Living or Dying?

Living or Dying

Are you living or dying? I’m not talking about your physical life. All of us are either living life as Jesus wanted or we are dying, there is no in between, or neutral. This seems like a harsh statement but in reality, it is either one or the other. 

Growth Cycles

Mark 4:28

‘All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk,

 then the head, then the full kernel in the head.

One thing I have learned in my own Spiritual walk, God is always causing things to grow, in particular, He wants me to grow. Sometimes it was easy and sometimes it was hard learning the lessons the Lord was teaching me. However, growth is a process built into the universe. Which means anything living will go through growth cycles. People are no different. Nothing with the Lord stops growing. I have also come to understand that growth is a great word. I can come through a failure, and if I learn from my  mistake, I will grow and eventually get it right. It is how we measure things in this life.

In the plant world we know when something is growing and when something is not, it eventually becomes apparent. As parents we can tell when our children are growing. From birth they are obviously getting bigger physically, they are learning to put more and more words together thus they seem to be getting more intelligent. As they get bigger they go from crawling to walking and then running. Being born again is no different. The actual term is birthed from above. We are growing into a mature man or woman in Christ. God wants us to grow spiritually. Growth is going to happen, it’s a fact.  All of us have witnessed something growing. It can be  seen in our physical world all around us. 

A few years back I bought an apple tree and planted it in my backyard. It was a single skinny 12 to 20 inch stick, with no apples. In fact apples didn’t grow until two or three years later and then only a couple of apples appeared. Now 8 years later it is 20 feet tall and in the spring covered with apples. Just observing the world around us we know growth is a way of life. Even scientists say the universe itself is still expanding. Everything created by God is meant to grow. Again, He built this into everything He created. It’s a sign which reveals something is alive. Everything was designed to grow. We need to understand that growth is good. The process of growth is great. It is always happening, and to understand how it works and learn how to work with it, is all part of living life.  

Part of the growth process is knowing how and when something has matured. We know a person or plant will physically grow older but this doesn’t mean they will mature properly. 

(Maturity; is the state of being fully developed,

 it’s the level of something or someone functioning right, which is attained through proper growth)

We can say someone or something matured when it appears to be developed. When it is not functioning at a certain level of development which is perceived as normal for its age, we say it is immature. We can see an apple growing on the tree, in the spring, it’s small and green and we say it is not yet ripe. We know this by what an apple looks like when ripe or matured. For an apple to mature it needs time through the summer sun and rain to get bigger and turn red. As the apple grows, we evaluate its ripeness based on certain perimeters we know as proper maturity.  If we know there has been the proper amount of time for growth, but it has not achieved a certain level which should be seen as normal, then we say it is immature or worse it is sick. This means we see the age, meaning the time period of growth, and know it should be functioning at a certain level, yet we do not see this. It is no different in the Spiritual realm. We are either continuing to mature or we are still immature. We are either growing or dying. 

Of course as we grow we gain knowledge of what works and what does not work. Life is a constant state of growth as we learn and mature. Navigating life can be tricky at times but as we gain the right knowledge we can grow properly. If we disregard this knowledge, we will stay immature which is another way of saying we didn’t grow. We need to learn, not just what works in life, but also how to continually apply these truths of growth and keep maturing. Life will have its ups and downs which is all a part of growth. However, knowing what and how to apply certain principles of growth through all phases of life keeps us moving forward.

I once met an older missionary in Mexico. He had been a missionary for decades. He started many years back as a Wycliffe bible translator. He had the most amazing stories, some funny, and some stories of hardships suffered. I was taking him down out of the mountains back to the airport in the city, which took a few hours by truck. I asked him this question, “Knowing all which you have done and accomplished, and all the things that failed and just didn’t work, if you could do it over what would you change?” He didn’t hesitate to think at all, and said, “nothing”. I was taken back a bit and looked at him in disbelief repeating “nothing”. I had already started a list of definite things I would do differently. He then said even the things I made mistakes on, or failures on my part in walking with the Lord and Him picking me up, helping me, correcting me, and times He ministered His love and mercy instead of  judgment. He was teaching me who He was, which caused me to be stronger not just physically and Spiritually but stronger in my relationship with Him. He helped me to grow and learn to be a better man, how could I take those times away to do it differently. After he explained, I felt I needed to check my attitude. I still pressed him asking him if there would be something he would do differently. He finally said, I would study the Word of God twice as much for it has all the answers to life. This was coming from a man who knew Hebrew, Greek, Spanish, Aztec, had 2 Phds,  and three master degrees, was an expert in Pauline Epistles and on the history of the early church. To do Bible translation he would have to take scriptures from Hebrew and Greek to Aztec. I now felt like I was in grade school.

This goes along with an account I read a few years back of a biosphere experiment. A biosphere is an enclosed climate controlled environment, with no outside influence. Many species of plants, animals and humans live in this self contained atmosphere. One phenomena they reported was the branches on the trees would droop. Eventually it was realized by having no storms or temperature changes, such as the cold of winter or heat of summer, the trees, although healthy, did not have any strength. The branches just hung down.   

With a Christian there is no difference. A person gets saved and many think this is all that is required. Sometimes they may grow a little and stop. Sometimes they start to grow and come against some form of hardship and stop.  To think nothing negative will happen in your walk is not a healthy mentality. Instead a healthier way to understand is, whatever happens in life the Lord will be there, standing with you to help, I can stand being positive and faith filled in Him. Hardships and difficulties are all part of living. Learning to trust and rely on the Lord through these times is all part of spiritual growth. Salvation is just the beginning, and to think there is no need to grow in our salvation is wrong, or immature thinking. Salvation is the start which puts a person on the right path of true growth. 

The person of Jesus, His Spirit, is now positioned within a person, helping them grow the right way. He is constantly going to push them toward not just growing but mature growth. The goal of this growth is to make them more and more like Jesus everyday. He is bringing them into the mature person of Christ. He will mold and shape this individual, which if you examine these words, means it is going to require pressure. To mold or shape anything requires a picture, model, or mold and then a pressing to shape the material being worked with till it looks like the mold or model. Jesus is the model and His Spirit is doing the shaping to be just like Him. If we are to be like Jesus, then you have to realize the threats, persecutions, and all the negativity towards Him was part of His doing the Father’s will. Now put the trial, cross and death into this picture. All of these were also just as much a part. We tend to think only of victories He had, the miracles and endless love and mercy He showed toward mankind. Yet it’s the whole picture which made Him Lord. We cannot remove any part of what He went through. The same is true with ourselves. We must trust the whole process of our journey and believe we are in His hands. His Spirit knows perfectly what to do with our life to get us where He wants us to be for Him. His Spirit works with our Spirit to gain the wisdom to know what works and what does not work. This is not just so we can navigate life properly, but also to show those around us who He is.

Looking at my personal growth over the years as a christian has been an amazing journey, and a journey I have realized never ends till I see him as He is (1 John). Yet I have met many people who have just quit, they didn’t see the need to keep growing. Growth slowly became not as important as it once was. They found a form of autopilot. They are sleepwalking christians. There have been times in my own life it was hard, and I even wondered if the area of growth was worth it. I was thinking of finding an autopilot for myself. I mean, I was okay, comfortable, so did I really need to press forward? However, inside I knew there was more, all the while knowing on the outside I could just coast. I had to keep in mind, God wasn’t finished with me.

