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Encouragement and Tools to Abide in God's Word

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Christ in our conversations

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We don’t need an official calendar holiday in order to use the gift of words well. You might not even celebrate Christmas, but if we believe the account of the Babe in the manger, we must be inspired to share the good tidings.Good tidings in modern times

Christ belongs in our conversations. We’ve talked about some of the challenges of having the story of the Word who became flesh heard in our modern times. We’ve talked about using God’s gift of words to praise Him, and we’ve considered how to tame our tongues and  how to take care and caution in sharing responsibly in the social media age. But how do we use our words to naturally weave Jesus into our conversations? The sight of manger scenes, talk of peace on earth, and sounds of Silent Night open doors of opportunity to talk about the Prince of Peace, regardless of our take on the Christmas season.

If Jesus can find a place in an unlikely manger, it shouldn’t be so hard to find a place in the chatter of those who know Him. A simple, but intentional, question or comment may be the pivotal point to bring up “the Jesus” in our conversations.

Christ in our conversations

  • Q:  So do you have a favorite image that says “Christmas” to you?
  • A:  I love to imagine the manger scene. It’s hard to grasp that God became a helpless baby for me, but He did. Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to become a man?
  • Q:  What’s your favorite Christmas carol?
  • A:   I’ve sung a lot of them without even thinking. Recently, I paid attention to O Holy Night. “Long lay the world in sin and error pining ’til He appeared and the soul felt His worth.” I thought about how I was pining away for something to bring me hope before I knew the worth Jesus brings to my life.
  • Q:  So after Christmas comes the New Year. Do you have hopes for the year ahead?women chatting over coffee
  • A:  I’d love to pray about that for you. God says that if we give God the right place in our lives, He will direct our paths. I’ll ask Him to show you what good things He has for you.

Some day, our friend or relative may come to know Jesus as their personal Savior. While we’re rejoicing, they might be wondering why we didn’t speak up and turn our common conversations to spiritual things, life-changing things. News that the Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15 ESV).

When we use our gift of words to share the true events of the coming of Christ, we honor Him as holy. It’s not as complicated or frightening as we often make it. After all, the Word in us gives us hope, and that’s something amazing to talk about!

(Here is a printable sheet of more examples and reminders to help us include Christ in our conversations this Christmas and in the New Year.)

Do you have a way that works for you to turn conversations to Christ?

Christmas Praise Cards

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One thing I love about Christmas is the music. We sing a lot of songs in December that we don’t hear at any other time of year. Some, like “Silent Night” and “Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem” point to Jesus. But many popular ones like “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls” don’t mention Jesus at all.

Those secular songs are fun, but they completely ignore the reason for the season. We celebrate Christmas because God came to earth as a man in order to provide salvation for mankind. That is definitely something not only to celebrate, but to also praise God for – in song and in word.

Praise packs the biblical Christmas story. We see it again and again in Matthew and Luke. Sometimes the praise took the form of a song and sometimes a prayer. But all these examples show us that praise is the appropriate response to the birth of our Savior.

How often during the Christmas season do we take the time to purposefully praise God?

Christmas praise Today’s printable contains four praise prompts based on the songs and prayers of praise in the biblical Christmas story. Print it out and cut into four cards. You can stick these four praise reminders in your Bible, on your fridge, or anywhere you will see them. Use these cards to prompt your own praise to God for sending our Savior.

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people! Luke 1:68

 

 

Good tidings in modern times

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I emerged from the gauntlet of perfume counters and white coated clerks thrusting sample cards under my nose. Pausing in a forest of mitten covered racks, I caught my breath and surveyed the scene, searching for it. A mention of Christmas? Evidence Christ was born? Suggestion of a manger? There was none.

Other than giant-sized posters of happy people dressed in red beneath a single word in large script saying “BELIEVE,” little proof existed to say the day was anything other than a national shopping day. “Believe what?” I wanted to shout. No one would’ve heard me over the din of doorbusters and “Next!” and crying children covered by packages in strollers.

But department store shouldn’t have to tell me what to believe. They exist for shopping days; they know their goal and they stay focused. So who’s the one to declare good tidings in these noisy, modern times?

