.....purpose

So I run with purpose in every step 1 Corinthians 9:26 

The Christian life is not only a race that we must run well; it’s also a race that we must finish. It isn’t worth it if we lead the pack for years and then fall back in the end.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! . . . So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified” 1 Corinthians 9:24, 26–27

Although we run to win, we must not compete with each other. God gives each of us our own lane, a course to follow. We run for the sake of giving our best to the One who gave His best for us.

Paul said, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” Philippians 3:13–14.

Sadly, story after story in the Bible tells us about people who had enormous potential, who started well but ended miserably. We strive not to let that happen to us, by God's grace.

We’re about to begin a fresh year with new opportunities. Let’s seize them. Let’s wholly follow the Lord our God.

- greg laurie

...whole

So that day Moses solemnly promised me, The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God. Joshua 14:9 

One of the reasons this world still appeals to many of us is that we lack closeness to God.

When we’re only giving God our bare minimum and our love for Jesus isn’t burning brightly, the ways of the world and the temporary pleasures the world offers will look more and more appealing to us. But if we can get our priorities right, we can see our world for what it is. That was what Caleb did. The Bible says that he “wholeheartedly followed the Lord” Joshua 14:9.

Wholeheartedly following the Lord meant that Caleb didn’t compromise. He stood his ground, wanting the approval of God more than the approval of others. Wholeheartedly following the Lord meant that Caleb took God at His Word and stood on it. And wholeheartedly following the Lord meant that Caleb desired fellowship and communion with God, which gave him the strength to continue.

In contrast, it was a lack of fellowship with and closeness to God that caused the children of Israel to turn to idolatry, immorality, complaining, and testing God in the wilderness.

When we are in love with Jesus Christ, we will see Him for who He is, and will see this world for what it is. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full at His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

When we maintain a loving relationship with Jesus Christ, this world will lose its appeal to us.

Caleb wholeheartedly followed the Lord and wanted fellowship, intimacy, and closeness with Him. This sustained him through difficult times. It will also sustain us through difficult times.

May we not be casualties in the spiritual battle. 

May we be strong as believers living in these last days.

- greg laurie

....race

These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age - 1 Corinthians 10:11  

Of the two to three million Israelites who left Egypt with Moses, only two of the original adults made it to the Promised Land. What caused them to finish well while so many others got lost in the wilderness?

Idolatry was one of the pitfalls of the Israelites who got lost in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. At the root of their problems was a lack of relationship with God, a lack of intimacy with Him. When Moses was away receiving the commandments of God, they turned to worship a golden calf. They remade God in their image, rationalizing their blatant idol worship by saying it was a feast to the Lord.

People do the same thing today. They give God a makeover, looking to conform Him to our perverse society instead of the other way around. But once we lose that set of absolutes in our lives, all kinds of problems will develop.

Most people today who have fallen away from the Lord and into various problems and sins would be able to trace this to a point in their lives when they began to let go of the Lord. They were no longer walking as closely with Him as they should have been.

The same thing happened to the Israelites. Because God was not on the throne of their hearts and lives, they needed something or someone to take His place.

Then they tested God and complained. They exploited His goodness, pushed Him to the limit, and griped about His provision. As a result, they never made it to what God had prepared for them. They had so much potential and possibility, yet it never came to fruition in their lives.

The Christian life is not a sprint; it’s a battle and a march. We are in it for the long haul of our lives. So by God's grace we need to pace ourselves and persevere.

- greg laurie

.....firm

But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.

Numbers 14:24 

When the children of Israel arrived at the edge of the Promised Land, they sent in twelve men to spy out the land. Among them were Joshua and Caleb. Ten of the spies returned to Kadesh-Barnea terrified by what they’d seen. They looked at the land through eyes of unbelief and concluded, “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” Numbers 13:31. They were paralyzed by fear.

Joshua and Caleb, however, brought back a favorable report. Caleb told them, “Let’s go at once to take the land… We can certainly conquer it!” verse 30.

But the people were swayed by the majority report. They allowed the fear and paranoia of ten people to influence them rather than the words of faith and belief brought to them by two people. In fact, they were so angry with Joshua and Caleb for even suggesting that they go into the land that they wanted to kill the two.

However, Joshua and Caleb held their ground. They didn’t do what everyone else did and stood firm at the risk of being ostracized and losing their friends, even their lives.

At this point, God had a message for the people: “You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun” Numbers 14:30.

The Bible says, “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe” Proverbs 29:25. We can become paranoid about what others think and go along with the crowd instead of being concerned with what God thinks.

If we want to fully follow the Lord and finish well in the race of life, we must refuse to compromise and instead stand our ground. We must be more concerned with God’s approval than with anyone else’s approval. 

