CHRISTMAS PITY PARTY

For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ, the Lord, … for Jesus’s sake.  (II Cor. 4:5 NKJ)

One December morning, I felt depressed over my divorce, my daughter had left home permanently, and the anniversary of my mother’s death, I decided to go to the mall and admire the elaborate Christmas decorations. I sat on a bench and watched people walk past with their smiling faces and arms full of packages. They all looked happier than me. Whatever made me think this would brighten my day! “Bah hum bug!” I said and hurried out of the mall.

I cried as I turned on the car radio in time to hear, “Mary did you know.” I loved that song, especially the verse, “the baby that you delivered would soon deliver you.” My focus turned rapidly to Jesus. I bowed my head “Lord, deliver me from myself.  What can I do for you.”  I thought about the nursing home where I was a Candy Striper.

I made a trip to the grocery store, bought two bags of Oreo cookies. I went to the nursing home to the desk where the nurses knew me. She gave me permission to give out an Oreo. “They never get Oreos. It would be a treat.” She added.

I went from room to room, gave a couple Oreos, admired their family photos and Christmas decorations. I told a few funny Christmas stories, especially about my dog and cat racing around and knocking over the Christmas tree. I left saying, “Jesus Loves You.”

One grumpy old man abruptly said, “How do you know Jesus loves me?”

I replied. “He sent me to tell you.”

Dear Lord: You are our living hope not people. Thank you for you. Amen

Lois Gosley © 2012

Black Friday

We invite you to join us each day from Friday, November 30 through Tuesday, January 1, 2013 for a Christmas season of daily devotions—our Christmas gift to you!  On Friday, January 4, 2013, we will resume posting one devotion each week.  –The MCC Writers

Black Friday

The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 11:15b (KJV)

It is a joy to see a child imitating good habits without being coaxed by an adult. It is even more fulfilling when we observe children applying something they learned in Sunday school or heard at church. Wendy was delighted when she overheard her young daughters singing some hallelujahs, in what sounded like part of the “Hallelujah Chorus” in Handel’s Messiah.

Wendy quietly approached her daughters’ room, wanting to savor, yet not interrupt, the precious moment. The concert became disconcerting, however, when Wendy was close enough to see and hear. The girls were dancing and twirling their pocketbooks as they sang words from the television commercial, “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Black Friday!”

The kingdom of this world: Holiday shopping season is ushered in by Black Friday. Businesses advertise enticing deals in hopes to make record sales. They count on luring shoppers into their stores.  Shoppers, parking spaces, and dollars are counted. This is part of the way they top off the fiscal year, and in a month it will be over.

The kingdom of our God: The Christmas season focuses on our Savior’s birth. The Messiah gives rather than expects us to buy. He does not lure us with a bargain to benefit His account, but rather He beckons us to Him because He loves us and wants to shower us with His grace and mercy. When we accept His gift, we become spiritually rich for eternity, for He is the “King of kings and Lord of lords…forever and ever.”

Father, you are the “King of kings and Lord of lords!” We sing our hallelujahs to You this Christmas season. (Revelation 19:16).

© 2012, Nance

SHARING OUR THANKS TO GOD

This year, difficult situations have often brought me to my Strong Tower, My Provider, and Comforter for help. I am thankful that the King of the Universe has listened to me and never let me down.   Christy

As I went through my mother’s belongings after she passed away, I had a better appreciation for who she was and how much she loved me. I am thankful for my mom.   Diane

To the One Who makes all things new: I’m thankful for a new window, a new face, a new direction, and a new awareness of His “compassions that fail not.” (Lam. 3:22-23)   Nanc

I am thankful and grateful for God’s grace and mercy which is allowing me to spend time with friends and family during this season.   Wanda

After Jesus Christ, my Living Hope, who saved my soul, I am thankful for my daughter, Chris, and her husband, Brian, and my two grandchildren, Alexandra and Nicholas. I thank God for them every day. I am truly thankful I am an American, healthy, and for the privilege of prayer. My words to live by: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.    Lois

I am thankful that, no matter our differences, Christ beckons us all to His table, where He teaches self-sacrificing love. This Thanksgiving I pray to demonstrate His love in tangible ways, not only to family, but to those around me who might be in need of food, clothing or shelter—or need of a friend.    Kathy

I am thankful for God’s faithfulness in my times of fear, doubts and trials. I am also thankful for the blessings that He gives so freely and abundantly through my family, friends and the two groups that I am involved with: The MCC Writer’s Group and The Fellowship Circle.    Dawn

I am grateful for my loving friends. I am thankful to have Jesus as my personal Savior. I am also thankful that I live in America and have all the freedom that the constitution states. God bless us all.   Evelyn  Bonnie

Everyday I am overwhelmingly thankful for the wonder of my five senses. I am drawn close to Him when I smell fresh pine needles, feel a cold breeze on my face, see a brilliant sunset, hear the birds evensong or taste a juicy peach.   Bonnie

Thanks be to the Lord who never gives up on me nor abandons me. Thanks also for His grace, mercy, forgiveness and unending care.   Virginia

Thank You Lord for your love. Thank you for the lessons learned—the easy appreciation, as well as the tough realizations. I am humbled by your light of compassion and relationship with us. There is no one greater than you Jesus.    Evelyn

I am thankful that the Lord God is everything to me for every aspect of my life—including being my Daddy; He is so good to me.   Connie

OLD YELLOW RIBBON

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready or every good work. Titus 3:1 (NKJV)

I was going through a shoe box of old papers, birthday cards, children’s drawings, and even old recipes I had planned to try, but never did. Each item brought back a memory and the choice: keep or toss.

