I Am The Daughter Of A King

        

        We just celebrated Christmas!  I hope yours was all you expected.  Christmas fell on Sunday this year.  I remember many years ago when it fell on Sunday, but our children were really young, and we opted to not attend services that morning.  I felt absolutely horrible when the Pastor told us the following Sunday only a few families had attended the previous week and only one, with young children.  I admit that still haunts me!  

This year it isn’t just young children that held people back from attending services, but the weather!  Admittedly, it was brutal outside, many have feet of snow, not a coating, like we in the coastal east side of the states, but the temperatures are frigid.  

It makes me wonder though, when services in church aren’t an option for Christmas morning when it falls on Sunday, if we remember to pull out God’s Word and reflect on the scriptures?  I’d like to say all those years ago when my children were small, I can’t remember doing that; and we are Believers!  I think that’s why it’s haunted me so.

This incident makes me wonder who I am as I consider the magnitude of Christ coming as an infant child!  I know I am wife to Charles, mother to five grown children and grandmother to 17 grandchildren.  I know I am friend to many, an aunt, sister, and even writer.  But what is most important?  Are these identities what defines me?   Even though I’ve been a follower of Christ for many years, for a long time, I thought it did.  

People were confused about who Jesus was too, as he walked among them as a human.  Some believed he was a Prophet; others wondered if he was the Promised Messiah, yet couldn’t get a handle on this idea because of his birth geography!  Further, many believed the Messiah would come as a great king to overthrow Rome; a great conqueror!  Instead they are seeing a Man who claimed to be God; who offered living water.  Who was this man, Jesus?

He changed lives, forgave sins, raised men from the dead, and healed many.  He knew the scriptures and taught, even at the tender age of twelve.  His identity was confusing to those who didn’t believe it was possible he was the Messiah, even after he told them, using scriptures, that it was so! 

As I look at my list of “who I am” it occurs to me there’s something much greater than these earthly identities.  It’s who I am in Christ!  It’s been a joy discovering this!  There are countless scriptures that defines this.  I’m trying my best to memorize them, so when days are going badly (and even when they aren’t) I can pull on them to strengthen my heart and soul to continue moving forward.   

There is quite the list, but I’m going to focus on just a few.  First I am the daughter of the King.  (1 John 3:1) Secondly, I am loved.  (Jeremiah 31:3) I am delighted in. (Zephaniah 3:17) I am a masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10) I am forgiven.  (1 Peter 2:24) I am washed clean. (Isaiah 1:18) I am free. (Galatians 5:1)

Each of these verses are solid Biblical truths and therefore I know I can believe they are relevant to me.  God’s Word is filled with these truths and more, to build us up and draw us to Him.  He wants an intimate relationship with us.  As I focus on these statements, it makes me realize I have something important to give---not only back to the Father, but to those around me.  

As I live out these beliefs—every day of the year, I want Christ to be seen in me (or in spite of me!).  How can He not be? Our lives mirror what we believe; and what we believe in our hearts, we live, speak through our words, and project to others.  

We are embarking on a new year, with more opportunities for new adventures.  I encourage you to consider “who you are;” not just as a person navigating this earthly life, but as a child of God.  Let it give you comfort, encourage and empower you to move onward and forward in 2023.  

Photo Credit: free christmas pics 

My Spiritual Wish List

 

       According to the dictionary, a wish is a strong desire for something that is not only not easily achievable, but what is likely not going to happen.  I suppose that’s why television shows which use this as a focal point of the story, is so interesting.  For example, there is a couple who individually wish over a special fountain, or star, and in the end their wish usually comes true, despite all the obvious distractions and complications.

I saw a post recently that was called “My Spiritual Wish List.”  The title bothered me, but I still opened it and read the article.  I’m, still left “bothered!”   The author’s wishes included being more in tuned to the Holy Spirit and a mind that is transformed like Christ’s.  It was all about being holy and godly, trusting Jesus, and clinging to God.

The list itself, in my opinion seems just wonderful.  Shouldn’t we all lean toward this mindset?  Isn’t this what we are Biblically called to do?  This bothers me, however, when viewed as ‘wishes.’  If a wish is likely impossible, how can we ask God to honor our requests?  Perhaps I’m way off base, here, but my perspective is if we ask with a true heart, then won’t God honor that request--even if He answers in a way we didn't expect?

Yes, it will take effort on our part.  A relationship of any kind, requires work and that is no less true than with God, the Father.  But he said to, “ask and you will receive if you believe with your whole heart.”   I’ve always believed this is an act of faith.  If that is true, then isn't it different than ‘being impossible?’

The list given in the article, as mentioned seems wonderful, but I’d be more comfortable calling it a ‘prayer list’ because prayers are real and heard by the Father.  And when we ask and believe in faith it will happen, then we can accept the gifts, that each of these are.  

I have a great many prayers, like the previous author.  I want to have a renewal of mind, a heart that is touched by his great love, a passion about the gifts God’s given me and many more.  But my greatest desire is to simply be aligned with Christ.  Is this easy?  No.  I’m human and I am sinful by nature.  My human-ness causes me to stumble, regardless of how much I try.  But I’d hate to think that my relationship with God is based on an impossibility or even an improbability.  

It’s difficult sometimes waiting for each of my requests to be answered.  But it’s not about my time, it’s about His!  It’s my job to believe in His Sovereignty, knowing that when the time is just perfect, his perfect will, will be fulfilled or revealed.

Christmas Eve is this week, and we will be celebrating the Gift of Christ as we share gifts with our loved ones.  Children visit Santa to give him their Christmas wish list; and while I admit to liking the idea of Santa, it bothers me a little, too.  Christ’s birth, death and resurrection offers us the greatest gift of all,-- salvation.  It’s a free gift, yet many, especially at this time of year when granting wishes via Santa is so prevalent, Jesus’ gift is sidelined, shelved for another time.

I encourage you to join me in praying heartfelt requests to the Lord, knowing that when we ask with a humble and true heart, our prayers will be answered.  God wants a relationship with us and that does require hard spiritual work, but it’s far from impossible.  It’s totally possible within the realm of faith!

Photo Credit: https://www.pexels.com/search/christmas/ 

Christmas Treasure

 

       The English language can create all kinds of confusion, given how words can have several different definitions, have words that spell the same but sound different, or can even be spelled different and sound the same!  For someone just learning the language, it can be challenging.  One example of this is the word “treasure.”  It’s a word that can be a noun—“a person, place or thing” or a verb, “an action word.” 

A treasure, as a noun, can be anything any person considers valuable.  It’s often a gift given which may or may not have much monetary value, but have great sentimental value.  It could be a gift given by a small child that demonstrates their heart for the recipient.  Or it could be a gift of an heirloom, passed down through several generations that cannot be replaced.  An “heirloom” again, may or may not be valuable to anyone except the possessor.  It’s connected to memories.  Yet, a treasure can have a monetary significance and considered valuable in those terms, as well.

When the Christ Child was born, the Angels proclaimed the “Treasure” the Shepherds would find in Bethlehem.  They were so excited, they left their flocks and said, “Let’s go see this thing!”  Not only were the Shepherds interested and excited about this “Treasure” but also the Wise Men.  The three Wise Men followed the star to where the Little One laid, and offered their own “treasures” – gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  

As a verb, to treasure is to hold something of importance close.   Mary actively “treasured” these things in her heart.  The Apostle Paul “treasured” his walk with Christ and said nothing else mattered except his relationship with Christ.  He even said he would not allow anything else to master him because he wanted Jesus to be first in his life.  (See 1 Corinthians 6:12)

Christmas is the season we seem to focus on “treasures,” usually in the noun form.  It’s all about the treasure we find hidden beneath the pretty paper, bows and ribbons under the tree.  There is often intense secrecy as we shop and wrap so the recipient will not be able discern their “treasure” until Christmas Day.  

With all the fanfare of shopping, baking, decorating, gatherings and other social events, we get caught in during this season, does it ever occur to you the “Greatest Treasure” ever given is placed on a shelf until we have more time to focus on Him?  Does it beg the question what do we treasure “today?”  

Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas!  He is our most valuable “treasure.”  He is the Savior, a gift given by Heaven, who would become the ultimate sacrifice.  We have the unique ability as Believers to have a relationship with a Living God.  

As the holiday creeps to its climax on Christmas Day, I encourage you to pause, reflect and remember to let the “Treasure of Christ Jesus” be evident in your choices.  As you praise Him as Savior moment by moment, and day by day we provide a means for God’s glory to be displayed.  This will make our Christmas Treasure in Christ even more personal.

Photo Credit: free christmas pics 

Spiritual Gifts and Christmas

 

  Christmas is an amazing time of year!  Because of the demonstration of gift giving to the Baby Jesus from the Wise Men and knowing that Baby Jesus was the ultimate gift to the world, we commemorate these events by giving gifts to those we love.  It’s festive and exciting for both the giver and the recipient.

Aside from these physical gifts we share to make others happy, we also share an ‘expression of a gift’ when we offer kindness, friendship and love to another.  How and when we give these gifts will often deepen our relationship with people we care about, whether it’s in the workplace, in recreation, or at home.  

There are other gifts equally important as designed by God, and described in the Bible.  These are Spiritual gifts which come from the Holy Spirit.  These gifts are not only designed by God, but given by God to each person who chooses to search for the gift unique to them.  These gifts are given to aid and build the church and further God’s Kingdom.  While each Believer has access to these unique gifts, it requires a genuine desire and commitment to learning God’s Word and listening to God’s voice, to find our special work, without a desire for personal gain.

There is a list of spiritual gifts which includes discernment, evangelism, healing, leadership, shepherding, teaching, wisdom and others.  The Holy Spirit, as giver of the gift, decides which gift is best suited for which person.  By developing and using these gifts we honor God as we demonstrate God’s goodness in and through our gifts.  

It must feel like Christmas for God when we use the exceptional abilities God has given to further His World.  But on the flip side, it must break his heart when he watches us ignore his gift and squander opportunities to deepen our relationship with him.  I heard the story about a person who was given a gift by a dear friend and genuinely seemed excited with it, when it was opened.  But on a surprise visit to this person’s home only a few months later, saw this special gift tossed haphazardly in the Thrift Store box.  It broke their heart and filled them with a sense of loss and hurt, and in some measure devalued.

Yet many of us neglect the gifts God offers.  We get so caught up in what the world has to offer; our lives filled with challenges and stressful situations; work, family and goals, we put God on the shelf to be placed on display only as required.  Surely this dishonors God.  I can’t help but think of the ten talents parable, when God is teaching us to diligently use the gifts we are given.  

When our lives are filled with Him, with a deliberate sense of time and energy to find out about Him; he is faithful to supply us with what we need to produce fruit.  As we fulfill his purpose, through the use of his gifts, we will be blessed by our efforts and find value in how God made us, giving us a grateful heart!  What a wonderful cycle of gratitude!  What an awesome gift!