Well, in Texas the temperatures are finally beginning to fall - a little bit, that is. I was so excited last week when I was actually able to wear my winter pj's and snuggle up with a good movie and some hot chocolate!
This is definitely my very favorite time of year. I love all of the decorations, the shopping, and most of the all the amazing realization that God actually sent His own Son to be born on this Earth as one of us.
This time of year can bring excitement and joy or stress and depression. As I listen to others around me, I often notice that many of them are not looking forward to the holidays. They complain about the money they will spend, the people they will have to see, and the pounds they will gain at all of those Christmas dinners.
There are often times that I find myself joining right in with those people that sound bitter and unhappy. I allow myself to be swept in to conversations that open the door for the enemy to bring discontentment and bitterness.
Last week, I heard a pastor speaking on being a thermometer or a thermostat. I loved this illustration because it was so true! I love when God allows others to use everyday things to point out something in my life that I need to work on.
The speaker was sharing the difference between the two. You see, a thermometer simply takes the temperature. It doesn't change anything. If we are like thermometers, we might do the following:
* Enter a room full of people that are complaining and begin to do the same.
* Work with cold people and allow ourselves to become to cold as well.
* Find ourselves living lives that would not please our Savior simply because we don't want to "change" anything.
A thermostat, on the other hand, changes the temperature. It sets the the temperature in the room. If we set the thermometer to a comfortable temperature, everyone in the room is comfortable. It is inviting to walk into a warm and cozy place during the holidays. However, it is very uninviting to walk into a room that is very cold. If we are like thermostats, we:
* Change the temperature when we walk into a room.
* Can affect the way others feel when they are around us.
*Are always adjusting ourselves to make others around us feel comfortable.
I believe that Jesus wants us to be thermostats. I believe that He has called us to set the temperature when we walk into the room. People should see that we have something different about us that allows us to bring warmth and comfort to those around us. We should want those around to us to feel good. Jesus has called us to be different than those around us. He does not want us to take the temperature in the room and just adjust ourselves to fit in.
Phillipians 2:4 says, "Each of you should not only look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Make those around you notice that there is something different about you. Become a thermostat that changes the atmosphere of the room when you walk in. Allow others to take notice and realize that there is something different about you. Give God total control over you and your words. Don't allow the world to make you a thermometer that simply takes the temperature when the Heavenly Father created you to be a thermostat that changes the temperature!!!
Some Things to Think About:
1. Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?
2. Do you change the temperature when you walk into a room or simply take the temperature and join right in?
3. Do you want to stand out as someone who changes things or are you comfortable just fitting in?
Words of Worth:
"Each of you should not only look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Phillipians 2:4
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Phillipians 2:5
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6
*Thermometer vs. Thermostat Illustration - Robert Herber, Antioch Community Church
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wanting It ALL
Wanting It ALL
“I want Santa to bring me ALL of the Thomas Train toys.” This is what our three year old has been telling us every day for the last three weeks.
He is very concerned that Santa is going to bring the wrong toy or not enough of what he thinks will make him happy. He has also kindly expressed to us that he would like ALL of the Gameboy games, ALL of the Leapster games, and ALL of the Lightning McQueen toys.
At first, we thought it was cute. However, a couple of nights ago, my husband and I realized that our little man was serious. He really thinks Santa is bringing him ALL of the toys that he has requested, even though we have tried explaining to him that that this would be very difficult (not to mention very costly for “Santa” J).
So, I sat him down to talk to him about the reality of what he would find under that tree in a couple of weeks. As he looked up at me with those big blue eyes, I explained that Christmas was not about what we receive but what we give. I also explained that “Santa” would be bringing some gifts for him but that it just wasn’t possible for him to receive EVERYTHING on his list. I told him that “Santa” knows what he needs and what he will really enjoy. I explained that he will receive some of what he has asked for but if he got everything on his list, he would have nothing to look forward to later in the year.
As I finished up our little talk, I braced myself for his questions, tears, or maybe even a fit. But when we were finished talking, he simply jumped off the bed and said, “Mom, can you just tell Santa to make sure he brings the other things next Christmas?”
I couldn’t help but realize that God was teaching me a huge lesson in contentment.
