Blog written by Ray White

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:9-11 NIV

Astronomers estimate our universe contains at least 70 septillion stars, that’s 7 followed by 23 zeros. That’s roughly 10,000 stars for each grain of sand on Earth. I can’t comprehend a number that large. Yet, it was ONE star that led the Maji to Bethlehem on their journey to find Jesus, the messiah.

Today as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, let’s remember that as followers of Christ we have the responsibility to help others. 

We cross paths with thousands of people each year, some we work closely with, some just passing in stores or on the street. We seldom know what challenges are taking place in the lives of others. 

I can tell you specific times in my life when the actions, words, or just the simple act of being there from someone has been a gift from God. Single acts of kindness that to this day stand out. It isn’t always about sharing your testimony. It can be retrieving an item from the top shelf at a supermarket for someone, helping a person pick up dropped items, visiting someone sick, kind words, smiles and sincere words of encouragement. Listening. Caring. Loving others, as Jesus directed: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Let’s be Children of God who love and help others daily, not just during this special Christmas Season. Allow God to use us to share His glory, to shine for Him.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Often when we are faced with crisis, we automatically get stuck on asking God “Why?”

Click here to watch tonight’s See You Saturday video and hear the reason we should move from asking why and start asking what.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I am calling today Fantasy Friday. If you know me very well, you know I love to go to Disney World. I love to escape the real world of trouble and stress and enter a magical, problem free world. When I am in Disney World I don’t have to worry or fret. I can stroll down the streets of the Magic Kingdom and escape the difficulties of my usual daily life.

As I prayed this morning about what to share with you, God reminded me that I don’t have to be in Disney World to not worry. I don’t have to escape to a fantasy world when I have a burden. Jesus Christ is my High Priest who is willing and able to help me in my times of need. All I need to do is accept the help. I like the Message version of Hebrews 4:14-16.

“Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Are you carrying a burden today? Are your worries consuming you? You don’t have to escape to a fantasy world. Your Savior, Jesus Christ, is not out of touch with reality. Your Great High Priest is ready to give you all you need. Let’s you and I, “take the mercy, accept the help.”

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are in the midst of a busy Christmas season. On this Think Thursday, let’s slow down, just as this dam is slowing down the water flow.

A dam is used to hold back water and raise its level, forming a reservoir used to generate electricity or as a water supply. On this Think Thursday, let’s slow down and build a dam to fill our spiritual reservoir. In your devotion time, write down any scriptures or words of wisdom that speak to you. Search a favorite scripture and work to commit it to memory. Spend time sitting and listening to God speak words of love and life. Simply be still. Taking time to be still during this busy but joyous season will allow you and me to truly focus on the reason for the season. By building our spiritual reservoir, we will then be equipped to generate electricity and shine the light of Jesus Christ into the dark world around us.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ KJV

I truly enjoy seeing Christmas decor but I am especially wowed by large Christmas trees like the ones in the above photos. As much as I admire Christmas decor, I don’t want to be consumed with our human commercialization of Christmas. On this Wow Wednesday let’s focus on the real wow of the Christmas season-the birth of Jesus Christ.

As you go throughout your day, intentionally look for signs of Jesus’ presence. Where do you see God’s Grace and mercy? How do others display the fruit of the Spirit? What causes you to feel a sense of wow? Finally, throughout your day thank Your Heavenly Father for the ultimate Christmas display-the manger scene which was the beginning of your eternal life.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for loving me so much that you sent your only Son to die on a cross for my sins. Thank you for loving me so much that You have given me eternal life. Guide and direct my actions today so that I display Your presence to others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Today is Transformation Tips Tuesday. As we think about ways to grow and be transformed in Christ, let’s reflect on Julie’s posts last week on the fruit of the Spirit. Have you developed all of the fruit of the Spirit? Are you walking through a season now that God is working to develop a particular fruit? Each of us are in different stages of growth. What is hard for me could be easy for you. We are all unique and original. Just like the picture featured today of two different types of sidewalks, each of us has a purpose in our uniqueness.

Read the featured scripture from today. It follows the scripture Julie shared last week about the fruit of the Spirit.

Let’s not lose focus. Let’s stay in tune with the constant guidance God offers us through the Holy Spirit. Let’s not fall into the trap of believing we have it all figured out, but instead let’s celebrate that God has made each of us an original and through our originality, we can support one another’s transformation.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Last Wednesday I took my first airplane flight in over 25 years. In the days leading up to my flight, I battled fear and anxiety due to my lack of experience and concern about the unknown. Thankfully those I traveled with were seasoned flyers. They all shared words of wisdom and comfort as I approached the time of the flight.

Now that I am back home I can reflect as I look at the pictures from my trip. Now I can appreciate the progression of my perspective before, during, and now after my flight.

On this Mindset Monday, let’s be aware of those around us who may be approaching the Christmas season with a different perspective than us. While some of us are full of joy and excitement, others may be battling anxiety or depression. Our personal experiences and circumstances shape our perspective. Let’s be in tune to others and may God guide our words so that we share words of love and comfort.

Perhaps you are the one who is struggling to be excited about the holiday season. For you, I offer todays scripture. May you hold on to the promise of the unseen and trust that what is seen is temporary. As we close, read The Message version of the same scripture and hold on to the promise of the “lavish celebration prepared for us.”

“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭MSG‬‬