Verses from Mama

Hearing God speak one Bible verse at a time.

The Brightest Christmas Light Ever

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1 John 1:5 “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

The Brightest Christmas Light Ever

Dear Kids,

Christmas lights brighten everything! We are now in the time of year where the days are shorter. The sun sets earlier and rises later so often we find ourselves going to work in the dark and coming home in the same. It can get a little depressing!! But somehow the dazzling displays of holiday lighting all over town lifts the spirits. The presence of light renders the darkness less gloomy. Now is the time to look for the brightest Christmas light ever!

I have never been one to hang myriads of lights all over the exterior of our house. For one, our old farmhouse is super tall and it would take a very long ladder and lots of maneuvering to attach the strings to the eaves, but I’m also a simpler decorator. I love a single candle winking in every window and white lights on the tree dancing through the window as I drive down our lane. But even the smallest gleams make a big difference as they welcome my arrival.

Darkness Disappears in the Presence of Light

That’s the way it is with darkness. It disappears in the presence of light. The only way to miss it would be to close your eyes. But that is what a lot of people do.

The Apostle John revealed to his readers that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Those who have fellowship with God walk in the light of His presence. This light transforms their lives because the blood of Jesus cleanses them from sin. Christ’s life is the light of men. John was qualified to testify of this because he physically walked, talked, and touched Jesus in a way that we can’t. Those who walk in this light by obeying God leave the realm of darkness and begin to reflect God’s characteristics of goodness, righteousness, and truth. This fellowship with God produces a great inner joy despite the circumstances around them.

Sadly, there are others who choose to close their eyes to God’s light. The darkness has blinded them to the truth. They love the gloomy obscurity because it allows them to continue in their evil deeds. They think they will stay hidden and not be exposed. But these individuals miss so much! They have no fellowship with God and refuse the inheritance of the Kingdom of Christ. They are left trying to make sense of a messed up world with no way home in the gloomy shadows.

The Brightest Christmas Light Ever

Light and darkness are important themes in Scripture. They represent the difference between those who are God’s children and those who are not. And Christmas is the perfect time to reflect on these truths. Jesus Christ, the Son of God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. So as you find yourself navigating through the short, gloomy days of the winter solstice keep your eyes open. Jesus really is the brightest Christmas light ever!

Love,
Mama

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What Hallmark Christmas Movies Don’t Tell You

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Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

What Hallmark Christmas Movies Don't Tell YouDear Kids,

What does the Christmas season bring to mind? For some it might be the perfect tree, lights, decorations, fancy cookies, caroling, and the giving and receiving of gifts. But of course, you must also mention the numerous Hallmark Christmas movies. Over the years these G-rated films have portrayed basically the same plot in abundant ways using different protagonists and various twists to shake things up. Usually in the end the hero and heroine choose to follow their dreams, finding true love and the “perfect” life as a reward. But what do these Christmas movies not tell you?

Hallmark Perfect Endings Don’t Always Happen

Life doesn’t always work out with a Hallmark perfect ending. The guy doesn’t always get the girl. The broken angel doesn’t always end up in the hands of the one who lost it. The spurned older gentleman doesn’t always relent and finish the beautiful Christmas tree topper in time for the display. And the Christmas tree doesn’t always light on cue to awe the crowds and make the event planners look good.

We don’t live in a cookie cutter world where everything falls into place just as we dreamed. We cannot understand why many things happen as they do. This is because our ideas, goals, and understanding are limited, and we can’t see beyond our immediate circumstances.

God’s Thoughts Are Beyond Our Thoughts

But for the Christian even the messy parts of life have a purpose. Our heavenly Father has thoughts and ways that are beyond our thoughts and our ways. He sees the bigger picture and always has our best at heart.

He allows the difficult parts of life to draw us closer to Himself and to encourage us to leave unproductive habits and sinful lifestyles behind. These trials also allow us to identify with other hurting people in a better understanding of how to help them through their difficulties. And sometimes we don’t realize our greatest personal dreams in life because God’s dreams for us are so much bigger.