For Christians, the Christmas season celebrates the incarnation of God’s Son, the earthly birth of the heavenly Savior. Known as “the Word,” even His name promised the giving of a message, news of hope for all mankind. And in the very story of His arrival, words took center stage.

  • announcements were made
  • government decrees were sent out
  • prophecy’s fulfillment was spoken
  • a baby was inspired by a greeting
  • good news of great joy was declared
  • songs were sung by united hosts
  • threats were sent out by Roman rulers
  • rejection was delivered by a busy innkeeper
  • worship was humbly spoken in the night

Good tidings in modern timesAlong with the gift of “The Word,” God gave us the gift of words of our own. He entrusted us with the power of voice, whether spoken, written, signed, painted or played. He gave us the power to convey a message. His message. We have the potential to declare the Good Tidings.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.“ John 1:14

Modern times are noisy times and times with more modes of delivering tidings than ever before.

With all of the words out there, people still want to know, “Believe what?”

And that’s where those entrusted with the power of words join with the shepherds and the angel host and the wise men to declare good tidings. Our modern times count on US to sound out the good news that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Will you join Do Not Depart this month as we explore the gift of words and rediscover the power and the joy of good tidings in modern times?

Time to wrap up

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This December we celebrated the beauty of the season with the word of God and the Word himself spread throughout our days.

With just days left before Christmas, we want to offer you this platter full of inspiration one more time.  As you plan your Christmas Eve and day, perhaps one of these posts will add to your joy. We hope this has helped you savor God Himself during this season of peace on earth and good will to men. It’s not too late to find one way to add the word to your merry making.

We pray that the word will be found in all of your Christmas season!

Sharing the Word Through Service

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I love words, and words carry power.

But action itself speaks, meets needs, and shares God’s love (and, yes, His Word in action) in affective ways.

With less than a week until Christmas, we might be tempted to say, “I didn’t serve as much or as well as I wanted this season. And now it’s too late.”Sharing the Word through Service - Ideas from Do Not Depart

It’s not too late! Below are several ideas you can implement this week to share God’s love and His word through serving others. Build these activities into family time, and worship through serving others with His heart.

Sharing the Word with Action

Here are a few ways we can serve people now and share God’s love through action:

  • One of our team writers, Teri Lynne, shares 10 Ways to Help in Your Community on her personal blog. These ideas require little planning and most can be implemented in an afternoon.
  • Grab a few friends and/or family members and go caroling in a neighborhood. When you carol, choose songs spreading the joy of the season. Sing one or two, wish the neighbors a “Merry Christmas,” and then move on to the next house! It’s a non-pushy, fun way to spread word of His birth.
  • Set up Christmas lights between two trees or in your yard simply forming the word “peace,” “joy,” or “love.”
  • Prioritize your emphasis on the season and intentionally renew your focus on Him daily, inwardly and as an outward example. Christmas is not about a certain number of gifts or how busy we can be, but is about celebrating His birth, presences, and grace. (Verses that help me when I begin to feel stressed: Luke 2:10, Luke 10:41-42, and Ephesians 2:8-9.)
  • Make homemade gifts with your kids with the Word included, like these chalk pastel paintings, this “Joy” word sign, this Christmas carol plaque, or this verse-a-day gift.
  • Lead a group of (willing) neighborhood kids or a church preschool class in nativity-focused games and activities, like this Find and Fill Nativity Lesson.
  • If it’s cold enough if your area, make a few of these beautiful ice ornaments and include wooden letters spelling out “joy” or “peace.”
  • Stick these tags on your gifts and give away the bookmarks!
  • Donate to worth-while and Christ-focused causes.

A few ideas you can jump in on now and save for next year:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

 

How are you and your family sharing God’s Word through service this season (and throughout the year)? What’s one way you include His Word in your gifts or actions? Share in the comments below.

Christmas Gifts of Compassion

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If you’re like me, you aren’t done with your Christmas shopping either. In light of the tragic events of this last week, though, my spirit groans against the thought of bustling through a mall or settling for items with little meaning.

