Remembering Christ at Christmas

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In the Christmas Season, and here is much hustle, traffic jams, and crowded stores.  There are beautiful lights everywhere, yes many are beautiful, but none are as beautiful as the true meaning of Christmas. 

Christmas is not about what we get, or all the glitter and lights.  Christmas is about a Savior being born for you and me.  It was a humble birth of one who showed love to many by caring for them, and was willing to lay down His life, so that we could have eternal life by believing on Him.

Why not this Christmas, take time to remember what Jesus Christ has done for us.  He came because He loved you.  If you have never put your personal trust in Him, and asked Him to be your Savior, don’t put that decision off.  Do it now, and pray this prayer:  “Jesus, I invite you to be my personal Savior and want you to help me love others as you love me.”

If you prayed that prayer for the first time, we would love to hear from you.

Prayer for Upcoming Leaders

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Prayer for Upcoming Leaders

Based on Matt 13:3-7

John, is a man who appears to be an upcoming leader in your organization or church.  How are you responding to him?  Are you sitting on the sidelines watching, are you questioning his sincerity, or are you encouraging him and praying for him?

Most every one of us has probably seen someone like John.  Here is an interesting thought about upcoming leaders.  If they have encouragement, they generally do well.  When they do not have encouragement, then they are like the seed that fell on hard ground, and don’t often amount to much.

Encouragement does help people move forward.  Encouragement can be in the form of prayer for them, asking God’s help for them to grow and develop.

Consider a prayer like this in praying for an upcoming leader.  “Father, encourage my friend, John, who has been growing in the Lord and serving you.  May he look to you and your word daily.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thanksgiving

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The United States has set aside a day to be thankful for our blessings which come to us two ways:

• Ones that we have
• Ones that we give. 

We may sometimes recognize something as a blessing, but more often than not we need to be reminded of the many blessings around us.  We often forget the little things that really are a blessing—like a cup of cold water.  The old hymn is very true—“Count your Blessings”.  When we recognize our blessings, we will be surprised what God has done.

Then as we recognize our blessings, are we learning to reach out and bless someone else?  Blessings shared, bring much joy and encouragement to others.

I encourage you to take time today and count your blessings, and then look for ways to bless others. 

The Lord will help us do this if we ask Him in prayer.  “Father, help us to recognize our blessings and to be able to bless others.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Politics and Religion

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Politics and Religion

Based on Proverbs 2:4-6a  "If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures: Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God. For Jehovah giveth wisdom;"

Whenever there is a political race, some in the race want the support of Christians.  Now there is nothing fundamentally wrong with that desire.

We need to ask a real question and it needs to be truthfully answered.  Is that support sought for control purposes?  Or is it the result of one involved in politics to genuinely see God’s wisdom? 

I have been approached by many emotional appeals that sound good.  If I join them I need to ask will they focus on the Kingdom of God principles, or will the elevate one particular party or a candidate who will use that bandwagon to manipulate us?

Probably the best way to resolve this issue is to seek Godly wisdom, in earnestness, using God’s word. 

Consider this prayer ‘Father, I need your wisdom concerning the issues in the upcoming political race.  Please guide me according to your word”  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Veterans

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Veterans

John 15:13, Rom 12:14

Vietnam veterans were deeply hurt when protesters did not respect. 

The protestors had forgotten that our freedoms come with a cost, one which we fought to preserve, and some gave their lives to protect those freedoms. The Bible says in John 15:13 that ‘Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.”  

Yes, veterans have experienced a rejection of that love as a country. Turning to God’s way, we should forgive and find ways to bless.  Rom 12:14 says “Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.”

Fortunately, our country is now honoring its veterans.  Still, all of us who are veterans should consider this prayer:

Father, help me to continually find ways to bless my country, I forgive those who hurt us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have You Encouraged Someone Today?

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Heb 3:13

Many of us often think by telling a person what to do, we are encouraging them.  That can be helpful, but many times that directive approach does not really come along side of the person we are trying to encourage.  What we often forget that is Christ came along side of us, drawing us gently with His Love and listens to us where we are.

People are crying—come alongside of me.  Don’t preach at me.  Just listen, and help me consider Christ.

That may be putting it simplist, but it is true.  Let’s be honest with ourselves.  When is the last time that you actually came along side of someone and really reached out to help them?

Perhaps the Lord is telling us to come alongside and consider praying a prayer like this:

'Father, help me learn to come along side and help others, because of your Love for them.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.'

Clearing Offenses

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John 1:9, Matthew 5:23-24

Have you heard the best defense is an offense?

You have done something that has offended or hurt someone.  If you don’t go to the other person to clear the offense, that offense dims the light affecting our vision.  When light is dim, we can’t see.

In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as the Light of the world.  (John 1:9).  If our eyes are full of darkness then we do not have the help of the light of Jesus.  If we wait for the person whom we hurt to come to us—it may not happen.  Correcting the offense is to go in humility to the other person.  (Matthew 5:23-24).  The action of going to the other person will remove an offense or hurt that has been blocking the light of Jesus to us.

Consider this prayer:  ‘Lord search me, and help me take the step to go to the brother whom I have offended or hurt, and ask forgiveness.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.’