Miracle On 34th Street

 
Yes, I know that Christmas has passed. But you’ve seen it haven’t you? It’s a classic movie called “Miracle on 34th Street”. Of course it has a happy ending as a gentleman who works in Macy’s with the name Kris Kringle proves to be none other than Santa. 

Last month, I happened to actually be on 34th street with a couple of co-workers and went with them to Macy’s. The Christmas window decorations were fascinating. The crowd was captivated by the moving figures, the glamor, and the wonder of it all, and so was I.

However, the memories etched in my mind from that day spark emotions that rain upon holiday cheer. We saw an elderly woman sitting on the sidewalk layered in winter gear. Her tattered cardboard sign said “mother & son homeless.” There was no son in sight. Touched by the scene, we gave her money.

As we walked that short distance of only a few blocks, we saw homeless people here, and another there. It had been a while since I visited the city. I was not prepared. I should have had more dollars ready to distribute. I was not prepared to see people lying on the street on top of flattened cardboard boxes in the winter.  

While waiting for the train to leave the city, a woman neatly dressed, within the fifty to sixties age range said hello and smiled. Her makeup was excessive, almost clownish. “Do you have money or food” she asked through her painted lips. “I’m pregnant”, she said. I gave her the unopened snacks I had taken with me that day. 

I prayed, knowing I had not done enough, nor could I do enough for the people that needed help that day. But what would the world be like if each of us did what we could to help at least one person each day? There would surely be more miracles on 34th Street! The people on 34th street, or maybe even on your street are waiting. 

““Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:37-40‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ 

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You Are Not Forgotten

So much is happening today. Corruption within the political system, terror attacks, nuclear threats, global warming, and the list goes on. Yet, in the midst of it all, God sees you and cares about your circumstance. Yes, in spite of all that you see happening around you, God sees you.

Long ago, a barren woman named Hannah felt forgotten by God, as you might be feeling right now. She went before God and poured out her heart. Eli – the priest, who was nearby, thought Hannah was drunk. Once Hannah explained, Eli agreed with Hannah’s prayer.

Hannah prayed. “Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant,  but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”” ‭‭(l Samuel‬ ‭1:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬).

Although Hannah felt as though she was forgotten by God, she allowed her faith to rise above her circumstance and prayed. Not only did Hannah pray, she completely trusted the Lord to answer her prayer. She left the temple relieved of her burden, no longer feeling forgotten. Later Hannah gave birth to a son, and gave this son to back to God. Eventually she had more children.

Just as God saw Hannah, He sees you. God sees your hurt, senses your despair and hears your cry. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You are inscribed in the palm of Gods’s hand. God saw you and knew you before you were born. And He cares about every aspect of your life. (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8,Isaiah 49:16 Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5)

What are you trying to give birth to? Do you feel forgotten by God? Know that this is just a feeling and not a fact. God sees and knows everything. Focus on God and pray. Don’t focus on what you see or feel.

Remember Hannah. She prayed and believed that her prayers were answered even before she gave birth to her first child, and later gave him back to God. It’s your turn now. Allow your faith to rise. Pray to God. Believe that He’s working it out together for your good. Thank Him because you believe that He will answer you. Take the limits off God and allow Him to be Lord of your circumstance as Hannah did. Give the situation totally to Him.( Psalm 78:41)

God sees you, and He cares. Look to Him and trust Him now more than ever. Yes God sees you. You are not forgotten. (Hebrews 4:13, Philippians 4:6, lPeter 5:7,

Defying Your Adversary

Most of us don’t wake up each day looking for opportunities to fall short. Yet, because we live in a fallen world, chances are, we too will fall from time to time, due to our Adamic nature. (Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23)

However, the good news presented by the gospel tells us that as followers of Christ, we are not defined by our failures. As new creations who have trusted in Jesus, we are now defined by the word of God (II Corinthians 5:17)

What does the word say about our falls or sins, to be exact? “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” ‭‭(I John‬ ‭2:1‬). ‭How awesome it is to know that Jesus is our advocate with Father God. Even when we sin, Jesus does not leave us. Instead, He makes intercession for us. (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25)

However, Satan, the accuser of the brethren, attempts to keep us down when we’ve fallen. ( Revelation 12:10)). Our adversary uses the weights of guilt and condemnation in attempts to prevent us from getting up again. His goal is to kill, steal and to destroy us. (John 10:10)

God is so good that He desires that we have continual fellowship and communion with Him, despite our inability to be absolutely perfect. He beckons us to come boldly (not ashamed) before the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

The question is, whose report will you believe, the Advocates’s or the adversary’s? The adversary constantly says, you’re guilty, you’ll never get it right, you’ll never change, sin dominates your life. The Advocate says,  “But He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed”. (Isaiah 53:5)

Defy your adversary. Believe the report of your Advocate. Though you fall, you can and will get up. Keep pressing towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. You are more than a conqueror through Him that loved you. No matter what the day brings, believe the Advocates report! (Philippians 3:14, Romans 8:37)

Casting Stones Through A Different Lens

You’ve heard the story of the adulterous woman before. But for just a moment, take a second look. You’ll see stone casting through a different lens.

It was early morning. People gathered in the temple to hear Jesus teach. The lesson began. In came scribes and Pharisees with a woman taken in the act of adultery. The men had a plan and probably thought to themselves, we’ll stone two people in one setting. We can trap Jesus with His own words, stoning His character, and simultaneously publicly stone this adulterous woman because of her sin.

Let’s focus on hitting Jesus first. “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do You say? (John 8:4-5 NIV). They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing Him(6).”

Instead of throwing the stone back at the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus caught the stone and was probably thrilled. This was great timing! What might have been seen as an interruption during a teaching session had actually provided an awesome opportunity to demonstrate a lesson to the students using these men, this woman, and stones.

Jesus began to write on the ground, ignoring the men’s question. What do you have to say about this Jesus? The accusers wanted an answer and repeated the question until Jesus spoke. Jesus invited the accusers to now stone the woman. “Let anyone of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her”. Again, Jesus stooped down to write.

““And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”‭‭(John‬ ‭8:9-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

Here’s the new angle! Think of the stones that have been coming your way lately. What are the hard things being thrown at you? Follow the Leader. Jesus was not moved by the accusers. He used the stones to demonstrate love, kindness and forgiveness. How can you use the stones that have been coming your way? Instead of retaliating or becoming fearful, seize the stones. Demonstrate great love, great faith, great forgiveness, and that you serve a Great Lord who fights for you!
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. ”‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

Educate Yourself!

A very wise woman told me about a conversation she had with someone from another country who constantly sought higher education. The woman asked the man about his ongoing pursuit of learning.

The man’s answer was profound. He said, “if I don’t continuously educate myself, someone else will tell me who I am.”

Like that man, we who follow Jesus are from another country (Philippians 3:20). We are citizens of the kingdom of God. If we don’t continuously educate ourselves ( Bible study, prayer, worship, fellowship/church attendance), someone else, Satan to be exact, will tell us who we are. (Hebrews 10:25). He even attempted to cause Jesus to doubt His deity (Matthew 4:3,6).

Satan will tell us that we have not been redeemed. He will tell us that we haven’t changed and change is impossible. He tells us that we will never get over our past failures. He tells us that surely God is not concerned with the minor details of our lives and there are things that we should try to fix ourselves. But there is one thing he will never say. Satan won’t tell you that he’s the father of lies, because that is the truth!

You have been redeemed (Galatians 3:13, Psalm 107:2). You are a new creation in Christ, old things are passed away, all things have become new (II Corinthians 5:17). Jesus has set you free (John 8:32,36). “Cast your cares upon the Lord, for He cares for you”. (I Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22). “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”(‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭Message Bible)

Child of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, don’t allow Satan to tell you who you are. Believe God’s truth and reject Satan’s lies. Educate yourself. Do you know who you are?

What’s That You’re Wearing?

Imagine that you, yes you have the answer to many of today’s maladies. Within you lies the way, the truth and the hope of real life (Colossians 1:27). You have the answer to depression, fear, anxiety, addiction, violence and much more.

But how do you let others know that you have the answers? I’m so glad you asked. It starts with wearing the right necklace.

Proverbs 3:3 (AMP) states “Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; Bind them [securely] around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.” This necklace of mercy/kindness and truth does more than complement your outfits, it draws others to Jesus who is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6).

Mother Theresa said “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” As you live, extending mercy (kindness), favorable doors will open, proving opportunities for you to share the truth of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

The life that Jesus delivers casts out fear, brings peace, joy, hope and true love, ridding mankind of every sort of oppression, depression, and captivity, healing the broken heart (1John 4:18, Isaiah 61).

So what’s that you’re wearing? Is it self righteousness, pride and judgment? Let’s remove all of those heavy chains and put on the beautiful necklace of mercy and truth. In so doing, we will draw others to Jesus and even gain favor with God and man (Proverbs 3:4).

Don’t Let Them In!

Discouragement knocks on everyone’s door from time to time. The problem is, he’s usually accompanied by his best friend, Doubt.

Once Doubt is on the scene, he’s very likely to invite Defeat over. Doing your best not to be rude, you find yourself entertaining Discouragement, Doubt and Defeat. The party is on. But it’s a pity party!

It all began with Discouragement. You forgot that he’ s usually accompanied by Doubt who often invites Defeat.

The next time Discouragement knocks on your door, be rude. Tell him point blank that Faith and Victory have moved in and there’s no sitting room for him and his friends, not even for a quick visit. Don’t let them in!

The Bible cautions us to be alert because Satan goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). But sometimes he comes in subtly, gently as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:14). When he comes in the form of discouragement, he charms us into thinking that this feeling is normal. When we are discouraged, defeat and doubt can easily slither on in.

We would do well to remember who we are, and more importantly Whose we are (Galatians 3:26, Romans 8:31-39). We belong to the Creator who makes all things possible if we would by faith, believe (Mark 9:23). What does God say about our situation? Let’s connect our faith with the word of God in the Bible and experience certain victory.