We believers are to be the fragrance of Christ in this world. As you and I are filled with the Spirit, His fragrance flows through our words and actions. Is the fragrance of Christ permeating the world through you? Are you so filled with the Spirit of Christ, that His fragrance can’t help but flow from you?
I also have a great desire for understanding God’s revelation to me and you—the Bible. I pray daily for wisdom and understanding. Yet, Daniel’s example has caused me to reflect, “Am I praying for understanding with consistent fervency?”
I can still recall the sound of the latch being lifted on the backyard gate. It was a sound I loved as a child. Going through that gate led into a world of fun, where I spent hours swinging, playing with my dog, and enjoying countless imaginary adventures.
As I came into the room, I noticed my granddaughter sitting at the kitchen table. It was early in the morning, and I knew Elysen was going through her daily routine of getting ready for school. Her breakfast and her open Bible and journal were on the table before her. At age thirteen, reading the Bible and journaling has become her practice and her joy.
Mankind is unique among all of God’s creation. Within us, the Lord has placed an innate knowledge that more than this physical world exists. There is more to life than what we see and experience. God has set the knowledge of eternity in our hearts.
A popular tradition at Christmas time is for families to attend a Christmas Eve candlelight service together. If you have not attended one of these, envision sitting in a dimly lit room full of people. Each individual has their own candle, and once the first is aflame—usually led by the pastor—people begin spreading the flame from one candle wick to the next until all candles are lit. Whether there are just a handful or hundreds in the room, it does not take long before the once-dark area is beautifully aglow.
Wow! What an amazing meeting between two women whom the Lord was using!
Earlier in Luke, we can read about angels appearing to both women’s families to
announce their pregnancies. Both were susceptible to the temptations of stress, fear,
or worry, especially considering Elizabeth’s age (geriatric pregnancy), yet she is filled
with joy and humbled favor for what God had done and was doing through the birth of
our Lord.
Whew, time for bed. What a Christmas day it had been. Up at 6—grandma, it’s time to see if Santa’s been here—followed by the Christmas story, stockings, breakfast, gifts, lunch, more presents, play, dinner, more play, exhaustion. It’s time to lay down those sleepy heads.
You probably are in the midst of your Christmas shopping now. I find shopping stressful, do you?The crowds, the decisions, and the costs are overwhelming. Why have we allowed commercialism to take over this special celebration?
Christmas is the time of year I look forward to the most. Friends and family coming
together, great food, and—the reason for the season--coming together for worship in
celebrating the birth of Christ. Inspired to write about this wonderful time, yet
simultaneously struggling with creativity, I turned to the most novel solution—scrolling
social media.
Holidays can be sad days for many, especially those who are lonely. Holidays can also be depressing for many reasons. We busy ourselves with so many activities that we become tired, confused, and feel as though we are walking through a maze.
Our youngest grandson got so excited when he saw the Christmas lights on our house. He could not wait for us to turn them on. Then he came inside and saw our decorated tree with wrapped presents already underneath it.
Nothing gives me joy like Christmas carols—the ones about the birth of Jesus, anyway. The other ones are cute, funny, and fun to sing, but they do not touch my spirit. The ones that move me declare Jesus’ deity while coming to earth through the virgin birth. I love to sit in my living room in front of the lit Christmas tree and contemplate the true meaning of those songs, Jesus’ birth, and Christmas.
God’s Word—how heavenly! When we open the Bible, His scriptures go straight to our hearts and wrap around them. The meaning permeates our whole being.
Picture a body of water on a windless day. The water appears as smooth as glass, reminiscent of a mirror. As you look at the glorious scenery, you also view a perfect reflection of the beauty in the water. Likewise, you will find your reflection if you peer into the water. What a peaceful image to conjure up. It relaxes me to think of it.
“Tida! What are these?” I glanced up to see to what my grandson referred. He had the strangest look as he pointed to his face. He then began touching his eyebrows as if he had never noticed them.
Dear Lord,
I do not understand. That night I saw the sky and heard the angel’s song—but I have so far to come in my faith. When I entered the cave and saw You in your mother’s arms, I saw the miracle of new life. It was an amazement to see a newborn child among the barnyard animals.
Our personal story begins when we receive God’s gift of grace. But who receives a gift without opening it? With the unwrapping come amazing surprises. We begin to experience things we previously could not have dreamed of. Even in the middle of life-as-usual, we see new dimensions and a new purpose. 2+2 now equals 7 or 10 or infinity. The only explanation is that the grace of God is at work in our life.
In the desert there was enough grace to feed Israel for another day. In the temple sacrifices there was enough grace to procure forgiveness for God’s people for another year. In the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, there was enough grace to forgive our sins, transform our lives and lead us to our eternal home.c
When we use the word “grace” to describe human interactions, it is often a lovely synonym for letting someone off the hook. When we apply grace to God’s character and actions, something else entirely comes into play. If it were possible to obtain a core sample of the heart of God, the analysis would come back as pure grace.
