The Most Available

By Lexi Ellis

“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

Two years ago, I overheard one of my precious fourth graders trying to convince the other that he/she was “more busier.” After gently correcting the superlative (always a teachable moment), I smiled and lovingly said, “I guarantee you both are busy. Now, how about we get busy with learning?”

I don’t need to convince you we’re busy. I don’t need evidence and studies to show we’re fast-paced…that our world never seems to stop. And yet, in the midst of the busyness, God has recently laid on my heart that He calls us to be available.

When we look at Christ’s ministry, we see Him becoming more available to others as His ministry continued. His availability increased, despite having a much “busier” mission. We see Christ pausing to be available for questions and to love on others. John Hinger, a youth pastor in Illinois, told my Student Council members at a leadership conference, “Those who make the greatest impact are the most available.”

When we show up, we have opportunities for God to use us. When we are available to God, we are given the joy of caring for others. When we slow down, we give God the opportunity for open doors to share Christ with others and tangibly show His love.

I think of the times my husband has stopped what he’s doing to be available when I needed to talk. I think of how my parents have made themselves available to just sit and listen when tragedy has struck. I think of the response work team that left to help after Hurricane Sandy, or the individual who covers a Sunday School class when there’s a need. These people are available.

This isn’t to say that what we fill our lives with is bad, or that we should drop everything. Nor am I trying to guilt you into serving. But what I personally have been convicted of is that we need to be available to God, so He can use us to be available to others.

We are the tangible hands of the Church and we must be willing to ask the Holy Spirit how He wants us to be available. It will look different for all of us. Maybe being available is responding to the email when your church needs something. Maybe being available is carving out time in your schedule to build into others or serve. Maybe being available is paying attention to when God wants you to just show up and be present with someone.

We are busy…even my dear fourth graders. But Jesus was available…and we are called to be, too.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  As we move into 2015, ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of what tangible way you need to be available today and this upcoming year.

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 2:12-16

Lexi is married to Andrew and has a puppy named Calvin. She serves with Children’s Ministries at Oakwood, teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School and is the Fresh Start coordinator.

A Song for Me

By Lisa Boyer

“Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV, emphasis added)

Two years ago, I heard a song on the radio; actually, I misheard a song on the radio… 

I had been feeling a bit brokenhearted when I heard the words, “I can’t give You half my heart and pray You make it whole.” Those words brought my world to a stop. I had been praying (and sometimes crying) to God over a particular situation, asking Him to heal my heart. But in that moment, I realized I hadn’t really given it all to Him, I had only given Him “half my heart.”

Though I hadn’t actually said it, my prayers had been for Him to change the situation so that my heart would no longer hurt; not for Him to walk me through the healing process. My request had been wrapped in red tape and unspoken stipulations. I hadn’t been willing to fully surrender the situation or accept the outcome, whatever that may be. I know nothing is impossible with God, but it was seriously foolish of me to give Him only half my heart and expect Him to make it whole. I needed to surrender it all and truly trust Him with the outcome. 

I went back to God in prayer and gave Him everything: the hopes, desires, expectations, disappointments, hurts - - all of it. And then we (He and I) spent time walking through the healing process. Part of that process was my accepting a situation I couldn’t change, and accepting that He chose not to change for me. Another part was trusting that what He was doing was best, even if I didn’t understand it. It wasn’t always easy, in fact, it was hardly ever easy, but it was worth it.

Looking back, I know I heard exactly what I needed to hear on the radio that day… a version of a song God played just for me.   

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Have you been holding back part of yourself from God and expecting Him to honor your prayers? Today, will you completely surrender?

2.  As you read this, did God bring a girlfriend to mind that you should share this with? Will you pass it on to her?

FURTHER READING:

Jeremiah 29:13; Psalm 147:3

Lisa is married to Ted and they have two teenage sons. Lisa administers Fresh Start’s Facebook and blog, serves with the 5th & 6th graders on Sunday morning at Oakwood, and loves hanging out with and impacting teenage girls for Christ.

What gift will you offer the newborn King?

