A Personal Gift

As we continue looking at the Holy Spirit and the gifts He gives this week, what gift or gifts have you been blessed with? If you are curious, there are a variety of test you can take. However, I recommend you talk with your pastor or spiritual leader for guidance regarding which one you use.

God’s Holy Spirit has been at work in this world from the very beginning. We see in Genesis 1:2 “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” He was there at the very creation of the world. He worked through Israel’s leaders and prophets throughout the Old Testament.

As we move into the New Testament, we see the Spirit come over Mary to impregnate her with the embryo of Jesus (Luke 1:35). He filled Elizabeth and the unborn John when Mary arrived at their home (Luke 1:15, 41). He descended on Jesus when He was baptized by John like a dove (john 3:21-22). Jesus was filled with the Spirit and was led into the wilderness for forty days (John 4:1-2).

At Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit. On that day, they were gifted with the ability to speak in different tongues. This was just the beginning of the spread of the good news about Jesus and the salvation God was offering the entire world. People from many nations heard the Apostles speaking in their own language and marveled at both the language used by the Apostles and the message they spoke.

We are gifted by the Holy Spirit. He gifts each of us as He desires. We may wonder how He decides what gift to give each one of us. He decides based on how He sees our lives unfolding and God using us to fulfill His plan. Each of us have a part to play and the Holy Spirit provides us with the gifts we need to be successful. Our part? To recognize the gift we have been given and use it where God has placed us.

I pray we all seek to recognize the gift the Holy Spirit has given us. I pray we seek to fulfill God’s plan for our lives. I pray each one of us use our gift to enlarge the body of Christ. Discover your gift from the Holy Spirit. Use your gift to fulfill God’s plan. Use your gift to serve others. Use your gift to expand the body of Christ.

Acts 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Learn from the Holy Spirit

Where did you receive your education? Do you continue to learn? Are there certain people in your life you trust to teach you? How do you decide what to learn? Have you thought about learning from God?

We learn many things from many people. We go to school, at a minimum, for twelve years to achieve a high school diploma. Many of us go on to college to achieve a bachelor’s degree in a specific field of study. Some continue their education to achieve a master’s degree or even a doctorate.

Beyond gaining an education in school, we learn on the job, through experience, and through self-study. Often, the more we learn, the better off we are. We can better discern what is best for our lives. We make better decisions. We learn to think through the problem rather than making an emotional or knee-jerk decision.

We can also learn from the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t typically blow us away with loud outbursts to gain our attention. Instead, He is the still, quiet voice inside us. He may reveal insights to us through dreams or thoughts. If we pay attention, we will feel Him leading us by nudging us in the direction we should go.

We can almost think of the Holy Spirit like we think of a mother’s intuition. However, there is a very distinct difference. Whereas a mother’s intuition may be based on familiarity with their children, the Holy Spirit’s guidance is intentional. The Holy Spirit nudges us, gives us thoughts, teaches us how to interpret God’s Word with intentionality to give us the abundant life Jesus promised. Our part is to be attentive, listen and follow the guidance the Holy Spirit provides.

I pray we all are attentive to the Holy Spirit. I pray we listen for His still, quiet voice. I pray each of us will follow the guidance provided by the Holy Spirit. Be attentive. Listen for the Holy Spirit. Follow His guidance. Live the abundant life. Trust in Jesus’ promises.

John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Give Extravagantly

What gifts do you anticipate for different celebrations throughout the year? Do you expect especially large gifts at Christmas? Do you desire to give expensive gifts at Christmas? Have you considered the gifts brought to Jesus at His birth?

We generally like to receive gifts. As we get older, we look forward to giving more than receiving. We enjoy seeing out children opening the gifts we give. We are touched deep in our heart when we give to those who are less fortunate and see their gratefulness.

We know the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus at His birth. We have heard the story of how each gift was given for a specific reason, even if those reasons may not be exactly what the Magi were thinking at the time. Despite our suppositions, we don’t know why they brought the gifts they did. We do know each gift is considered to be extravagant.

