The Greatest Gift of All

Every year I promise myself it will be different. I’ll slow down and really focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Yet for some odd reason December always marks a season of increased frenzy. Who do I need to buy for? What kind of gifts would they like? Who is coming during the holidays? What meals will I prepare? What about cookies? The list goes on and on. Now please don’t misunderstand me. I love preparing for Christmas and I thoroughly enjoy having guests and family over. Unfortunately what often happens in such busyness is that the actual reason we are celebrating Christmas to begin with goes by unnoticed. While I’m so preoccupied in preparing for Christmas, baby Jesus does not get the attention he deserves. Sure the manger is set up next to the Christmas tree, but how often do I stop to look at it and ponder the miraculous event that occurred over 2,000 years ago? How often do I talk to my children about that beautiful baby lying in the manger? They are older now and know the Christmas story. Yet I still feel there is something else I should be focusing on. Something else I should be doing instead. And year after year I vow to change that. I promise to really slow down, forget about all the decorating, the baking, and the entertaining. I vow to tell my children let’s just pass on the gifts this year. Or better yet, let’s donate the money we’d normally spend on gifts to a charitable organization.

However, when Christmas arrives and my children open their gifts, and our family is sitting around the table together laughing and enjoying one another, I feel so happy and fulfilled. As I see the joy on everyone’s faces, all the time spent buying, decorating, cooking and baking has been worth it. I just know Jesus is sharing that joy with us. I can see Him smiling from heaven above as He sees us filled with happiness and laughter. He remembers we’re human; He knows all of our inadequacies; yet, He also knows we’re trying. We do know the true meaning of Christmas—it is all about Him. He’s the one who should be getting all the gifts, not us. But He’s okay with that too. He’s so incredibly generous. So much so that He gave us the greatest gift of all—Himself. And if we can just make a little room for Him in our hearts and invite Him in, I just know He’d be thrilled. After all, we’re the reason He came. We’re His gifts and He is filled with love for us. So much so that He left heaven to come to earth as a baby, live as a man, and suffer and die as a criminal. He did all of this to save us from eternal separation from Himself. He’s the greatest gift of all, and He is the reason we celebrate Christmas.

So let me ask you a question. If you haven’t opened that beautiful gift yet, the gift of Jesus, will you consider doing so? Or if you’ve opened His gift and received Him into your heart, but just haven’t taken the time to learn about Him and grow spiritually through bible study and prayer, can you commit to giving Him the gift of your time? You know what? You won’t ever need to open another gift, because He is all you’ll ever need. All other gifts will pale in comparison. No other gift will satisfy your deepest needs, longings, and desires. Other gifts are temporal and will fade away with time, but His gift is life-changing and eternal. You’ll notice that His gift will give you more love, more patience, more understanding, more hope, more faith, more strength, and more power than you have ever had before. His gift is the gift that keeps on giving. Yes, Jesus truly is the Greatest Gift of All!

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

"If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." John 4:10

What kind of soil are you?

Now what kind of question is that? Oblige me for a moment while I explain.

I’ve always been intrigued by Jesus’ Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13. It’s the parable of the farmer who goes out to sow his seed among the soil. This story is satiated with meaning and I find it quite interesting that each one of us is likened to a different type of soil. The seed is simply God’s Word and is scattered by the farmer among the soil. "As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path…some fell on rocky places…other seed fell among thorns…and still other seed fell on good soil. Matthew 13:4-7. How we receive and apply the seed tells us what kind of soil we are made of. Excuse me for saying so, but every one of us is a “kind of soil”. Either you are the soil on the path, the soil by the rocky places, the soil among the thorns, or the fertile soil. Another analogy is that you are one of four different types of spiritual hearers. You either have a closed mind, a cloudy mind, a cluttered mind, or a committed mind.

Let me quickly summarize what they imply:
Soil #1 is the soil along the path. This represents the person with a “closed mind.” “Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.” Matt 13:4. This person hears the Word of God, yet doesn’t fully commit to understanding it, nor does he care to for that matter. This is the passive listener who may have heard hundreds of sermons, yet listens with a closed mind. He has no intention of changing his ways or applying the message he has heard. Over time his heart has hardened and become calloused because he has heard the message so often without responding. He listens to a point; however, when obedience or commitment is required, he slams the door shut on his mind. He’s done.

Soil #2 is the soil that falls on rocky places. He is the one who hears the Word and instantly receives it with joy, but since he has no root, his joy lasts for only a little while. As soon as trouble comes, he quickly falls away. This soil represents the person with a “cloudy mind.” “Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” Matt. 13:5-6. This person enthusiastically trusts Jesus as his Lord and Savior and he prefers to learn about God through thrilling Christian experiences. Yet, he doesn’t take the time to become grounded in the Word of God by studying Scripture. Therefore, he has no deep, doctrinal foundation. When the storms come and turbulent waves toss him to and fro, he falls apart. Since his roots are shallow, he quickly begins to doubt. This “cloudy mind” enjoys the security of knowing he’s missing hell and going to heaven, but he has no intention of growing in his faith through the diligent reading and studying God’s Word.

