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The Twelve Days of Christmas

November 22, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals, Devotional Links, Devotions For Teens, Family Devotions, Website Updates

Did you know this?

From 1558 to 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.  Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.  It has two levels of meaning:  the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.  Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

  -         The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-         Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-         Three French hens stood for Faith, Hope and Love.

-         The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

-         The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-         The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-         Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit:  Prophesy Serving,     Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.

-         The eight maids a-milking were the eight Beatitudes.

-         Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

-         The ten Lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

-         The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Disciples.

-         The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

 MERRY (Twelve Days of) CHRISTMAS!

And so, let us remember, that it is not OK to say “Happy Holiday” – when did that all come about? 

As CHRISTmas approaches, let us remember that it is a Christian celebration of Christ’s birth!  In order to give Him the praise and the glory – let us remember to say loudly and clearly to those we meet; to those we send greeting cards to; to them all let us say:  HAPPY CHRISTMAS  one and all!

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

 

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Get Out of My Way, I Want Queso

October 26, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Hoots, whoops, and cheers filled the room when I told my granddaughters I would make them some queso and chips.  ”You can make queso?  I wanna help?”  Haylee pushed a stool up to the kitchen counter.  ”Me, too.  Me too!”  Kinsey grabbed another stool and pushed it up into the corner of the counter, smack dab in front of the microwave I needed to use.  I managed to reach around her with a bit of contortionist technique (so this is how a pretzel feels), however, she completely blocked the silverware drawer.  I had to bodily move her stool so I could open the drawer and get a fork to stir the melting cheese and sauce.  Kinsey moaned.  As I grabbed a knife to cut the cheese, I assured her I’d move her back and let her watch it melt.

“That’s the same kinda cheese Mommy uses to make macaroni and cheese,” Haylee skeptically noted. “Will it taste like Los Tres?  Are you sure this is queso?  Is this how they make it?”  While I adore my quizzical granddaughters, and wallow in the joy of their enthusiasm, their interrogations can be quite overwhelming in the midst of trying to cook and avoid calamity or unintentional burns, scalding, and knife-nicks.  One time Kinsey fell off her stool when she lost her balance trying to scootch up closer to me.  No concussion, but my heart rhythm spiked.  Another time Haylee got poked in her tummy as she and Kinsey battled with a wooden spoon to stir brownie batter.  I remedied the howling by letting her crack an egg.  Then Kinsey wanted to crack one too.  I learned early on to give each of them individual bowls to crack eggs to avoid making crunching brownies, cakes, and muffins with eggshell shards.  Oh, the dilemma of cooking with children.

It makes me wonder if this is how it is for God when I am eager to help fulfill a plan He has for me…when I want to see Him work in my life.  Do I impulsively rush, crowd, and get in His way?  As He tries to work out good for His glory and my provision, do I cause more harm than good?  Does it take Him longer to accomplish something in my life because He has to stop, have patience, and tolerate my childish enthusiasm?  Do I impede progress by blocking the path to the instruments of His choice?

As I nudged Kinsey out of the way, and pulled her chair away from the drawer to get utensils I needed to make their queso dip, I wondered.  Is God unduly harsh to nudge me out of the way, to pull me out of progression’s path, to grab something from me to protect me from myself?  Or is intrusive action simply God’s intervention…preventive measures?  Grace and mercy?  I think so.

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.” Psalm 37:5 ESV

This tells me God wants my faithfulness to Him, to look to Him…to follow His lead and directions, then “HE” will act, not me–God.  So often I find myself rushing to accomplish what only He can do.  Impatient to see the end result, I want to do things my way, instead of seeking His way.  I work, strive, and struggle with incompetency without regard to His competency.  I’m just like my granddaughters.  How long will it take? When will I learn?

“Without Him I am nothing.”

“My ways are not His ways.”

