The Good Life

What kind of roots do you have? How deep do they go? What are they deep in? Who are they deep in? Do your roots support the life you desire? Are you growing healthily because of your roots? Are you willing to plant your roots into a new place to be who you were made to be?

We all have roots. Our roots are planted into something. Yet, it is what or who our roots are planted in that will determine how well we live our lives. Roots planted in gutters do not create healthy plants or lifestyles. Roots in poor soil or rocky soil are not conducive to a healthy life.

But there is One in which our roots can be planted who will give us the proper nourishment to lead a healthy life. When God move Israel out of Egypt and planted them in the land he promised, they grew healthy. But even healthy roots and plants need continual feeding and care.

As humans, with the freedom to choose, we can choose to ignore the feeding and care. When we do, we have picked up our roots and planted them in an other than desirable location. Yet, we can choose to plant or replant our roots into the healthy soil and receive the proper feeding and care.

God is continually waiting for us to choose him over the dregs of life. He desires us to turn to him. When we are willing to accept God’s care, we will flourish and live a healthy life. Not only will we flourish but we will be the living proof that God can and will provide a good life to anyone who turns to him.

I pray we all choose to plant our roots in God. I pray we choose to accept God’s feeding and care. I pray each one of us will flourish and demonstrate the good life that only God can provide. Plant your roots in God. Accepts God’s care. Flourish in God. Live the good life.

Psalm 80:8-9

You brought a vine out of Egypt; 

you drove out the nations and planted it. 

You cleared the ground for it; 

it took deep root and filled the land.

Showing Christ

What is your idea of showing Christ to everyone you meet? Is it a pretty smile? Maybe a friendly “Hello”? Do you say “God bless” to others as you leave them? Are there specific actions you take to demonstrate how Christ is working within you?

At this time of year, it is common to hear many Christians say, “keep Christ in Christmas.” The sentiment is nice, but it is not nearly enough. If we are going to say it, we must put our words into action. How do we put those words into action?

Just as John the Baptist told those who came out to him to share what they have with others, we, too, must share what we have, if we want to show Christ. John did not say to give out of our abundance but to give whatever we have to help others. We are to remember that everything we have is a blessing from God and he blesses us so we can bless others.

There are many ways to share our blessings. We can donate to Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army, and many other charitable organizations. Yet, we often give to them out of our abundance. May I suggest giving a homeless person one of your coats? Or perhaps taking part of your meal to someone who needs it.

I know some will say it is scary to meet such people. Yet, if we are doing it with the love of Christ in our heart and trusting him to be with us, He will protect us. Not only should we be looking for ways to show Christ during this season, but we should do so every day.

I pray we all seek to show Christ to others. I pray we look for opportunities to bless others because we have been blessed. I pray each one of us goes with the love of Christ and shows Him to others. Know God blesses. Know God wants you to share your blessings. Look for opportunities to share with others.

Luke 3:10-11 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”

Be Like John

What do you know about John the Baptist? Have you ever thought what his life might have been like? How do you think he grew into an adult? What kind of teaching did he receive? What did his mother and father think of him? Why did he go into the wilderness?

John’s father was a priest in the temple. Though both his mother and father were older when he was born, his father likely taught him the Scriptures from an early age. John was chosen before he was born and probably soaked up the teaching his father gave him.

Zechariah, John’s father, was told by the angel Gabriel that John would have the Holy Spirit within him before he was born, and he would turn many hearts in Israel back to God. He was told John would go with the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for the Messiah. This knowledge would have influenced Zechariah to be thorough in teaching John. He would have covered the law but may very well have spent more time on the prophets. For the prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah.

As foretold, John went into the wilderness and cried out. He baptized people for the remission of their sins. He turned people back to God. He may have even quoted the prophets while doing so. Though John was only six months older than Jesus, his ministry started well before Jesus’ did. He knew his job was to prepare the way. John was a man with a single focus. His dedication was beyond reproach. Perhaps our focus should be more on Jesus and telling others about Him.

I pray we seek to learn more about Jesus. I pray we seek to learn the prophecies about Jesus. I pray each one of us will learn to be more like John and tell others about Jesus. Learn about the prophecies. Learn more about Jesus. Be more like John. Tell others about Jesus.

Luke 3:3-4 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, 

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 

‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ ”

God’s Peace

What are you worried about? Are you worried about providing for your family? Are you worried about paying the bills? Are you worried about your job? Are you worried about your children? Would you like to worry less? Would you like to reduce your stress level?

We worry about a lot of things. Every day it seems as though there is something new to worry about. It’s the children, the job, the bills, or other family members. Things happen that upset us, and we worry about them. We hold on to our worry. It may even give a reason to live.

As odd as that last sentence sounds, it is true for some. Yet, we don’t have to worry. Oh, it isn’t easy to stop worrying. It is hard work, at least for a while. But once we figure out how to stop it and put our trust in God, it becomes much easier. That doesn’t mean we won’t have that immediate worry when we hear concerning news. It does mean we won’t hold on to it.

Learning to turn everything over to God in prayer requires practice. Lot’s of practice. Our first step is to pray about whatever we are worried about. During that prayer, turn it over to God, asking him to take it from you. It will be difficult at first, because we want to hold onto it. Yet, the more we do it, the easier it gets.

What is the benefit of it? We gain the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. That peace will guard our hearts and minds, which is as much physical as it is mental. That’s right. As we worry less, we put less stress on our heart, and we are better physically as well mentally. There is a lot to gain by turning our worries over to God.

I pray we all decide to turn our worries over to God. I pray we spend time praying to God, asking him to take our worries. I pray each one of us attain the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. Turn your worries over to God. Spend time in prayer. Attain God’s peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Be Gentle

What does being gentle mean to you? Do you immediately think of the handling of a newborn baby? Do you think of cuddling with a puppy? Do you think of gently moving a piece of art? Have you thought about being gentle with someone who is going through a rough time?

Being gentle can apply in many situations. We may typically think of being gentle with our hands, gently handling a baby, a puppy, a piece of art, a glass vase, a birthday cake, and many other things. When teaching young children to be gentle, we may tell them to be easy.

Yet, the gentleness the Apostle Paul talks about is not about physically handling things. It means to be considerate. We are to be considerate of others. It goes hand-in-hand with Paul saying elsewhere to put others ahead of ourselves. We are to consider their feelings, situations, and needs.

Paul tells us to show gentleness or consideration to everyone. That can be a challenge. Who wants to be considerate to the person who cuts you off in traffic? Who wants to be considerate to the person who picked up the last Christmas ham just seconds before us? Yet, that is what Paul is calling us to do.

Why does Paul tell us to show our gentleness to everyone? He knew the promises of God and trusted in them. He knew there was something far better waiting for us. He knew that by being considerate of others we might bring them to Christ. He knew that by being different than everyone else, we would be attractive to them, causing them to wonder what made us different. We would do well to follow Paul’s instruction.

I pray we all determine to be gentle with others. I pray we are considerate in our interactions with everyone. I pray each one of us will imitate the gentleness of Jesus every day. Be gentle with others. Show consideration to others. Imitate the gentleness of Jesus.

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Restored Fortunes

What have you lost that you would like to have found or returned? Was it a relationship? Was it a job? Was it money lost in the stock market? Did you lose your home? What have you done to attempt to recover it? What would you do if it all was returned to you?

Sometimes losing things can be blessing. Other times it can be annoying. And still other times it can be devastating. A broken and lost relationship can devastate a person. Losing your entire fortune in the stock market can be devastating. A lost job may also be devastating.

We lose lots of things throughout our lives. It seems dryers eat up socks. They are lost forever. That may be a little annoying, but we just go buy some more socks to replace them. But when we lose something or someone very significant, we may never get over it. It may haunt us for the rest of our lives.

Through the prophet Zephaniah, God tells us he will restore our fortunes. He is not talking about our lost socks. He is talking about our true fortunes, which include relationships, dignity, feeling loved, eternal peace, and eternal joy. The material things of this world will no longer matter to us when we go to spend eternity with God. But reconnecting those lost relationships along with being loved and appreciated will feed our joy when God brings us home.

I pray we all know loss in this life will be made right by God. I pray we withstand our losses with God’s strength. I pray each one of us look forward to the day our fortunes are returned to us. Your valuable losses will be returned. God will restore you. God will return your fortunes.

Zephaniah 3:20

At that time I will bring you home, 

at the time when I gather you; 

for I will make you renowned and praised 

among all the peoples of the earth, 

when I restore your fortunes 

before your eyes, says the Lord.

God’s Justice

Do you seek justice? Do you seek for your oppressors to be dealt with? Do you desire the outcast to be gathered and saved? Do you desire to see the lame, sick, and injured to be healed? Do you want your shame to be removed and replaced with praise?

All people seek for justice. However, each of them have their own view of what that justice is. Sometimes, their view of justice comes down to what they want or what works in their favor. God’s justice is pure and is dealt at God’s bidding, not by anyone else.

Not many of us are considered outcast. That may be part of our problem. We have acclimated to the culture of our world rather than the culture of God. If we were following Jesus fully, we would be the outcast the prophet Zephaniah speaks of. Then we would be gathered to God.

Most of us would like to see everyone we know who is sick or injured to be healed. We care for them, and we may desire they be healed for our sake as well. Yet, whether it is selfishness or a genuine desire for others to be healed, God will ultimately heal all of them.

The shame Zephaniah speaks of us not the shame we might think of. The shame we think of are things we are ashamed of and would prefer they are never spoken about. Zephaniah is speaking of the shame of professing God, which others will attempt to shame us for, but God will turn it into praise.

The prophet Zephaniah is prophesying what will happen when Jesus returns to take His followers to be with Him forever. Zephaniah did not know Jesus’ name. He did know God and knew his prophecy was God speaking of his coming to set things right and execute his justice for his people. It is a promise we can hold onto today.

