Worthy Words

Instead of allowing the Christmas season to be a source of tension this year, have it be a source of renewal. As Paul said, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." (Romans 12:18) I've heard this story many times in the past, and, to tell you the truth, always thought that it was an urban legend — but then it was reported by the Associated Press on Christmas Day, 1994. It serves as a great example for us to follow. The story took place on the Western Front during World War I, December 24 and 25. German and British troops were stationed a few hundred yards apart. For weeks they had been engaged in battle. But now it was Christmas and they were ready for some relief. It started when some German soldiers lit candles on their Christmas trees. It was a crazy thing to do during war-time. The British soldiers could easily spot their position. Instead, the British responded by shooting off rockets and building bonfires. The Germans began singing

Once upon a time, there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug. He wasn't a Scrooge. He was a very kind and decent person, generous to his family, upright in all his dealings with other men. But he didn't believe all that stuff about God becoming man, which churches proclaim at Christmas. Why would God want to do anything like that? So when his family left to attend midnight services on Christmas Eve, he stayed home. Shortly after the family drove away, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier. Sometime later, as he was reading his newspaper by the fire, he was startled by a thudding sound that was quickly followed by another. Then another. When he went to investigate, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They had been caught in the storm, and in a desperate search for shelter had tried to fly through the window. "I can't let these poor creatures lie there and freeze,&q

If you've been blue because this year doesn't measure up, because the kids won't be coming home for Christmas, because you can't buy all the things you want to buy, because you just haven't been able to get in the spirit of things — it's not too late. You still have time to get on the right track. I encourage you to take some time between now and Christmas Day to thank God for the people he has brought your way. Thank him for the blessings he has put in your life. You may be struggling with unmet needs right now and you may be dealing with some difficult relationships — we all are. But you can take a few minutes to forget about what’s missing, and focus instead on what exists — the many blessings that God has given you. We have a bad habit of making Christmas all about “me” — my expectations, my wants, my needs, my preferences. The result is, often, that Christmas disappoints us or frustrates us in one way or another, year in and year out. I

Persistence is an important spiritual quality. Caleb in Joshua 14:6-15 is a good biblical example of this quality. At the age of 40 he brought back a report to Moses according to his convictions that the land God brought them to was just as the Lord had promised. He was out voted in his convictions by eight others, however, Caleb did not change his mind because he said; “I followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.” For another 45 years as the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness he followed God and at age 85 still as vigorous for God as he ever was acquired the land that the Lord had promised with Joshua’s blessing. Don’t miss this, after 45 years he still held onto God’s promise. He never let go of the promise. This is what the Bible calls persistence. When God gives you a promise you should never let go of it! Has God given you a promise? To be accurate, he has given you in his Word 7,457 promises and they are all yours to claim. If you don’t take advantage of them

When I start feeling the poor-poor-pitiful-me state of mind it usually means that there is something wrong with my entire approach to my life’s priorities. They are out of sync. This is when I hear Jesus saying to me, just as he said to Martha in Luke 10:41, “Eddie, Eddie…you just don’t get it do you?” Eddie you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about at this point. Eddie you need to be sitting at my feet and spending time in my presence. Christ-follower here is one of the most important life lessons you can learn if you find yourself living in the poor-poor-pitiful-me syndrome. If you can integrate this spiritual truth into your daily walk, you will rejuvenate your spiritual life, your relationship with God, your relationship with others, and the way you pursue your life’s priorities. This is a must learn: Jesus wants to be loved before he wants to be served. Before you do anything publicly for God you must fellowship with him