Psalm 107:9 says, “He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
How often have you requested something from God and then reacted in disappointment or even anger when your request was not satisfied? I know that I have made requests like our son’s many times. And the Father has often not fulfilled my requests in the way I would have liked. However, somehow, his plan and way of doing things always seems to work out better than mine. He knows what I need and when I need it.
It is so hard in today's society to restrain from wanting and sometimes getting everything that we desire. We have access to credit, loans, instant cash...We can obtain what we want, when we want it. But God says that HE satisfies us and fills us with good things. In other words, we should not need the things of this world to bring happiness but instead should just be thirsty and hungry for more of Him in our lives.
Just like I explained to my little man, if God gave us everything that we wanted, we would have nothing to look forward to. He knows what is best for us and what will bring us joy. He longs to give us the desires of our heart but that means that we must be patient and understanding with His will for our lives.
Remember that this Christmas as you shuffle around buying last minute gifts, trying to satisfy everyone on your list. Remember that Christmas is not simply about what we give and receive but a time to reflect on best thing of all, Jesus Christ. Allow Him to bring you happiness and joy this season. Be content in knowing that God has given us the best gift we could possibly receive when he gave us his Son, Jesus Christ on that amazing night in Bethlehem.
Some Things to Think About:
1) Are you content or are you always trying to find ways to experience contentment?
2) Do you allow God to fill you up with good things?
3) Do you believe that your Father in Heaven knows what is best for you and has amazing plans for your life?
Words of Worth:
“He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:9
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
“I want Santa to bring me ALL of the Thomas Train toys.” This is what our three year old has been telling us every day for the last three weeks.
He is very concerned that Santa is going to bring the wrong toy or not enough of what he thinks will make him happy. He has also kindly expressed to us that he would like ALL of the Gameboy games, ALL of the Leapster games, and ALL of the Lightning McQueen toys.
At first, we thought it was cute. However, a couple of nights ago, my husband and I realized that our little man was serious. He really thinks Santa is bringing him ALL of the toys that he has requested, even though we have tried explaining to him that that this would be very difficult (not to mention very costly for “Santa” J).
So, I sat him down to talk to him about the reality of what he would find under that tree in a couple of weeks. As he looked up at me with those big blue eyes, I explained that Christmas was not about what we receive but what we give. I also explained that “Santa” would be bringing some gifts for him but that it just wasn’t possible for him to receive EVERYTHING on his list. I told him that “Santa” knows what he needs and what he will really enjoy. I explained that he will receive some of what he has asked for but if he got everything on his list, he would have nothing to look forward to later in the year.
As I finished up our little talk, I braced myself for his questions, tears, or maybe even a fit. But when we were finished talking, he simply jumped off the bed and said, “Mom, can you just tell Santa to make sure he brings the other things next Christmas?”
I couldn’t help but realize that God was teaching me a huge lesson in contentment.
Psalm 107:9 says, “He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
How often have you requested something from God and then reacted in disappointment or even anger when your request was not satisfied? I know that I have made requests like our son’s many times. And the Father has often not fulfilled my requests in the way I would have liked. However, somehow, his plan and way of doing things always seems to work out better than mine. He knows what I need and when I need it.
It is so hard in today's society to restrain from wanting and sometimes getting everything that we desire. We have access to credit, loans, instant cash...We can obtain what we want, when we want it. But God says that HE satisfies us and fills us with good things. In other words, we should not need the things of this world to bring happiness but instead should just be thirsty and hungry for more of Him in our lives.
Just like I explained to my little man, if God gave us everything that we wanted, we would have nothing to look forward to. He knows what is best for us and what will bring us joy. He longs to give us the desires of our heart but that means that we must be patient and understanding with His will for our lives.
Remember that this Christmas as you shuffle around buying last minute gifts, trying to satisfy everyone on your list. Remember that Christmas is not simply about what we give and receive but a time to reflect on best thing of all, Jesus Christ. Allow Him to bring you happiness and joy this season. Be content in knowing that God has given us the best gift we could possibly receive when he gave us his Son, Jesus Christ on that amazing night in Bethlehem.
Some Things to Think About:
1) Are you content or are you always trying to find ways to experience contentment?
2) Do you allow God to fill you up with good things?
3) Do you believe that your Father in Heaven knows what is best for you and has amazing plans for your life?
Words of Worth:
“He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:9
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Slow To Anger
Slow To Anger
"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness..." Exodus 34:6
These are words that God used when describing Himself to Moses. "Compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness"- Is this how you think of God? Or do you think of God as a distant Father who simply exists to judge us for our sins?
I believe that many of us know that God loves us. We have heard that all of our lives. But I wonder, do we fully understand the character of God and His ability to give us all that we have ever wanted or needed in our lives?
One of the phrases in this verse that speaks to me the most is when God refers to Himself as being "slow to anger." I've got to say that I am not always slow to anger. In fact, I can go from zero to hysterical in a matter of seconds. Even with the people I love the most, I can become angry and frustrated quickly if I do not seek God in all situations.
I think that so often we try to assume that God reacts the same way that we do to situations. When we do something that is disappointing or hurtful to God, we are afraid that He is angry or upset with our choices or behavior. While I do believe that God's heart breaks when we sin and choose the ways of this world, I also know that He is faithful. If He says that He is slow to anger, He means it. He didn't say, "I am slow to anger unless you do something really bad" or "I will be compassionate and gracious if you read the Bible at least once a day."
Instead, God is describing his character. It is His nature to be loving, faithful, forgiving, and gracious to those of us that don't even deserve a glance from Him. He is in love with us and wants to show us His amazing love and compassion. However, in order for Him to do that, we must be willing to run after Him with all of our hearts.
Don't think of God as a distant Father that stands in Heaven waiting to judge you. Instead, realize that He is the father that you have waited for all of your life, who stands in Heaving waiting to love you and bring you peace. He is the Savior who came to save your life and offer you more compassion and grace that you could ever imagine. He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness.
As you go through your day today, ask God to reveal His character to you. Ask Him to remind you that He is faithful and true in a world that is anything but. Pursue Him each and every day and know that in return, He will be pursuing you.
Words of Worth:
"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness..." Exodus 34:6
"The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." Numbers 14:18
"But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Psalm 86:15
Some Things to Think About:
1. What are three words you would use to describe the heart of God?
2. Does your character match up with God's character?
3. Do you believe that God is slow to anger?
"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness..." Exodus 34:6
These are words that God used when describing Himself to Moses. "Compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness"- Is this how you think of God? Or do you think of God as a distant Father who simply exists to judge us for our sins?
I believe that many of us know that God loves us. We have heard that all of our lives. But I wonder, do we fully understand the character of God and His ability to give us all that we have ever wanted or needed in our lives?
One of the phrases in this verse that speaks to me the most is when God refers to Himself as being "slow to anger." I've got to say that I am not always slow to anger. In fact, I can go from zero to hysterical in a matter of seconds. Even with the people I love the most, I can become angry and frustrated quickly if I do not seek God in all situations.
I think that so often we try to assume that God reacts the same way that we do to situations. When we do something that is disappointing or hurtful to God, we are afraid that He is angry or upset with our choices or behavior. While I do believe that God's heart breaks when we sin and choose the ways of this world, I also know that He is faithful. If He says that He is slow to anger, He means it. He didn't say, "I am slow to anger unless you do something really bad" or "I will be compassionate and gracious if you read the Bible at least once a day."
Instead, God is describing his character. It is His nature to be loving, faithful, forgiving, and gracious to those of us that don't even deserve a glance from Him. He is in love with us and wants to show us His amazing love and compassion. However, in order for Him to do that, we must be willing to run after Him with all of our hearts.
Don't think of God as a distant Father that stands in Heaven waiting to judge you. Instead, realize that He is the father that you have waited for all of your life, who stands in Heaving waiting to love you and bring you peace. He is the Savior who came to save your life and offer you more compassion and grace that you could ever imagine. He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness.
As you go through your day today, ask God to reveal His character to you. Ask Him to remind you that He is faithful and true in a world that is anything but. Pursue Him each and every day and know that in return, He will be pursuing you.
Words of Worth:
"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness..." Exodus 34:6
"The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." Numbers 14:18
"But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Psalm 86:15
Some Things to Think About:
1. What are three words you would use to describe the heart of God?
2. Does your character match up with God's character?
3. Do you believe that God is slow to anger?
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