Sunday, December 31, 2000
December 31st is a day to look back and to look ahead. It’s not so much what your life has been but rather what it is going to be. From time to time we all need to drive a “new stake in time” and take another step with God. This is a great time to do that.
For most of us it starts with attitude. Not only will it determine what kind of year you will have but also what kind of life you will have. And that improved attitude can start today.
-Phil 2:5 (NIV)
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:”
Saturday, December 30, 2000
A reason for everything,
Most I don’t see.
But God has my life,
Mapped out for me.
He holds my future,
In the palm of His hand.
And He pilots my journey,
On the wings of the wind.
As in the days of Moses,
The cloud, the pillar of fire.
I will follow His leading,
With passionate desire.
Fear and rejection,
So many failures untold.
The truth of the moment,
Makes my heart cold.
Just when I feel,
He’s forgotten me.
He renews my spirit,
And reminds I’m free.
I don’t live in bondage,
Of wealth or fame.
I live in the presence,
Of His holy name.
So where am I going,
What shall I do?
Just following Jesus,
Like we all ought to do!
A reason for everything,
Most we don’t see.
But God has our lives,
Mapped out for you… and for me.
Friday, December 29, 2000
One year ago people bracing for the unknown of Y2K. After months of speculation it finally arrived. At 12:00 A.M. most people paused for a moment to see if things continued to work. Surprisingly, there was very few problems and life continued on as usual.
When Jesus comes that will not be the case. Around the world people of all vocations will suddenly be taken away and the kind of chaos that was feared of Y2K will actually happen. The difference is that it will be without notice. There will be no media speculation, only reporting after the fact. Airplanes will lose pilots, air traffic controllers will be missing, cars without drivers and about every kind of conceivable circumstance will lose people. There will be chaos for everyone who is left behind. But for believers there will be life everlasting.
In 2001 dedicate yourself to the things of the Lord and sharing your faith with others so your family, friends and acquaintances will not be left behind.
-1Thes 5:23-24 (NIV)
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”
Thursday, December 28, 2000
When you don’t know which direction to turn, turn to God. He is very good at showing people the right direction!
-Prov 8:17 (NIV)
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.”
Wednesday, December 27, 2000
New Year’s resolutions are rarely kept. One of the reasons is that most people try to make changes that are nearly impossible such as changing their personality traits, things affected by their genes, or refocus misdirected God given talents. I believe that we spend way too much time trying to change things we cannot change on our own. Personalities, genes and talents are things of God and only He can effectively change them. The most effective new year’s resolution has to be, “living closer to God that He may melt and mold us for His purpose.” God can change the things that we cannot.
-Rom 8:28 (NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Tuesday, December 26, 2000
Gifts with “strings attached” are not gifts at all but rather judgment and/or control. God did neither. His gift of His Son to the world brought forgiveness and love with the freedom to accept or reject either.
-2 Cor 3:17 (NIV)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
-I Jn 4:8 (NIV)
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Monday, December 25, 2000
People struggle with receiving gifts from others. Although it makes little sense, people struggle with receiving gifts from God as well. I am convinced that God is more willing to bless us than we are to receive. Surely God will bless those who have a righteous (right relationship with Him) and all who call on Him. Seek God and let God bless you this Christmas season.
-Prov 3:33 (NIV)
“The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.”
-Rom 10:12 (NIV)
“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile– the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,”
Sunday, December 24, 2000
God sent His Son to be a blessing to the world. This Christmas season let Him shower blessings on you.
-Ezek 34:26 (NIV)
“I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.”
Saturday, December 23, 2000
If Jesus visibly appeared at your Sunday morning worship I wonder what form of worship would take place, contemporary or traditional? My guess is neither. I believe there would be a holy reverence and majestic awe that is not even part of the worship discussion of today. Perhaps we should stop trying to name and define worship and just do it!
-Ps 99:3 (NIV)
“Let them praise your great and awesome name– he is holy.”
Friday, December 22, 2000
When give someone a gift you give them something.
When you give someone Jesus you give them everything!
