Tis The Season

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.  And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  So, you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

~Galatians 4:4-7

As we go into the Christmas season there are many reasons I feel excited. First, the weather. I love the snow. I love going up to our local ski and tubing spot with my grandkids and spending the day on the slopes. My husband and I also take our dogs up the mountain and let them run. They also love the snow and love sniffing out snowshoe hares. Winter is my favorite season with crackling fires, spiced cider, and hot soup. It’s also the time of year when I reflect on the most important event in history, the birth of Christ, which occurred against almost impossible odds, for one simple purpose—God loves us so much, He came to earth as a man, born to a simple woman to be raised by a carpenter.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:16-17).”

Jesus Christ gave up Heaven to live as a man amongst us, to come into the world in the usual way, live a life with no frills, and offer Himself up as the ultimate sacrifice to offer you and me the chance to spend eternity in Heaven with Him. His ultimate sacrifice is offered to us for no other reason than His great love for us. So, as we go into December and celebrate this season with trees, lights, and grand decorations, giving gifts to one another, and eating and drinking our fill, let’s contemplate the true reason for this season. We are celebrating the birth of our Savior, who gave up the glory of Heaven so that we might have everlasting life.

“And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (John 17:3).”

Read Revelation 1-2

© 2018 Marie McGaha

Happy Hanukah

“At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around Him and said to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 

~John 10:22-24

The Hebrew word Chanukah means ‘dedication’ and came about in the second century when the Jewish people living in Israel were subject to Greco-Assyrian influence and revolted. Determined to stay true to God and not adopt the custom of worshipping idols like the invaders, they drove the Greco-Assyrian government out and recaptured the second temple. They cleansed the temple and rededicated it to the God of Israel. They lit the Menorah, and although there was only enough oil for one day, it miraculously burned for eight days, which is why Hanukkah is also called The Festival of Lights.

This year, Hanukkah commences on the evening of December 2, 2018 by lighting one candle of the Menorah, then, each consecutive night, another candle is lit, ending on December 10, 2018, when the last of the eight candles are lit. Prior to the lighting of the candle, special blessings are said, and songs are sung afterward. Jews recite the special Hallel prayer daily, and add V'Al HaNissim (an addition to the Amidah and Birkat Hamazon on Hanukkah and Purim) to their daily prayers and in the Grace After Meals, to offer praise and thanksgiving to God for “delivering the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few and the wicked into the hands of the righteous.” It is also tradition to eat foods fried in oil such as latkes (a type of fried pancake made from potatoes, vegetables or fruit) or sufganiyot (a fried jelly-filled donut).

Jewish traditions are a part of who we are as Christians, and how we became a part of God’s family. I hope you will learn more about our Jewish ancestry and celebrate this wonderful season of Hanukah.

Blessing For Hanukah

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, she’asah nisim la’avoteinu, bayamim haheim baziman hazeh.

Praised are you, God, Spirit of the Universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in their day at this season.

Read Jude

© 2018 Marie McGaha

Pride of Life

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

~Matthew 11:28-30

Life can become a burden that weighs us down with worry and stress as we try to take care of everything that needs taking care of, but that’s not how the Lord would have us go through life. We carry our burdens like badges of honor, whether it’s our physical ailments, having to care for others, lack of money to pay bills, or whatever it may be. We choose to allow those things to weigh us down rather than choosing to cast our burdens on the Lord and rest in Him.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).”

Choosing to carry our burdens comes out of pride. It’s as simple as that. We think carrying our burdens, wearing them for the world to see, talking about how they weigh us down shows how strong we are, how we endure, and what a selfless life we live but it doesn’t. It is nothing more than the pride of life that leads to arrogance, ostentation, pride in self, presumption, and boasting. It is a negative part of who we are as humans and it is in total opposition to God. Carrying those burdens is what people who don’t know the Lord does; as Christians, we are to follow Christ’s example and there is no place in the Bible where Jesus chewed His fingernails worrying about what the day would bring. Humble yourselves and cast your cares on the Lord. You cannot go with God if you keep allowing the world to drag you down.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-7).”

Read 3 John

©2018 Marie McGaha

Chasing The Wind

“Yet when I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended to accomplish it, behold, it all was futile and chasing after the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.”

