Streams in the Desert......

 Streams in the Desert

"The exception is Caleb son of Jephunneh; he will see it and I will give him and his descendants the territory on which he has walked, because he has wholeheartedly followed me.”—Deut 1:36

Every hard duty that lies in your path, that you would rather not do, that it will cost you pain and struggle or sore effort to do, has a blessing in it. Not to do it, at whatever cost, is to miss the blessing.

Every hard piece of road on which you see the Master’s shoe-prints and along which He bids you follow Him, surely leads to blessing, which you cannot get if you cannot go over the steep, thorny path.

Every point of battle to which you come, where you must draw your sword and fight the enemy, has a possible victory which will prove a rich blessing to your life. Every heavy load that you are called to lift hides in itself some strange secret of strength.
—J. R. Miller

“I cannot do it alone;
The waves run fast and high,
And the fogs close all around,
The light goes out in the sky;
But I know that we two
Shall win in the end, Jesus and I.

“Coward and wayward and weak,
I change with the changing sky;
Today so eager and bright,
Tomorrow too weak to try;
But He never gives in,
So we two shall win, Jesus and I.

“I could not guide it myself,
My boat on life’s wild sea;
There’s One who sits by my side,
Who pulls and steers with me.
And I know that we two
Shall safe enter port,
Jesus and I.”

Christmas Memories..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Christmas Memories

Dr. Charles Stanley

Luke 2:1-20

The first Christmas I remember was when I was three years old. My aunts and uncles came to visit, and when they opened the trunk of the car, I discovered that it was full of presents—and all of them were for me! I’m sure you, too, can recall memories from past Christmases, whether good or bad. There’s just something about that day that sticks in our minds.

You can be sure that all of the people who experienced the first Christmas never forgot it. Joseph remembered the weight of responsibility on his shoulders as he cared for Mary during their journey and searched for a place where she could give birth. And we can imagine that the shepherds often replayed in their minds the scene of glorious angels and the sight of the newborn Messiah. But Scripture mentions only one who “treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart” (v. 19). Mary had carried this baby in her womb for nine months, but now she saw what no one else had ever seen—the face of God!

What was it like to see deity displayed in the body of a newborn baby? Though we can never see what Mary saw, we can each remember when we first recognized our Savior—the moment we realized He died for us.

This Christmas, take time to remember when you first met Jesus. What was going on in your life? How did you feel after accepting His offer of forgiveness? How has your life changed since that day? Now imagine what it will be like when you finally see Him face to face in heaven.

No Enhancements Required..... SHALA W. GRAHAM

 No Enhancements Required

SHALA W. GRAHAM

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV) 

Though I don’t buy them often, last month, I bought flowers to remind myself that I don’t always have to reward myself with food. Let’s just say the pandemic made this stress-eater a little extra fluffy, and I needed a new strategy!

When it comes to choosing flowers, I get pretty picky. I’m picky about the colors, the flower type, if the pollen will get everywhere and if they are the kind of flowers that die quickly. After much back and forth, picking up flowers, putting them back and inspecting another batch, one lucky, brightly colored bundle made its way home with me.

I trimmed the stems, arranged them into a hand-painted mason jar and set them in the middle of my dining table to enjoy daily. One day, as I was refreshing the water and pulling out the flowers that lost their glory, I was disheartened to realize the bright orange flowers were spray-painted with color. I probably should have known since most flowers don’t have a white to orange gradient, but alas, I felt betrayed.

Why would someone feel the need to “enhance” what God has already made beautiful?

Ouch! I do this all the time! On the surface, there are my must-do makeup applications before I step outside the house to be seen by anyone. But then there are the deeper things — the spray-painted flowers of my heart. I look back over the seasons of my life and see the times where I felt like I simply wasn’t good enough as God made me. I entertained the lies of Satan telling me I needed to be cooler, funnier, perform better, be more like a man, or otherwise stand out from the crowd with something extra special to call my own. I felt like I needed spray paint.

But God’s Word tells me otherwise. Psalm 139:13-14 reminds me God formed me, and I can praise Him because of how He made me:

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Fighting the lies and dispelling the subtle whispers that I need spray paint can be challenging. Satan has fine-tuned his strategies since the beginning of time. But I know he always runs the same plays of shame, guilt and insecurity.

Therefore, I must proclaim that the way God made me is praiseworthy! I am God’s masterpiece that does not need to be enhanced. It would do my soul well to know this truth and to express my gratitude toward God for His perfect plan for me.

