Consider. It’s so much more than a baby being born. It’s about love. God’s love. From Heaven. God’s gift. For you. God’s answer to our sin. Jesus. Born in a place for animals. Laid in a manger. Humility. Meekness. The King. No royal palace. No guards. Accessible to all.
God’s perfect plan. Celebrate His birth!
The season we are entering is about Jesus’ birth, but His birth is significant because of His death and resurrection. That’s the complete Christmas story we need to share.
As we enter this season of celebration, there is a heightened sense of getting ready for family and friends who will be visiting. Many of us will be preparing traditional and favorite foods, planning for gatherings and maybe even freshening up a guest room for those who will be staying in our homes. Lots of additional planning for guests means thinking ahead. All of this anticipation is part of what makes this time of year exciting, something many of us look forward to!
It is fun that in our culture, a time of Thanksgiving is what kicks off the holiday season. What a fantastic place to start! Giving thanks for what we have and what we’ve been given. Thanks for what God has done in sending His Son to earth in the form of a baby so that we might receive life everlasting! I love this season of focus on the most incredible gift of all!
As I consider the time and energy that goes into planning and preparation, I can’t help but consider the importance of these same concepts in my spiritual life. Planning with anticipation to ‘hear’ God’s truths in His written word. Planning a schedule that puts Him first and foremost in all things in spite of the busyness. Planning to encourage those around me to ‘see’ what all the excitement is truly about. Planning to reach out with the story of Jesus’ birth and the gift that we celebrate in His death and resurrection. Preparation for all this planning is essential! How do you make sure your heart is prepared to be sensitive to opportunities to shine during this time? Although certain things do need to be accomplished physically, isn’t it so much more important that our hearts are prepared spiritually?
Planning: an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action; the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening. WordWeb
Planning and preparation are similarly defined in the English dictionary. They are closely related. What does God’s word say about the importance of preparing for something?
In the book of Exodus, specific plans were set forth for the tabernacle (Ex 26:30). Solomon was given plans for the building of the temple (1Chronicles 28:11-12). Sometimes, God causes our plans to fail because they are not in agreement with His plan (Ne 4:15; Isa 8:10; Isa 30:1).
Before time began, God planned the path for His only Son.
Ac 2:22-23 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know--this [Man], delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put [Him] to death.
Wow, this is a strong, heart-wrenching section of scripture for those who believe and trust in God. The season we are entering is about Jesus’ birth, but His birth is significant because of His death and resurrection. That’s the complete Christmas story we need to share.
In Psalm 78, David gives a warning on the importance of following God’s plan and the preparation of a heart that is faithful.
Ps 78:1-8 Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4 We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should teach them to their children, 6 that the generation to come might know, [even] the children [yet] to be born, [That] they may arise and tell [them] to their children, 7 that they should put their confidence in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments, 8 and not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not prepare its heart, and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Time, energy, planning and preparation. What do these concepts look like in your heart? Is your faithfulness to God in all things held high above all else? Even when you’re busy planning and preparing?
I love decorating my home, the home God has given us, in preparation for this season. It’s actually necessary, because it’s the one time of year absolutely everything comes down off the shelves and gets cleaned and polished! Even the window sills! We usually put up more than one tree and have a wonderful collection of nativity scenes that we carefully unwrap and display. The snowmen come out from their packaging and find temporary homes amongst the holly. We have several Santa’s from all over the world,
some antique from my husband’s Grandmamma. I pray none of this is offensive to anyone. But, for me, a figurine of Santa kneeling before the Christ child is a warming picture that all will bow before Him when He returns. The focused celebration is the gift of Jesus, the truth of His death, resurrection and the anticipation of His eventual return! This is certainly what we should be excited about. Amidst the gingerbread men and the ornaments, the worship and honor is to God alone.
One of the best things about this time of year are the open doors for encouragement to those around us to set their eyes upon Jesus. To be mindful and focused on God takes time in preparation of my own heart. It takes energy and a willingness to put all other things aside, all the items on my to-do list, to do what is truly necessary – to keep my heart set on Jesus. If I don’t plan to spend time in the word, learning and being reminded of who God is and what He desires of me, it simply won’t happen. If I don’t ask God to prepare my heart to see His will, I won’t!
I pray our hearts are shining brighter than the lights on the Christmas trees as we anticipate the most glorious gift of all. Thank you Lord, for the incredible blessing of Jesus!
1Ti 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Having a sense of identity is important because it allows people to stand out as individuals, develop a sense of well-being and importance, and fit in with certain groups and cultures. Why is identity so important? | Reference.com
www.reference.com/world-view/identity
Beyond the basic need for a sense of control, we are deeply driven by our sense of identity, of who we are. We are in the middle of our individual world, where we place central importance on our sense of individual self. As Descartes said, ‘I think, therefore I am.’ Many social theories are to do with creating or preserving our sense of identity. Changingminds.org
identity: the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity; the individual characteristics by which a thing or person is recognized or known. WordWeb
With technology increasing and permeating the work place, financial markets and just about every aspect of our personal lives, identity has become a big topic. Mostly in connection with fraud and the need for protection. There are those who feel as if they’ve lost their identity in certain situations.
Several individuals we know, including ourselves, have had experiences with stolen identity within different organizations. Years ago, my husband was in the hospital for ongoing medical issues and we received a call from the admitting department that there was an inpatient using the same social security number. A few years ago, our tax return was stolen by someone who had assumed our identity and filed taxes under our social security numbers. Several years ago I received a letter from the IRS stating I owed thousands in back taxes – my name had been associated with someone else, again, an identity breech. This is real and it is unnerving.
You can purchase several different plans for identity protection. Sometimes, a company will offer protection for up to a year if the fraud has happened on their end. Of course, there are fees attached to most of these programs.
What does the future hold as technology becomes more complicated and ingrained into every area of our lives? I suppose we should take reasonable precautions and approach the possibility of identity fraud as real. However, no one can hack into my true identity.
My identity in Christ is impossible to lose once claimed. I need not fear something will be taken from me or that I would lose my representation in Christ. I did not have to purchase this identity. It was purchased for me! In Christ. By his death and resurrection. Because of His Father’s love. It is given to me as a gift. My identity in Christ is 100% foolproof. No one will steal it. Yet, they can join me in this same identity, for free. Just by accepting the gift of God’s Son.
This is a wonderful source of peace and comfort in this world of uncertainty.
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Oh babies. Whether physically holding your hand, or having your hand held tightly in our hearts, you were and are part of God’s perfect plan. Our love for you is not diminished, only increased as we anticipate and trust the unfolding of eternity.
Praising God for the blessings of grandchildren! A sweet little guy joined the ranks of our family on September 12th. Caden Josiah. I am incredibly thankful that he and his Mommy are doing well. There is a heightened sense of the amazing miracle of birth in our family since our daughter has experienced the loss of two pregnancies: twins at just over three months and a little boy, Isaac, at four and a half months. How fragile and precious is this season of life and death. So as our daughter and her husband continue working through the grief of losing three children, our son and his wife are welcoming their second child. It’s so easy to get caught up in what might have been, or what has been lost. Yet, in order to praise God in all things, His word is our best companion for teaching right and honoring responses to all circumstances of our lives.
We cannot fully know and understand God’s ways.
God set the earth in its place (Job 26:7); God fills the clouds with water and tells them when to rain (Job 26:8); God determines the phases of the moon (Job 26:9); God sets the oceans boundaries (Job 26:10); the clouds, the sky, the stars obey His commands (Job 26:11); God’s power can divide the sea, His understanding can pierce the prideful heart (Job 26:12); God set the sun, moon and stars in place (Job 26:13);
Job 26:14 “Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; and how faint a word we hear of Him! But His mighty thunder, who can understand?”
We can barely conceive of His power so who are we to question His plan?
“God is so great, so powerful, so just and wise, that we ought not to presume to question anything that He does, nor pry into his works with too much curiosity. We ought rather to be firmly persuaded that He governs all things with wisdom, justice, and goodness, and humbly submit to all his dispensations”. Ostervald
So where does this lead us in times of heartache as well as in times of rejoicing?