~Ecclesiastes 2:11

Solomon was the richest king to have lived, not only that, he was upright before the Lord and had great wisdom. But when it came to the end of his life, he knew that everything he had on earth, everything he had done, was “futile” and useless as “chasing the wind.” I think we all want to leave something behind so that we will be remembered, and there’s nothing wrong with leaving an inheritance for our children, in fact, it’s biblical (Proverbs 13:22). While it might be nice to leave an inheritance such as a life insurance policy, the family business or a home, our legacy should be something far more important than monetary value.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-21).”

What we pursue, whether good or bad, our children learn what is most important to us. When we pursue the things of the Lord, like righteousness, love, peace, and virtue, they learn those things as well, and even if they stray at some point in their lives, those things remain as their foundation and they will return to them (Proverbs 22:6). The things we leave behind for our children may be a nice for them to have, but the legacy of faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ is the most important.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise—dwell on these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—put these things into practice, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9).”

Read 2 John

©2018 Marie McGaha

Doing Good

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

~Galatians 6:9-10

This time of year, there is a huge push for cash donations, and often, those who are unable to give, can feel as if they aren’t helping others. However, there are others way to do good that doesn’t involve donations. Each of us has the opportunity to do good no matter where we live or what is going on in our lives. Doing good is something that has a direct effect on the lives of others and does not necessarily involve donating money or time to a charitable cause. Doing good for others can be as close as your next-door neighbor who needs a ride to the store, or a babysitter for a doctor appointment. Doing good can be as simple as listening to someone who is having a rough time, taking a meal to someone who has been ill, or helping an elderly neighbor rake leaves or shovel snow. There are many opportunities and practical ways to do good every single day that shows the love of Christ in our lives.

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you (Luke 6:38).”

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You can’t out give God.” It’s absolutely true. God has given us so very much, but His giving continues in everything we do. When we give, God gives more to us, and it becomes a lovely continuous circle of giving and receiving. When we accept Christ, He pours His love into us, and we then pour out that love on others, and as we do, He pours more into us! It’s like a fountain that continues to circulate and pour forth and allows us to continue to give to others and do more and more good. So, as we go into this season of giving, remember that you have so much to give, so many ways to bless others and show the love of Christ in real, helpful ways.

“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing (James 1:25).”

Read 1 John

©2018 Marie McGaha

Change Someone's Life

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

~Matthew 5:14-16

The above verse from the Sermon on the Mount is to all believers both then and now. We are to be a light that shines the glory of what Christ has done for us to the rest of the world. Our light is the love of Christ within us. It is there to draw others to us so we can share the joy of the Lord and tell them the Good News of Jesus Christ. We live in a world that is quite literally going to hell—a world without love, hope, or help. But as followers of Jesus, we have love, hope, joy, and peace—all the things this world longs for and can’t seem to hold on to for more than a few seconds at a time.

“Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12).” 

The world around us is darkness, but in Christ, we have light. His light brings us peace and life free of the worries of this world. We don’t have to fear the future because ours is secure in Him. His light frees us from fear and worry of what might happen because our peace and security lie within the light of His glory. And once we are filled with the glory of Christ, we can’t help but shine like a beacon in the night. That light attracts others and gives us the opportunity to share what Christ has done for us. In a hurting world, you can be the light that changes someone’s life.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).”

Read 2 Peter 1-3

©2018 Marie McGaha

Everlasting Life

“I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His righteousness, and I will sing praise to the Name of the Lord, the Most High.”

~Psalm 7:17

Whether we live in a mansion or apartment, city or country, have everything we could dream of, or just dream of everything we could someday have, we all have a reason to give thanks to the Lord and sing His praises. While we all have “stuff” that we are thankful for, it should not be the main reason why we give thanks or sing praises to the Lord. Our “stuff” is meaningless in the long run and will all be left here when we leave this planet. Like the psalmist, our thanks and praise is for the Lord alone, for who He is, because of His righteousness.

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of Heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything (Acts 17:24-25).” 

The Lord is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving for no other reason than who He is, but each of us have many reasons for being thankful—salvation and everlasting life being at the top of the list. That alone is worthy of our gratitude, but He does so much more for us. As you get ready for Thanksgiving, look around at the family coming to visit, the food being prepared, the people who are working so hard to prepare that food, the home that keeps you warm, and give thanks for those things. But as you bow your head, remember what the Lord has done, His sacrifice for our salvation and the love He has given each of us by bringing us from where we were in the darkness into His marvelous light.

“You turned my mourning into dancing. You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.  So my soul will sing to You and not be silent. Oh Lord my God, I will praise You forever (Psalm 30:12-13).”

Read 1 Peter 3-5

© 2018 Marie McGaha