how your life seems to be going in the wrong direction—or just standing still? These thoughts will not move you in the right direction. Know that God loves you and has much in store for your life.  As we begin a new year let’s  make sure our thoughts  are on God’s promises. Let’s meditate on His word—for His word brings forth  life:

 

3 1 The words of God giveth life. 5 Trust in God. 7 Fear him. 9 Honor him. 11 Suffer his correction:  21 To them that follow the word of God, all things shall succeed well. (Proverbs 3

 

Ready for Christmas?

It seems that everywhere we go this time of year people ask the same question, “Are you ready for  Christmas?” Generally, people are referring to the  idea of the tree being decorated, lights on the house, Christmas gifts wrapped and under the tree, and the menu set for Christmas Day.

When asked that question, maybe we should revise  it to say, “Are we ready for Christ?”  Before the ministry of Jesus began, John the Baptist was sent by God to get the people ready to meet Jesus:

In those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."  This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

"A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths for him.'"…"People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.  Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River" (Matthew 3:1-3, 5-6).

Christmas is next week and there is lots to do, but nothing is more important than getting our heart prepared for the Messiah. This poem by an unknown author asks  “Are we really ready for Christmas?”

Author unknown

" Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh,
As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high.
Then wearily she sat for a moment and read,
Till soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.
Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream!
"Ready for Christmas! What do you mean?
I seem to remember that only last week,
You wouldn't acknowledge your friend on the street.

"Ready for Christmas, while holding a grudge?
Perhaps you'd better let God be the judge.
Why, how can the Christ child come and abide
In a heart that is selfish and still filled with pride?
Ready for Christmas, when only today
A beggar lad came and you turned him away
Without even a smile to show that you cared?
So little he asked, which you could have spared.

"Ready for Christmas! You've worked, it is true,
But just doing the things that you wanted to do.
Ready for Christmas! Your circle's too small.
Why, you are not ready for Christmas at all!"
She awoke with a start, and a cry of despair,
"There's so little time, and I've still to prepare!
Oh, Father, forgive me. I see what you mean:
To be ready means more than a house swept clean.

"Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree.
It's the heart swept clean that He wants to see,
A heart that is free from bitterness, sin--
Ready for Christmas means ready for Him.

Love Never Fails

 

With Christmas, it is generally easy to get so busy with cooking, decorating and shopping that we often forget why we’re doing all this in the first place. Frequently the ones we love the most  get caught in the brunt of our frustration, due to our overloaded schedules during this season.

 

 I don’t know about you, but the Pandemic seems to have really slowed down the general hustle and bustle of  our packed  holiday schedules. Simple things seem to be standing out instead: the appreciation for our health, the smile of a baby, the warmth of our pet sitting on the couch next to us, the voice of a friend, the stars in the sky.  The missed parties and plays,  and shopping excursions seem to be less important than usual. With all the extras missing, it seems easier  to focus  on what really matters.

 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13: 13)

 

We can more readily see what the shepherds and angels found on that cold night in Bethlehem—love lying in one of the most basic places— a manger. The silver lining in this difficult but less complex year is that many  of us are seeing the greatest of these more vibrant than ever… love… and love never fails! (13:8)

As we continue to trek through the scare of Covid-19, we often feel alone and scared.  But remember God is with us, we need not fear. This is especially  powerful in the Christmas season as we study the verses of His incarnation. When we speak of the Incarnation we are talking about the fact that he entered our world as a human… God wrapped in flesh. He is the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). 

 

He understands the journey we are on because he experienced what we experience—temptation, love, joy, fear, doubt, grief and rejection. He wept, bled, suffered and died. So, when you feel weak and overwhelmed—turn to the One who understands and walks with you!

The Light of the World

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  (John 1:1-5)

This beautiful passage reminds us that God always was! He is life, and  all of life comes through Him and His life is the light to all people.  His light blazed in the darkness and this light could not be extinguished. In this passage the writer  helps us better understand the season of  Advent—a season of hope and anticipation. Even amongst all the darkness, light will prevail and overcome.  God sent His son into this dark world to save the world from evil and darkness—to save us from sin. From the beginning of his gospel, John assures us who will ultimately come out on top.