Hopefully over the years we have seen how some things change and some things do not. If change is required, it will just about always be ourselves which will have to change. For change to happen in my heart I know some things around me will not change but will still require me to change. I know some things will change around me and again require me to change. Both will need my thinking to change. Change becomes the key element for growth. I once heard, as a young christian, this statement, “constant change is here to stay”. So the ability to keep growing is fully embracing change in our life. After all, He is the God who doesn’t change, so it’s obvious to keep moving forward we will be the ones to change, and this according to Him working in our lives.  This means to get to the mature man of Christ will require us to change many times in our lives here on earth. If we reach a place where we are not willing to change, this is usually the place where our growth stops as well. Truth is if we are not willing to change then we are choosing. Change can be something externally, or it can be something internally. Whichever it is, whether internally or externally without the necessary changes we will remain the same. This is where me, you, everyone must decide, do we want to change or ignore this and fool ourselves and think we are moving on. The sad reality is, if ignored, without making the necessary changes, life will not change, it will still be the same, and we are not really living but just existing.  

A couple of years back I planted 5 blueberry plants along my fence line. They seemed to do good for the first season, however by about the third season, I noticed they seemed to be struggling. They were not getting any bigger, at first I didn’t think much about it.  I just let them go. I did not want to take the time to do anything with them. Toward the end of this third season they were slowly dying. I knew I had to do something. So one afternoon I dug them up and transplanted them to a better section of my yard and within a week they were already looking healthier and by 3 weeks they were already growing again. I shared this illustration because this is just like us, if we  ignore certain elements in Spiritual growth we just slowly die. I don’t think anyone sets out to spiritually die, they just let it slowly and gradually happen. 

It seems ironic that by not doing anything, how easy it is to permanently change your life for the worst, yet it will require work to change things for the best. Simply put, we just do not want to take the time and energy to change things, it’s uncomfortable. Of course this is a choice we make, and if we choose not to, we become those branches that droop. Our outside appearance looks good but we didn’t let the right pressure produce what was needed for change. The greater truth is, by changing what needs to change we increase and grow in Lord. We are gaining more of His life in us. It is how He becomes closer to us and how we become closer to His heart with ours. He is continually sorting out what holds us back in being close.

We must always keep in our hearts and minds, the Lord has more for us. It was the Father’s good pleasure to give us the Kingdom. It’s our inheritance and the Lord is continually trying to give this to us. It is Him giving us life in its greatest form. He is always wanting to draw us closer and closer. He wants us to know Him deeply which means we need to keep growing. He wants you to be as close as you possibly can to Him. This isn’t just His heart for us but should be our heart for Him as well. Do we truly desire more of Him, and if we do, then this desire will keep us moving forward on a path of growth. When I meet people who seem to be content, it’s as if they are saying this is all I want I don’t need any more, when they pass from this life to the next what does this look like to the Lord. I wonder if it’s like saying I don’t need all of your love, I didn’t need the things you wanted for me.  Truth is everybody wants all of He has for them, all of His love for them, which He freely gives, but again do they want to change to love Him with all they can give back. This is the whole path of growth.

In the navigation of life we need to understand there are certain truths and principles which if applied in the heart keeps a person on a path of growth, if not applied will hinder growth. It’s important to know what will change given the right circumstances and what will never change. These truths and principles have nothing to do with age, what ethnicity, or the country and culture where you live. They will work with everyone anywhere in the world and they work the exact same way. Remember, He is always working with you to give you the best life you possibly can have here and not just in the next life. He always has more for you.  This is what God is trying to do with us at all times. He is the greatest Father and just like any good parent He will teach His children right from wrong with the goal of growing them to a mature person. He wants to give them the best, because He is a great Heavenly Father.

Sowing The Right Stuff

I was speaking at a conference and after my session I was approached by a young man, who had been obviously touched by the Spirit and asked me this question, “How do I get into doing the things of God, how do I get going in this life”. I knew he was meaning how do I start doing the work of God,  how do I use my life for Jesus. I responded with one simple word “SOW”. He instantly said he was going to sow some money into my ministry, however that was not what I meant. 

 While ministry support is always welcomed, I went on trying to explain what I meant, which was “sow his life”. I was instructing him to give away of his life for Jesus and His Kingdom. Now please hear my heart in this matter. While the systematic giving of one’s finances is sowing, it is only a part. Knowing how to give your life away for the Lord and His cause, to serve anyone in need, whether you like it or not, and especially whether you want to or not, is what I am referring to in my statement, sow. Learning to look for the opportunities and knowing how to give your life away sets up amazing events to bring forth the life of Jesus. 

Much of the time this word sow is over emphasized with the giving of money within the Christian community. So much so, we may have forgotten sowing covers all areas of life, not just your finances. Again, no question about the sowing of your finances being a solid biblical truth and we should be givers in this area. However, the Bible is clear, so a man sows so a man reaps and this covers all areas of one’s life.

Galatians 6:7-10 ‘Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap. For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers). ‘ AMP

In these scriptures Paul was referencing to be careful as to not sow to the flesh, carnal life, worldliness, thinking of self, living life by following your sinful nature and not God’s Spirit. When we see someone living a life of sin we do not instantly think they are sowing their money wrong. No, instead we think they are living wrong. We can see by the fruit of their life they are sowing the wrong things. If what they are sowing is selfishness, worldliness and sin, they will reap the consequences of this into their life. 

Whether a Christian or not, everyone will reap what they sow. No one gets out of this principle who lives on this earth. This simple rule, you sow you reap covers all of life on this planet. This is the way God set up life on this earth. Everyone living on the earth is under God’s system of sowing and reaping. It doesn’t matter if the person is a Christian or not. 

This scripture in Gal.6, reveals this truth, but He also states how we should be sowing. We should take the opportunities to do good to others, especially other Christians. Doing good to others is sowing your life. So is encouraging other believers, helping them succeed in life. Covering other believers in prayer is sowing. Praying for non-christians is sowing. Just in general being helpful and kind, doing what you can to assist others for their good is sowing. This is how you give your life away. God wants us to sow the right things with our life, because He knows our life will benefit greatly by doing this. He wants us reaping a Spiritual life, one linked to His eternal realm.

Look at this next scripture. 

Luke 6:37-38 “ Do not judge [others self-righteously], and you will not be judged; do not condemn [others when you are guilty and unrepentant], and you will not be condemned [for your hypocrisy]; pardon [others when they truly repent and change], and you will be pardoned [when you truly repent and change]. [Matt 7:1-5] Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.” 

Again, Here in these scriptures Jesus is addressing the way we treat others. He is not referring to money. He specifically states that we should do good to others. Here in these scriptures before verse 37, He speaks of family and forgiveness. These are things you sow. How you treat others is something you sow. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 [6] Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. [7] Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. [9] As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” [10] Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. NIV

 Paul is referring to the giving of finances but look at the principles he brings out about sowing. These are truths in giving and not just with finances.

1. If you sow generously, this will be the measure by which you will reap. Scriptures in Luke state the same.

2. God loves a cheerful giver, when we sow or give away from ourselves, attitude is everything. Whatever we are sowing, do we have a cheerful heart attitude? 

3. Whatever is being sown with the right attitude. God makes sure it comes back to us or that we reap the same back except in greater quantity. This helps to keep us in a right relationship with Him.

4. When we sow from the right heart attitude, it causes others to Thank God. Others look at God as the one who helped them. The giving away of our life will bring glory to God. 

Just about all these deal with the attitude of heart and motive for sowing. Our attitude is something we sow as well. So when you hear the word sow or give, think about your whole life, all areas of your life and your attitude toward these areas. 

Can you give your time, other resources, tangible possessions  someone may be in need of, or your enthusiasm, energy/physical strength in helping others and the attitude by which you do this? 

Always be willing to check your mental disposition in helping others. According to scripture we will reap in these areas as well. 

Next time you sow with your finances ask yourself if you are showing in all areas of your life as well. Finances are just a part. Money is just a part of the whole understanding in giving away your life. 

So, returning to the beginning, how do you get involved in what God is doing right now,  how do you get into doing the works of God? Sow your life. The one who knows how to sow their life God will always use to bring His Kingdom here on earth.

