Streams in the Desert.....

 Streams in the Desert

And there was Anna, a prophetess... which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day (Luke 2:36-37).

No doubt by praying we learn to pray, and the more we pray the oftener we can pray, and the better we can pray. He who prays in fits and starts is never likely to attain to that effectual, fervent prayer which availeth much.

Great power in prayer is within our reach, but we must go to work to obtain it. Let us never imagine that Abraham could have  interceded so successfully for Sodom if he had not been all his lifetime in the practice of communion with God. Jacob's all-night at Peniel was not the first occasion upon which he had met his God. We may even look upon our Lord's most choice and wonderful prayer with his disciples before His Passion as the flower and fruit of His many nights of devotion, and of His often rising up a great while before day to pray.

If a man dreams that he can become mighty in prayer just as he pleases, he labors under a great mistake. The prayer of Elias which shut up heaven and afterwards opened its floodgates, was one of long series of mighty prevailings with God. Oh, that Christian men would remember this! Perseverance in prayer is necessary to prevalence in prayer.

Those great intercessors, who are not so often mentioned as they ought to be in connection with confessors and martyrs, were nevertheless the grandest benefactors of the Church; but it was only by abiding at the mercy-seat that they attained to be such channels of mercy to men.

We must pray to pray, and continue in prayer that our prayers may continue.
--C. H. Spurgeon

A Lifestyle of Obedience..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 A Lifestyle of Obedience

Dr. Charles Stanley

John 14:15-21

According to John 14:21, we express love for Jesus by obeying His commands. To love Him wholeheartedly, we must develop a lifestyle of obedience. Let's look at four aspects of such a lifestyle.

1. Our trust in the Father grows. This confidence comes from believing that the Lord is who Scripture says He is. And God's Word tells us that He is good—as well as faithful to keep His promises (2 Cor. 1:20). Psalm 86:15 calls Him merciful, gracious, loving, and slow to anger. His character remains unchanged by difficult or hard-to-understand circumstances (Heb. 13:8).

2. We develop a deepening ability to wait on the Lord. Delays can be hard in our I-want-it-now culture. But we must resist temptation and wait on Him instead of running ahead.

3. We commit to obey God. Without such a resolve, we'll vacillate at decision time or allow fear to prevent us from choosing His way.

4. Our study of Scripture becomes consistent. The Bible reveals God's priorities, commands, and warnings. It acts as a light, illuminating His chosen path for us while revealing obstacles and dangers along the way (Ps.119:105). Without it, we are like a person who walks in the woods at night without a flashlight.

Becoming a Christian doesn't mean that obedience to the Lord is automatic. It's a lifelong process of growing in our trust and patiently waiting on Him before we act. This requires a steadfast commitment to obey so that we can say no to ungodly choices and yes to God.

When Your Christmas Spirit is Crushed..... TRACIE MILES

 When Your Christmas Spirit is Crushed

TRACIE MILES

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’;” Luke 2:10-11 (NIV) 

“Mom, it just doesn’t ‘feel’ like Christmas.”

These were the words my young daughter spoke as she looked at me with a discouraged expression on her face. We were in the midst of the busy holiday season, but in her heart, it didn’t “feel” like Christmas at all.

She was no longer a little girl excitedly awaiting the morning she could open her presents while whirling through a carefree season of twinkling lights, Christmas trees, baking and shopping.

The magic of childhood innocence was gone, and the wisdom of adolescence had kicked in. But worst of all, our lives had been turned upside down when my marriage of 26 years abruptly fell apart just a couple months before the holiday season. Not only did I understand her crushed Christmas spirit, I shared it.

As much as we tried to carry out our normal seasonal activities, Christmas just didn’t feel the same for me or my three children. Our family didn’t look the same as it always had. There were more tears than laughter. More aching sadness than holiday joy. More new problems to handle, and less enjoyment of the old traditions we had all grown to know and love. More fear and less hope.

I hugged my daughter tightly and reminded her, and myself, that even though life was messy and painful in the moment, we needed to try to intentionally redirect our thoughts from our problems to the manger and remember the hope Jesus’ birth brings.

Together, we decided to focus on the all the blessings we still had, not just the ones we had lost, and find joy in the little things through the strength of Christ alone. We committed to hang on to hope and remember that Christmas spirit must come from Christ, not our external circumstances.