- greg laurie

.....? what

It’s almost Christmas and whether or not you celebrate it, there’s no avoiding it. The multi-coloured lights on houses, the Christmas-themed movies, Christmas carols on the radio, in malls, and the crush of people in the shops. 

The question is, what will you do with it?

It’s very easy to fall prey to the craftiness of advertisers and to social pressure and find ourselves engulfed by self-indulgence and consumerism. Some will get into debt for what they don’t even need.

If we choose to celebrate Christmas with the intention to create wonderful memories for our children and grandchildren, we’ve two choices: 

1. We may choose to engage in the enjoyable but secular custom of Santa Clause, hearty Christmas meals, and the excitement of ripping off wrapping paper from gifts. 
2. We may choose to celebrate it as a time to focus on the incarnation of Jesus. Doing so may even include a traditional Christmas dinner, gift exchange, and time with family but the focus is on the significance of the incarnation.

The choice to make Jesus the focus could include the best gift we can give our children—taking them out with us to help someone in our neighbourhood. Even prior to Christmas, parents and grandparents can excitedly talk about Christmas and the plans they are making to help people on Christmas day and beyond into the New Year. Of course, if the children are included in this, the lesson isn’t just taught, it’s caught.

Just imagine what Christmas could be like if we’re able to connect the birth of Jesus and how He lived to how we’re to live. We could use it to show our children what it really means to be Christian—to demonstrate our love for our neighbours in very practical ways. They will soon understand what the Bible means when it says it is better to give than it is to receive because it becomes their experience.

One Christmas, a young adult shared with me pictures of her family joyfully making cookies for their neighbourhood. Not only was it their gift to their community but they made many friends and built new relationships. She said her parents had made it a tradition for their family to think of others and not just about themselves.

If I could raise my children again, I’d work to create a different meaning of Christmas for them. However, even without them, I can still reflect Jesus to those in need.

While we may warmly wish others a ‘Happy Christmas’, imagine the effect if, by our outreach to them, we did something that relieved a burden, met a need, resolved an issue or provide help, so that they will experience a happy Christmas

Let’s make Christmas a happy one for someone.

- halsey peat

...move

In our celebration of the birth of Christ, we know the focus of Christmas should be the eternal gift given through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This season ought to irresistibly draw us nearer to God as we reflect on His wonderful gift of love. But perhaps there are times we need to be reminded of the true significance of this gift.

The birth of Jesus gives great insight into the character of God. For one, we see His methods are far different from our own; "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways" Isaiah 55:8. How many of us would bring the King of Kings into the world through two common people in a dirty area reserved for the animals? But God had a purpose!

These lowest of beginnings set the example for a life of humility. Jesus Christ is the Creator of the Universe! "For by Him all things were created" Colossians 1:16. Yet, He humbled Himself to the point of being born with the animals, and continued by humbly walking all the way to the cross.

As we reflect on His humility, how can we then make prideful demands on life? How can we assume there is a standard to which we are entitled? Jesus set the standard for humility and we are now called to follow; "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" Philippians 2:5.

But perhaps the greatest insight we can learn from the birth of our Savior is simply that He came. Our sin must have been detestable and vile to One so holy, but He came to live with us...and love us! Without Jesus Christ, we have absolutely no hope; we can do nothing to save ourselves from the bondage of sin and an eternal separation from God. We can do nothing, yet God came to love us and set us free. He took the initiative in our Salvation by providing a way and calling us Home.

"This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him."1 John 4:9

God clearly saw our sinful condition, yet He loved us enough to send His Son so we might be restored to a right relationship with Him. He sent His Son so we might live! God made the first move over 2000 years ago and He continues to make the first move in our lives today. He calls long before we even recognize His voice, and He continues to call us to surrender our life and live with Him in a deeper and more intimate relationship.

If you hear His call today, please respond! It's a great privilege to hear His call, so be encouraged...but then respond! His call cost Him dearly, and it represents a love we will never fully understand. Let's boldly answer and follow wherever He leads. And remember, He loved us enough to look past our sin and make the first move.

- steve troxel

....forgiveness

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."  Ephesians 4:32

We cannot properly celebrate the birth of Jesus without reflecting on why He was born. Through His life He offered us a message of eternal hope, and through His death on the cross He offered us the complete forgiveness of sin. With this single act of unbelievable love, Jesus removed the sin which would otherwise keep us eternally separated from our Heavenly Father. This is the manner in which we are to love and forgive others.

Jesus told a parable about a servant who had an enormous debt canceled: "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go" Matthew 18:26-27. But when the servant went away, he refused to cancel the relatively minor debt a fellow servant owed him; "Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt" Matthew 18:30.