Proverbs 11:25   Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor. TPT

Candy Corn

Candy Corn

Ps 34:8  Taste and see that the Lord is good;

Every season my wife decorates our house. I mean spring, summer, fall and her favorite, Christmas. She puts out what is appropriate for the particular season. This being Fall, she puts out all the things she decorates with, lights, leaves, flowers, pillows, dishes, candles, and which color coordinates for this season. Every fall for many years now she has put out a small dish in the shape and color of a candy corn and will fill it up with a particular brand of, (you should have guessed it), candy corn. For those of you who do not know of this candy, it comes out in the stores during the fall and looks like a yellow and orange piece of corn. Now of course our girls and their children know about this dish.  When they come to the house they look for this dish and help themselves to the candy corn. Throughout the fall this dish will get emptied and filled several times. 

Recently my 2 old grandson was at the house with his mother and I gave him his first candy corn. I picked up the piece of candy and handed it to him. He looked at it and played with it a little not knowing what it was and then I took one, put it in my mouth and he did the same. At first he looked like he would spit it out but then the sweetness touched his taste buds and an overwhelming approval registered on his face. He looked at me almost instantly and motioned to me for more. Watching his face go from not sure to positively yes for more, his mother and I just laughed. A couple of days later they stopped by the house and as soon as they came in the door he went straight to the dish. It just so happened to be empty at this time but he would stare at the dish and look at me like where are those wonderful little candies? 

Now think with me for a moment, do we taste to see how good the Lord is? God with His overwhelming love for us is always wanting us to experience more. More of everything He has that He gives to us for our enjoyment. He doesn’t do things to leave a bad taste in our mouths but a good taste. A taste we approve of and look at Him with the same face my grandson had wanting more. Do we run to God looking for more of the candy corn of His words, character, and nature because we remember how good it tasted before?

In the scripture above the actual Hebrew word taste is referring to perception of a thing. Look at the definition of taste; to try with your taste buds, to excite a particular sensation, by which a quality of flavor is distinguished, to perceive with your tongue/taste buds, to experience and distinguish a flavor most likely for the first time. 

According to the scripture the flavor you are looking for is good. You are perceiving how good God is. You are wanting to experience this particular sensation. The best thing about this is God wants you to taste this too Because He knows once you have tasted a flavor and you have liked it you want more. 

I have had many steaks in my life but there is one place both my wife and I had a steak that to this day is the best. We still will talk about it.  When you mention this particular restaurant we both light up and overwhelmingly agree the best steak we ever have had. Our taste buds had a sensation that we would go back again and again to partake of. 

There was a time we did mission trips to Romania. Getting there we would sometimes have to stop in Zurich. I had gotten to know some of the things to do and try with overnight stays in Zurich. There was a particular chocolate shop and every time I would take a team through Zurich I had to take them to this shop and buy them their first Swiss chocolate. I would joke and tell them the first one’s on me. I would enjoy treating people to their first chocolate truffle and watching their facial expression. Of course they would want another one, and now you know why I would only buy the first one, because I knew they would want another. 

Do we have a spiritual facial expression with the things of God? Do we want more?  This is really how we should know our Lord. We should be wanting more, having tasted, we want another. Why? Because it is so amazingly good. He is so amazingly Good. 

I have said this many times and I am sure I heard it somewhere but God is never holding anything back from us but holding it for us. He isn’t hiding things from us but wants us to come and taste and see His goodness. He is holding them out for us to come and partake of all He has for us. 

We taste what is good by enjoying His Word, finding pleasure in walking with Him, growing in His abundant love for us. 

There are many things I have tasted and did not like. I did not care to taste them again. However, never have I in over 40 plus years of walking with God have I tasted anything bad from Him. Just the opposite I have only found that which is good and loving, caring and always willing to share every aspect of His life with me. 

The whole message about His Son is making sure we receive the very best He has to offer. He wholeheartedly gave us Jesus so we could enjoy all His goodness. The way Jesus enjoyed life with his Father, the Father wanted to make sure we received the exact same abundant life. Again, He is not keeping anything from us but holding out to us to come and taste and see how truly good He is. So think of all the good of God you have tasted and remember this every time you come to Him. Look for the dish with the candy corn of life in it and help yourself.

Luke 10:21

 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.  NIV

Eph 1:9-10

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure,

which he purposed in Christ, NIV

Luke 12:32

32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. NKJV

Forget The Half Glass

Forget The Half Glass

We have all probably heard the saying, “the glass half full or half empty” and the meaning is pointing to how we view things, either positive “half full” or negative “half empty”. It reveals the attitude of the heart in how we see events unfolding in our lives as well as around us. However, why just half a glass?

 In Lam.3:22-23 states His love and mercy is brand new every single morning we get up. In Jn.10:10 states He gives us life in abundance, and the amplified states “till its full, overflowing.”  This means every morning we can start with an empty glass and fill it up with as much of Him as we possibly can. So everyday with God the glass can be full and even spilling over. 

So coming back to the glass being half empty or half full it’s only just half a glass. To be truly positive we will see the glass filling up with the life of Christ. Every morning we wake up, our quest should be to see how full we can get the glass with His life spilling out of us. Filling the glass up with our walk with Him, discovering the newness of Him filling up the  glass. He provides us with an abundant supply of life. He just keeps pouring till we stop it for whatever reasons. I mean, we determine how much of His life we will live today. We determine then how full our glass will be. Whether negative, seeing the problems, situations, and lack, or we’re thankful to be alive today, physically, mentally, Spiritually, and letting 100% of His life live in us today is our choice. 

Everyday He gives us the ability to be as alive as we want to be with Him, after all He is the author of Life. So start with an empty glass today and fill it up with as much of the life of Jesus as you possibly can. Live seeing Him adding all of what He has for you, today. Not negative, not seeing the lack or problems, even if they are there, no old dry religious ways of the past, nothing from yesterday. 

Today, right now, He is creating, producing new things. He is the only source of life, purpose and destiny. Let’s look with a heart that wants to be filled till overflowing. Forget the half glass, reach for the overflowing one. Now this is the attitude to have when looking at the glass. 

It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word]. It is good that one should hope in and wait quietly for the salvation (the safety and ease) of the Lord.   Lamentations 3:22‭-‬26 AMPC

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].   John 10:10 AMP

Desfrutando de Sua dádiva da vida “hoje”

Desfrutando de Sua dádiva da vida “hoje”

Graças a Deus por Sua dádiva indescritível! 2 Coríntios 9:15 NASB2020

Toda boa dádiva e todo dom perfeito vêm do alto, descem do Pai das luzes [o Criador e Sustentador dos céus], em quem não há variação [não há nascer nem pôr] nem sombra da sua mudança [pois Ele é perfeito e nunca muda].Tiago 1:17 AMP

Se você é cristão e consegue ler o título deste artigo, então a dádiva da vida de Jesus Cristo, tudo o que Ele é e tudo o que Ele representa foi estendida a você hoje. Se você não é cristão, a dádiva da vida ainda está disponível para você hoje. Agora, vamos parar um minuto para realmente refletir sobre esse pensamento ao analisarmos a definição de um presente.

Presente; algo dado voluntariamente a alguém sem pagamento; algo voluntariamente dado ou transferido por uma pessoa a outra sem compensação; um item dado a alguém sem a expectativa de pagamento ou algo em troca. É uma oferta de livre e espontânea vontade, sem compromisso e sem expectativa de receber algo em troca;

Os presentes devem simbolizar o afeto e o apreço que temos por alguém. Dar presentes, independentemente da ocasião, deve ser uma demonstração de nosso amor e apreço pela pessoa a quem estamos dando o presente. O objetivo é abençoá-la e incentivá-la. Entretanto, também sabemos que, às vezes, parece ser uma obrigação.

Sabemos que, seja qual for a ocasião, o protocolo é que devemos levar um presente. Quando foi o último presente que você deu a alguém por causa de seu amor ou afeição por essa pessoa? Agora pense em quantas vezes você deu um presente por protocolo, sem realmente ter nenhum sentimento ligado ao processo de dar um presente.

