Gifts of Christmas

     As Christmas approaches, most everyone has already bought all their gifts, and they are wrapped and tucked neatly under the tree.  These are our annual gifts, yet Christmas is about more than giving annual presents.  Christmas is about Jesus who was a gift given to be with us throughout the years and the seasons of life.  This is the One True Gift that does not need to be returned or hidden away in a closet.  Here we have a free gift and does not put us in debt, but rather, frees us from our sin debt.  He is The Gift that keeps on giving.
     James 1:17 reminds me further of what good gifts are all about.  "Every good gift and every perfect gift is sent down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

Mirror, Mirror!

     "Mirror, mirror, on the wall.  Who is the fairest of them all?"  

     Have you ever looked in the mirror to see, really see, who you are.  Forget the beauty, the not so pretty, the flaws, the wrinkles.   Just look deep.   Who are you?  What do you see?  What do you want to see? 

      James 1:22-24 state, " But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was."

     Do you see, in the mirror, a person so distracted by the world, you forget the important things of life?  Or, do you see inner spiritual growth?   Do you see a caring heart?  Do you see a forgiving heart?  Do you see a doer of the Word? 

     "Mirror, mirror, on the wall"...Who am I? What do I see?  Better yet, what do others see when my face is reflected before them? 

Being Selective

     I just returned from a mini vacation and admit that I am one of those travelers who like to snack.  I found myself shuffling through a can of mixed nuts trying to pick out the ones I liked the best, leaving the others for someone else.  I had already come up with an excuse if I got caught.  “I am practicing the fine art of being selective.  In fact, I was taught to be selective.” 
     Well, I might be missing the mark here a little with my application, but everyone does need to be taught, at an early age, to be selective in life. 
     Often times, being selective does not come naturally.  It has to be thought out and practiced.  We need to choose wisely how we treat others.  We need to be selective with the language we use.  We need to be selective in the people we choose to become involved with.  Not only do we need to choose how we treat others, but, most importantly, we need to choose how we use God’s name.   Our selective behavior not only affects others, but it is what builds our character and also affects how we grow spiritually.       

     James 3:3-5 “Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.  Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

    Psalm 39:1  “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.”

      In closing, let us also remember that in the end, God will also be selective. 

      Psalm 75:7 “But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”

     Revelation 22:12 “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”