The Mother Lost a Child

By Teresa Lusk –

A mother I knew of lost a child. She would be one to deliver a child out of what some would consider wedlock. Had the community found out she was pregnant with no husband, she would have been a disgrace. Because of the fear of rejection, she moved away.

The woman left her town to avoid all the gossip. She delivered a baby boy and little did she know that many would love him. She raised him as best she could. He was different, though, and seemed to be quite the spiritual young man as he grew older. The mother knew he had a great purpose for which he came into this world. Though this was one of the greatest feelings the mother felt, there was something deep down inside her that confirmed that this greatness was beyond her understanding.

Once a baby, now a young man, he began to tell the world that was the Son of God. He told His community, friends, and family. Certainly, many thought he was a nut, and his closest relatives may have had the hardest time hearing this. He exclaimed that He would be the reason for people to live eternally with God if they simply received Him as the Savior of the World.

Unfortunately, he was surrounded by many who despised Him for claiming to be Savior of the World. We would have thought the same way if one of our friends began to claim a high position themselves.

The difference between His story and the claims of others is that He actually took a drastic, incomparable step to prove His sonship. God, His Father, our Father, required Him to allow human beings to harm him physically, as a representation of human sin so that when He died and rose again, we would have the gift of forgiveness and never have to go to a place called hell.

Numerous other events occurred but the final result was that this man, who was once someone’s little boy, once breast fed, cuddled, kissed, cried loudly, this precious being, who was once someone’s little boy, gave His life for us to have an eternal relationship with the Father.

The Pharisees, judgmental religious people, hated Him. Jesus had preformed miracles, healed the sick, drove out demons, turned water into wine, and more. The Pharisees knew their power was about to be ripped from them, and in turn, people would look directly to God instead of to them. The Pharisees demanded that this son be hung on a cross.

His mother knew her little boy was being beaten, enduring 39 whips, being spit on, punched, mocked, insulted, and having a crown of thorns pushed onto his head and forehead that caused blood to burst forth. This mother got to watch the brutal treatment of her child. The one little person, whom she once nurtured and loved, who brought her smiles daily, was hanging on a cross for a greater purpose.  He died! For what? Why would anyone hang from a cross and endure such torture? For you and me to have everlasting life with God through this Son whose name is Jesus Christ.

Though God sent His Son to die for us, it hurt Him. Yes, it pleased God to know that Jesus represented sin and Jesus defeated it for all who believe in Him. Jesus was raised on the third day from death and is now at the right hand of the Father. Because of Him, you, through your pain, anguish, mourning and loss, can come to the One who understands life and death of a child. God by His own will gave up His own child. Would you? Probably not, and neither would I.

God knows your pain, and you, like the mother of the boy who didn’t fully understand the reason her child had to be taken away, can rest in assurance that there will be things we can not understand but all understanding will come to fruition at its proper timing.

Nothing can make you feel better about losing your baby whom you loved; the little one who brought you smiles, giggles, laughter from the heart, the soul, hope and aspiration for more. Yet, the One who is waiting on you to rest in Him knows every detail of the pain you are feeling. He is waiting for you to hold out your hand so He can put it in His and move you forward. Do you want Him to cuddle, nurture, restore and comfort you?

Teresa G. Lusk is the author of Good Enough to be a Homemaker and CEO and a motivational speaker and has a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Psychology, Religion and Christian Counseling. www.teresalusk.com

God on the Spot – Part 12: Taking Us into His Presence

By Dianne E. Butts –

Besides Christ coming again, God is also still on the hook to take those who accept Him as their God into heaven. There is nothing we can do apart from trusting Christ to make God do this. He made the promises. And in the end it is God alone Who is on the spot to save us and to deliver us from this world into His presence for all eternity. But based on the fact that He has kept every promise whose time has come that He’s ever made so far, as we’ve seen in this series of articles, we can be certain He won’t fail to keep this promise as well.

But until then, we can put God on the spot today. I’m sure you’re asking how can we possibly put God on the spot?

We can tell people about Him. After that it is God Who is on the spot to live up to what we’ve told them.

We can challenge people, but it is God Who is on the spot to convince them.

We tell the truth about Him. He alone is on the spot to prove it’s true.

It’s about His character. If we truly portray His character as He has revealed it to us through His Word, then Bible, then He has to come through (or else His character has changed—and that can’t happen).

We have a responsibility to know Him. Then we tell the truth about Him. At that point, He is on the spot to take that ball and run with it…or not. It is then His reputation on the line. It is His character on the spot. Not ours.

