Advent reminds us we need salvation, not savings. We need peace, not presents. (Pastor Tim Sprankle)
As we near Christmas, it’s good to remember that this is Advent season, the time to reflect on the real reason for celebrating. Gift giving is but a small reminder of God’s great and costly gift, Jesus, the God-man, who was to provide life through faith in him. Begin now to tell the story and worship the savior.
Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! (2 Corinthians 9:15)
Sincerity connects because it’s so rare. Our antenna is up and our tolerance is down. (Deeper Path Team)
We hear a lot about “fake news,” and we’ve all experienced hypocrisy in almost every area of common life. It’s unfortunate that, indeed “our antenna is up” because we too often expect deceit and falsehood. If you want to encourage honesty and sincerity in others, you must show it in your own life.
Honesty guides good people. . . The godly are directed by honesty. (Proverbs 11:3, 5)
Forgiveness is the cure when we want to take revenge. (Anonymous)
Although we often want to “get even” with someone who has wronged us, it really doesn’t help. Judith Orloff, M.D. put it this way: “Forgiveness is a paradigm-shifting solution for transforming anger. It liberates you from the trap of endless revenge so that you can experience more joy and connection.” Sounds really biblical, doesn’t it?
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. (Proverbs 17:9)
I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum. (Frances Willard, 19th-century American educator)
Like many physical realities, friction has both positive and negative outcomes. Friction between two objects can create heat, possibly resulting in unwanted fire. On the other hand, friction in your wheel drums will bring your car to its desired stop. Friction between your tires and the road provides movement. Be sure that the friction in your life leads to progress, not to danger.
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? . . . “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. (James 4:1, 6-7)
The restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. (George Orwell, 20th-century writer)
Someone might be criticized for always stating the obvious. After all, if it is so well-known, why is repeating it necessary at all? On the other hand, no constructive progress can be made without beginning with what has already been discovered or stated. Overlooking the basics can be a major difficulty for successful planning.
The wise are known for their understanding. (Proverbs 16:21)
Every choice reduces [a little] one’s freedom to choose the next time. (C. S. Lewis, late British author)
Perhaps you’ve never thought about choices the way Lewis did. We’ve all made decisions without considering the effect those choices will have on subsequent decisions. Choosing a particular lifestyle will give direction to many subsequent choices: associations, work opportunities, and much more. Make wise choices today to guarantee good options in the future.
A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one. (Ecclesiastes 10:2)
No matter how many books you read, no matter how many schools you attend, you’re never really wise until you start making wise choices. (Marie T. Freeman, teacher)
We may not be reading as many books as we once did, but some of us are listening to audiobooks. Many others are reading blogs and listening to podcasts, so we’re almost overwhelmed with information of all kinds. But, as Freeman points out, it’s not the quantity of knowledge, but how we choose to use it personally and for the benefit of others that’s important.
Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. . . Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 8:10; 22:1)
Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it white. (Bing Crosby, late popular singer)
Even Bing Crosby, who introduced the popular song, “White Christmas,” recognized that the annual holiday is more than just a pretty scene on a postcard or time for family gift-giving. Indeed, it is a time to share blessings, but we must never forget that the greatest gift of Christmas was the coming of God’s Son to offer life by faith in his redemptive work of grace.
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
There is tremendous energy in the present power of a future hope. (Linda Brumbaugh, blog writer)
Life often seems dark and foreboding. Whether it’s the failures of the past or today’s discouragements, sometimes it seems that life is overwhelming. When we are in a dark place, it’s difficult to think about the future, isn’t it? That’s where genuine hope is needed—not in the circumstances of this life but in the hope Jesus offers those who trust him.
We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. (Philippians 3:20)
If you don’t like where you are, change. (Chris Suitt, pastor)
Suitt continues: “If you don’t like what you have become or where you are at the moment; you don’t have to stay there!” Sometimes we find ourselves in unhappy circumstances. If they continue, we would do well to heed Suitt’s advice. Change is often hard but moving into a better environment or pursuing more positive opportunities may be your best move.
Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. (Isaiah 55:7)
There is simply no way to undo the mischief a lie can produce. (Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship)
After his conversion, Chuck Colson, acknowledged the error of his conduct as a politician and government official and the suffering he had caused others. Later, he faced the consequences of lies told to discredit his new way of life and ministry. Little white lies can lead to a life-long habit of deception, and that’s not easily changed. Just ask Colson!
Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. . . The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. (Proverbs 12:19, 22)
Get correct views of life and learn to see the world in its true light. (Robert E. Lee, Confederate leader)
Everyone has what we call a “worldview,” That is, the perspective from which you view life and all that goes on around you.” You might see it as hopeless and aimless; we can’t control much of what may happen. Or you might view life as having a designed plan, and we can be a constructive part of it. If so, Lee says, “It will enable you to live pleasantly [and] to do good.”
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)