-2 Cor 9:15 (NIV)
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
Thursday, December 21, 2000
Many people find the holidays very difficult to enjoy. Being alone, illness, financial struggles and family problems are some of the more common reasons that people get depressed or upset during the holidays. We have a tendency to reminisce over Christmas’ of our youth, yearning to recapture some of the great memories. Don’t let the burdens you carry or the burdens of others take away your joy of the holidays. Concentrate on those you will be able to spend the holidays with whether they it be family, friends or strangers and “make some new memories!”
And above all else, focus on Christ, His birth and the love of God so you are able to refresh the hearts of those around you.
-Phile 1:7 (NIV)
“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”
Wednesday, December 20, 2000
God will never love you less than He does today! Although we may not always please God, His love for us does not diminish. God loves you.
-Ps 33:22 (NIV)
“May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.”
Tuesday, December 19, 2000
If your church is dying, put some of your life into it!
-Eph 3:20-21 (NIV)
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Monday, December 18, 2000
Winter came early and hard to the upper Midwest this year. Last winter was very mild and local meteorologists just about had people believing that future winters in Minnesota would be like Florida. So much for all the talk about weather patterns changing.
It’s good for us to remember that God is still in charge. When the weatherman “predicts” the future weather he is only “guessing!” Keep your faith closely focused on God and not on man. God doesn’t predict the future, He knows it!
-2 Cor 4:18 (NIV)
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Sunday, December 17, 2000
The True Meaning of Christmas
Late one Christmas Eve I sank back, tired but content, into my easy chair. The kids were in bed, the gifts were wrapped, the milk and cookies waited by the fireplace for Santa. As I sat back admiring the tree with its decorations, I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing. It wasn’t long before the tiny twinkling tree lights lulled me to sleep.
I don’t know how long I slept, but all of a sudden I knew that I wasn’t alone. I opened my eyes and you can imagine my surprise when I saw Santa Claus himself standing next to my Christmas tree. He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot just as the poem described him. But he was not the “jolly old elf” of Christmas legend. The man who stood before me looked sad and disappointed. And there were tears in his eyes.
“Santa, what’s wrong?” I asked. “Why are you crying?”
“It’s the children,” Santa replied sadly.
“But the children love you,” I said.
“Oh, I know they love me and the gifts I bring them,” Santa said. “But the children of today seem to have somehow missed out on the true spirit of Christmas. It’s not their fault. It’s just that the adults, many of them not having been taught themselves, have forgotten to teach the children.”
“Teach them what?” I asked.
Santa’s kind old face became soft, more gentle. His eyes began to shine with something more than tears. He spoke softly. “Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas. Teach them that the part of Christmas we can see, hear and touch is much more than meets the eye. Teach them the symbolism behind the customs and traditions of Christmas we now observe. Teach them what it is they truly represent.”
Santa reached into his bag and pulled out a tiny Christmas tree and set it on my mantle. “Teach them about the Christmas tree. Green is the second color of Christmas. The stately evergreen with its unchanging color represents the hope of eternal life in Jesus. Its needles point heavenward as a reminder that man’s thoughts should turn heavenward as well.”
Santa reached into his bag again and pulled out a shiny star and placed it at the top of the small tree. “The star was the heavenly sign of promise. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise of the night that Jesus Christ was born. Teach the children that God always fulfills His promises and that wise men still seek Him.”
“Red,” said Santa, “is the first color of Christmas.” He pulled forth a red ornament for the tiny tree. “Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the color of the life-giving blood that flows through our veins. It is the symbol of God’s greatest gift. Teach the children that Christ gave His life and shed His blood for them that they might have eternal life. When they see the color red it should remind them of that most wonderful gift.”
Santa found a bell in his pack and placed it on the tree. “Just as lost sheep are guided to safety by the sound of the bell, it continues to ring today for all to be guided to the fold. Teach the children to follow the true Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.”
Santa placed a candle on the mantle and lit it. The soft glow from its one tiny flame brightened the room. “The glow of the candle represents how man can show his thanks for the gift of God’s son that Christmas Eve long ago. Teach the children to follow in Christ’s footsteps. To go about doing good. Teach them to let their lights shine before men that all may see it and glorify God. This is what is symbolized when the twinkle lights shine on the tree like hundreds of bright, shining candles, each of them representing one of God’s precious children, their light shining for all to see.”
