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.

Walking with a Heart of Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!!!

On this wonderful day, may each of us take time to reflect on the goodness of our God and His care (protection and provision) for us. II Samuel 7:18 begins David's prayer of gratitude. Just the opening verse is so powerful, as David basically asks, "How did I deserve such wonderful care?" As I sit here on Thanksgiving Day, I ask the same question. Why has God chosen to bless me, for He has so greatly blessed me and my family in soooo many ways.

PROVIDENCE
God has been so good. In a world of turmoil and a time of transition, God is immutable. He does not change, and so I know that I can trust Him regardless of what we are facing or enduring. He may not reveal the next step, but He is still sovereign. He is worthy of our adoration and devotion that should result in our obedience.

PEOPLE (family)
God has given me such a wonderful family, from my wife to my kids, to my parents and siblings, to my in-laws. The family that I have is so incredibly wonderful in so many ways.

• God has given me such a marvelous wife. She is a blessing in every way imaginable. Thanks for all that you do in and for the family.
• I have three great kids. The two adults are fantastic young people and the tiny one is high energy. All three are GREAT!
• My parents (both Mom & Dad and the in-laws) are such blessings. They are encouraging and supportive. I couldn't ask for better parents.
• I have some wonderful siblings. Even as they go through the ups and downs of life, they are supportive in comment and prayer. 

PROVISION
(1) In the midst of this time of transition, we have jobs to help pay the bills. (2) Many have given us gifts to help offset the difference of income/expense. They have no way to know how much of a blessing that those gifts have been and how they have helped to meet needs. (3) We have food on the table and a roof over our heads.

PROTECTION
(1) The family has been pretty much healthy for the last year+. (2) With the miles traveled, we have been safe. One minor accident, but the only injury was to the car.

Do we have anything for which to be thankful -- ABSOLUTELY!

Walking and Learning

I return to the early portion of Mark's gospel, this time to chapter 2, for a simple yet profound thought. The story of the paralyzed man who was let down into the room by his friends. The thought that lodged in my heart today was that the men, both the paralyzed man and his friends, desired to see the paralyzed man physically healed, but Jesus first addressed his spiritual need of forgiveness. I was reminded that often we do not realize the true need that we have. We may focus on physical, financial, relational, etc. needs, but the greatest need that we have is always a spiritual need. When we have addressed our walk with Christ, then all other needs will fall into place. Those needs may be great, but the spiritual need to walk with Christ with adoration and obedience is always the greatest need.

As we read the account given on Mark, we see that Christ addressed both the spiritual need and the physical need. Often we will see that happen, but not always. Sometimes the way to have the primary need met is to allow the secondary needs to continue. Paul experienced that as described in II Corinthians 12 when he discusses his "thorn in the flesh." He prayed that God would heal him, but God chose not to do that. God understood that the issue Paul was dealing with had a greater purpose. Now, as we consider our lives, are we willing to allow God to be sovereign and continue to follow Him even when He does not "solve our problem"?

If I believe that God is truly sovereign, then I must accept that He is sovereign in every instance of life. He knows the needs that I am facing and He knows what they can/will accomplish in my life and in the lives of others. I may pray and ask for God for help, but He may choose to address a completely different need that His greater purpose might be fulfilled. In all things and at all times, I must trust Him. That can be a tough lesson to learn, but one that we must learn indeed.

Walking with the Savior

In reading the opening chapters of Mark's gospel today, I was reminded of a couple of very important truths. (1) Our God is the God of the miraculous. He healed the sick and raised the dead and when he called the fishermen they dropped what they were doing. He can do whatever He chooses to do. (2) The key word in the Gospel of Mark is "immediately." Not only can our God do what He chooses, He does it when He chooses. Just as wonderful as it is that He can do what He will is the fact that time is no obstacle for God. Not only does the word "immediately" apply to God, it applies to us and our obedience. When we understand from God's word something that He want us to do, God expects our obedience immediately.

So, we serve a God that can accomplish what He wants when He wants and he expects our immediate obedience (what He says, when He says, the way He says, with a right attitude). The God that we walk with is such a wonderful God that loves us and protects and provides for us. Let us walk faithfully, just as He is so faithful toward us.

Walking on Our Knees

While preparing for church this past Sunday morning, I heard again one of my favorite songs -- "Bow the Knee." At a time when I have no sense of direction and no idea what is around the corner, I know that I can trust my God to do what is best. We have gone through 2+ months of job limbo with no end in sight. FedEx Ground is helping to meet needs and Bec's work at the dealership helps to round out the needed income, but neither job is our long-term goal. We do not know what the next step is, so we continue to "plow the field we are in," to use a simplistic analogy. And so, FedEx each night and Freysinger's each day. Even as we wait on God for leading and direction, we know that we have things so much better than many others. There are so many who are suffering or enduring through far more than our job uncertainty.

I am reminded of Abraham and how he was led by God, but did not know where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). I kind of feel that way -- not like Abraham, but like one who is following while blindfolded. What makes it manageable is that we know we can trust God in all things at all times. Abraham did not know where he was headed, but he did know who was giving the directions. When God gives directions, He can be trusted.

My, how we have seen God work during this time. Again Sunday, someone handed us an envelope with some money in it. God has used these gifts to meet our needs and to demonstrate to the family how even in challenging time, He continues to provide. We indeed serve an awesome God. As we await God's direction, it is encouraging to see God continue to provide for the needs of the family. He is faithful at all times in all things.

And so, even as we go through this time of uncertainty, I know that we can trust God to do right. All He asks of us is simple child-like obedience as we faithfully obey and follow His leading.