“That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.”

As we ponder His first coming and hope for His second, consider today how the light of Christ may shine into the darkness around you during this Advent season.

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

 

Charles Wesley wrote a favorite Advent song we sing every season called “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” From the onset of the song we are reminded why Jesus came—"to set thy people free.” It goes on to say….“born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King.”  

 

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring…

Charles Wesley reminds us of the magnitude of this happening and how this hope came to earth to live in us… “born to reign in us forever!” As we fight through the other aspects of Christmas that our modern society has thrown in, we should try not to forget what really happened that wonderful day almost 2000 years ago! Perhaps we should slow down and “find our rest in Thee.”

Preparing for His Coming

 

I love the Message version of the first part of the passage we looked at Sunday:

 

42 ^1-4 “Take a good look at my servant.
    I’m backing him to the hilt.
He’s the one I chose,
    and I couldn’t be more pleased with him.
I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, my life.
    He’ll set everything right among the nations.
He won’t call attention to what he does
    with loud speeches or gaudy parades.
He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt
    and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant,
    but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.
He won’t tire out and quit. He won’t be stopped
    until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth.
Far-flung ocean islands
    wait expectantly for his teaching.

 

In Christ’s first coming He showed what true righteousness looked like. What a message  for us to follow. We don’t have to call attention to what we do or say. We just quietly tend to those who are in need. We are to persevere  in our task knowing that each day we are working for justice. In following this servant’s role,  we are participating together with other believers to help prepare the world for the  second coming of our Lord! 

Chosen

 

Thoughts for the Day December 7, 2020

I’ll never forget this  beautiful spring day when our  sixth grade class went outside to play kickball. There were two team captains selecting their teammates. I was not the first or the second chosen—but the last. I felt as if I was not chosen at all. 

The good news is God chose us! We are reminded of that in the passage we looked at yesterday:

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold my chosen, in whom my soul delights” (Isaiah 42:1a).

We are indeed chosen—it may have been when water was poured over your head during baptism. You might have felt God’s choice when you decided to stop running from God and to be open to God’s loving forgiveness. No matter when or where or even how, God chose you!

How wonderful it is to know that God will use all of us together to do His kingdom work. We praise God during this Advent season as we come together in service and prepare the world for the coming of our Lord!

  

Thoughts for the Day December 5, 2020

All week we have been discussing how hope is the key ingredient to surviving any challenge in life.  God’s word tells us that He has good in store for your future. Jeremiah reminds us of this promise:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

When things look rough, don’t allow bleak circumstances let you lose hope, instead memorize this verse, ponder it and practice hope even when you don’t feel it. You may be amazed as to what happens next: 

 

“ 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.” (Romans 15:13)

Our Hope Sure and Steadfast

“Hope” is a funny thing because we can hold tight to it one day and allow it to slip the next. Sometimes we are hoping for something but when it doesn’t come to pass in our timing or the way we are expecting, our hope begins to fade. 

 

 When doubt begins to creep into our minds, instead of  giving up, let’s draw from similar stories in the Bible where hope was a distant possibility, yet God came through. Consider the story of the Israelites when they were hemmed in at the Red Sea with no way of escape, yet God parted the Red Sea saving them from the enemy. Or what about the story of David defeating Goliath against all odds or Daniel being placed in the Lion’s Den without a scratch to be found. There are numerous stories in the Bible where hope seems distant and yet God steps in and makes a way. Don’t grow weary or discouraged when your hope drifts, rather be confident in God’s word:  

 

¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure …” (Hebrews 6: 19a)

 This passage encourages us to keep on hoping and trusting God’s promises!

Authentic Hope

Each year we light candles on the Advent Wreath and the first one we light generally represents hope. Our world is in desperate need of hope right now. “Hope” is commonly used to mean a wish: its strength is the strength of the person's desire. But in the Bible hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness. As believers we know that “Hope is real” but for many people hope is not real. Let’s share the gift of hope with others found in the good news of Jesus Christ. When we bring hope, we bring life. Jesus reminds us of what the hope found in following Him looks like:

 

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

 

This is one of the greatest gifts we can share with others—the gift of authentic hope!