TOO MUCH ON YOUR PLATE?

When a person gets overly committed or busy the saying is they "have too much on their plate". The question is , is God on that plate at all? If so He needs to stay on it and some other things need to perhaps come off. This is so very true at this time of year. Why oh why do we allow ourselves to ruin the birthday of the savior by over committing to parties, socials, church activities, cookie baking and then we find ourselves frazzled? Is this anyway to celebrate the birth of the King of kings and Lord of lords?

A person does what he really has a passion for. For instance, I love to exercise, hike, and write so I make time to do those things. Oh yes I love to spend time with God too. That does come first but sometimes I have forgotten. It is easy to let the urgent requests of life squeeze out the savior. Here, of all times, we are getting ready for Jesus birthday party but people seem like they are worn thin.

We should be rethinking our priorities. Many attend church once or twice a year this being Easter and Christmas. It is a holy holiday after all. But is that "babe in a manger" in your heart all the other days or is Christmas about toys, shopping, eggnog, and traffic jams? It is something only you can honestly answer. Do you need to step back and change your plan this year to fit Jesus into his own birthday?

Isaiah 9:6(NIV) says 'For unto us a child is born, a son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

PRAYER: Lord I can get caught up in all the commercial aspects of Christmas and I really do not want to. Christmas is about giving because the best gift ever was given to us. You! Forgive me Lord if I have put you in the background during your own celebration. In Jesus' name. Amen.

CHILL MARTHA!!

Christmas time is wonderful. It is a time of memories and sometimes immense sadness when we have
recently a lost loved ones. For many it is dreaded each year due to all the hype and mandatory things
they feel they need to do.

First off, it is Jesus' birthday celebration, pure, plain, and simple. No need to attend umpteenth million cantatas or plays, put up lighting displays, mail out 100 plus cards, have an open house, and bake oodles of cookies and gingerbread men if it is only going to take away the true meaning and joy of this wonderful time of year. Keep your focus on one thing and that is about the birth of a baby in a manger.

Parents of young ones could take this time to stop the gimme monster and turn the celebration into
Jesus' birthday party. Share with others instead of heaping many unwanted and unused things upon
yourself.

This time of year and hearing stories of frazzled nerves reminded me of the story of Mary and Martha
in Luke 10:38-42 which says in verses 41 and 42 '"Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are
worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Martha could just not relax because of all the preparations she thought were vitally important. Jesus just wanted her company.

How about you? Do you need to just "chill" and sit in God's presence?

PRAYER: This is an exciting time of year but I can tend to focus on the wrong things. Help me Lord as I seek to stop shopping til I drop and instead to drop down at your feet and worship you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

READY FOR CHRISTMAS?

How many people hear this question every day up til this very special holiday is upon us? I just heard it a few minutes ago. We can certainly get into a frazzle over Christmas if we forget it's true meaning and that of course is the celebration of Jesus' birth. Being caught up in decorating, mandatory greeting cards, parties, shopping, and making things just so, can detract from the real purpose of this wonderful time of year.

Particularly those with infants and young children why not start teaching them from the beginning the true meaning and not over focus on Santa Claus? A babe in a manger. It is as simple as that. No frills. No blinking lights. No inflatable cartoon characters in the front yard. No Rudolph or elves. Christmas is about Jesus being born. Make it a birthday party for the savior. Focus on what you can do to share His love with others. Teach this to your children through Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child, and adopting a needy family. Don't let it turn into gimme, gimme, gimme.

Start 2013 by choosing to glorify Jesus and not shopping malls. Put Christ in the center where He belongs. Isaiah 9:6(NIV) says 'For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.'

PRAYER: I thank you for the miracle of Christmas. Thank you for the joy it brings. It also brings sadness when many feel sad, left out, and alone. Help me find a way to show your love to someone I come in contact with that needs it especially at Christmas. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WHO IS ON THE THRONE?

 

God is, that's who! Sometimes when the world situation looks dire you may tend to start to fret and fear men. Then is the time more than ever to run to God. We should never leave Him in the first place. Often we let someone else occupy the "throne" of our life without hardly giving God a thought except maybe on Easter and Christmas.

Here we are in the midst of the season of the Saviours' birth yet many still trust someone or some thing more than God who is King of kings and Lord of lords. You drive by homes decorated with snowmen, Santa, candy canes, and elves but baby Jesus is nowhere to be found. He has been "dethroned" by many people I am sad to say.

Christmas time can be hectic only because the world we may allow the world's idea of Christmas to influence us. Many decorate, scurry about, shop till there is no money left, bake cookies and gain weight. Where is Christ in all this activity? Is He even there at all? Why even bother if you leave Him out on His own birthday party. Can you imagine throwing a party for a birthday and not inviting the guest of honor? That is what many people do at Christmas.

This Christmas is Santa on the throne or the baby born in a manger? Is the purpose to just buy presents and eat ham and treats? The purpose is to pause and reflect on Jesus' birth and how thankful we are for Him. Can you let Him be on the throne of your life?

Luke 2:1(ESV) says 'For unto us is born this day in the City of David, a saviour who is Christ the Lord.'

PRAYER : I love you Lord and I thank you for the time of year to remember your birth help me Lord to keep your birthday alive 365 days a year and not just at Christmas. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link and be blessed by a powerful worship song.

http://youtu.be/oYCcFtFwcxo