Tag Archives: Immanuel

Choosing CHRISTmas

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…and they will call him Immanuel” which means “God with us”. Matthew 1:23b

 

One of the common traits of great men and women of faith is that they learned the secret of believing truth. Regardless of the degree of suffering they faced, they held firm to the truth that God created in them the ability to choose. You and I have the same God-given gift. Our circumstances may define the terrain we travel but they don’t have to define us. Our situation may rob us of possessions, relationships and even health, but they are powerless and clueless thieves when it comes to stealing the gift God gave us to choose. That is ours alone to keep or surrender.

 

We can choose to believe that we are all alone or that God is indeed with us. Left alone we see depression, anxiety, fear, apathy, bitterness and anger. God with us sees hope, peace, confidence, compassion. Left alone our thoughts are scattered, unfocused, and confused; we tend to dwell in the negative. God with us allows us to choose to focus on Him exclusively, to dwell in His presence, a bit of heaven on earth. We see goodness and hope when we let His light shine into the dark corners of our lives.

 

Whenever our minds turn toward negative thinking, toward resentment, bitterness, anger, or any other lying way, we can choose to immediately turn to “whatever is true, noble, and right.” The more you practice using your God-given gift of choice, the more adept you become at choosing well.

 

We can choose to get caught up in the revelry of the Xmas traditions or we can choose to ponder the wonder that is the real CHRISTmas. Accept the gift of choosing CHRISTmas.

 

Choose Immanuel, God with us. Choose CHRISTmas…every day.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Fix-it

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The bible never says, “Figure it out.” But it always says, “Trust God.” He is the one who has already figured it out.

 

It’s been often noted that men are not usually as quickly inclined to empathy and understanding as women generally are. We men tend to like to (try to) solve problems.  We take pride in being “Mr. Fix-It.” No doubt that if we were to seek to improve our sensitivity to understanding, that our problem solving would improve! There’s nothing wrong with seeking solutions to problems. But, as author Sarah Young observes, it can be so addicting! It’s as if we are so inclined to try to solve problems in our own thinking first (“Let ME do it”), and then when we’ve messed up, to ask God to rescue us. And besides, some problems do not lend themselves to a “Mr. Fix-it” approach. Whether it is our own pride or that we forget about God’s presence that keeps us inclined to do things on our own, we are better of course to go to God FIRST and seek His counsel and help.

 

One of His names, Immanuel, means “God with you.” Jesus promises, “Surely, I am with you til the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:20) It is one of the great mysteries that Paul writes about, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27) When I meditate on God’s many wondrous attributes, I am blown away by His grace in allowing us to approach Him at any time. (Try insisting on a spontaneous audience at 1600 Pennsylvania and see how that works! Or phoning the president…just because you want to chat.) But Almighty God, Creator of the universe, the one who knows the names of all the stars and yet designed and knows you personally – HE is always with you, and eager to invite you into His presence. No wonder the prophet says, “Though (EVERYthing goes wrong), YET I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be joyful in God, My Savior.” (Hab. 3:17-18)

 

What problems are you wrestling with? In what areas is it seem hard to trust God? Why not turn them ALL over to God’s provident care? Trusting in Him fully means rejoicing in Him and His perfect plan…and time line. Is this easy? No way. Is our way any better? Absolutely no way. Let’s trust the one who knows the way.