Gold was as treasured in the days of Jesus’ birth as it is today, if not more so. It was used to purchase items and made into jewelry. It was typically held by those considered to be rich. The poorer people only had silver coins rather than gold.

Frankincense was used in the temple to make a fragrant aroma to the Lord. It was placed on the table with the bread of the presence and with grain offering. It comes from a gummy sap from trees in modern day Yemen and ground into a powder that could be burned.

Myrrh also comes from the gummy sap of plants, such as fennel and anise, that are native to modern day Arabia and Yemen. It was typically used in one of two forms—oil or a hardened resin. The oil was used to anoint bodies to prepare them for burial. The resin was heated to make a fragrant aroma as well.

Though we may not give gifts such as these to one another today, we can give just as extravagantly. Giving of ourselves in service with love is just as precious in God’s eyes. Giving ourselves to His service out the love we have for Him is precious in His sight.

I pray we all give extravagantly to God. I pray we serve Him out of the love we have for Him. I pray each one of us please God by serving one another and Him with the love He has for us. Give extravagantly to God. Love God as He loves you. Serve God with love. Serve one another with love. Be precious in God’s sight.

Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Meaning of a Title

Have you ever put much thought into a title? Have you thought about the different titles used for leadership positions? Do you automatically recognize someone’s job description by the title of their position?

We use many different titles for leadership positions, ranging from manager to chief executive officer, mayor to president. We don’t see as many with the title of king or queen as was once used, but they have not completely gone away.

When we hear someone say they are a manager, we have a basic idea of what their responsibilities are. If we are told someone is a director, we know they have been promoted up the leadership chain. We learn the roles of these positions as we experience how people execute them in the workplace.

When Jeremiah prophesied the name of the coming King would be “The Lord Our Righteous Savior,” the Jews knew exactly what the title meant. They knew the word translated as Lord was YHWH, which was the unspeakable name of God. They understood that He was their God. His being righteous meant that He was perfect, without blemish, revealing perfect justice. He was going to be their Savior, protecting them from their enemies, and providing for their every need.

We should look at Jesus with the same understanding. He is our Righteous Lord and Savior. As we contemplate what His title means, we discover a deeper understanding of who He is. He is more than merely the title. He is all the title implies He is.

I pray we all understand who Jesus is. I pray we ponder the meaning of the many titles used to describe Him. I pray each one of us sees Jesus for who He is and all He is for us. Ponder the titles given to Jesus. Know what those titles are. Know what those titles mean. See Jesus for who He is. Give Him the praise He deserves.

Jeremiah 23:5-6

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,

“when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,

a King who will reign wisely

and do what is just and right in the land.

In his days Judah will be saved

and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called:

The Lord Our Righteous Savior.”

Plans Executed

How far into the future do you plan? Are you planning for retirement decades in advance? Are you planning your summer vacation in January? Do you plan your weekend activities on Monday? Do you plan out each plan?

Many people have short-term, mid-range, and long-range plans. Some will plan each day with meticulous care. There have been a rare number of people who have planned out the steps to be a millionaire by age thirty…and they’ve accomplished it.

Planning may not be your strong suit. Perhaps you are one who simply cannot organize events well. You may be someone who attempts to plan the day and the moment you step in the door at work, it all falls apart due to an unexpected urgent task being thrown your way. Our plans can be interrupted by any number of disruptions.

However, God’s plans come to fruition. He puts plans in motion hundreds of years in advance. Take today’s passage for example. King Solomon writes of the coming son who will be the ultimate king. He prophecies of other kings bringing Him gifts, paying tribute to Him. Solomon, being regarded as the wisest king of Israel, was given this message from God.

We see this prophecy come true hundreds of years later with the Magi bring gifts to the baby Jesus. Sheba, specifically, was a place in which the sap from trees that is turned into frankincense. Myrrh also came from nearby. Both were expensive gifts brought to Jesus shortly after His birth.

What can we take from this? We can trust that God’s plans occur just as He planned them. We can trust His promises to be completed. We can take comfort that God has won the war for our souls. We can look forward to eternity with Him.

