Begin a New Tradition

Begin a New Tradition

by Vonette Bright

“She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Too often, Christ is absent in Christmas.

Jesus often takes a back seat to Christmas programs, decorations and presents.
So how about beginning a new Christ-centered tradition?
Ellen Elwell shares these great ideas from Christian grandmothers:

After attending Christmas Eve service, one family reads Scripture together.
Another suggests having each person take a votive candle, lighting it,
and answering the question, “What do you like best about Jesus?”
Still another family acts out the Christmas story complete with costumes.
The grandmother makes a photo album to document the performance for each family member.

One grandmother without nearby family invites seniors just like her to share Christmas together.
She shows them the JESUS Film.

GOD'S WAY IS DIFFERENT

GOD'S WAY IS DIFFERENT


Matthew 3:13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.' Then John consented. (NIVUK)

John's baptism was all about confessing sins and repenting of them. People came knowing that they were not spiritually clean. They knew they were not ready to meet God's Messiah: so they came to be baptized. But why would Jesus come? That was the question John asked as well. Although he was baptizing, he knew that he was also a sinner in need of God's forgiveness. So John suggested that Jesus should baptize him.

But Jesus persisted. It was necessary, He said, to please God and do what He required. Of course Jesus could not confess His own sin because He had done nothing wrong. He was not a sinner; but he identified Himself with sinners. Very soon He would carry the weight of all the sins of the world, in His body. His baptism was a prophetic action which looked forward to the cross when He was 'numbered with the transgressors' (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 22:37).

Jesus kept on surprising people because they did not expect Him to be different to them. But He was God, and God's ways are different to ours. Isaiah 55:9 says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." We would not have thought of God coming to live as a man, or for Him to accept responsibility for the sins of the world and be punished for them. But God's ways are different to ours. What is right to God may seem very strange to us, but that does not mean it is wrong. So do not judge God's ways by human logic or expect God to conform to human expectations. Indeed we should expect that God's ways, methods, timings, destinations and routes will be higher and better and more complete than we might ever have imagined.

Prayer: Father God. I am so glad that everything You do is good and right and perfect. Forgive me for doubting Your love and care, and for questioning what You do and the way You lead me. Please help me to enjoy the adventure of exploring Your plan for my life; and may I be grateful that You do everything excellently, and so much better than I could ever have planned. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

My Shepherd

My Shepherd

by Phil Ware

[Jesus said,] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
Thoughts on today’s verse

The goal of our walk with Jesus is to come to know him as our shepherd just as intimately as he knows the Father. A key thing for us to remember: In a world where so many people want to attract our attention and are willing to give us advice, we can refuse their voice. We listen to Jesus because he has shown his love for us by laying down his life for us. He is not a hireling, he is the Good Shepherd.

Prayer:

Holy Father, you are wonderful and generous beyond description. You have shown your love by sending your Son to be my Shepherd. Help me hear his voice through your Word. Help me hear his voice through the wise counsel of spiritual friends. Help me hear his voice through the words sung by my brothers and sisters when we are assembled. Help me hear his voice in the Holy Spirit’s work on my conscience. Father, I want to follow your Son as my Shepherd and Lord because I know he, like you, is good! Through my Shepherd and Lord I pray. Amen.

Keep on Keeping On

Keep on Keeping On

by Marilyn Ehle

“…there was a priest named Zechariah…he was serving as a priest before God…an angel of the Lord appeared…” Luke 1:5-11

We only hear about him at Christmas, but Zechariah should be a yearlong model for us. He was a man who loved God. He was a man who prayed. And he was a man who struggled with doubt.

When we are discouraged, when we live with the confusion of unanswered prayer, when we feel God is distant, it is easy to remove ourselves from the fellowship of other Christians, to neglect the rituals of the church and put the Bible to one side. And yet Zechariah whose deepest heart longing was unsatisfied, continued his spiritual duties. How he must have wondered if the God he prayed to in the temple was really a trustworthy God. We know that he doubted God’s promise even when delivered by the angel Gabriel.

During the months of his wife’s pregnancy, Zechariah’s prayers were silent ones. He could only commune with his Heavenly Father in the stillness of his heart, but I believe his long years of faithful service—even when he couldn’t hear God speaking or see God working—provided strength during those silent months.

