{Minute Meditation} Redemption's Cost

Why should I fear in the days of evil,

When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?

Those who trust in their wealth

And boast in the multitude of their riches,

None of then can by any means redeem his brother,

Nor give to God a ransom for him-

For the redemption of their souls is costly,

And it shall cease forever-

That he should continue to live eternally,

And not see the Pit.

- Psalm 49:5-9 (Emphasis mine)

Let's be Honest
I think most of us - if not all of us -  could say that we wish we had a million dollars so we could save the world. We could donate to this charity or that. We could pay off a family member's debt (and our own). We could buy tons of canned goods or toys to hand out to the needy at Christmas time. If only ... we could do so much.

We'd also give God the world to save our loved ones. As if we had the power to do so. Maybe if we love on our unsaved spouses, fathers, mothers, friends just a little harder, a little more, we would see them accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. If we served. If we prayed an extra hour today. If we pushed ... invited them to church again.

You're Not My Savior
As I read this week, the verses above jumped off the page at me. God is not looking for a bribe. He's not looking for a ransom. He's not looking for an excuse to give us eternal life upon our deathbed. He has wanted to do so since the beginning of time, when the Word was with God, and the Word was God. We cannot save our brothers and sisters, neighbors, and friends. It's not in our power to do so. No. Only God can save a man. Only God paid the ransom for our iniquities through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Get Out of God's Way
We must remove our Savior mentality and allow God to work in the hearts of our loved ones. Yes, love them with the love of Jesus. Remember that love is gentle, kind, and full of grace. Yes, pray fervently. For the prayer of a righteous man avails much. And yes, invite them to go to church, but don't force their hand. No one likes a pushy Christian who has all the answers to life's dillemas.

You're Not My Provider
Ultimately, it's God who owns the name Jehovah Jireh. It's God who provides even our basic needs. It's God who has blessed us with careers, income, and the ability to give. It's God who puts the food on our tables every day and provides the funds to sponsor that child in Honduras. It would be a true blessing if He poured an abundance of money into our bank account this year. But money isn't the heart issue.

Seek First the Kingdom of God
The question we must ask ourselves is whether or not we are seeking first the kingdom of God, because then all these things will be added unto us. After all, our bank account isn't going to heaven with us. And the next generation may make unwise choices with their financial inheritance. What is important is the treasure we can take to heaven with us. Did we feed those who hungered for the Word of God? Did we live as an epistle that proclaimed the love of Jesus? Did we share our testimony of God's goodness and mercy following us every day of our lives? What eternal inheritance are we leaving behind?

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let's remember the cost of our redemption. And praise God He was willing to pay the price. Because He loves us so much.

And remember, to Jesus you were worth it all ...

Countdown to Christmas - Day 2

Once again, life took over my posting schedule. Between baking cookies, shopping, wrapping presents, watching school and church performances, working, sleeping, and enjoying four wonderful children and the blessing of my husband, blogging became a wayside thought. But, you, my readers, have continually been in those thoughts as I've geared up to celebrate my favorite holiday of the year. Because on this day, God blessed us with the Light of the World. I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with love and many blessings and fond memories.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 17

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.'" - Luke 2:8-10

Like Mary and Joseph, the angel startled the shepherds, who were simply doing their job. Can you imagine being at work, minding your own business, when suddenly--out of nowhere--the angel of the Lord appears with a message for you? What if the angel called you from your job? Asked you to take a spur-of-the-moment trip? Said you needed to switch things up a bit, because something big happened and required your immediate attention?

Not many of us would be so willing to just pick up and go. Some would hesitate. Some would refuse. Some would freeze in fear. Maybe there would be one or two who would do as the shepherds would and take that trip to see what the Lord had in store for their lives. Like I have, they'd find it's not so scary after all. God's blessings tend to come in small packages and sudden requests.

Lord, help us to be brave, to have courage to heed your call on our lives. Your path is narrow and sometimes unforeseen. Help us to have faith to hear what the angel has to say and to respond accordingly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 18

"So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
And she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." ~ Luke 2:6-7

My heart breaks when I consider this verse. People couldn't make room for Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, nor can they make room for Him in their hearts today.

It also found me considering if Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem too late, or right on time...