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

When will I learn to “trust in Lord” when chaos reigns?  to have patience when He wants to provide delight?  to move over and “get out of the way” when He is far more able than I?   The joy of the Lord is my strength…the Lord is my rock, my refuge, my peace, my hope.  Indeed, He is all I need.  All I need is to abide in Him…He will bring forth fruit (and queso), as I yield and let His Spirit flow through me.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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Don’t Keep It To Yourself

July 30, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Some things are better left unsaid. Recently I overheard someone say, “I don’t mean to be critical, but…”. Then they proceeded to deliver an unbridled critique of another lady’s parenting decision. Sprinkled throughout the conversation were other phrases that foretold impending insult:

“I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but…”

“I don’t mean to sound judgmental, but…”

“I hope you don’t think I’m rude, but…”

“If I’ve offended you, I’m sorry, but…”

There is a reason we are to “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:15

There is a reason to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, and to be renewed in the spirit our minds. There is a reason we are to keep a short leash on our sensitivity and emotions. There is a reason we are to walk carefully with the Lord’s Word as the lamp unto our feet. The world is full of darkness. Vigilance is vital. We need to be different from the rest of the world. Even though there are wolves among us, and tares growing within the fields we tend, we need to heed Paul’s charge to the Philippians:

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 2:1-5

Paul exhorts us to have “this mind” which is ours in Christ. It’s already ours; we just need to let it shine for His glory. We may think we know best for another (in fact we may even be right), but it doesn’t mean we ought to share our thoughts and hurt another brother or sister in Christ. Paul instructs us to keep our motives pure–to be humble and value others above ourselves–to be considerate of the interests of others, rather than our own.

If we have any “encouragement” from our in union with Jesus, “any comfort”…”any common sharing”…”any tenderness and compassion,” it is our blessing to share with others. It’s our joy. I want to encourage you today, if you have this mind in Christ, don’t keep it to yourself.

PRAYER: Lord, fill us with Your mind, Your compassion, Your love, Your purity, and understanding. Let us look beyond ourselves, and pour out Your goodness to those who need Your love and saving grace. Let us join our hearts in prayer for those who do not know You, for those who do not even realize the void in their lives is their need for Your filling.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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When We Are Offended

July 27, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Have you ever offended someone? Ever been offended? I’m guilty on both counts.  

Just before I came to Christ, I didn’t much care if I offended another person. If they interfered with my goals or ambitions, look out. I didn’t care how carefully I talked when I was treated unkindly. Turn-about was fair play as far as I was concerned. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” I was so truthful I was brutally blunt. I remember challenging a Christian over lifestyle choices and know I was not the most diplomatic of people at the time. I rarely weighed my words. I did what I felt like doing.

After Christ, I changed. I began to care that I didn’t offend others with my words and actions. I considered the feelings of others even when I was hurt. I was careful with my words. I thought seriously about doing to others as I wanted others to do to me. I must have read 1 Corinthians 13 a hundred times and took it to heart that love was not rude, nor did it keep account of wrongs. It took work on my part to break some of my impulsive habits and to practice love that the Apostle Paul urged we practice in Chapter 14. But in time, the LORD worked in me and I know that my conscience began to be clearer and clearer. At the end of the day, there were fewer and fewer times I felt guilty.

“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Acts 24:16

Since becoming a child of God, I pay more attention to how I speak to others…how I treat them. I find myself looking for more ways to encourage, than denigrate. To praise than criticize. To control my emotions than letting my emotions control me. The beauty in being a Christian is God shows us so much mercy and grace in our slips and stumbles. He cleanses us from all iniquity and has already paid the debt for our sinful nature.

With this in mind, it behooves me to show mercy and grace when another offends me. I usually get a bit more uptight when someone offends a friend or loved one of mine, than myself. But I have to bring all these feelings to God and recognize them for what they are. Pride. The how-dare-they attitude really has no place in the thought patterns of those who follow Jesus. After all…what did Jesus do when criticized, rejected, scorned, and mocked? He said, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Sadly, some folks today know exactly what they are doing when they say things to offend, when they do things to get a rise out of us, to incite others to anger. Some folks have no desire to be less offensive, or render mercy. But I can only control me and myself. I can only come to Jesus with my own weaknesses and flaws. Others must answer for themselves.

PRAYER: LORD, help us master the offensive nature we battle. Let us so fill ourselves with your grace that we pour out kindness, peace and love to others. Give us more of You, LORD. Let us so shine before man that we bring glory to You and You alone.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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Stoned but Unshaken

July 21, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

We only had the car 3 months–a 2005 model, but in mint condition. Garage-kept, not a speck, nick, or scratch. Near perfect. One day my husband returned from an errand and asked how I got the crack in my windshield. I was dumbfounded. I went out to inspect my car and noticed a tiny hole on the driver’s side where the nine-inch crack had originated. I spotted another tiny hole on the passenger’s side.  To me, it was obvious; a couple of stones fell off a truck, or were tossed by a lawnmower and popped against my window.  As I drove over speed bumps, potholes and rough roads, the tiny hole trailed across my windshield.  Now the crack has grown; it extends nearly the entire height of the window.