Se você tem uma família grande, geralmente dá presentes o tempo todo e, é claro, há aqueles momentos em que a norma social é dar um presente. Agora, antes de nos condenarmos, não há nada de errado com a norma social: aniversários, chás de bebê, casamentos, a lista pode continuar. Sabemos que um presente deve ser dado. Sabemos que é considerado apropriado dar um presente. Mas o presente não é tanto por nosso amor e apreço pela pessoa a quem estamos dando o presente, mas sim porque é o que se deve fazer.

No entanto, todos os dias, ao acordarmos para um novo dia, o presente de Cristo está sendo dado a nós com o maior amor e carinho. Não se trata de uma norma social, não é uma obrigação para com Ele, mas é por causa de Seu amor por nós que Ele nos abençoa. Essa dádiva de Sua vida, Sua presença conosco, é a própria pessoa de Jesus demonstrando Seu amor e afeição por nós hoje. Ele nos dá esse presente todas as manhãs quando acordamos.

Não há nada que você tenha feito para receber esse presente, é o que “Ele” fez e ainda está fazendo por você de todo o coração. Lembre-se, um presente é algo dado gratuitamente, não é um pagamento por algo, é apenas uma oferta generosa que uma pessoa tem e está disposta a dar para beneficiar outra pessoa. Esse presente é para abençoá-la, para melhorar sua vida de alguma forma, para melhorá-la ou elevá-la de alguma forma e para demonstrar amor e afeição por ela.

É isso que Jesus está fazendo todos os dias. Ele está nos dando a dádiva de Sua vida. Ele está nos dando a Si mesmo, Sua vida, nova para abrirmos e desfrutarmos. Podemos sentir o amor e o carinho que Ele tem por nós todos os dias.

Quer você seja cristão ou não, cada dia em que estamos vivos é uma dádiva. O que fazemos com essa dádiva é uma escolha. A escolha de Jesus, todos os dias, é dar a dádiva de Sua vida para que a desfrutemos. É um presente dado diretamente de Seu coração para nós.

Sabemos que em ocasiões especiais, ao longo do ano, há momentos em que receberemos um presente. No entanto, todo dia é uma ocasião especial com Jesus. Todos os dias Ele nos dá o presente da vida e tudo o que vem com ela. Como cristãos, podemos receber o presente de Jesus, novo e renovado todos os dias, com todo o Seu amor e carinho. Sua dádiva é permitir que exploremos e experimentemos coisas novas Nele e com Ele todos os dias, se quisermos.

Precisamos ter cuidado para não começarmos a tratar essa dádiva como se ela estivesse sempre presente e não pensarmos mais nela. Não podemos nos esquecer da grande dádiva que Sua vida realmente é para nós, hoje.

Quando eu era um jovem ministro, lembro-me de um orador convidado que tivemos na igreja. Em certa época, esse homem e sua esposa eram ministros de uma igreja muito bem-sucedida na Califórnia. Então, ele teve um ataque cardíaco que causou a morte de 80% de seu coração. Ao contrário de hoje, não havia nada que pudesse ser feito por ele em termos médicos. Ele mal estava vivo e a vida, como ele conhecia, havia desaparecido. Se ele se esforçasse demais ou fizesse qualquer coisa muito rapidamente, desmaiaria ou possivelmente teria o resto do coração parado e morreria.

Eles tiveram que desistir do ministério. Ele viveu nessa condição por vários anos. A vida, como ambos sabiam, havia desaparecido, e sua esposa teve de aceitar um trabalho braçal para que pudessem sobreviver. Tiveram que se mudar de casa para algo menor que pudessem pagar.

Anos depois, eles participaram de uma conferência e, durante uma reunião, ele começou a ter um ataque cardíaco. Algumas pessoas ao seu redor perceberam que ele precisava de ajuda naquele momento. Elas o trouxeram para a frente e oraram por ele, e seu coração foi completamente restaurado, 100%. Sua vida mudou instantaneamente, de quase morto para uma vida plena. Ambos tiveram suas vidas de volta, ele era um novo homem. Ele literalmente tinha um coração que funcionava 100%. Ele deixou de ser capaz de sair do sofá e passou a andar de bicicleta pela vizinhança, compartilhando seu testemunho com todos que quisessem ouvir. Agora ele estava viajando, pregando o evangelho novamente e compartilhando seu testemunho.

Nós dois, que liderávamos a igreja naquela época, quando olhamos em seus olhos, vimos uma gratidão imensa por uma segunda chance na vida. Era realmente possível ver isso em seus olhos. Olhando para ele e ouvindo-o, sabíamos que ele sabia que havia recebido uma segunda chance com o dom da vida.

Talvez não tenhamos uma condição médica que dificulte nossa vida, mas o quanto entendemos que recebemos a dádiva da vida hoje? É um dia totalmente novo! Esse é realmente o primeiro dia do resto de sua vida. Quão gratos somos? O quanto realmente apreciamos este dia? Sentimos o amor e o carinho que Ele está nos dedicando hoje?
Ele quer que você desembrulhe Seu presente da vida hoje e desfrute de todos os aspectos de Sua vida. Você percebe que Deus está gostando de desembrulhar o presente da sua vida e tudo o que você é hoje? Você está dando a Ele o presente de sua vida como uma demonstração de seu amor e afeição? Devemos perceber que Ele está lhe dando a vida Dele porque também gosta de você. Devemos ter cuidado para não olhar para o dia de hoje pensando que é apenas mais um dia, semelhante ao de ontem, nada diferente. Em vez disso, veja Jesus como vivo conosco hoje, criando coisas novas, dando-nos novas experiências e nos aproximando Dele. Embrulhadas em Sua dádiva de vida hoje estão infinitas possibilidades. Portanto, hoje, reserve um tempo para dizer: “Obrigado, obrigado, obrigado, Senhor Jesus” pelo seu presente de vida abundante hoje e, em seguida, abra e aproveite o maior presente já dado a você.

Graças a Deus por Sua dádiva indescritível!
2 Coríntios 9:15 NASB2020

Mas a cada um de nós foi dada graça segundo a medida do dom de Cristo. Efésios 4:7 NASB2020

Blessed Are The Flexible

Luke 2:6‭-‬7

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. NIV

Luke 2:16-20

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. NIV

They say if you have family then you have true wealth.

What Clarence the angel told George Bailey in the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life,

“Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.”

Bettye and I arrived Thursday evening pulling up to a huge cabin that sleeps 30 plus people. This was where the family would get together for the weekend before Christmas. Our entire family, our children and their children, all 20 of us were going to be in this cabin till Sunday. We started the evening off with the theme, “everyone must remain “flexible”. This is such a good word for our bunch. I believe this is a good word for any family to hear because God created everyone so different and unique. 

Flexible: capable of bending easily without breaking, able to be easily modified to respond to altered circumstances or conditions, ready and able to change so as to adapt to different circumstances.

With our group there were 8 families represented. All very diverse in their personalities, thinking, and in their general way of doing life. But everyone did life as one family for a weekend. 

There were the obvious differences in how each navigated their families. There were differences on how things should or shouldn’t be done for us as one big group. But it worked because we stayed flexible. This meant whether we agreed or not we would bend and flow together with what was happening and be willing to change to do life together as a group. 

Staying together as a group was more important than our individual wants, likes, and dislikes. Being with family, and staying family was what would override our personal differences on how we thought things should go. I could tell things throughout the weekend rubbed some of us the wrong way but everyone kept civil and flowed together for what was an enjoyable time as family.

Think of it. Mary is given no option on being the mother of Jesus. She is told the Holy Spirit would be the father. She is technically pregnant without being married, and her husband to be is considering divorcing her. Joseph is told to marry her even though the child is not his. We know family and neighbors close to them knew what was happening, it couldn’t have been a secret. I’m sure it was challenging trying to explain their situation. Both of them had to have remained flexible. 