Don’t we say God always answers prayer? If that’s true, then we can tell someone to pray about a problem they’re experiencing and to watch for God’s answer. It is His reputation on the line to answer their prayer.

Don’t we know God always acts in perfect love? Then if we tell others that God will act toward them in love, it is His character that is on the spot.

Don’t we know that God always keeps His promises? Then what promise can you show someone in the Bible today that they can challenge God to keep? It is God Who is on the spot to keep it.

What might happen if we put God on the spot more often? What if we challenged Him to keep His promises? To display His character? To prove He is all He claims?

Wouldn’t we be bolder in our walk with Him and our witness to others?

Wouldn’t we find an incredible freedom to live in that boldness?

Wouldn’t we feel an unexpected and refreshing rest in simply telling the truth about God and then leaving up to Him what He will do with it in the lives of others?

We are not on the spot to defend God. We are not on the spot to prove He exists. We are not on the spot to convince people to know God or trust Him for salvation and eternal life. We are on the spot to live faithfully, trusting Him. How might our lives be empowered if we fully recognized it is God alone Who is on the spot to do everything else?

© 2010 Dianne E. Butts

Dianne has written for over 50 Christian print magazines and seventeen books. Her work has been published in Great Britain, Bulgaria, Poland, Canada, and Korea. You can follow the progress of her current book of true stories of unplanned pregnancy here: www.DeliverMeBook.blogspot.com When she’s not writing, she enjoys riding her motorcycle with her husband, Hal, and gardening with her cat, P.C. in Colorado. www.DianneEButts.com.

Christmas Angels

By Kathy Carlton Willis –

As a child, I longed to be the angel in our church Christmas play. Everyone said Mary was the coveted role, but I disagreed. Mary had to wear pregnancy belly covered by a drab gown. She endured a bumpy camel ride, hung out with the stinky animals in the stable. (At least she bore Jesus in a stable home!) She had few lines. In contrast, the angels wore glittery costumes complete with wings. They got to fly and sing. They had a recurring role in the play. And they were the ones who delivered the good news!

Let’s think about how the folks in biblical times responded to the visitation of angels.

First, Gabriel visited Zacharias. Through his story we learn God breathes hope into the stale air of impossible situations. Does anything seem hopeless to you today? God is the expert at taking impossible situations and turning them into blessed possibilities.

Second, Gabriel visited Mary. Mary’s was a response of faith. Even though Mary couldn’t understand everything, she willingly trusted God. If we walk with God, there will be times He asks us to do the incredible. Even though we don’t know the end result we need to step out in faith.

Third, An angel visited Joseph. That night an angel told Joseph he would need to be faithful to Mary regarding this suspicious pregnancy. Joseph obeyed, and brought Mary home to be his wife, trusting her word. And with that decision he became the earthly father of the Son of God.

Fourth, the angels visited the shepherds. Theirs was a response of praise. These weren’t ordinary shepherds. In that time unblemished lambs were sacrificed in the temple as sin offerings. The temple authorities kept this flock in the hills surrounding Bethlehem. It’s fitting that the news of the One who would be a sacrifice for all was announced to those who tended these sacrificial sheep.

What is your reaction to learning of Jesus? Like Zacharias, do you entertain doubts? Are you speechless or dumbfounded when it comes to the things of the Lord? Perhaps, like Mary, your reaction to the news of Jesus is true worship and humility. Maybe you are obedient to God’s direction in your life, like Joseph. Or perhaps, you come to God with fear and trembling, willing to follow, like the shepherds.

AUTHOR QUOTE: However you come to Jesus, this Christmas season, come to Him!

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:13-14 NKJV).

Today’s devotional is by Kathy Carlton Willis, Christ-servant, wife to Russ, editor, publicist, certified CLASSeminars speaker and faculty member. Kathy Carlton Willis Communications encompasses her many passions. Kathy’s tagline captures her essence—Light & Lively: His Reflection/Her Laughter. Schedule Kathy for a speaking event or contact her firm for promotional assistance. KCWC gets jazzed shining the light on God’s writers and speakers.

A Christmas Prayer

By Julie Morris –

O Lord, thank You for Christmas. Help me to prepare so that this year I can celebrate Your son’s birth in a more meaningful way. Help me to examine mistakes I’ve made in past Christmases so that I won’t be caught up in an unhealthy tidal wave of Christmas confusion this year.

