The Christmas Table: Offer a seat at the table

Read: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

That you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 Luke 22:30

The memories of home and my Christmas traditions often come to mind during the Christmas holidays. I enjoyed the preparation of food and The Christmas Table more than Thanksgiving.
 As friends would come by to pick up their gifts, my mother would cook a big breakfast and they would sit, eat, talk, and enjoy each other's company. The evening involved gathering with my Godmother's family for dinner, where the house was bustling with relatives and friends, conversing, standing, eating, and sitting. The Christmas table is the place where we expressed gratitude for life, family, and food.

 Although My Christmas Table was memorable, there are still many people and families sitting at a table that is empty and lonely. No traditional picturesque images are seen by them. Maybe they have encountered loss, damaged relationships, lost their job, or simply have no one to celebrate with.

 As followers of Christ, we need to remember that no family Christmas Table is more significant than God's family. Everyone is welcome at God's table.

When Saul's grandson, Mephibosheth, was lost and forgotten, David reminded him not to be afraid and offered him a seat at the King's table. it signified having the king's permission to sit and have meals for the entirety of one's life. The table of God remains unchanged. By accepting Jesus as our savior, he allows all of us to take a seat at the table.

 This holiday extend an invitation to someone who has lost hope or feels lonely by granting them a seat at your Christmas table. Extend your gratitude of God’s blessings to others besides your family. Give without expecting to get anything back. Your reward will be great and the God of the Most High will be merciful unto you. May this Thanksgiving be filled with joy and many blessings. Be safe and enjoy your family!

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Jesus is the reason for the season; Christmas songs that mention Jesus

Read: Matthew 2: 1-12

“For this reason, I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.”

Romans 15: 7-9

Many often forget the reason for the Christmas season, especially in relation to popular Christmas songs on the radio and streaming platforms like Spotify. Every Noise, a data-collecting service, has determined that Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" is the most popular song globally. According to them, while certain other popular songs mention the religious side of Christmas in a small way, the majority of songs center around themes of love, snow, and chestnuts.

 Today, within the church, numerous hymns are sung that commemorate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, or the events leading up to His birth. While reading scripture, you encounter references to the Wisemen that correspond to the song "We Three Kings". In the same way that Luke 2:7 mentions how He was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn, "Away In A Manger" also references this.

 The popularity of music with Jesus has not diminished just yet. Several top Christmas songs are being played or streamed that are referencing Christ and the Holy Day.

 The Temptations - "Silent Night."
 Whitney Houston  - "Joy To The World."
 Perry Como's version of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" #10 USA
 Josh Groban and Faith Hill's rendition of "The First N￶el" #90  USA
 Nina Nesbitt's version of "O Holy Night"  #93 Hong Kong.

 While preparing your playlist this holiday season, please remember that Jesus is the reason for the Season.  

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It's A Wonderful Life, Who is your George Bailey?

Read: Matthew 5:1-12

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14

Good Morning!

During the season of holidays, it is a common practice for people to watch their favorite Christmas movies which can cover a range of classics and lesser-known works. I am confident that if we dedicate time to discussing our favorites, our list will be extensive and detailed!

 'It's A Wonderful Life' is the one movie I have been watching every year since I was a teenager. Even as a teenager, the movie resonated with me because of the many God-like messages it depicted. Every year, I notice new undertones of divinity  the film as I watch it.

 The main character George Bailey is James Stewart, who is an Oscar-winning actor. George Bailey was like any other young person with dreams and goals. George Bailey, even when he was young, was ambitious and wanted to be successful. Additionally, he was caring, kind, and loving. George Bailey carried these attributes with him throughout his lifetime. He continued to shine his light by offering assistance and showing compassion to his family, friends, and even to strangers. George Bailey could have represented the ideals of the Beatitudes perfectly.

 In Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus gathered his disciples together and imparted to them the teachings now known as the Beatitudes. Jesus also desires for us to imitate the same thing. His desire for us is to help the poor in spirit, grieve with others, maintain gentleness, show mercy, be pure in heart, and actively be peacemakers.

 George Bailey helped individuals struggling financially by providing them with low-interest loans as a means of uplifting their spirits. As a child, he shared Mr. Gower's sorrow when his son died in the war and consoled him after he mistakenly administered the wrong medication to a little girl. He selflessly gave up his own life to save his brother from drowning, and humbly relinquished his dreams and aspirations to allow his brother's success.

 It is not difficult to find ourselves in a state of mind similar to George Bailey in life. It is easy for us to quickly forget both the goodness that God has done for us and the kindness we have shown to others. However, we can recall all the things at which we were unsuccessful or the things we have lost in life along with every failure. Because of his thoughts, George Bailey found himself standing on a snow-covered bridge, ready to jump.