Even right before giving birth they had to travel. Mary could not find a room to stay in and gave birth in a place, I am sure, she wouldn’t have picked. We could say they didn’t have an option. This was to fulfill prophecy, but they flowed with it given these unusual circumstances. This was how Joseph and Mary started their family. I’m sure it’s not what they would have chosen themselves. This is also how Jesus chose to begin life, under conditions and circumstances that were not the normal way. 

What’s amazing here is scripture states Mary treasured all these things and pondered them. Meaning she held them close and thought about them as good memories. No question about it, for Joseph and Mary the memories would have the theme of how flexible they had been. 

Christmas is one of the best times to cultivate stronger relationships whether it be family or friends. A major factor to take into account on Christmas is Christ came to earth born into a family, and displayed to the whole world His personal relationship with His Father. He made the statement toward the end of His physical life that no greater love has a person than they lay down their life for a friend. This is the true Spirit of family and of friendship, this is what Jesus brought to earth with His birth and throughout His life. 

We know Jesus seemed to struggle with His disciples grasping what He was teaching them. We know Jesus’ mother asked things of Him at times that didn’t seem to be according to His plans. We know the disciples didn’t always get along with each other. Yet throughout His life, here on earth, Jesus maintained a flow even in difficult circumstances and situations. He remained flexible.

No doubt probably one of the hardest areas to navigate flexibility is with family and friends. But we know it can be done, because Jesus showed us the way. In Him and with Him we can let go of our differences when there is a greater goal. The greater goal is to keep the Spirit of family and keep friendships regardless of our differences and ways of doing life. We must set aside personal differences and preferences for the sake of staying together as family and maintaining the friendships.

 I’m sure Joseph and Mary would have chosen differently but they chose to do it the way God planned. I think Jesus at times wondered about those He called His friends, yet maintained a flow with those that even abandoned Him. He chose to show them something greater than their attitudes and actions which was love. Talk about being flexible! Can we flow with those God has put in our lives, can we love them even though they do not do life the way we do? Family can be tough at times to flow with yet it is a major theme God has always maintained throughout scripture. Family was and still is of great importance to God. Friendships can be tough at times yet seem to be important enough for Jesus to show what friendship truly is all about.

All throughout scriptures you will find the theme of family and friendship and doing life God’s way. God is all about family. Family is the environment of home, it is what happens in a house. House is the word used to describe the physical building someone lives in. Home is a more personal term which involves the people and daily activities inside the house. 

Family environment happens in the home. Whether your home life was great or not so great, you can still cultivate in your heart a family spirit. God has made you one of His family members. So His family will always be the standard for any family. God proved His heart about family with the birth of His Son Jesus. So again whether your home life was good or not everyone has this standard to understand how to build a family spirit in their heart. Even if you are at a point in life where you have no family, then be a blessing somehow to someone else’s family, this is how you develop a family spirit for yourself. 

Christmas is a great time to cultivate family. Wherever you go bring His family Spirit with you. Maybe your family is hard to be around, remember to be flexible. Well that’s easy to say, but you don’t know my sister or you don’t know my brother, you haven’t met my parents. Remember, you as a Christian should  set the standard of family. God the Father accepted you when you were not family. Jesus puts up with you and accepts you as a brother or sister. He even calls you a friend.  

Family is one of the greatest attributes of His creation. God used the family of Joseph and Mary to bring forth His Son. God began with a family, Adam and Eve, He used Abraham to start a family which would become the nation of Israel, and He ends with family with His Son coming for His bride. 

What’s interesting is throughout this history of the Jewish people Abraham was not just known as a father but a friend of God’s. (2Chron.20:7, Is.41:8, James 2:23)  A friend of God means He is there for the good of this person. However a person needs to be flexible, because sometimes His Good for a person may not be what they would choose. We can see through Abraham’s flexibility he gets to display family, father, and friend for all of eternity. Jesus continued the same Spirit of family by displaying a strong loving  relationship with His Father. 

The family is the nurturing environment for people to come into their full potential. It is to be the strongest example, here on earth, of the environment of love. The family produces our concepts of love, father, protection, sensitivity, and the list can go on and on. Family is God’s divine container to preserve His ways for mankind to be passed on from one generation to the next. Family is God’s ordained school for molding, shaping, and growing His Kingdom in every generation.

His friendship reveals how strong a bond should be between two people. Family and friendship is a powerful biblical truth. You may say I have no friends, you can still move in the true Spirit of friendship like Jesus.

John 15:13-16

13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. NIV

You might say I have no family or your family is torn apart, you can still have the family Spirit of Christ and reveal this to others. You are part of the biggest and greatest family to ever exist. During this time of the year be a friend to someone whether they see you as a friend or not. Be family to someone, maybe even help a family but show the family Spirit of God to others, whether they are your family or not. For those who have family, and they are hard to be around, be flexible and be there for them.

In God’s eyes, family and friendship are His most powerful method in doing Kingdom Business. The devil is always working at destroying family and to separate friends. Christmas is a great time to promote His Kingdom ways with the Spirit of  family and to show true friendship. He started with family, and brought forth many sons and daughters and called them friends. Family and friends are the method for which He wants to produce and reflect His ways and nature here on earth. It is how God, throughout history, will continually defeat the devil. 

He builds you into family by molding and shaping you into His image. God is in the business of redeeming multitudes of men and women into His divine plan. Christmas is a great time to let go of what you may be lacking concerning family or friends and sow into others. We can build the atmosphere of both family and friendship by aligning with the Father’s heart for people everywhere, which is why His Son was born.  

Remind yourself of this when you start feeling the difficulty you might find with your family or that friend, be FLEXIBLE!! Remember to have a Christmas you will treasure for yourself by letting the past go and start afresh with the Spirit of Christ operating in and through your life by being family and friend to all you encounter. To have the best Christmas ever has nothing to do with being on your best behavior, but everything to do with being the best friend or family member you could ever be. 

The birth of Jesus empowers us to forgive and  gives us the ability to not just overlook offenses but to let them go. It doesn’t matter how others have been toward you, but it does matter how you are toward them.  Let the heart of Christ in us direct us to have the best attitude. If you are going to honor the Christ of Christmas, then be His friend by bringing His Spirit to all your family and friends. Create for them a memory they will last. Be the best friend ever, be the best family member ever. Enjoy what you can of the relationships you have with family and friends. 

His birth was about bringing people that were distant close and into His family. Those who did not deserve His love, He extended it to them anyway. Should we not clothe ourselves the same? Jesus extends the same love and acceptance toward all. If we want to have the best Christmas ever, one to remember, then be that friend you should be and bring the family Spirit with you. Make a new friend, and form a stronger bond with a family member. If you have family you have wealth, if you have friends then you have wealth. Be thankful for the wealth you have and out of this gratefulness extend His Spirit to as many as you can. Christmas is one of the best times to do so. 

Christmas Series Part 3

Grinch, Scrooge, or Merry Christmas

True Joy

Luke 2:10

But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. AMP

The angel announced to the shepherds a statement of the position God now took with mankind for eternity. The birth of Jesus was a “great joy”. It would ring true, echoing throughout the corridors of time. God through His Son, brought joy for anyone who wanted it. It came in the package of Jesus. If you have Jesus then you have God’s great joy. What the angel said was so profound. Good News of a Great Joy and it was for All People.

Look at what this term “great joy” means scripturally. The word “great” concerning this joy has two distinct definitions. First, the importance of how great His birth was, how important the person who was just born is to all. Angels announcing His birth show the intensity and high degree of importance which was given to Him, this is His greatness. 

Second, the size and volume of the joy He brings. It is infinite joy, it never ends and is always found there with Him. It is a joy which is greater than anything else that could ever be found that would bring a person joy. This was a joy brought forth for the whole earth. 