Weeks ago, our Do Not Depart team planned that we would share ideas for “last minute” Gifts of Compassion today, but it seems divinely timed. Maybe you are at a loss for a gift to give to someone you love or to someone you appreciate, like a teacher or a local first responder. This month, we’ve been talking about how to include the Word in Christmas.

John 1:14 tells us that the Word is Jesus. His coming is the greatest expression of love, and His coming makes life and hope possible.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:7-9

One of the best ways to answer evil is with the sending of love; God himself set that precedent for us. Today we want to share ideas for Christmas gifts you may still easily send, gifts that express God’s love, ways to “love one another” with love from God.

In tender times only God-sized love seems enough and gifts of the Word seem fitting.

Gifts for the Persecuted ~

Voice of the Martyrs Prayer Calendar ~ This beautiful calendar serves as a prayer tool on behalf of the many people who are persecuted around the worlBe Intertwined handcraftsd because they know God and call themselves by the name of His Son:  Christian. ($4)

Be Intertwined ~ This sewing cooperative of refugee women works together to sew with primarily donated material. Many of these women have known lives of fear and violence, yet they begin to find community, safety, and faith as they create colorful crafts to help support their families. Visit their etsy shop for one of a kind, handmade items.

Globally Generous Gifts ~ Give a gift in someone’s honor:

You don’t have to fight crowds, pray for a parking spot, or run out and buy a box of truffles for someone who doesn’t need them anyway. This is the perfect time to give a globally generous gift to express peace on earth, while speaking the very love of Jesus, the Word, to those close to you.

Here are some of our favorite Globally Generous Gift Sources:

Many of these sources provide similar opportunities and offer many more ideas than we can list here.

Do you have a favorite compassionate gift to add to our list or resources? Please share in the comments if you do.

Gifts to Keep Your Kids in the Word

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And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. – Deuteronomy 6:6-7

As parents, sometimes we need a little help teaching our children Scripture. Thankfully, there are resources now that are biblically based and fun! Here are a few of our favorite resources to add to your Christmas shopping list:

  • The Jesus Storybook Bible from Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago is our favorite story Bible. The stories are rich and the illustrations are beautiful. We love this Bible so much, we bought copies for family members and for the preschool classes at our church. (Available at bookstores like LifeWay, and on Amazon.)
  • Seeds Family Worship music sets Scripture to song. We have fun singing, dancing, and memorizing God’s promises all at the same time. More good news? When your order a Seeds CD, you actually get two! They want you to give away one copy to continue to spread the Word. (Available on their website and Amazon.)
  • What’s in the Bible DVDs are a new favorite around here. Phil Vischer (of Veggie Tales fame) has created this new line of DVDs that explore each book of the Bible. So far there’s nine DVDs, Genesis through the prophets, plus a couple extra Christmas-focused videos. They are funny and educational. (Available on their website, at bookstores like LifeWay, and Amazon.)

I’m so thankful for companies who help us follow the instructions in Deuteronomy to teach our children His truths. What are your favorite biblically-based products for kids?

 

*affiliate links present*

A Verse a Day – Personalized Gift Version

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Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with Lisa, wherever Lisa goes.
Joshua 1:9

Is there someone on your Christmas list that could use some real encouragement? A special touch? A personalized gift from God?

With a little time and thought, you can make an investment in your friend or family member’s soul that might remain long after Christmas 2012 has been scrapbooked and/or forgotten.

All it will cost you is a 7-day pill organizer, some paper, and PRAYER.

Here’s what you do:

1. Get a container

Find a 7-day pill box (or any container of your choice).

2. Choose verses

Click on the Verses-Original here or the box below. Pray as you read through these verses (or choose your own) and mark which ones would be meaningful to your friend. Decide on at least one verse per day (a total of seven verses) or up to five verses per day (a total of 35 verses).

You can choose verses by category (one for each day of the week) or ignore the categories and just choose randomly. If you don’t want to personalize (using step 3), print out the verses now.

3. Personalize verses

If you do want to take it one step further and personalize these same verses you’ve chosen, click on the Verses-Personal here or the box below (same verses as above, just reformatted).