 Clarence the angel and friends were necessary to remind George Bailey of his true identity. The word informs us that if we exemplify the Beatitudes, we will receive comfort, inherit the earth, be shown mercy, behold God, and be called children of God.

 Many of us reside in various locations across the globe, rather than in the small town of Pottersville. For this holiday season, I hope you will find to reflect upon people who have played the role of George Bailey in your life. Make sure to take the time to call or text them and express your gratitude. Share with them what they did for you and express your gratitude towards them.

 We are unaware of the potential experiences they may be facing. But our main concern is ensuring that they do not make decisions on a bridge covered with snow during the late hours of the night.

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Stop Testing God, Stop .

 

Read: Numbers 14:1-10

 

  the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct according to what their deeds deserve. Jeremiah 17:10

 

Good Morning!

 When things do not go according to plan or expectation, we often test God, even though we do not intend to. We disregard previous experiences of receiving God's blessings. When He rescued us from our depths of shame or fulfilled our heartfelt prayers.

  Contrasting to that, we behave similarly to children on Christmas day who, despite receiving their desired toy, ask "Is that all?" before the day is over.

  The Children of Israel were not any different. Even though God rescued them from slavery, split the Red Sea, took care of them during their journey, and promised them a better future, they still chose to doubt God's abilities, constantly complain, and show ingratitude.

  What leads to our testing or doubting God? If things are going well, we express our beliefs verbally and put them into practice by exercising our faith.

 It is when prayers are not answered or do not occur in the way we expect, our natural tendency is to begin complaining and attributing blame to God. Psalms 106:11-15 reminds us of how easily we forget God's works and decide not to wait for His counsel.

  Do our doubts arise from concepts or experiences we cannot visually grasp or perceive, or from a lack of faith or absence altogether? Is it now the right time for us to depend on our own understanding or continue to have faith in God?

  God does not abandon us, despite our complaints. He looks into our hearts and evaluates our thoughts, then gives us rewards based on our behavior and the consequences of our actions. During the good times and the bad times, give thanks to the Lord for he is good, in all things. His mercy endures forever. Stop Testing God.

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The Goodness of God

 

Read: Psalms 130

 

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression Micah 7:18-19

 

How do you describe the goodness of God?

 His goodness surpasses the material things that people pray for, such as jobs, cars, homes, or money.

 Though no day is guaranteed, and we are blessed to see each day, God’s goodness is even greater!

 Daily although our spirit is willing to do God’s will, our flesh is weak and frequently tempted into sin. God’s goodness is greatest at this crossroad. 

 Of all the sins we all have committed why should God be good to us?

Yet, if we humbly confess our sins God will forgive. This is God’s mercy and grace granting us forgiveness. There is no god like God. His goodness forgives us and purges us from our iniquity.

 If we took a moment to truly assess our lives, I am sure we all could come up with a multitude of things that have fallen short of God’s word, causing us to be disobedient. The fires he has pulled you from and the troubles he has set us free of. Yet when we humbly seek God’s forgiveness, He grants it.

 

1.             God removes sins as for as the east is to the west (Psalms 103:12)

2.             God completely cleanses us from the stain of sin (Isaiah 1:18)

3.             God throws our sins behind His back (Isaiah 38:1)

4.             God remembers our sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34)

5.             God treads our sins underfoot (Micah 7:19)

6.             God casts our sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:9)

 According to David in Psalms 130: 3-4, if THE LORD GOD, kept a record of sins, who could stand?  But with God there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve Him.

 There is no god like God who has held us in his hands forever and can pardon our iniquity and pass over our transgressions. Though God is disappointed with us, he does not retain his anger forever. God delights in mercy (Micah 7:18).

 God has been good to us even when we have not been good to ourselves. And it is because of this we should wake up each day singing and praising to God continuously for his Goodness.

 

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The Faith in God; even when you have questions

The book of Habakkuk is a short book in the bible with only three chapters. Within those three chapters, you will find a profound message that stands the test of time and is relevant even today.

Habakkuk, whose name means “one who embraces”, was a minor prophet who questioned God’s silence and apparent lack of His punitive actions to purge his covenant people (Hab. 1:2-4).

The nation was on the verge of abolishing its idolatrous practices but upon the death of the King, they quickly reverted to bad behavior towards God. The nation’s sin was violence and injustice toward the people. No different than what we see in our country today. Violence, iniquity, and trouble plague the world. We see malicious wickedness daily on the news. Neighbors find reasons to morally and ethically oppress their neighbors which results in continuous strife.

Habakkuk was angry with the people but more so with God. “Why do you cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me?” (Hab. 1:3-4).  Habakkuk wanted God to punish the people. Does this sound familiar today?

The more we build a relationship with God the more we realize that God has a plan for us. We also understand God works on His own time schedule. “I will work a work in your days which you would not believe” (Hab. 1:5-11).

