A Little Baby Brings Hope

My sweet friend Hannah P. wrote this and sent it out for Christmas day. I knew nothing I could write would be exactly how I wanted to say it, and this sounded just like what I wanted to write. She kindly agreed to let me share it with you as well:

Dear Friends and Family,

Christmas…it’s supposed to be a time of joy and happiness, right?
Sparkling lights, laughing children, sugar cookies, glittering trees,
holiday parties, loving couples…and yet, somehow Christmas can also be
a very difficult time. Over the years, some Christmases have found me
feeling very down. The naïve-ness I once had as a child was gone as I
learned about all the evil there is in this world. How could one be
joyful when so many people live in sorrow? In my own life, Christmastime
sometimes served as a painful reminder of how imperfect my life was.

I think many people share those same thoughts. The holiday only reminds
them of unpleasant things…of their brokeness, of their financial
situation, of their singleness, of their loss, of their hopelessness.
They see the Christmas card painting of the happy family snuggled close
together around a fireplace and know that it’s not them.

In these past few weeks, I have been in somewhat of a battle. Having
been absorbed in my schoolwork until two weeks ago, I found myself
totally unprepared for the holidays. Because of school, I didn’t have
time or money to buy gifts. I also didn’t have time to participate in as
many holiday gatherings or in decorating for Christmas as much as I have
in the past. In addition, after reflecting over the past year, I still
have tasks that I have not accomplished, and dreams that I have yet to
fulfill. God has brought me a long way this year, but I am still not the
person I had hoped to be. I still have so many areas I need to work on.
This is not how I had planned to end my year. As you can understand, I
have been in a battle to not be completely overwhelmed by life. However,
as I sat and prayed in the Lord’s presence this morning, I was filled
with a new sense of hope.

You see, over 2000 years ago, a couple celebrated a Christmas that was
also less than perfect, filled with unexpected turns and trials. The man
and woman were just simple peasants who planned to get married, start a
family, live life, and eventually die. However, this was not how the
story unfolded. Instead, one day the woman was told (by an angel, no
less. Can you imagine how that interrupted her day?) that she was to
become pregnant. Pregnant! And she wasn’t even married yet! If that
wasn’t enough, after her fiancé found out the news, he wanted to break
up with her. Who wants a wife who is carrying someone else’s son? Life
was not happening the way the man had planned.

The story doesn’t end there. Around the time the woman was expected to
give birth, the couple had to travel to a town for a census. Have you
ever been to the mall at Christmastime? There are people everywhere.
They are loud, noisy, angry, boisterous, and rude. This is how it was in
that little town. Definitely not very peaceful. There were so many
people in the town that when the woman started to go into labor, they
couldn’t even find a place to stay. The only room available was just a
little old barn. Can you imagine already being in pain and now you can’t
even have a bed to lay on?

Finally, the baby was born. The only people who celebrated were some
smelly shepherds, and (a few years later) some astrologers from the
east.  If this baby were just an ordinary child, this would have been a
very frustrating, depressing, and meaningless story. But of course, this
was no ordinary baby. The couple was Mary and Joseph. The baby was
Jesus. He was the Son of God, who later died and was resurrected that we
might be forgiven and that we might have HOPE. In the midst of
craziness, frustration, and confusion lie a little baby in a manger who
would bring HOPE to the world. Don’t you see? God sent us a Savior not
because we deserved it, but because we needed one. Because we are lost
and broken and helpless.  And Mary and Joseph and the others got to be a
part of this crazy plan not because they understood it, or because they
planned everything out, but because they were willing to follow God.

Life is not about accomplishments. It’s not about having everything
together. It’s not about being perfect. Instead, life is about
confessing our failures. It’s about learning. It’s about making mistakes
and growing. It’s about admitting our weaknesses and turning to God for
help. And it’s about facing reality. Reality that life without God is
desolate and bleak, and that only in Him…in that little baby who came to
give us hope…can we find purpose and meaning.

I pray you will celebrate the true meaning of Christmas this year!”

Thou Art Mine

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour…

 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee…”

Isaiah 43:1-4

He Who Dwells in His Tabernacle

Who shall dwell with the Lord? Who shall have fellowship with Him?

• He that walks uprightly. As a tightrope walker must walk erect, so a Christian is to be balanced, never leaning too far one way or another.
• He that worketh righteousness. Christians are called to be involved in ministry, always reaching out, telling others about Christ. “Faith without works is dead.”
• Speaks Truth in his Heart. The easiest person to lie to is yourself. Live a good life on the inside, not only on the outside. Our heart must be firm in the truth, never giving in to the lies of the enemy.
• He who does not backbite with his tongue/words. “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” ( Proverbs 10:18 )

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)

• He Who does no Evil to his Neighbor neither Takes up a Reproach against his Friend. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” We are to reach our neighbors.

“Which now of these…was neighbour unto him…?

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” – Luke 10:36, 37

• He Who Honors Those Who Fear God.

