One danger we can slip into at Christmas time is discontent. Maybe we long for the “perfect gift.” Or we hope for the perfect family gathering with “just the right people.” Maybe we want Christmas worship to go “just so.” Then we grow ill-tempered or cranky when things do not go as we hoped. We can also slip into complaining about what we do not get from God. I think that Luke 1:46-50 is a song from Mary. Verse 49 says. “For he that is mighty hath done for me great things, and holy is his name.” God’s mercy shows up not only in what we expect from our prayers. Sometimes God’s mercy shows up in our difficult situations. Mary sees the power of God to lift us up. During this time of year, let’s especially focus on Him. God bless you!
God Keeps His Promises
God gives us a promise of ultimate salvation and faithfulness even amidst current devastation, signifying a future where God’s word triumphs over present trials. Jeremiah 33:14 says, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.” This reminds us that even in the midst of life’s worst troubles, even when things look hopeless, God has a plan. God has a gracious set of promises that he will fulfill. The tragedies that come to us do not ultimately define us. God’s promises will not be thwarted by a bad economy, unemployment, disease, outright poverty, or even by death itself. I pray God will help us to trust in his promises.
Love One Another
1 John 4:19 says, “We love him, because he first loved us. Jesus said two important things about our love for each other. First, that all people will know we are his disciples if we love one another. Second, our unity in him will let the world know that God sent him into the world. Jesus said the world would know he’s coming by how his followers love each other. We should love one another in such a way that those who do not believe in Jesus would be astounded and curious to learn more about him. Jesus knew this world will be full of strife, anger, and conflict. This is all the more reason it should be a priority to love other people with the same love God has for us. Loving others shows to the world the great and loving God who first loved us. God bless you!
Mistakes Don’t Rule Us
Can you imagine waking up every day carrying the same mistakes you made the day before? Each day we add more and before we know it, they become unbearable. Thankfully, that’s not the case. God’s mercy and strength renew us every day. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness.” We can learn from our mistakes, but we don’t have to be ruled by them because of our Lord. Let’s praise Him for each new day!
Keep Praying!
Yes, no, not at all. Quickly, in due time, not ever. These are all answers to our prayers. Sometimes the Lord responds immediately, sometimes we wait a lifetime! Whatever the answer, we should never give up praying. Colossians 4:2 says: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” We may never see the answer to our prayers, but rest assured that God hears them. God bless you!
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask!
At some point in our lives, we have all needed help from someone. Maybe we were afraid to ask, thinking that someone would say no. The question is: if we are afraid to ask someone we know for help, how much more afraid are we to ask God. Scripture says that we should ask with boldness. Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” God listens for us, God hears our prayers and knows our needs. He can use people and His church to work His good will. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you are in need. God bless you!
Something to Look Forward To
No matter how or when, everything comes to an end. The end WILL come for all of us. As believers, what kind of ending can we look forward to? Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” In the bible, “expected end” means a specific and positive future, hope, and destiny that God has planned for believers. It refers to a future that will ultimately be peaceful and fulfilling, even though the journey may involve challenges and detours along the way. It is the final outcome of a life lived according to God’s plan, a “future and a hope” that will be fully realized in the end. Maybe that end will be the Rapture, or when we meet Him in glory; either way, I look forward to that “expected end.” God bless you!
What Are You Looking Forward To?
Most of us have something we look forward to: holidays, birthdays, marriage, anniversaries, the birth of a child or grandchild, a new job, etc. Some look forward to even simpler things, like that first cup of hot coffee in the morning or a refreshing rain after a hot day. As Christians, we have something even better to look forward to…Heaven. Psalm 23:6b tells us, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Jesus has promised that He has gone to prepare a place for us, and I look forward to that day, how about you? Remember, Jesus loves you!
Our Daily Routine
Most of us have a daily morning routine. We kick off the covers, brush our teeth, take our medicines, shower, dry our hair, get dressed for work. But, do we do the most important thing to prepare for our day? Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” I pray that all of us do that as part of our morning routine. God bless you!
You Can Trust Him
Are you ever anxious, or does your life seem out of control? Do you know God’s peace? Psalm 46:10a says, “Be still and know that I am God…” He seems to be telling us to stop panicking and trust in Him. God can handle anything if we just let him step into the situation and surrender to him. He wants us to hand over all our burdens into His hands and let His peace flood into our hearts. Releasing our anxiety provides room for God to work in our lives. We don’t need to know what God is going to do for our situation or when; we just need to know that He is with us and trust Him! Amen? God bless you.
