Streams in the Desert.....

 Streams in the Desert

He went up into a mountain apart (Matthew 14:23).

One of the blessings of the old-time Sabbath was its calm, its restfulness, its holy peace. There is a strange strength conceived in solitude. Crows go in flocks and wolves in packs, but the lion and the eagle are solitaires.

Strength is not in bluster and noise. Strength is in quietness. The lake must be calm if the heavens are to be reflected on its surface. Our Lord loved the people, but how often we read of His going away from them for a brief season. He tried every little while to withdraw from the crowd. He was always stealing away at evening to the hills. Most of His ministry was carried on in the towns and cities by the seashore, but He loved the hills the best, and oftentimes when night fell He would plunge into their peaceful depths.

The one thing needed above all others today is that we shall go apart with our Lord, and sit at His feet in the sacred privacy of His blessed presence. Oh, for the lost art of meditation! Oh, for the culture of the secret place! Oh, for the tonic of waiting upon God!
--Selected

It is well to live in the valley sweet,
Where the work of the world is done,
Where the reapers sing in the fields of wheat,|
As they toil till the set of sun.
But beyond the meadows, the hills I see
Where the noises of traffic cease,
And I follow a Voice that calleth to me
From the hilltop regions of peace.
Aye, to live is sweet in the valley fair,
And to toil till the set of sun;
But my spirit yearns for the hilltop's air
When the day and its work are done.
For a Presence breathes o'er the silent hills,
And its sweetness is living yet;
The same deep calm all the hillside fills,
As breathed over Olivet.

"Every life that would be strong must have its Holy of Holies into which only God enters."

The Uniqueness of Christ...... Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Uniqueness of Christ

Dr. Charles Stanley

Matthew 16

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” they replied, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” But Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:13-16).

What set Jesus apart as the Messiah?

• His birth: He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born, as prophesied, in Bethlehem to a virgin. Though angels announced His arrival and He reigns over all creation, Jesus entered our world in a lowly manner so He could be identified with the meek and the poor.
• His wisdom: At age 12, He spent three days with rabbis, asking questions that showed his uncommon understanding.
• His baptism: Though He didn’t need cleansing, Jesus asked John to baptize Him so He could identify with sinners and demonstrate His love to them.
• His temptation: Satan tempted Him relentlessly for 40 days, yet He did not sin.
• His ministry: He challenged man-made religious traditions. And by healing people—regardless of nationality—raising the dead, and forgiving sins, He revealed that God wants to be involved personally in our lives. Leading Pharisees wanted Him dead, but the Father protected His life until the crucifixion.

Many people deny Christ’s deity, calling Him simply a “prophet” or “good teacher.” But Jesus was never merely human. As complex as it is for us to comprehend, He was fully God and fully man. This is the unique way in which our heavenly Father chose to demonstrate His eternal love for us.

Hurt or Offended?..... NICKI KOZIARZ

 Hurt or Offended?

NICKI KOZIARZ

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) 

In a week’s time, three separate things happened that left me feeling emotionally challenged.

First, someone made a false assumption about our family and shared it with some leaders who confronted us. I felt hurt. Then, I saw something on social media (always the place, right?) that revealed someone had lied to me about something silly. But I still felt hurt. And finally, I had a frustrating conversation with someone I work with professionally, and it was creating tension between us. I felt hurt again.

Any time multiple things happen that leave me feeling the same way, I know it’s wise to ask God if there’s something I need to see in my own life. Because feelings often fog our focus and can make us feel emotionally out of balance.

I thought I was hurt from these three things. But when I prayed about them, the Holy Spirit stirred my soul with a question …

“Nicki, are you hurt, or are you offended?”

Being hurt and being offended are two very different things. And we rarely take the time to sort through them, which leads us to feel all kinds of issues in our relationships.

Emotional hurt is something we experience because something wrong has been done to us. Think: lies, gossip or broken promises. And if we’re going to be honest here, we would also admit there have been times when we have hurt people.

Offense is not the result of something done to us; it’s something we choose. This can be our reaction to snarky emails, something we discovered we didn’t like about a person/situation, or even something stirring jealousy in us.

Hurt happens to us. Being offended is a choice made by us. Hurt requires healing. Offense requires an objective opinion.

But may we remember today, God is the God of the hurt heart and the offended heart. He’s here to help us sort through both.

In the past few months, we have become more isolated than we ever have been. While many are truly hurting because of everything this year has brought, others are dealing with hearts that are offended by what seems like everything. We are all on edge, and rightly so — many of our lives have been upended.

As much as this season of isolation and division has tried to convince us we don’t need people, we do. And I believe so strongly that the enemy of our souls would love for us to stay offended and divided.

