The Greatest Miracle

Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1-2:7, 1Peter 2:21-24, 1John 4:7-11

 

 

One of the sure signs of Christmas is the Christmas tree. Many get excited about Christmas with song, food, and gifts under the tree. But some gifts are too big for the Christmas tree and require a miracle. One of my favorite Christmas films of all time is Miracle on 34th Street. The film stars the late Natalie Wood as Suzie. Suzie is a lovely child who unfortunately doesn't take much pleasure in being a child because her mother, Ms. Walker, is doused with the wall of bitterness over love and a marriage gone wrong. Teaching Suzie to see things from the "adult" point of view is Ms. Walker's way of protecting Suzie from ever being hurt. Meanwhile a man, Mr. Galey, who is smitten over Ms. Walker spends the movie trying to find the key to unlock Ms. Walker's heart. He figures Suzie is the key. He enlists help from Kris Kringle (Santa Claus) to do it. Suzie spends more time with Kris Kringle as well. To make a long story short, Suzie wants to believe that Kris Kringle is Santa Claus but the only way she will believe is if a big gift is under the tree. It's a gift that not even Ms. Walker knows about. Just when Suzie gives up hope, she finds out that hope is not lost. And her gift was delivered. It was just too big to fit under the tree. By this time, Mr. Galey had unlocked the door to Ms. Walker's heart by being there for her when she needed him. She needed to believe in love again and Suzie needed to be able to be free from the constraints of her mother's anguish in order to be a child.

 

What's the point of this story and what does it have to do with the scripture references? Santa Claus is not real but Jesus is. The miracle of His birth set us on a path. Jesus died on the tree and rose again so you and I can experience many big miracles. The greatest miracle is that of love. Truthfully, it's the real point of Miracle on 34th Street. Love and good will. People give gifts during this holiday season but the greatest gift ever is love, good will and your time. Jesus suffered so you and I can experience God's everlasting love, healing and power all under the tree also known as the cross. The greatest miracle you're in need of really isn't under the Christmas tree. The greatest gift is a miracle that can't be bought in a store because there is no price tag that would ever be enough. The greatest gift and miracle is Christ and through Him is love. The word says that love never fails. It doesn't. What are you giving this Christmas? What will you receive? Is it the miracle of love?

At the Table

Proverbs 15:17

 

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.

 

The custom of "breaking bread" or eating with someone was indeed a big deal. Once you broke bread with someone it was seen as a sign of friendship. Often, when followers of Christ pray over food in the company of others they "thank God" for "the time of fellowship." Fellowship as defined in Merriam-Webster's Dictionary is 1) the condition of friendly relationship existing among persons 2) a community of interest or feeling 3) a group with similar interests. But to King Solomon's point, everyone does not share your similar interests, feelings or friendliness. Do you know why the disciples were so appalled when Jesus said the one who would betray Him dipped their bread from the same bowl? Because dining with someone and then doing evil against them was indeed seen as an ultimate betrayal. With whom are you dining with at the table? Someone eating from the same table with you may not mean you well. Just because the meal is big and looks to be done with graciousness may not be so. The NKJV Study Bible states, "Lavish hospitality is not necessarily an indication of goodwill. Behind the stimulating conversation of a good hostess may lie ulterior motives. A simple meal with love, honesty, and true fellowship is far better..."

 

"Let's go eat,"  "let's do lunch" or "let's do dinner" are common phrases used in our times now. However, have you considered with whom you are dining? Do you know whether the person with whom you dine cares about your well-being? Do you know whether with whom you dine supports you? Do you know whether with whom you dine sees you as a friend or simply an opportunity? Hospitality is to be a gift. Providing a meal is to be a way of making someone feel loved, welcomed and cared for. Ask God to show you if someone is perverting the gift of hospitality in order to plot against you or simply does not truly care about you. We are unfortunately living in a time period as the word says where men are lovers of themselves and are self-seeking. True hospitality is always done with the spirit of love. And we know the word says that God is love. And to know love is to know God.
 

P.S. You can purchase books for the holiday season at www.getyourjoyinthemorning.com or wherever books are sold.

