YOUR ANGEL STORY

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.    Acts 12:5-10

I love this story of Peter’s deliverance, because I love angel stories. Almost every day someone sends me a story of a personal miracle; some incredible angelic intervention that changed their life. Yes, angels are very real They are God’s helpers and messengers. The Bible and our reality is filled with their incredible stories and adventures.

During the Christmas season, we often hear the story of the angel who appeared to Mary and told her that she would have a son called Jesus. Joseph was also visited by an angel who told him what his role would be in this world-changing event. After Jesus was born, another group of angels appeared to the Wise Men, as well as to a group of very surprised Bethlehem shepherds.

Today Christmas angels are alive and well, appearing just in time to help save or comfort us. They appear in many ways, but their mission never changes; they are here to help us in times of great need.

One of my own Angel stories is not that different than many others. Years ago I was driving home very late one night after a long day of work and some last minute Christmas shopping. The road was very dark and I was very tired. I was fighting to keep my eyes open and I was losing the fight. After dozing for only a second, the steering wheel was torn out of my hands and pulled sharply to the left. The sudden movement woke me out of my dangerous slumber as I grabbed the wheel. Just then I passed a parked car in the breakdown lane. I missed it by inches. I had fallen asleep at the wheel, drifted into the emergency lane and was headed directly at that car. In that one, life-saving moment, an Angel was driving my car – and probably saved my life.

What is your angel story? You probably need only a minute to remember that one moment in your life when something unexplained happened; when someone seemed to be helping you – maybe even saving you.

Yes, I love angel stories and I want to hear yours. Please tell us your angel story by responding in the Comment Section below with all the details. It’s time we spread the miracles!

This Week’s PrayerDear Lord, I know your angels are all around us. And I know I need them more than ever. Yes, Lord, I need an angel. But, most of all, I need the love and grace of Your Son, Jesus, through whom all things are made new again. Amen.

THE WINNING MOVE . . .

She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Matthew 1.21-25

Years ago, an irritated journalist wrote a column about his experience trying to navigate his way through a crowded store. “Hurry as we may,” he wrote, “we are hemmed in by a surging crowd in front and a dense throng of people pressing in from the rear. One man digs his elbow into me, another carelessly hit me with a pole; one bangs my head with a plant. You can be considered foolish and thoughtless if you go out without your will made!” Sounds like a typical Christmas shopping trip at the mall, doesn’t it? Later, the columnist complains about the economic stresses of modern day life by writing that “here you may pay a big rent for a miserable house and everyone dresses above their means.” His frustrated insight is certainly shared by many of us.

The most fascinating element to these observations is that they are from the Roman writer, Juvenal, who lived from A.D. 60 to 140, just after the time of Jesus. Apparently, human nature hasn’t changed very much in at least 2000 years. Yet, while humanity often has a selfish and sinful heart, Christ can change us. In fact, He initiated that change in all of us long ago. Whether or not you choose to see it, that change can take place any time.

More recently, Benjamin Garrison, a Christian writer, found himself desperately trying to win a game of chess he was playing against his computer. His computerized opponent had made a brilliant, winning move several minutes before; a move Garrison had not seen. The computer let him continue making his moves, some good, others quite bad. And all along the computer was moving toward its own inevitable victory.

This is the just like the change God made with the birth of His Son, Jesus. Twenty centuries ago God made the decisive, but mostly unnoticed, move of sending Christ into the world. That move secured His victory . . . and ours. That move guaranteed the outcome. Meanwhile, He allows us the freedom to go on making our moves on the chess-board of life, some good, others incredibly bad.

And while we struggle on, God is calling us to join Him on the winning side. That is the simple message of Christmas. God has not forgotten you and me, His people. It is with Him that our nature can change forever. Jesus is the only winning move!

This week’s prayer

Lord Jesus, I don’t want to keep going on the same path. This Christmas, I don’t want to hurry about through life, ignoring and forgetting all the things that matter. I don’t want to live without you any longer. Your Son Jesus came into our world to save me. I know He is reaching out His hand right now to take hold of my life. Please give me the strength and will to take His hand and join the Victory of Christ!  Amen.

THE CHRISTMAS STORY CONTINUES . . .