 Let’s define this “joy” in the scripture. One definition is an archer’s term. When an archer pulls the string of his bow and releases the arrow, the twang of the string signifies he can now relax. The tension of the archer’s arm holding the pulled string is gone. So joy is a sense of release, to relax, and to be at peace. A second definition of joy is to show or proclaim  excitement when darkness and chaos have  been swallowed up or overwhelmed by God. With God, a person can have His joy which is greater than any negative situation or circumstance. His joy is greater than anything else and can actually cover, overwhelm, and swallow up any circumstance of any degree. A third definition is happiness, inner gladness, a deep seated pleasure which a person can only find in God. A joy found only in His spiritual realities that bring a sense of happiness regardless of what may be happening around an individual.  

God’s own personal joy the angels announced at Jesus birth was now found in His Son. This would be a great joy to all people everywhere. The joy Jesus has from His Father is now given to anyone who wants to have it. It is there for anyone who comes to Jesus. In Him, with Him, through Him is this great joy. A great joy which came to all with His birth. 

As a Christian He lives inside of you and reveals Himself to all those around you. We are now representatives of this joy for all to see. Through Jesus we have the ability to always be joyful just like Him. There is no better time to proclaim and display this joy which is deep within our hearts than when people are most open to hear and see it, which is during the Christmas season. 

So you might be asking why  I went through such a lengthy definition. Because having this knowledge will produce something deeper coming from your heart when you say, “Merry Christmas”. This is so our words are not shallow, or without depth behind them, or being overused to the place where it lacks in importance. 

You no doubt hear the words Merry Christmas hundreds of times over the Christmas Holiday. So when you say it to someone or return the saying back to someone you have the true basis of where “Merry” comes from. When you say Merry Christmas it comes from the great joy of Jesus Himself. An inner gladness, a relaxed position where there is no tension because darkness and any chaos has been swallowed up in Him. 

We are presenting His truth of joy to others. It’s His joy in us bringing a deep pleasure from within, regardless of our situation. From this position we are spreading His joy to all those around us. It is a normal attitude for those walking with Jesus, because He is our great joy. You can bring this deep seated  happiness, this type of joy every time you say, “Merry Christmas”. 

To be happy is an emotion, to be merry is a behavior. Now that does not mean we can’t be happy, it just means there is a foundation to happiness, a foundation to being merry, which is His great joy living inside of us. This is what His birth brought us at Christmas. This word “merry” actually is an old word which comes from the idea that something is so pleasant it makes time fly. So let His joy be seen. Christmas is a great time to show what “merry” really entails. It is a joyful heart that leads to joyful behavior. This joy we display shows the very heart attitude of God Himself. 

There is no grinch in God, nor is there a Scrooge, God doesn’t know how to be grumpy, just the opposite, He only knows how to be full of joy. His character is pure, undefiled joy and this is what He brought to the whole world at the birth of Jesus. So let the people around us see true joy being expressed, this great joy which came at the birth of Christ. Let them sense you really do hope they have a Merry Christmas. 

Luke 2:20

 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. NIV

We need to check our joy thermometer, to see how joyful we are?

Is His joy in our “Merry Christmas”?

Christmas Series Part 2

Unwrapping the Gift

Having Child Like Faith at Christmas

Matthew 18:1‭-‬4

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. NASB2020

It was  completely quiet in the house and then I was awakened by the sound of children trying to act quiet. I could hear them doing their best to whisper as they were running down the hall toward our bedroom door to see if we were awake. It was Christmas morning and they were wide awake with excitement. They had already been up staring at the presents under the tree which had been there for a week or more. They knew which ones had their names on them. Christmas morning was here, and they didn’t have to wait anymore, they finally get to open their presents. 

Of course they knew they had to wait for their mother and I to get up. So there they were at our bedroom door asking if we were awake. I have to admit I was excited for their excitement. We got up and moved to the living room where the tree with all the presents sat under it. They were so excited as they started opening up their presents with each gift getting a special reaction. 

That was many years ago, my daughters are all grown now with their own homes and waking  up with their children on Christmas morning. Looking back, what is so amazing to me was their excitement, the excitement of a child. 

At that moment it was their whole world, nothing else existed.  There was nothing more important than that moment, they were focused. Remembering all those Christmas mornings their excitement is what I remember most but also as parents our excitement as well. It was just as exciting watching their excitement, it was contagious. It was priceless to see their reaction when they saw the gift inside for the first time. While there was anticipation on their side, there was on my side as well. Even though I knew what was in the wrapped present, watching them was a thrill. 

Jesus said unless you become like a little child. Think of how our Heavenly Father is when He blesses us, watching us as we are surprised by the blessing just like opening a present. Again, Jesus said unless we become like little children. While we cannot go back and be a child again, we can look at the truths about being a child and what that means in attitude of heart and mind to imitate now. 

Christmas is His celebrated birthday all over the world. I know there are those who say it wasn’t really on the 25th, so What?! There is no other known date and there is no other time people are celebrating His birth. Therefore we should do our best to center our attention around His birth. We can show our excitement for Him, put Him first. 

Ask yourself how excited are you about the gift of Jesus? Can you imagine God the Father giving us His Son knowing what was in the gift we would unwrap. He told us about this gift for thousands of years through the prophets and patriarchs, and now this gift gets to be opened. Try to imagine how excited the Father must have been. The day of His birth was finally here. He knew what the gift was. Think of His excitement. He sent angels to announce it and they were rejoicing and giving praise for this gift. How exciting this was for all of heaven to join in the celebration of His Son being born. 

Luke 2:10-14

And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.” NASB2020

Just like my children on Christmas morning opening their presents, we get an opportunity to be reminded of God’s gift, His Son Jesus every Christmas. However the difference now is we get to enjoy this gift 24/7, 365 days every year. We get to unwrap the present of Jesus given to us every single morning we get up. It can be Christmas morning, every day. How excited about this gift are you? Even if you’re a fuddy dud about Christmas, use this time of the year to remind yourself and as many around you of this truth. His birth was the entrance of salvation for the world. It was the Fathers greatest gift for us. 

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! NIV

Ephesians 2:8

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—NIV

Ephesians 4:7

Yet grace (God’s unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ’s [rich and bounteous] gift. AMPC

Matthew 7:11

……….. how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! NIV

His life, grace, and mercy is new every morning. We get to open this gift of Christ every single day. He is alive, living and breathing right now. Again, how excited about Jesus are you? We get to open the greatest gift ever given in the history of mankind. Every day the gift of His Son is there for us to unwrap and explore all the depths and riches of His grace, His love, the blessings He has for us, afresh and anew. He knows what we are going to unwrap, and He is just excited. So how much excitement should we really be displaying to those around us?

We should always have enthusiasm and excitement about Jesus, but Christmas gives us a great opportunity to show it, especially because people are thinking about it.

Enthusiasm: intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.

If you are excited about Jesus then your excitement can naturally spill over to excite others using Christmas to show your enthusiasm for Jesus. Just like my excitement watching my children’s excitement opening their presents, let your excitement be seen. Show others Christmas is about the gift of Christ and how everyday we get to open this present which started at His birth. Of course this shouldn’t be just at Christmas but all year, however this time of the year is when the majority of people throughout the world are aware of His birth.  Unwrap God’s gift of Jesus in front of as many people as you can showing excitement and enthusiasm. 

The most amazing part of this truth is we get to keep opening the gift of Jesus everyday for the rest of our lives. How exciting, to have Him as the gift which keeps giving. The Father gave us a gift, one which can be opened all the time, not just on Christmas. Let our excitement and enthusiasm spill over as we open the present of Jesus Christ for others to witness.

Excitement, and enthusiasm are contagious. Unwrap the Present of Jesus in front of everyone, so everyone one can see how great a present we were truly given. Christmas is a wonderful reminder of the birth of His Son given to the world as the greatest gift ever given in the history of mankind on earth.