Matthew 2: 1-12 (ESV)

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”

Merry Christmas! May the incredible gift of our God born as a baby and sent to restore our broken relationship with God never grow old or mundane.  What an amazing story we celebrate today!

Luke 2: 1-20 (ESV)

”In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

Isaiah 9:2-7 (NIV)

“The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.

 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.
 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.”

Lessons From the Barnyard

By Jeannine Sawall

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."

John 10:27-28 (NIV)

Do you ever wonder why the Lord calls us His sheep? There are a lot of lessons we can learn about our Christian walk from the barnyard if we just stop and look for a moment. Sheep are animals who long to be with their Shepherd. When he calls, they respond. They love to be in community with other sheep and don’t often wander from the flock. They are content to just sit and graze on the lush grass and will only move on when the Shepherd calls to the flock. And a sheep desires to be clean. They try to avoid the thickets that will catch in their wool and entrap them. If they get mud on them, they do whatever they have to to clean the mud off their wool, unlike a pig, who likes to stay and wallow in the mud.  

As Christians, it would do our spiritual lives good if we adopted “sheeply” behaviors. When the Lord calls, do we respond immediately? Do we recognize His voice above all others? Do we long to be in the company of other believers encouraging one another? And if we have wandered off, do we respond as soon as we hear His voice and hurry back? Do we find His Word nourishment on a daily basis and contentedly take in the lessons He’s teaching us until He moves us forward? And how do we deal with the sin in our lives? Do we avoid the temptations that easily ensnare and entangle us, or do we head straight for the thicket? When we find ourselves in sin, do we casually excuse it with the phrase "Everyone sins!" and continue in the filth like a pig, or do we do whatever it takes to turn 180 degrees, remove the dirt from us and continue to sin no more? 

The Lord calls us His sheep for a good reason. They provide a vivid image on how to respond to our Lord. Sheep long to be with each other and the Shepherd more than anything else. And even if we wander, the Shepherd comes after us, wanting us to respond to His promptings. We need to go no further than a barnyard to learn these spiritual lessons. The Shepherd is calling to us; it's our privilege to respond like a sheep to His voice.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  How do you respond when you hear the Good Shepherd’s voice calling you?

2.  What do you do when you find yourself in sin?

FURTHER READING:

John 10:11; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 23:1-6

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four active boys. She works in property management, serves in Café and actively ministers to those walking through grief.

A Weary World Rejoices

By Elin Henderson

“…a word in season to him [or her] who is weary…”

Isaiah 50:4a (NKJV)

I can’t think of a better word to describe our world today. People are weary. Weary of worry... weary of hurting…weary of war…weary of hunger…weary of “keeping up with the Joneses.” The church is not immune to this. Many pastors today are weary in their pulpits, wondering, “Is my message getting through?” Laypeople likewise are weary of being in this world but not of it, longing to make a difference but wondering how. Sometimes we can grow weary in our Christian walks…we struggle onward, keeping up appearances, but inwardly knowing that we aren’t where we would like to be.

What do weary people need? Rest, refreshment, relief, and how about some rejoicing?! “Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy….” In the person of Jesus, born in a manger so long ago…. we can rejoice today in who HE is, and what HE has done for us. He is “the shadow of a rock in a weary land”(Isaiah 32:2, NIV). When life becomes dry and empty, He is our shade and protection! He is our “good shepherd” (John 10:11) bringing our weary souls back into the fold of His love and care. He is literally our rest: “This is the rests with which you may cause the weary to rest…” (Isaiah 28:12, NIV). He “…neither faints nor is weary.” He is unstoppable.

What does He do for us? He “…satiates the weary soul” (Jeremiah 31:25, NIV). He alone satisfies us. He fills us up when we are empty! He carries the heavy stuff for us: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me…you will find rest for your souls”(Matthew11:28-29, NIV). He is our powerhouse: “He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might…” (Isaiah 40:29, NIV) He renews our strength: “they shall run and not be weary…walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV).

Our world is weary…weary of striving and weary of trying. May the message of who Christ is and what He has done (and still does) for us bring rejoicing to our own hearts. May we in turn share this good news of great joy with the weary world around us.

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1. Can you think of anyone in the Bible, or a friend who knows Christ, who experienced weariness? (Hint: look in your Bible concordance at the back for biblical stories of David, Elijah, Job….)

2. How did who HE was and what HE did refresh them?

FURTHER READING:

Galatians 6:9; Psalms 116:7

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to fourteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.

Measuring a Life
By Elizabeth Cole

“Teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 23:37 (NIV)

A popular musical was a huge hit when it debuted on Broadway in the 90’s due in large part to its dark, gritty, “in-your-face” portrayal of AIDS and young moderns in New York City. The characters are tragic representations of the hopelessness that life becomes without a Savior. In the midst of such bleakness, the friends sing this question: “525,600 minutes, 525,600 moments so dear…How do you measure a year in the life?”

The suggestions are offered: in daylights, in sunsets, in cups of coffee? In miles, in laughter? And the final suggestion soars in rich harmony, “How about love?”

Listening to the song, I find myself marveling at biblical truth found in a most unexpected place. Indeed, how about love?

In his psalm, Moses highlights both the value and the limit of our days, our years and, ultimately, of our lives. The Message paraphrases verse 12, “Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!”

An honest query responds. What is a life lived wisely and well? The Lord Jesus gives us His answer when asked about the greatest commandment. In one word: Love.

Love foremost for the God of the Universe; love for every single individual we meet; love that distinguishes us as followers of Christ; love that compels us daily; love with our actions and our material possessions; love that is willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of another’s good; love that points to Love Himself.

In the song, the soloist adds, “Remember that love is a gift from up above.” Hmm…imagine that: Truth on Broadway.

How will you measure this year in your life? How about love?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is God your First Love?
2. What changes would you need to make in your life to put Love at the top of your to-do list?
3. What individuals need you to live Christ’s love in their lives? What one step would you take in that direction this week?

FURTHER READING:
John 13:34-35; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Revelation 2:4

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and Director of Connecting and Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

The Wonder of Christmas

By Susan Klein

“… stop and consider God’s wonders.”

Job 37:14 (NIV)

One of my favorite holiday movies is The Nativity.  I particularly love the scene where Mary and Joseph are journeying back to Bethlehem for the census, and they stop for the night, lighting a fire for their dinner. They don’t yet know each other very well, so the atmosphere between them is a bit awkward. But Mary is filled with awe and wonder, and she voices her thoughts aloud to Joseph.  “Do you ever wonder when we’ll know?” she asks, referring to that point when it would become evident that Jesus is not just an ordinary child. Her personal question invokes a very personal response from Joseph. “I wonder if I’ll ever be able to teach him anything.” They share a smile that speaks a thousand words. They’ve both had much on their minds.

Traveling nearly one hundred miles by donkey gives a person much time to wonder about things. I imagine they each wondered why, out of all the people in the world, they were chosen to bear this great responsibility. I imagine they wondered if their child would look or act differently than other children, and how people would respond to him. He would be God’s own Son after all, so would there be noticeable differences? Would he play and do all the silly things other children do? Would he cry, or get hurt? And how would the people in their own village respond to him? They knew he wasn’t Joseph’s son, so would he be treated as an outcast? Yes, there was much to wonder about.

When my children were younger, I enjoyed sitting by the lit Christmas tree at night and reading the Christmas story to them or listening to Christmas music together. I loved to watch their eyes grow bigger as they listened and wondered about all the things they were hearing. I still love to sit by the lit tree at night and ponder all these things in my heart, much the way I imagine Mary pondered things in hers (Luke 2:19). There is something special and tender about just sitting quietly and wondering about all the details of that magnificent event that happened over two thousand years ago. It brings peace to my soul and gives me a sense of closeness to my magnificent heavenly Father. It shows me not only His greatness in thinking through every last detail, but also how personal He is in caring for His own in such intimate ways.