Jesus used this parable to show that unless we completely forgive others from deep within our heart, we have somehow failed to understand the forgiveness we have already received; "Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?" Matthew 18:33. Any sin which others may commit against us is small when viewed in light of the many sins we have committed against God! We have been completely forgiven of so much.

During this most wonderful time of the year, let's reflect on the awesome gift we have been given through our Savior. Then, let's give to others as we have already received. Let's love and give the gift of true forgiveness.

- steve troxel

...extravaganza

I like looking at extravagant Christmas gifts. Not out of any desire to give or receive them. I just like to marvel at what's available. Some of them are amazingly expensive. 

1. Like the customized fully-electric Barrett-Jackson Hummer truck at Neiman Marcus; it can be yours for only $285,000. You may want to hurry. They only have 10 available
2. For mom, Neiman Marcus lists a 30-carat Mughal Heart Diamond for a mere $6,000,000. Don't worry, the diamond ships for free.
3. For the traveler, there is a luxury tour of Portugal for only $80,000.  
4. For the truly discriminating, might I suggest you consider purchasing an island? You can get a lovely 20-acre island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro for a mere $8 million. Sorry. only one per customer.

Most of us won't be spending quite as much on Christmas gifts, though many of us will spend more than we should. There's something about the Christmas season that makes us want to give gifts in a big way.

However, we know that the greatest gift has already been given. No one can match the extravagance of our Heavenly Father, who gave us what the apostle Paul calls an "indescribable gift" 2 Corinthians 9:15. God gave us His own Son, not as a one-time Christmas gift, but as the gift that never stops giving. God's Son, Jesus, came and died, to give us all the right to claim the gift of eternal life.

The apostle John wrote, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16.

In this season of giving and receiving, let's take time to remember the greatest gift of all: God's Son. And let's make sure that we've claimed the gift He offers each of us: the gift of eternal life.

- tim archer

....call

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27

We seem to spend much of our life wandering without direction, but it is God's desire that we follow closely after His Son; "He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice" John 10:4. 

Do we really know His voice? How often do we set aside time to listen? If we only occasionally listen to the voice of our Lord, how will we even recognize His call? We live in a world so filled with distractions that we must not wait until the crisis of a storm. If we haven't learned to filter out the competing noises of the world, God's call will be lost in the crashing waves.

We must spend time away from the "noise" where we can be alone with God and learn to recognize His voice. We must establish times of quiet to read His Word and talk with Him in prayer; "Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth" John 17:17. 

As we meditate on the truth of His Word and pray for understanding, our spiritual filter will become tuned. Then, when we enter a storm, the noise may still surround us, but our filter will only allow a single voice to enter.

Let's develop the discipline of listening along with the spiritual ability to filter and recognize the voice of God. Our faith will be strong enough to respond - strong enough to step - but we must first be able to hear the call.

- steve troxel

....knows

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14 

When Jesus walked among us, He didn’t empty Himself of His divine attributes, but He did accept the limitations of humanity.

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” Phil 2: 6–8.

We know from Scripture that Jesus was tired. On one occasion, as He came to the city of Samaria, the Bible tells us that He was weary John 4:6. He had been walking all day, probably in the scorching heat of Israel.

How easily could Jesus have said to His disciples, “You go ahead. I’ll meet you there.” Then He could have simply appeared in Samaria. After all, He was God. Why tire yourself out like that?

Yet Jesus voluntarily went through the process of feeling what it was like to be tired and exhausted.

We also know that Jesus felt hungry. During His temptation in the wilderness, He was hungry after fasting for 40 days and nights Matthew 4:2. The Bible also tells us that He experienced physical thirst. Hanging on the cross, He cried out, “I thirst!” John 19:28. The very God who created water, who could speak to a rock and cause water to gush out, experienced thirst.

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin”Hebrews 4:15

We have a God who knows what it’s like to walk in our shoes. He knows what we’re going through.

- greg laurie

....twinned

Shortly after the new pastor arrived at the church, he was forced to make a statement to the congregation.  Since his arrival, he had been approached a few times by some members who, he felt, were attempting to ingratiate themselves with him. They were attempting to draw him into their confidence by telling him about other members of the church.  

So, he decided to nip it in the bud with a statement on Sabbath morning.

 

Without reference to what had been taking place, he told the congregation, “I have a serious allergy and I’m hoping it will be contagious.  It is this, I’m allergic to gossip, but twinned with prayer.  If you come to me with gossip, be sure that I’ll immediately tell you about my allergy.  However, be sure that I’m twinned with prayer, so if you want to pray, please come to me. I always welcome prayer.”

 

The story ends with the pastor having the congregation regularly repeating, “I’m allergic to gossip but twinned with prayer”.  

 

When we consider, in Romans chapter 1:29 forwards, Paul lists gossip and slander among sinful acts such as depravity, murder, hatred for God, and the invention of evil, we see the wisdom of the pastor. 

