Perspectives

Psalm 8

"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.... When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly things and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet." (v. 1-6)

I remembered the last movie my mom and I were on a date. The movie was called "The Dead Poet Society". It was a very inspiring movie. The main character was an English Professor who was very different from the other instructors. He not only taught english, but about life through english. His methods were uncommon and risque, but very effective. In one scene, he had the students form a line behind the instructor's desk at the front of the room. When it was the next student's turn, he wanted to stand on top of the desk and look around the classroom from a different perspective.

HIs point was to take time to evaluate each situation and circumstances through different perspectives. A mountain to an a fox from the ground looking up may seem enormous, almost endless, and may seem impossible to tackle, whereas an eagle flying above looking down may see the mountain as small, almost flat, and may have already been overcome.

As sons and daughters of God, let us also take on new perspectives of each situations and circumstances differently. If we truly believe and accept God's unending and unconditional love, then there should be no fears. We should be joyful to know that He has taken us in as His royal sons and daughters, and have put everything else under us. If we put our faith in Him, and relinquish these situations to Him, then He will provide us the best solution.

A Slow Death

Proverbs 25:26

"If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring."

They say that the best way to cook a frog is to slowly raise the heat of the pot to boiling. If you were to place a frog into boiling water, it would jump out. However, if you placed the frog and slowly raised the temperature, the frog wouldn't know the difference. Unfortunately, compromises operate the same way. It slowly chips away at us that can lead us to major trouble. We will wake up one day and wonder how we got to where we are, and not realize the path we had taken in the past. It is uncommon (or almost impossible) for us to one day sin and fall away from God. We don't just simply find ourselves as a stranger to God. We had made small choices that slowly removed ourselves from the presence of God.

Our pastor reminded us one Sunday morning that we simply do not just stay still. We are either slowly building our faith and our walk with God, or we are slowly walking away from God. Every moment we are making these choices, and in time we will see the results. The challenge is whether we are working to build ourselves or allow our relationship with God falter. Take every moment to spend with God!

Gift of Grace

2 Corinthians 8:1-9

"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. OUt of the most sever trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.... For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (v. 1-3, 9)

I remember when I was younger how the Macy's parade was the parade of the year. It was spectacular. All the floats were amazing, and the balloons kept getting bigger and innovative every year. The parade was always fascinating, but the end always brought about the greatest joy. At the end of the parade was Santa's float. It was the sign of the start of the countdown to Christmas. In fact, Christmas music would begin to play over the radio stations. As a child it was so exciting to know that Christmas was near, and we also knew what that meant... gifts.

Christmas always brought excitement. Although I never believed in Santa Claus, I knew that my mom and dad had graciously spent their hard earned dollars to provide me some wonderful gifts. I became very good at figuring out what some, if not most of them were. I felt like a prince being showered with gifts and with love.

Unfortunately, not everyone can share in this experience. Some would be lucky to have shelter and food on Christmas. I know that we have been taught that is not about the receiving, but the giving that is important. However, most have translated this to your family or friends. There are those who have no family or friends who need the gift of giving. Let us enjoy our Christmas by also giving a helping hand to someone who needs some help. Just as Paul made it clear, it is not a commandment, but an encouragement. There are so many opportunities out there: (Samaritan's Purse) Christmas Shoebox for children around the world in third-world countries, Compassion International where you can sponsor a child, and Roof in the Inn who helps the homeless find shelter during the cold season. There are so many more, so please consider giving the gift to those who needs it this year.

Knight in Loving Armor

Ephesians 2:1-10

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (v. 4-9)

My daughter currently loves to play dress-up. Her favorite thing to do is to pretend that she is a princess. Is this one of all, if not most, of little girls' dreams; to be swept up by a handsome prince to be taken to their beautiful castle? I believe a similar desire is true for all adults, including men (but not as romantic). How many of us had dreamt of winning the lotto? The "what if" scenarios would swim into our heads. Oh the joy we would have it if it becomes true!

Oh, but it has. The dream of our lifetime has occurred. Jesus Christ gave everything away, including His life, so He could give us the gift of life. Eternal life as royalty with our Father in heaven. It may not be riches of gold and silver, but it is riches of life full of joy, happiness, and love. In the end, isn't that what we seek. We have been so drawn to the idea that money would buy us this. Luckily, there are some romantics that attempt to convince us that true love is what gives us happiness. Well, God's agape love is unconditional; it does not get any better.

So, let us keep reminded of this. Let us enjoy the gift that He gives, and live our lives as prince and princess. We should be filled with joy and happiness.

Living: Overcoming Death

1 Corinthians 15:12-26

"For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." (v. 16-19)

If we cannot believe that the dead can be given new life, and especially doubt our own resurrection, then our faith is indeed futile. We are then considered hypocrites, since Christ too then could not have been risen from the dead. Christ could not be more than a prophet. In fact, the pharisees would more correct in that He was a false prophet.

However, Christ was indeed more than a prophet. He was and still is the Son of God. Christ was born as the Living Word, died, and rose from the dead on the third day. He was born as a man, so He can be the ultimate sacrifice for all our sins. If this is the truth that we believe, and accepted His gift of new life, then we should live as His sons and daughters. Let us not allow anything in this world tell us differently. More importantly, let us not allow anything else either steer us from the truth and also allow anything to take away our joy. We should always be cheerful; for if death cannot take us, then what can... other His love for us?