What's the Real Problem?

Ecclesiastes 8:2-3

 

This year's election in the United States has brought surprise to many. There have been upsets of great proportions to those who share the same party as our current leader, President Obama. The United States is blessed to have such liberties to vote, voice opinions and openly disagree with leadership. If you are so unhappy with government leadership in this country, then you either vote, accept it or relocate. You have the choice to be in the country considered to be "the leader of the free world." Not every country has the same liberties. In some countries, if you speak out against the leader, there is punishment. However, the word of God states that you are to obey your leadership. The word also says it is for the sake of your oath to God. God appoints leadership. You may have the privilege to openly disagree with your leader but do not do so to the level that it is disrespectful. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines disrespect as discourtesy and discourtesy is defined as rudeness or rude act. And how many rude acts have you witnessed? If you disrespect the leadership God placed over you, then it is the same as disrespecting God, the one whom you claim to love. The NKJV Study Bible states, "Wisdom involves submission to authorities. People employed in the service of the government wisely obey even when a task is personally unpleasant." So if you refuse to obey the authority figure that has been placed over this country, then you can always relocate somewhere else and obey the authority there. Lack of respect in any situation is often a symptom of another problem. What's the real problem?

 

 P.S. You can purchase books for the holiday season at www.getyourjoyinthemorning.com or wherever books are sold.

It's the Holiday Season

Good Evening Everyone,

We are coming up on the holiday season. Some of you like to start your holiday shopping early. Give a gift that can uplift and help a person grow leaps and bounds. Give a gift that will free their mind and soul. Have you purchased "Get Your JOY In The Morning?" The book is a good accompaniment for spiritual and personal growth to the Holy Bible. Have you purchased "Shh Don't Tell" to help free someone's spirit from shackles and to help your family and friends to protect future generations? You can purchase them both at www.getyourjoyinthemorning.com

 

 

and wherever books are sold.

 

P.S. If you have been fed, uplifted and encouraged over the past five years with the Get Your JOY In The Morning email, blog, twitter account and/or Facebook postings, how are you sowing?

Get Back on Track

1Timothy 6:6-10

 

Many of you have seen a portion of this scripture before. But God reminded me about a testimony I saw on Facebook from a young lady I did not know in a group I subscribed to. In her testimony, she noted how Satan stirred her heart so with the love of money that it totally distracted her from Jesus. It wasn't until God inflicted severe correction on her did she repent and turn from her ways and seek after God. And then a friend posted a magazine article about knowing if your dreams are of God.

 

The apostle Paul instructed the young minister Timothy in how to continue to walk uprightly. He did so by reminding Timothy that each of us, you and I, came into this world with nothing and shall leave with nothing. Job said the same when all he had was taken from him. But the apostle Paul also admonished about what the love of money can do. Again, let it be made clear, money is neither good or evil. It is simply a tool. How and why it is obtained, its use and your attitude with it are what matters. Many of you may recall the devotional earlier this year about the song written by the OJays, "For the Love of Money" written in the 70s that came from scripture. But what many miss is as long as the money is the focus, not only do you miss Jesus, you miss the purpose God created you for. The enemy is banking on your obsession over money to the point that you abandon all reason which is exactly what greed is based from. You can read Matthew 6. God knows every need but you cannot serve two masters. Why? The word says that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. As long as you focus on the love of money, Satan can steal the dreams God provided to you, your destiny can be destroyed and your spirit can be murdered with sin. Proverbs 18:16 says that your gifts will make room for you and put you before great men. Some of you are relying on money to put you before great men and not the gifts God has freely given to you. The word says to trust not in riches because they will sprout wings. Remember the parable about the talents? What has God given you? The word talent was in the context was a form of money but it is also gift. Some of you have one talent. Others of you have multiple. When God comes to collect to see your stewardship over what He has given you, what will you say? Have you knowingly gone off the track to follow the love of money? What about the assignment God gave you? Does that not matter? Has your love of money been so rooted that you have gambled via casinos, lottery, etc that which you were supposed to be a good steward of? You say you want God to bless you with more? How can He if as the word says you have not been faithful with the little you have received? You have actually received much. You have something God wants you to do and He gave you tools needed to complete the assignment. That is not little. That is a great honor. For example, some of you know God has told you to write a book. Have you done it? Some of you, God told you start a specific business. Have you done it yet? Some of you have gifts that can be utilized in the body of Christ. Have you done it yet? Get back on track.  

