The Gift of Peace

12 Days of Christmas: Day Eight


"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?...Why do you have so little faith?"  Matthew 6:27, 30


What do you worry about? What are you worried about today? The same things you were worried about yesterday, last week, last month, or new things? I wouldn't be surprised if you said, 'All of the above!' That's one of the problems with worry. Once fearful thoughts enter our mind, it's hard to get rid of them, and once we allow ourselves to think about what could happen in one area of life, those same fears can be transferred to other things.

Jesus had something to say about worry, and His words boil down to this: 'Don't! It doesn't do any good.' And for those who do worry, He asks the question: "Why do you have so little faith?"

Have you ever thought of your worries as being about a lack of faith? It's easy to feel alone in our fears, problems, and challenges, and that's where worry often begins. But if we take time to remember God is with us and we are never alone, that can bring us peace.

One of the easiest ways to see how much we are living by faith is to look at what we worry about. If you are worried about getting good grades, getting into college, and your future, this points to a lack of faith in God's guidance and help in pursuing your dreams. If you are worried about finding the right guy and doubt you ever will, this points to a lack of faith in God's perfect timing and goodness. If you are worried about being safe or having what you need, this points to a lack of faith in God's protection and care.

Sometimes the problem isn't so much about believing what God has promised, but knowing what He has promised. Do you know what God has said about guiding you, being good to you, and caring for you? And if so, have you put His words to the test? Have you asked for His help in difficult situations? Have you asked Him to give you what you need? Have you asked for wisdom when facing a tough decision? Have you asked for strength to make the right choices?

Other common worries have to do with our concern about what others think of us, or even what God thinks. We worry about having the right clothes, the right look, the right friends, the right image. We worry about being good enough. Do I have enough ambition, accomplishments, awards, and achievements? Do I have enough on my "nice" list this year? Do my parents, friends, and teachers think highly enough of me? Am I measuring up to the standard of all I should be--beauty-wise, brain-wise, socially, spiritually?

Whatever worries you can relate to here, I encourage you to take a deep breath this Christmas and remember why Jesus came: to bring us peace and hope. Jesus says we don't need to worry, and we can believe Him.

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart...So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27





Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

Secret Gifts

12 Days of Christmas: Day Five


My siblings and I have a tradition of exchanging Secret Santa gifts every year. We draw names and don't reveal who-has-whom until Christmas Day when the gifts are opened. We aren't kids anymore, but it always makes me feel like one.

What is it about good secrets that are so fun and joyful? Secrets can be a bad thing that cause a lot of devastation and pain--but good secrets are the complete opposite. The subject of secrets can be found in the Bible more often than you may think. There are bad secrets like when David had an affair with Bathsheba and then sent her husband to the front lines of battle to be killed. He didn't get away with it and later penned these words of repentance: You desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. (Psalm 51:6) The word for 'inmost place' can also be translated as secret.

Jesus, however, talked about good secrets. Secrets of The Kingdom. His Parables contain secret messages about God's character and ways, and He talked about having a secret-life with God in the areas of prayer, giving, and worship. Prayer is meant to be personal--confession, sharing your deepest needs, listening to what God has to say specifically to your heart.

Giving is also meant to be a secret activity. Not something to do for show or to impress others or gain praise. It's an act of trust between you and God. Giving to others with the belief He will provide for your needs.

At Christmas we talk about giving to Jesus--it's His birthday after all. But what Jesus wants is for us to receive what He has for us. We are in need of His grace. That's why He came: To save us. In Luke 9:23 He says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me."  These words are often interpreted as, 'Put aside your own needs. Stop thinking about yourself. Carry the cross you are meant to bear and live your life for Me.' But that is not the heart of Jesus.

When He says, deny yourself, He means, 'Stop trying to be self-sufficient. You can't do life on your own, so stop trying. You can't save yourself so 'lift up' that heavy cross you bear and let Me carry it for you. Just follow Me--you don't have to figure out your own way. I'll show you.'

This Christmas, share secrets with Jesus. Confess to Him what you need to confess and receive His forgiveness. Share your burdens, needs, and desires with Him, and then listen to the secrets He has for you. Hear Him say, 'I know what you need more than you do. I know the secrets to a life of blessing, purpose, and joy. Just come to Me and I'll get you there.'

"Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest...learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)

Extraordinary Gifts

12 Days of Christmas; Day Three

Have you ever received a gift for Christmas you will never forget? Something extraordinary? I have received a lot of wonderful gifts over the years, but one does stand out above the rest. And it was a surprise, even better!

My husband and I got engaged during the summer while we were working a volunteer job at a youth camp. He couldn't afford a ring at the time but said he would get one for me eventually, and I was content to wait. He surprised me with it on Christmas Eve of that same year, and I have that moment forever painted in my memory.

But even more than the engagement ring he gave to me, I see him as an extraordinary gift from my heavenly Father. A precious, priceless gift. I feel the same about my children and the life of ministry He has given us as a family. I am so grateful. I am beside myself with gratitude. I have been extraordinarily blessed.

There is a story in the book of Luke about a woman who was blessed by Jesus in an extraordinary way. Her only son had died, and she was a widow. Jesus "just happens" to be passing through her village on the day of his funeral, and He sees the procession taking her son to his grave. She is weeping. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!' he said. (Luke 7:13) Jesus proceeds to walk over to the coffin, touches it, and her son is restored to life.

