His Favorite Birthday Present

By Laurie Ness

Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 

He was a baby.  As helpless and dependent as every other baby born on this earth.  As beautiful and precious to His mama as every baby ought to be.


Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

She was special in a way, but just as human as you and me.  She knew she was holding God's child, but did she understand what her grown boy would endure to save her?

Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Do we understand what His suffering has saved us from?  Eternal separation from Him (death), shame, false guilt, darkness, foolishness, and spiritual bondage are just a few horrible things from which our Savior has delivered us.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How, then, should we celebrate His birthday?  We don't know his actual birth date, but December 25th has been deemed His birthday party day.  Does it turn out to really be about Him, though?

Generally speaking, no.  It's not about Him anymore, if it ever really was.  As a whole, people have turned this time of year into a breeding ground of discontent, materialism, greed, and selfishness.  I don't need to spell out the ways these qualities are displayed.  We all see it.

Thankfully, there are those who choose to celebrate Jesus during this season.  Jesus, the Light of the World.  Jesus, the Perfect Lamb.  Jesus, Immanuel.  Jesus, our Savior.

Close your eyes, and think on that word, Savior, for a moment.  It's breathtaking.

1 John 4:14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

Doesn't He, more than any of us, deserve to have His birthday celebration be about Him?  After all, though He was born in lowly human conditions, He was/is as much God as His Father was/is.  Jesus chose to give up His rights as God to come here for us!

There are all kinds of ways and opportunities to make this Christmas season about Him, about our love and adoration for Him.  There are needs all around us we can choose to meet in His name.  There's all kinds of giving we can do in place of getting, and ways to direct the next generation's eyes onto Jesus instead of themselves.  These are all good things.

Matthew 25:35-40:  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

I was thinking, though, and praying about what Jesus would want for a birthday present--I mean, the "bestest" thing He might want in the whole world from His followers:  To be truly followed by those who claim him, not just during the Christmas season, but every day of the year; to be cherished, adored, and obeyed by us, to the best of our ability, every single day; to see His followers meet the needs we are able to meet through Him all year long!

I don't know if I've got it right, as far as what His favorite birthday present from His people might be, but certainly we can't go wrong to give Him our whole selves each and every day!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Soon after I wrote the above, I saw this lovely video by Ann Voskamp and Liz Curtis Higgs, and just knew I needed to share it with you ladies.  It's a little over an hour long, but, if you have a quiet hour to set aside, wrap your cold hands around a mug of something warm and treat yourself to the wisdom and charm of these two precious ladies.  They're actually kind of advertising their new advent books, but the video is really a delight to watch, and they offer a lot of insight for free! ;)  Click here to view the video.

A Simpler Life

By Laurie Ness

So many activities.

So much stuff.

So many choices.

So much wasted time.

So much, so many, so much, so many . . . it's enough to make a girl's mind spin!  Out of control, perhaps!

Not to mention the ineffectiveness, confusion, stress, and disconnected families that often remain in clutter's wake.

Enough is enough!  Too much of anything is NOT a good thing.  But what can we do about it?  We have to keep up with the Joneses (whoever they are), right?  We have to make sure our kids participate in every activity imaginable, right?  We certainly need to let everyone on social media know our every movement and meal, right?  And we have to be involved with every available ministry, right?

No!  It's not right!  To be too busy, to have too much, to be involved in things we aren't called by the Lord to do . . . all of these are hindrances to living and ministering effectively. I understand this well because I've been there.  In fact, I find I am there again more often than I care to be!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,"  Hebrews 12:1

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."  Matthew 6:20

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Matthew 6:33

We don't need to worry.  We don't need to hang on to things.  We don't need to do what we weren't called to do.  We don't need to waste time.

What DO we need to do?  What will help us simplify our lives?

1.  Practice gratitude.  The best way I can think of to experience contentment--which leads to living more simply-- is to choose to be grateful for what I have right now.  So many blessings are ours to count if we but choose to do so!  Keep a journal specifically to record what you're thankful for--it's great to read on days when it's harder to think of things!

2.  Pray.  Ask God for wisdom to know what to hold on to and courage/strength to let go of what He asks us to.

3.  Purge.  It's not easy, but it needs to be done.  There are the physical things we own that need to be gone through and decisions made about:  clothes, papers, toys, electronics, food, etc.  And then there are the more intangibles, like what activities to be involved in or skip, and ways to spend our "free time."

4.  Ask ourselves important questions about each item/activity to help us decide whether to keep it or pitch it:

• Do I need it?
• Does it help keep me close to the Lord?
• Does it further His Kingdom?
• Do I feel confident that He has called me to do this?
• Does it foster closeness and togetherness in my family?
• Does it serve a good purpose?