How excited about Jesus are you?

Do you anticipate  unwrapping the present of Christ?

Is your excitement contagious? 

Christmas Series Part 1

Upgrading Your Version Of Christmas

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away,

 yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV

It’s that time of the year again, Christmas. No doubt there are so many things at this time of the year to distract us and cause us to sometimes not be in the best of moods. We know Christmas comes every year, and as a christian we know it’s about the birth of Christ. Of course with it comes all the usual negative worldly trappings. For about 4-5 weeks there will be a constant reminder of it everywhere you go. There are endless commercials on tv, social media, even the fat man himself, Santa Claus is everywhere you look. Again, there are multiple distractions which have nothing to do  about what is really being celebrated, which is Christ’s birth.  So we can head into it with the same old, same old routine, focused on the negative or we can choose to be different this time at Christmas. Whether your version of Christmas is good and you love this time of the year or not, it may be time for an upgrade. 

I remember a flight once where they upgraded me to first class. The plane remained the same and was still going to the same destination but it was different. My experience was definitely enhanced, it was easier to enjoy, the flight did not seem as long. If you have ever been upgraded on a plane you know what I am talking about. We update our phones, computers and other digital devices because the makers have added new features which make it run smoother, faster, or features that enhance our user experience. It’s able to do something it couldn’t before, making it easier to use and enjoy. 

Maybe it’s time for an upgrade with your version of Christmas. It is a great time to renew our heart in the truths which Christmas presents. If you want to have a Christmas to remember then it has to start by upgrading and even updating your version of Christ. Use this time to renew and refresh the truths about Jesus and His birth. Use Christmas to remind yourself of all the amazing things Jesus did for you this year. Look at your growth as well as all of the improvements you made with His help. After all, if He hadn’t been born, we would not even have a savior. Remind yourself His birth is your salvation. Don’t let the negative about Christmas drive your thinking and attitude. Instead look at all His birth means, and all His birth brought to mankind. Scriptures may not reveal an actual day, such as the 25th, but it does reveal His birth was a pretty big deal whenever the actual day was. So let this be a time to remind yourself and anyone else around you of what His birth means. It’s a great  time of the year to look at His birth and renew, refresh, and upgrade your version of Christ. 

A powerful truth in scriptures is the concept of being renewed in your heart and mind. Use this time of the year to renew your version of Christ. To renew simply means to make it new again, make it fresh again. Scriptures teach us, as a Christian, to renew our minds because things just creep in from time to time that take away the true meaning of our life in Christ. So we need to evaluate ourselves, take a look at our walk and maybe make some areas new again. This will bring a freshness back into our lives with Jesus. 

This isn’t a bad thing, there is nothing wrong with making things new again, and nothing wrong in realizing things have gotten maybe a little stale, stagnate, or so routine that it has become automated in your response. So step back and take a fresh look at what you are doing and how you are doing it, you may need to make it new again. This is why the scriptures encourage us to renew our hearts and minds. You simply look at truths you already know and bring a freshness back into them by reminding yourself what they mean. Everything we do in life could always use a fresh focus, a renewed look again to see where we are at with something. 

In approaching whatever you are sizing up, check your attitude, is it good or indifferent?  How much do you really care about it anymore, or maybe you have a bad attitude when getting ready to do whatever it is. Are we still getting the same life, enjoyment, excitement, and warmth you did when you first did whatever you are examining? Do you still have a good attitude about it or did it change somewhere over the course of time? 

Maybe it’s time to add something new to Christmas this year or just bring a freshness back into it again. Do you need to renew your heart and mind about this season? Maybe you need a fresh view. Does Christmas bring you good feelings and a great attitude or does it bring a different feeling? Examine your heart. Even if it’s a great attitude or not so great, just like your phone or computer, perhaps you need to add some new features, or get a newer version. 

Take a fresh look at the truths about Christmas to remind yourself why the holiday is celebrated. Everything in life can always use a fresh look, to bring into focus again things we know but have allowed to become so routine. Things may not have the same meaning or excitement they once had. 

How much enjoyment can you take away from this holiday by reminding yourself of how special this event truly is. Look again at the scriptures  which tell of His birth, study them out. It’s a powerful story. It really did happen whether it was the 25th or not does not matter. There is a story in scripture of His birth and it’s marvelous. 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  Luke 2:8‭-‬14 NIV

Face it, this time of the year is going to be much the same scenario as it was last year. So use it to your advantage in reminding yourself and everyone around you of how powerful His birth was. Change your perception to getting the very most out of it as you can. Just like my upgrade to a better seat made a big difference in the flight, upgrade to a better seat for this Christmas. Don’t just trudge through it with an attitude of just surviving till it’s over. Look to improve your heart and mind and learn how to enjoy every aspect of Christ’s birth, i.e. Christmas. 

The great news is you can right now, at this moment, start to renew or maybe even add some new features to your life and walk with Him through this holiday season. Update your version of Christmas, look at the areas you may need to rethink, renew or possibly add something new to enhance your enjoyment giving you a better experience. Remember it is about His Birth. So go ahead give yourself A Christmas to Remember. 

2Co 5:17

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. AMP

What Did His Birth Truly Give Us?

What Did It Add To Our Lives?

“the running father”

I’m sure most Christians are familiar with the story of the Prodigal Son.  But my daughter told me about a Bible study she was in a couple of months ago where she learned in the Middle East it was referred to  as the story of The Running Father. It was not so much about a rebellious son repenting and coming to his right mind but instead the story was about the actions of a father. This intrigued me, so I began my own study on this concept (Luke 15:11-31). The following hopefully will bless those who want to see another take on this parable.

In Luke 15 before you even come to this story you have the shepherd that searches for the one lost sheep (4-7). Most sermons focus on the one lost sheep instead of the heart of the shepherd and His commitment to his sheep. It is revealed in verse 7, Jesus states the attitude of heaven is one which reflects the attitude and heart of our God, which was joy. The same with the woman who searches for the lost coin (8-10). Again, the emphasis needs to be on her heart and commitment in finding the coin. Here again it reflects the heart and attitude of heaven in verse 10, even the angels are rejoicing over the lost being found. 

Jesus is pointing to the heart of the Father in heaven. It’s about a shepherd and his dedication to search, not so much a lost sheep, or a dedicated woman to find, not so much a lost coin. These are the parables leading up to the prodigal son. The emphasis is on the attitude and heart of the one searching and not so much on what was lost. 

Now what is lost is important but really understanding the heart of the one searching and the attitude of heart toward what was lost is the emphasis. So looking at this third parable we should put the emphasis on understanding the attitude of the heart, and the commitment of the father. Also, to truly see this we need some insight into the culture of a Jewish community during this time period as well. 

Cultural Observations in a Jewish Community at this time. 

The Son:(12-19)

To ask for his inheritance was the same as saying his father was dead to Him. 

For the Father to give him what he asked for would mean putting into cash what would have been his share, of the land, livestock, business, etc..The father would have to act on the premise of how much would the son get if He were dead. The whole time the father is putting this share together it’s as if he were dead. As the Father does this it would have been heartbreaking to him. This would not have been an overnight transaction, it would have required a little time. This means there would have been tension throughout the family which the son’s action brought on all of them. The entire household would have known what was going on and most likely the community as well. This could not have been a task done in secret or overnight without others involved and knowing full well what was happening. It would have brought dishonor, embarrassment, and shame on not just the father but the family as well.

A Kezazah Ceremony) Hebrew: cutting off; It was the technical term used when a family severs its connection to a member of their family. It is where the family and community disown the individual.The whole community gathers to meet with the individual at the city gate, and the elders would break a large clay pot in front of him and say out loud for all to hear, “You are now cut off from your people!”  and then the community would totally reject him and sever all ties. It’s interesting that according to some historical accounts during the kezazah, if it was a child the father was not allowed to be present. However, the mother could attend and ask for mercy for the child, but not the father.