Father, forgive me for the times when I exchanged Your truth about me for the lies of the enemy. Today, help me see myself as Your expert workmanship — a masterpiece that is wonderfully made. Let me not speak ill of myself because You are a perfect Creator who makes no mistakes. Today, I choose gratitude. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
1 John 4:17-18, “This is how love is made perfect in us: that we can be without fear on the day God judges us, because in this world we are like him. Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.” (NCV)

Proverbs 31:30, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.” (NLT)

What Does “Immanuel” Mean? ..... By Meg Bucher

 What Does “Immanuel” Mean? (Matthew 1:23)

By Meg Bucher

“They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).” Matthew 1:23 (MSG)

When the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, he learned that Mary was "with child through the Holy Spirit" and would give birth to a son named "Immanuel" (Matthew 1:18 Matthew 1:23). "Immanuel" is a Hebrew word meaning "God with us" and expresses the wonder of the incarnation, that God "became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14). Immanuel explains how God came for us, is here with us, and is coming back for us through Jesus. Jesus appeased the ardent anticipation of our hearts. The questions have been answered. The gaps have been filled. Hope is available for the world to receive.

Christmas Presents vs. the Presence of Immanuel

“Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.” Mark 7:24

In a world where everyone has access to us, it can be a blessing to go unnoticed. Jesus knew the peace woven into the observatory silence of slipping through a crowd or standing at the back of a room. He was not an audience seeker, yet people followed Him by the droves.

When the busyness of the holiday seasons threatens to derail our perspective, we can reset our agendas by sitting in His presence. Make time to seek Him in Scripture. The best way to lose Christmas spirit is to make it all about what we’re getting and giving. Focus on the right Gift ignites the Spirit of Christmas.

A present is something presented, while presence represents the part of space within one’s immediate vicinity (Merriam-Webster). How many Christmas presents do we forget about, return, or get rid of each year? Christ’s presence is always available and applicable to our lives.

“That’s not fair!!!!!!!” My youngest daughter wailed. “You got a Lego girl the last time you opened up a square …that’s NOT FAIR!!!!”

Their argument over an Advent gift I’d given them to share put the never-enough nature of humanity on display. In the thick of presents about to hit many homes; and the dread of those who don’t have gifts to give; it’s vital to pull the true light of Christmas into focus.

Matthew 1:23, the first of many verses that connect the Old Testament with the new, fulfilled a verse written approximately 800 years earlier!  The treasures tucked inside spanned an eighth-century gap, until God whispered, “it’s time.”

Isaiah, whose name means “the Lord saves,” penned, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 NIV). Matthew, whose name means “gift of the Lord,” recorded his words within 50-70 AD: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matthew 1:23 NIV).

How does the Lord save? Through the gift of Jesus. We’re not always assured the final witness to inspired words. A sign normally fulfilled within a few years took 800, unraveling the scope of God’s timing.  

Does it feel off-putting to revolve an entire season around door-buster deals?  Beyond ancestral traditions and surrounding customs, the Creator of our souls seeks to spend time with us. Our minds will remain elusively angst until we seek the proof we need to believe and unlock our hearts. Presents don’t fulfill human hearts; souls are satisfied by the presence of Jesus. Savior. Immanuel.

Keeping Christ in Christmas..... by Sarah Phillips

 Keeping Christ in Christmas

by Sarah Phillips

"'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight...' " Mark 1:3

Here in America, Christmas is almost over. We only have a few more days before the radio stations switch to their normal mix and abrubtly stop playing the same five Christmas carols over and over again. How do you feel about this year's preparations? Do you feel ready? Do you feel stressed? Do you wish it was easier to focus on the reason for the season?

For me, this year held a lot of firsts - firsts that forced me to reflect on how I celebrate Christmas and why. I got married this November, so melding family holiday traditions was the first project we tackled as a married couple. It's been a pretty fun process, but also a learning experience. Here's lesson #1: You can be the same religion and still experience that religion very differently!

Although we haven't decided exactly how we'll celebrate Christmas every year from here on out, a friend shared an article with us that outlined the traditional German Christmas centered on Christkind ("Christ child"). We are definitely considering implementing some of these ideas in the future because it seems to combine the joyful festivities with the sacredness of the season so well. Here are the basics:

In this tradition, it is not Santa Claus who brings gifts but the Christkind himself. Now, many families who celebrate Christkind still have a version of jolly, ol' St. Nick, but he arrives on his official feast day, December 6th, bearing gifts more modest than our American Santa Claus.

The miraculous Christmas day arrival of Christkind requires a slow build-up throughout the month of December. Advent is observed carefully; Christmas decorations can wait. Family members take turns lighting the Advent candles as the entire family sings O Come, O Come Emmanuel every evening before dinner.

