Tag: Jesus Christ

  • What’s on your Christmas list?

    With Love Gift Tag

    In light of Christmas coming soon, several words intrigued me. Here are just a few which made me think of Christmas:

    • Rich
    • Incomparable Riches
    • Kindness
    • Gift

    Makes you think of the holidays and gifting times, doesn’t it? I looked up the word “incomparable” just to see what new concept I might uncover. The dictionary describes incomparable as:

    •  Beyond comparison
    • Matchless
    • Unequaled
    • Incapable of being compared to each other

    In this reference, Paul refers to God and His matchless gift of giving the ultimate sacrifice, His son Jesus Christ. There’s no better gift given than that of Christ’s blood shed for our forgiveness of sins. We also then can enjoy the gift of Hope for now and in the future.

    •  Is there a gift of kindness you could give to an unsuspecting person?
    • Can you think of a gift to give that does not have a monetary value to it?

    Dear God,
    Thank you for the ultimate gift of Your son, Jesus. None of us deserved such a priceless gift. I pray I’ll prove worthy. My desire is to focus on the real reason for the season and not be obsessed with the purchasing of many man-made gifts. I’m so thankful to be a part of Your family! 

    “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved … in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God …,”—Ephesians 2:4–8.

     

  • Walk in the Light

    “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7

  • Are you ready for Christmas?

    Only two more days before Christmas. Just two more sleeps before the big day. Reality check time again. Am I calmer — more rested? Am I ready to properly celebrate the birth of the Christ-child? His birth is a big deal and worth preparing my mind, body, and soul. His death manifests the ultimate sacrifice. How can I offer any less to God than to prepare myself in readiness for Christmas Day? He gave his all for me and any who believe in him.  

    Back to the verse in Colossians 4:2 — “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” 

    1.      I must “continue to pray” for family members and friends as I become aware of their needs such as: broken relationships, freedom from addiction, a vehicle to drive, housing, employment, zest and yearning for God’s approval vs. man’s approval.

    2.      “Be watchful.” Ever present and aware of people and needs around me. Take the time to pause, smile at a harried clerk and wish them a Merry Christmas before I depart on my way. Many retail personnel work extended hours away from their families this time of year often dealing with short-tempered, frazzled and frustrated customers.

    3.      “Be thankful.” I am thankful for a warm home to come back to, a faithful husband, loving family, delightful grandchildren and caring friendships — just to name a few. I truly am blessed and have much to be thankful for this Christmas season!

    John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

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  • Watching tomatoes grow

    The growing process takes time. It takes energy and patience for a seedling to grow into lettuce leaves to eat or be able to bite into a tomato. Question is: am I willing to wait for germination? Willing to invest what it takes to get to the coveted harvest stage? I can’t forget to water, weed, fertilize, and prune. Otherwise, the crop tends to get out of hand and the fruit ends up less than desirable.

    Some days I’m not sure. There is sweat and sacrifice of time. Yet, when I do take the necessary precautions and commit to whatever it takes—the rewards are sweet!

    The growing process of vegetables and fruit can be likened to my growth as a Christian—a follower of Jesus Christ. Maturing and growing to be more like God is a process and does not happen overnight. I need to make a conscious effort to read the Bible, pray, and spend time with believers of like faith. Then, and only then, will I grow and become more pleasing to God.  

    Prayer:  Forgive me, God, for allowing other stuff (and people) to interfere in getting to know you better. Help me spend more time pleasing you rather than seeking the affection and attention of others.

    Ask: Is there something you can do to fertilize your life? Have you not been as faithful as you’d like in praying or reading God’s love letter?

    “So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…”(Colossians 1:10-11).

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  • Why we celebrate Easter

    Take a few minutes to listen and read through this powerful, all-inclusive video detailing just why we celebrate Easter.

  • My life’s an open book

    “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts,” (2 Corinthians 3:2–3).

                My very life is a letter than anyone can read (or not read) just by looking at me. Scary thought. To think that anyone can trace my actions and hear my words and judge me—well, that’s a whole lot of pressure. This fact causes me to ask myself if I am truly living as God would have me live and saying and doing what he desires of me. His mark on me is written on the tablet of my flesh, not on a tablet of stone.

    Prayer: Dear God, I confess that the mark I leave behind is not always pleasant, kind, or loving. Sometimes I leave a trail of strife and confusion—forgive me for those times. Help me to plant seeds of kindness, and tell others of the joy of my salvation. 

    Ask: What kind of mark are you leaving today? Will others be able to tell that you belong to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Do others see the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

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