Treat yourself this Christmas with a little time to just sit and wonder!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Which aspect of your own spiritual journey has caused you to wonder at His magnificence?

FURTHER READING:

Luke 2:1-20

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. Susan is part of the Peacemaking Team at Oakwood.

Overwhelmed

By Lexi Ellis

“…I am overwhelmed with joy despite all our troubles.”

2 Corinthians 7:4b, (MSG, paraphrase)

This August, there was an unexpected opportunity for me professionally, though the timing sure didn’t seem ideal. For the few that knew what was going on, “overwhelmed” became the word  to describe what I was experiencing professionally and feeling emotionally. In the midst of it all, I heard a song on the radio that prompted me to reevaluate the word.

“I hear the sound of Your Voice
All at once it’s a gentle and thundering noise oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming

I delight myself in You
Captivated by Your beauty
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

God, I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You” [1]

Not the word!  It was supposed to be synonymous with alone, worry, stressed. And yet, over and over again, this song proclaimed it as a positive, one that demonstrated God’s unfathomable goodness.

Curious, I went to Scripture, searching for uses of the word. The first two uses I found fit “my definition” perfectly: “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear” (Psalm 38:4, NIV).  “Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me” (Psalm 55:5, NIV).

Then I got to the New Testament translations and paraphrases… When referring to Jesus, “People were overwhelmed with amazement...” (Mark 7:37a, NIV).  Elizabeth’s “neighbors and relatives, seeing that God had overwhelmed her with mercy, celebrated with her” (Luke 1: 58, MSG, paraphrase). And in the verse above, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, overwhelmed with joy.

All of a sudden, my definition seemed limited; I was missing the other half. The realities of our situations and the emotions don’t necessarily get easier. But we can’t stop at exclusively seeing our own circumstances. How much more overwhelming is the goodness of God? How much more overwhelming is His gift of sending Himself to reconcile the relationship with us?

"All that You’ve done is so overwhelming
I delight myself in You
In the Glory of Your Presence
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You" [1]

In the midst of feeling defeated, we are called to be reminded that we are overwhelmingly covered by God’s goodness. The real and big “overwhelmed-ness” I felt with my circumstances and emotions meant that the love God lavishes is even more. The depths of His grace are so much greater…unfathomable and overwhelmingly. 

Going Deeper:

1. Make a moment to identify what overwhelms you. Don’t invalidate the struggles but recognized how much more overwhelming God’s goodness is.

2. Click HERE to listen to the song. What phrases of this more complete definition of “overwhelmed” is meaningful for you?

Further Reading:

1 John 3:1; Psalm 107:1; Romans 8:28

[1] Big Daddy Weave, Album: Love Come to Life, “I’m Overwhelmed by You” ©2012; http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bigdaddyweave/overwhelmed.html

Lexi is married to Andrew and has a puppy named Calvin. She serves with Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries, teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

Excuse Me, Excuse Me!

By Jeannine Sawall

“All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.”

Psalm 86:9 (NIV)

A friend of mine sets up an elaborate Christmas village every year filled with varying landscapes, houses and scenes, all centered around a manager where the baby Jesus lays. The highlight of her village, though, is not the people or the landscapes, but the hundreds of miniature animals she places throughout each scene. 

Two years ago,  she came into her living room and found her granddaughter playing with the animals of the Christmas village; however, instead of pretending the animals were being kind to one another, she had the animals in lines in front of some of the stores and houses. She had them roaring at each other and fighting to get in because the sales were on and they wanted to find the best deals!

"No, sweetie, the animals wouldn’t be fighting to get into the stores. They would be quiet and gentle because Jesus is near," my friend told her granddaughter, hoping that a gentler story line would save some wear and tear on her animal collection. A while later, as she went to check on her granddaughter, she was surprised to see all the animals in a big pile; one on top of the other, right in front of the manger where baby Jesus lay. 

"What's going on with the animals now?" she asked, half-expecting her granddaughter to explain another animal brawl.  "Well Grandma," she replied, "the animals are all so excited about seeing the baby Jesus, they just can't wait! They are all saying 'Excuse me, excuse me, can I please get through...I want to see Jesus.’"