 

If the church is so offended by so-called sins of the flesh, shouldn’t it be even more horrified by gossip? When we consider that gossip has the power to destroy friendships and reputations and cause deep-lasting soul-destroying pain, why do we tolerate it as if it is harmless or non-existent?  

 

We speak about the need for us to be far more loving than we are now but do not address the insidious damage gossiping wreaks on a congregation. It causes division, alienates people from attending worship, and greatly weakens our potential to reach new converts.

 

While we should expect our leaders to treat matters of gossip with the severity it deserves, we should not leave it to them.  Gossip will only occur in a congregation when you and I allow it. It only gains a foothold and strengthens when we listen to it and, by doing so, encourages the gossiper to do more damage.  It becomes especially destructive when, after hearing it, we then share it with someone else. The power to eradicate it is in your hand and in mine.  It’s up to us, not our leaders. We are the gossipers and the listeners.

 

If we are to create the welcoming, loving, and safe congregations we want, maybe it’s time for us to adopt the sentiments of the pastor’s expression.  When others come to share gossip, let’s immediately say, “I’m allergic to gossip but twinned with prayer”.

- halsey peat

....step

Jesus sent us across the Sea of Galilee; "After leaving them, He went up on a mountain to pray" Mark 6:46. I'm glad Jesus is getting some time alone, but I wish He was here right now. It's dark and the waves are so high. Wait, there's something out there; something, or someone, walking on the water; "It's a ghost, they said, and cried out in fear" Matthew 6:26. No, I think it's Jesus!

"'Lord, if it's You,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to You on the water.' 'Come,' He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus."Matthew 14:28-29

When we read these stories in the Bible we often forget that these were ordinary people involved in something very extra-ordinary. When Peter took that first step onto the water, there was nothing within his physical senses which told him the water would hold. The boat was being tossed by the wind and waves, and Peter certainly had many past experiences which told him that heavy objects sink in water, that his step would fail.

But Peter KNEW Jesus. He had spent time with Jesus; he walked with Him, talked with Him, prayed with Him, and witnessed His miracles. Peter knew the face of Jesus and knew His voice. He knew if Jesus said "Come," He would also provide a way for him to follow. Jesus made the water solid, but only when and where Peter stepped - only after he stepped out in faith and in response to the call.

The step of faith is needed for any situation which requires a solution beyond what our physical senses can understand. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1. The situation may be related to relationships, finances, jobs, or ministry opportunities. But it may also be related to raising children, challenges at school, the apparent inability to forgive, or anything else which requires us to operate outside the comfort of the boat.

God calls us to a life of faith. We must spend quality time with our Lord so we can recognize His voice, but when God says "Come," our only response is to step. Our past experiences may scream it's not possible and that we will fail; we may not see solid ground, but we must trust that the One who called will provide the solid foundation. 

Let's trust Him to provide a way beyond what we can see or understand. Let's fully trust Him with each and every step of faith!

- steve troxel

.....? confusion

Amazingly, some of the most prominent doctrines of Protestantism today are not found in the Bible at all. Paganism has been brought in to these churches. A few of these false teachings are: 

1. The law of God has been amended or repealed. God’s law can never be changed or repealed. Jesus said, “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than” for the law to fail Luke 16:17. 
2. The soul is immortal. The Bible mentions “soul” and “spirit” 1,700 times. Not once is either referred to as immortal. People are mortal Job 4:17, and none receive immortality until Jesus’ second coming. The apostle Paul writes that “we shall all be changed” when “this mortal must put on immortality” 1 Corinthians 15:51, 53. 
3. Sinners burn eternally in hell. The Bible teaches that sinners will be completely consumed (put out of existence), both soul and body, in the fires of hell Matthew 10:28. 
4. Baptism by immersion is not necessary. Baptism by immersion is the only baptism recognized by Scripture. Jesus came “up from the water” Mark 1:10. The act itself symbolizes being “buried” with Christ Colossians 2:12. 
5. Sunday is God’s holy day. The Bible teaches, without question, that God’s holy day is the Seventh-day Sabbath, Saturday. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God” Exodus 20:8–10. 

When we accept the false teachings of Babylon, we will become confused, which is what the term “Babylon” literally means. It’s sobering to think that some might unknowingly be drinking Babylon’s wine. If this is all new to you, ask God to guide you Matthew 7:7. Search the Scriptures to see if these things are so Acts 17:11. Follow where Jesus leads, and you will not end up in error. 

"Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do: but they did them not." Jeremiah 11:8

- douglas batchelor

....mercy

A true understanding of God's mercy toward us ought to compel us to be merciful to others.  Some hurts last a long, long time! There are those today trying to forgive child abusers, murderers, habitually unfaithful spouses, and a whole list of emotional and physical abuses. I have seen many relationships where small hurts have piled up for several years and now there is nothing but a tangled mess of pain. 