In the Christmas story, we read about this promise of hope, “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord’” (Luke 2:10-11). Most believers know this popular passage well, but in the face of great pain, suffering and adversity, we often forget the meaning, even at Christmas. Heartache, grief, pain or anger can easily cause us to lose sight of the fact that this is the season we celebrate God sending His Son to step into the mess of our lives so we can have hope and joy, no matter what.

This year has certainly not been easy for anyone with all the difficult events happening in our world. But maybe this year has been even harder because of personal situations.

Maybe you have experienced separation and divorce too, and not only is your heart broken, but you fear not being with family or children during the holidays.

Perhaps you’ve endured the painful loss of a loved one, and your holiday looks much different this year too.

Maybe the kids have all grown up and moved on, and your Christmas feels lonely and unfamiliar.

Maybe you’ve lost a job this year, and the stress of trying to afford Christmas at all feels overwhelming.

Whatever the reason, if your Christmas spirit feels crushed, and you’re lacking joy and feeling void of hope, remember that although life continually changes, Jesus and His love for us never does. Redirecting our thoughts to focus on the hope and joy available to us because of His holy birth can restore the most broken spirit.

It’s been five years since our lives drastically changed and since I had that teary conversation with my daughter. What I learned during that first difficult holiday season, and in the years that have followed, is that hope and joy have to come from who Jesus is all the time, not from a month on the calendar. Our level of Christmas spirit will always depend on where we are looking for it.

Dear Lord, You know the heaviness of my heart this Christmas. Please help me refocus on You and the fact that You sent Your Son to this earth as a baby so I could live with hope despite my circumstances. Refresh my Christmas spirit, and infuse me with the joy I long to have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
2 Corinthians 4:18, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (NLT)

The First Time Shepherds Heard about Jesus ..... by Lynette Kittle

 The First Time Shepherds Heard about Jesus (Luke 2:17)

by Lynette Kittle

Do you remember the first  time you heard about Jesus? If so, what was your initial response? Did you want to run and go tell everyone you knew about Him?

Scripture describes how the shepherds in the fields reacted after being told about Jesus’ birth, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about’” (Luke 2:15).

Luke 2:16 records what happened next “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”

After seeing Jesus, the shepherds didn’t contain their excitement but started telling everyone they knew about Him. Luke 2:18 describes how those they told received the news, “and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

Yet, so many in the culture today leave Jesus out of their Christmas celebrations. 2 Corinthians 4:4 explains why, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that display the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

However, because your mind has been opened to see Jesus, like the shepherds did on the night of his birth, you have the opportunity to tell everyone around you about Him.

And what better time to tell others about Jesus than at Christmas?

Decide to look at your neighbors, co-workers, family members, and others who seem oblivious to the true meaning of Christmas with compassion, realizing they are blinded to seeing Jesus as the true reason for the season.

Reach out to them in love, like God did to you. “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”(John 3:16).

Choose to tell those you love, and those you meet along your way, how God gave the very first Christmas gift.

As Acts 10:35 reminds us, “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”

Ask God to give you the kind of joy and enthusiasm the shepherds had, to spread the Good News of Jesus’ birth to everyone you know and meet.

Learning to Be Still and Stop the Rush..... By Debbie McDaniel

 Learning to Be Still and Stop the Rush

By Debbie McDaniel

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” - Psalm 46:10

He got dressed, ate breakfast, brushed his teeth, then said, "Mom, how many minutes till I have to leave for school?"

"10 minutes," I yelled out as I busily worked packing lunches and backpacks.

I saw him get out some paper and markers. My sweet 7-year-old son worked diligently on a project up until the time that I was rushing him out the door.

"Hurry up Noah, it's time to go!" We said our goodbyes, 3 kids hustling, bustling out the door.

It closed.

Minutes later I came back to clean the kitchen table. And found this.

Tears came.

Such truth...such love...straight from the heart of a child to his God.

Maybe that's why Christ reminds us to be more like them, precious children, Matthew 18:3.

Humble.

Teachable.

Loving.

Trusting.

Simplicity of truth shining through so profoundly.

May He help us, as adults, to keep the perspective they often seem to have. And to slow down. Stop rushing everywhere, and everyone, and everything.

And just listen close for His voice.

