John 19:39 - With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought 75 pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.
I never thought of Jesus' death as part of the Christmas story. It was meant for Easter as part of the resurrection story. And I never understood why our Bible reading plan had us read the Easter story on Christmas Eve. But now I get it. Jesus came to the earth to die. The purpose of his birth was death, which lead to resurrection. But the story of Christmas has no meaning unless it is closely paired with the story of Easter. The beautiful sweet innocent birth of baby Jesus was meant to end in death, death that would save us from death. Death that wouldn't end in death, but resurrection and new life! That is what I must celebrate this Christmas - the reason Jesus came as a baby. One of the birthday gifts Jesus received from the wise men was myrrh. It was a perfumed ointment used to cover a body for burial. And here after Jesus' death he is covered in it as preparation for resurrection. I love this connecting point between Easter and Christmas. Christmas can only be fully celebrated when I understand the reason Jesus came as a baby. What a beautiful picture of Christ's love for me, I am in awe. Thank you Lord for coming into this world to save me. Thank you for making Christmas more real this year and for revealing yourself anew. Please forgive me for making my life and time on earth about me instead of you. Please help me to see everything through your eyes and remain focused on your purposes for me. Just like Jesus remained focused even from the time of his birth. I love you. As I celebrate this Christmas, help me to remember the myrrh that was given and used at your birth and death. May that be the sweet smell of Christmas.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Glory in Tears
John 11:33 - When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.\
Lazarus, a close family friend to Jesus, had just passed away. Jesus knew he was sick and didn't rush over to see him the moment he found out how bad it was. He purposely delayed going so that God would be even more greatly glorified in the situation. When he finally arrived, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. Even though Jesus knew it would all end well, he took it really hard. He saw and experienced how hurt, heart broken, and mournful everyone was. He was greatly troubled even to the point of anger. I'm sure the anger came from knowing he could have prevented the pain and saved many tears. He understood the pain being fully human. He probably wished it could happen another way. His heart and spirit ached so badly that he wept. He understood and felt the pain yet he knew God would be glorified through it. In fact if the pain and teas hadn't been there, God would not have been glorified to the fullest extent possible. I want all my pain, tears, and hurt to be for God's glory. I want to allow God to work in every situation, especially the hard ones, for a bigger purpose. If my pain and tears mean greater glory for the Lord then it makes it all worth it. Even if I don't understand it during my lifetime, it is still worth it. Lord help me to always see you working. Be glorified in my life to the fullest extent possible! Use every part of me for your glory - even the parts that cause me pain and tears. I love you.
Lazarus, a close family friend to Jesus, had just passed away. Jesus knew he was sick and didn't rush over to see him the moment he found out how bad it was. He purposely delayed going so that God would be even more greatly glorified in the situation. When he finally arrived, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. Even though Jesus knew it would all end well, he took it really hard. He saw and experienced how hurt, heart broken, and mournful everyone was. He was greatly troubled even to the point of anger. I'm sure the anger came from knowing he could have prevented the pain and saved many tears. He understood the pain being fully human. He probably wished it could happen another way. His heart and spirit ached so badly that he wept. He understood and felt the pain yet he knew God would be glorified through it. In fact if the pain and teas hadn't been there, God would not have been glorified to the fullest extent possible. I want all my pain, tears, and hurt to be for God's glory. I want to allow God to work in every situation, especially the hard ones, for a bigger purpose. If my pain and tears mean greater glory for the Lord then it makes it all worth it. Even if I don't understand it during my lifetime, it is still worth it. Lord help me to always see you working. Be glorified in my life to the fullest extent possible! Use every part of me for your glory - even the parts that cause me pain and tears. I love you.
Friday, December 18, 2009
No One Can Be Trusted
John 2:24 - But Jesus didn't trust them, because he knew human nature.
Jesus has just begun his ministry. His fame spread among the Jews because of the Passover gathering in Jerusalem. It was there that Jesus did many miraculous signs and many began to trust in him. Yet Jesus didn't allow it to get to his head. In fact he basically brushed off his fame and the hope he could have easily put in his new following was redirected to his Father and the purpose he was alive on earth. Jesus understood what I am still learning - no one can be trusted. This isn't some cynical pessimistic line to live by, it is the truth of human nature. Everyone, even those closest to us, will let us down and disappoint us. But we have to realize something and find hope in disappointment. Jesus, as our example, did not trust anyone. He put complete trust in his Father who would never disappoint him and he loved those around him. Although it is true no one can be trusted, there is beautiful hope because God our Father can be trusted! I love this reminder. As hard as I try not to put so much faith in people, I somehow seem to be disappointed by them. I need to learn to daily redirect all my trust to Jesus, still working with people but not hopelessly putting my faith in them. I cannot expect them to fulfill the places in my life that only God can truly fill. Lord help me to fully trust you and not misplace the trust that was always intended to be yours. Help me to be aware of when I am putting my faith in people instead of you. Give me your heart to love abundantly without expectations met.