“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” (Romans 13:7)

“Those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour.” (1 Corinthians 12:23a)

• He Who Stakes His Reputation on a Promise. When two people give their wedding vows, they are each giving their own reputation to the person they are vowing to love, honor and obey, for a lifetime. They are giving their reputation to that person, trusting that they will never break their vows. Jepthah made a vow a flippant vow to God and later ended up sacrificing his own daughter (figuratively) to keep his vow. “And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.” (Judges 11:35)

“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.” ( Ecclesiastes 5:2-7)

• Does Not Take Advantage of a Brother. “Take thou no usury (advantage) of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.” (Leviticus 25:36)

• Doesn’t Take Bribes Against the Innocent. “Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.” (Deuteronomy 16:19) The man that dwells with God has integrity, and does the right thing in any situation, no matter the cost to his own life.

“He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”

Psalm 25

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Nothing Wavering

Two people. One a man, one a woman. One lived in bible times, one lived in the 20th century. They both faced beasts. One faced a real beast, one faced a beast called Nazism. They both rejoiced in the face of their adversity.

Wednesday night in our church’s bible study the young preacher gave a great message.
While the message was not on this topic he did get me to thinking about the similarities
between the two people. Daniel faced the lions. Corrie ten Boom faced the Nazis running the concentration camp. Their situations are so different, yet startlingly similar.

Daniel was a devout man. He was taken captive at a young age, and forced to be live in
the king’s palace. He had seen his friends placed in the fiery furnace. He interpreted the
dream for King Nebuchadnezzer, which helped to prove his wisdom and courage to the government of the day. He lived in Babylon at the time when Nebuchadnezzar went crazy, and grazed in the fields. He was present to see the handwriting on the wall, and interpret and deliver God’s message to the King and all those gathered there.

You would think that would have been enough testing and proving. But after a new King had come into rule, certain princes, who were jealous of Daniel, approached King Darius with an idea. They asked that anyone caught worshipping someone other than the king be thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel knew he must still honor the Lord, and he was caught praying to Jehovah. Daniel was thrown into the den. There was no escape, but Daniel, who’s faith in God never wavered, cried out to God, and He miraculously shut the lion’s mouths, thereby saving Daniel’s life.

If I had been in Daniel’s situation, had I lived a just and upright life, my response to this
problem would have been quite different. I mean, come one, Daniel gave up everything, and he always followed God’s will for his life. My response to being thrown in the lion’s den would have been to pout and say to God “come on already! What more do I have to do before I can have a good life?!” In fact during a time of severe testing my response has sometimes been to sit down and pout like a three year old. But let’s look at Daniel’s response. When the King opened the den the next morning the first thing out of Daniel’s mouth was “O king, live for ever.” He showed reverence. Instead of going on a tirade about how much he had done for God, he praised God.

Corrie ten Boom was just protecting God’s chosen people. Yet when the Nazis discovered their involvement they placed her and most of her family in concentration camps. After suffering terrible abuses, lack of food and medical help, she even lost her sister and dearest friend. Shortly before she died her sister Betsie told her that “no pit is so deep that He is not deeper still.” Corrie wasn’t perfect. She struggled with bitterness towards the guards, she suffered from a broken heart that comes from losing a loved one. But in the end she was still able to say “Joy runs deeper than despair.”

So dear one, if you find yourself lost in the midst of the storm, don’t despair. When it seems as if you are struggling to keep your head above water just rest in Christ’s saving grace. His mercy is endless, His power is boundless, His love has no boundaries! God is never bothered with our questions of Why’s and When’s. He simply wants us to “be still and know” that He is God. I have learned through my storms that faith is a choice. Either you choose to trust Him, or you don’t. It’s as simple as that. God doesn’t promise that there will always be sunshine. But He does promise to never leave you.

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because
thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.” ~ Psalm 5:11, 12

These two people both knew the ultimate ending to their story. Heaven. They both knew that someday this life, these trials, these tears would be replaced the moment they saw their dear Savior’s face. Our life is but a vapor. That appeareth for a short time and vanisheth away. Think about life in that perspective. Even if you were in the worst of the worst situations for your entire life on this earth, what is that compared to glory? If you are a Christian you will live in Heaven forever. No more tears, no more death, no more sorrow, no more pain. Forever. Our life is but a vapor. When you look at your life on this earth with the properperspective it certainly makes the future look a lot brighter, and this life a little more bearable.

My faith is not always what it’s supposed to be. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed in my
circumstances. Sometimes it feels like there is darkness pressing in all around me and I
cannot see any way out. But then I have to remind myself to keep my eyes fixed on Him. I read this quote over Christmas vacation: “Look at the world and be distressed. Look at yourself and be depressed. Look to Christ and you’ll be at rest.”

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea
driven with the wind and tossed.” ~ James 1: 2-6

Keep your eyes fixed on Him.

Wait

Wait
by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate…
and the Master so gently said,”Wait.”

“Wait? you say wait?” my indignant reply.
“Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I’m claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I relate
hangs in the balance and you tell me to Wait?
I’m needing a ‘yes’, a go-ahead sign.
Or even a ‘no,’ to which I’ll resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:
I’m weary of asking! I need a reply.”

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
as my Master replied again, “Wait.”
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
and grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting…for what?”

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine…
and He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You’d have what you want, but you wouldn’t know Me.
You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint.
You’d not know the power that I give to the faint.

You’d not learn to see through clouds of despair;
you’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there.
You’d not know the joy of resting in Me
when darkness and silence are all you can see.

You’d never experience the fullness of love
when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,
the faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that’s beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You’d never know should your pain quickly flee,
what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
but oh, the loss if I lost what I’m doing in you.

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still “Wait“.