So many things and people will call our names every day. We’re needed. We’re pressed. But without simply learning to be still first, within His presence, we’re never re-fueled. Or refreshed. We get drained and irritated. We lose our focus and our awareness of His Presence in our lives is dulled.

In the midst of busyness and hectic, full days, I'm reminded again to stop for a few minutes, focus on the most important, and ask God to make my heart more like His. May He fill us with such a spirit of praise and gratefulness, that all we do would bring honor to Him.

Grace.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Choose to give God all that concerns you today, your worries, your full day, your to-list list, and your cares. Spend some time just being “still” before Him. Give Him thanks and praise for who He is. It is time never wasted. He will bring you refreshing and peace from His Spirit, that only He can give.

Further Reading:
Matthew 18:3-4
Matthew 21:16
Matthew 6:33-34

A Prayer for Those Longing for Home..... By: Maggie Meadows Cooper

 A Prayer for Those Longing for Home

By: Maggie Meadows Cooper

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High, will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” - Psalm 91:1

I was that kid. The one who called home at every spend-the-night party, somewhere around 10:00, asking my parents to come get me. The one who got picked up from Summer Camp after two days because I was homesick... the summer before 6th grade. And the one who cried my eyes out many times during my college internship in a new city because I just. missed. home.

When I was little, I missed laying on my daddy’s arm before bed and my mom saying my prayers with me. I missed my room and stuffed animals. I even missed my annoying little brother and sister. As I got older, I realized it was silly to be homesick and tried so hard not to be...but most times I spent the night away, there was something off that I just couldn’t put my finger on. And as soon as I walked through that back door at home, all was right with the world again.

What I couldn’t put into words then, that I know now, is that I missed the comfort, the familiarity, the known.

Home is “the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family” or as “the abiding place of the affections.” Home has been called the place where your heart is, and I believe that’s true. It’s not necessarily a building, but a gathering place. A location that may not have a street address, but once you’ve arrived, you know you’re there because you are known to those around you and loved in spite of your imperfections.

And y’all, though I still visit my parents’ home and have my own home with my husband and children, there are still days I long for the home that imperfect people can’t give. For that home that only One can be:

“Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!” - Psalm 90:1 NLT (emphasis mine)

I long for Jesus! He is the home we can all rest in and run to when we are struggling. He is comfort and peace and love and forgiveness and grace and mercy and in His presence, we are known. There is no need to fear, no room for doubt, and no reason to question intentions. When our eyes and heart are focused on Him, we can be reminded of how very brief this life is and the refuge that awaits in Him.

This world is full of uncertainty, fear, and so many unknowns. But because we know Jesus, we can feel at home in a matter of moments, no matter our location, as we seek His presence, sweet friends.

Dear Jesus,

There are so many reasons to fear right now. So many circumstances that leave me longing for the comfort of home. Help me to run to You when those hard times come. Help me to remember that you know me and love me, in spite of all of my shortcomings. Draw me to Your side where I can rest in absolute peace and assurance of your goodness. And most of all, help me remember that home is where you are.

In Your Mighty Name,

Amen.

What Christmas Can't Do..... Greg Laurie

 What Christmas Can't Do

Greg Laurie

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 nkjv).

As the Christmas season descends, we’re seeing countless commercials of things we’re supposed to buy.

The implied promise is that if you give this, or if you receive that, then you’ll be happy. Certainly, there’s a rush of excitement in receiving a very special gift. But for the most part, you probably can’t remember what you got for Christmas last year, even though it seemed so important then.

It reminds me of the husband and wife who went Christmas shopping at the mall. The husband wandered off, so his wife called him and asked where he was.

“Remember that jewelry store we went to 10 years ago?” the husband asked. “You saw that beautiful diamond necklace, and I said that I couldn’t afford it then, but one day when I had a little more money, I would buy it for you.”

“Yes, I remember,” his wife said, trying to catch her breath.

“Well, I’m at the donut store next door to it.”

Christmas, commercially at least, cannot live up to the promise, to the standards we’ve set in our minds. At best, Christmas is a promise of greater things to come. However, it’s not Christmas that will give us life; it’s Christ.

Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 nkjv).

I have found that the greatest moments of Christmas are not the ones we get psyched about. Rather, it’s those in-between moments. Like the moments we spend with family—not only our actual flesh-and-blood families but also the family of God.

So slow down this season. Enjoy it and take it in. Jesus was born in Bethlehem to bring life in all its fullness.