How do we truly forgive when it hurts so much? Where do we even begin? And how do we know when we have properly forgiven?

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."Ephesians 4:31-32

All forgiveness begins with a belief that God desires us to forgive in any situation; "If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" Matthew 6:15. If we are unable, or unwilling, to forgive we need to spend more time reflecting on the forgiveness of Christ. 

But forgiveness is not simply saying the words "I forgive you." Rather, forgiveness is canceling the emotional debt. It means we love and earnestly pray for blessings in the other person's life; "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44. We should be able to think about the other person without bitterness, rage, or anger. We should be able to pray for an increase in their ministry or business, more peace in their family, and a closer relationship with Jesus. It's amazing how much healing takes place in our own heart when we sincerely pray for those who have caused us pain.

Forgiveness does not necessarily mean a relationship must continue as if the hurt never occurred. Our heart may be free of all anger and bitterness - we may earnestly pray for the one who caused us pain - and yet, we no longer trust or enjoy their company. My forgiveness of a child abuser does not require me to leave my children in their care. I can love with a Christ-like love and pray without anger and yet guard my physical body and emotional and spiritual heart. We must trust God to guide our steps in this area.

It's unfortunate that most of us are carrying some bitterness toward another person today. These burdensome emotions should not continue in the heart of a Child of God, and the only road to release them is through the gate of forgiveness. 

Let's ask God to purify our heart. Let's refocus on the cross and release our burdens to Him. Let's honor our Father by showing the world what it means to forgive. 

- steve troxel

......forgive

Everyone gets mistreated and hurt, many a time the actions against us are unintentional, but other times they can be extremely malicious. Suddenly, this hurt begins to invade every other area of our life. We carry a heavy burden which we know we don't deserve - and which we certainly don't desire to keep - but it's a burden we can't seem to let go.

There is only one true way to relieve the burden of our hurt, and it always begins with forgiveness. True forgiveness can be difficult and require great humility. We want the other person to first ask (maybe even beg) for our forgiveness. We would like them to admit the hurt they caused; and, if we are honest, we probably would prefer them to suffer...just a little. But this is generally not God's plan.

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."Colossians 3:13

If we have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, we have first come face to face with our sinful nature. Without an understanding that we are full of sin, we will never reach out for a savior. And if we have experienced the true meaning of God's love, "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8, we will be compelled to reach out and love others. If we truly understand His forgiveness of us, can we really withhold our forgiveness of those who have caused us pain?

God established the standard for forgiveness. We are not called to forgive because someone deserves or has earned our forgiveness, we are called to forgive simply because God first forgave us. When we forgive, we must strive to make the forgiveness complete; "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more" Hebrews 8:12. 

Though we may carry a healthy level of new caution as the relationship continues, we must never place conditions on maintaining our forgiveness. There WILL be times when we are burdened with hurt. But let's not seek revenge or try to withdraw and hide our pain. Let's follow the commands of God's Word and be set free! Let's grow closer to our Heavenly Father and see through His eyes. 

Let's share His love and forgive as He forgave.

- stephen troxel

.....love

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows

Strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,

But do not show love to my family,

I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen baking dozens of Christmas cookies,

Preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,

But do not show love to my family,

I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing homes

And give all that I have to charity,

But do not show love to my family,

It profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,

Attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata,

But do not focus on Christ,

I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's house (that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens).

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way,

But is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return,

But rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, 

   believes all things, 

      hopes all things, 

         endures all things.

              Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust - but the gift of love will endure forever.

....build

In 586 BC, the armies of Babylon destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. About 50 years later, the Jewish people started to rebuild, but after a few years, their priorities began to shift. Their comfort and the condition of their own homes became more important than being obedient to God's call: 

"Is it time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house {of the Lord} remains a ruin?" Haggai 1:4. 

God sent the prophet Haggai to challenge the people to reconsider their values and return to the work they had begun.

"Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." Haggai 1:5-6

The people had turned from rebuilding the Temple to building their own homes - from rebuilding their spiritual lives to building the comfort of their physical lives. They found that no matter how hard they worked, they never had enough. Isn't it amazing how the foundational truths of life never change?

We have more pulls on our priorities today than at any other time in history. There are more distractions, more temptations, and many more "construction projects" that cry for our time and energy. But if our focus remains on building for our own physical comfort and security, we will also be ones who find we are NEVER satisfied. It may take many years to realize this truth, but without an eternal focus on the glory and honor of God, all our effort drains away.

Our lives have become a Temple of God - a Temple being built to worship Him for all eternity, and one which must not fall into ruin! We must build the foundation of this Temple through intimate prayer and the study of His Word. We must cover all we build with an overriding desire to love God "with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" Mark 12:30.

Each and every day we are given the task of building His Spiritual Temple. Let's not be turned from this task by projects which so easily fade away. Let's refocus our priorities and diligently build ALL for His glory.

- steve troxel

....solitary

He was born in an obscure village

The child of a peasant woman

He grew up in another obscure village

Where he worked in a carpenter shop

Until he was thirty

He never wrote a book

He never held an office

He never went to college

He never visited a big city

He never traveled more than two hundred miles

From the place where he was born

He did none of the things

Usually associated with greatness

He had no credentials but himself

He was only thirty three

His friends ran away

One of them denied him

He was turned over to his enemies

And went through the mockery of a trial

He was nailed to a cross between two thieves

While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing

The only property he had on earth

When he was dead

He was laid in a borrowed grave

Through the pity of a friend

Twenty centuries have come and gone

And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race

And the leader of mankind's progress

All the armies that have ever marched

All the navies that have ever sailed

All the parliaments that have ever sat

All the kings that ever reigned put together

Have not affected the life of mankind on earth

As powerfully as that one solitary life

One Solitary Life was adapted from a sermon by dr james allan francis in "The Real Jesus and Other Sermons" 1926 by the Judson Press of Philadelphia.

 

....need

If our greatest need had been information,

   ...God would have sent us an educator;

If our greatest need had been technology,

   ...God would have sent us a scientist;

If our greatest need had been money,

   ...God would have sent us an economist;

If our greatest need had been pleasure,

   ...God would have sent us an entertainer;

But our greatest need was salvation,

   ...So God sent us a Savior.

 from bayless conley

....expectations

As we follow Jesus, we must develop a view which is not constrained by what we see; "For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" 2 Corinthians 4:18. He is ALWAYS at work, and always inviting us to join by His side. 

As we develop an eternal view of this world, we see every situation as working toward His good. As we continue to be transformed into the image of Christ, our trials become a wonderful time of growth, and the interruptions in our plans become exciting God-directed opportunities for ministry.

We spend so much time trying to create our future happiness that we miss the true joy God has for us today. He is calling us to know Him better and love Him more; to experience His love and share His love with others. He has a wonderful and exciting plan for us TODAY! 

"He is our God and we are the people of His pasture" Psalm 95:7.

Let's begin each day with a wondrous anticipation: 

"I can't wait to see what God has for me today!" God has an amazing plan for our life! Let's develop a view which looks and longs for opportunities to draw near, to love Him, and to serve. 

Let's live each day filled with joy and great expectations.

- steve troxel

....thought

The motivational speakers of our day want us to set great goals for our life: "Where do you want to be in two, five, or ten years? What type of lifestyle do you want when you retire?" We are encouraged to set goals slightly beyond our reach, and then instructed how to create a plan to accomplish these goals. The implication is that a more focused effort will yield superior results and lead to greater "success."

But before we can ask where we want to be in the next few years, we must first ask a longer term question: "Where will I be in one hundred years?" No other goal is worth pursuing until we have a solid answer to this most basic, but all-important, question. What difference does it make which college we attend, which job we take, or what our home looks like if we have failed to address the issue of where we will spend eternity!?

"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception."Proverbs 14:8

We must be wise with the days we are given and no longer be deceived by the values of the world's system. There's nothing inherently wrong with goals and plans; but far too often, they lead to a self-determined lifestyle and away from the true Director of ALL plans; "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" Proverbs 16:9. 

Our planning must be as a direct response to God's leading, and once in place, our plans must remain in complete submission to His will; "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps" Jeremiah 10:23. When our goal is to be in the center of His will, the specifics of where we will be and what we will be doing are really none of our business. This last sentence is worth reading again!!

Every moment of our life is a precious gift from God. Even though the average life span continues to increase, our time is extremely short. An average life lasts about 45,000,000 minutes (much less in many countries). This may seem like a lot, but by this time tomorrow 1440 minutes will be forever gone; "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" James 4:14.

We must not waste our limited time by chasing after things which vanish; "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity" Ephesians 5:15-16. We must evaluate ALL our decisions and goals based on the overriding desire to glorify God in all we do, to rejoice in His many blessings, and to long for the time when we can worship before His throne for all eternity. Any other set of values must fade to nothing in comparison.

Every day we are handed a block of time and given the freedom of how it will be spent. This is a wonderful opportunity, but the clock continues to tick! Let's honor our Heavenly Father with our goals and plans, and give careful thought to our ways.