We know that God's timing is perfect in our lives, yet so often we moan, groan, whine, and complain when He doesn't show up in our timing. Is this because we've left no room for Him or we want to make Him less of a priority in our lives? We prefer things our way? In our time? 

One day, it's going to be too late...for us.

Lord, help us to look to You in every moment of every day we have on this earth. We understand the temporariness of our life here and the things it involves. Help us to remember that Your timing is perfect and always will be. So are Your ways. So are Your thoughts toward us. Help us to find understanding and peace when we face doubt and unbelief. And help us to shine Your light in these dark times and in the dark places. 

Countdown to Christmas - Day 20

"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David...
...To perform the mercy promised to our fathers 
And to remember His holy covenant...
...To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hands of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life."
~ Luke 1:68, 69, 72, 74, 75

I LOVE the song I'm about to share with you. It is my absolute, all-time favorite Christmas song. It is not a classic hymn. It's a modern-day tune. It speaks of the blessing that God the Father passed along to you and me. It speaks of a Father's love, that He would grant us a way to come before Him, that nothing could separate us from His love.

"For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." ~ John 3:16-17

God loves you and me so much. He didn't send Jesus to condemn us. He sent Him to convict us of our sins, so that we would turn from the ways of this world and give our lives fully to Him. In return, we are promised abundance of life in Christ, eternity with our Father in heaven, and so much more. I'm not saying life will always be easy, but have you ever known anyone else who has loved you with such a complete and unconditional love? I haven't...

Lord, when all else seems to be falling down around us, nothing appears to be going as it should, and we begin to wonder if You still care, help us to remember what You have done for us already. Help us to remember Your great mercy, Your triumph over this world and our sins, and Your unending devotion to us all. We thank You today, Jesus, that we are not condemned but are loved and treasured for eternity.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 21

"My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation."
~ Luke 1:46-50

What has God done for you? Have you proclaimed it today? Have you shared your testimony with others? Have you told those around you of your lowly state and how God has done great things in your life?

Share your testimony with another today. Shout from the mountaintop of the glory of the Lord, your Savior. Don't be shy. It may change someone's life...

Lord, help me to be bold and brave and courageous when it comes to sharing my faith with others. Open my throat, so that my words may come forth. Help me to testify of Your goodness and mercy. Help me to get past the fear of the unknown, so that others may come to know You this Christmas season.

 

Countdown to Christmas - Day 22

"But why is it granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." ~ Luke 1:43-45

What happens when you hear the name of the Lord? When someone says, "Jesus!" do you leap for joy as Elizabeth's child did in her womb? Can you sense Jesus' presence, even when you cannot see Him in your midst? John certainly couldn't see Jesus from within his mother's womb. But, He could certainly sense His presence.

My heart swells when I consider the name of Jesus. It brings great joy, knowing that I've found salvation in Him. Think about how He makes you feel, how you respond to the mention of His name. Let your heart swell as you consider His presence in your life. Write down how you feel, what you think upon. Enjoy the moment.

Lord, may my heart always swell at the sound of Your name. May I never experience the hardness of heart this world promotes. May I always be putty in Your hands, allowing You to mold me and shape me into Your wonderful glory. I love You, Lord. Thank You for the joy of Your salvation.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 23

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. ~ Luke 1:38

If an angel appeared to you and told you something that seemed impossible and was a little {okay, a lot} scary, would you be so quick to say, "Let it be to me according to your word"? I think most of us would respond, "Let me pray about it." The pat Christian answer for anything that would bring us out of our comfort zones. This Christmas season, consider what God is asking you to do for Him. It takes an act of faith to answer Him, "Let it be to me according to Your word."

Lord, help us to move past our fears, our doubts, and our comfort zones in order to serve You with everything in us. We thank You that Your plans for us are far above all we could ever ask or think. In You we put our trust. So be it.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 24

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."
~ Luke 1:35

Do you live in the shadow of the Highest? Has the Holy Spirit come upon you? God promised us a teacher, comforter, and guide when Jesus left this earth to sit at His right hand. The Holy Spirit indwells us upon our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. He has come upon us.