I pray we all see that God fulfills His plans. I pray we trust His promises will be delivered. I pray each one of us take comfort in and look forward to spending eternity with God. Know that God’s plans are executed. Trust God to fulfill His promises. Take comfort in God having won. Look forward to spending eternity with Him.

Psalm 72:10

May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores

bring tribute to him.

May the kings of Sheba and Seba

present him gifts.

Proclaiming Good News

What stories do you tell? Are they true? Are they important? Are they rumors? Will those stories be important a week from now? A month from now? A year from now? Do you tell the story of Jesus and His saving grace?

We talk a lot. Some people wake up talking and don’t stop until they fall asleep. Even those who don’t talk as much can talk for long periods of time on topics they are interested in. But are we talking for the sake of talking, or are we talking about what is important?

We are inundated with opportunities for our attention to be drawn away from what is most important. We have entertainment options. We are distracted by fashion. Our jobs require us to focus on accomplishing tasks. Our families need us to take care of them. We are faced with many decisions every day that require our attention.

Jesus sent the twelve apostles out to proclaim a message of hope. They were to tell people “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” What does that mean? Jesus, being God incarnate, had left heaven to come to earth. His message of hope, redemption, love, grace, and mercy were welcome to a people who had been conquered and were being oppressed.

His message also gave people the assurance that God had a plan. It told people they could spend eternity with God. He simplified the law, boiling it down to two commands—love God and love your neighbor. He performed miracles to provide additional evidence He was who He said He was.

Are we following His instruction? Though Jesus sent the twelve out to proclaim His message at that time, He wants us to continue to proclaim His message today. He wants us to share the message we have received.

I pray we all share the message of Jesus. I pray we tell others the good news of Jesus. I pray each one of us discern what is truly important and proclaim Jesus’ message. Discern the truth. Make the good news top priority. Tell others about Jesus. Do as Jesus desires.

Matthew 10:7-8 “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”

Start a New Thing

Are you planning to start something new in the new year? Have you been able to start and keep your new commitment for these first few days? Has it been a struggle? Does it feel as though you are pushing against the tide?

When the calendar roles over to a new year, many make resolutions to start something new. The range of resolutions is as varied as the number of people who live in this world. Some people will make multiple resolutions. 

Unfortunately, many of our resolutions do not last. Within a few days or perhaps a couple weeks, we grow tired of the struggle, or something causes a temporary roadblock, and we stop pursuing the change we started. It may have little impact, if our resolution is to stop eating chocolate. However, it may have a significant impact, if our resolution is to start a new healthy habit or give up a bad habit.

We can start a new habit, one that puts us in coordination with God. Just as God started a new thing when Jesus was born into this world, we can walk beside Him with a new dedication. God stated He was making a pathway through the wilderness. The wilderness we live in is full of brambles, briars, pitfalls, cliffs, mountains, and fallen trees to block our path or discourage us. But when we trust God to clear the path, He delivers on His promise—even if the path is different than the one we envisioned.

God also promised to put streams of refreshment in this wasteland for us. Those streams come in the form of family, friends, and churches. They are people of encouragement, people who renew our strength when we grow discouraged. We may also be a person of encouragement for others, being a stream of cool water to refresh them. Yes, God started something new with Jesus, and He continues it today.

I pray we all commit to starting something new. I pray we dedicate or rededicate ourselves to Jesus. I pray each one of us follows the path God has cleared for us and drink from the clear streams He has put in our lives. Start something new. Dedicate yourself to God. Follow the path God has cleared. Drink from the streams God provides. Be the encouragement for others.

Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

Proclaiming God

What must happen for you to proclaim the greatness of it? How extraordinary must it be? Are you easily impressed, or does it take something near other worldly? Would God standing right in front of you be impressive enough for you to proclaim it?

We often see or hear people being over dramatic about events today? It seems everyone is seeking attention. They want the focus to be on them, even it is only because they are telling a story about something that happened to someone else.

Yet, how do those stories stack up to God coming into His creation? We are impressed by someone who rides a skateboard, does a backflip, and lands on the moving skateboard. We are entertained by our pets and some of the funny things they do. We are wowed by a one-handed catch in a football game. They all pale in comparison to God stepping into this world—the world He created.