I love this story and the picture it paints of our Christmastime. How easy is it to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season? We find ourselves fighting our way through lines and to-do lists and, in the midst of this busyness, we lose sight of the baby lying in the manger. 

Instead of pushing our way through crowds and countless tasks that this season seems to bring, let’s remember the one thing that's worth getting excited about: Jesus!  While holiday traditions are fun and gifts are good, Jesus is the only One who deserves our worship. This Christmas, let our heart- cry be, "Excuse me, excuse me...I want to see Jesus."

GOING DEEPER:

1.  In the midst of the busyness, what can you do to stay focused on Jesus this Christmas season?

2.  Are you as excited about wanting to see Jesus as you are about finding the best gifts?

FURTHER READING:

Luke 1:14; 1 Corinthians 10:3; Psalm 66:4

Jeannine is married to Marty and is a busy mother of four boys. She works in property management, serves in Café and actively ministers to those walking through grief.

The Three “P’s” of Christmas

By Elin Henderson

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:11(NKJV)

We all know the twelve days of Christmas but perhaps you aren’t aware of the three “P’s” of Christmas! Praise, Ponder, and Proclaim. Three of the well-known characters in the Christmas story found in Luke 2 bring these points to life.

The first “P” makes its appearance through the angel of the Lord and the heavenly hosts who made the great announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men’” (Luke 2:13-14)!  They lit up the sky with praise and glory to the God on high!

The second “P” comes to life through our lowly shepherds, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Stunned by the overwhelming angelic announcement and awestruck by the small babe in the manger, who was God incarnate, they boldly set forth to proclaim what they had heard. “Now, when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child” (Luke 2:17).

Our final “P” is found hidden in the heart of a young woman, still reeling from the amazing circumstances that have taken place in her life. “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). She soaked it all up and began seriously contemplating what all of this meant for her and for the world.

Have we been practicing the three “P’s” of Christmas this year? Have we taken time to praise Him like the angels for His wonderful gift of a Savior? Have we been proclaiming this truth to the people who live around us? Have we been pondering what this amazing gift of life means to us? As we remember this incredible moment in history, may we not forget to practice these powerful “P’s”!

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1. All three “P’s” require time and reflection. Considering that today’s lifestyle is “go, go, go,” how can you carve out the time to really practice these?

                                                           

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 4:26 (Ponder); Psalm 111:2 (Praise); I Peter 2:9 (Proclaim)

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to fourteen-year-old Callie and eleven-year-old Elias.

Grace

By Peggy Kleckner

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

I know that we are in the season of Advent, the season of waiting for Christmas. Waiting can be hard work. 

When my children were younger that was especially true. They knew that presents were being purchased. They could feel the excitement building, the hum of secrets. Oh, they enjoyed Christmas concerts and cookie baking, but opening presents was what they had their hearts set on!

My mother lived in Florida and so she would send a package for us that arrived before the actual date of Christmas. I guess I could have made them wait until Christmas, but truly I didn’t see the point. Why wait and let everything be discovered in one frenzied, chaotic day?

Nope, we waited just long enough for all of us to be together after our work and school days…then we opened our presents! It relieved some of the waiting and I am sure my mother enjoyed the phone call that followed. Not only did we open the gifts early, but we didn’t wait until Christmas to call and thank her. We both - - the giver and the receivers - - enjoyed some of Christmas early.

As I pondered the waiting of this season, I thought to myself, “Christmas is every day!” Every morning, there is a package waiting for me to open. Each day is a gift of His grace.

There is no waiting until I am good enough, no waiting until I take care of that one blemish in my character. The verse in Romans 5 reads, “while we were still sinners.”

The price for my sins is paid. There is nothing that I need to add to it. I can’t deserve it or earn it. I do, however, need to receive it and enjoy it. 

Many of us have received the gift of salvation. We trusted in Christ as our Savior, but now we are trying to work to hold on to it.  The work has been done.  Open the gift of grace He has for you each day and share the joy of it!  Call out to Him and thank Him.

