Author: kezha1

God values inward transformation in us above any visible religious achievements. For those religious “works” are nothing if our conduct doesn’t line up with our vain and arrogant words. Acts 3:19 tells us that we are to turn from our sin and turn to God in faith…for He is always ready to redeem those who repent and turn back to Him. (Ezekiel 33:11) But if there’s no inward change in us, there will be no evidence of fruit, (Galatians 5: 22-24) That’s because our conduct as a Believer will always bear the fruit of the Spirit that glorifies God, never ourselves.

The gift God offers you today you will never find under the Christmas tree. It is the free gift of Salvation through His one and only son, Jesus Christ. It is so precious of a gift that Jesus died in order to give it to you. For it’s not the kind of gift that you can causally open and set aside…because it cost Jesus everything. So today, on Christmas Day, I urge you to accept this gift God wants you to have…for you’ll never be the same.

There was a huge difference between how the Jews thought the Messiah would come, and how Jesus actually came to earth. They expected the Messiah to be a military and political leader who would marshal Israel, restore the Temple, and establish peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7) They anticipated a larger than life powerful King that would deliver them from the iron rule of Roman occupation and oppression…leading them in a brilliant and victorious revolt. Thus, they took creative license in this writing of Jeremiah’s and interpreted it as an all-powerful man conquering the Roman Empire once and for all. What they wanted was a mighty King…but what they got was a tiny, vulnerable baby born in a obscure town that grew to be a simple, humble man who was crucified by the very Romans He was presumed to overthrow.

Isaiah gives us this Scripture of hope and trust even in the midst of the adversity we may find ourselves in. In Psalm 22:5 and Psalm 145:19 David writes of trusting God despite the anguish within, because God hears our cries of distress and will rescue us. And in Jeremiah 14:8 we see the vital role of God as our unwavering support and reliable hope in difficult times…allowing us to have assurance in affliction and trust in tribulation.

In this verse, the light of the Lord stands for God’s blessings, His Presence, and His revelation. For the Lord is the light shining in the darkness. (John 1:5) But it’s our decision whether we walk in the light or exchange it for the darkness of the world. Isaiah’s message to us today is that if we walk in the Lord’s way rather than the way of the world, His light and truth will illuminate our path and we will be blessed in our obedience.

Sometimes I feel like a Martha…too busy, overwhelmed, and trying to hold everything together. I shoulder responsibilities that no one notices, and then feel guilty for what I consider is not doing enough. All my life I have been praised at work for productivity, but rarely, if ever encouraged to just be. And from an early age, I thought love must be demonstrated by “doing”. However, in the story of Mary & Martha (Luke 10:38-42), Jesus gently chided Martha for her busyness and failure to seek Him first. For our worth isn’t rolled up in how much we “do”. Neither can our love for others be measured in how much we accomplish in a day. Our worth can only be found in Jesus as we seek His Kingdom and righteousness. (Matthew 6:33)

The Cross of Christ exerts an universal attraction to all people, all nationalities, both Jew and Gentile. For it is the only way we can be reconciled with God. (Colossians 1:20) If there had been another way to get to Him…the Cross of Christ would have been unnecessary, absurd…with absolutely no need for it to have ever happened. But that’s not true. But mainstream religion today tends to downplay the seriousness of the Cross of Christ…desiring rather to be non-confrontational…and wanting the person to have a pleasant experience at Church rather than a pointed appeal for repentance. However, our calling as Believers is to expose sin for what it is…not sugar-coating the cost of Jesus’ blood on that Cross for all mankind. For as this verse reminds us, we are called to lift up Jesus, not pleasant platitudes…for no one will ever be saved by warm fuzzy cliches.

This Scripture assures us that God can provide endurance to the tired and might to the faint. It promises that we can rely on God during times of feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and devastated. But how? It takes us to the familiar words of Jesus in Matthew 11: 28-30 where He invites us to take His yoke upon us and learn from Him. These verses harkening back to the agricultural practices of the times when an older, and well-trained ox was yoked together with a young and inexperienced ox…with the older training and mentoring the younger one as they worked together. Thus, the only way to know the strength of God is to take up one end of the yoke, and pull together. Yes, the yoke of Jesus is demanding, but He promises it will be easy. So when those feelings of life’s challenges overwhelm us…we can find rest and peace in Him…for we don’t have to carry our struggles alone.

In Amos 9:9 we read of the agricultural process of shaking or sifting of the good grain from the inedible chaff. It symbolizes God’s way of purification and refinement…a separating of the valuable from the less important. In Isaiah 30:28 it tells us that God shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction…removing things that are vain, worthless, and meaningless. Thus, in a season of sifting, God will often use extreme trials and challenges for us to examine all the “busy things” of our life that move us farther rather than closer to Him. Yes, they may be all “good” things, but they’ve gotten us stretched so thin, we’re not doing justice to any of them. So if you find yourself in a season of sifting, remember to remain steadfast to God as He peels away what isn’t of Him. For as He removes the meaningless things in our lives, we will be able to seek Him with more clarity and a deeper understanding of His plan & purpose for our life.

Paul starts his letter to Believers in Rome with heartfelt gratitude to God’s work of grace he sees in them. He later echoes these same sentiments in his letter to those in Philippi writing, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3) Paul made it a practice to not only pray for someone God brought to mind, but to let them know just how much he appreciated them and their walk with the Lord. We would then do well to follow Paul’s lead…praying for our friends and family, and others God prompts us to…but not stopping there. Rather, let them know that you’re praying for them with joy & gratitude, as the perfect plan & purpose of God is being worked out in their lives.