A New Season

But forget all that – it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:18‑19 (NKJV)

I am glad that a New Year has come. 2012 brought great affliction for me. At the beginning of the year I felt like Job; in the middle, Jonah; and by the end, I felt like all three Hebrew boys: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

 Like Job, at times I questioned God concerning the severity and fairness of my trials, but I needed to learn that God did not cause my problems; He did, however, allow them. Instead of submitting to His will, I went the opposite way and ended up swallowed by my circumstances. Like Jonah, who found himself in the belly of the whale after running from God, the experience humbled me, teaching patience and obedience.

 Throughout 2012, I truly experienced what it means to contend for the faith. When the three Hebrews boys were cast into the fiery furnace, they held the absolute conviction that God would save them. Their faith and trust in God through the trial kept them from being consumed.

 
God’s word promises that after I have been tested I will come forth as pure gold. I experienced His refining fire this year, and learned precious lessons, like praying for His will for my life. He taught me submission, obedience, patience, humility, and service. I pray that the gold produced in the crucible of 2012 will shine in the coming year.

 Father, thank You for grace and mercy, for a New Year, and for a new season.

 © 2012 Wanda Currie

I Just Wanna Be Bad

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God . . . Ephesians 2:8 (NASB)

My oldest nephew was a very inquisitive three year old. His curiosity often got him into trouble. One year he was especially “busy” during all the preparations and excitement of Christmas. Trying desperately to keep his behavior in check my sister reminded him frequently that Santa wouldn’t bring him gifts if he didn’t behave.

Finally, exasperated at another warning, he threw his little hands up in the air and exclaimed, “I don’t care if Santa doesn’t come. I just wanna be bad!” He said “bad” with such enthusiasm, shaking his hands overhead, no doubt was left in our minds that he meant it. Being bad was easier and more fun than being good—even when a reward was at stake.

We laughed at his adorable display of honesty. However, his words caused me to reflect on how easy it is to fall into temptation, which can lead to sin if our human nature is not yielded to the Holy Spirit.

Often we have to work at being good. Sometimes it’s less arduous to “just be bad.” Then, those sneaky sins come to mind, the ones we don’t deliberately commit, but are counted as sin all the same. Soon, our reward of Heaven appears distant and far away. It looks impossible to be good enough to keep God’s favor. The glowing gift grows dim, but thankfully, just before it disappears from our sight completely we remember the truth of God’s grace. Our salvation is a gift from God. We can’t earn it—only accept it.

Thank you, Jesus for taking care of our sin once and for all. Amen.

2012 Bonnie Mae Evans

 

Birth Week

No one has greater love than the one who gives his life for his friends. John 15:13 (NIrV)

When I was in college, my roommates and I observed what we dubbed “Birth Week.” Whenever one of us had a birthday, on every day of that week, we would do something for them, individually or together. Invention was the order of the day as we found ways to show our appreciation. We anticipated their discovery of a gift hidden somewhere, or watching as they emerged from their bedrooms—nose first—to the aroma of coffee and breakfast. We wanted them to experience our friendship.

My girlfriends and I have remained close, and those days of gift giving are precious memories. They made us kindred spirits, binding us together with cords of love. Those ties have held through all the joys and sorrows that life brings.

Now it’s Christmas, and as I hear about living in the “spirit of Christmas” all year, I agree. But I had a new thought recently. Why couldn’t I go even further? What if I went beyond the norm and gave Jesus a gift every day—my life—in thoughts, words, and actions?

I encourage you to join me. As with the birth-week celebration, our gifts might be small, but they are continual and exciting. Let’s think of ways to bless Him because of the joy of our salvation, gratefulness for His mercy, and because of the gift of His grace that we have received. Our gifts may not seem earth shattering to us, but rest assured that what Christ does with our lives, when we give them wholeheartedly to Him, will be.

Happy birthday, birth week, and birth years, Lord! We celebrate your life by giving you ours. Use them as you will. Amen.