Our verse today, Proverbs 19:11, is one we should probably read and study at least once a week if we want to pull through this season of life with important relationships intact. It says: “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

The book of Proverbs is considered the book of wisdom. Chapter 19 is all about building a life of discernment and wisdom. The word “glory” used here is referring to a sign of growth and maturity. A person who has experienced growth knows how to recognize hurt versus offense. Hurt requires healing. Being offended requires a dose of let it go.

The result of the three things that happened in one week was my soul holding both hurt and offense. Taking the time to sort through this has helped me know how to move forward, one step at a time.

The first step requires laying down the hurt or offense before God and not picking it back up. There are some places of hurt only God can heal.

The second step requires letting it go. There are some things I need to get over and stop being offended by.

I know, because you are reading this today, you are a person who longs to experience both spiritual and emotional growth in your life. I also know we are all very human, sorting through emotions and situations that leave us feeling challenged. Life and relationships have been hard the last several months.

Someone may need our forgiveness. And someone needs our willingness to overlook being offended. Regardless of what God shows you today through this, I know He will give you the strength to do whatever your soul needs to experience glory.

God, thank You for constantly forgiving me and giving me the strength to do the same. Help me see what I need to see today and do what I need to do so my life reflects Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Colossians 3:13, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (NIV)

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

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 has 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.

The Hour Has Come..... by Debbie Holloway

 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.

Further Reading

Matthew 24:36
John 1:43-46
Isaiah 40

A Prayer for Your Marriage at Christmas ..... By Sarah Coleman

 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 as 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 ridiculed 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.

Let's Pray:

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.

The Strains of Christmas..... by John UpChurch

 The Strains of Christmas

by John UpChurch

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

Christmas at my house meant preparing for the worst. The worst didn’t always come, but you couldn’t be too careful.

You see, the thing about holidays is that people tend to be together, pushed into the same room by tradition and baked turkey. My family spent most of the year avoiding such things, as we hurried off to school or work, buried ourselves in music and books, and generally enjoyed the comfort of a closed door.

We could usually navigate the raging Scylla and Charybdis of Thanksgiving because it only meant a day together before we scattered again. But while we chewed stuffing, my father would chew on his disappointment over his life and his family. My older brothers would try not to notice. The tryptophan made us all too sleepy for much more—at least, that’s what I like to think.

But then Christmas came lumbering into the UpChurch household with all its vacation days. We had too much time off, and too many unspoken issues. We were like a pot of boiling potatoes with the water sloshing out on the stove. There’d be some sizzling over a lack of job, a splash or two over how much something cost, and then boom… the lid blew off.

An hour and two new holes in the wall later, we surveyed the wreckage of the yuletide cheer. My brothers would fume back into the basement, my father would escape to his computer, and my mom would try to figure out what to do. Usually, the anger just sunk back into the pot for another year.

When I moved out of my house, it took years for Christmas to reclaim its festive atmosphere. Even when the war ended, the shellshock didn’t. There were too many things unsaid, too many things not dealt with. The embers of home-fought battles wouldn’t die down.

Then, Christ.

Describing salvation couldn’t be better summed up than in those two words set apart in their own paragraph: then, Christ. There was no choir of angels singing (audibly to me, at least) or a special star shining light down on my apartment, but it was a moment that clearly separates time into two epochs. That separation is for both BC/AD and OJ/NJ—Old John and New John.

As this New John, though, I noticed something that might as well have been as miraculous as angels breaking out the tunes over my head. When Christmas came, the dread didn’t. I’d plucked the Christ off Christmas, and the mass didn’t seem so heavy. In fact, I even looked forward to it.

No, the tension didn’t suddenly melt away. The tempers weren’t all snuffed out. There were still moments that stretched tightly across our gatherings. But I now knew something just slightly flip-the-world-upside-down, mind-blowingly awesome: A baby, born poor and away from home, had taken the worst this world had to offer. A king wanted Him dead, and His country had no place for Him. But still He came… for me.

For you.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Christmas has no shortage of strains. It’s a holiday that seems perfectly designed for stress—at least, in the way we Westerners celebrate. Family tension has a way of bubbling up with the egg nog, and old arguments never seem to die.

But my prayer is that you aren’t afraid to face the day, and not just face it, but be filled with the mystery of it all. Here is a day to remember our God adding humanity to deity and giving up the sweet spot in heaven to plop Himself into our world. He came because He didn’t hold our sin against us; He wanted to hold it for us.

And when you keep that perspective, family arguments and stress suddenly seem trivial amid the menagerie of hams and yams and red velvet cakes.