I pray we all evaluate how well we are following Jesus. I pray we trust God will fulfill the promises he made through prophecy. I pray each one of us know God’s justice will be served. Choose to follow Jesus. Trust God to fulfill his prophecy. Know that God’s justice will be served.

Zephaniah 3:19

I will deal with all your oppressors 

at that time. 

And I will save the lame 

and gather the outcast, 

and I will change their shame into praise 

and renown in all the earth.

God is Your Salvation

Do you trust anyone to the point that you have no fear? Is there someone who you believe can handle every situation? Are you completely unafraid in their presence? Do you believe in their strength? Do you believe they can save you no matter what may happen?

There are some people we believe are invincible. They never seem to fail. They have strength, intelligence, and a knack for coming out on top regardless of the situation. They make us feel safe when we are in their presence. Our fears are relieved for a short period of time.

Yet, we are not in their presence every moment of every day. When we are away from them, our fears creep back into our minds. We must remember there is someone else who is always with us and can handle any situation. We have the Holy Spirit living inside us. God has promised to always be with us and has delivered on that promise.

Jesus is called Emmanuel, God with us. He is our strength, if we will accept Him. He is our might, if we will lean on Him. He will relieve our fears, if we will trust Him. Jesus is our salvation, if we will put our faith in Him. God, who is with us, knows our fears, knows our needs, and is the one will guide us, protect us, and save us.

I pray we all know God is with us. I pray we trust God to handle any situation we find ourselves in. I pray each one of us will lean on God for our strength and for our salvation. God is with you. God can handle your situation. God will relieve you of your fears. Put your trust in God. Lean on him. Put your faith in Jesus.

Isaiah 12:2

Surely God is my salvation; 

I will trust, and will not be afraid, 

for the Lord God is my strength and my might; 

he has become my salvation.

Way of Peace

What is your viewpoint of peace? Is it the absence of an argument, chaos, fighting, or war? Or is it more than that? Is peace something you strive for? Do you work to obtain not only peace with others but an inner peace for yourself?

Many people have many different viewpoints of peace. Those in the midst of a war-torn nation long for a peace that means the bombs are no longer falling and the guns are no longer firing. Those dealing with relationship issues simply view peace as having no more arguments. Still others long for peace without the chaos.

Though all of those versions of peace are good, they cannot be the end of our longing. We are to continue to long for the inner peace that only God can provide. We can even have that inner peace in the midst of strife. We see example after example of it demonstrated by the apostles in the book of Acts and the letters they wrote.

Jesus has promised us the inner peace we all long for, whether we know we long for it or not. We obtain it by putting our belief, trust, and faith in Him. When we finally grasp that God is in control, not us, the inner peace we long for begins to find its way into our hearts. When we finally understand the depth of God’s grace, we find peace.

The peace we desire includes external peace in our world. But the inner peace we long for is not dependent on the external peace. Our inner peace is solely dependent upon our trusting in God.

I pray we all desire both external and inner peace. I pray we understand that God is in control. I pray each one of us will find the peace we desire by putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord. Seek peace in our world. Seek inner peace. Know that only God can give you inner peace.

Luke 1:78-79 By the tender mercy of our God, 

the dawn from on high will break upon us, 

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, 

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

A Child’s Purpose

Have you ever wondered what your children will grow up to be? Have you thought about the profession they will choose? Have you wondered if they would do something of prominence? Would they be an average person? Have you trusted them to God’s plan?

We often worry about our children. We try to steer them toward success. We may allow them to choose their own profession but do all we can to help them along the way. There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting our children to do well. However, God’s plan is better than ours.

Unlike us, Zechariah knew who John would become from the time Gabriel gave him the news he and Elizabeth would have a son. Zechariah may have doubted initially, but he had come to believe Gabriel’s message with his whole heart. He prophesied via the Holy Spirit that John would be the one who went before Jesus to prepare the way. John would not only fulfill his father’s prophecy but prophecy of Old Testament prophets.

Though we may not have the clarity about the purpose of our child in the same way Zechariah had, we can know with certainty that God has a plan for our children. One of our purposes is to guide them along that path. We are to teach them about God. We are to teach them to rely on God. Teaching about God without teaching to rely on God may quickly end in failure.

If we are wondering why so many young people leave the church, perhaps we should ask if they were taught to rely on God. Just like Zechariah and Elizabeth must have taught John God’s ways and to rely on him, we must teach our children. We must ingrain in them that God has a purpose for them, just like he did for John, even if it is a different purpose. When people have a purpose in life, they are more engaged and productive.

I pray we all know that God has a purpose for our lives. I pray we choose to teach our children about God and to rely on God. I pray we teach our children to seek their purpose in life from God. God has a purpose for you. Teach your children about God. Teach your children to rely on God. Help your children find their purpose in God.

Luke 1:76-77

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 

to give knowledge of salvation to his people 

by the forgiveness of their sins.