The Seed is in the Ground

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1

We are thankful for the abundance of Christmas cards that flooded our mailbox over the Christmas season, reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas. Just as the Christmas cards began to dwindle from the mail, the seed catalogs began to come. As I peruse the pages and think of longer warmer days I am reminded that the seed is in the ground and now is when I need to be tending the gardens, the spiritual gardens. 

Right now is when people have Jesus on their minds. Right now is the season of planting spiritual seeds. Right now is the time to encourage those seeds to grow. Next week, people will  make New Year's resolutions. How can I encourage them to not just make a resolution but begin a new habit of regular church attendance, daily Bible reading, and creating a War Room of prayer for our families, friends, communities, and nation. 

Jesus tells us He is the vine. We are the branches. (John 15:5) If we are attached to Him we will bear much fruit. I love verse 7.

 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

If we have God's word abiding in our hearts we will ask for things that will be in accordance to His will and He will perform it. 

What will you ask of God? Will it be for family or friends or your community or your nation? 

Will it be for peace on earth, goodwill to men? 

The seeds of Christmas have been planted. It is up to us now to water and bear fruit in the new year.

Blessings,

Gail

Hey Kids:

Do you like for mom and dad to read you a bedtime story? 

How many stories do you ask for? 

Could you ask for one more? Add your children's Bible or Bible storybook to the reading stash each night. 

You will discover things about God you never knew; and you'll learn to bear fruit for Christ. 

Lend a Hand

 

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11

Last night we went to watch the grands skate at the seasonal rink in town. I never learned to roller skate and never had the opportunity to learn to ice skate and I'm not risking broken bones to learn now. But there was something that I can learn from watching ice skating. That is the love and concern for those who are circling our lives. 

As I watched, I saw families come together, supporting one another, teaching one another, helping one another making it around a small slick circle of ice. Strangers were also kind to lend a hand. There was no anger, not even a frown, when someone caused a fall. There was always a laugh and a helping hand.

It reminded me of a song that says, "Why can't every day be like Christmas?" I think the real question is why can't everyday be filled with kindness and joy?  A helping hand, a kind word of instruction, a genuine smile will go a long way to help others see Jesus. Falls will happen. May we learn to laugh it off, get back up  and love again.

Merry Christmas,

Gail

Hey Kids:

Can you think of ways to be helpful and kind during the Christmas season?

Does a younger kid need a helping hand to learn a new skill or figure out how a new toy works?

Does Mom need a helping hand picking up wrapping paper? 

Does Dad need a hand with the fire wood?

Being a willing helper, helps us learn new skills too. Maybe Dad will let you help with the fire if you tote the wood.  :) :) :)

Love or Noise?

Though I speak with the tongue of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or tinkling cymbal. I Corinthians 13:1

On one end of my deck I have a small ceramic wind-chime. It looks so innocent and has a hollow little sound. On the other side of the deck hangs my big red barn bird-feeder. My kitchen window gives a close-up view of the bird-feeder. I love watching the cardinals and titmice and other birds that come to enjoy the sunflower seeds. Today there was a tiny back-capped chickadee. But the wind was calm.

As long as the wind is still the birds flock to my feeder. The slightest breeze brings the tinkling of the wind-chime. The stronger the wind, the louder the clanging. The more the noise, the fewer birds come to the feeder.

Though we speak with the tongues of men and of angels..... Does Bible thumping really work? Is an attitude of "sic 'um" effective? Or do calm, thoughtful words make a bigger impact? What is charity anyway? Isn't it love in action? Feeding the birds is a form of love in action. They are fed and I get to enjoy their antics. I don't have to impress them with all my knowledge of birds or songs. They know about songs. They're birds. If I want to draw them within sight, all I have to do is feed them.

We want to feed people with the word of God but our attitudes sometimes causes a banging and clanging that drives people away. It's the still quiet warm spirit that draws people to Christ. We want to see people come to the saving knowledge of Christ, but do we need to condemn what they believe or do we need to simply demonstrate the love of Christ in our lives so they will want to know the truth.

We may speak the truth, but we need to make sure it's falling on open ears. We can show people Jesus without telling them how wrong their beliefs are. Arguing gets us nowhere. Unexpected loving actions will make a much longer lasting impression.

When our lights shine before men that they see our good works, then God will get all the glory. Now is probably the easiest and hardest time to begin. It's Christmas, the giving season. We might easily get in the habit of a giving spirit if we begin to practice it now and not let ourselves get stressed out over all the presents and parties that need to be attended.

Hey Kids:
You can give the unexpected too.
Does your room need cleaning?
Is there a kid at school who needs a friend?
Does someone need you to share your lunch with them?
Does little brother or sister need someone to play with?
All of those situations give a chance for conversation - conversation about how Jesus has changed your life.

Will we be doers of the word and not hearers only? 

How can  we show others Jesus this Christmas season?

Blessings,

Gail

Hanukkah and Christmas?

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. John 10:22,23

What does the feast of dedication have to do with Christmas? Could it be that we wouldn't have Christmas if there had not been a Hanukkah? 

I'm certainly not an authority on Hanukkah but I think I have a grasp on the gist of the story. Really everything in Jewish history has an affect on Christmas. If Adam and Eve had not sinned in the garden there would have been no need for Christmas or Calvary. It all started at the Beginning. God told Eve that it would be her seed that would bruise Satan's head and that Satan would bruise His heel. 

All through history, Satan has tried to destroy God's people so Christmas would never come. Think about Abraham and Isaac. Imagine an old man over 100 years old, tying up a teenager to offer the teen as a burnt sacrifice. Isaac could have easily broke away and run like crazy. But no, Isaac was obedient to his father, even as Jesus was obedient to His Father, even unto death. God spared Isaac's life because he couldn't die for our sins. But the Father did not spare His only Son. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. 

Think about Esther. God put her through tragic events to make her the queen who would save her people. If Haman had won, the Jews would have been destroyed. There would have been no special people to receive God's Son. There would be no Christmas.

Think about Hanukkah. The Greeks had come in to change the culture of the Hebrews to the Greek culture, language and religion. A pig was sacrificed on the temple alter. The brave family of the Maccabees fought for Israel and the temple. They cleansed the temple but there was only enough oil to light the lamp for one night. It would take a week to make more oil. They demonstrated their faith and love by reclaiming the temple and lighting the lamp. God demonstrated His love and power by keeping the lamp burning for eight days while the oil was being made. 

What would have happened if the Maccabees had not reclaimed the temple? The religion of the true God would have been destroyed and there would have been no Christmas.  

Think about King Herod's attempt to kill the baby Jesus by killing all the children under two years old. If Joseph had not listened to God and taken Jesus to Egypt, there would have been no Calvary, no sacrifice for our sins. 

Even to this day, Satan attempts to end Christianity. Satan knows his time is short. No matter what we see on the news, be reassured, God is not dead nor doth He sleep. He is in control. God wins.  

Blessing at Hanukkah and Christmas

Gail

Hey Kids:

As the holidays approach, why not take a few minutes each day to create an advent tree. 

Discover an Old Testament Bible story with Mom and Dad. 

Talk about how the story led to the events of the first advent of Christ, Christmas.

Draw a small picture on card stock and add the reference for the story. 

Each day add your picture card to a tree to remind you of the coming of Christmas.

On Christmas day be sure to read and celebrate the Christmas story, drawing and adding it as the last picture to the tree OR continue to add pictures like the wisemen and the flight to Egypt to finish the Christmas story. 

After Christmas save these pictures for next year's Advent Tree.