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:20

The Christmas story is a beautiful tale of love and family; a true inspiration for all of humanity. Yet, the most extraordinary part of this story is that it continues today in all our lives.

Take a moment and consider the people you encounter each day. Among your neighbors, co-workers, friends and family perhaps there is a man whose second marriage is not going well; a young man having profound doubts about his career; a woman who is waiting for test results from her doctor; or a family in debt is trying to find their way out of a devastating financial crisis.

Why am I telling you this during such a joyous time of year? Because Christmas has always been about people in trouble. It began with an unplanned pregnancy to an unwed couple who were on the road with very little money. They had no place to stay, so the teenage mother gave birth in a barn surrounded by farmers and their animals. For the baby to rest, the young couple could only place him in a feeding trough. And this was only the beginning of their troubles!

Remember, the story of Christmas is not just about the Christ Child in the manger. Like the stories of our lives, it is filled with plot twists, unpredictable characters and lots of surprise endings! And through it all - through the clamor and confusion of our everyday lives - we hear the call of God. Like the angels singing out to the shepherds, it is a glorious call bringing common men and almighty God into fellowship again. It is a call of forgiveness, hope and love.

Let there be no doubt. It is time we receive that call! And whatever challenges you are facing in your life right now, this is where your story can be rewritten with a magnificent new direction!   

This week’s prayer

Lord Jesus, I hear your call. I know the story of my life has many complications and surprises to come. Please be with me as my story’s central character. Guide me and lead me today and every day as I answer your Great Call on my life. Amen.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

“The commandment we have from him is this: 

those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.”

1 John 4:21

Since the time of Adam and Eve, our Lord has provided us with everything we need in life, including the choice to reject it all. Yes, the power to choose is one of the most awesome, mysterious and wonderful of God’s gifts. Whether we accept it or not, it is something we live with every moment of the day. In fact, our lives are filled with choices between our way and the Godly way.

The history of the Christian faith is filled with inspirational stories of people whom made Godly choices. One story begins long ago with a young girl named Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu who chose to become a nun when she was 18 years old. As a nun, Agnes was assigned to teach very wealthy children in Calcutta, India. From her classroom window, located in a well-to-do neighborhood, she could easily see people living in the impoverished slums throughout the villages below. Yet, Agnes was perfectly content with the choice she had made for her life.

Then one night she was walking home and heard a woman crying out for help. Finding the injured woman lying in the street on the verge of death, Agnes rushed her to the nearest hospital. Since the woman was poor the hospital said she would have to wait for treatment. Knowing the woman would die without immediate medical attention, Agnes took the woman to another hospital. Again help was denied because the woman was poor and belonged to an undesirable social class. Desperate, Agnes took the woman to her own home. A few hours later, the woman died in peace, held in the comfort of Agnes's loving arms.

That night Agnes resolved that this would never happen again to anyone within her reach. She chose to devote her life to easing the pain of those who suffered around her. Whether they lived or died, they would do so with dignity. She made a clear choice to treat the poor better than they had ever been treated in their entire lives, with the love and respect the Lord wanted them to have.

That is the choice Agnes made. And that is how she began her journey as Mother Teresa.

We never know what the results will be when we begin to share God’s love, especially when we share it with the poor. Long after Agnes became Mother Teresa to the world, she told us, “What the poor need most is to feel needed, to feel loved. The condition of banishment which their poverty imposes is what ulcerates them. There are remedies and treatments for all kinds of illnesses, but when someone is undesirable, if there are no serving hands and loving hearts, then there is no hope for a true cure.”

This Christmas, you can become the cure by using your hands, your heart, your mind - your everything – by serving “the least of these,” the poor.

This week’s prayer

Lord Jesus help me to share your love generously. Give me the strength to choose Your will and Your way in all things. Keep me focused on the people you need me to help most of all. Show me the opportunities to help the poor and give me the discipline to make the right choice. Amen. 

THE BEST PARENT IN THE WORLD

"See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be

called His children, and we really are!"

I John 3:1

The love parents have for their children is found in the heart of God. In order for you to be the kind of parent that all children need, you must understand what kind of a parent God is to His children.

First, your children need leadership. You have been called by God to instruct your child, point your child to the path of life, and show your child how to walk upon it. You are your child's spiritual leader. From your lips, your child needs to hear wise words and wise counsel; from your steps, your child needs to see the importance of wise choices and good decisions; from your love, your child needs to discover their purpose, identity, and true worth.

Your children also need great care. Children are very needy people. Every child needs to be cared for and have their basic needs met. You have the responsibility of caring for and providing for the children God has given you. Not one thing can be overlooked. Would God forsake you? Of course not. Never! Nor should you ever allow the real needs of your children to be ignored, nor matter where they are or in whose care they might be.

Your children need your time. It is our greatest and most precious resource. And time has an extraordinary value to all human life. Those who choose not to spend time with their children came up with the lackluster theory that spending “quality time” is more important than the quantity of time. I see the victims of “quality time” parenting wandering the streets every day with no where to go. It’s not a question of quality, it’s a question of quantity. And that means spending large quantities of time with your kids. Being a parent is about being together with your child to share life's joys and God's blessings. Every moment you spend with your child is another opportunity for good to happen in their young life. You need to value and guard your time with your children.

Finally, you must give yourself. There’s no easy way to put it, to be a parent is to sacrifice your whole life for your child. It’s not about you anymore. But, when you give yourself to a child you are saying, "I am not only spending this time with you, but you have my complete attention. My eyes are upon you, heart follows you, my thoughts are with you, and my love is around you.” Remember, when God spoke to Abram, God gave him this precious promise, "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” What a wonderful and cherished gift to give to our children as well.

We witness the most exquisite pattern for our own parenting in God, our Father in heaven. He gives us His love through His wise leadership, His uncompromising care, His unlimited time, and His perfect self. Today, it is our responsibility to pass these blessings to our children.

Today’s Prayer

Lord God, You have given us the privilege as well as the responsibility of being loving parents. In the name of Jesus, we ask you to guide us as we invite our children to hear your call to service and leadership in our Church. May our children respond with deep faith and generosity to the needs of God's people. Help us to be a source of love and encouragement to our children as we look to you for courage, strength and wisdom in the years to com. Amen.

YOU ARE THE CURE

“When men are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’

then he will save the downcast.”

Job 22:29

A young man was learning to be a paratrooper. Before his first jump, he was given very clear instructions by the jump master: “Jump when you are told. Count to ten and pull the rip cord. In the unlikely event your parachute doesn't open, pull the emergency rip cord. When you get down, a truck will be there to take you back to the airport.”

The young man memorized these instructions and climbed aboard the plane. The plane climbed to ten thousand feet and the paratroopers began to jump. When the young man was told to jump, he jumped. Just as he was told, he counted to ten and pulled the rip cord. Nothing happened. His chute failed to open. So he pulled the emergency rip cord. Still, nothing happened. No parachute.

"Oh great," said the young man. "And I suppose the truck won't be there when I get down either!"

Sometimes, when trouble comes upon you, it just keeps coming and coming. There is no life without trouble and challenges or even disasters and tragedy. At one time or another, all of us will experience or be close to illness, accidents, betrayals, and death. If it hasn’t happened to you yet, it will. And when these days come upon us, the first thing we ask ourselves is, “Why?” Somehow, we think our troubles will be easier if we know the reason behind them.

Rarely is there a reason we can easily see or comprehend. But, there is always a purpose to our pain, a purpose that God needs you to understand.

There is an analogy from an old minister that goes like this: A bar of iron worth 1 dollar, when hammered into horseshoes, is worth 2 dollars. If made into needles, it is worth 70 dollars. If into penknife blades, it is worth 650 dollars. If into springs for watches, it is worth 50,000 dollars. What a drilling the poor bar must undergo to be worth this! But the more it is manipulated, the more it is hammered and passed through the fire, and is beaten and sharpened and polished, the greater its value.

You see, you are of more value to our Lord Jesus when you have gone through the trials and tribulations of life. In fact, those who suffer most are capable of yielding most. Why? Because you are able to identify with the pain and suffering of Jesus on the Cross, thereby bringing you closer to Him, and you are able to identify and encourage others who will go through the fire in the days to come.

Seldom does God use a person greatly who has not been hurt deeply. Yes, you have been through a lot. Sometimes, it’s too much to bear. But, you are warrior of life. And you have been saved from despair and destruction by Jesus Christ.

Now, He wants you to stand by those who need protection from the storms of life. They need you because you know where the pitfalls are. You know the darkness of hopeless days. You know how much it hurts and how lonely it can be. But, you also know what it is like to call upon Jesus. You know how to sit with someone and call His name in prayer. And you know the joy and hope of His voice when the new dawn awakens in your heart.

It has been said that the brook would lose its song if we removed the rocks. And those of us with the voice of pain have the responsibility to sing our song to the hurting people in our lives. It is the blessed sound of heaven’s healing. The music of the Holy Spirit that calls to the broken hearts of the world.

Why do we go through so much in life? Because God put us here for Him and for each other. The Lord has made you strongest where you were wounded the deepest. Today, someone near you needs that strength.

This week’s prayer

Lord Jesus, I love you. As your child, I confess it is sometimes difficult to thank you for the problems I have had in life. But, I do thank you for them all. Your plan is greater than I could ever see or know. I only pray that I may live a life that brings honor and glory to you. I know that my life will have difficult days. Please allow me the strength, patience, and wisdom to use these experiences as a foundation for the healing of others. Make my life a living sacrifice, an encouragement and an example to those who suffer this day. May they see the light of your love coming from my heart. Amen. 

Discovering Your Dream Life

“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you,

O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1

Are you inspired by a dream for your life? Chances are, if you are inspired by a dream, others will be as well. Think of the inspiration of one man’s dream four decades ago when he said, “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” 

What is your dream? You should know that it is of no use unless you discover it, just as a good harvest of golden wheat dies if it stays to rot in the field. But, when you truly discover and define your dream, you will realize the distinct reason God put you on this earth!

Perhaps it’s time to reveal your life’s dream. After all, what’s there to lose? There’s nothing to be afraid of, I assure you. And God Himself is on your side! Commit yourself to a dream! Nobody who tries to do something great but fails is a total failure. Why? Because you can always rest assured that you have succeeded in life's most important battle: the fear of trying.

Let’s get started on Discovering Your Dream Life. First, you’ll need to Get alone with God. The main reason people never uncover their purpose in life is they never stop long enough and listen to what God is saying. This going away from the television, away from work, away from people, just for a little while each day. Just get quiet for a few minutes and let God talk to you. He has a lot to say!

Next, you’ll need to review your gifts and talents. The Bible says we each have gifts. What are the gifts God has given you? Remember now, you didn't choose them. That’s why real fulfillment comes when you use those gifts for the dream God gave you. So ask yourself, What are my best abilities?  What do I really like to do? What are your desires? Don’t be afraid of your desires. As a Christian God has given you “the desires of your heart.” That doesn’t mean He gives you whatever you want. It means He gives you your wants!

Now, take a look at your personal experience. Examine your desires, your talents and your history. This is powerful thing! The Bible says, "All things work together for good" God doesn’t waste a thing. He uses all your training, skills, expertise, all the good times and the bad to build the person He needs you to be. God integrates every moment of your life, so take a good, honest look at it.

Then, let the dreams begin! Taking hold of your dreams means exploring whatever roads, journeys and adventures they will lead you. Explore new areas of ministry, business, and education. There are grand new possibilities every day! Get active and participate. Take classes; volunteer, travel. The sparks of your dream will soon ignite.

Finally, record your dream. When your dream is clear, write it down. This brings it one step closer to reality. It will give you resolve and bring undeniable definition and form to your life’s dream. You must do more than have an idea; you must make and follow a plan for implementing it. Dreams don’t come true just by “daydreaming.” Write them down and like a rudder on a boat, allow them to become a guiding force in your life.

Never forget that whoever God says you are, that is who you are. Let Him speak to you today so that He can introduce you to that very special person He created you to be in HIS dreams.

Today’s Prayer

Lord, please allow me to see my life the way You do; through Your eyes. Allow me to see and nurture the talents and gifts you have given me. Reveal to me all that I am good at doing, and how I can do those things more and more for Your Kingdom and greater glory. Reveal my purpose and allow me to rest in the knowledge that because you are good, you are working for good in every situation in my life. Keep me moving in the right direction, even though I can't see all of Your incredible plan. Lead me on this great adventure, this miraculous journey to my destiny in You. Amen.