© 2012 Katherine A. Fuller

Stories

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables. Matthew 13:34a (NIV)

“I bring you good news of great joy … Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

When I was a child, our family enjoyed decorating our Christmas tree. After we finished, everyone left to do other things. My childish imagination was captured by the wonder of Christmas, so I stayed by the tree making up stories about the figures who “lived” there. My favorite was my small white angel trimmed in gold. Santa was kissing Mrs. Claus. Jolly snowmen and small dolls danced in the glittering lights. Mom set up a Christmas village on the cedar chest, and a small nativity.

In one story the angel might fly to visit the North Pole, but she would spend time with baby Jesus in the manger. She might talk to Mary. The snowmen and dolls were part of my make-believe stories, too.          The Bible is filled with stories that capture our imagination: the Israelites crossing the Red Sea on dry land; only eight people and thousands of animals floating on an enormous ark with no land in sight; a boy named David kills a giant with a sling and stone.

Jesus revealed scriptural truths in the parables He told. In illustrations drawn from life He told people about His kingdom: the sower, the weeds, the hidden treasure and the pearl.    The most miraculous story ever told is God breaking into human history by sending His Son to bring salvation to all who believe in Him.

Praise your name, Father, for sending your beloved Son to be our Savior. May those who search for answers to life’s deepest questions find them in Jesus.

© 2012 Diane E. Hussey

 

 

 

 

Toy Story

While I was with them, I guarded them. I kept them safe through the name you gave me. None of them has been lost. John 17:12a (NIrV)

Toy soldiers stood at attention, lined up on the linoleum,
back-dropped by Christmas wrapping. I stood up to inspect my squad when a soldier in the middle fell over. On examination he looked okay, so I put him back down only to watch him topple again. I had enough soldiers to play with now, and didn’t want to deal with the problem, so I threw him away without hesitation.

The movie Toy Story recalled my childhood fixation with action figures, making me remember the gifts I received as a child. So many were only used once and then forgotten, lost, broken, or discarded. Were the movie premise real, my toys would have lived fearful, sad, and discouraged lives.

Jesus didn’t receive new toys on Christmas. He was Himself a gift, and today the greatest gift we can give Him is a broken and contrite heart. He won’t forget about us after a while, or discard us if we make mistakes. He’ll never lose us when we wander.

Let’s thank God this Christmas for how gently Jesus deals with the gifts He receives, and present ourselves to Him knowing that He will accomplish His work in us. He will make us soldiers in His army, marching together under His banner of love. If we are wounded in the fight, He won’t set us aside; instead, He’ll pick us up when we fall, fix us when we are broken, and use us to do the same for others.

Lord, thank you for taking care of those whom the Father has entrusted to you.

© 2012 Katherine A. Fuller

Prince of Peace

For God so loved the world that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)

He didn't come with jewels and crown,
nor gold and sweet perfume.
He didn't come with platitudes
or shouting death and doom.

He didn't come with angry words
for our transgressions bold.
He came as a helpless baby
for a gentle woman to hold.

He came in human innocence
to learn of life and love.
He came to bear our burdens
from His Father, God above.

He came to share our sorrows
and bear our inner pain.
He came to show us how to love
and bring us peace again.

©  2012 Evelyn B. Ryan

No Vacancy

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7 (KJV)

Years ago, whenever our family traveled, my brother sat in the back seat of the car searching through the AAA motel listing. When he found motels where he thought we should stay, he called out their names and the reasons they qualified. At first his main criterion for a motel was a television in the room, but soon the luxury of color television became a requirement.

As Dad drove on, my siblings and I watched for motels and read the “vacancy” and “no vacancy” signs to our parents. It was always a letdown to my brother when “no vacancy” flashed in front of the motels with color TV, and worse yet when Dad pulled into the lot of a motel that had “vacancy” but no television at all. Although there was griping, there was always a comfortable room for the five of us to stay the night.

Mary and Joseph were also faced with no room in the inn. Tired from travel, Mary needed a place to stay to give birth to the Savior, God incarnate. Luxury was what we wanted, but a humble abode, a place open to receive Him, was all the Father wanted for His son. Today, the Savior continues to be met with “no vacancy” signs or “no room in the inn” posted on the hearts of humankind. He doesn’t need a perfect or clean resting place; He simply wants a place in our lives.

Prayer: Father, may my heart always have room for you, forsaking all else that might encroach the space that is yours. Amen.

© 2012 Nance