Making Moments Matter

Making Moments Matter
BIANCA JUAREZ OLTHOFF

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14 (NIV)

Tossing my keys in my purse, stuffing my laptop in my workbag and encouraging my two step-kids to hurry into the car, we dashed out the door at breakneck speed. If it were a NASCAR race pit, we would’ve been back on the racetrack of life in 20 seconds flat! But life isn’t lived on a racetrack. In fact, life doesn’t give us checkered flags when we finish our race. It’s quite the opposite.

The book of James tells us life is like a vapor, here one moment and gone the next. James 4:14 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

I learned that heartbreaking lesson as I drove down the freeway, racing to get the kids to school on time and traffic halted to a stop. It wreaked havoc not only on my color-coded schedule, but on my soul. I was frustrated and annoyed with all the cars around us inching forward — until I saw a mangled car on the side of the freeway, completely bashed in. A family was huddled together while paramedics attended to what thankfully looked like minor injuries.

It was a sobering reality to see that family’s world instantly changed.

I stared in the rearview mirror at the faces of the children I love and realized I was rushing through everything and living in nothing. I wasn’t living each moment with a God-given peace and gratitude for the life I’ve been granted. It was a moment that marked me forever and forced me to whisper, Make moments matter.

Are you making moments matter? Are you living each day to its fullest? God is calling you to live on mission, to intentionally share the gospel to those around you. Whether in a cubicle, a college or a community, you have the finite ability to make time count.

What are you doing this year or in the new year that will affect your future? What are you doing this month to grow your ability? What are you doing this week to make a difference in someone’s life? What are you doing today to savor the gift of life God has given us?

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a traveler who just missed a flight.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask the driver who just avoided a car accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the athlete who won a silver medal at the Olympics.

If life is truly just a vapor, treasure every moment you have. You might not have a white flag indicating your last lap on the racetrack of life, but I encourage you to live like it’s your last go-around and savor every turn!

Ready? Set. Go!

Dear God, we are so grateful for every beat of our heart, every blink of our eyes and every breath in our lungs. Thank You for the life You’ve given us. We don’t want to waste one minute, so help us steward our time wisely. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Proverbs 14:27, “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.” (NIV)

Colossians 4:5, “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.” (NLT)

An Introduction to Christ

An Introduction to Christ

By Dr. Charles Stanley

Revelation 1:4-8

The first chapter of Revelation gives a compact description of the Lord. In verses 4 to 8, John condenses the wonder of Jesus Christ to the bare but beautiful essentials of who He is:

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness. Jesus came to earth to more fully reveal the character and ways of the Father (John 14:9). The miracles He performed validated His claim to be the Son of God.

Jesus Christ is the first-born from the dead. The Savior bore our sins and died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day. His resurrection proved that eternal life is possible for us, too, as Jesus taught in John 11:25: “He who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”

Jesus Christ is the ruler of the kings of the earth. It is the Lord who raises men to power, just as it is He who removes them (John 19:11; Rom. 13:1). Meanwhile, believers have access to a higher authority. In God’s throne room, we can beseech Him on behalf of our nations and lay claim to His promises.

Jesus Christ loves us and released us from our sins by His blood. Note the change of tense in John’s writing. The Lord’s love is ever-present, but He has freed believers from their past. Both the penalty and power of sin have been broken.

When people ask you about Jesus, introduce Him by guiding them through this mini-biography. In just a few sentences, John describes Christ’s character, divinity, and authority. The disciple was not timid about proclaiming the Lord. We shouldn’t be shy, either, when we serve so great a Savior.

The Hour Has Come

The Hour Has Come
by Debbie Holloway

“The hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11).

Christmas Eve is a special, ritualistic time for many families, especially ones with young children. Children have an almost tangible energy and near-breathless excitement for the festivities of the next day. Parents have all the gifts wrapped and hidden in secret closets, simply awaiting nightfall to relocate to their resting place beneath the Christmas tree. Finally, after too many Christmas treats, laying out milk and cookies for Santa, a recitation of T’was The Night Before Christmas and perhaps a reading from the book of Luke, the kids are tucked in bed.

The work has been done. No more shopping, no more wrapping, no more commanding the children to stop poking around their parents’ bedroom. Preparations have been made. And in the morning, what a glorious day Christmas day will be!

The second candle of advent is called the Bethlehem Candle, and it is known as the candle of preparation. We are still near the beginning of advent, with a few weeks to prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming. For indeed, not only do we commemorate his first coming on December 25th, but we also know that he will come again. Will we make preparations for our Messiah, just as we make preparations for Old St. Nick?

Will we spread peace and goodwill, as the angels did on the evening of Christ’s birth? Will we offer even the lowliest parts of our lives up to God, as the farm animals made room for him amongst their beds and feeding troughs? Will we sacrifice unto him even our most precious treasures, as the Magi did after many months, perhaps even years, of travel? Will we “wake from sleep,” as Paul exhorts, and prepare for salvation?

Much preparation is needed to make our lives reflect Christ, and we may feel small and unprepared for such a task. Take comfort, then, that Bethlehem was also considered too small for God’s work. As we light the Bethlehem Candle, remember the ultimate significance of this tiny town of shepherds and stables:

“But you, Bethlehem…though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel” (Micah 5:2).

Intersecting Faith and Life

As advent moves on, and Christmas draws closer, prepare your heart to be a Bethlehem for Christ: a place for him dwell and accomplish his work through you.

Heaven is Real: 3 Reasons to Have Hope in a Hard World

Heaven is Real: 3 Reasons to Have Hope in a Hard World
By Debbie McDaniel

Heaven is real. And many of us would agree on that fact. We believe what the Bible says is true. We know that God has prepared us for so much more than we can fully see here in this world. And He has greater things still in store than we could ever even know. But how does the reality of heaven help us in the day to day of life’s struggles? How can it offer us real hope and strength right now?

1. In the midst of life’s storms, we have the hope of eternal life.

One way that heaven offers us great hope and joy is that we can be assured, no matter what we may face now, it won’t last forever. This world is not all there is. We weren’t made to find lasting hope only in this present life. For ahead of us is the gift of heaven.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19

As believers, we hold the hope of heaven as an anchor for our souls. The gift of Christ paved the way for eternal life. It is a sure, steadfast, immovable hope that helps us to remember that the struggles of this world will pass away, but heaven lasts forever.

2. The reality of heaven gives us fresh purpose and meaning today.

Because we believe that heaven is real, our lives have greater meaning and purpose right now. When we know Christ, we also know that life isn’t meaningless, because God has a reason and a purpose for each day. Every day is a gift from Him. Every moment we’re breathing air is another opportunity to love and serve Him.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” - Psalm 90:12

Life is short. The somber truth we often face is that none of us knows how long we have in this world. We’re not promised tomorrow. Heaven doesn’t diminish the importance of this life, but it makes us more aware of its incredible gift. It’s a clear reminder to us to stay alert and active in sharing light and love in a world that needs His hope.

3. It is a place of true joy and freedom, with no more death, suffering, or pain.

“…They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - Revelation 21:3-4

No death. No mourning. No pain. God will be with us and He will wipe away our tears for the very last time. Heaven is a place of joy and goodness, freedom and life. If you have ever suffered great illness, disease, or held the hand of a loved one who was in such pain at the end of their life; if you have ever experienced great anguish of the soul, or have struggled through addictions, or walked a painful road through trauma or abuse; there is hope still ahead. Heaven is a place where truly, the old is gone, the new is come. The struggle and pain we carry here, will be lifted away. We will be healed. We will be set free in every way of the burdens that now weigh us down.

A Prayer for Your Marriage at Christmas

A Prayer for Your Marriage at Christmas
By Sarah Coleman

"As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. 'Joseph, son of David,' the angel said, 'do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.'"  - Matthew 1:20

Once upon a time there lived a couple in love. They had known each other for as long as they could remember. They were engaged to be married when the unthinkable happened - she fell pregnant. And it wasn't his.

Even so, they decided to go ahead with the marriage. Within weeks they embarked on a journey, but it was no honeymoon. He forgot to book a hotel room and she went into labor without a birthing suite in sight. 

Their relationship was less than ideal. There were complications, doubt, trust issues, and instability, not to mention the sacrifice to raise a child not their own. 

But they determined to make it work. It was their destiny to raise the Son of God. Together. Their love story is a marriage lesson to us all.

It may not make sense. The situation may seem impossible. The odds may be stacked against you. 

Trust God. Trust He knows what He's doing. He knew what He was doing when He entrusted the birth of His Son in the care of two young people. He knew what He was doing when He brought you and your spouse together. The Father will work all things together for good. Trust in Him.

Perfect love casts out all fear. Don't allow fear to rule your marriage or the love you share. Marriage is often painted in a negative light. Media portrays affairs and suspicion a normal part of a relationship. But they aren't. Trust your partner. Love him without fear. Without doubt. 

Unfaithfulness. Bad financial decisions. Unemployment. Wayward children. Blended family issues. It's not easy.  But neither was ridicule for marrying a pregnant woman who claimed to have seen an angel. Neither was a journey to Bethlehem with a woman about to give birth.

In difficult circumstances love can grow. It won't be easy and your patience will be tested, but love is purified and strengthened in the fire. Mary and Joseph loved their baby but they also loved each other. They did not allow tough situations to drive a wedge between but to mature their love.

Go on the journey together. Two are better than one. You may not know what lies up ahead but do it together. Protect each other. Share the load. The journey is better when you journey together.

Prayer:

Father, I don't know what is going on. The situation we face seems impossible. And our marriage is in the firing line. I'm not sure what to believe or who to trust. The road ahead seems hard, even impossible. Give us tenacity and perseverance. Lord, I believe we will experience our own miracle in the manger. The fight, the struggle, the journey will be worth it in the end. I know you are faithful to answer my prayer. Amen.

Has the Grinch Stolen Your Christmas?

Has the Grinch Stolen Your Christmas?

And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” 
Luke 2:10-11

Without a doubt, Christmas is to be a time of GREAT JOY.  On that first Christmas night, the angel announced to the shepherds “good news of a great joy.”  The Savior has come!!  WOW!!  Those shepherds were so excited.  That announcement changed their lives forever.  They were filled with joy and wonder and praise.

At Christmas time, are you filled with joy and wonder and praise?  Or has the devil, the original Grinch, the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy, stolen those things from you?  If so, there is still time to get it back!

Think about the angel’s announcement, “There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  What does that really mean for you and me? 

1.  The Savior has come to save you from a dark past.  So many people are suffering with intense guilt over bad things they have done in the past.  The devil beats them to death with shame and guilt.  But be beaten no longer!  All the terrible, horrible things you have done are no match for the Savior’s blood that He shed for you on the cross.  The moment you confess those sins to God and repent of them, you are forgiven!!  Remember what the Savior said to Peter, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy” (Acts 10:15).

2.  The Savior has come to save you from an empty present.  Many people are surviving and not really living.  Jesus came at Christmas not to fill your empty stocking, but to fill your empty life!  He has a purpose and a plan for you.  Come to Him.  Surrender to Him.  Let Him lead you.  He wants to bring you joy and peace, regardless of your circumstances.  He wants to use your life to make a difference in others, a difference that will last for all eternity.  It makes life worth living to know that everyday is an exciting adventure with the Lord, an opportunity to touch another person with the love and joy of Jesus.

3.  The Savior has come to save you from a hopeless future.  Everyone without God is without hope.  No one comes to the Father without the Savior, Jesus Christ.  But now He has come, and we can really know Him personally, and we can be assured of His presence and provision while we live … and His heaven when we die.  Paul said, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).  WOW!  What a future is in store for the child of God!

My friend, do not let the devil steal from you and your Christmas time any longer!  The Savior has come, and He has come for you!  Receive the good news and rejoice in the truth!

Love, 

Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries