Because of Jesus, I know my Father.
Because of Jesus, my life is full.
Because of Jesus, I know what real Love feels like.
Because of Jesus, I never feel condemned.
Because of Jesus, I’m good enough, just as I am.

A lot of people have been dealing with some stressful situations over the past few years. Loved ones have died or suffered greatly due to a pandemic that was unimaginable three years ago. Jobs and education have been disrupted. Families have been separated by distance. Many have become offended over disagreements about policies concerning the economy, government leadership, and other things.

I remember feeling awfully disrespected in a group gathering once.  It seemed that someone decided that I was not as important as another in the group, so I was persuaded to give up my very comfortable room and take the worst facilities available.

Before I knew God, I experienced a lot of hard and bad things.  Those things affected me in ways that made me angry, bitter, and more selfish.

After I came to know God, I experienced a lot of hard and bad things.  Those things did not cause me to become angry, bitter, or more selfish.  Instead, I have continued on an upward trajectory of love, peace, and joy.

The moon’s main purpose is simply to light the night.  We know that it does not generate its own light, but it simply reflects the light of the sun.  It’s really the same relationship that we have with our Father.  He supplies the light to us, we reflect it to the earth.  This is how we rule or shine, in the darkness.

We’re in a time where there is much concern about what is happening in our world. There is also continued concern and sometimes fear regarding our health, our freedoms, and our own county.  This is in addition to each person’s individual trials concerning their relationships, money, insecurities, and so on.

It’s interesting how eventually, all thoughts lead to the beauty of Christ in us. Today, I was thinking of the controversies of our present time, and how it seems that people fight over every single thing. They rant and argue about politics. Do black lives matter or do all lives matter? Do we wear masks or not? And of course, people argue about religious dogma.

I once had a nice little chat with my father-in-law about this verse. He said it means that Jesus does all the work for us. That’s why being yoked with him (like two oxen yoked together) is an easy yoke for us! I love this verse and the truth it tells. Jesus did all the work to make me righteous, holy, perfect and complete in Him. Could any of us carry that load alone? Nobody has succeeded yet. Those who try, fall under that burden, and fall far short of the glory of God.

Remember when you became angry and said or did some things that you later regretted?  It wasn’t the devil that did that, it was the amygdala.  You were the victim of what is called “amygdala hijacking”. The amygdala is a tiny part of the most primal part of the brain. All animals have it. It’s mostly used for sensing and reacting to danger. It’s the “fight or flight” part of the brain that makes a deer run when it hears a stick snap, or fight when it is cornered. It’s a very basic survival and protective mechanism.

The Greek word used for adoption is huiothesia, which means “placement into sonship”.  It’s far more than our idea of a legal adoption.I grew up feeling rejected by my earthly father.  It gave me a sense of being unlovable, and I engaged in a lot of self-destructive behavior.

“And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor.” – 1 Corinthians 12:23

Wow. Have you ever noticed that before? That verse goes beyond treating the “less honorable” as equals. It says that we give them even greater honor. This is another example showing that the ways of God are so very different from natural human tendencies.

The word, “philanthropy”, comes from two Greek words: philo, meaning love, and anthropos, meaning human.  It literally means to love humans.  We generally think of a philanthropist as someone who gives a lot.

We measure ourselves against others, which makes us feel either inferior or superior. Neither is good. We measure success, usually by superficial standards. We measure our doctrine or group against others. These are all just exercises in futility.

The world is a noisy place, clamoring for our attention. We may listen to the agenda-driven media (both sides). We may listen to the politicians, the noise of social media, conspiracy theories, etc. And though we may generously give them our ear, our attention, and our time, they only reward us with feelings of fear, frustration, anger, hatred, and stress.

His name means “pure” or “innocent”, yet he built his lifestyle on corruption and embezzlement. He didn’t care nearly as much about people as he did money and status. He was a very good businessman whose drive and determination had him living a life of luxury. He wanted oversight of the Jericho region because it was the center of the balsam production and exporting. A lot of money was to be made, and he was a go-getter.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased!” – Luke 2:14

Peace on earth has come.  The Greek word used in the New Testament is eirene, which means to join or to set at one again.  It’s a reconciliation that gives us rest and wholeness.

Have you asked God for some weakness this Christmas?  It’s really a great gift (and it’s one we don’t even need to ask for, because we already have it).  It fact, most of us are probably trying to get rid of it.

Don’t despise your weakness!  It’s the portal to power.

There comes a time when we become convinced about the true nature of God (who is by far the most misunderstood person there is). The convincing happens when, in spite of our thoughts and imaginations, our mind is won over by the Spirit of Truth who reveals God to us and testifies of Him.

How is it that people in a relationship with God, who is so loving, so good, and so perfect, find it hard to really enjoy that relationship? Why is it hard for so many to believe in God’s absolute goodness toward them?

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to talk about what we HAVE, rather than what we don’t have. It’s a good time to take inventory of our lives, and give honest attention to the things that make us wealthy souls. Most of us are more wealthy than we realize, and those who DO realize their wealth are also very grateful souls. A grateful soul is also an extremely happy soul. I’m not going to tell you what to do here. Instead, I want to give you an honest look at my inventory…