5.  Seek accountability.  It's so beneficial if we talk with a trusted friend about the changes we need to make in our lives, ask them to pray, and give them permission to ask us how we're doing from time to time.  God didn't design us to live our lives alone.  We need each other!

6.  Relax.  That means different things to different people, but we need to take time for rest and relaxation, not only physically, but also reminding ourselves that we are not responsible to be all things to all people.  This isn't an excuse to be lazy, but a release from "responsibilities" that were never meant to be ours.

Simplify! :)

Forget the Shaking Finger!

By Laurie Ness

"REPENT!"

What a bully of a word when used without love.  Do you picture an old-time preacher, dressed in black from head to toe, shaking his finger at the startled audience under a hot tent, veins bulging out of his face as he hollers his hellfire and brimstone accusations?  That's the image that invades my mind sometimes when I hear the word, "repent."

What does it mean really?  How did our Savior use it?  Is the word obsolete because there are some who abuse it?

Let's take a look!

Strong's defines the Greek verb, "metanoeo," as:
1.  to change one's mind, i.e. "to repent"
2.  to change one's mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins.

Now, the sour-faced preachers were not lying when they preached the need for repentance!  Jesus Himself said, in Matthew 4:17, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."  Or, in other words, "Change your mind for the better!  Hate your sin and heartily amend your behavior, for the kingdom of heaven is near!"  It doesn't appear to be a suggestion, but a command.

Both Pastor Crabby Pants and Jesus used the same word, "repent," but their delivery of the same message was quite different.  Jesus spoke directly, but lovingly.  Pastor Crabby Pants was trying to scare people into repentance.

The afterlife of one who does not repent is a scary prospect, and perhaps some of those unkind preachers have been successful at persuading some terrified souls to make some changes.  I wonder, though, if those people have ever come to understand the love of Jesus.

I like the parables that Jesus tells in Luke 15.  Read the passage right now if you can.  You won't be disappointed. :)  A lost soul, who needs to repent, is compared to: a lost sheep whose owner leaves his other 99 sheep to find the one; a lost silver coin, whose owner sweeps her house until she finds it, though she has 9 more secure silver coins; and a son who seriously insults his father by asking for his inheritance, squanders it, is ready to crawl back to his father, but is met by his father running toward him.  Jesus says there is rejoicing in Heaven over one person who repents.

When I've heard those hellfire and brimstone preachers (mostly in the movies or on Little House on the Prairie), their message seems more like, "God thinks you're a jerk and can't wait to throw you in hell, but, if you REPENT!, you can save yourselves!"

This is so different from what Jesus portrayed.  He loves us!  His Father sent Him because His Father loves us!  Jesus seems to be rooting for us, but never forcing us, to choose Him-- abundant life!  He also wants us to show mercy toward other sinners who repent.

Luke 5:31-32
Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Luke 17:3
So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
Luke 17:4
If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, "I repent," forgive him.

Repentance shouldn't bring fear to our lives, but freedom!  Even long-time saints can have sin in their lives they need to repent of.  Have you strayed from the Lord in some area of your life?  There may be consequences involved, but Jesus isn't standing in the shadows, ready to condemn you.  What He did for you on the cross, the forgiveness you don't deserve but that He freely offers you, is similar to that father running toward his wayward son.  Jesus wants you to repent!  He wants you to turn from your sin and toward Him so you can experience His freedom.

"Repent!" I tell you.  Except I'm saying it quietly, with a smile and a hug, and I'm saying it to myself, too. :)

The Attainable Tame Tongue

By Laurie Ness

Sometimes my heart just sinks when I realize how I've spoken to someone I love.  And it's those I'm closest to, those two wonderful guys who are my heart and home, that it's easiest to let loose on. 

People are often surprised when I share this with them.  Maybe because I'm typically fairly mild-mannered?  Well, let me tell you, we quieter people become angry, too.  We are sinners like everyone else and have a tongue that needs controlling.  And sometimes we choose not to.

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.  It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.  All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  James 3:6-8

Did that just say, "but no man can tame the tongue?"  Yep, that's what it says!

So, why try?

The note in my study Bible says that man can't do it, but it's a work of God.  And God so very often works in our lives through His Word.  The Bible has lots to say about us and our tongues.  It's clear that we are not off the hook in doing our part to control our mouths!

Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.

Psalm 37:30
The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice.

Psalm 39:1
I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me."

Proverbs 10:31
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out.

James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

1 Peter 3:10
For " He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.

To name a few.

Anyway . . .

My beloved son is the unfortunate recipient of the majority of my uncontrolled words.  We spend lots of time together, he and I.  I home school him, which hubby and I are convinced is right for him at this time, but there are days where I feel like I absolutely am the most horrible example for him, ever!  The very thing I expect of him--speaking with respect, wisdom, and love--is such a struggle for me way too often!  We are two stubborn people trying to navigate our way through each day, sometimes Mom acting just as immaturely as Son.