“5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:5-8

Just when life seems to be rolling along rather smoothly, a stone pops up and cracks the windshield of our lives. Often Christians can be like those stones which inadvertantly pop into the air and hit an unsuspecting soul. We do not notice the significance of that hit; we do not feel the sting of words hurled impulsively without thought during a passing conversation. We roll on thinking nothing of how we affect another’s world. I dare say that a good majority of the people who have hurt me in my lifetime are totally unaware of it.

I tend to stuff stuff; I swallow insults and tuck things away. I live with pinpricks and stone-fissures. Then one day, I hit a bigger bump that causes the tiny fissure in my security to fracture my heart. Unless I take the time to follow the crack to the origin, I may not know exactly why I am upset. But once I’ve gotten alone with God, prayed about my pain, lain my hurt before Him, He heals my heart and seals the fissure. He helps me see the initial offense I ignored that produced the crack.

Yes, sometimes a scar is there…visible to me, but not to others. Its tenderness, when touched by some unguarded moment, is a reminder for me to watch how I walk each day. I use it to pray for more discernment as I talk with others, as I pass them on the roads of life. I pray they not be shaken by troubling and burdening experiences. I pray they find the refuge available in Christ. I pray for those who cast stones to be filled with grace, to know the love of Christ. I ask God to have mercy upon them for the things they do and say that may inadvertantly crack my windshield.  Then I forgive and move on.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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What Does It Mean to Live As Jesus Did?

July 6, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

What does it mean to live as Jesus did?

If I claim to love the Lord, He is my prime example of how to be. Who to be.

If I look back and think about it – this is what I’ve observed from the life of Jesus on earth.

*He never spoke in anger.

*He loved all people. Of all types. Ugly. Beautiful. Rich. Poor.

*He had integrity. Honesty.

*He was warm, compassionate, kind, GENTLE.

*He gave respect and earned respect.

*He didn’t stay at home. He went out into his neighborhood. His town. He travelled. All to tell people about the Lord.

*He never got drunk. He didn’t smoke. Or swear.

*He was loyal.

*He prayed. A Lot.

*He went to church. But He also studied God’s Word daily.

*He didn’t pretend to be better than others. He was humble.

*He didn’t “water down” God’s Word. He spoke it like it was. And if others chose not to believe Him, He didn’t continue to try to please them. He just “was.”

*He took a day off. He rested. He knew when it was time to recharge His batteries.

*He was generous. Never selfish.

*He forgave easily. Quickly.

There are so many more examples I could give of the kind of person Jesus was.

1 John 2:6 tells us, “Whoever claims to live in him, must live as Jesus did.”

Do you claim to live in Christ?  Are you living as He did?

I know you could argue that Jesus was perfect. And He was. But that perfection is still something that we can aspire to. We still aspire to have a perfectly beautiful, clean, and organized house and the fact that it will get messed up again doesn’t stop us. So why should striving to be perfect like Jesus, stop us? It’s not that hard to be generous. We can all study God’s Word daily. We can rest. Be honest. Keep ourselves from being drunk.

It’s a choice.

I don’t know about you, but I claim to live in Christ. And I want to aspire to be like Him. I may need to work on some areas more than others – but I’m trying.

For I want to please Him. I want to please myself so that I have less to regret in life and more to be joyful about.

I want to – because He gave me the desire.

How about you?

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Opps! Be Careful!

May 14, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

We never know just what it is that can trip us up.  We walk along in life without a thought to the traps being set for us.  We must be careful.

For some reason, today, I found myself singing: “Be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little eyes what you see.  For the Father up above is looking down with love, be careful little eyes what you see.”  I don’t recall when I learned that little song, but its simple lyrics pour forth tremendous truth. It goes on to warn: ”Little hands, feet, ears, mouth”.  Each gives caution to guard what we do with our hands.  Where we go with our feet.  What we listen to with our ears.  What we say with our tongues.  There are so many warnings we could add to that little song:  hearts–what they hold; minds–what they dwell upon; desires–what they long for.

Why is that so important in the scheme of things?  Perhaps because our faithfulness depends upon the health and well-being of all we are.  Everything that collects in our hearts flows forth into every relationship we have–be it with others here on earth–or our Father above.