Children also focus on developing virtue to prepare their hearts for the coming of Christkind. Throughout December, every time a child acts virtuously, he or she can place a piece of straw into the humble, empty manger. In this way, children can tangibly participate in "making the paths straight" for Christ's arrival.

When Christmas finally comes, the family participates in prayer and the youngest child places a replica of baby Jesus into the manger filled with loving acts performed by the children. Then the parents reveal the stunning glitter of Christmas decorations and gifts left by the Christkind. The celebration of Christkind's arrival continues through January 6th - the day marked to commemorate the arrival of the Magi.  

Doesn't this sound peaceful? Doesn't this sound focused? Doesn't this sound appropriately paced? I certainly wish we had more than 24 hours to celebrate Christmas here in the U.S.! And I can practically hear the hushed Advent prayers leading up to the glorious unveiling of Christkind's arrival.

If your holiday season has been harried, scattered and stressful, it's not too late to make some changes. Set aside some time in the next couple of days to regroup and refocus on the Christ child. Reflect on His first coming - not only in the world but in your heart. And ask Him what He'd like you to do to prepare for His special day.

A Prayer to Embrace and Enjoy Life..... By Meg Bucher

 A Prayer to Embrace and Enjoy Life

By Meg Bucher

“May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you live to see your children’s children- peace be on Israel.” - Psalm 128:5-6 NIV

In today’s ever-changing status-quo, I began starting my day thanking God for waking me to breathe. Unsure of His purpose and exact plan each day, or why everything in the world we live in seems to be immensely chaotic, I do know if God has awakened me for another day, there is a purpose for it.

How often do we take a moment to embrace and enjoy the gift of another day before diving into our newsreels and social media feeds?

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary unpacks Psalm 128. “God’s blessing goes with his people everywhere, even when they are not in Jerusalem,” the, “For the NT people of God, the blessing of God is on all those who are in-dwelt by his Holy Spirit.”

We often get caught up in our culture’s way of calculating a successful life in achievements and possessions, forgetting to embrace the literal breath of everyday life!

What if we approached every day with a grateful heart for the breath in our lungs? Instead of striving for what we think will make us happy, can we embrace the joy God offers us in Christ to sustain us? Christ died for us to live life to the full, not to live in fear over what each day will bring.

The world has always been turned on its head. Until Christ returns to set it right, rooting our hope in Him allows us to embrace and enjoy life. After all, God promises His plans for us are more than we can ask for or imagine! As anyone who has lived to meet their great-grandchildren would most certainly agree, and we can glean from their notes of wisdom.

Live, blessed… because, we are!

Father,

Help us to embrace and enjoy the life you’ve given us to live. We are not accidentally here on earth! Each day we awake to breathe, you faithfully meet us with purpose.

We lift our anxiety and worry to you, today, as we seek to embrace your peace and promises. We confess our tendency to condemn, criticize, and compare instead of embracing the peace and blessings you have showered over our lives.

During trying seasons and relatively easy days, help us to see and remember you in all situations. We never know what our world is going to throw at us, but you do. You never change.

Holy Spirit, faithfully nudge and reminds us that we are children of God, freed from the chains of sin by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection and assertion to heaven where He is seated by the Father. Bless our minds to remember and embrace the freedom, hope, joy and peace we have in Christ.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

What Christmas Is About..... Greg Laurie

 What Christmas Is About

Greg Laurie

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. —Isaiah 9:7

As we look at our world today, we realize that part of the promise of Isaiah 9:6–7 has not yet been fulfilled. The Son has been given. The Child has been born. But He has not yet taken the government upon His shoulders. We do not yet have peace with judgment and justice. But the good news is that there will come a day when Christ will return. He will establish His kingdom on this earth. And it will be the righteous rule of God himself.

Before Jesus could take the government upon His shoulder, He had to take the cross upon His shoulder. Before He could wear the crown of glory as King of Kings, He had to wear the shameful crown of thorns and give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The first time, a star marked His arrival. But the next time He comes, the heavens will roll back like a scroll, all of the stars will fall from the sky, and He himself will light it.

Christ came to this earth. God came near to you so you can come near to Him—to give your life purpose and meaning, to forgive you of your sins, and to give you the hope of heaven beyond the grave. Christmas is not about tinsel or shopping or presents. Christmas is not about the gifts under the tree. Rather, Christmas is about the gift that was given on the tree when Christ died there for our sins and gave us the gift of eternal life.