- stephen troxel

....look

One blustery winter day a few years ago Lois and I were purring along in our car. We were listening to Christmas music on our way to do some shopping. It was a few days before Christmas. We were thinking about how good God had been to us. We were in good health. We had eight children who love us. We had fulfilling ministry. So many blessings. Our hearts were full and happy. Things were close but we had all we need and much of what we want. 

Passing an area where there were some poor children playing, Lois said, "Turn around and go back. Let's find a little child who could use some money."

After some mild objections I turned around and we went back and drove into the dirt road between the modest houses. I rolled the window down and drove slowly looking toward the little groups of children.  Most of them stood back and looked at our slow-moving car suspiciously. Finally one little boy ran out to the car and said, "Hi, can I help you?" 

"Yes," I said. "I'm looking for a young man that could use an extra twenty dollars for Christmas. Do you know anybody like that?" "Sure," he said, "I can." Grinning, he reached out and took the money.   "Wow, thanks!" He ran toward the house shouting, "Hey mom, dad..." 

We drove away. 

We weren't looking for a boy who was talented or gifted or handsome or impressive in any way. We were just looking for a boy who was willing to admit that he could use an extra twenty dollars at Christmastime. 

When Jesus came to this sin-poor world...

   He was not looking for sharp people for his team. 

   He was not looking for funding for His cause.

   He was not looking for moral support. 

   He was looking for some good honest sinners...

   He was looking for sinners who knew they were sinners...

The heart of the Christmas story came out once when one of Jesus' disciples was irritated that Jesus had been rejected by Samaritans. He said, "shall we call down fire out of heaven and consume them?"  Jesus' answer revealed His heart for the world. He said, "The Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." Luke 9:56

Later in the book of Luke, Jesus said to Zacchaeus, "The son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."  Luke 19:10. Jesus came looking for people who were sinners. According to the gospels sinners are sick, lost, wounded, dead, weak and ungodly. That is the kind of people Jesus came looking for at Christmas time. 

The God of Eternity is looking to pour out the riches of his salvation to anyone willing to admit his spiritual poverty. He is willing to heal anyone who is willing to admit that he is spiritually wounded. He is seeking to find anyone who is willing to admit he is lost. He is eager to heal those who are broken and sick. He came looking for people who were needy and willing to admit it. These are his favorite kind of people. 

Christmas is for good, honest sinners. The people who have not been deceived into believing that they don't need Jesus. Christmas is for good honest sinners who live in a deep and continual awareness of their need. Christmas is for when Jesus came to show people whose idols have failed them that Jesus is all their hearts ever craved. 

It's Christmas, when Jesus came looking for some good honest sinners. Anyone interested? Who wants to be first to say, "I need you, Jesus." Jesus is looking for broken people to bless. He is looking for hurting people to help. He is looking for sinners to save. 

Let him know you qualify. 

- kenneth l. pierpont 

....grow

Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthian church to correct several problems. The Corinthian's needed instruction in marriage, Christian freedom, worship, and various issues which tended to cause division. He also rebuked the church for quarreling about whom they followed: "You are still worldly... For when one says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not mere men?" 1 Corinthians 3:3,4.

Apollos was a good teacher, but Paul reminds us that all ministers of the Gospel - all preachers, teachers, parents, and anyone else who desires to share Biblical truths - are simply servants through whom God accomplishes His work. We become worldly and fail to live according to the Spirit of God any time we become followers of a specific minister or feel personally responsible for someone's growth and maturity.

"What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." 

1 Corinthians 3:5-6

We must always remain exclusive followers of Jesus Christ! Though He may use many others to assist in the process, God must receive ALL the credit and glory for our growth. God uses each of us to assist in the growth of others. We can teach truth with our words and demonstrate truth with our lives, but we can never cause someone to accept the truth or even grow to a deeper understanding. 

Our instructions are to plant the seed of His Word and water with discipleship, prayer, and encouragement at every opportunity; "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" 2 Corinthians 5:20. 

- steve troxel

.....rest

We are now God's Temple and are to "reflect the Lord's glory" 2 Corinthians 3:18 into the world as we are transformed into the likeness of Christ. It’s a great honor to be in the presence of the Lord, and we have been given the awesome responsibility to reflect an "ever-increasing" amount of His glory.

When we place our life in the Hands of God through faith in Jesus Christ, we are given His Spirit "with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" Ephesians 4:30. We reflect His glory as we submit to His leading and allow the fruit of His Spirit to be evident in our life; "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" Galatians 5:22-23. As we further submit and allow His fruit to define the character of our life, God's glory will shine with ever greater intensity!

The focus of reflecting His glory is on submission, not on our effort. When the glory of the Lord filled Solomon's Temple, "the priests could not perform their service" 2 Chronicles 5:14. God's glory and the work we perform through our own effort are incompatible - our work hinders His reflection.

