It is the Christmas season. I know I haven't written much lately and it won't get much better until January. However, here is the last Sunday's advent devotion and I will post this Sunday's soon. Thanks for reading.
Christmas White
Isaiah 1:18
18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
2 Corinthians 5:17
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
White is often thought of as the color of purity and innocence. These are two of the most fitting words to use in describing Baby Jesus. He was and is pure. He grew up and lived a sinless life. His innocence allowed Him to be the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world. He did what none of us could ever do. Wipe our own sin away.
The color white reminds us that God thinks we are worth His time. He thinks enough of us to clean up our cluttered hearts and make us pure because He is pure. We are allowed to start all over just like a blank sheet of paper waiting for adventures to be written on its surface.
Sometimes we may be tempted to think of the blankness of the color white. White may seem a little boring and dull but remember it is the background of white that allows the other colors to show up best. When God forgives us we have a new background of life so that all of our experiences may be the best they can be because we are forgiven.
This Christmas let us celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior who makes the color white an exciting part of our walk with Him.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Christmas Green
Isaiah 7:14
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Color Green reminds us of life throughout the Christmas season. The Christmas trees, the holly, mistletoe, and ivy allow us to fill our homes with some of God’s creation, reminding us that He is with us.
The green of Christmas tells us the giver of life himself is here. This season we celebrate the physical birth of Immanuel…God with us. God promises throughout His scriptures that He will never leave us or forsake us.
The fragrance of evergreen permeates each corner of our homes. Imagine the ability of the Holy Spirit to invade every corner of our lives.
As we walk through the Christmas season allow the presence of the color green to remind you of the presence of a loving God who wants to fill you with life and life abundantly.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Color Green reminds us of life throughout the Christmas season. The Christmas trees, the holly, mistletoe, and ivy allow us to fill our homes with some of God’s creation, reminding us that He is with us.
The green of Christmas tells us the giver of life himself is here. This season we celebrate the physical birth of Immanuel…God with us. God promises throughout His scriptures that He will never leave us or forsake us.
The fragrance of evergreen permeates each corner of our homes. Imagine the ability of the Holy Spirit to invade every corner of our lives.
As we walk through the Christmas season allow the presence of the color green to remind you of the presence of a loving God who wants to fill you with life and life abundantly.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
what was...not what is
The past is a funny thing. It is a beast that can be tamed but when let loose to run wild can be a crippling force in our lives.
Case in point...a few years ago my Granny passed away on Christmas day. She had been sick for quite a while. She was in her 90's. Her death did not catch any of us by surprise but it was still very difficult when it happened. We had a beautiful funeral service for her and celebrated her life with friends and family. However, the next year the thought was how will we celebrate Christmas knowing this is the day the enemy of death had the chance to show its face again. We made the decision that yesterday's sadness will not stop today's celebration. Afterall, this is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Without Jesus my granny's life would have been a waste. However, she knew Jesus. Jesus knew her and she lived a full and purposeful life. Sometimes we just need to make up our minds and ask ourselves how long are we going to allow something in the past to impede the present or the future.
I can't change the past. The future isn't here yet. Today is the only oppotunity I have to make any decisions.
Case in point...a few years ago my Granny passed away on Christmas day. She had been sick for quite a while. She was in her 90's. Her death did not catch any of us by surprise but it was still very difficult when it happened. We had a beautiful funeral service for her and celebrated her life with friends and family. However, the next year the thought was how will we celebrate Christmas knowing this is the day the enemy of death had the chance to show its face again. We made the decision that yesterday's sadness will not stop today's celebration. Afterall, this is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Without Jesus my granny's life would have been a waste. However, she knew Jesus. Jesus knew her and she lived a full and purposeful life. Sometimes we just need to make up our minds and ask ourselves how long are we going to allow something in the past to impede the present or the future.
I can't change the past. The future isn't here yet. Today is the only oppotunity I have to make any decisions.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Brunswick
We just had a great experience in Brunswick, GA this weekend. I was asked to come speak at the AC Church there on Friday night and Sunday morning. Both services were AWESOME! I believe there is a growing excitement there to reach out to those God is putting in their path and that gets me pumped up!
Saturday we took Natalie to the Christmas parade downtown. She kinda got into it but I think she still may be a little too young to truly appreciate it. We had the chance to reconnect with old high school friends all weekend. Most of whom I haven't seen since we graduated. Allison loved that part of the weekend as she continuously tried to get stories out of people about my high school days.
Overall it was a great weekend. Keep praying for the Brunswick AC Church as they continue to seek God's guidance in the direction they should go.
Saturday we took Natalie to the Christmas parade downtown. She kinda got into it but I think she still may be a little too young to truly appreciate it. We had the chance to reconnect with old high school friends all weekend. Most of whom I haven't seen since we graduated. Allison loved that part of the weekend as she continuously tried to get stories out of people about my high school days.
Overall it was a great weekend. Keep praying for the Brunswick AC Church as they continue to seek God's guidance in the direction they should go.
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