Jesus has just begun his ministry. His fame spread among the Jews because of the Passover gathering in Jerusalem. It was there that Jesus did many miraculous signs and many began to trust in him. Yet Jesus didn't allow it to get to his head. In fact he basically brushed off his fame and the hope he could have easily put in his new following was redirected to his Father and the purpose he was alive on earth. Jesus understood what I am still learning - no one can be trusted. This isn't some cynical pessimistic line to live by, it is the truth of human nature. Everyone, even those closest to us, will let us down and disappoint us. But we have to realize something and find hope in disappointment. Jesus, as our example, did not trust anyone. He put complete trust in his Father who would never disappoint him and he loved those around him. Although it is true no one can be trusted, there is beautiful hope because God our Father can be trusted! I love this reminder. As hard as I try not to put so much faith in people, I somehow seem to be disappointed by them. I need to learn to daily redirect all my trust to Jesus, still working with people but not hopelessly putting my faith in them. I cannot expect them to fulfill the places in my life that only God can truly fill. Lord help me to fully trust you and not misplace the trust that was always intended to be yours. Help me to be aware of when I am putting my faith in people instead of you. Give me your heart to love abundantly without expectations met.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Responding to Promises
2 Peter 1:15 - In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence.
Peter reminds us that God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. It is up to us how we use the tools he has given us. These tools aren't typical tools that we would naturally know how to make the most use of. It's like when someone promises us to do something or get something, there's not much we do with that promise except wait for it to be fulfilled. We might bring it up again to remind them of their promise, but we don't really see it as a tool in itself. Yet Peter reminds us to respond to God's promises. It is these promises that enable us to live excellently in faith.
I bet I don't even know half of the promises God has spoken over me. I need to make a more conscience effort to really know and respond to God's promises by living them out. By doing this my faith will be greatly enriched and I will be living and serving with excellence. I will no longer ask - how much is enough to just get by? Instead I will be striving for God's best in how I serve him and how I live - all because of the amazing promises God has given me. Promises to never leave me, to work all things for good, to take my burdens and give me strength. Lord thank you for your promises that enable me to live a life of excellence. Help me to know how to respond to and walk in them. Help me not to try and do things on my own, but to really allow you to be Lord over every part of my life. All your promises won't let go of me! I love you so very much.
Peter reminds us that God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. It is up to us how we use the tools he has given us. These tools aren't typical tools that we would naturally know how to make the most use of. It's like when someone promises us to do something or get something, there's not much we do with that promise except wait for it to be fulfilled. We might bring it up again to remind them of their promise, but we don't really see it as a tool in itself. Yet Peter reminds us to respond to God's promises. It is these promises that enable us to live excellently in faith.
I bet I don't even know half of the promises God has spoken over me. I need to make a more conscience effort to really know and respond to God's promises by living them out. By doing this my faith will be greatly enriched and I will be living and serving with excellence. I will no longer ask - how much is enough to just get by? Instead I will be striving for God's best in how I serve him and how I live - all because of the amazing promises God has given me. Promises to never leave me, to work all things for good, to take my burdens and give me strength. Lord thank you for your promises that enable me to live a life of excellence. Help me to know how to respond to and walk in them. Help me not to try and do things on my own, but to really allow you to be Lord over every part of my life. All your promises won't let go of me! I love you so very much.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Honorable Use
2 Timothy 2:21 - If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
Timothy was sold out for Christ at a young age. He was one of the first people to grow up in a Christian home and accept Jesus at a young age. Because of his upbringing and training, he really felt God's hand and call on his life to go into ministry. Paul was his mentor who encouraged him to look to God for qualification and guidance and not allow others to discourage him because he was young or unmarried. Paul put it this way - as Christians we are all utensils to be used by God. Some utensils are made of gold and silver and some are made of wood and clay. The more expensive ones are used for special occasions because they not only look nicer but they are more durable. What determines our use is our closeness to Jesus. The closer we are to him, the cleaner he makes us in the process of becoming like him. We must strive to be pure so we will be ready to be used for every good work. If we settle for being just average not really striving to be pure, but simply doing the basics to remain on good terms with God, then we won't be ready for every good work Christ calls us to. We will casually prefer comfort over the calling God has placed over our lives.
Timothy and I have a similar testimony, so it is easy to relate to him. I love Paul's analogy in encouraging Timothy. All utensils, just like all Christians, have the potential to be used by God. But there are only few who completely surrender to Him walking in His best. I want to be one of the few utensils used for special occasions, for honorable use, being marked by dependability and purity, willing to forgo comfort because of God's calling. Lord make me more like you, ready for every good work you call me to. Set me apart and use me as you please. I am yours.