“For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]–these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].” 1 John 2:16 Amplified

Everything in this world has the possibility of being in conflict with the Almighty God.  Everything has the means to draw us away from our Lord, claim our attention, our loyalty, our allegiance.

Some worship earth–creation itself; they care more about minnows than people having water to grow crops.  Some worship the moon, the sun, the stars. People literally get up each morning and read their horoscopes to determine what they will or will not do.  Others take such pride in their work, they cannot see or acknowledge the Creator who gave them ability to accomplish all they do. Others must have more and more, and better and better; they live lives of constant discontentedness.

We crave things which satisfy, comfort and give pleasure — to the eyes, to ears, to mind, to heart.  If it feels good, we do it–regardless of others and how they feel about it.  When work is more important than a means by which to live, and becomes an obcession to attain status or position to feed one’s ego, we are guilty of serving the world–not the Father.  Indeed, we serve the prince of this world.  With what did Satan tempt Eve in Eden?  Things she could “know”, “see”, “be”.

I relate.  I have been there.  I go there still.  It’s a never-ending battle.  The world draws. Illumines.  Colors.  Coaxes.  Entices.  Just when I think I am putting God first, something pops up and draws me away.  Am I weakest after my closest encounter with God?  What should not be, is possible if I take my eyes off God.  But as the song goes, “the Father up above is looking down with love”.  God is watching me, to grab hold of me, to convict me, to alter my course.  Yes, He will remind me what my eyes focus upon, my heart hungers after, my ears hear, my mind dwells upon,  my hands are busy doing, my mouth is sharing.  He will never forsake me, nor leave me.  He will keep bringing me back to His arms of  steadfast merciful love.

Lord, I know it is You who keeps me in this world.  It’s You who keeps me from all harm.  Lead me not into temptation, deliver me from evil.  And keep me ever mindful that: “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4b  May I disappear in You, O Lord, and be lost forever in your presence.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011 

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There’s a Step “Two”

May 3, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Becoming a Christian is the most important decision you will ever make in your life. That’s how I feel, anyways. When that decision is made, there is usually lots of celebration. Rightly so, since it’s meaning and repercussions are lasting throughout this life and beyond.

It’s step one.

But I think there is a step two that a lot of people neglect. I often wonder about all of those people who become saved through mission trips, crusades, telethons, youth group, etc. What happens to them afterwards? What happens when the team putting on the event leaves? Is there anyone to follow up on their lives? Is their anyone to help walk them through the day-to-day growth of living a life as a Christian?

Yes, that is step two. Discipling.

Just as we train our children while we are raising them, so does a Christian need to be trained. Simply asking Jesus into their heart doesn’t give them the tools they need to live a vibrant life for Him. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t seem to “take” for so many.

I think we need to always be learning, always growing. It’s like school. You keep graduating and going on to the next grade. A Christian needs to keep graduating and moving on to the next lesson of growth and maturity.

You see, being a Christian is about more than simply salvation. It’s about LIVING for Him. Every day. Every moment.  We cannot simply “do the deed” and then stay in the same place, doing the same thing for the rest of our lives. God asks us and calls us to keep rising above the place where we were before. We cannot simply live in mediocrity.

So many people feel as if God is so far away. That He’s not present in their lives. But to truly feel God, you need to seek Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

God wants us to seek Him with everything we are! He wants us to be teachable so that we can learn more about Him. So that we can access all that He is and all that He wants to give us. He wants to mold us into who He sees. But we need to try. We need to seek.

To me, being a Christian means that I am constantly trying to be a better person. I’m always learning something and I’m discovering new things to be excited about. If I don’t try to grow, if I don’t feed my mind – it is too easy to get apathetic, cold, distant, and lukewarm about my faith.

Revelations 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

I don’t want God to spit me out of His mouth. I want to be vigilant and stand strongly for what I believe in.

It is so fabulous when someone accepts Jesus into his or her heart. It is worth every celebration and praise uttered on their behalf. But let’s not forget the “step two” of it all. For them and for us. Everyone needs to be discipled. To have a teacher and to be a student. We need to help one another learn, grow, and mature. If we don’t, the world will far too easily come in and sweep us off our feet for we won’t have grown the strong roots we need to keep holding us firm.

Let’s rise above mediocrity. Let’s keep pushing for that next level in faith. Together.

 

~ Dionna Sanchez blogs her faith at http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com. You can also follow her on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/DionnaSanchez

 

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