Again, Santa reached into his bag and this time he brought forth a tiny red and white striped candy cane. As he hung it on the tree, he spoke softly, “The candy cane is a stick of hard, white candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus and the shape ‘J’ to represent the precious name of Jesus who came to earth as our Savior. It also represents the crook of the Good Shepherd which he uses to reach down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray. The original candy cane had three small red
stripes which are the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed, and a large red stripe that represents the shed blood of Jesus so that we can have eternal life. Teach these things to the children.”
Santa brought out a beautiful wreath made of fresh fragrant greenery and tied with a bright red bow. “The bow reminds us of the bond of perfection which is love. The wreath embodies all the good things about Christmas for those with eyes to see and hearts to understand. It contains the colors of red and green and the heaven turned needles of the evergreen. The bow tells the story of good will towards all and its color reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice. Even its very shape is symbolic, representing eternity and the eternal nature of Christ’s love. It is a circle without beginning and without end. These are the things you must teach the children.”
“But where does that leave you Santa?” I asked.
The tears gone now from his eyes, a smile broke over Santa’s face. “Why, bless you my dear,” he laughed. “I’m only a symbol myself. I represent the spirit of family fun and the joy of giving and receiving. If the children are taught these other things, there is no danger that I’ll ever be forgotten.”
“I think I’m beginning to understand at last,” I replied.
“That’s why I came,” said Santa. “You’re an adult. If you don’t teach the children these things, then who will?”
-Deuteronomy 11:19 (NIV)
“Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Saturday, December 16, 2000
Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
Let earth receive her king!
Let every heart prepare Him room.
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing.
And heaven and heaven and nature sing.
I have often wondered why everyone does not seem to experience or even seek the joy of the Lord that God’s people celebrate at Christmas. The gift of God was meant to bring joy to the world. He is truly the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And if every heart would prepare Him room I have no doubt that heaven and nature would sing. In fact, I know that when even one heart prepares Him room that heaven and nature sing. The Question for most believers is how much room will they give to Him. This year, make more room for Jesus and you will also sing songs of joy year around.
-Luke 2:10 (NIV)
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Friday, December 15, 2000
Jesus is a Christmas gift that you can give to someone this year that will change the rest of their Christmas’ and all the days of their lives. This is a great time of the year to introduce people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Because of the carols that are sung, the scenery and cards that are sent people should be more receptive to the gospel during Christmas than any time of the year. Don’t overlook to give the gift that keeps on giving.
-Eph 2:8 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–…”
Thursday, December 14, 2000
This morning it is 18 degrees below zero. That’s actual temperature with no wind chill factor. I was expecting it to be about zero or little above this morning. The house seems too cozy to be that cold. When you look out the windows it doesn’t look that cold. It looks like a nice, normal winter morning. So it is with people.
Sometimes we work, do business, go to school or church along side people who seem just fine until we “take their temperature” and discover they’re living in a cold, cold world. This holiday season remember to warm people up with a friendly smile, a kind word and the love of God.
-Hosea 11:1,4 (NIV)
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.”
Wednesday, December 13, 2000
Hell sure must be an interesting place. So many people talk about it, many people don’t believe it could be so bad and yet no one wants to go there! When was the last time you went to a funeral and someone proudly got up and proclaimed, “We are so pleased that our dear loved one has been called home to Hell!”
-Luke 12:5 (NIV)
“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”
Tuesday, December 12, 2000
A father sent his 3rd grade daughter to his study to get a book for him off the bookshelf. She immediately went and brought him the book. Unfortunately, she picked up the wrong book. The father:
a. Scolded her harshly, sent her back for the right book and punished her for her mistake.
b. Accepted the book, thanked her and she went out to play with her friends while the father appreciated her effort and pondered how he would tell her the mistake at a kinder, more teachable moment.
Which heavenly Father would you prefer?
