Christ Gives Us Freedom

John 3:16-21

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

These are familiar verses to most of us. Verse 16 is probably one of the first verses you ever learned, but have you ever stopped to really think about verses 17-21?

Jesus did not come to condemn you.
Did you hear that? If you have chosen to believe in Him, He covers you in grace. You are free from condemnation.

Life makes it hard to believe that at times.
The holidays makes it even harder to believe! The busy schedules, the performances, the presents, the "perfect" family Christmas...all of those can lead to stress and the feeling of condemnation. That feeling that you will never live up to your own expectations.

Release yourself from that pressure.
God tells you today that you are free. He sent his only Son so that you may believe in Him, be free, and live with no condemnation.

Now that is something to celebrate this Christmas season!

Losing Nemo

Finding The Perfect Gift

On occasion, my three and a half year old granddaughter will come spend the night with me. It is always a challenge to come up with interesting things for her to do, and one of our favorite pastimes is going to the pet store to see all of the animals.

The last time we went she was particularly intrigued by the “fishies”. So being the good grandma that I am, I decided to buy everything we would need to bring one of them home with us. It was my intent to create a bonding/learning experience and also to bless my granddaughter. Little did I know how wrong it would all go.

After inquiring of the salesperson as to what equipment we would need, we rounded up the bowl, gravel, food, fake plant and a fish. Alexis promptly named him Nemo—it seems that we’ve seen the movie a few times! Nemo was a beautiful little Beta fish, and I was sure he would be happy in his new home. How hard could it be—right? We got him home, prepared the bowl for him and put him in. Great! Easy! Alexis loved it and watched him in his new home for all of about 30 seconds. What else can we do Grandma?

You Don't Always Know All the Facts
The next morning we checked on Nemo; he didn’t look so good. I assured Alex that he was just getting used to his new home, but inside I knew something was amiss. Did I do something wrong? Did I miss a step? I went through all the information the salesperson had mentioned wondering where I had messed up. And then it hit me; maybe she didn’t tell me everything. Maybe I didn’t have all of the facts. (For instance, you have to de-chlorinate the water!) I lost Nemo. Not intentionally, of course, but because I thought I knew more than I really did. I thought I knew all that I needed to know.

The Importance of Listening instead of Always Speaking
As we meet with our mentees, it’s easy to think that we “get it”—that we know what to do or say. As they share information about a concern or circumstance we may formulate an idea or comment based on what we “know”. We can be absolutely wrong. Hopefully, the consequences of being wrong will not be as drastic as that for Nemo, but it should give us pause before we speak into a situation in someone else’s life. At best, we have brief moments of time together; it is likely that we don’t have all the facts.

James says, “…be quick to listen, slow to speak…” We must take the time to really listen to our mentees, and then take time before the LORD to find His heart and mind on a matter before we act. “We can gather our thoughts, but the LORD gives the right answer.” Prov. 16: 1 (NLT)

(written by Kim Collins)

Seeing God's Goodness

The evening was January 23rd 2005- I was 35 weeks into a very difficult pregnancy – preeclampsia, pre-term labor, bed rest, hypertension., a kidney infection, and 6 weeks of living in a small hospital room had done a number on my trust in God.

Isolation
Isolation was the tool God used to bring me to a very low point spiritually – but a necessary place. I regretted being pregnant, I regretted wanting a child, I feared many things and relinquished little trust in my gracious Father who was stooping over me with protective arms.

Fear
Then, that Monday evening I knew I could no longer hold onto it all, our son, still small and helpless in my womb had stopped moving – my fears had culminated and I was broken. Broken before the Lord in anger, I humbly surrendered this little boy to the arms of his Creator. An intellect of peace enveloped me. I called the doctor’s office and waited for their return phone call, “Why wasn’t he moving I asked myself,” “When was the last time I felt him move… was it around 1:00 this afternoon?” “Why hadn’t I noticed it before?” After an hour of poking and drinking cold water the nurse had an idea, she had me eat a whole bowl of hot soup. So, in desperation I did … and waited…. and prayed... and then I felt it ever so faint… a kick…. a flutter… and then … nothing… Drew was still alive! The following morning we learned that Pre-eclampsia had advanced to a point where the baby was in distress, I was induced the following morning and Drew was born into the arms of his anxious parents.

He was a healthy 6 pound little boy with developed lungs and few effects remained from his difficult start to life. At that moment, when I held my little boy, studied the fingers and toes that the Lord had fashioned together in my womb – I saw and felt the goodness of God illuminating warmth into my lonely and cold soul. I felt new life well up inside of me, and I gave thanks for my time in the wilderness; for when the spring arrived, new life was able to sprout with a hunger I never knew existed for my Creator - Jehovah-Elohim.

Goodness

What comes to your mind when you think of the word “goodness”? The English dictionary defines goodness as “excellence, worth, kindness, disposed to the well being of others.” When we speak about the Lord’s goodness it often refers to God causing “blessings to come upon his people, deliverance, and the storing of future gifts. Chip Ingram writes that goodness “implies a sense of delight in the one giving and the gift given. God’s goodness is pleasant, desirable, fair, and generous.” In this giving season I just wanted to challenge us to look for the goodness of God, seek out times of solitude with the Lord and ask him to reveal his goodness’ – past and present. Look back into your past and jot down times where the Lord’s goodness was evident. The Lord can reveal his goodness through natural blessings, deliverance, and through the virgin birth of his one and only son Jesus. As we reflect and worship our savior’s birth don’t be content to keep it to yourself – respond to Jehovah’s goodness with a quite evening dedicated to the Lord. Grab a cup of cocoa, sit by the fire with the precious and enduring Word of God, repent from sins, meditate on God’s goodness’, and then brainstorm ways to share the goodness of God with the world.



“The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious (stooping to protect), slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth, who keeps loving kindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgressions, and sin…”

Exodus 34:6-7a



Activity for the Week


As you picture our gracious Lord “stooping over to protect you” this Christmas season what sacrifice are you willing to give in response to God’s goodness– repentance from a besetting sin, the giving of finances & time, overcoming insecurity by sharing your testimony with your unsaved neighbor? The options are endless!



Psalms 31:19

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.



From the Desk of: Melissa Williams