The Reason, Part 2...Thursday

12/4/14

This past Tuesday I wrote about the beginning of the Christmas happenings. I mentioned SAVING CHRISTMAS, the movie that Kirk Cameron brought out in the middle of November. His brother in law in the story was upset because he felt that Jesus had been left out of Christmas. He felt that all of the modern traditions were of pagan origin or just made up nonsense. He proceeds to set his brother-in-law straight by explaining the connection that the present things done at Christmas had their origins in the early years of Christianity. 

Here are some of the misconceptions that were cleared up. The familiar images of lights and trees carry a rich and biblical theological significance. These ideas did not originate with the Druids or other pagan influences. There is actually a very good reason to celebrate Christ’s birth in December? Also, St. Nicholas was not a pudgy mythical character who got lost in the Arctic and discovered flying reindeer—he was a champion of the faith who helped preserve the integrity of the Bible. 

A couple of the explanations really touched me. He talked about the swaddling cloths that Baby Jesus was wrapped in after His birth and said that it was a forward look towards the clothes found in the tomb after the Resurrection of Jesus... which makes me think of being born again. 

There was also the comparison of the first Adam and Jesus, the second Adam. In the garden Adam sinned by removing the forbidden fruit from the tree. His human transgression could only be erased by a sinless human who was also God, who put himself on the tree of the cross...the fruit returned. There are several theories about the date of December 25th. It was settled on in the fourth century. In the Catholic Church the Annunciation (when the angel told Mary she was going to be the mother of a special baby) is celebrated on March 25. December 25th is nine months after the observation of the Annunciation. The pope chose that day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. These are just a few of the things we do that have their root in ancient reality of the story of Jesus.

There is one more thing to think of. God gives us lots of gifts for our pleasure and loves to see us enjoying life. To celebrate things that seem to not obviously connected directly to Jesus is not a sin or even ignoring the earth changing occurrence. In the back of our minds Jesus is never far away at this time. As we go about our chores and parties we are totally aware of the miracle of Christmas. To do the things that we do around our traditions is fine as long as we are also continuously aware of the fact that Jesus IS the reason for the Season. 

Written by
Corinne Mustafa

"God Answers Our Heart's Cry"...

12/3/14

I love the fact that our Heavenly Father is always Faithful and He is never a God that He should lie. When God tells us something in His Word, He will bring it to pass.

 

A specific verse that caught my eye today was out of Mark 11:24. It says...

 

"Therefore I say to you 

whatever things you ask when you pray, 

believe that you receive them, and you will have them." 

What is captivating to me in that verse is that when our lives are in order with God and the things we ask of are in line with His Word and His will for us, He promises that He will absolutely answer.

 

He tells us that whatever we ask we shall have, if we will but believe and receive them, they shall be fulfilled. It doesn't say maybe or possibly or hopefully, but His verse says that we will have those things that we have asked for.

 

That is Good News to me!! We serve a God that truly hears and answers our prayers! I anticipate God's Greatness as I pray in every new day!!

 

In His Wonderful Love, 

Sandy Billingham

The Reason...Tuesday

12/2/14

As I drove across town to go to my Bible Study this evening it looked as if half of the town had turned on the lights. It is so festive, and as usual I reverted back to the starry eyed child who could not wait to see the houses lighted up. My dad would wait for a snowy night and we would pile into the old Austin, pull blankets over our laps and legs and head off in search of the familiar lighted displays that we always looked forward seeing.

Those were simpler days, and people relished the customs built around the celebration of the gift of Jesus coming to the human race to bring salvation. In recent years people have become jaded about Christmas. To hear about the plethora of Black Fridays and Black whatever day. The ads and come ons are out of control and a tad annoying if not disgusting. There is very little going into stores and feeling the merchandise and finding just the right thing.  They order online and even ship straight to their giftee letting the cardboard box the treasure is packed in to be the "gift wrapping."

Another thing...it is a bit two faced when people proclaim about how Christmas has become a time when the Reason for the Season is forgotten. In many ways that is true because people do not even bother to think much about the miracle that happened when Jesus was born. However, there are many customs that have their advent in the earliest events that happened around the birth of Jesus. I was of that mentality, and although I think about Jesus and His coming a lot, I looked around and criticized the materialism and the rush that exhausts during this time.

I saw a movie a week or so ago that I really enjoyed. It was called SAVING CHRISTMAS. Some people that I know did not care for it, but I really liked it. Kirk Cameron plays a person who loves Christmas with all its trappings which he lists to the audience sitting in front of a huge, beautifully decorated Christmas tree. He goes to a party and his brother in law is having a non party at his wife's party where he ends up with him sitting in the car sulking about the fact that Christmas is not much about Jesus any more. He is really on a roll with his thoughts against the current style of seasonal celebrations. The Kirk character sits and tells him about the ancient origins and reenactments of things from Biblical Days. 

I am doing the devotional for Thursday and I will enlarge on this theme. Until then I ask you to pray to the Lord and ask Him to help you to see how you can enjoy the current celebrations without forgetting that.....

Written by
Corinne Mustafa

It's Not About Them, Part 2.....Monday

This is Part Two of this writing. Part One of it was posted last Monday. If you missed reading it you can look back by copying this link pasting it in a new tab. That will make it easier to come back to this writing when you are done. Here is the link...
      
 http://paintgodintoyourday.blogspot.com/2014/11/its-not-about-them-part-1monday.html 

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So, my church acquaintance didn't feel that way (loving and happy) about me and she couldn't fake it. I talked to the Lord and gave it much thought. I realized I didn't want her to pretend to like me. So what was the answer? What could I do? Then the age old verse that parents and Sunday school teachers everywhere have used to instill kindness and thoughtfulness in children came to mind:

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31 NIV

If what I want is to feel that the people I meet are happy to see me, then I will start paying attention to those who I meet. Surely I can find a reason to smile and greet everyone I meet. I immediately felt a check in my spirit-be careful of flattery-I heard in a whisper. Ppfft, I got this, I answered back, squelching the warning but not quite forgetting it.

The following months zipped by and I discovered people who were happy to be greeted, others who were suspicious of my attentions, and even a few who called me out and asked me why I was happy to see them! Ouch, I caught my breath as my mind whirled for a truthful answer-their eyes narrowed knowingly as I stumbled over my words. I spent the next few weeks humbly asking God to forgive me for not guarding myself against flattery. 

Compliments and flattery are separated by sincerity and intent. On shaky legs with a penitent heart I continued my greetings. I did not want to be a pretender so I asked the Lord to show me something positive about everyone. Then I practiced being pleasant and attentive, all the while asking Him to help me guard my tongue from flattery.

Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Proverbs 16:24 NLT

HE'S COMING... Sunday

Devotional for 11/30/14

The word Advent means "coming."  At this time of year we are anticipating the coming of the Christ child at Christmas.  Are you prepared for God's coming? When we hear that someone is coming to our home, it can cause a great array of emotions.  For some, preparations for the holidays are filled with dread of all the work that has to be done or with the thought of having to gather with people we don't particularly want to see.  For others it can be filled with the excitement of gifts exchanged or the joy of seeing those we adore.  God coming down from heaven to earth can also cause a mixture of emotions.

When God first came into the world as a tiny little baby to save the world, some people were unaware while others were frightened about what all of it meant. Some were threatened that this promised "king" might take away their powerful position, and still others were filled with awe and joy. One day there will be the end times when God comes again.  How will people respond then? When the Bible speaks of God's second coming, it can sound very frightening and yet can also be quite exciting:

"But in those days, following that distress, 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give it's light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' [this was foretold in the Old Testament in Isaiah] At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens."  Mark 13:24-27 (NIV)

Some of these signs sound alarming, not something we would anticipate joyfully.  However, God promises that those who believe in him will be gathered by his angels to be with him.  As we continue reading these passages, we find that though the earth may be destroyed, God's promises will stand forever:

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Be on guard!  Be alert!  You do not know when that time will come... What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "  Mark 13:31-34, 37 (NIV)

Again, are you prepared for God's coming?  All we need to do is to remain faithful followers of Christ.  We can never be perfect people.  We will always fail somewhere.  That is why Jesus came to earth, to be perfect for us, so that those who believe in him will be saved in the end.  We can look forward to God's coming with great joy! 

written by Jan Andersen

GLORIFY GOD...Saturday

11/29/14

 

"And they praised God because of me." 

Galatians 1:24

     There are many stories of how God has transformed lives.  People who are miraculously healed of diseases, or addictions, people averting accidents, marriages that have been given new life -- there are many examples of God working in their lives.

     

Whether your life has had some spectacular moments in it or not, all of the lives of Christians are a testimony to God's working in their lives.  Jesus wiped away our sins by His shed blood and has clothed us in His righteousness.  We have become new creatures by the power of the Holy Spirit.

     All people should be able to see how Christians live different lives to glorify God by their words and deeds.  Christians should be out in the community serving other people.  Christians should display the gifts of the spirit when others aren't  -- patience, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, and above all, love.

     Transformed lives should be a living testimony to the grace of God and bring Him glory in all things.  Can people see God in you?

Written by 

Carol Steficek

Memories...Friday

11/28/14

                                                   ...Important Gift of the Holidays

So the holiday season has begun. I love this time of year. It seems as though people are more intuned to their fellow man. There is a feeling of purpose in shops and malls. Thanksgiving is probably the last restful and unhurried day for a while. Oh yes, I cooked my little fingers to the bone, cleaned my house with a lot of help from my husband, and I put out the Thanksgiving decorations. It was a small group this year—just seven of us. My hubby and me, my older son, his wife and his son and daughter, and my younger son were all that gathered around the table. As I peeled and chopped I started to remember Thanksgivings of yesteryear when there were as many as thirty sharing the meal.

Those were the days of making memories for these days that used to be thought of as “the future.” My three little children and my friend Ernie’s two were just beginning to build their own memories that they now share with their own children. Three beloved elderly couples have left the table to be with the Lord, taking with them a piece of our hearts and leaving a piece of their hearts with us.

It is such a blessing in these hurried days to slow down once in a while and remember things that built us into who we are today. To run at break neck pace to get things done needs to be given a balance in the consideration of what is really important. It is the day after Thanksgiving and today the second wave arrived for the rest of the weekend. Yesterday I spoke with my friend, Calista. She and her husband, Richard have been here also in other years. More memories float through my mind of the almost sixty years that I have known her, her parents who were so special to me, the town where we lived, and other family members who are part of those days of the fifties and sixties.

That is what life is all about really. You move ahead building a structure of your life knowing that some of the bricks and boards are added in by the precious people who were on your path. Sometimes things change, and that can be hard. However, if we can put the proper value and light onto our past we will appreciate the souvenirs gathered from the people and friendships that God has gifted us with throughout the years.

Father God, thank You for all you have brought my way, especially the friends and memories that offer me a looking glass through which to view my life. May my family and friends be blessed with the memories they hold precious in their lives. As we begin the season during which we celebrate the greatest Gift that You have given us, let the days until Christmas be days of joy, fellowship and the building more memories for the future. Help us to remember the true reason for the season and to hold the wonderful Christmases of our lives close to heart. We must never forget that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON, Amen.

While they were there, the time came
for her to give birth.

She gave birth to a son, her firstborn.

She wrapped him in a blanket
and laid him in a manger,

because there was no room in the hostel.

                                                          Luke 2:6-7

Written by

Corinne Mustafa