Trust. Not always so simple, often easier said than done. Trust is a choice we make.
Isa 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”
Trust is seldom a product of understanding. Instead, it relies on a right perspective of God and faith in His existence, His works and His words.
Trust: having confidence or faith in; believing, hoping, relying upon
Is God the object of your trust?
Ps 65:5 By awesome deeds Thou dost answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, Thou who art the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;
Trusting God means we fear Him; not an ‘I’m afraid’ type of fear, but that of position. Holding God in the highest esteem, acknowledging His right to Lordship of everything, placing oneself under submission to His perfect plan for all His creation. Once recognized in our heart for Who He is, we have confidence and safety in His care.
Pr 14:26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge.
1Pe 5:7 casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.
The Bible tells us to trust in God as our continual refuge.
Isa 26:4 “Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.
We can trust in God for what He has done and what He will do.
2Co 1:10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,
True faith that brings about peace requires our full commitment, our whole heart our entire being. And in order to have complete confidence, the object of our trust needs to be reliable, secure, and have a perfect track record. Consider this, if a person is dishonest about one thing, how does that affect others’ trust of them?
This begs the question, “Is there anyone or thing in this world perfect”? Who or what is able to demand this kind of trust that begs our total allegiance?
Mt 5:48 “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
All conceivable perfection belongs to God. In fact, because we are unable to fully appreciate who God is, all imaginable and unimaginable perfection must be attributed to Him also.
Job 37:16 “Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, the wonders of one perfect in knowledge,
Ps 18:30 As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Ps 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
“We must say of God likewise that he is immense, and everywhere present, because to be limited is an imperfection; and that he is eternal, that is, ever was, and shall be; for to cease to be, is a greater imperfection than sometime not to have been”. Tillotson, The Attributes of God
When we remain in sorrow for what might have been, we are supposing we knew the future. How often has the future followed your plan?
When we choose to live in the realms of grief, we suppose we have lost what was never really ours.
In all things we can trust God. He has written the past, present and future for His glory and our good. We can choose to trust in His perfect plan.
Ps 65:5 By awesome deeds Thou dost answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, Thou who art the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;
Na 1:7 The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.
Ps 9:10 And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; For Thou, O LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee.
So how do we respond to sorrow? It is real. It is felt. It is difficult. It can become overwhelming. Sadness due to loss, disappointment, regret and grief can be overcome by faith. Faith is a choice – to trust in something greater than ourselves. Faith that turns despair into hope comes from trusting in The One who is greatest of all.
Specifically, in the case of children unborn, or born without breath in them, or here for only a very short time, is it possible to look at the blessing of what we do have and of what we have been given because of God’s grace?
To have carried a child for even a short time is to have been a part in that child’s existence, if not here, in heaven. To behold a small face if only for an instant is to see a baby created in the image of God. To have felt an unborn baby move within is to experience the miracle of God’s creation of one of His own. To have heard even just one cry of breath before taken to an eternal state with God is a precious memory never to be forgotten. We can praise God for His blessings while we depend on Him for comfort.
Right now we may only understand a small fraction of God’s ultimate and perfect plan, yet one day we will be in His presence and will clearly see Him and His purpose in complete array.
1Co 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known.
Oh babies. Whether physically holding your hand, or having your hand held tightly in our hearts, you were and are part of God’s perfect plan. Our love for you is not diminished, only increased as we anticipate and trust the unfolding of eternity.
Ps 145:3 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.
Our oldest granddaughter, upon hearing that her Auntie’s baby went to heaven early to be with his sibling twins, was quiet and thoughtful for a moment. She then began smiling, started jumping up and down and clapped her hands excitedly. When I asked her what she was thinking, she replied, “Mina, I have three cousins in heaven!”.
Mr 10:15 “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it [at all.]”
I pray that I might have the ‘temper and spirit of a child’ who is teachable, humble, and untarnished by expectations of deservedness. Whatever I’ve been given is a gift, completely unmerited. Let me be forever mindful of being saved from what I truly deserve and thankful for blessings too numerous to count. Keep me focused on Your promises for the future instead of my predictions of what should be.