I'm no expert, and all I have to offer any other struggling tongues is what I've learned along the way:

1.  Stop!  Engage the brain before speaking.  The only way to do that is to not immediately speak, no matter how "incredible" the words on the tip of your tongue, dying to make their way out, might be.  Just stop.  Now.  (James 1:19--a good memory verse.  It's short, but packed with pertinent wisdom and truth!)

2.  Pray.  God wants to help us control our tongues.  He wouldn't spend so much time talking about it in His Word if it wasn't important.  He's never unwilling to help.  We, however, might be unwilling to let go of whatever is in the way of receiving His help.

3.  Let it go.  Whatever it is.  Pride, usually.  It's not worth it.

4.  Take time to form your words.  It doesn't show weakness to need time to corral our tongues.  In fact, we look more foolish in the end when we just let it fly!

5.  Apologize.  We will all continue to mess up sometimes.  Whether it's an adult or a child we have sinned against with our tongues, we need to humble ourselves and take action to make things right.  It's vital!

I'm not sure when or how it became a "good" thing for ladies to "speak their minds" in any tone of voice that suits them in the moment.  It's probably been a gradual process over a number of years, as is most acceptance of sin as "cool."  I think we wrong each other (and our daughters, granddaughters, nieces, etc.) if we encourage each other to be outspoken about anything and everything.  It's one thing to speak courageously when God prompts us to do so.  It's a completely different matter to run our mouths without engaging our brains, our knowledge of God's Word, our gentle tone of voice.  It may give a woman or girl a sense of liberation or satisfaction to put someone in his/her place, but it is false liberation, false satisfaction.  It's self-centered behavior and it does not glorify our God.  True liberty comes from obeying Him!

Instead, let's encourage each other's efforts to speak to everyone in a God-pleasing way.  That, of course, does not mean we will always make everyone happy with our words.  There are times He asks us to confront another (and that happens especially often if we have children!), but we can choose to get our message across in a kind but firm manner.  There's never an excuse for name-calling or berating another person.  God is merciful to us and expects us to show mercy toward others.  Even when we don't feel like it.

That's pretty much what it comes down to:  not reacting with our feelings.  We ought to think and make wise choices instead of just immediately reacting with the first words that form on our tongue.  The more consistently we practice this, the more tame our tongues will become.  Thank You, Lord, for that hope and for being willing to help us!  :)

The Lifeline

 By Laurie Ness


"O, Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief."  Psalm 143:1

The year 2013 has sought to hold my struggling head beneath the water's surface since day one.  The cruel, icy fingers of hidden secrets revealed began their work on Jan 1, when I found out the past sufferings of a loved one.  It was evil and vile and irreconcilable in my mind.  My heart and mind were tormented.  I felt a cold hand push me under even as I struggled against it.

A few days later, another hand--a strong, hopeless-feeling one--joined the first and, together, they sought to push my head further into the dark, airless depths as my own personal medical drama began to unfold.  Even as I write this my soul wants to cower in panic and my eyes flood because fear has almost always accompanied the unknown in my life.

God, where are you?  Grab my hand here, please!

Terror.  Guilt.  Confusion.  Hopelessness.  These have been my companions these first weeks of the new year. Some of the time, anyway.  They are "creepy" companions.  They creep into my life when I lose focus on the One who has defeated them.

Jesus Christ, the Word, is that One.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  John 1:1

But then, as I opened my Bible and, choking back my fears and doubts and dreads, forced myself to read the words of life there, the creeps began to flee!  The Light of the World shone and scared them away.  For awhile.  Those creeps are persistent, but my Jesus and His Word bring victory every time!

"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I've been once again reminded through these trials just how vital it is for a Christ-follower to be reading His Word.  It is a major lifeline!  To read it, to study it, to meditate upon it--to do these things for our spirits is like breathing fresh air in the sunshine is for our bodies.  Even better, because the Word of God is not tainted by anything!

The comfort of rediscovering verses I have highlighted and cross-references I have marked in my Bible is like none other.  Remembering the situations that led me to cling to some of those verses brings hope and reaffirms in my mind that my God is more reliable, loving and strong than anyone else ever could be.  He's working everything for good whether or not I feel like it!

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."  Psalm 119:105

Everyone has times of deep sorrow or scary circumstances.  If we stay in His Word during the good times, we will be helped so much in the bad times, our diligence paying off big time!  God's Word is living and powerful to accomplish much.  Let's encourage each other to read, study and meditate on God's Word!

"For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  Hebrews 4:12

Maybe you haven't been a student of the Word, and don't know where to start?  Or would you just like some fresh ideas?  I love this video by Courtney at Women Living Well.  She gives some very practical and non-complicated tips.

