God Is Mindful of You

And Mary said: 
“My soul glorifies the Lord 
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
for he has been mindful 
   of the humble state of his servant. 
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
   holy is his name. 
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
   from generation to generation.

Luke 1:46-50

As Christmas approaches it is time to remember that Jesus came as a child. As we read these verses of Mary's praise we are reminded of the awesome truth that God is and has been mindful of us. 

What state are you in? Maybe things are going well, or, maybe things are not going so well for you. God knows. Remember Jesus came to save us from our sins and to bring us back into right relationship with our Creator, our God, with our Father. He didn't come the easy way, he came as a child. 

Thank you, Father, for being mindful of us. Help us to praise you, trust you, and serve you today. 

Superior Savior

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Hebrews 1:1-4 NIV

I have this fly fishing vest the I bought several years ago from Orvis. I went fishing with a few guys this one time and one of the fellas told me he bought his vest some place for about $15.00. Of course mine cost a bit more than twice as his. But, his was less than a year old and already tearing while mine was a few years used and still looked pretty new. So, while he will buy a new cheaper vest every few years and in end spend more, I am getting the most out of my Orvis vest. They say, "You don't buy an Orvis for yourself, you buy it for your son." It's true, my son is going to get my Orvis vest and fly fishing rig. 

In a much more dramatic fashion Christ is superior as Savior in comparison to any other supposed savior. He is more than just Savior, he is heir of all things, the Maker of the universe, the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being. He sustains all things, provided purification for our sins and sits at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. He is superior to anything and everything. 

Two things hit me. One is that he is the Superior Savior. There is no other "savior" that will do. The other truth is that he sustains us. Only faith in Christ has real value. Every thing else may look good at first and the cost may seem less, but in the end, they won't be enough. Even more so than my Orvis vest in comparison to a cheap one, faith in Christ is superior and lasting and the only one you will ever need. 

Love and the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Saint

My mom had this friend who if you said something and she didn't necessarily go along with it would just nod her head and say, "Hmmm...really...OK..." in the most no threatening manner. But, you didn't know if she was agreeing with you or not. It made you think about what you said. What do you think it means to love God and love each other?

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)

I don't know about you, but when I start thinking about what it means to love God and each other, even after reading these verses I find myself trying to explain my actions or reasons for treating others the way I do. I can almost hear, "Hmmm...really...OK..."

Let's go with the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Saint. I think that it was the Apostle John is getting at. If you believe that Jesus is the Christ you're born of God. If you love the father you love his child. If you love God you follow his commands to love one another. If you love God and one another, you will have victory. 

I don't want to get too specific here because I think the Spirit is working in each of us in different ways and what I may need to do to love my wife may be different than what you need to do to love you spouse. I just want you to ask yourself, "Was that in love?" If you have to explain it or justify it, maybe you might want to check yourself.

The point is simple. Love God. Love each other. 

Father, help us to simply love you and each other. Praise be to you in us today!

Know the Truth, He Never Lies

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 1 John 2:20 (NIV)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 14:6 (NIV)

The truth can be hard to come by. Think about it. How many times have you thought someone was telling you the truth only to find out they were lying. When someone tries to represent themselves as something they are not, we call that living a lie. Of course you have heard the joke, "Do you know how to tell when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving."

Knowing Christ is knowing the truth. God can not lie. What we learn from Christ, from the Bible, we can depend on as truth. I know that some people view the Bible as an antiquated piece of literature full of myths and fables. But, that is not what it is at all. One hundred plus years ago dictionaries defined Hittites as a mythological  group of people referred to in the Bible. Later, they discovered evidence of the existence of the Hittites. Admittedly, many people have misunderstood, misinterpreted and misrepresented the Bible. But, it has proven itself true again and again. 

Yet, truth is more than just an opinion of what one perceives to be true. Truth is about knowing who Christ is and knowing him as the truth. When you know Christ as Lord you know that the universe was made through him (Hebrews 1:2). Christ is the truth. Science may discover things but it does create the laws that govern the universe. Albert Einstein said, "I want to think God's thoughts, the rest are details." 

We can choose to live by faith in the truth or not. If you know Jesus, you know the truth. 

Father, thank you that Jesus is the truth and we may know him. Praise be to you in us today!

DID YOU HEAR, DID YOU SEE?

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they and heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:20

So Christmas day is over. Let me ask you a question: What did you hear and see? Did you hear and see Christ this Christmas? My question to myself as a husband, father and friend is: Did I show and speak Christ to my wife, my children and my friends? 

I don't want to be self-righteous or condemning because I think that I, like most Christians, want to be Christlike, especially at Christmas. It's just that while I was preparing to read the Christmas story for a family gathering, trying to think of a way to read it creatively, the word "seen" stuck out to me. 

What did the shepherds see? They saw the Messiah in an unlikely place, revealed to them, unlikely witnesses of the incarnation. They the Messiah's earthly entrance which except for the angels announcement to them might of gone unnoticed. But, they didn't just see a baby, they saw the Messiah. They saw the hope of the deliverance that Messiah was to bring. 

I was reminded  to look and see the work of Christ in my life. I was reminded of Christ's forgiveness, mercy and grace to me. I am thankful that he's not finished and that he is faithful to complete what he has started in my life. 

Just take a moment and remember what Christ has done in your life and what he wants to do...

KEEP YOUR HEAD: II Timothy 4:5

"But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."   II Timothy 4:5

What is your primary ministry? Your primary ministry is first to your spouse and then your family. Think about that for a second or two...If there is ever a place where you might not "keep you head" it is usually with your family. Sometimes we come home after holding everything in all day at work and we sort of vent or just sort of relax and then ,"BAM", a little drama, a little or not so little family crisis slams us right in the face! It can be hard to "keep your head" when all you want is just fifteen minutes of peace. 

I think the key is to still remember the grace of God and to let him reign. We can never let down our guard and never give up the reign of Christ in our hearts and minds. The day is not over until I lay my head on the pillow and that is not when I forget about God but when I thank God for bringing me through another day on planet earth. 

Father, bring us through this day and help us to keep our heads in all situations! Praise be to you in us today!

RICH IN GIVING: I Timothy 6:18-19

What do you have to give? Time or money. Maybe both. Who gives you time and money? God. 

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." I Timothy 6:18-19

The point is that God gives us life (time) and he gives us money (resources). The question is whether we use them to glorify God or not. I am not going to be sanctimonious and act like I balance this well. I try. I am learning. But, it is not always easy. 

A few years ago I was a bit convicted about my time. I found myself being inwardly upset when opportunities to help others came up. I found that I was missing chances to serve. The opportunities were all around me, at home, at work, with my children's activities and just random situations. What I didn't like about myself was that I was unwilling to step out in faith. I just wanted to be left alone. That had to change. 

I find that opportunities to serve, to give, to be generous with my time or money are scattered throughout my day, camouflaged by circumstances. I just need to remember that God wants me to be a giving person. 

Father, open our eyes to see the opportunities to share you love with others throughout the day. Praise be to you in us today!