Soil #3 is the soil that is mixed in with the thorns. This is the person with a “cluttered mind”. “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.” Matt 13:7. He hears and receives the Word and may even diligently study the Bible, but his mind is constantly churning with questions of various sorts. Did I turn off the stove? I wonder what is wrong with Betty. When will I get a raise at work? This mind is spinning aimlessly about. Thorn bushes of worry set in and suffocate the cluttered mind. Worldly cares bombard him until there is no room for God anymore. Though God continually beckons us, how can a mind so cluttered with worries and the cares of this world even hear God speak? Consistency in God’s Word is rare, since there is always something to do, somewhere to go, something to worry about. When he does make the time, it is usually half-hearted and hurried. Therefore, he misses out on the blessings of fellowship with God and he becomes unfruitful.

Soil #4 is the fertile soil and it represents the person with a “committed mind.” “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.” Matt 13:8. This is the person who is ready for God’s Word to penetrate deeply. He is likened to fertile soil which has been cultivated and is ready to germinate and bring forth fruit. Likewise, the “committed mind” brings forth abundant fruit because he has a teachable spirit and thoroughly savors sitting in God’s presence to learn and grow. A child’s mind is an example of such a teachable spirit. Children believe with open and impressionable hearts. Jesus tells us that we are to come to Him as little children. The greatest truths are available to all who come in humility and love.

Now, before you feel like a total failure, let me state that each and every one of us has at some time or another been just like soil #1, #2, and #3. But can you make a commitment to becoming like the fertile soil? Can you give God your best and come to him with an open heart and mind ready to listen and apply what He teaches you? Just as Jesus committed to rescuing us on that dreadful cross so many years ago, why not commit to giving Him all of our hearts, minds, and souls? It truly is spiritually impossible to apply God’s Word day after day, week after week, and not bear fruit. He promises to change us from the inside out and turn us into His productive and maturing children. With His help, we will be ready, willing, and able to carry out the plans and purposes He has specifically for each of us. So, let me ask you again.

What kind of soil are you?

May I have your attention, please?

I have a question for you. How does God go about getting our attention? Even though God is capable of doing anything He wants in any fashion whatsoever, I have found that He chooses to communicate and get our attention in some very interesting ways. I’ll be quite honest, sometimes I just wish Jesus would come down personally and make Himself tangibly visible to me. He would let me pour out my heart to Him, and then He’d gently cup my face in His hands, wipe away my tears, and speak to me in a gentle and audible voice. He’d give me step by step instructions on how to handle whatever is plaguing me, and then He’d whisper in my ear how confident He is in my ability to handle whatever comes my way.

The longer I have been a Christian the more I have come to experience that God does, in fact, communicate with us; however, often in rather unusual ways. At times He gets our attention through blessings; at other times, through sorrow. There is no limit to how God can speak to a person. In fact, how He chooses to speak to me may be quite different than how He chooses to speak to you. And how He chooses to get my attention and speak to me today may differ significantly from how He chooses to do so five years from now. The bottom line is we cannot limit or put God in a box. He is significantly far greater, far more powerful, far more holy, and far more sovereign than you and I can ever comprehend. Who are we to say that God can’t or God won’t act on our behalf? The Bible is replete with examples of God moving and acting in powerful ways. Take the story of Abraham and Sarah, for example. God promised that He would make a great nation from Abraham. Did you know that Abraham was 75 years old before God spoke and said to him, “Leave your country, your people, and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you.” Gen 12:1-2. Yet, it was another 25 years before this promise came to fruition and at the ripe ages of 95 and 90 Abraham and Sarah had their promised child, Isaac. To us this sounds so unimaginable, but with God nothing is impossible.

In the Bible we read stories of God getting people’s attention in various and peculiar ways: by giving children at ripe old ages, by talking through burning bushes, by revealing Himself through dreams and visions, and even by speaking through a donkey! We must simply agree that God can get our attention any way He wants!

As a Christian, it is our duty to live keenly responsive to God’s voice. Unfortunately, at times when life is going well, we don’t seem to be as interested in hearing what God has to say. Then something will happen and our lives will be shaken up as we question what God is up to. God is trying to communicate with us and sometimes it takes a little “shake up” for us to listen. Charles Stanley, one of my favorite Christian authors, believes that God gets our attention by giving us a restless spirit, through a word from others, through blessing us in most unusual ways, by unanswered prayer, and by unusual circumstances.