So often, I have gotten my priorities backwards during Christmas: I’ve been so busy buying presents for everyone else that I have ignored the One whose birthday I was celebrating. I have spent money I didn’t have to buy gifts that no one needs. I have continued meaningless traditions that include over-spending and over-eating, while cutting down on Bible study and prayer.

When I think about the reason for the season, these things just don’t make sense. But that’s one of the problems. As Christmas confusion snowballs into Christmas chaos, I don’t think clearly! I celebrate Christmas as I always have, even if the results are the same: exhaustion, debt, extra pounds and a sense of emptiness after it’s over.

Father, help me to put You first and give You what You want this Christmas. When I think about what parents want from their children, I know the three things You want most: You want my love—not empty words of love; You want me to prove my love by spending time  with You, allowing You to guide me and encourage me. You want my appreciation for all of the things You have done for me—especially the sacrifice You made when You sent Your son as my redeemer 2,000 years ago. And You want me to share Your love with others.

Lord, there’s no way I can change the way I celebrate Christmas without Your help and a determined effort on my part. So right now I ask You to help me and I commit to do these things every day between now and Christmas:

• I will spend 15 minutes every morning celebrating the real reason for the season. During that time, I’ll journal my prayers and sing praises to You while basking in the light of my Christmas tree.
• I will pray daily to find people who need my help. Whether it’s money, encouraging words or extra time, I will share with them cheerfully–out of love for You.
• I will spend my time, money and calories well during the holidays. I will not do everything that I’ve always done—and expect different results. I will turn down some party invitations, shopping trips and Christmas traditions so I won’t become exhausted, bust my budget or add extra pounds.
• I will prepare for each Christmas party I decide to attend. I won’t go famished; I’ll focus on fellowship more than food; and when I eat, I’ll make the healthiest choices I can. And I won’t go back for seconds or load my plate down to overflowing.
• I’ll make exercise a priority. I’ll go for a brisk walk or run by the gym almost every day.
• I won’t tempt myself or those around me by baking a lot of “goodies.” I will think about how miserable I always feel when I’ve overeaten, and put a stop to it before it starts.
• I will meet with a prayer partner each week. I’ll tell her how I’m doing with these goals and pray with her, asking for the desire and ability to make these positive changes. If I get off track, I will confess it, recommit to my goal, and praise You for Your unconditional love for me.

Thank You for the priceless gift You gave at Christmas! Help me, Lord, to enjoy You this Christmas and to please You in all I do as I celebrate.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Julie Morris (julie@guidedbyhim.com) is the author of 12 books, a dynamic motivational speaker and founder of two Christian weight-loss programs: Step Forward (www.stepforwarddiet.com) and a lighter and easier version of Step Forward–Guided By Him (www.guidedbyhim.com).

Shades of Green and White

By Cheri Cowell –

Someone asked after knowing I’d seen the movie The Grinch, “Did they explain why he is green?” I had to admit they didn’t and I, a Dr. Seuss fan, didn’t know the answer. I have since come up with two possibilities. One, he lived at the dump and ate toxic waste. Two, and much more probable, is that he was green with envy. He was envious of the love and acceptance others had that he did not. That green monster has overcome me a few times, and I’m grateful my outward appearance doesn’t announce what is going on in my heart. Can you relate? The Christmas story has a place where that green tinge could have appeared, but it didn’t.

I’m sure Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, had to have felt a tinge of the green fever when she discovered it was her relative, Mary, who would enjoy the blessing of bearing the Christ child. Although some envy must have been there, the Bible tells us Elizabeth was filled with joy, “Blessed are you among women,” she said. “But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord shall come to me…” I might have slipped in there “But why you and not me? You, after all, are young and have not suffered as I have. And I waited all these years…”

Have you, as I have, envied other people for their apparent blessings, wondering where yours were? Elizabeth teaches us an important lesson: The cure for envy is to openly express sincere joy in the other person’s blessing. Tell them how happy you are for them, how blessed you are to be able to share in their good news, and how thankful you are to God, who gives such wonderful gifts. When we do the right things, with a right heart (or even just a right intent if that is all we can muster with a green heart), God will give us the joy we need.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord that I don’t actually turn green with envy. Thank You that I’m washed white as snow on the inside because of Your sacrifice. Help me follow Elizabeth in saying to those around me, “Blessed are You…and why am I so favored by God that I should be able to share in Your rejoicing!”

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1: 39-43 NIV)

Today’s devotion is by Cheri Cowell, who writes and speaks on topics of Christian discipleship. In addition to her books and articles, you can learn about her speaking ministry and sign up to receive her daily devotional at www.CheriCowell.com

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