-Mal 4:6 (NIV)
“He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
Monday, December 11, 2000
To believe that flirting with sin is harmless is a very basic and often tragic mistake. Christians must place a higher value on their relationship with God to find a higher place of living!
-James 1:13-15 (NIV)
“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
-James 4:7-8 (NIV)
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Sunday, December 10, 2000
It is good for us to realize that God loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son to be born of a virgin in Bethlehem. If the only person in the world had been you He would have still sent His Son to save you.
In recent years marriage seminars and books have taught that love is not a feeling but rather a commitment. Although love certainly has feelings it gives me strength to realize that God, in His love for us, is also committed to us!
-Deut 31:6 (NIV)
“…Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
-John 3:16 (NIV)
“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.”
Saturday, December 9, 2000
Hank Williams once wrote an extremely popular country gospel song called, “I Saw the Light.” However, he struggled with alcohol and died a premature death. I always stand in awe of how God uses people yet I feel sad when I see their struggles and failures. That’s why when people see the light it is also important that they get to know the light! We call it church, fellowship, devotions, scripture reading and prayer.
-Gal 4:9 (NIV)
But now that you know God– or rather are known by God– how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Friday, December 8, 2000
The glory of God is not dimmed by the sin of man, it is merely hidden.
-II Th 2:14 (NIV)
He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thursday, December 7, 2000
When people get married and say “I do” is not nearly as impressive as a person who stands over the grave of their lifetime spouse and says, “I did.”
-Heb 13:4 (NIV)
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Wednesday, December 6 2000
The best Christmas gift to give is your love. And you can afford to give it the other 364 days a year as well. It’s one of the only gifts that you can give that can last a lifetime!
-John 13:34-35 (NIV)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Tuesday, December 5, 2000
The goodness of God is easily forgotten in the daily struggles of life. That is one of the reasons why we are in need of daily devotions, Bible reading and prayer. Although His goodness can be experienced in the temporal it is surely realized in the eternal.
-Ps 23:6 (NIV)
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Monday, December 4, 2000
The biggest lies ever told are the ones we tell to ourselves. People are always trying to figure out what God meant as they study the scriptures. The craziest thing is that much of the rationalization (lies we tell ourselves) of what the scripture says is in such plain English that a third grader can easily understand it. I guess that’s what Jesus meant when He said that we must become like little children.
-Mark 10:15 (NIV)
“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Sunday, December 3, 2000
The Gossiper
A woman repeated a bit of gossip about a neighbor. Within a few days the whole community knew the story. The person it concerned was deeply hurt and offended. Later the woman responsible for spending the rumor learned that it was completely untrue. She was very sorry and went to a wise old sage to find out what she could do to repair the damage.
Go to the marketplace he said and purchase a chicken and have it killed. Then on your way home pluck its feathers and drop them one by one along the road.
The next day the wise man said now go and collect all those feathers you dropped yesterday and bring them back to me. The woman followed the same road but to her dismay the wind had blown the feathers all away, she returned with only three in her hand.
You see said the sage it’s easy to drop them but it’s impossible to get them back. So it is with gossip. It doesn’t take much to spread a rumor but once you do you can never completely undo the wrong.
“Gossip is just as hurtful even when it is true!” -CMC
-contributed by Ralph Fischer
Prov 11:13 (NIV)
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
Prov 16:28
A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
Prov 18:8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.
Prov 20:19
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
Prov 26:20
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
Saturday, December 2, 2000
God’s boxes
I have in my hands two boxes
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, “Put all your sorrows in the black,
And all your joys in the gold.”
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I stored.
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black
I wanted to find out why.
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.
I showed the hole to God, and mused aloud,
“I wonder where my sorrows could be.”
He smiled a gentle smile at me.”
“My child, they’re all here with me.”
I asked, “God, why give me the boxes,
Why the gold, and the black with the hole?”
“My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,
The black is for you to let go.”
-contributed by Ralph Fischer
-1 Pet 5:7 (NIV)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Friday, December 1, 2000
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult.
Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess We must do something about Grandfather, “said the son. I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took the Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
-contributed by Ralph Fischer
-Matt 19:19 (NIV)
…honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.'”
