Walking on Christmas Day

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

On that day so long ago, the Savior came to this earth. In so many ways, it was just like any other birth on any other day. Yet, in so many other ways, it was unlike any other birth. On that day, the very son of God was born of a virgin that He might live and then die in the place of sinful man to offer us forgiveness of sin, sin that he took on Himself. What a wonderful, priceless gift that was given to mankind. As we go throughout the activities of the day, may we put all things in their proper place and revere our Savior above all. He truly is worthy of all worship and praise.

Then let us reflect on a few of the gifts He has granted unto us. He has given us...

• Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

• Spiritual gifts: Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

• Godly qualities: forgiveness, humility, courage, integrity, generosity, etc. 

• Faith, family, friends

• James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

There are surely other gifts that we have been given, but these help us to see the wealth of treasures we have been given. The world would be an incredibly miserable place without the wonderful blessings we have received from our God.

Merry Christmas to all. May you have a wonderful day as you reflect on our great and wonderful God and His son Jesus Christ.

Walking While the Mind Wanders

One of the tools I use regularly for devotional time is a daily guide from Dr. Charles Stanley. It is always interesting and often thought-provoking. Here is a recent devotional that I found to be a great blessing.
Interesting devotional

In my Google+ feed (yes, there are people who actually use Google+), I received this from Rose Publications -- they do Bible study pamphlets and booklets. Being father of a toddler, this hit home. I chuckled greatly and thought, "I can relate." Perhaps my two older kids could try this as well.
Great comic

I spend 6-8 hours a days loading trailers for FedEx Ground. This sounds much like my life (job description). Disclaimer, the lead character does not work in my area. My area usually loads these tandem trailers. The worst part for me is the "belly." FedEx trailers actually utilize the lower area between the wheels. To load that area means jump down, climb out numerous times in a night.
Job Description

Walking along Where Led

Here are some ponderings from the mind of a midnight shift package-handler. Most of the good thoughts come in the midst of a rush of boxes, usually between midnight and 2AM.

1. How should we respond when we are not treated kindly?

1 Peter 2:19-25

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

2. How do we know what the next step should be?
Abraham followed after God though he did not know where that would lead. What he did know is that God is trustworthy.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

3. How much of the future does God reveal as we follow Him?

The Israelites followed the pillars of fire and cloud -- day by day. When He moved, they moved; when He stayed, they stayed.

Exodus 13:21

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

As we go though life, it is filled with uncertainty, even when we think we have it all figured out. One "bad" day, be it a doctor's visit, news from family or friends, or an incident on the roads could radically change the course of life. When these things happen, our recourse should be where we have always been, in the arms of our Heavenly Father. He knows when we are mistreated and He desires to lead us in the way that we should go. Often we pray that God would lead and direct, as if He has not been doing that up to this time. The issue is not the leading, it is the following. We need to pray that He would help us to follow His leading and directing. Romans 8:28 declares that He will work things to His glory, even when we do not understand the "whys" of what we are going through. He knows what is good, truly good. We only think that we know what is good, and that only from our perspective. He is the one that knows the beginning from that end and can be trusted with our lives, every step of the way. Trust and obey, quite simple yet incredibly difficult.