The Greatest Chrismas Tree

I've heard that Christmas has its roots in pagan rituals; that trees and gift giving were once a part of some ungodly celebration. I don't know and don't care, quite frankly. After all, God made the trees and He is the creator of giving gifts. In fact, the greatest Christmas tree ever is at the center of His plan.

The greatest Christmas tree had no branches and no lights yet it was adorned with the most beautiful and horrifying image the world has ever witnessed. This tree became the symbol of death and life. This tree is on your necklace and your neighbors bumper sticker. Of course, I am speaking of the cross. I know Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, but Jesus said that His purpose in coming to Earth was the work He would complete at the cross. His birth was the first step on His road to the cross. At the cross, Jesus would pay the penalty for our sins and redeemed us back to God. At the cross, death would face its conqueror. At the cross, I would be made whole.

Look at the cross. See the broken body of our Lord. See the blood soaked wood and the pools of red stained Earth at its base. What good could come from such a tree? What good, indeed. Like all Christmas trees, this one has presents under it. For at the foot of the cross I have found the gifts of salvation, deliverance, freedom, healing and purpose. At the foot of this tree I have found life.

I go back to the cross daily to look upon it in wonder and amazement, and after all these years I still find something special with my name on it; something God has wrapped up just for me. It may be peace for troubled times or hope in a difficult situation or courage to face the day. My Father always thinks of me and gets me exactly what I need.

So as the decorations and the trees come down for the year, remember that the greatest Christmas tree will remain - a beacon of hope. Go to it and dig around. There is something there with your name on it.

Loudership - Leadership doesn't have to be loud

I have been a minister for 25 years now. I have been to numerous events where preachers and church leaders gather, and over the years I have noticed a comical trend. We think leaders must be loud. If I can speak the loudest, tell the funniest joke or be the most charismatic I must be a great leader. I've even seen the "who can pray the loudest contest". I guess we're programmed to think of leadership in these terms, but leadership doesn't have to be loud.

Some of the greatest leaders I have known have been quiet in nature. They were more likely to show you the right path than yell directions at you. Leadership is not about personality or charisma but direction. To lead someone is to be going somewhere in the first place. I would rather follow a quiet leader who knew where she was going than a loud one who was going in circles.

How about you, leader? Are you going somewhere? Has God given you direction? Is someone following you? How about you, follower? Are you spellbound by someone's charisma or volume? Are you following someone who is going somewhere?

If there's no direction, then we're just making noise.
(For direction, seek God)

Psalm 23

Do you know Psalms 23? Can you quote it to me? The 23rd Psalm is one of the most familiar Biblical passages. It's been written on bookmarks and on pictures. It's been quoted in Sunday School and in films. Psalm 23 is world-renown and for good reason - it's a comforting look at life lived daily with the Good Shepherd.

Many people know the 23rd Psalm but the greater question is - Do you know the Shepherd?
Jesus wants to walk with you daily. He longs to lead you into green pastures, to protect you from harm and feed you abundantly. Memorizing the chapter is great but if you aren't walking daily with Jesus you're missing out on what the chapter is trying to teach you.

Real power for Christian living doesn't come from catch phrases or memorized text. To know the word of God is good, but not good enough. To memorize and quote the word of God is good, but not good enough. Real power for your everyday life comes from living out the word of God.

So follow the Shepherd. Seek Him out. Take time daily to recognize and acknowledge His presence in your life. Goodness and Mercy are following you, slow down and let them catch you. Taking time out of your day to connect with Jesus will help you to live a life of purpose and power.

Faith

Faith - It is the basis for all that we are and do as Christians. Without it, it's impossible to have a relationship with God. For we must believe that God exists and that He wants to have a relationship with us; a good relationship that is beneficial for both parties. Do you believe in God? Do you truly believe in God? If you do, do you believe that He is a good God? Do you believe that God wants to help you and bless you? God's power and provision are limitless. He has everything that you and I need, but we will never see it with our physical eyes until we can see it with our spiritual eyes. Faith is seeing in the spirit.
There have been many miracles take place in and around us, of late. God is moving where there is faith. So, whatever the need in your life have faith. Get a spiritual vision of your miracle. Pray with the answer in mind and watch as God honors His promises to you.

Superman of God?

Do you live everyday as a normal person or are you superhuman? If you are a child of God you have daily access to the power of God. When Jesus left the earth He said He would not leave us alone, but that the Holy Spirit would come and live in us. He would guide us, teach us and empower us. If you were filled with the Spirit 20 years ago you have a good memory, but are you daily filled? We can go to work as an ordinary human or as an empowered human. We can enjoy our time off as an ordinary human or as an empowered human.

If you want to live the empowered life, do this;
1. Pray before you Do. Prayers weren't meant to replace your actions they were meant to empower them.
2. Stay full of the Word. The Bible is alive. It's precepts in your heart have a way of coming out in your speech and actions.
3. Meditate. Take time to sit still and listen to God's voice, allowing the Holy Spirit give you direction and encouragement.

These are not all of the disciplines of an empowered life, but they are the things that help me feel His power working in me daily. They are simple but they do take time. So, give some time to the Lord before you engage the world. You'll find that even the little things you do will be done with insight and power.

It's raining it's pouring

How in the world can the old man be snoring? How can anyone feel at ease when life is pouring down on you? Wait a minute, I seem to remember a story from the Bible where the disciples were out at sea and the storms came and they all began to panic in fear of their lives. meanwhile Jesus was asleep in the bottom of the boat. They thought his lack of panic meant a lack of concern. Not so! Jesus could sleep through the storm because He is greater than the storm. But what about you?
Can you stay at rest even when life is raining down on you. It all depends on whether the Master is in your boat. Is He? Or did you launch out on your own?

Take Him with you!

Take the time

Hey out there,
Today let me encourage you (and myself) to take the time to enjoy life. God has given us so many wonderful blessing to enjoy; sunshine, family, friends. I know life is also filled with responsibilities and burdens but we can't let those consume us. How would you feel if you gave your child something he could have fun with but he never played with it. It just sat in the closet, wasted. That must be how God feels when we overlook the little joys that He has given to us that we often take for granted. So, do this - Kiss your husband or wife real hard, tickle your kids or grandkids, take a walk or sit on the porch and thank God for the little things that put everything else in persepctive.
After all, the little things aren't really that little.

Love ya, Mylon