The psalmist proclaims the name of God. He praises his name. He wants all the nations around the world to know who God is and what he has done. The proclamation and praise are a result of the psalmist experiencing God’s handiwork in his life and recognizing it is God who acted.

How often do we chalk something up to coincidence or happenstance, rather than giving credit to God for having acted in our lives? We fail to recognize God at work. When we open our eyes and our minds to see God working, we will be amazed. That amazement will lead us to give God the credit due him. Our amazement will prod us to praise him and proclaim his mighty acts.

I pray we all proclaim the name of God. I pray we praise his name. I pray we recognize his acts in our lives and seek to tell everyone we know about them. Proclaim the name of God. Praise the Lord. Seek God working in your life. Recognize God’s acts. Tell others how God is moving. Tell others of God acting in your life.

Psalm 105:1

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

Verify What You Hear

Do you ever question someone is who they claim to be? Have you heard about someone and wonder if the stories are true? Do you want to verify the stories, perhaps even see them for yourself? Do you think you are alone in your quest for truth?

We may hear rumors of a new boss. Perhaps the stories being told sound too good to be true. Perhaps the stories sound so audacious we just cannot believe them. On the other hand, we may simply desire to have every story verified before we believe them.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to verify the facts of any story we hear. However, verifying every story becomes an overwhelming task. Therefore, we must discern which stories are of such importance we should verify and which ones we can accept as they are told or simply ignore them. Discerning the difference can be a bit challenging. We tend to lean toward those of interest, which may cause us to avoid a very important story we should investigate.

As we see in today’s passage, John the Baptist discerned correctly to investigate what he heard about Jesus. He sent a few of his followers to see Jesus and question Him. Though John had prepared the way for Jesus, and even baptized Him, he still wanted to verify Jesus was who he thought He was. John knew this was a very important point to verify.

Jesus didn’t give a simple yes or no. Instead, Jesus told John’s followers to report to John the miracles Jesus performed and the good news He was proclaiming. John would have known Jesus was fulfilling prophecy and the expectations of the Messiah. He also would have taken the warning Jesus gave to heart. I’m sure John’s faith was fortified by the report his followers brought back to him.

I pray we all perform our own investigation of Jesus. I pray we seek to know the truth about Jesus. I pray each one of us will heed Jesus’ warning to not stumble on account of Him. Seek the truth. Verify what you have heard. Spend time in God’s Word. Know that Jesus is who He claims to be.

Matthew 11:2-6 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 

Servant of God

What are your expectations for your life? Do you expect to be a servant? Or do you expect to succeed at everything you do? Are you willing to listen? Are you willing to learn? Are you willing to follow direction?

When we are children, we have big dreams. Some of us dreamt of being astronauts. Some dreamt of being a big-time sports star. Some dreamt of being a singer, or movie star, or a corporate executive, or perhaps even a politician.

As we grow up, our dreams change. Eventually, our dreams fade, and we turn to what is possible, what we are reasonably sure we can achieve. We may still have dreams, but they are less about seeking glory or our ten minutes of fame, and more about providing for our families and setting our children up for success.

But do our plans, desires, and dreams include serving God? He seeks for us to serve Him. He desires to give us so much more than we dream, though not what we dream. He is willing to show us His will, His plans, and our place in them. He will lift us up on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31), if we will only trust in Him.

Simeon trusted God. It had been revealed to him that he would see the Messiah before he died. When he saw Mary and Joseph bringing the eight-day old Jesus into the temple to perform the Jewish ritual of dedication, he saw God’s promise come to fruition. At that point, Simeon was ready to go home to be with God. He experienced the true joy that God promises each one of us.

I pray we all seek to serve God. I pray we seek to understand His plan for our lives. I pray each one of us will be ready to go home, knowing we have served as best we can, when God calls. Serve God. Be a servant. Live out God’s promises. Live the abundant life. See God’s plan for you.

Luke 2:29-32

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”