This is certainly an extraordinary story, like many others Jesus was involved in. We don't know much beyond the short and simple narrative given in these few Bible verses. We don't know who this woman was or how her life was changed by this event. We do know the people who saw it were amazed and knew God had "visited" them. The news about Jesus spread throughout the region.

Personally, however, I believe Jesus did it mostly for this woman. The love He had for her surfaced, and He was merciful. He gave her what she needed. He didn't want her to be sad. He wanted her to be happy, and He wanted her to know God saw her. He knew about her pain and despair, and He brought hope to a hopeless situation.

In reading this story, I was reminded of another woman in the Bible. She too had lost her husband and had a son to care for on her own. Elijah, an Old Testament prophet, went to stay with her, and she fed him on her last bread rations, and then her supply of flour and oil never ran out! Later her son also died, Elijah pleaded for his life, and God raised him from the dead. After Elijah shows the woman her son is alive, she says, "Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the LORD truly speaks through you." (1 Kings 17:24)

Okay, back up. She didn't already believe that? God told her He was sending one of His prophets her way, Elijah shows up, and she suddenly has an unlimited supply of food? That wasn't enough for her to be convinced? She needed more?

But I'm often the same way. God shows me His presence, compassion, and abundant love daily, but still I doubt. How about you? What extraordinary gifts are under your Christmas life-tree? They are already unwrapped, opened, and plainly seen. People you love and those who love you. Your home, school, church, talents, opportunities, and life circumstances. They're a daily reminder of God's faithfulness and love. Extraordinary gifts you did nothing to earn or can explain. But there they are. Are you convinced?

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved

God Gives: We Give

12 Days of Christmas: Day Two

"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged...Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give and you will receive."  Luke 6:37-38

God gives good gifts. He gives because He loves us. When we ask God for things, we believe He will give us what we need because of who He is--our generous, loving Father who wants to shower us with blessings.

God wants us to be like Him. He wants us to give as He gives. That's one of the reasons Jesus came. He came to establish God's Kingdom among us--within us. He gives us the Spirit to empower us to be more than we can be on our own. He gives us many things, but ultimately He gives us Himself. He gives us His Heart.

The question is, do we live like it? Are we living as those who have been empowered to live beyond ourselves? Are we living as these verses in Luke describe? Are we judging others? Are we forgiving? Are we giving generously? These commands may seem impossible to keep, but they're not. Jesus told us to live this way, not as a suggestion or an impossible demand, but as a way to live fully in His abundance.

One reason we don't live this way is because we see other people and our circumstances as a threat to our survival. We feel the need to protect ourselves and provide for ourselves. We forget every blessing we have comes from God. We forget He will always give us what we need, so we attempt to care for ourselves. We protect our hearts and our time and our possessions. But God can do all of that so much better. When we listen and believe and trust: He takes care of the rest.

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (Matt. 6:33)

"Give and you will receive" is a promise that we can give without fear. God will always take care of us and give us what we need. We can trust Him on that. John 1:16 says, From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

What blessings are you receiving from Him, and how are you passing that on to others? What do you have to give? Love? Time? A kind word? An act of acceptance or forgiveness? Your talents? Worldly goods?

To use a popular song lyric--Let it go! Let it go and see how others are blessed. Let it go and see how what you give comes back to you. Jesus said it will, so you can believe it!

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved

Good Gifts

I will be posting a blog series this month entitled "12 Days of Christmas". Each day will highlight words spoken by Jesus. I hope they will be an encouragement to you and a reminder of how much you are loved this Christmas season and always.

12 Days of Christmas:Day One

Good Gifts!

"Keep on asking, and you will receive...Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you...your heavenly Father [will] give good gifts to those who ask him."  Matthew 7:7, 11

Good gifts. We all like giving and receiving them. Did you know God also enjoys giving good gifts? In Matthew 7 Jesus says, "Keep on asking, and you will receive...Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you."  I wonder what He wants us to ask for? What have you asked for lately? Do you believe He gives good gifts?

In Psalm 147 it says, The LORD's delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.  The word used for hope here means to wait with patience; to trust. It's about believing in His unfailing love and expecting it. Like when you ask for a Christmas gift you know will be under the tree on Christmas morning.

But often we aren't counting on His love like that. We're hoping for it, but it's only wishful thinking. Or maybe we're not even thinking about it. When was the last time you thought about God's love for you? Do you remind yourself every day? Do you believe it?

In everything God does, He wants to leave us in awesome wonder of His love. When He sent Jesus into the world as a baby born in Bethlehem, He was sending a message of love...Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour (Luke 2)...To whom? To everyone...Why a Savior? Because we needed one and God was willing to give us what we need. But it doesn't end there. He didn't stop with Jesus in the manger.

The question for this Christmas season is, are we looking for His love today? Are we expecting it? Are we asking for the good things we truly need? Are we asking, seeking, and knocking? And most importantly, are we receiving?

Consider the words coming out of your mouth today, your thoughts and attitudes. Are they positive, loving, and joyful; or filled with discontent, fear, and negativity? What's behind any joyless words or thinking? Do you need to remember Jesus came for you and He wants you to come to Him for whatever you need?

James 1:17 says, Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father.  What good and perfect gifts has He already given you? Reminding yourself of these things will change your mindset. So will believing He has more good things in store.

What are you thankful for today? What would you like to ask Him for? (If you have a notebook or journal handy, write out your thoughts.)

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved