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Christmas is just a few days away. Many will celebrate with family or friends and take advantage of a few days off. Think back to the Christmas's of your past. Which ones stand out as some of the best in your life? I can remember the year my brother and I got a basketball goal. That was back in the day when they didn't make the portable ones like they do now. My dad had to buy a steel pole, dig a whole in the ground, concrete it in, then attach the basketball goal. When you think about all that work it makes me feel bad about how much I complained a few years ago when I spent $100 and 2 hours putting Jonathan's basketball goal together. I can remember the year my brother got a train track and after my dad put it together we played with it for a while. I can remember the first and only video game system my parents bought us back in the 80's; the Colecovision. That was the game system that originated games like Q-Bert & Frogger.
Times have certainly changed since I was a kid; as it has for everyone over the years. Some change we seem to fight. But if we were honest, aren't you glad someone came up with the microwave oven? (Fun Fact: As a teenager I mowed the lawn of the man who was the CEO of Amana when they invented & produced the first microwave oven for home use) But even with all the changes over the years, one thing still remains; Jesus. He is still the reason we celebrate. He is still the greatest gift that's ever been given to mankind.
My greatest memories about Christmas don't center on presents, family gatherings, or Santa Claus. The greatest thing for me is the story of a Savior who came to earth, born in a manger in humble conditions. The entire real-life story is all about God's love for us and his desire to redeem us back to himself. John 3:16 is still true, "For God so loved the world that he gave....." He gave us the greatest gift ever. Let me encourage you to regift Jesus this year. Take that gift given by God and give it again to someone else. Show them the love and compassion of God. That's the greatest gift you could ever give to someone.
Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Pastor Mark
I am a person who tends to contemplate a lot. Even when I am trying to take a break, rest, or watch the game, I find myself in a constant state of contemplation. I am constantly evaluating, continuously planning, and consistently considering what could, should, or can be done. My thoughts range from personal, spiritual, and family situations. But mostly my mind is consumed with whether or not I am being effective for God. Is the church effective for God or as effective as God wants it to be? On most days I have far more questions that I do answers.
With all those questions without answers I begin to wonder, "Am I in God's will or in God's way?" In my life I think I've concluded that it's most likely both. When I lay my head on the pillow at night, even with all those questions in my head, I know I am in God's will. But when I look at my role in his will, I also see that I tend to get in the way an awful lot. I am reminded of what John the Baptist said in John 3:30 when Jesus came on the scene and he realized that his role was changing. John said this, "He must become greater; I must become less." How do we do that? It's so hard, isn't it? I understand the simplicity of the concept; but never has simplicity been so difficult. But.....my heart longs for a deep walk with God. I have to become less so that he can become more. I have to relinquish control so that he can steer my life. I have to understand less and learn to trust more. 2 Corinthians 12:9 tells me that in my weakest moments, that is when God makes me strong. 1 Corinthians 1:25 says "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." It's when you and I become less that God can increase in our lives.
This week, why don't you pray John 3:30, "God make me less, so you can become greater." Have a great week!
I know this is probably a stupid question, but here it is anyway. Have you ever made a dumb decision? A decision you wished you could remake or not make at all? I would guess I've done that at least a million times. When I read the newspaper or watch the news I see tons of people who for one reason or another, have made the most unreasonable decisions ever. Most often our bad decisions stem from a lack of wisdom. Wisdom isn't something you pick up at the grocery store with the carrots and toilet tissue. Most people gain their wisdom from what we call the "school of hard knocks." And I would agree that there is a measure of wisdom to learn simply from the mistakes in our lives. But did you realize there is a much better sources of wisdom.
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Amazingly enough, God has given us permission to ask him for wisdom. Not only permission but he is willing to generously make deposits of wisdom into our lives. God of all people, doesn't want us making dumb decisions everyday. He loves us and wants our lives to be blessed. His free gift of wisdom allows us to make better decisions in our families, our jobs, and in our everyday life decisions.
So it all comes down to asking, at least that's what this verse says. If you lack wisdom; ask God! On a weekly basis I find myself asking God for more of his wisdom to lead my family, our church, and my own life. So this holiday season, take advantage of one of the only free gifts available. Ask God for more wisdom and he will give it to you.
Have a great week!
Christmas is just a few days away. Many will celebrate with family or friends and take advantage of a few days off. Think back to the Christmas's of your past. Which ones stand out as some of the best in your life? I can remember the year my brother and I got a basketball goal. That was back in the day when they didn't make the portable ones like they do now. My dad had to buy a steel pole, dig a whole in the ground, concrete it in, then attach the basketball goal. When you think about all that work it makes me feel bad about how much I complained a few years ago when I spent $100 and 2 hours putting Jonathan's basketball goal together. I can remember the year my brother got a train track and after my dad put it together we played with it for a while. I can remember the first and only video game system my parents bought us back in the 80's; the Colecovision. That was the game system that originated games like Q-Bert & Frogger.