The son was old enough to know all of the implications that went with this, to his family, to his community, culture, traditions, he was turning his back to all of this. In a manner of speaking, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with any of them any longer. He wanted to be completely separated from His father, family, and community in which they lived. 

The wording here implies he left to live and eventually join himself to non Jewish people, which was forbidden for Jews. 

He obviously lived way above his means and making poor decisions which eventually cost him everything. He was, in our terms, flat busted broke, completely penniless. He goes from the stature of one who has money and influence to one who becomes a servant. This would have been very humiliating to him. During this time period It states he came to his senses, further stating he knew he sinned against God and his father and was not worthy to be a son but maybe a hired hand. He knew even the servants of his father’s house were treated better than his own life at that moment. His thinking is in the mindset of a servant, a hired hand. He is not thinking as son any more. His image has changed completely.

Now let’s pick up in scripture the response of the father. 

Luke 15:20-32

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'” NIV

The Father:

A long way off:(20) He knew it was his son even at a long distance off. His son could not have looked the same yet the father knew it was his own. For him to react as he did it would have been already in his heart to do so if given the opportunity. There had to have been a hope that one day he would return, something he must have continually thought about. The point was he had never forgotten his son.

Filled with compassion:(20) (Compassion; to take action to relieve the suffering of another, compassion is the action of mercy. The word compassion is not just a feeling but is the action taken to lift and if possible take the suffering off of the one needing compassion.)

Instead of disdain or contempt it was the opposite reaction. This was the son who told his father you are dead to me and I want nothing to do with you anymore, yet the father was filled with compassion. Upon seeing His son he felt the condition of His son and wanted to relieve him of his suffering. The son feeling shame, humiliation, and embarrassment, truly at his lowest possible point as a human being received only compassion from His father. 

He ran to his son:(20) This small part of the parable was huge, in this culture and time period. It was seen as an undignified action for a person of his stature and influence in the community to run. Men of his status just did not run. To run required he lift up his garment and expose his legs. Men in his position have servants to do the running. However, him running to his son immediately reveals his heart. He knew how people would react to his son returning. But before anyone could condemn or reject his son, He got to him first. By running to his son he also drew attention to himself, taking the attention off his son and his condition. The father made sure by his actions the community could see plainly the position he had concerning his son making sure no one could say anything else. The father completely accepted his son`s return.

 The son is fully aware of what he should expect from his father. But instead sees his father running towards him. The son had to have thought the same as everyone else, why is He running toward me?  He knew he was not worthy to be a son but he could be a hired servant. The son didn’t even get all of his rehearsed speech out, his father hugged and kissed him which would have been a shock to the son as well as everyone else. The son knew how He treated his father, Yet his father acted as if it never happened. Instead he starts the process of restoring his son to his place as a son born into his family. To the father even though the son told him he was dead to Him, He was and always would be His son. The father only saw his son. The father shows He would have it no other way. The suffering this young man endured, even though self-inflicted, was instantly lifted off of him by his father. 

This is why in the thinking of Middle East culture it was titled “the Running Father ”. The focus is not so much on the son but on the father’s actions. Jesus was making the point of God the Father’s heart, how the Father in heaven sees us and how He responds to us when we come to Him. It’s hard to picture God the Father in heaven so excited to see us returning home that He would run toward us, yet this is the picture Jesus wants us to see. God sees us no other way but as his children. He sees Himself as our Father and us as His son or daughter. 

Quick, bring the best robe, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.(22) The father instantly restored him to the status of a son, his son, making a distinction between a servant and his son. He obviously had to look disheveled and more like a servant. But the father never saw him any other way, but as his son. The robe instantly covers his son, gives him honor back and changes the condition he was found in, the ring signifies to all His identity and who he belongs to and belongs with, his authority and position in the family given back to Him.  The sandals give purpose to his path again, no longer a servant but a son, remember he had fallen to the place of a hired servant, now he is restored back to a son. The Father never once brings up the past, except to say He was dead but now alive, he was lost but now found.

The father throws a feast,(23-24)

He celebrates and displays publicly how he sees his son who just returned. He is overwhelmed with joy. Everyone from servants to the rest of the community would have known what was happening. Even more importantly, it would have revealed to everyone the position the father took concerning his son.

Through this parable Jesus is revealing how God sees all of us. He is painting a picture of His Father’s heart toward those who are lost. The minute we turn and start toward home He watches and sees us. Even a long way off He runs toward us. He doesn’t care what anybody else thinks. This is truly the definition of His grace. An unmerited love and favor which no man deserves but still receives from God. He never brings up the past mistakes. He doesn’t focus on who we were or what we have done but the focus is on how God the Father sees us and who we are to Him. He instantly restores us to our rightful and proper place in His family. He covers us, He gives back our dignity. He establishes us as one of His own with the position of one born into His family. His heart is ecstatic, and overwhelmed to see us come home. He is rejoicing, celebrating when we come home. All of heaven above reflects His attitude of celebration and joy. 

The Other Son:(25-32) 

Obviously the other son had a bad attitude. He probably felt justified to some extent. His focus was on what His brother had done and who he had become. However, this is not how the father saw things. Look at the father’s response to what this son says, and how he says it. The other son states he has slaved for his father, always obeying His father and yet never received a party with the fatted calf. He states his brother was wicked and not deserving. His focus was on the worth of who he had become. He saw only his brother’s past actions. This son thought he was better. He judged and looked down on his brother for his past actions. He thought His actions made him special to his father, he was different and not like his brother. 

This son did not know his father’s heart like he should have. Jesus points out that even though this son was not like the returning son, he still did not know who his father really was and his attitude and heart was wrong. 

The father corrects this son’s view of his brother. The father saw this son the same as he saw the returning son, no different. I think of how often Christians make condemning remarks, in the same way as the other son did, by feeling superior, “I’m not like them”. But by the fathers response we know this is not what he wanted from his son. He should have had the same heart and attitude of his father. This son should have been rejoicing, overwhelmed to see the return of his brother just like his father. Forgetting his past mistakes and seeing only as a brother restored back into the family.

This is a good place to look at our lives, especially if we have been walking with the father for any length of time. Do we still see ourselves by our past actions? Now that we are home and we have been serving God for sometime, what is our place and position? Do we see ourselves like the other son, quick to judge others by their past. Do we think since we have been serving God all these years we are better? 

To mature and grow and keep the same heart and attitude of our Heavenly Father is what Jesus is wanting us to see. This is what Jesus displayed through His life, death and resurrection. We are to continually have in our mind how joyful it is to see a returning son or daughter and that He sees us the same as He did when we returned home. We should encourage anyone to see themselves the way the Father sees them. This is how He always sees us, we are special but no more special than anyone else who has returned home. So what the father tells his other son is the mindset the Father wants all of us to have. 

My son(31)

We are completely totally accepted with God as one of His own. You are one of His children accepted just like He accepts Jesus. You must be secure in how He sees you. No one has a right to say anything else. This is our place and position with the Father. He put the best robe on us, put a ring on us, and sandals on our feet. We now have the right to see ourselves this way and should always see ourselves this way. God only sees a son, He only sees a daughter. He sees nothing else because He fully accepted you. Just because He rejoices when another son or daughter who returns home does not mean they are any more special then you. He sees us all the same and treats us all the same.  

You always have me(31)

We can always rely on Him being there with us and for us. He proved this with the son that was lost. He proved this with Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. The true question is, are we enjoying being with Him or is He still a distant Father? His position is for us to be with Him and  to enjoy every aspect of Him and His Father’s heart toward us. 

All I have is yours(31)

Everything of God’s is ours, He has never held anything back from us. All He has is ours. He shows no partiality but freely accepts us as a full family member with all the rights and privileges which come with our place with Him.