At the bottom of the box was an old 3”x5”envelope. It contained a dirty, frayed yellow ribbon, along with a handwritten description.

January 27, 1981 - Our 52 American Hostages are free today after 444 days of captivity in Iran. This yellow ribbon was on our tree as a symbol of awaiting their “freedom” and a reminder to pray for their release. It was on our tree the entire time. The yellow ribbon idea was derived from Tony Orlando’s recording, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree.”

I remembered praying for the hostages daily, and a short arrow prayer asking God to free them whenever I saw a yellow ribbon on someone else’s tree. I also prayed for comfort and peace for their families waiting at home.

A lot has happened in our country since then. Those freed hostages could be praying for their sons or daughters serving in the military (maybe grandsons/daughters) today.

This Veterans Day, I pray to be “yellow ribbon” reminded of our servicemen and women and their sacrifices as they serve overseas today. I love my country. Being born in the USA is a blessing. Our troops are serving God and country to keep that blessing secure. 

Dear Lord. God Bless our military. I pray for a “yellow ribbon” reminder to be on our hearts and prayers every day, not just one day a year. Amen

© 2012 Lois Gosley

Mission Possible!

Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) 

 

 

One sleepless night I turned on the television and Mission Impossible was on. It was the beginning of the program and I heard, “Your mission, should you decide to accept it . . .” The mission had a definition and a purpose for the assigned agent.

 Watching, I thought of how when we say “yes” to salvation, we become agents of God, accepting His mission. Salvation allows us to face the impossible, filling us with the Spirit, making us children of God. He equips us and we bring Him glory by how we live.

After accepting our mission, the adversary will tempt. He prowls like a lion, seeking to devour us. To improve our chances of a successful mission, we need weapons. Putting on the whole armor of God protects us from all of the strategies and tricks the enemy direct against us.

 Each piece of armor serves a tactical purpose. We must remember to use them all: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness. For travel, we wear shoes of peace, and the helmet of salvation protects our thoughts. Most importantly we need a shield of faith—and we mustn’t forget to bring our sword, the Bible.

 In my after-action report, I want to say that I successfully completed my mission and kept the faith. I want to stand, my fellow agents with me, all awarded the Crown of Victory.

 

Father, thank you for the grace and mercy that provide everything we need to accept and complete the mission. I know that in the end I will reap if I don’t faint.

 

© 2012 Wanda Currie

 

 

Mummy No More

He who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him and let him go." John 11:44 (NAS)

My hope shattered, a crystal vase on cement, after a publishing company I longed to work for rejected my manuscript. Voices of doubt and discouragement tormented me.

Later that week I read the story of Lazarus and pondered how often we allow ourselves to be bound by the wrappings of our former selves, falling easily into old thought patterns and habits. We hear the worn-out record in our heads—you can't do that. You're not smart enough, and so on. Jesus said of Lazarus, "Unbind him and let him go.”

He says that to us still. He freed us from every hindrance that interferes with realizing His perfect plan for our lives. We are limited only by the bindings we choose to put back on. Like Lazarus whom He loved, He loves us and has cleansed us from the bondage of past sins, self-doubt and defeatist attitudes. We are to put on the new self, rejoice in Him who has raised us and go out in confidence to accomplish the tasks He has for us.

God’s word has bolstered me. Perhaps I will persevere, click “submit” and send my story on its way to another publisher after all.

Be encouraged to give the old rags that suffocate and immobilize back to Christ and allow Him to throw them into the holy fire of His redemption. With renewed joy put on the new clothes of His righteousness.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that through Your precious Son, Jesus, we are made new, no longer bound by the rags of our old lives. Amen.

© 2012 Bonnie Mae Evans

Making Beautiful Music

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all your lands.  Ps. 100:1 (NKJV)

Alexandra, my ten year old granddaughter, set up the music stand, adjusted her sheet music. She aligned her fingers on her trumpet.  She glanced around the room to make sure we (mother, father, brother and me, her grandmother, plus the blind family dog, Magoo), were paying attention and ready to listen. She proceeded to play “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”.

After the first few notes were played, MaGoo tilted his head back and howled – a long loud howl. We broke up in laughter. Alex, seriously offended, stopped playing. She beckoned, “Stop laughing.”  We apologized, blamed it on MaGoo, and asked her to continue.

Alex proceeded to play her trumpet and she was determined to finish, but the dog howled and we laughed. She looked at us, mortally wounded, and stopped playing. “You’re not listening to me. You only want to laugh at MaGoo.”

Laughing at her expense was not good. We ushered MaGoo outside, apologized to Alex and asked her to start over. We listened and encouraged her with applause.

Do we often let ourselves get distracted with unimportant things when the Lord wants your attention? Are we wondering where we will have lunch while the minister’s giving the message?  Does the “bed howling” prevent us from rising a little earlier in the morning to spend time with the Lord.

Dear Lord, forgive me for not paying attention and falling so short in glorifying you. I pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and be your faithful servant. Amen

(c) 2012 Lois Gosley