We all face choices everyday…at this time of the year we often reflect on our lives.  As I look back we are usually faced with the choice of being in the “rat” race of life or choosing a Spirit filled race with Jesus at the center.  The difference being in the rat race we chase after money and possessions, we strive to control everything.  In the Spirit led race of faith we surrender our earthly desires to the Lord and are more open to His will for our lives which is focused on relationships.  Which way are we running…toward life on earth or toward eternal life?

“Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

Reflecting on the season and all that goes on in our lives…I have always looked forward to Christmas time.  As a kid, I enjoyed the lights, the music and family gatherings and of course…the presents!  As I and my faith have grown I realize that Christmas is a significant point in time for me to really deepen my faith.

As an adult in the mind and a kid at heart I still enjoy the lights, the music and the family gatherings…I now enjoy the giving of gifts far more than the receiving of presents.  Where we live I enjoy the snow and even the cold.  The change of season is natural to me, it is God showing us his love using nature.  All that was alive in summer has passed on but it will all be reborn in springtime.  With the shorter days we set up lights to brighten our nights.  I most enjoy that it seems to be the one time of the year that a significant number of people in the world take pause…and actually acknowledge Jesus Christ and his coming into the world.

This Christmas I pray you see and feel a sense of…

Hope – God made a promise to you and everyone to love you and to never leave you…believe him and trust him with every area of your life.

Peace – Be content when your basic needs are fulfilled and share with others if you have been blessed with abundance…practice patience.

Joy – Wear a smile more often and make an effort to help others find their smile…focus on the positive in any situation.

Love – Life is more about how you treat others than how they treat you…you can’t control what others will think, say or do so don’t waste time worrying about it…do all that you do with love.

At Christmas time and throughout the year put Christ in the center of your life…with Christ you will know Hope, you will know Peace, you will know Joy and you will know that the Love of Christ in your heart will help you overcome anything this world can throw at you.

May you see and know God’s blessings in your life this Christmas and carry them with you all through the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas carol with the message to “Go Tell It On The Mountain”…may have been partially inspired by the story of the Great Commission.  Jesus said…

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

I have spoken of starting or restarting your daily walk with the Lord.  Often this ends up much like a New Year’s resolution…we start with good intentions and then slowly the world creeps back into our routines and then before we know it we have pushed out the one thing we need the most.

We need the courage to stand up for our time with God.  When the world pushes in on us through so many different people, events and places…we need the courage to say no sometimes and spend some time with God.  It took me 40 years of life to finally stay committed to starting my day with the Lord and I can tell you from experience…once you do it and really stick to it, like many things, over time it begins to be something you look forward to and you will begin to be energized from this time.  Why do I say it takes courage?

I say courage because we don’t know what will happen if we do it…it means a form of surrender…giving up of control.  We think we are the ones calling the shots everyday.  So we have fear about depending on God.  My devotional book by John C Maxwell speaks about courage like this:

“Courage isn’t the absence of fear.  It is doing what you are afraid to do.”

So look at your daily routines, make a decision to go down that unknown road…pick a time either first thing in the morning or last thing at the end of the day whatever works for you.  Or try both and stick to the one that works best.  Set-up a place and read the Word…if you are unsure of where to start try reading Proverbs or the Gospel of John both are great places to begin.  I leave you with this verse:

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8