I Can Hardly Wait!

I Can Hardly Wait!
KAREN EHMAN

“My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20 (CSB)

Is there any more precise picture of expectation, hope and excitement than young children ready for bed on Christmas Eve?

When I was a child, every Christmas Eve my big brother and I would happily cooperate when taking our bubble baths and donning our plaid flannel pajamas. Then, we’d pile into our parents’ station wagon and cruise our hometown to look at the Christmas lights on display. We could hardly wait for this annual excursion.

One family had vintage stockings for all 10 of their children meticulously hung in their huge picture window. Local businesses also got in on the act with twinkling lights and larger-than-life Christmas characters smiling from atop their buildings.

My parents discovered this Christmas lights excursion served two purposes: First, it distracted us from our excitement for a while so our yuletide yikes could calm down a bit. Additionally, it completely tuckered us out so we would fall asleep in the back seat of the car. Then, they only needed to carry us to our beds so the visions of sugar plums could begin their annual dance as we slumbered, awaiting the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

In today’s key verse, the Apostle Paul voices his own, “I can hardly wait! How much longer?” sentiment. Philippians 1:20 states, “My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Paul describes this longing by calling it an eager expectation and hope. This great anticipation pertained to honoring Christ in his body, whether by life or by death, and living in such a way that Paul would not be ashamed of anything.

The particular Greek word that Paul used for expectation is an out-of-the-ordinary word. In fact, no one else in all of Scripture ever uses the word! It could be that Paul himself concocted and coined it. It is the word apokaradokia. Let’s break down this long and awkward-looking term.

In the Greek, apo means away from, separate, free from. The word kara means the head. Dokein means to look, spear or seem. When you crochet them all together, the word apokaradokia paints a picture of strained expectancy, anxious longing, or earnest expectation — an intense stare that causes one to look away from every lesser thing and fix their gaze on the only thing of true importance.

The one other time Paul used this exact word was in Romans 8:19: “For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed.” (CSB) There he applied the term directly to the anticipation of each believer receiving a unique, glorified body at Christ's return.

This intense longing for the return of Christ goes far beyond our childlike excitement each Christmas Eve as we anticipate the celebration of Christ's birth. It is riveted on the future glorious event of the Lord Jesus Christ’s return to earth one day. A day when finally, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4, CSB).

I can hardly wait! Can you?

Father, may I eagerly anticipate the coming day when I will spend eternity with You in heaven. Until that time, grant me courage to live in a way that honors and glorifies You daily. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each according to what he has done.” (CSB)

Isaiah 9:6-7, “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this.” (CSB)

The Names of Christ, By Dr. Charles Stanley

The Names of Christ

By Dr. Charles Stanley

Philippians 2:5-11

The Bible ascribes many different names to Jesus, all of which provide great insight into His character and person. Here are some from John’s gospel that I find particularly revealing:

The Good Shepherd (10:11) protects his sheep at all cost from predators. They know His voice and follow Him.

The Door (vv. 7-9) is the only way to enter heaven. Whoever enters through the “gate” of Christ will be saved.

The Vine (15:1-10) is the source of our spiritual life. When we stay intimately connected to Jesus, we bear fruit. If we do not remain in Him, we wither.

The Bread of Life (6:25-35) the only one who can truly satisfy our hearts. Jesus feeds our souls with sustenance that never leaves us wanting for more.

The Light of the World (9:5) shines His light through our countenance as a ministry and testimony to a dark world.

The Way (14:6) to happiness, peace, joy, and eternal life is Jesus Christ.

The Truth (14:6) of His revelation, as recorded in the New Testament, is the reason we can know as much as we do about God.

The Life (14:6) Jesus imparts to believers is powerful, effective, and fruitful, not only in eternity but here on earth as well.

In biblical times, Israelites would choose a baby’s name based on the child’s characteristics or a hope or prayer of the parent. The names given to Jesus tell a great deal about His ministry on earth 2,000 years ago. The scriptural names describing Him reveal who He was and is and will be for eternity.

Don’t Let the Busyness of the Season Crowd Out What’s Most Important

Don’t Let the Busyness of the Season Crowd Out What’s Most Important
By Debbie McDaniel

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

Just a few weeks before Christmas, maybe life seems kind of full and busy.

Maybe you haven’t finished Christmas shopping yet. Or that special gift you’ve been looking for is officially out of stock, or costs too much money.

Maybe the decorations never got fully done, or the lights are already burning out.

Maybe the Christmas cards are still waiting to be mailed. And the to-do list is steadily growing day by day.

Maybe life is feeling frazzled and time always seems too short…to finish it all.

But truth says, maybe what we spend so much time focusing on, really isn’t the most important.

Here’s what is:

Spending time first with the God who made you, who loves you, and sent His Only Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world.

In the story of Mary and Martha, Luke 10:38-42, times were busy. There was much to be done, and Martha was “distracted by it all.” Maybe, like me, you can relate. Yet in the midst of all the “busy,” Mary set herself right down at Jesus' feet. She seemed unaffected by all the pressing needs around her, she just longed to spend time with Him. So Martha did what many of us may have done, she complained. Yet Jesus reminded her that in all the hustle and bustle, stress, and preoccupation with other things, Mary had "chosen what is better, and it would not be taken away from her."

So often in this time of year, the most important gets crowded out because of the urgent. It's a battle not to dwell there.

Other voices will say, "You don't have time to pray. There’s not enough minutes in the day to spend time with God and still get everything done. You're way too busy." And sometimes we swallow that lie, and the next thing we know, we find ourselves weary and worn from spinning our wheels. Strength drained, impatient, stressed, pressed, out of control, and nothing much going our way.

Yet if we recognize our need for God, spend time with Him, relying on His strength, He is faithful. He’s got our back. He knows our way. We can walk with His blessing and favor, we can live in His peace, and be filled with His joy which is our strength.

We may find that when we end up of "doing less,” God is then able to “do more,” much more, with our time and energy than we ever could. For He's never limited by the restrictions we face every day. He is powerful and able, to work on our behalf, even behind the scenes where we can't see. He can line out our path, ordain our steps, protect us from what we can't see up ahead, and bring blessing and help where we might otherwise face defeat.

That's where real peace is found, and strength for the days ahead. Not in getting it all done. But simply “choosing what it better.”

Seeking Him first.

Sitting at His feet, time in His Presence, soaking in His words...

Choosing to live there today. Hope you are too.

Intersecting Faith & Life:  What can you let go of today so that you can “choose what is better” and spend time with God? Ask Him for His help and strength. Be reminded that He’s with you, and loves you more than you could ever imagine.

What Does "Merry" Mean?

What Does "Merry" Mean?
By Meg Bucher

Merry is festively joyous! It’s a cheerful disposition; laughing happily. (dictionary.com) Merry is the uninhibited joy released by God’s grace, and freedom flowing out of His forgiveness. It’s the boisterous laughter seeping past exhaustion, and the confetti of cares launched free in celebration of the Light of life.

Queen Elizabeth II was said to prefer “Happy Christmas” at a time when merry meant intoxicated. (Wikipedia) The Queen was onto something …Christmas exudes intoxicating happiness. Te verses of the famed “Magnificat” hymn in the Gospel of Luke capture Mary overflowing with heartfelt praise and awe of God.

Mary’s miraculous virgin birth was not the first or last life the Father’s hand has miraculously moved. God’s response to our sinful tendency was to forge a path to forgive us. God loves us for who we are …not who we search to be. His compassionate love was expressed through Christ’s choice to endure humanity, all-knowing“Merry Christmas” would eventually become an intolerable offense to some. Jesus was born to restore our standing with His Father.

Now that the danger of touching the hot stove has passed as my kids grow older, I can begin to back down the maternal scream for safety in exchange for a listening ear and an understanding heart. One un-offended by my daughters’ struggle to find themselves in this world; which recognizes their plight and looks for moments to remind them Whose they are.

“For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (VOICE)

Everlasting life for trusting Jesus with ours. That’s a birthday worth celebrating in merry jubilee.

Christmas is akin to swishing down a fresh powdery slope on a wooden sled, blinded by stinging snow as we speed past our comfort zones! Without the opportunity to have the relationship with God that Christmas grants us, we’d be doomed to watch the sled zip by, never quick enough or smart enough or agile enough to catch it. Jesus holds the sled while we hop on, and then joins in as we scream with glee all the way down the sometimes terrifying hill of life.

Merry Christmas. 

It’s intoxicating …Jesus being born to save the world.

It’s merry …God and His love for us.

It’s endearing and inspiring to be forgiven beyond what we deserve. 

The opportunity we have to journey through life in closeness with our Creator is pure joy.

Be merry! Shout with joy! Laugh happily! Embrace who YOU are …right now! Have FUN in this life, with your Savior by your side.

A Prayer for Soul Rest

A Prayer for Soul Rest
By Glynnis Whitwer

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)

Soul-rest is deeper than any other kind of rest I’ve experienced. It’s not circumstantial, nor does it need to be renewed. Soul-rest, rather, has its roots in something unshakable. It is rooted in faith and confidence that we’re deeply and unconditionally loved, held safe in the arms of our heavenly Father. Soul-rest comes when we trust God fully, which is quite different from merely saying we trust God. Words will not give us the rest our souls long for. Trust will.

When we declare Jesus to be the Lord of our lives, meaning He’s not just someone we read about in the Bible, something changes in us. And when we think and live like He is worthy of our complete faith and trust, then we start to experience the soul-rest He offers. My journey to trust Jesus has taken my entire life. I’ve always loved Him … believed He was who He said He was. But trust?

I don’t give my trust easily. People have betrayed me. I’ve betrayed myself. So, my trust always has a “yes, but …” attached to it when I give it to a person. But God is utterly trustworthy. Each time I deliberately choose to trust God, fear loosens its grip on me. Anxiety recedes. Stress melts away. Worry doesn’t consume me. I am a different person than I was 10 years ago because of this soul-rest that comes from trusting Jesus.

Today, Jesus invites all of us who feel worried and burdened, from whatever has made us feel overwhelmed, exhausted and guilty, to come to Him. And oh, how my soul stirs at this invitation from Jesus. This is the rest my soul longs for; it’s what I was made for. To know with certainty I am loved, cared for and protected. Not just on earth but for eternity.

Knowing this gives my soul an anchor, and quiets the striving, relentless part of me that seeks security and significance. This is the message that will give each of us the abundant life Jesus offered. Not abundant with work, but overflowing with love and filled with the true soul-rest we long for.

Lord, thank You for providing a rest for my soul that’s not attached to a person or experience. You created me for this rest, and I accept it now. Help me fully trust You with my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

A Prayer to Put Jesus First This Christmas Season

A Prayer to Put Jesus First This Christmas Season
 By Debbie McDaniel

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

No room for them. No vacancy. No place. Words that still seem to hang close, even today.

In a world that seeks to crowd Jesus out, where busyness abounds, and hearts are stirred to focus on other things, it can be hard sometimes to choose to keep Him first. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the whole hurried dash of the holidays, and to give our attention to what seems more urgent. Our focus gets blurred; and the most important gets pushed aside.

It takes an active and daily choice to put Christ first, especially in a culture that says you’re too busy to focus there. Or that life is too full. And there’s no more room.

May God help us to choose wisely, what voices we listen to, and where we give our attention today.

He is the One who brings true meaning to Christmas.

He is the One who brings real peace in this all-too-often hectic season.

He is the only One worthy of our time and attention as we slow down the maddening rush around our lives.

We can know all of this in our heads, but may He help us to really believe it in our hearts...and choose to live it out this season.

Renewed.

Refreshed.

Making room for Him, first.

Dear God, 

Help us to keep our focus first on Christ this season. Please forgive us for giving too much time and attention on other things. Help us to reflect again, on what Christmas is really all about. Thank you that you came to give new life, peace, hope, and joy. Thank you that your power is made perfect in our weakness. Help us to remember that the gift of Christ, Immanuel, is our greatest treasure, not just at Christmas, but for the whole year through. Fill us with your joy and the peace of your Spirit. Direct our hearts and minds towards you. Thank you for your reminder that both in seasons of celebration and in seasons of brokenness, you’re still with us. For you never leave us. Thank you for your daily powerful Presence in our lives, that we can be assured your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers. Thank you that you surround us with favor as with a shield, and we are safe in your care. We choose to press in close to you today…and keep you first in our hearts and lives.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.