SelahV Today

That Perfect Gift

Delight exploded in my grandchildren's expressions when that perfect gift appeared beneath a veil of gaily wrapped Christmas paper.  I could tell it was one they'd been wishing and hoping for.  Belief crushed disbelief when the gift was actually in their possession. They could touch it, hold it, cradle it, inspect it, try it on, use it, or play with it--whatever the case might be.  One thing is certain:  it wasn't ignored or set aside.  Coupled with their delight was the pure pleasure and thrill on the faces of those who gave that perfect gift.  Days later I read a Scripture passage that gave me pause:

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

We may think we have chosen the perfect gift-- the most exciting, most desired, most treasured-- but in reality our gifts pale in comparison to our Father's in Heaven.  His grace and mercy and forgiveness are unequaled.  His forbearance, compassion, and love cannot be duplicated.  The most perfect of gifts to us is life itself through Jesus Christ who sacrificed the glory of heaven to come to earth and pour out His blood to pay for the sin in our impure, unholy lives.  He paid the unreachable price to redeem our souls.  We could never in a million lifetimes work hard enough, earn enough, or save enough to pay what Jesus paid for our eternal home.

Unlike gifts we unwrap for ourselves in celebration of His birth, the Father's gift does not tarnish, fall apart, fade or lose any value as it is used.  In fact, the more we share His gift and give it away, the greater it becomes and the more joy we have.  That perfect gift we give is not the shiny bracelet, or dazzling diamond earrings.  It's not the car set, the crockpot or jacket.  It is the love behind each gift...the sacrifice made by the giver of the gift.  In many cases, it is no sacrifice at all for us.  We give from our abundance.  But all we have is because our Father grants it.  All we are is because our Father allows it.  What an amazing thought God gave me as I stored precious family memories in my cache of happiness this season.  selahV 

Christmas Wishes

I wish the world could be perfect.  At peace.  Full of love and joy and goodness.  I wish everyone could find today brimming with good health and security and harmony.  I wish all pain and sorrow could give way to comfort and happiness.  I wish everyone I know, and those I don't, knew Jesus as Lord and Savior.  I wish all who do know Him would love Him with all their heart and soul and mind and strength.  For it is in Him all my wishes could be met.

Alas, after the expectations of Christmas gift-giving, of family gatherings, of hoping to see others share in my joy, my hope, my wishes as paper is torn and tossed aside, I know...

...not all will.

Not all will celebrate today as their Savior's birth.  Not all will know the promise of eternal life and love. For them I pray God's intervening mercy and grace.

For you who see and know, I pray that today you get all wrapped up in the swaddling clothes and let Jesus be all He wants to be in your life...and mine.  selahV 

Give Me A Sign

Gideon put out the fleece to verify the Word of God.  Not satisfied with the first encounter with God, Gideon put out a fleece.  Not satisfied with the second verification, Gideon put out the fleece again. (Judges 6:36-40)

Wise men studied the stars and scriptures and knew more about the Star of Bethlehem than the Pharisees who knew the scripture, the law, and the prophesies.

Later, Jewish leaders didn't believe Jesus and sought signs from Him to entrap Him.

Still later, mockers tried to get Jesus to prove Himself when He was nailed to the cross.  Can't your hear the taunts?

After the cruxifiction and resurrection, Saul of Taursus sought to put an end to the blasphemous Christians who were sharing the Gospel and telling the world about the risen Lord Jesus.  Jesus met him on the way to Damascus and hit him squarely between the eyes with The Way, The Truth, and The Life.  

Jesus answered His critics and has a message for us today: 

"And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Mark 8:12

What sign do you look for?  End times?  Horoscopes?  Soothsayers?  Foretune Tellers?  Palm Readers?  

I am constantly aware of the signs of the times, but not so much out of concern for the end of time.  I think the "sign" we should most look for is when God wants us to share His love, how, and with whom.  He gave specifics on what would happen to His disciples, and we get all worked up when we are persecuted, fall into trials, are tempted.  Jesus told us this would occur.  But He also said He would give us His Spirit to guide, teach, comfort and empower us.  The real problem with people who make false claims is that they lead folks astray.  They cause them to stumble.  And Jesus said, it's better that a millstone be hung around their necks and they be tossed into the sea than to cause one innocent, trusting soul to fall.

I think it behooves us to keep our eyes on Jesus; let His Word light our path and be a lamp unto our feet.  He will direct our paths.  Sometimes those paths lead us to wait upon the Lord--sometimes, to resist the devil.  Dwell in Him and He will dwell in us.  His grace in our daily lives is sufficient to meet our needs.  selahV

Christmas... Such A Delightful Time of the Year

I love the giving part myself.  I delight in delighting others.  I love to look for stuff to give that will make others smile, or take in a deep breath of surprise.  It's so much fun to surprise them with an item they talked about at some point in the year.  I like to hone in on some passing statement my husband makes, my daughter mentions, or a friend shares.  It's those things that create delight for others...and in turn, delight me.  There's a lot to be said for: "it's more blessed to give than to receive," don't you think?

I think that is how it is with God.  He delights in our joy.  And the more we are delighted with all He is and all He has created, the more He is delighted.  

Hope you are finding all the joy of our Savior as you seek to give joy to others.  Remember to be nice when others are impatient, relax when lines are long, and praise God in the midst of the excitement.  selahV

 

Where's The Line To See Jesus

To Whom Does Jesus Speak

Oftentimes I read a Scripture passage and the words of Christ are directed at a disciple, a bystander, a rich young ruler, a hungry crowd, an inquisitive leader, a sinner up a tree, a woman at a well.  Yet, those conversations tend to jump right off the pages and speak to me, also.  Is this how you see the words of Christ?  Or do you see them as explanations, commands, directives for the person in the account of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Paul?

"Why persecutest thou Me?"

"Who do you say I am?"

"Oh, ye of little faith."

"Will you go away, also?"

"Let your light so shine before men that the Father in heaven is glorified."

"Go ye into all the world..."

If these words are spoken to us, then do we treat them lightly?  Do we seek to answer them with excuses?  I must confess, sometimes I do.  selahV

 

Explain This

What exactly did the lady mean with her reply to Jesus that compelled Him to say she had great faith?  Why was this such a meaningful statement from her?

"And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.  And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”  But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly." Matthew 15:21-28

What example could we give regarding our own lives which would bring similar affirmation from our Savior?  selahV