One of my favorite verses in the Scripture is "The kingdom of God has come near to you." (See Luke 10:9, 11) It blesses me to realize that every time I am near one of my brothers and sisters in Christ, the kingdom of God is near. Do you feel the same? Do you recognize that your husband, father, brother possesses the kingdom of God within them?

Lord, as we enter the Christmas season, help us to recognize the kingdom of God within those we pass by or stop to fellowship with. Help us to remember to treat one another as though You stood before us. We bless Your holy name and thank You for blessing us with Your Spirit, who dwells within our hearts.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 25

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.'" ~ Matthew 1:18-21

What has the Holy Spirit impregnated you with? Is there a call on your life to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? What holds you back, keeping your call a secret?

Lord, help us to understand what You desire to birth within us. That zeal, that passion, that desire. Give us the strength to pull it out of the secret places of our hearts so our light can shine for Your glory. Thank You for the things You've called us to do. Help us now to do them.

Putting Off the New Year

Photo Copyright 2010 Alycia W. Morales

The holiday season is upon us. We're busy buying presents, wrapping presents, mailing presents. We're swamped with writing Christmas cards, Christmas lists, and New Year's resolutions. We're baking, blogging, and breathless.

This morning, as I read Psalm 90, I began thinking about 2012 and what I hope it holds. Verses like, "The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away," caused me to pause and reflect on what I've done this past year. Did I only labor? Were my days filled with sorrow?

"So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom." What can I do in 2012 that reflects numbering my days? Will I simply labor on, hoping I've made a difference in the kingdom of God here on earth? Or will I truly make that difference this year?

And then, the still small voice whispered to my heart. "Mary chose the better part."

See, I'm like Martha right now. I'm concerned with the many things of this holiday season. I am concerned with the many things 2012 will bring. I'm focused on doing, doing, doing.

Mary chose the better part.

In the busyness of the holiday season, we should number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. We should remember to stop and rest at Jesus' feet as we celebrate His glorious birth. We should choose the good part, which will never be taken away from us. The gifts will break or be thrown away or given away. The baked goods will be eaten. The Christmas cards will be tossed or stored. But Jesus will always be alive in our hearts. His word will never fail us. His bread will always sustain us. His water will always quench our thirst. Stop and sit at His feet. Read the word with your children. Remind yourself and others why we celebrate this season.

The new year and all it holds will wait. Put off your resolutions until January 1st. Pray for God to reveal His plan for you as you sit at Jesus' feet. Rest this season. And enjoy all God holds in store for you today.

Don't Miss The Blessings of the Season

This morning, I'd like to welcome guest blogger, Gayla Grace. Enjoy!

Photo Copyright Alycia W. Morales 2010

“It’s all about the baby.” Our pastor repeated those words several times in his recent sermon. “It’s all about the baby.”

How easily we forget the reason we celebrate Christmas: baby Jesus. How distracted we become as we search for the perfect gift and attend every Christmas program or play we find offered. How ungrateful we must appear to our precious Savior, whose birth we are celebrating, when He finds himself pushed aside amidst the chaos of the season.

How do we stay focused on the reason for the season and cherish the blessings that come with it?  We can start by honoring our faith through prayer and Bible study. It’s easy to skip our daily time with the Lord during a harried holiday schedule, but if we want to stay focused on the reason we celebrate, we must begin each day with a special time of concentrated focus on the Lord.

We also need to evaluate our schedule and determine what activities we can let go during the holiday season to allow for a less-harried routine. Although I love attending the symphony and other musical presentations during the holidays, I forego those activities right now to allow time to attend our children’s Christmas programs and carry out special family traditions. I’m also careful not to commit to every volunteer activity that comes my way. I’ve learned that, especially during the holiday season, the easiest way to take control of my time is to learn to say no, which allows me the opportunity to say yes to what’s more important.

We can experience extra blessings of the season if we allow ourselves to be “other-focused.” When we look for ways to meet the needs of someone hurting, or volunteer to help serve others less fortunate than ourselves, we experience our own blessing. During the Christmas season, our family likes to ring bells for the Salvation Army and help collect coins for their ministry. It reminds us the importance of giving.