 

P.S. The opening scripture wasn't written out on purpose.

Reversal of Circumstances

Isaiah 38:4-5

 

4And the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, 5"Go and tell Hezekiah, 'Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.

 

Has God ever reversed something to you that was taken away or about to be taken away? King Hezekiah was faithful to God in that he tore down the high places where people worshiped false gods. His intent was that the people of Jerusalem would serve the Lord. King Hezekiah fell ill and was near death as the word says. The prophet assigned by God to King Hezekiah informed him that his time on earth was about to be done and to get his house in order. Have you ever received word that something precious to you, including your life, was about to come to a close? Have you ever been told that you were about to lose something? King Hezekiah then turned his face to the wall and began to cry out to the Lord. He reminded the Lord of his faithfulness to him. And because the Lord heard his cry, He restored him. The miracle God used to prove it was the reverse of the sundial. At the University of Maryland College Park, where I went to school, there sits a sundial on McKeldin Mall. The sundial was used to tell the time of day before there were clocks and watches. God did a reversal of the shadow that tells time to show that He would reverse King Hezekiah's dire circumstances. Has God ever reversed anything for you? Have you ever lost something then God did a reverse and gave it back to you? What does reverse mean? The Merriam-Webster's Dictionary gives the first definition of reverse as 1)  opposite to previous or normal condition, 2) acting or working in a manner opposite than usual 3) bringing about reverse movement. I used to hear my assistant pastor speak about God being the keeper of time all the time but then directed us to where it exists in the Word. For Hezekiah, God reversed the time of death and added fifteen years to his life. WOW! Jesus said in the word that worry can take away years but God also shows in His word where He can add or give back years. He can add life. He can give back what seemed lost or hopeless. Only God can give back what seemed lost. What has God reversed in your life? What you do with the reversal of circumstances that God gifts to you will show your gratefulness. Always be faithful and show God your gratefulness.

Do You Know the Meaning of Love?

1John 4:7-8

 

7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 

This scripture has been visited before. But what is different this time? Do you know the meaning of Love? Many equate it to "large quantities of chocolate" as stated in the film, The Devil's Advocate. Some say love=sex. Sex is one way to express one's love because you become one with a person in body and spirit as the Word says . There are many different versions of love. Ultimately, the premise is still the same. Love involves thinking of someone else other than you. Love involves the willingness to sacrifice. Love involves moving from selfishness. Love involves wanting to give and not just take. We are called to love in the body of Christ. But do you know the meaning of love? God is love. God created you and I in His image. He then decided that because He loves us so much, that He wanted to rectify Adam's mistake by allowing Jesus to be born so He would suffer and shed His blood for the remission of our sins that we may be reconciled back to Him. He loves us so much that He has delayed Christ's second coming so we have enough time to get right with Him. He loves us so much that He provides for every need. He loves us so much that He wants to give us guidance through His Word and the Holy Spirit and desires our friendship. God is willing to do anything to get your attention. Someone who loves you wants your attention, your time, your friendship. Many people fear saying, "I love you." The Word says that perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. The Word also says that he who fears has not been made perfect in love. In other words, there is nothing to fear in love originated from God. If you fear it, it is because you have not known it before. There are some who say "I love you," at the drop of a dime but love is an action. Where is your action? Love involves giving in some way. Love involves sacrifice. Love originating from God is never empty. There is always proof of love. Do you know the meaning of love? One of the definitions of love as defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary says unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for others. It also says to feel a passion, devotion or tenderness for. In these cases, they require action. God's love for you has and is expressed through action. God wants you to display your love for Him through action. He also wants you display your love for others through action. Again, do you know the meaning of love?