Month: <span>December 2013</span>

Published December 25, 2013

His Appointed Time

by Phil Ware

“When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5

Thoughts on today’s verse

God waited until history reached his appointed time and sent Jesus. Just the right time — Roman rule, Jewish subordination, good roads, freedom, a degree of safety, a common trading language, cruel and barbaric punishment accompanied by religious infighting. In times such as these, he sent his Son to be a woman’s son. He emptied his home so he could send a redeemer to our home. He did it so we could be his children — not pretend children, but real children, with full rights. So he could not only be God, but so he could be Abba.

Prayer:

Abba Father, even your name is precious to me. I gasp at how much it cost you to let me call you Abba. I don’t understand such extravagant love, but I thank you for it. I know I don’t deserve to call you Abba, but it sounds so right. Something inside resonates at the sound of Abba — Holy, Righteous, Almighty, Abba! While I know that I will never be a perfect child, I rest today in the confidence that I am your child and that you claim me. Thank you in Jesus. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/12/25/pw_his-appointed-time/

Phil Ware from http://www.heartlight.org
– used by permission

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published December 23, 2013

Take the Panic out of Christmas

by Helen Lescheid

“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” Isaiah 32:17

The Christmas season has been described as the season of shoulds. We feel we owe it to our family to give them the best Christmas ever. So, we spend too much money. We fuss too much about trivial things. And we work ourselves into a frenzy. No wonder we begin to dread the whole business of Christmas.

So how can we take the panic out of Christmas? Let me suggest:

1. Take inventory: Ask yourself, what’s truly important? Ten years from now what difference will it make that I mailed my Christmas cards late, or my house wasn’t perfect, or the turkey was a bit dry? Look again at what you want to achieve.

2. Be realistic, look at what you can afford. Christmas is not a competition about who can buy the most expensive presents or even who can get the most presents. Our children do not need dozens of presents to know they are loved.

3. Focus on the Prince of Peace. Take time out to relax and to reflect on Jesus’ statements of peace, like the following: “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

In the original Greek the word “peace” has the connotation of being bound together. Imagine, Jesus and you bound together. Doing life together. Wow!

What’s the result of doing it His way? Isaiah tells us there will be peace, quietness and confidence.

Dear God, help me to focus on what’s truly important this Christmas season. I want to honor and glorify you in all my preparations. In Jesus name, amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/12/23/hl_take-the-panic-out-of-christmas/

To buy one of Helen’s books go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

Thoughts by All thoughts by Helen Grace Lescheid Thoughts by Women