Another way to experience the blessings of the season is to give the gift of grace to those around us. In our e-book, “Thriving at the Holidays: A Stepparent’s Guide to Success,” co-author Heather Hetchler and I talk about the importance of offering grace when tensions are high and emotions are heightened. Stress-filled days create difficult interactions, but a grace-filled attitude diffuses anger and glosses over criticism. It’s the perfect gift for every difficult encounter a loved one presents.    

The most cherished Christian holiday is in full motion. It’s easy to become distracted with the busyness of the season and lose focus of the blessings that accompany it. But when we intentionally focus on the beauty of the season and allow God’s sustaining hand to uphold us, we experience peace and joy throughout the season.

As you celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ - the baby - this month, don’t miss the blessings of the season.

 

Gayla Grace is a wife and mother to five children in her blended family. She and her husband, Randy, have been married 16 years and Gayla is passionate about helping others on the stepparenting journey due to the struggles she has walked through.  She has a Master’s degree in Psychology/Counseling and offers support through her blog and website at: www.stepparentingwithgrace.com.

She is co-author of a holiday e-book published in November, 2011 titled, “A Stepparent’s Guide to Success, Thriving at the Holidays- Unwrapping the Gift of Peace.” It can be purchased at www.stepparentingsuccess.com or on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes.

Presents, Presents Everywhere!

I sincerely apologize for the delay in announcing last week's winners. Life has taken over, and things have been busy, busy, busy this past week!

The winners of Marybeth Whalen's novel, She Makes it Look Easy are...
Carly and Anita!!! Thank you, ladies, for posting a comment. Carly, please email your address to amoralescmc@yahoo.com. Anita, I already have yours... ;)

I pray this brief post finds you all in great health and enjoying your holiday season!

Tomorrow, join me for guest blogger, Gayla Grace. Gayla writes about step-family dynamics and is sharing on how to deliver grace during the holiday season.

I'll also be posting on Friday this week. I'm really excited to share something God showed me this morning during my quiet reading time with Him.

I will not be posting next week. Instead, I'll be enjoying my family. My husband flies in Friday, and he'll be home for the holidays. I'll resume posting shortly after New Year's Day. Thank you for following my blog this past year, and I look forward to sharing life with you more in 2012.

Book Review - The Names of God Bible

Something inside of me jumped when I was offered the opportunity to review The Names of God Bible. I have both of Ann Spangler's Praying the Names of... books, and I love getting to know Jesus and God by getting to know the meaning behind their many names.

The Names of God Bible has some great features:

Introductions to the books of the Bible: These are some of the best introductions I've ever read. I love the authors' conversational language. I don't feel like I'm reading a textbook on the particular book, but a true introduction to it. Each introduction ends by listing the key names of God or Jesus in each particular book. 

Name Pages: These identify one name of God or Jesus and introduce the reader to that aspect of God's character. The definition of each name is given and expounded upon. I found incredible encouragement when reading through these. I was reminded of God's endearing love for His creation and His people. Each name page also includes a devotion, key scriptures, and a prayer. 

Calling God by Name Sidebars: These notes are about people from Scripture, a brief description of who they were, and a couple of the names they used when referring to God.

I really enjoyed having the opportunity to experience The Names of God Bible. Reading the Word of God is a highly important part of my daily life, as I find myself experiencing a much deeper relationship with Go'el (my Redeemer & Defender) and Yeshua (my Savior) when I do so frequently.

Although reading His Word is one way to remain close to Him, praying is equally important. To develop a closer relationship with your Savior, consider adding this wonderful resource and Ann's books to your Christmas wish list. You won't be disappointed. You'll only go deeper.

Ann Spangler is an award-winning writer whose fascination with the Bible has resulted in books that have opened the Bible to a wide range of readers. She is the author or coauthor of several bestselling books, including Praying the Names of God, Praying the Names of Jesus, Women of the Bible, and Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus. Together, her books have sold nearly 3 million copies. She has held senior positions at two Christian publishing houses and lives with her two daughters in Michigan.

Please note: I received a copy of this Bible from the publisher for review. However, I am under no obligation to provide a positive review. But I do, because I admire the incredible work that went into this project and the amazing quality of the item that was produced as a result of that work. I also simply love exploring the names of God. Because I love Him.