Persistent restlessness can be an indication that God is trying to get your attention. This is not the time to run hastily full steam ahead and make quick, hasty decisions. Rather, it is the time to slow down, seek Him intently, and listen for His voice. Other times God chooses to speak His words to us through other Christians. Of course, we should take all matters to Him and not just act on the advice of a loving friend, but it is important to listen with an open heart for God often chooses to convey His message to us through others. Sometimes God uses unusual blessings to get our attention. Now I like that way! These blessings are not limited to financial ones. He sure gets our attention this way and we recognize that His motive is always out of His incredible love for us. And then there is unanswered prayer. When heaven remains silent, we must take this opportunity to do a thorough self-examination. Look at yourself, your actions, attitudes, and motives under a microscope. Is there unconfessed sin in your life hindering God’s response? Maybe the request is simply not in line with God’s will and your own agenda has to be surrendered. Often God uses disappointments to bring us back to Him to heed His voice.

Lastly, there are the unusual circumstances that seem to come from out of nowhere. These can involve many things such as failure, sickness, financial collapse, and even tragedy. And these more than anything else, get our attention and usually rather swiftly. They are comprised of the major disappointments and deep sorrows in our lives that cause everything to stand still while we cry out, “Where are you God? Do you hear me? Are you with me?” It is in these desperate times that we are captive audiences of God. It is important to remember that God doesn’t necessarily bring calamity upon His people out of disapproval, but at times He does allow them to suffer. Use your disappointments and your pain to turn your attention to God, the true source of all strength, power, and healing. If we call upon and seek Him, He will be found and He will give us the strength to overcome any struggles that come our way. My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in your weakness. 2 Cor 12:8

Let us become wise and learn to live our lives for the presence of God in all circumstances of life. May we begin to see His almighty hand in every situation—in the good, and yes, even the not so good.

A Grateful Heart

Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving, and we all know that it is a special time devoted to giving thanks to God for the many blessings we have received. As families are seated around the table preparing to feast on delicious food, many engage in a familiar tradition wherein everyone takes a turn to share what he or she is most thankful for. No doubt, most often on the list is food, family, good health, and friends. And rightfully so--we should be thankful for these wonderful gifts. But have you ever heard someone say, "I'm thankful that I lost my job last month," or "I'm thankful that our country is going through an economic crisis?" Or how about, "I'm thankful that my stock portfolio is down by thousands of dollars?" I can almost bet that nothing like that is ever voiced around the Thanksgiving table!

So much of what we do not consider good or something to be grateful for is simply a matter of perspective. If things aren't going the way we'd like, we become discontent. Before long the grumbling sets in and next thing you know we begin to forget the many blessings we do have. We soon become downright ungrateful for the disappointments that life inevitably brings us. If we can just take off our foggy glasses and try to look at the situation from God's perspective we may just realize that things are not as bad as they seem. Our outlook on life is everything. If we look for the thorns, we will find them. Yet if we choose to focus on the beautiful blossoms, we may not even notice the thorns. I'm not saying we should hide our faces in the sand and become oblivious to the realities around us. What I am saying is that we need to shift our focus off of ourselves and change our perspective. We are incapable of predicting the future, and we are often unable to see the "value" in disappointments, trials and suffering. Yet God tells us in Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Jesus tells us that in this world we will have troubles, but we are to take heart for He has overcome the world. So why not take Him at his Word? He will overcome, and we who are in Him will overcome. Why do we allow the world to get to us? We have the power in Him to overcome our challenges, our difficulties, our trials. Can it be that we simply do not trust Him? I believe our view of life and the contentment we experience as a result is directly related to our trust in Him. Jesus himself, the perfect Son of God, lived a very difficult life. He was insulted, persecuted, and ultimately crucified for all mankind. Yet despite all of that rejection and sorrow, he remained loving, gracious, kind, and forgiving. He knows what is waiting for us on the other side. Only when we take the focus off of ourselves and onto Him will we be able to persevere no matter what comes our way.

So when life squeezes you in, why not pour out lemonade instead of a sour response? When difficulties come your way, why not trust in the God who can change your circumstances? When family or friends let you down, why not turn to the only one who will never forsake you? The bottom line is that you have a Choice. You can be a pessimist or an optimist. You can look at your glass as "half empty" or "half full". If you choose to focus on and look for the bad, you will always find it. Or you can choose to accept the fact that while life on earth may be difficult at times, you are given an opportunity to grow in character and draw closer to the only One who has all the answers and has the power to mold your character in a way that truly transforms you. The real blessings will come. All of a sudden you'll notice that the stresses and nuances in life don't have such a hold on you anymore. In fact, they no longer have power over you. Things that used to bother you so significantly will seem so trivial and unimportant. You will be able to "go with the flow" a little easier and not fret over minor inconveniences. Your perspective will change and you'll soon realize that you've traded in your foggy glasses for 20/20 vision--God's vision. You'll know more than ever before that you are only a stranger here just passing through and that your real citizenship is in heaven. Life on earth is just an "elementary playground" where you are given an opportunity to perfect love, to grant forgiveness, to extend grace, and to bestow blessings on others. If you strive to live your life this way with His help, then one day when your brief time here is over, God will welcome you into His kingdom with the words I know we all long to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil 3:20