Crunch Time?

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:26

As Christmas approached recently and many people waited until the last minute to shop, it became crunch time. Maybe you were one of those hustling on the 24th to get those last minute gifts before stores closed early.

There is another ‘crunch time’ and you and I have no clue when it will happen. That is the time when the Son of God, Jesus will return in the clouds with great glory. All sorts of people have tried to predict it and yes, Biblical prophecy leading up to this event has occurred recently at a rapid pace but yet no one at all knows when this will be.

This is THE most important crunch time ever and now is the time without further delay to make sure and certain  you are indeed READY. Do you care to grow closer to the Lord daily or is He and after thought? Maybe now is the time as the new year approaches to change up a few things in your life to make Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit a true priority. 

PRAYER: Christmas may be over but let me never put you away like I do my coffee table top manger scene but instead to not let daily obligations push you to the sidelines. Forgive me if I was even guilty of this on your birthday Christmas while I engaged in the manmade frivolity of it all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Just Go!

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith. Romans 12:6

Do you often have grandiose ideas about how you can serve others but something happens and you never follow through due to a host of reasons or excuses one maybe being fear. I know I have. Maybe on that list of New Years  resolutions you can add “follow through” or “just go”!

Go into the schools, the stores, the churches, the homes, or yes even the far off mission field. Many ‘mission fields’ are right in your own community. The fear factor of taking the first step has to be nipped in the bud. You and I are not placed on this earth to just serve ourselves and take selfies the rest of our life but instead to impact the world you are placed in. 

How can you make a difference even today? 

PRAYER: Lord forgive me for not following through on plans to reach out to others. Open doors that can not be shut for opportunities and help me recognize them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Trouble Is Not In Your Set..Please Standby

Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace. Proverbs 15:18

Back in the Golden Age of television of which I am proudly a member of you would get three maybe four channels. TV would sign off at midnight and occasionally there would be technical difficulties and a message would pop up on screen that was the same as today’s title.

Today humans don’t like delays. Fast food, instant pudding, connectivity on demand. An impatient bunch we are, which is sad. Many need to learn to sit and be still and take a breath.

Be thankful for modern conveniences and don’t allow breakdowns to get you all upset. Just imagine what if you had no electricity, water, and all the rest. God is good and he will take care of you.

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord when I get peeved about things too slow or stuff that is broken down. Help me to remember to give thanks in ALL things. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don’t Even Go There!

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

You have probably heard the phrase “an idle mind is the devils workshop” and there is much truth to this. When you don’t stay busy or have too much time on your hands you can say and do things you may regret later. 

The mind can start controlling you as you start to conjure up scenarios that don’t exist or aren’t relevant. Satan is a master at trying to get your thoughts off Christ and things ‘above’ and to get you into a pit instead. You have to take control of your thinking, period, before it controls you. 

When you notice your mind drifting into places it doesn’t belong stop right there and ask for Holy Spirit to help you break this stronghold. Getting your mind into submission to Christ is a key ingredient of a healthy Christian Walk. 

PRAYER: Lord I need my thoughts on you and not anywhere else. Help me be disciplined about what I allow in my mind such as tabloid stories,  bad news, wrong reading material because I want you there and nothing else. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Where Is Baby Jesus?

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. Ephesians 3:16-18 

Christmas 2018 is behind us. For some it is a major relief as it was more of a marathon chore list than a celebration of the saviors birth. Now is the time to get that cup of tea and put your feet up and ponder what this holiday was and is. 

Slow down. Start making a mental list of things you want to change as 2019 approaches. Look for ways to be helpful beyond 25 December. Maybe it is time to get serious about Jesus on the other 364 days and truly let worshipping and knowing Him become a priority for you and your family. 

God is patient and wants no one to perish but when people outright worship other god’s and reject him they have failed to grasp the love of Christ because Satan has distracted and deceived them. I pray for you as the new year approaches you will always be able to find the baby Jesus. 

PRAYER: Thank you  for the wonder of the day of your birth Lord. Help it never become just another day. I pray for many who attend church only on this Christmas to learn how to be saved and follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Thumpety, Thump, Thump

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:12

This time of year brings merriment, jolly songs, family outings, gifts, Christmas trees, cookies, egg nog and Santa but where is the baby Jesus in all this? It’s fine to sing happy little songs and celebrate but do you really celebrate for the right reason and keep Jesus up front or is he an after thought?

All these secular traditions seem to take center stage and in the big scheme of things the best way to recognize the birth of our savior is to keep it simple. Don’t wear yourself out trying for perfection. Teach your children who Saint Nick was but do not make him the center piece of Christmas.

Jesus really is the reason for this season and for every season. It is through him we have life, forgiveness, and freedom.

PRAYER: I love Christmas and what it stands for and the added extras are fun but help me never let them overshadow the babe in a manger. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

For The Real  SaInt Nick (aka Santa) story click below:

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/12/131219-santa-claus-origin-history-christmas-facts-st-nicholas/

Click link for a wonderful Christmas song:

https://youtu.be/A1oHJR2g7Tw

Ho, Ho, No!

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. John 3:16

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, pure, plain, and simple so where did all these reindeer, elves, trees, cards, shopping, lollipops, movies, carols, egg nog, Grinch, cookies, and the rest come from? Merriment is just fine and some things are rooted in some old traditions but overall the emphasis for this special day is a baby boy born in a manger(feeding trough in a barn) to save us from our sins. 

Christmas brings the opportunity to help others, give presents, get together with friends and family, so it is a happy time of year,  but also brings with it the stress of family issues, gift buying, travel,  credit card bills, loneliness for shut ins, obligatory celebrations, parties, and hurt feelings. Oh if we could all just focus on the Christ child and keep things simple. 

Try to have some alone time today to thank God for this gift of his son whose specific purpose was to save us from our sins. Remember what this day is really all about. 

PRAYER: Thank you that today we get to celebrate the gift of the the birth of a tiny baby who became King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Help me not forget what this day is all about. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link for a song about Mary the mother of Jesus:

https://youtu.be/ifCWN5pJGIE

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS: Read Matthew 1:18-25