Timothy was sold out for Christ at a young age. He was one of the first people to grow up in a Christian home and accept Jesus at a young age. Because of his upbringing and training, he really felt God's hand and call on his life to go into ministry. Paul was his mentor who encouraged him to look to God for qualification and guidance and not allow others to discourage him because he was young or unmarried. Paul put it this way - as Christians we are all utensils to be used by God. Some utensils are made of gold and silver and some are made of wood and clay. The more expensive ones are used for special occasions because they not only look nicer but they are more durable. What determines our use is our closeness to Jesus. The closer we are to him, the cleaner he makes us in the process of becoming like him. We must strive to be pure so we will be ready to be used for every good work. If we settle for being just average not really striving to be pure, but simply doing the basics to remain on good terms with God, then we won't be ready for every good work Christ calls us to. We will casually prefer comfort over the calling God has placed over our lives.
Timothy and I have a similar testimony, so it is easy to relate to him. I love Paul's analogy in encouraging Timothy. All utensils, just like all Christians, have the potential to be used by God. But there are only few who completely surrender to Him walking in His best. I want to be one of the few utensils used for special occasions, for honorable use, being marked by dependability and purity, willing to forgo comfort because of God's calling. Lord make me more like you, ready for every good work you call me to. Set me apart and use me as you please. I am yours.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Training my Eyes and Ears
Titus 1:15 - Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
In order to see God working, we have to train our eyes. It's like the old trick - is the cup half full or half empty? It's all in the beholder's eyes. What we see with our eyes and hear with our ears can either be taken in a positive way or a negative way. When someone suggests a new way of doing something we've been doing just fine forever, we can take it as offensive and rude or we can choose to ponder it and take it as it is, a simple suggestion for improvement, not a personal judgment against us. If we just train our eyes and ears everything around us is transformed. We will see God working in everything, even the things that frustrate us. He always gives us opportunities to grow and see him working in everything, especially in ways the enemy meant for evil.
I know in my life this is true. I tend to jump to conclusions in my thinking instead of giving the Lord opportunity to use whatever it is that I jumped to conclusions about. I write people off when they continually disappoint me or even just annoy me. Instead of allowing God to work through them to teach me something, I just try to avoid them or ignore them. But that doesn't benefit anyone or bring God glory. I want to be pure in heart and see everything around me as pure. I want to see the best in people and circumstances and never stop allowing God to work. Lord help me to train my eyes and ears to transfer positive messages to my mind in the way I think, so I can continually see you working and understand your ways. Create in me a pure heart and remove any corruptness or unbelief that has taken root in my mind. Make me more and more like you everyday.
In order to see God working, we have to train our eyes. It's like the old trick - is the cup half full or half empty? It's all in the beholder's eyes. What we see with our eyes and hear with our ears can either be taken in a positive way or a negative way. When someone suggests a new way of doing something we've been doing just fine forever, we can take it as offensive and rude or we can choose to ponder it and take it as it is, a simple suggestion for improvement, not a personal judgment against us. If we just train our eyes and ears everything around us is transformed. We will see God working in everything, even the things that frustrate us. He always gives us opportunities to grow and see him working in everything, especially in ways the enemy meant for evil.
I know in my life this is true. I tend to jump to conclusions in my thinking instead of giving the Lord opportunity to use whatever it is that I jumped to conclusions about. I write people off when they continually disappoint me or even just annoy me. Instead of allowing God to work through them to teach me something, I just try to avoid them or ignore them. But that doesn't benefit anyone or bring God glory. I want to be pure in heart and see everything around me as pure. I want to see the best in people and circumstances and never stop allowing God to work. Lord help me to train my eyes and ears to transfer positive messages to my mind in the way I think, so I can continually see you working and understand your ways. Create in me a pure heart and remove any corruptness or unbelief that has taken root in my mind. Make me more and more like you everyday.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Beautiful Affection
Romans 9:12, 11:29 - he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works...for God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.
God's love and grace are so incredibly amazing. I am continually amazed the more I know God and his true character. I am in awe of him. Paul reminds me that nothing I do can change God's call on my life. That is so encouraging! If I am striving for God's best in every part of my life, even if I mess up or make a mistake, God's call over my life will never change! I don't think I realized the great freedom in this simple truth about who God is. Before I even made any choices, while still in my mother's womb, God set me apart! He had his hand over my frail life and he knew exactly why and for what purpose he was bringing me into this world. Before I even took my first breath! So why would I ever think for one second that I could change that call over my life? I have been striving for God's best ever since I understood what it meant. Not one mistake or mess up can alter that call God has over my life. I am so encouraged and overjoyed at this simple truth! Oh how he loves me that he did not call me because of my good or bad works. He just loves me. He was the first one to ever love me and his is the only love I need. He is a wonderful father who will never withdraw his gifts or call over me. Lord you never cease to amaze me. Your gifts are new every morning. Your affection toward me is so very evident in every detail of my life. I am so honored to be set apart by you and to have the opportunity to serve you with every part of my life. Thank you for your grace that empowers and covers me. Your beautiful grace that does not say "I told you so" but says "nothing you can do can change my love for you or remove my hand over you." I love you.
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