Easter Hope – Because He Lives

One of my favorite hymns which we sing around the Easter season is: Because He Lives – William J. Gaither. The song refers to the risen Christ which Christians celebrate during this time of the year.
In some religious cultures, they keep the bodies of their leaders sealed in glass or they set up statues of the person so that they might look upon them to worship and pay homage to their dead leaders.
In Christianity, however, we believe our Savior lives. He is no longer on the cross or in the grave. The resurrection from the dead of Jesus is one of the most important aspects of our beliefs. We do not worship a dead Lord, but one who is alive and sits at the right hand of God. “Who is he that condemneth? Shall Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34
At the age of thirteen, I heard the message of the Gospel from the Bible, and I understood for the first time that God loved me so much that He sent His Son Jesus to be the sacrifice for my sins. I made a personal commitment to accept and serve Him. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. I am so grateful for this gift.
Am I perfect? NO! God’s still working on me, and He will be until I leave this world to join Him. My part is to listen to His Spirit speak to me through His word, strive to be like Him, and to share the message of His Gospel with others. He continues to teach me daily.
Some of you may doubt this and ask how can I be sure this is true? I know it by faith, and by how His Spirit has manifested Himself in Me. I have felt the warmth and peace of His presence during some very dire circumstances. When my forty-seven year old brother died, then my mother in less than a year, and the following year my father, there were no human words to bring me comfort. But the ones where Jesus promised: “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter that He may abide with you forever.” He comforted me and gave me hope in the midst of my loss.
My fifty-four year old husband was also diagnosed with two aggressive cancers, and I was devastated with worry. I heard God’s Spirit speak to me just as clear as if He were standing beside me: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” A peace and warmth came over me and in an instant the fear and worry left me.
I’ve seen the power in other people’s lives who could not help themselves. When they called on Christ, their lives were transformed from ones of hopelessness and sin to active and productive witnesses for the Lord. God loves us, and He will not turn us away. It is us who turn from Him when we do not trust Him.
Oh yes, I do serve a risen Savior, and “Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow.” It matters not what tomorrow brings, I know He will be with me to give me the strength that I need.
My prayer is that Jesus will be very real in your heart and life, and may you feel His presence this Easter as never before.
Blessings. Jan

The Light of Christmas

Can there be Christmas without lights?

It was two weeks before Christmas and as usual, I was running behind. Work had been a hassle with a new accounting program being installed and I stayed late most every night. I didn’t have my cookies baked, or presents wrapped and the house was bare of any Christmas decorations.

Then, the snow began. It snowed day and night for three days. It piled up to over thirty inches. The snow weighed heavily on the electric lines, and down they came in numerous places—so many places, as a matter of fact, that the power company couldn’t keep up. And, of course, out went our lights, and those of thousands of customers.

I found some flashlights, candles, oil lamps and our camping lanterns. Since I had no way of knowing how long the power would be out, I decided I would have to decorate the tree. I hung the ornaments and strung the useless lights on the branches. Somehow, it just wasn’t the same without the lights. I didn’t have the magical moment of plugging in the lights to say, “Wow!”

I must admit, I was feeling a bit out of sorts, and sorry for myself as I shopped for food I could heat on our Coleman camping stove. Oh, yes, I did go out and buy a little two-burner propane stove. I couldn’t get along without water for my tea. It was in that store that I came across a group of Amish women shopping and chatting happily for the opportunity to be in town. It occurred to me that they lived like this all the time. The lack of electric lights didn’t seem to effect their joy. Just what was my joy of the Christmas season based on anyway?

After a week of “chestnuts roasting by an open fire,” well not really, but we did burn logs in the fireplace for heat, tried to read by oil lamps, and we listened to a battery-operated radio, the electricity finally was repaired.

I geared up to full-speed ahead and finished my Christmas baking and gift wrapping. I had my “Wow” moment of finally turning on the Christmas tree lights. I thought about how many lights we burn at Christmas—on the tree, stars, manger scenes, candles, advent wreaths on the outside of our homes on our lawns and bushes, all representing the Light of the world.

As I reflected on the importance of light in our lives, my thoughts turned not to the importance of electric lights, but the Light who came into the world over 2000 years-ago. The Light sent from God to be the Savior of the world.
Without this light, we have no reason to celebrate Christmas. Jesus truly is the “Reason for the Season.” May your heart be filled with the Light of Christ this Christmas.

Stand up for Jesus!

Are You Weary in Well Doing?

          This morning I spent some time reading God’s word and praying. I noticed in two separate devotional booklets, (which are unrelated), that they gave the same scripture reference of Isaiah 40:31 for the day. 

          “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” 

          I figured there was something that God wanted me to learn from this. I thought about how exhausted we become at times, not only physically, but mentally. As we try to live the Christian life and be a witness, we are bombarded by those who ridicule us for taking a Biblical stand on the issues of the day. They do not care what the Bible says, they have their own opinions. 

          When we attempt to show the love of Christ, it is often misconstrued and maligned as if we are evil. They accuse us of having selfish motives, and our words and actions are twisted to discredit our testimony. 

          Should we just give up, and allow the world to dominate our lives? What can we do? We must wait upon the Lord and follow His leading. We know He has promised to be with us and “never leave or forsake us.” 

          We need to continue to do God’s work as Christ’s followers. We need to stand for what is right. The word instructs us in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast, therefore in the liberty with which Christ hath made us free…” The translation in Greek for this is: “ to stand and keep on standing.” There are many other scriptures as well which tell us to “stand fast.” It is not a onetime thing. It is a way of life for the follower of Christ. If we do not, there will be no witness to the world of the grace of God. 

          As we continue to be faithful witnesses, God will give us the strength to “run and not be weary” as we keep on standing for Him. 

Prayer: Father have mercy on us and our Nation. Help us to persevere with your help. Amen

God’s Lessons for Nature

The Path Through Uncertainty

 

          Life is a series of uncertain events as noted in recent tornadoes, floods, and other disasters. We may make plans to pursue one thing, but circumstances beyond our control intervene. Sometimes we are sent in the opposite direction from where we thought we were headed. We all experience these things. They may be from a death, a serious health issue, a divorce, or a devastating financial loss.

          In our uncertainty, we may question God about our situation. Why did you allow this to happen to me? These tragedies are all part of our struggle between life and death. These uncertain times are used by God to draw us closer to Him. He wants us to place our trust in Him.

          Jesus never promised that our lives would be without problems and uncertainties. He did say, “These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 KJV)

          As we read the Bible, we find that Jesus went through uncertain times. The night before His crucifixion, He agonized over His impending death. He prayed that if it were possible, maybe there was another way. He was ready however, to do the will of His Heavenly Father.

          Jesus’ apostles and disciples faced uncertain times after His death. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit were they able to boldly proclaim His word even if it might mean their own deaths.

          We can find comfort in knowing that Jesus is with us. As we go through these times of uncertainty in our lives, we may have peace because of the presence of His Spirit in our hearts.

          “Charge them that are rich in this age, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy…” 1 Timothy 6:17 KJV

          The  Lord  is able to give you peace. Trust in Him.

New Beginnings

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ He is a new creation; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

We all like new things–the smell and look of a new car–a new house with all the possibilities to make it our own special place. Oh, and who doesn’t love a new-born baby–so helpless and soft. What might they become some day?

As time goes on everything begins to age. We get scratches and dents on our cars; the seats become frayed and torn. The house needs painted, and our appliances wear out. Even our bodies start to deteriorate, as our hair turns gray (or falls out) and our backs and knees start to give us problems.

In a spiritual sense, when we accept Christ, no matter what our age, we are like

New Beginnings

new-born babies. All the old sins  are forgiven, and we have a new slate upon which we may write each day. We do not need to be burdened down by yesterday’s transgressions. In 1 John 1:9 we find this promise:”If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Cleansing is available when we admit that we have sinned and ask for God’s forgiveness.

As we pray, read God’s word and follow the leading of His Spirit, we grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is alive in our lives and we can become more like Him.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for new opportunities for new beginnings and to become more  like you as we are faithful to follow your leading. Amen

1979 – The Year I Lost My Christmas Spirit and My Husband Found It

            Christmas had always been very special to me. I made a fuss decorating, sending cards, buying presents, and making tons of cookies. My husband, however, was more like Ebenezer Scrooge in The Christmas Carol.

            “Why send all those cards? Postage costs way too much. Quit buying all those presents for everyone and his brother. No, we can’t have electric lights on the outside of our house. Don’t bake all those cookies. We don’t need them.”

            My three girls and I begged to have a Christmas tree early in the season, but he would  cut one when he was ready. This usually tended to be rather close to Christmas Day. The couple of gifts that he picked out for me were purchased on Christmas Eve while the clerks were trying to close the stores. Oh, he enjoyed Christmas day, the good food, and visiting with family and friends, but he just didn’t have the spirit.

          In December, during buck season, my paraplegic brother broke his leg while transferring from his wheel chair to a regular chair. He wanted to look out the window to see the buck that my other brother shot. He developed a blood clot and a week later and on December 10^th, at the age of 47, passed away.

        My mother hadn’t been feeling well, but she refused to see the doctor while my brother was in the hospital. After my brother’s funeral, she had tests done, and the diagnosis was pancreatic cancer. She developed a blockage, and on December 17^th underwent bypass surgery.

            During this time, Christmas planning came to a halt with no cookies, no tree, and few presents being purchased. I went to work, came home, fixed dinner for my elderly Dad and family, and then drove to the hospital to visit my Mom. The Dr. told us that her condition was terminal, and this would be her last Christmas. My heart felt numb with grief. I couldn’t even think about Christmas preparations with Mom still in the hospital, and the death of my brother. My spirits sank to an all time low.

            My husband mentioned to me about cutting a tree. My response was, “I don’t care if we even have one.” My children were ages, six, thirteen, and fifteen. I knew I needed to make an effort for them, but I hadn’t the strength.

            A couple days before Christmas, I ran downstairs to do a load of laundry before going to the hospital. My husband came down, took me by the shoulders, and propelled me into the basement recreation room. There in the corner stood a Christmas tree that he and the girls had cut and beautifully decorated.

            I cried. I cried over the death of my brother, my mother’s diagnosis, and for the love of my Ebenezer, and my children in trying to help me feel better. When I saw the manger scene, a thought occurred to me—Christmas wasn’t about me, or my family’s dire circumstances. It was the birthday of my King. Despite my sadness, I could still celebrate. Christmas was about the love which God extended from heaven the first Christmas, when he sent His Son in the form of a tiny baby to become our Savior.

            Yes, I could still say…”God Bless us Everyone!”

            Oh, yes, my Ebenezer still gets a little ”scroogie” sometime over prices of gifts, postage, and outside Christmas lights, but that Christmas he too caught the true spirit of Christmas.