Don’t Be Fooled By Hallmark Christmas Movies

I hope this year you can relish the joy of the Christmas season and maybe even watch one or two good wholesome films. But don’t be fooled or discouraged by the things these Hallmark Christmas movies don’t tell you.

Life doesn’t always turn out perfectly just because of the lights, decorations, and beauty of the Christmas season. But as a child of God, you don’t need to fear an unpredictable ending of your story. Even in the trials and disappointments of life, God’s ways and thoughts are better and higher than yours and mine could ever be. And some day when you get to heaven, you will view the final narrative of your life and finally understand the happy ending God had in store for you all along!

Love,

Mama

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When God Makes a List and Checks It Twice

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Titus 3:5-6 “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

Christmas! It’s the time of year when kids try to be extra good. They know that Santa Claus is making a list and checking it twice to find out who has been naughty and nice. The nice children will receive good gifts on Christmas morning. But the naughty ones will be disappointed. They will only receive coal in their stockings. So during the month of December the disobedient try to make up for lost time with the hopes of getting back into Santa’s graces.

When God Makes a List

Many people believe that God is just like Santa. They think He is up in heaven checking and rechecking His list to find out which individuals deserve His blessings. Those who recognize they have done wrong things may try to make up for lost time by giving money to the poor, volunteering for charities, or attending church more frequently than they have in the past. They hope these acts of kindness and faithfulness will put them in good standing with God.

But God is nothing like Santa. He knows that all of us are sinners and undeserving of His gifts. There is none righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10). So instead of checking His list to measure our good deeds, He instead chose to save us according to His mercy. Through the blood of Jesus He washes our sins away and renews us by His Holy Spirit. This is the gift God provided for all the nice and the naughty who choose to believe.

Even the Nicest of Us Are Still Naughty in God’s Eyes

God does have a list of all the people in the world, but sadly even the nicest of us is still marked as naughty in His sight. But our sin does not exclude us from receiving God’s greatest blessing. Unlike Santa, God’s gift of salvation is given not on the basis of what we do, but on the basis of what Christ did when He came to earth and was crucified, buried, and raised again on the third day. Now because of God’s great mercy, salvation and forgiveness of sin is available to all who believe.

You may be on Santa’s naughty list this Christmas, but what you have done up to this point in your life makes no difference with God. His greatest gift of salvation is ready and available for all who trust Him . . . not on the basis of deeds done in righteousness but because of His great mercy.

Love,

Mama

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How Christmas Lights Cured the Grinch

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Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” 

Dear Kids:

I don’t usually think of myself as a Grinch. Christmas is such a fun and special time of the year, but the other day some Grinch-like characteristics found their way into my attitude.

This has been a particularly busy December and I fell a little behind in the season preparations. December 13th rolled around without the hint of a Christmas decoration and even less gifts purchased.

My Grinch-Like Attitude

I took the day off work to get caught up, using the pressure of a large holiday dinner at our home that night as my impetus to get the house clean and Christmas-ready. Things went well until I started untangling the Christmas lights. I strung three strands around the tree before realizing that a few of the bulbs were burned out.

My temperature rose as stress coursed through my system. The hours until the party were counting down and there was so much more to do. My negative feelings toward the unruly lights grew worse until my attitude like the Grinch’s – stink, stank, stunk!!

In an effort to retain the joy of the season I pulled in the reins on my thoughts by directing them towards some symbolism behind the lights of the tree. The beautiful twinkling orbs were a reminder to me of the real reason of Christmas.

Jesus – The True Christmas Light

The prophet Isaiah’s prophecy of the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, came to mind.

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.”

The prophet spoke of a child to be born whose name would be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. This tiny baby’s birth and subsequent death and resurrection would bring light and life into a dark, dreary, and sin-filled world. His presence would bring gladness and rejoicing. His kingdom would be one of righteousness and justice. He is the reason we celebrate and take time to make the season memorable. The Savior has come into the world to conquer and forgive sin – including all attitudes that stink, stank, stunk!!!

Christmas Lights – A Reminder of What’s Important

I finally finished decorating the tree, along with all the other jobs that go along with hosting a party. The friends arrived and despite a few minor mishaps our time together was sweet. The large, decorated evergreen that Dad had purchased twinkled away in our farm house’s front window as a silent but beautiful reminder of what really matters – a Savior has come into the world and the people who walk in darkness can experience His great light!

And that is how Christmas lights cured this Grinch!

Love,

Mama

Think about this . . .

What tradition of the season best helps you remember the real meaning of Christmas?

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below!

 

A Post-Christmas Inventory

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Hebrews 13:5 “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’” 

The Christmas season is over until next year. How are you doing?

Now that we have come through the holiday of giving and getting, it is time to take inventory . . . not of the gifts we received, but of our attitude towards those gifts.

It is always so much fun to think and plan out our surprises for loved ones. Some creative people make their gifts, while others brave the shopping malls or frequent online stores to find the perfect something. Each giver hopes that the receiver will be happy with their gift, but sadly that is not always the case. Soon after the big day is over the stores open again announcing the newest specials, and many make the trip back to return, exchange, or take advantage of the big sales.

While I have no problem with cashing in on a good price, I wonder when enough is enough. Often having more is not better; it’s just more to keep track of. In the book of Hebrews God reminds us to be content with what we have. When we are constantly thinking about the next thing, we can be assured there is a problem in our hearts. The searching and longing for that final thing to satisfy our deepest desires will never be found in a shopping mall or online store.

According to psychologist and author Dr. Henry Cloud, only ten percent of a person’s happiness comes from external things such as Christmas gifts, a bigger salary, or other material things. And even when those things bring us great excitement, it is usually only momentary. The joy they produce will start to fade over time – our new clothes shrink, the expensive toy breaks, and the new technology becomes outdated.

The things that are the most satisfying are good relationships. And God reminds us that we can live in perfect contentment because, despite our circumstances, He will never leave us nor forsake us. His presence will fill us with joy throughout the year and His wisdom, power, and love will meet our deepest needs.

So how are you doing? Has the excitement you had last week when you gave and opened Christmas gifts started to fade? Are you thinking about what else you might want to have? Instead, why don’t you consider the greatest gift you could ever receive: God’s presence. Keep your character free of the love of money and be content with what you have! After all, when the money runs out and all the gadgets have been put into a drawer and forgotten, God will still be there. He will never leave you nor forsake you!

Love,
Mama

Christmas – The Remedy For Soul Hunger

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Psalm 107:9 “For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.”

There are many things one could say about the Christmas season. One of those is that it is a time for eating well! Over the past two weeks Dad and I have attended at least five parties – all of which included delicious food. Goodies and treats have also been streaming into our office as well-wishers stop by to spread holiday cheer. Everywhere you turn delicacies and high calorie treats are being shared so that by the end of this season most people will discover a noticeable increase in their waistline.

Last Thursday we held our office Christmas luncheon. This year we broke our usual tradition of meeting at a restaurant and instead stayed in at our Event Center. Aunt Julie created a festive atmosphere with candles and greenery, and Christian Brothers Meat Company catered the meal. The mounds of cheesy bacon mashed potatoes, country cooked green beans, thick slabs of pork and chicken basted in a savory sauce, and luscious fruit-filled slices of pie were more than enough fare to satisfy even the biggest of appetites.

Later that evening Dad and I attended another party. The friendship was sweet, but I must admit that I only tasted the dinner offerings. My appetite had been satisfied with good things from my lunchtime meal and there was no room left in my stomach. So goes the Christmas Season!

While Christmas may be the time for feasting on physical food, there is another hunger that often becomes more acute during this season of joy. Pangs from hunger of the soul grow in intensity as our hearts long for all that is good. Distant families, broken relationships, sickness, heartaches, loneliness, and disappointments gnaw on our hearts and beg to be satisfied with wholeness and peace. There is no pastry or confection that can cure this hunger.

Strangely the answer for these cravings is found in the true celebration of Christmas. God sent His only Son to the world to redeem His people from the adversary whose goal from the beginning was to famish our souls with emptiness caused by sin. When we turn to the baby in the manger, the very Son of God who came in the flesh, and allow Him to fill our empty souls with His presence we can finally receive all for which we have been hungering. While our present difficulties may not disappear, the unfilled longings for meaning and relationship will be met by Immanuel Himself – God with us.

As you fill your stomachs with delicious meals and sweet treats this Christmas keep in mind the remedy for soul hunger. Turn to the baby in the manger, the perfect Son of God, and you will never be hungry or thirsty again. For only He can satisfy the hungry soul with what is good.”

Love,

Mama

Warnings For Wise Men Everywhere

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Matthew 2:12 “And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.”

Photo by Inbal Malca on Unsplash

People’s words and intentions do not always add up. A kind gesture or pleasant inquiry may mask a less than stellar plot. This was certainly true when the Wise Men of old came to find the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.

To aid their search these wise men did the logical thing to find this newborn king: they visited the palace. There they spoke with Herod, the ruler of the land, who showed great interest in their search and feigned adoration of the little one, the King of the Jews. Before sending these seekers to Bethlehem, Herod directed, “When you have found Him, report back to me, so that I too may come and worship him.”

The Magi may or may not have had an inkling of the evil intentions of this ruler, but nothing was hidden from God. He saw beyond the pleasant words and promised worship into a heart that was filled with jealousy and wickedness. The Almighty God warned the Wise Men in a dream that they should not return home the way they came, but instead take a different route to avoid the disaster crouched in the palace and ready to spring. God thwarted Herod’s evil plan to learn more about the new king and the baby Jesus was safe.

It is a comforting thought to know that God can read beyond the words and intentions of people around us, but it also gives a reason for personal consideration. What do my outward actions portray that don’t match with my heart? God knows these, too. This warning is for all wise men everywhere. Make sure your heart matches your words and your actions. You may be able to fool your friends and neighbors but nothing gets past God.

Love,

Mama

The Day After Christmas

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Matthew 1:23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel which means, ‘God with us.’” 

Seasons come and seasons go! For the past month or so we have all geared up for the big day – Christmas produces such excitement and expectation. Now the day has come and gone and many are feeling a letdown. Adrenaline and frantic busyness to get everything just right has taken its toll and exhaustion hits full force.

This feeling of sadness at the end of something special will happen all throughout life, but I have found a way to carry the joy of the season with me.

When our family has been on vacation and it is time to go home and “get back to normal,” I combat the sadness by remembering that the most important parts of my life are still with me. When we go home from vacation I get to go home with those I love and continue to enjoy living each day with them.

Though the excitement of the Christmas season is winding down and we are thinking about getting back to business as usual, the gift and beauty of Christmas goes with us. Christ came to earth and was born as a tiny baby to restore our connection with our heavenly Father. The name given to Him was Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Jesus, the Son of God, confined Himself to a human body on earth for thirty-three years, but though He has gone back to heaven, He has left His Spirit to dwell with us every day.

We celebrate His birth, life, and death each year with great excitement and pleasure, but when the calendar day has come and gone we are not left alone. Immanuel, God with us, is here to stay. He has made His home within each person who receives Him through faith and He will never leave us nor forsake us.

You may be tired on the day after Christmas, but there is no reason to be sad. The Father sent His only Son to be born in Bethlehem so that we could have His presence with us forever and ever. Seasons come and seasons go, but the joy remains. If you have accepted God’s gift of His Son, you get to live the rest of your life with Him.

Love,

Mama

 

All I Want For Christmas Is…You

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Psalm 27:4 “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: 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 meditate in His temple.”

There are only a few more days until Christmas. As the celebration creeps closer and closer some of us are still running around seeking to find the perfect gift for those we love. We scour the lists of ideas that have been given to us and make our choices about which present would best express our thoughts and make our loved ones happy. Hopefully we will choose that perfect something!

It has been interesting over the years to think about the different things people have wanted for Christmas. If you listen to some of the holiday songs you will be amazed by some of the desires. The only thing one little child wanted was “his two front teeth.” Another declared that she wanted “a hippopotamus for Christmas; only a hippopotamus will do.” Others express the desire for a white Christmas and mistletoe. Still others hope for peace on earth. But I think if the writer of today’s Bible verse could have his choice of modern Christmas songs, he would agree with some of the lines from Mariah Carey’s, All I Want For Christmas Is You.

I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true oh
All I want for Christmas is you
-Mariah Carey

Though her song is speaking about the love and nearness of a boyfriend or girlfriend, the Psalmist expressed similar thoughts about the Lord. He said, “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: 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 meditate in His temple.”

David had experienced God’s faithfulness throughout his life. The Lord had been his protection during dangerous times. He had been his defense when evildoers had sought to destroy him. He had provided food and shelter, wisdom, friendship, love, comfort, help, guidance, and courage. Everything David’s heart desired was found in the person of the God in Whom He trusted. Though this man was a king and could have had anything he wanted, his only request was the presence of the Lord at all times.

What about us? Even if we should find every material thing we ever wanted or hoped for underneath the tree this season, would it really satisfy? If we were able to receive good health, financial stability, deeper friendships, the perfect marriage, or unlimited success, would these last forever? No, none of these would account for much without a relationship with the God Who is the giver of all good things. His salvation through Christ offers eternal life, and His grace provides for everything we need to live here on earth. Even the ability to enjoy earthly things comes from Him. These are gifts no one can do without!

So, I don’t know about you, but I’ve decided what I want for Christmas – the same thing the Psalmist wanted so many years ago. Lord, All I want for Christmas is YOU!

Love,

Mama

 

Waiting For The Christmas Gifts

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1 Peter 1:10-11 “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.”presents-under-tree

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving, and who doesn’t know this better than children? For weeks now youngsters have been dreaming about the packages they will find under the tree Christmas morning, and the hopes and expectations build as the day approaches.

I remember as a teenager my younger siblings tiptoeing into my room to wake me up early. Together we would sneak into the living room to peek under the tree. We would curl up and watch the lights twinkle and we would dream while waiting for the day to begin. That was one of my favorite parts of the special day, and it’s probably why you children could always get me up Christmas morning before Dad.

This natural tendency of eagerly waiting for gifts started many years ago. Throughout the Old Testament God inspired prophets to write about a gift that He would send to earth. Soon after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden God promised that He would send a Savior to restore humanity to a right relationship with Him. The prophets foretold the birth of the Messiah and the suffering that He would endure. They spoke of details of this heavenly King that only the Father could reveal. They foreshadowed His love, His mission, and the new hearts all mankind would receive if they believed in Him.

These inspired men prophesied of the grace that would come to the world through Jesus Christ, but they did not fully understand all that the gift would offer or when it would come. They made careful searches and inquiries of Scripture seeking to figure out the Who, the what, and the when of the promised events, but that was only for God to know. Finally they realized that, though they would be beneficiaries of the gift, their prophecies would not be fulfilled until a future time.

Today we can look back on the birth of King Jesus and His death and resurrection. The grace of God has appeared, in the person of God’s Son, bringing salvation to all men who believe. This is what we celebrate at Christmas. Now we can look forward to the time when He comes in glory to fully claim His Kingdom.

You are all older now. Maybe the presents under the tree don’t bring as much anticipation as they did when you were little. But there is so much to look forward to. God’s gift of salvation has come to the world in power. His grace gives us what we need to live for Him every day. And someday soon He will gloriously return to earth as the rightful King and all will be made right in the world. Now, that’s something to eagerly wait for!

Love,

Mama