Christmas is every day for those who have put their trust in Jesus.  Forget the wait, keep opening the gifts!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Do you believe that the only joy He has for you is held on the other side of this life? If so, would you be willing to reconsider?

2.  How can you enjoy the gift of His presence with you today?

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 4:7-8

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield. 

My Best for Him

By Lisa Boyer

“Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”

Matthew 2:11b (NIV)

I wasn’t expecting to see him, not here anyway; not in the United States. But there he stood on a small stage at a local church. A boy from Zambia, playing a drum and singing a song I’d never heard before:

“Come, they told me (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)”

Ok, I’d heard it before, but never in this way… never by someone who so closely resembled “The Little Drummer Boy” himself.

“A newborn king to see (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
Our finest gifts we bring (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
To lay before the king (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
So, to honor Him (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
When we come”

I could picture the manger scene and this humble Zambian boy standing off to the side, afraid to approach. But he wants to give something or do something - - anything. So he comes forward and softly speaks. 

“Little baby (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
I am a poor boy too (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
I have no gifts to bring (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
That's fit to give a king (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
Shall I play for you (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
On my drum?”

This boy presents himself before the Newborn King, honestly confesses who he is (“a poor boy” with “no gift”) and then he offers what he can, all he can: He offers to serve the King.

“I played my drum for Him (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
I played my best for Him (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)”

I had tears in my eyes as I listened to him play his best for the King.

We all come to Jesus just as that poor Zambian drummer boy. We have no gift fit to give a king, not the King, not the Newborn King who came to earth to live and then die for us! But that’s okay, because no gift is as valuable as giving ourselves and using what we have to serve Him.

I will never hear this song again without picturing that Zambian playing for the Newborn King…offering the only gift he has.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Today, what gift will you give the King?

FURTHER READING:

Titus 3:4-5; 2 Corinthians 8:12; Colossians 3:23-24; Ephesians 6:7

Lisa has been married to Ted for over 20 years and they have two teenage sons. Lisa administers Fresh Start’s Facebook and blog, and loves hanging out with and impacting teenage girls for Christ.

More Than…
By Jen Wollner

“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Lamentations 3:23 (NLT)

Two years ago, I had a rough three days. I could have blamed it on a million things, but the truth of the matter was that I was irritable and everyone was paying the price. That third night I tried to sleep, but as I lay awake in bed, my mind swirled with discouraging thoughts: “You are a horrible wife and mother. Your husband and kids don’t deserve this. You should be ashamed of yourself! They’d probably be better off without you. You might as well just give up because this is how you’ve always been and how you’ll always be…selfish to the core. You’re a failure and a hypocrite. You say you love God, but if you really did, you wouldn’t treat others like garbage. You’re causing permanent damage to your relationships…they’ll never forgive you. You aren’t fooling anyone…you’ll never be…enough.” On and on the thoughts continued as I drifted off to sleep…

…then morning came…

Before I could even open my eyes or process the fact that it was time to get up, I heard a soft song playing in my head. The lyrics were sweet music to my weary soul…

“You are more than the choices that you make. You are more than the sum of your past mistakes. You are more than the trouble you create. You’ve been remade.” (1)

As these words and truth repeated over and over in my mind, I felt the forgiveness of God wash over me. I felt His love and mercy rush into my heart, kicking out the shame and guilt. I praised Him for His compassions that come with the dawn of each morning, drowning out the lies that flourish in the darkness.

Because of Him, I am more than my bad choices and the trouble I bring on myself and those around me. I’m more than the voices in my head want me to believe. I’m not defined solely by my actions, but by my Father. I have been redeemed and remade. I am more…

…because of His faithfulness.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What lies are swirling around in your head today? How can you exchange them for the truth of God’s love and mercy?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 139:13-14; 1 John 4:10; Romans 6:18, 8:1

(1) “You Are More” by Tenth Avenue North. Written by Jason Ingram and Mike Donehey. Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC.

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three elementary-aged children. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.