Habakkuk’s message not only to the Israel nation but to us, despite our situation, remains strong and faithful in the midst of your affliction and trials (Hab. 2:4). Remember God is embracing us contrary to what your mind may be telling you.

During our continuous journey of growing a relationship with God, we realize faith is not a one-time act. Faith becomes a way of life. The Bible reminds us of God’s miraculous, protective intervention on behalf of the children of Israel. I’m sure we can also recant a few God-protecting miracles in our lives as well.

When we set aside our Woo’s of life and learn to give them to God, it is the first step to recommitment and affirmation of faith which expresses unwavering confidence in God.

For me, I have adopted Habakkuk’s Hymn of Faith as my constant reminder of God’s sufficiency in my life regardless of what I am facing.

               

Though the fig trees may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the field yields no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold

And there be no herd in the stalls -

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength.

He will make my feet like deer’s feet,

He will make me walk my high hills. 

– Habakkuk 3:17-19           

Wisdom is the sound judgment of life

Solomon was wiser than any man of his time. God gave Solomon wisdom, great understanding, and largeness of heart. People came near and far to hear the wisdom of Solomon (1 Kings 4:34).

At a very young age, Solomon took his seat as king. It is believed that he was around 20 years old at the time he became king, he was a mere kid.

God said that no man would ever be as wise as Solomon. But we should strive to seek the wisdom to make sound judgments in life. So often we find ourselves in predicaments that require us to have wisdom and because of our childlike minds, in adult bodies, we tend to make irrational decisions. When faced with such situations, one of two things would happen; you will falter or seek guidance. In most cases, people would seek advice from everyone but God. 

Early in Solomon’s reign, he had a vision from God. God told him to ask, “what shall I give you?”  Solomon realized his youthfulness, lack of knowledge, and experience to rule over the people (1 Kings 3:7-8.) As opposed to asking for the obvious – money, and material things, Solomon asked for an understanding heart – wisdom (1 Kings 39).  

While book knowledge has its place, you should always seek the counsel of God in everything that you do. Godlike wisdom supersedes book knowledge. Continuous prayer life and relationship with God, he will not lead you astray. He will order your steps, be a lamp up under your feet, and He will provide you with the knowledge of understanding.

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Promises are not made to be broken

When David was running for his life, he and his best friend Jonathan made a covenant (1 Sam. 18:3) that no matter what happened, David would not cut off his kindness to his family (1 Sam 20:15).

 

David's friend Jonathan his brothers, and King Saul all died in battle, making way for David to become king of all of Israel. As the new king, one of the first things David did was make good on his covenant. He asked if anyone remained in Saul's house; he wanted to show kindness for Jonathan's sake (2 Sam. 9:1)

 

Today, many people make a "covenant" or "promise" and do not fulfill them. At dedication ceremonies for newborns, many families make covenants by making friends and some family members Godparents of their child. The "promise" is to help with the child's religious education, and in case of the parents' untimely demise, step in and care for the child. 

 

In Biblical times, a covenant was a formal promise made under oath. Today a covenant is more like "a promise or guarantee between two parties that are not fulfilled. 

 

David made good on his covenant with Jonathan. He gave Saul's grandson, Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth, a seat at the King's table. He restored to Mephibosheth what was rightfully his (2 Sam. 9:7).

 

God made a covenant with His children. Through His covenant, (Heb 8) He promises to bless us as we obey the conditions. Are you fulfilling God’s covenant? What covenants or promises have you made that need to be fulfilled? 

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God’s Sovereignty

 

Naomi had it all; a husband, two sons, and wealth. Inflation hit the land causing Naomi and her family to move, and as opposed to things getting better, they got worse. During turmoil, Naomi's husband and two sons die.

When tragedy strikes, the feeling of hopelessness and doubt creeps in. We look for answers, worry, and even blame God for the calamity.

In the book of Ruth, Naomi was no different. She had reached the point of hopelessness. Naomi felt that the hand of God was against her (Ruth 1:13). Naomi could not see any way out. Naomi's anguish was so bad she changed her name to Mara, which means 'bitter' (Ruth 1:20).

Naomi's story can happen to anyone of us at any given moment. One day you are on top of the world, the next you lose it all - health, wealth, and even family.

How we deal with life situations is entirely up to us. Like Naomi, when tragedy struck, she focused on the situation and did not recognize God's Sovereignty. God provided a friend named Ruth and her relative Boaz (Ruth 2).

Through Ruth's genuine love and friendship, Naomi’s eyes and heart were opened to see and receive God's compassion. Naomi begins to understand God's sovereignty - His love, kindness, and mercy towards her.

No matter how painful your hardship may be, pay attention to the friends who encircle you during your tragedy. These friends could be your Ruth or Boaz working on behalf of God.

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