Be careful to “keep on keeping on” during the days when God’s presence seems to have disappeared, when the Bible seems to contain promises only for others. Gathering with fellow Christians—many who are experiencing your own doubts—can be encouraging. Participating with your friends at the table of communion will provide spiritual sustenance. God will, in his good time, speak again.

God, give me courage to keep on when I don’t hear your voice or when I seem to be making no “progress” in my faith. Teach me again that you are near.

How has practicing the essentials of the Christian faith helped you during dark times?

When Confusion Prevails

When Confusion Prevails

by Katherine Kehler

“God is not the author of disorder, but of peace” 1 Corinthians 14:33

Have you been in a situation that seemed totally confusing? Decisions need to be made, but things didn’t make sense and you just didn’t know what to do? Let me remind you that God is not the author of confusion. He does not give us the spirit of fear and panic, but of power, love and a sound mind.

Recently I had one of those confusing situations to deal with. Rumors, gossip, insecure and inexperienced people all added to the confusion. God reminded me that He is not the God of confusion, but Satan is.

Good reminder. I began to pray that God would drive the enemy and his evil spirits from this situation. Doesn’t the Bible tell us in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God.” I prayed that God would shine His light into the situation. I prayed that God would bring His wisdom to the minds of the people involved.

Thankfully, the situation was resolved within an hour. Why don’t we pray like this more often? I don’t know. Probably because we try to figure things out ourselves.

Let me note here, there have been times in my life when God chose not to dispel the confusion for a while. God has the big picture and knows what is best for everyone involved.

Are you in a confusing situation today? Take time to pray.

Lord, thank You for your Holy Spirit who reminds me of all things You have taught us in your precious Holy Word. Cause us to listen and act on Your direction quickly. Amen

The First Step

The First Step

by Kristi Huseby

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Matthew 5.43-44 (NLT, emphasis mine)

“Lord, is there any bitterness in my life?” I asked the question half-heartedly knowing that there wouldn’t be. I had just worked through a seven year stretch of bitterness and felt pretty sure that there couldn’t be any more.

How wrong I was! Bitterness had burrowed deep into my soul. With every wrong done to me I allowed it to tunnel deeper and deeper, until it became a part of me. I relished the bitterness. I was sure I must be in the right.

“Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.” (Proverbs 14.10 NLT)

God’s illuminating truth revealed the corruption of my heart. But how do I yank this out of my life? Where do I go?

“Come to ME” (Matthew 11:28-29).

Pray for those who have wounded you, for those who have done you wrong. Prayer does the unexplainable, in the heart of the one who prays.

What about you? Have you asked God to show you the bitterness that lurks in your own heart? Are you praying for those who have hurt you and done you wrong?

Lord, I surrender my bitterness to You, all the those things I used to justify my bitterness because I was wronged. I NEVER want to add another brick to my wall of bitterness. Root out this darkness in me and teach me to come to You. Amen.

Action Step
If you need support read “Feelings, Forgiveness and Peace” to find out how to heal.

Second Chance

Second Chance

by Joshua Lim

Everybody deserves a second chance. Hatred in your heart will only bring death.
Be slow to anger and judgment, or judgment shall come upon you.

Always care for one another. Love others as you would love yourselves.
Have a caring and loving heart, just like Jesus and reach out to others.
Be compassionate towards others. Don’t judge a person by their looks.
Go and preach the Gospel in His wisdom, because you must be wise
in everything you do. Be on fire for Christ.

Don’t take things for granted; be united, and don’t be easily offended,
but always give and take with one another. And have love in your own family,
and also in the church.

In your hour of need, always run to the Lord for help; cry out to Him; have faith in Him.

The Lord has given everyone the gift to hear His voice. He will speak to you if you’re willing to hear.

Hear the Lord’s voice and He will guide you.

Have faith and believe His words. Don’t be proud and think that you’re full of knowledge.

Obey His words and commandments and keep the Sabbath holy. Don’t be a Sunday Christian, but take notice of people around you in your church, and in other nations.

Many people are suffering. Count your blessings. The road to heaven is narrow;
so you have to lean on God and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in whatever you do