Go Tell it on the Mountain

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16 NIV

We got our Christmas cards today and I sat down to "mail a few." I honestly didn't think I'd have that many to share. Turns out I used all but one. The cards turned out so well that I wanted to share them all.

When my daughter got engaged, I was so excited it paralyzed me to have to wait to share the good news.

When my older daughter was pregnant, I practically burst until I could tell everybody.

Good news is news we want to share. We feel we have to share or else we'll just fall apart. We don't want to hold it in. We're not ashamed of what people will think. We just want to tell everyone.

So why should we feel ashamed about the good news of Christ? It's great news! It's life changing and uplifting. Don't keep it to yourself. Share it with everyone you know! Christ is risen! He was born in a manger and defeated death forever! How can we not be excited?

Don't hold it in any longer. Go. Tell everyone!

Gifting

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV

If you know me then you know I am not very good at gift giving. For those of you who have been privy to it, all I can say is I'm sorry and I have the receipt. For those not yet acquainted, I've made a note to buy gift cards. Lucky for me those I gift to love me and are willing to overlook this tiny flaw. But I digress. These days if you don't like a gift or it's not right for you, most are easily returnable, or for the really brave...re-gifted. For the record, I don't because it would go horribly wrong. But again I digress.

So aren't we really lucky that God knows how to give perfect gifts, like his only son? We don't have to return anything God gives us. In fact, he wants us to pass it on, to re-gift in the grandest of gestures. His gifts are always perfect, right on time, and always the right size. It will always be the most perfect thing we need in our life at that time.

So this Christmas, let God be in charge of your gifting. When he fills your heart with joy and peace, make sure to re-gift those as soon as possible.

You Are the Reason

13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 NIV

Go ahead, admit it. This is hard. Once someone has proven to be untrustworthy or has wronged you in some way, it's hard to forgive them. It's hard to not keep thinking about what they did every time they mess up again.

But even though it's hard, I like the way the last line is written...forgive as God forgave us. He gave his only son as payment for our sins. Jesus entered this world as a baby and left this world the savior. I saw a saying on a church sign that read, you are the reason for Christmas; God loves you. How true. God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to be our savior.

So as hard as it may be, we must forgive. We must move past it. Just imagine how much better this world would be if we all did this.

Safe Space

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44 KJV

This verse both humbles me and gives me hope. If Luke Skywalker can have faith that there is good in his father and take Obi Wan's advice to heart, then I am capable of praying for those who don't like me very much. Luke didn't give in to the dark side. It peaked it's head a little and then he learned.

I too can learn. I am humbled because I know of one person who just doesn't like me..at all...to the point they take it out on those around me. I feel responsible, gutted and utterly bereft at the thought I could have injured someone that much. But did I? Did I cause injury or is it truly them as I was taught to believe growing up? I live my life attempting to make people feel welcome, unjudged and safe around me. But I am only human and it could be I said or did something that made them feel aweful. If so then I am truly sorry. But if not, and I never find out why, then I am to follow this verse and pray for them. It doesn't say I have to like them. I must forgive and pray and love them with God's love. It's not the same thing.

So today I will summon every ounce of the force within me, God's love, and apply it to my prayers for that one. I also pray that if you struggle with this you too can find peace and humility in this verse. Let Jesus' words take hold of your heart. He will honor your prayer to be a safe space.

We Have Hope

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3‭-‬4 NIV

I read an article the other day about why we are shocked that people are shocked about the current allegations against men of power having abused women in some way. The reasoning was that as Christians we have hope that there is still salvation for even those we think are unredeemable. We see them through God's eyes and our hearts are saddened by the state of affairs. We have hope they will turn from their sin and give their hearts to God. Without this hope we become immune to that kind of news.

We have this hope because we have suffered and persevered. We have seen unimaginable tragedy, experienced extreme pain, and yet here we are. God has seen us through so we have hope for a future. This hope builds resilience.

In honor of the new Star Wars movie, to quote Princess Leia in Rogue One, we may have nothing else, but we have hope. Rebellions are built on hope. Families are nut on hope. Businesses are built on hope. It's what drives us to get up every morning.

So know that if you survived to where you are, you have hope.

Consequences

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NIV

This sounds so easy, right? Confess and move on. Let's make it right and just get past it. We will be forgiven so that's it. Not so fast. This verse does not absolve us of consequences for sin, just that we will be forgiven. There may still be ways we have to make it right and sometimes that means punishment for the offender.

There are times when we need to not seek those at fault. We just need to asknowledge the wrongdoing, correct the behavior and move on. But this still isn't completely without consequences because the person responsible knows who they are. They will feel remorse for what they've done. This is God's spirit reminding us who lives in our heart.

But it is good to remember that in order to move past sin and rid it from your life, acknowledging it is the first and best thing to do. Take it to God first.

Fake News

17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:17 NIV

All over the news, the internet and social media are what are being called 'fake news' stories. People are accused in the court of public opinion before the facts are even known. Two sides both with proof they are right trying to disprove the other. Fake accounts asking for help. Fake stories with false facts not corroborated. No one is immune, not even those without fault.

Bring that same mindset home and things can get really rough at work, at home or at school. People are quick to blame others to avoid punishment or retribution.

But we have God's promise that as long as we are truthful, have inyegrity, and avoid the appearance of wrong doing that he will refute anyone who falsely accuses us. It's our heritage as his children, our birthright if we are born again. We don't have to be afraid of those who would try to lie against us. God is for us! Amen.