You Are a Gift

Have you ever felt invisible? Maybe you have felt as though you didn't matter, weren't important, or were forgotten. It's not a very good feeling. In fact, it can lead to depression, sadness, doubt, and even hopelessness. The truth is you aren't invisible. You have been created by the God of the Universe in His image. You are vibrant, strong, smart, kind, loving, and so important to God. 

God know all about you from before you were born and into the future. Your life, and His Son Jesus Christ, are gifts to you. He sees your ups and downs, wins and losses, shining moments and defeats. He loves every part of you, even when you are sad and down on yourself. God is cheering you on. He knows your potential and is watching for you to grow into it. His blessings will chase you down because God finds you impossible to ignore. You are always on His mind and heart. He loves you deeply.

So, don't just sit there. Get up and show God how much you appreciate the gift of life, and gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ, that He has given you. 

"Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed." Deuteronomy 28:6

Spiritual Eyes

Look around. What do you see? Are you witnessing despair, confusion, and fear or do your eyes see possibility, grace, and encouragement? Your sights may be on the natural while the supernatural looks very different. You see rejection. God sees the path He is setting you on to fulfill your destiny. You see loss. God sees blessings and new experiences you never thought possible. 

While your vision is limited, the supernatural view is limitless. God has angels, guides, and paths surrounding your journey that your human eyes can’t even imagine. When you feel like things aren’t going your way, find yourself hitting a brick wall, and getting no positive answers, God is in control. He knows exactly where you need to be and the precise timing to take you there. 

Instead of feeling frustrated and asking why, set you sights on Jesus and know the answer will be revealed in His timing to provide the blessings that already have your name on them. Nothing is eternal until God acts and He is working all things together for good. Keep looking up and know God has things well in hand to provide all you will need to be walking the journey He designed just for you. 

“For we live by believing and not by seeing.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭

Blessed

Photo Credit Casie Steele

It may not seem like it. There are all kinds of issues to deal with and even more to be concerned about. The news is going from bad to worse to the point where you just shut out that noise and pray. Every day presents another challenge, hiccup, problem or setback. Still, no matter the picture or details of what you are dealing with, you are blessed. 

To start with, if you are reading or having this read to you, you are alive. God loves you and created you to be the one and only you there will ever be in all eternity! You are one of a kind, unique, special and His very own child. 

You may not have everything in life that you want or dreamed, but no matter the situation you have your Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. You have the promise of eternity and in this place the promise of His mercy and grace. Through Him you can do all things. You are blessed.

If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of the world. If you have money in the bank, your wallet, and some spare change you are among the top 8% of the world's wealth. If you woke up with more health than illness you are more blessed than the million people who will not survive the week. 

Yes, YOU are BLESSED.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

Christmas Present

The hunt is on! It happens every year. With deliberate, calculated precision, and a heartful of love and anticipation, the hunt for the perfect Christmas present is under way. No, it is not a search for the just right, hard to find gift. Rather, it is an entirely orchestrated production to prepare, package and deliver the perfect Christmas to everyone in your life. Now that is really setting yourself up for the impossible. Still, the mission is set and off you go. So, you make it down the list of need to gets, have to do's, and must not forgets and spend time manufacturing the perfect Christmas present.

This year why not take a different approach? This year give up the notion of Christmas by design and instead aim to celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ. Jesus really is the greatest Christmas present. Share Him with someone in need of his grace, light, peace, and strength. Introduce someone to His majesty with a easy-to-read copy of the Word. Witness the restoration of a soul when a song of God's mercy pierces through despair and darkness. Open your heart, wallet, and table to infuse a bit of Christ's light where it otherwise would never shine. Yes, this is Christmas present. What will you do to make it a Christmas that glorifies the One it is all about? Jesus Christ is the reason for Christmas and the heart of the season.  

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” Galatians 4:4-5

Your Brand

 

Photo by Casie Steele

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to attend Harvard Business School’s Leadership Certification Program. I learned so much about leadership and business. Much time was spent learning about brands and branding. Organizations spend millions of dollars building and sharing their brand. A brand sets the expectation for a product, service, or experience. For example, Walmart’s brand is low prices and no frills. Nordstrom’s brand is excellent service and  quality merchandise. 

You too have a brand. You have a way of behaving, relating to others, and living life. As a follower of Jesus, you are walking with Him each day and striving to live as He would expect you to. After all, you are His Ambassador sharing His “brand” with the world! 

So are you demonstrating to others Jesus’s brand of:

• Loving others 
• Treating everyone without favoritism
• Grace especially in the most trying situations 
• Humbleness 
• Compassion
• Forgiveness 
• Being a servant to others 
• Prayerfulness 
• Peace 

That’s quite a list. As you move into the change of seasons, why not use this time of change to reflect on the way you model Jesus in your life. Ask God to make you aware of the areas He thinks you need to adjust. Then, move forward being the best Christ follower you can be. 

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