Either write these verses by hand, inserting your friend’s name in the appropriate spots OR for computer printing, save the Verses-Personal as a Word document on your computer, then use the simple “Find and replace” command to have the computer make all the changes for you in one clean swoop, using–Find what: [NAME], Replace with: Ashley, and “replace all”. With one keystroke, all the verses are now personal.

Example:

Change this:
May the God of hope fill [NAME] with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit [NAME] may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13

Into this:
May the God of hope fill Ashley with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit Ashley may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13

4. Cut and fill

Cut the verses into individual strips. Fold and insert one verse per day (or up to five) in each box of the pill holder.

5. Wrap in prayer

As you wrap it up or place in a gift bag, pray for your friend to be blessed by the Living Word through your gift of these written words. It’s a gift of love and life that will be appreciated each day.

And don’t be surprised if you, too, are blessed as you put this gift together at Christmas or any time of the year!

What’s a favorite scripture you would recommend sharing with a friend?

 

10 Meaningful Family Activities for Christmas

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The real meaning of Christmas can get lost in the shopping, cooking, cleaning, and decorating. These 10 suggestions will help you and your family focus on Christ and also help you share His message with people who need to hear. You’ll have a lot of fun in the process too!

  1. Christmas card prayers – At the dinner table or at bedtime each night, pray for the families you received cards from that day. Use a basket or some other kind of container to hold the cards and keep it on the dinner table or nightstand.
  2. Play the Christmas story – Use a toy nativity set to act out the story of Christmas with your children or grandchildren. I bought a cloth version for my grandson at a craft show. Fisher Price has a really cute one too. Available at Family Christian Store. 
    Nativity, Christmas activities
    Cloth nativity is kid friendly!


  3. Gifts for needy children – Help your children experience the joy of helping others. Connect with a faith-based charity through which you can help provide for children in need at Christmas. Efforts like Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan’s purse and Angel Tree by Prison Fellowship are two good choices!
  4. Hang The Christmas Nail – Years ago someone gave our family “The Christmas Nail.” It’s a six-inch sturdy spike with a red ribbon through a hole in the top. Here’s the short poem that accompanies the nail:

This is the Christmas Nail. It is to be hung on a sturdy branch, a branch near the trunk, a branch that will hold such a spike without being noticed by well-wishers dropping by to admire one’s tinseled tree. The nail is known only to the home that hangs it. Understood only by the heart that knows its significance. It is hung with the thought The Christmas tree but foreshadows the Christ-tree which only He could decorate for us, ornamented with nails as this.

You can purchase your own nail here. I have also made nails – using spikes I purchased at a hardware store and red ribbon – to give to friends and neighbors for their own trees. Make hanging the nail a meaningful event. Gather the family around the tree and decide how the “hanger” will be chosen. For example, it could be the youngest or oldest. Pray and contemplate Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.

5.  Bread of Life for the neighbors – A yummy Christmas gift can double as a message of life. Gather the family in the kitchen and make an event out of baking small loaves of sweet bread. If the family doesn’t enjoy cooking, you can do the baking and then the family can help wrap the loaves and go together to make the deliveries to the neighbors. Wrap the bread in pretty cellophane and add a tag with John 6:35. “Jesus is the bread of life.” I have a recipe for Pumpkin-Cranberry bread that everyone loves. It’s festive and can be doubled or even tripled!

6.  Musically spread the Good News – We have at least one caroling group stop by our house every year. However, I’ve noticed the groups sing mostly secular Christmas songs. You and your family can share the real reason for the season with your neighbors. Make caroling a festive party by asking a few Christian friends to join you. Gather at your house first for a quick practice session. Make sure your carols spread the Good News by including songs like “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.” After caroling in your neighborhood, serve hot cocoa and goodies back at your house for the carolers.

7.  Birthday party for Jesus – last week, Patti shared about hosting a children’s birthday party for Jesus. Read more about this outreach event.

8.  Read the Christmas story – We read the entire Christmas story on Christmas Eve. However, if your children are young, break the story up over several nights. I found two great downloadable resources at FamilyReadingBible.com you should check out. One is a Christmas story reading plan that lists readings from December 13 through Christmas Day. The other is a Bible story reading booklet to print!

9.  Watch “The Nativity Story” – The biblical Christmas story comes to life right in your living room when you watch this beautiful movie with the family. Rent it at your neighborhood video store, Netflix, or iTunes, or buy it at Amazon to watch every year!

10.  Celebrate the advent – Anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ arrival by adapting traditional advent activities for home. Focus on the Family has some great resources.

I’d love to know how these work for you. Also, feel free to share your suggestions for meaningful activities with us!

The Word in Christmas Weekend Tools

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Though we’re usually quiet here at Do Not Depart over the weekends, we know that during the Christmas season, our readers might find weekends the perfect time to use two free printables we have for you.  These tools will help you to celebrate with the Word. We hope you’ll enjoy using them with your family, local church, or neighborhood.

Free printable #1 ~ The Word gift tag stickers

The Word in Christmas gift tag sticker

This file is designed to print on a 2×4 inch sticker. Avery 18163 will work or these from Target; they come in a package of 100 for $4.44. As you being to prepare gifts to give, keep these stickers on hand to include the Word as a reminder with each gift you give!

 

Click here to download a sheet of 10 stickers:  The Word in CHRISTMAS Sticker

 

Free printable #2 ~ The Candy Cane Christmas bookmark

We used these for an ESL Christmas party to share how a candy cane reminds us of what our Christmas celebration is all about. There are 3 on each sheet, and they work well printed on cardstock. Use them as a gift insert, for a Sunday School lesson, or for a party!

 

Click here for your copy of The Candy Cane bookmark PDF

 

“God rest you merry” readers as you enjoy celebrating the Word in Christmas!

 

Other helps this week included:

3 Simple Ideas for incorporating scripture into holiday decorating

Throw a birthday party for Jesus!

 

 

Finding the Word in Christmas: 3 Simple Ideas for Incorporating Scripture into Holiday Decorating

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Finding the word in Christmas www.donotdepart.com

I’m a word-lover.  All my life I’ve been captivated by words.  One of my favorite verses in Scripture is John 1:1,

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

And then in John 1:14,

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us …

The Creator of all things using words is THE Word … and He, the Word, became flesh and dwelt among us.  The Message says it this way, “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.”

And, that, my friends, is Christmas!  God Incarnate became Word-Made-Flesh and entered the world.  And He used words, as He had from the beginning, to speak truth and hope and promise into the darkness of this world.

Nativity Ornament

It’s probably no surprise then, that words form a large part of my Christmas decorating plan.  Words like hope and joy are repeated in many places throughout my home.    In some places there are entire verses on display and in others, a simple word that points to the Word.

3 Simple Ways to Add Scripture into Your Christmas Decorating www.donotdepart.com

Here are three simple ways to add the Word to your Christmas decorating:

1.  Pick a key word and repeat it.  For us, that word would be hope.  I have is spread throughout my house in all sorts of ways.  There’s even a tree in my kitchen filled with ornaments that say, “Hope.”  Each time I see that word, I am reminded that He is our hope!

Hope Tree

2.  Use an Advent calendar with Scripture.  Dayspring has two beautiful tabletop advent devotionals this year.  I have both of them on display in my home.  As I change the calendar each day, I’m reminded of the beauty of God’s Word.

Advent Calendar from Dayspring

Advent Calendar from Dayspring

 

3.  Choose a theme verse for your holiday season and prominently display it.  This year has been filled with some major disappointments and very difficult family situations.  And we’ve entered the holiday season with a little trepidation about how it will all play out.  I chose a verse to display on the chalkboard in our family room that would remind us of God’s sovereignty in all things.

Chalkboard in Family Room

I’m sure there are countless other ways you have added Scripture and words to keep your holiday decor focused on Christ.  We’d love for you to share some of your ideas with us in the comments!

{I’ve partnered with Dayspring this holiday season on my personal blog … and I have a great 50% code for this doormat.  This is a great way to remind yourself and all who enter or leave your home of the good news and great joy of this season! The code is good through Saturday, December 8.}

Dayspring Door Mat

 

Finally!

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Eager anticipation dominated the Christmases of my childhood. All the traditions of the season promised the arrival of the big day – the tree, the brightly wrapped packages, the lights, and the music. These things by themselves were not Christmas, but they signaled its coming. When I woke on the morning of December 25th all these traditions found their full expression.

Although I loved all the Christmas activities, I did not appreciate their full meaning until years later. (If you’re interested, here’s a great article from the Crosswalk.com archives that gives the spiritual significance of many well-loved Christmas traditions.)

Like the Christmas activities point to Christmas, so the Old Testament points to Jesus.

The Law, the sacrificial system, the feasts, and prophecies all find their full expression in the person of Christ. The Old Covenant that God made with the Israelites anticipates the New Covenant found only in the Son.

For the last three weeks here at Scripture Dig we have been exploring the “I Came” statements of Jesus. As we celebrate His birth, we did not want to miss the reason Jesus came. Here is what we’ve discovered:

Today, on our final post of this series, we see that Jesus came to “fulfill” the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). Everything in the Old Testament pointed to Christ. Jesus was the goal, the purpose of the Law and the Prophets. Here are a few examples:

  • The Passover – Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).
  • The Sacrificial System – Jesus, the “once for all” sacrifice, provided what the blood of bulls and goats never could (Hebrews 10:1-10).
  • The Day of Atonement – Jesus is our High Priest who enters the actual Holy of Holies on our behalf (Hebrews 9:11).
  • Manna, bread in the wilderness – Jesus is the Bread of Life, the true bread from heaven (John 6:30-32).

Jesus has always been God’s plan for establishing a relationship with His people. Jesus was not the backup plan when all else failed. Even before God created the world, He determined that Jesus would die to provide salvation for mankind (1 Peter 1:20). The Old Testament – the Law and the Prophets – anticipate the fulfillment of God’s plan. They find completion and full expression in Christ. Finally! He’s here!

What is your favorite picture of Christ in the Old Testament?

Not your average king

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The news from 2011 will reflect a wave of uprisings washing across Europe and the Middle East, crashing onto cities like London, Jerusalem, Cairo, and Athens. With an election year in the United States, voices of discontent call out and seek a champion for change. The port of Oakland, California was shut down Monday, Dec. 12 due to protests related to the Occupy Wall St/Oakland/Portland/… Movement.  Mankind has always sought rulers to lead well, measuring success in peace, prosperity, and power. As Israel awaited her prophesied Messiah’s coming, it was no different. They looked for a king to break the bondage of Rome and restore the glory days of earthly man-kings like Solomon and David. They weren’t looking for a Jesus.

www.theblaze.com

Jesus was not your average king, and yet Hecame to be King and bring even more than Israel asked for. He came to bring truth. He came to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Lk. 2:32).

 

Word that the King of the Jews had been born somehow trickled down to all ears, despite the absence of YouTube and Twitter. Herod wanted to know where the reported king was, because a Jewish King was a threat to the heavy hand and unbending control of Rome. To the people of Israel, however, His coming meant a glimmer of hope.

 

After the arrest of Jesus, Pilate drilled the question at Him that all wanted to know: “Are you king of the Jews?” (John 18:33-37) The King himself said His kingdom is “not of this world;” He did not come for earthly dominion … yet. His kingship is spiritual, and He will ultimately bring all things under His rule. He was not arriving to bring a reign of immediate prosperity or even peace; He was coming for much greater riches than that. “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37).

 

Jesus was not your average king. He WAS born to reign, but not merely over things like economies and governments. When Herod searched for Him and Pilate questioned Him, He was no threat to their immediate future. And when some people followed and some people mocked, there was no question He would reign over their eternity.

 

He was born to reign, but not as they expected. He is the Son of God who will sit on the throne of David to reign forever, with no end to His kingdom (Luke 2:32-33).  Jesus came to be King and bring the truth.

 

So who will reign over the governments of Europe and the Middle East and Asia and the United States in unsettled cities in 2012? No one knows. Men await rulers to free them, bring peace, and create prosperity.

 

Let’s not be so consumed with looking for “average kings” to make our “here and now” what we want that we miss the One who came to rule and reign.

 

  • – Are you living like Jesus is the King of your life? Do you know the truth He came to bring?
  • – We can all start a campaign in our hearts for “Occupy ME!”

 

Serve, Give, Tell … This Is Why He Came

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But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”   Matthew 20:25-28, emphasis added

Serving, Service, Giving, Generosity, Sacrifice

Jesus came for specific reasons and in this passage, we find two of the most significant.

To Serve and To Give His Life as a Ransom

Jesus came to show us how to live and to give us the opportunity for eternal life.

When we serve, we look like Him.   When we give generously and sacrificially, we look like Him.

And, best of all, when we acknowledge Him as Savior and Lord, we become co-heirs with Him for eternity {Romans 8:17}.

How does this look in daily life?  How do we live out the example He has given us? 

We serve.  In our homes, in our churches, in our workplaces, in our communities, around the world.   Sometimes our service seems small – wiping babies’ faces or picking up toys for the hundredth time today.  But when we serve with a pure heart, no service is small.

We give.   In a world where top television shows celebrate hoarding and getting more and bigger, the life of one who gives stands out.    There are countless ways to give from providing a goat to family across the world to taking cookies to thank a police officer across the street … opportunities to give are limitless.   We are called, commanded, to be a people who give generously, sacrificially, willingly.

We tell.   Too many believers are afraid to share their faith.  But we have been given a spirit of power {2 Timothy 1:7} and we are called to share the gospel as we go {Matthew 28:19-20}.  Telling others about the ransom Christ paid for our sin should be a part of our daily conversation.   We must be unafraid to share the truth … we must tell.

Today, every day, will you live in the example of Christ and serve and give and tell?

A Big, Big Life

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When we moved to Alabama this summer, I was given a new set of dishes.  I love them!   They are part of the LIFE  collection from Day Spring.   One of my favorite verses is inscribed on them …

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  John 10:10

Life … zoe.  One of my lexical aids described this life as “the very life of God, of which believers are made partakers.”

We are partakers of the very life of God!  

And not only that, He offers us this life to the full.

Abundantly … over and above, more than enough.

Friends, Jesus came so that we would be able to live the fullest, most abundant, crazy over and above, more than enough lives!

What does this big life involve?

Relationship with Him … We are invited into the very life of God, intimacy with the Creator and Sustainer of everything.   That’s big!

Relationships with others … We are offered community, fellowship, and interaction with fellow believers in order to strengthen and support one another.   We are given the opportunity to sow into the lives of unbelievers in order to point them to the Giver of all life.

Receiving blessing now … Isn’t God good?  He gives us gifts innumerable and blessings unimaginable – every. single. day.

But the best part is,

Redemption for eternity … In all of life, there is no greater gift than THE Gift – the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life.

Jesus came to give us abundant life – now and forever!

How have you experienced life to the full?

{image from Dayspring}

Calling All Sinners!

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Levi was at work, sitting in his tax booth, when Jesus walked by and said, “Follow me” (Mark 2:14). The Bible says Levi rose and followed Him. Then Jesus went to Levi’s house and many “tax collectors and sinner” were there, along with Jesus’ disciples. The scribes and Pharisees observed the scene and asked Jesus’ disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard them and answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

I think of Jesus’ words when I feel like I’ve done too much to ask for His forgiveness again.

I think of Jesus’ words when I think I’m not good enough.

I think of Jesus’ words when I want to give-up on praying for someone else to come to know Him.

Jesus loves sinners. He loves that moment you realize you are a sinner for the first time. That’s why He came—to call you into a relationship with Him that’s not based on your resume of good works, but your need for Him.

Jesus loves you even as you continue to sin. As you wrestle and struggle and try to do better, He continues to call you to Himself. He provides forgiveness and He also provides rest. In this passage in Luke, Jesus is hanging out, caring for the sinners and tax collectors. They are comfortable in His presence because they can feel His love for them. He loves them enough to call them to turn from their sin and follow Him, as He called Levi to do.

Jesus came to save sinners. Praise Him today for your salvation and for the continued process of sanctification in your life. Pray for those who still believe they are well and don’t have need for a physician.

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