Would you like some accountability with other ladies?  Check out the ladies' Bible studies available at SGC!  Click here or on the "Bible Studies" tab above this post.

Study on, ladies! :)

The Treasure of Surrender

By Laurie Ness

We have all heard about the wise men who visited Jesus sometime after His birth.  We are told (not by Scripture) that there were three of them, and most nativity scenes would have us believe they showed up at the same time as the shepherds.  The truth is that the Bible doesn't specify how many there were (only that there were three types of gifts) or exactly how long after Jesus' birth they found Him.

Here is what we do know for sure:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”  When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”

After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.  (Matthew 2:1-12)

We know the above details are true because they are in the Word of God!  Isn't it wonderful how we can trust and learn from His Word?

I want to be wise.  I'll bet you do, too!  What can we learn from these men who were known to be wise?

  
They studied.  They must have been students of at least portions of the Old Testament Scripture to know the prophecies of the birth of the King of the Jews.  Certainly they studied science/astronomy to be able to know the star to follow.  What can I do to be wise?  I can study Scripture and be knowledgeable about what is going on in the world around me!

They followed in obedience.  Some estimate that these men might have traveled 800-900 miles to find Jesus.  That's not something most people would do on a whim.  They were confident that the Lord would lead them in the right way.  They knew they were called by God to follow that star!  What can I do to be wise?  I can trust God's leading in my life and follow it, knowing He will never lead me astray.

They worshiped Jesus.  These men "rejoiced exceedingly with great joy," and, "fell to the ground and worshiped Him."  What can I do to be wise?  I can choose joy in every circumstance and purposefully worship the Lord every day--not just Sunday at church!

They gave Jesus their treasures.  

All of the above led to this moment.

Their treasures!

"But I don't have anything worth all that much," you might say.  I would say that same thing sometimes!

Is that what Jesus would say, though?  I mean, He made us, and He paid the price to redeem us!  Have we heard it so much that we forget what it really means?  The high, high price we could never pay on our own . . . we were doomed before He stepped in and suffered tremendously to pay it for us.

We are valuable to Him.  Our lives are the treasures we can choose to lay down at His feet.

"But all I feel like I have to offer right now are brokenness and loneliness," some might think.

So, lay it down.

Yes!  Lay it down at His feet!  Whatever it is that burdens you, He invites you to cast it on Him because He cares for you!  Depression.  Anger.  Addiction.  Bitterness.  Grumpiness.  Stress.   Anxiety.  Greed.  Impatience.  Attention-seeking.

None of the above sounds like treasure.
The treasure is in trusting our Savior enough to surrender it.  We don't deserve in our own right to be able to do that, yet it's what He offers us.  Not only does He offer, but He wants us to allow Him to carry our burdens.  He wants us to!

We don't have to travel hundreds of miles to unpack our "treasures" before Him.  Right now, wherever we are, He is before us.  Let's lay it down, sisters!

One Thousand . . . and more! . . . Gifts

By Laurie Ness

November!  Again!  How did it come back so quickly?  Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it seems so appropriate to give some extra thought to gratitude this month.

Really, though, we should always be thinking of things to be thankful for.  It should be a natural part of our everyday lives.  After all, God supplies us with each breath we take, each opportunity to serve Him, each smile someone bestows upon us, not to mention provision for our every need.  There is always, always something to thank Him for, even in our most troubling times.

Earlier this year, I read Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts.  It's one of the most beautiful books I have ever read outside the Bible--maybe because it contains so much of God's Word and teaches/reminds us how to apply it.  Ann Voskamp is a farmer's wife, mother of six children, a survivor of deep wounds, and her words are poetic, moving, heart-wrenching, and joy-filled.

In her book, she writes about eucharisteo, the Greek word for giving thanks.  She challenges readers to start a list of 1,000 of God's gifts and to add to it every day.  What are you thankful for?  The sound of the crunch of leaves under your feet?  The five dollar bill you found in the laundry?  That your car started this morning?  Write it down!  He blesses us in endless ways, big and small.  I started this list immediately after I read the book (or maybe even during the reading of it), and it was an amazing experience!  Unfortunately, I allowed busyness to be an excuse to slack off on it--not a good thing.  I'm longing to return to it, and invite you to ask me if I have done so! ;)

The other day I heard Ann Voskamp speak (on a video) for the first time, and her voice is absolutely as beautiful as her written words.  There's nothing I can say on the topic of gratitude better than she can.  She is one of a kind.  So, my friends, I am going to treat you to a symphony of spoken words based on her written words, by sharing this video with you.  It's 22 minutes of wonderful.  Grab a mug of tea to warm your hands around and take the time to warm your heart with Ann's words.  Hear them!  Soak them in!  Live them!

Enjoy!  Be thankful!  Experience eucharisteo.

If the video isn't showing up on your screen, try clicking here.