"For anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest."Hebrews 4:10-11

God created the heavens and the earth in six days; "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all His work" Genesis 2:2. God was satisfied with His work and entered His rest. He is still intimately involved, but God accomplishes everything from a confident and calm position of rest because He KNOWS the final outcome.

Likewise, we must not cease from doing what God calls us to do, but we must cease from working in our own strength and for self-righteous rewards. God will certainly keep us active, but the focus of our effort must be on serving and growing from a position of rest with a true desire to do ALL for the love of God.

Many of us are attempting to walk His path in our own strength by working hard and carrying the burdens which are rightfully His. This is not our call! We must love Him with all our heart and serve Him with all our strength. But we must do so through joyful surrender, submission, and obedience. He will accomplish His work in His time and according to His purpose. 

Let's continue to reflect more and more of His glory. 

Let's draw closer into His presence and make every effort to enter His rest.

- steve troxel 

....12

12 Benefits of Giving Thanks

1.Gratitude glorifies God.

This alone would be reason to give thanks to God. Our gratitude glorifies God as we exalt not the gifts, but the Giver. Gratitude helps us realize all we have comes not because of us, but from God.

"And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory." 2 Corinthians 4:15

2. Gratitude helps us see God. 

Gratitude opens our spiritual eyes. There’s a beautiful cycle in giving God thanks: the more we thank Him, the more we see Him working in us and around us. Gratitude helps us sense God’s presence, His personal care and His perfect timing.

"Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights."  James 1:16-17

3. Gratitude puts us squarely in God’s will.

We often make God’s will out to be some big, mystical plan when sometimes, it’s simply obedience. And part of His will for us is to be thankful, not just on the sunny days but on the hard ones as well.

"…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

4. Gratitude brings peace.

Count your blessings, not sheep we’re told to get rid of the worry keeping us up at night. Gratitude helps us see that God’s hand is all over our circumstances. And God tells us when we give him our thanks, He gives us supernatural peace.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

 

5. Gratitude draws us to God.

Gratitude for the magnitude of God’s undeserved kindness draws us to Him. We see that when Jesus healed 10 lepers. As Jesus walked by, all 10 cried out for healing. “Go, show yourselves to the priests,” Jesus commanded and as they went, they were healed! Fingers were restored and ulcers disappeared as full sensation returned to their faces and limbs. Certainly they were all happy, but only one was thankful. Only one came back to Jesus, fell as his feet and thanked him.  

"Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”" Luke 17:17-19

 

6. Gratitude brings contentment.

It’s said that gratitude makes what we have enough. If we aren’t grateful for what God has given us, getting more won’t satisfy us either. Being thankful is the key to contentment.

"...godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these."  1 Timothy 6:6-8

7. Gratitude deepens faith.

Keeping a record of God’s past faithfulness is a faith boost when we face new difficulty. My gratitude journals are testimonies that on my hardest days and in the worst circumstances, God’s record of faithfulness is 100%. That’s why God commanded Israel to remember His great deeds.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1

8. Gratitude leads to joy.

The overflow of gratitude is joy. Realizing God’s abundant goodness, even in the hard, is a gateway for joy. Psalms 126 shows this so clearly as the Hebrew exiles sang their thanks to God for bringing them back to Israel. It’s a psalm I prayed in advance for years.

"When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:1-3

9. Gratitude defies Satan’s lies.

Satan is so wily! He whispers that God isn’t good; that He’s withholding good from us. But his scheme’s as old as the garden of Eden, where he questioned Eve: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” When Eve responded only the tree of good and evil was off-limits, Satan suggested God was keeping good from them. “You will not certainly die. . . For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

In a garden that was perfect, that produced abundantly without work or weeding, where every single plant but ONE had been given to Adam and Eve, Satan focused on the lack. True gratitude for God and the abundance He gives protects us from caving to the enemy’s lies.

"No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11

 

10. Gratitude guards against envy.

Envy makes us want what someone else has. I mean, we deserve it! Gratitude makes us realize God has given us far more than we deserve. Because there’s enough for everyone, we can cheer rather than compare. A heart wholly grateful has no room left for envy.

"I will give You thanks with all my heart." Psalm 138:1

11. Gratitude helps us live in the present.

“Wherever you are, be all there!” Jim Elliot famously said. But that’s difficult to do in the worry and rush of life. Gratitude helps. Gratitude opens our eyes to the simple beauty of ordinary days. It lets us see this day and this moment as gifts and to take in the abundance right now.

"Say not, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For it is not from wisdom that you ask this." Ecclesiastes 7:10

12. Gratitude is a testimony.

When we thank God openly and acknowledge what He’s done for us, we proclaim a personal, caring God to the world around us. We show that contentment and peace come not from what we have but Who we know.

"Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done." Psalm 105:1