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Thanksgiving then Christmas…could these meaningful Holidays really have come and gone so quickly?  Already a new year is ready to make its grand appearance.  With the coming New Year advancing so rapidly people are making goals and plans.  As Christians, we want to make a difference in the world for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.  But with so much that needs to be done, we tend to try and take on too many responsibilities.

Below is an excerpt on Setting Priorities, written by author Max Lucado, that might be helpful for us to keep in mind.

“There is only so much sand in the hourglass.  Who gets it? You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?…

“The PTA needs a new treasurer.  With your background and experience and talent and wisdom and love for kids and degree in accounting, YOU are the perfect one for the job!”…

It’s a tug-of-war, and you are the rope…

“Blessed are the meek,” Jesus said.  The word meek does not mean weak.  It means focused.  It is a word used to describe a domesticated stallion.  Power under control. Strength with a direction…

Blessed are those who recognize their God-given responsibilities.  Blessed are those who acknowledge that there is only one God and have quit applying for his position.  Blessed are those who know what on earth they are on earth to do and set themselves about the business of doing it.”

Well said and great advice, wouldn’t you say?  :) 

HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR!

One of the most freeing concepts of praying is the lifestyle kind of prayer.  Coupled with embracing the Word of God (Bible) lifestyle prayer has taken my relationship with God to continuing higher heights and deeper depths. 

What is lifestyle prayer?  Simply a continuing conversation with God throughout the day and any waking periods of the night.  I believe the Bible is refers to this style of prayer when it states, ”pray without ceasing.” Now this is a concept so simple and natural; its like breathing, but its one that was very hard for me to grasp. Our human nature seems very good at making the uncomplicated, hard to understand, especially when it comes to serving God.

Years ago as a young Mother with small children, I used to beat myself up mentally when I did not give an allotted time to prayer on my knees.  Throughout the day I would keep telling myself I would get to my “sweet hour of prayer” as soon as I got the baby to sleep, or when I got home from the grocery store. You get the picture; there never seemed to be a big enough slot of time for my perfectionist idea of prayer.  Then as the day would come to an end, I would say a simple “now I lay me down to sleep” kind of prayer and fall exhausted into bed.

I would do this day after day until desperate with guilt, I would finally fall on my knees and spend most of the time repenting.  That is a pitiful way to try and build any relationship and to think I was acting that way with my God!  Looking back I see how ridiculous that was.  But God is good and gracious and full of mercy.  His indwelling Holy Spirit and His Word finally penetrated my heart and changed my lifelong miserable habit of waiting for the perfect time to pray.

I now talk with God always.  Yes, I still need those daily times alone to worship Him and to intercede for others.  But through lifestyle prayer I have found new meaning in the words of an old Hymn, “Friendship with Jesus, fellowship Divine. Oh! What blessed sweet communion, Jesus is a Friend of mine.”

“Thank you Lord, for always being so patient with me.  Your Spirit, your Word and your people have had a profound effect on my life, I have learned so much.  Please help me to continue to grow in You and to pass on the things I learn to others. In Jesus precious name, Amen!”

The Holy Spirit living in us developing in us the character of Jesus Christ in us is one of the greatest miracles of God! I’d like to share something on holiness/character that I read recently. 

The last line of the quote is my favorite part!

“Holiness is beauty.  There is no beauty like that of a pure character.  The grandest sight on this earth is not the march of the all-conquering storm…the most beautiful thing on earth is not the garden which opens, and sends forth from its censers fragrance; the beauty of the soul lies in its secret chambers; and the rich, deep, just, holy and loving natures-these are the beautiful things of this world.  There is nothing so beautiful as Christ in man.”  Henry Ward Beecher

The following verse comes to mind:

Acts 17:28 (a) NKJV
 for in Him we live and move and have our being…

May the world see Jesus in us!

It’s such a joy to talk with people who are sold out to Jesus Christ. This may bring an image to some minds of someone standing out on the sidewalk preaching to all who pass by…could be, but what comes to my mind right now is the everyday, loving God, faithful Christian. This is the kind of people I rub shoulders with every time I go to church. Take last night as an example.

It was just before the Wednesday night Bible study. I began talking with the lady in front of me, starting out with general chit chat. This sister, who is a charge nurse at a local hospital, began to tell me how God helped her overcome major obstacles in her life allowing her to become a nurse. She told me God had given her special abilities. She is sought after to help in many situations in the hospital because of this.

As she goes up the elevator to her job everyday, she gives thanks to God. Her work is a way for her to serve her God by helping others unselfishly.

Oh, and she also is a faithful tithe giver. She doesn’t have a financial need to work outside the home, her husband’s job provides all they need and more. She told me that issue was settled before she ever began working outside the home. She would faithfully tithe or she wouldn’t take the job. Obedience to God and loving her God is one and the same to her…as God’s Word says it will be.

As she spoke she glowed with the joy of the Lord. We finished talking and the service started. I sat down in the pew feeling God’s smile in my heart, ready to hear Word of the Lord.

Prov 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
NKJV

I have a two year old grandaughter who enjoys thinking about what she is going to get for her “Happy Christmas” gift.  This site happens to be my “Happy Christmas” gift.  It was set up for me by some very dear friends, the Poe family.  They have a God given  talent of knowing how to do special things for people! 

Here is a big Thank You! to them for this thoughtful gift.

 It is one of the great joys of life to have friends.  God bless you richly.  And as little two year old Macie says, “Happy Christmas” to all!

For you from us — because you have wonderful wit and wisdom and we want to read it, too!

We look forward to your inspiring meditations of the heart.