Self-Love vs Christmas Love

 

Bob Segress, Ph.D., author, cbn.com

“For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money … unloving … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness …” 2 Timothy 3:2-5 (NASB)

VS

“For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son …” John 3:16 (NASB)

Several years ago, books were written on the subject of learning to love yourself, which 2 Timothy 3 prophesizes as part of the end times. This theme gave birth to numerous classes, conferences, and a general acceptance among psychotherapists. Today, this position is accepted by many as an axiom; i.e.: emotional problems are to be treated by helping a patient learn to love and accept themselves as this will unlock many locked doors that contain trauma, insecurity, abuse etc. Although this approach has insight, it is incomplete.

During the days this self-love position gained such widespread acceptance, I can’t remember once reading or hearing that loving yourself can be related to a person becoming unloving. I found that if a person primarily stresses loving themselves, they can easily lose the needed focus upon the needs of others.

Me First

From this “me first” approach came many self-centered thoughts and behaviors, such as parents feeling they needed better partners to feel good and to learn how to love themselves. They felt that what was good for them must be good for the children (in spite of the trauma the children went through) as they threatened and often destroyed what the children had been trusting in: their family’s security. They destroyed the foundation of much of a child’s emotional security and hope for the future. And, the divorce rate skyrocketed. Often, the children spent years recovering from the domestic trauma. This unbalanced [me first] scenario, still commonly practiced by mothers and fathers, is a deception. It is a “scheme of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11); which “the father of lies” (John 8:44) invented.

The Contrast of Christmas Love

God’s children are to love Him with all their heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). This powerful, self-sacrificing love is to be the foundation from which all Christian love grows. The reason for Christmas stems from mankind’s separation from God, separated by nature and sins. This is why John 3:16 is the essential Christmas verse: it reflects the answer to man’s being (by nature) children of wrath and spiritual zombies (or, “dead in trespasses and sins” Ephesians 2:1-4). Christmas is the ultimate display of Almighty God’s self-sacrificing love. It is selfless, caring love at its core.

The Religion of Self-Love Lovers

Another startling fact given in 2 Timothy 3:2-5 is that those who incorrectly love by primarily loving themselves actually have a religion (“holding to a form of godliness” v.5) (Greek – “holding to a religion”). The most common name given to this religion is Secular Humanism, which may be the religion with the most members.

What is Secular Humanism? Webster’s New World Dictionary defines secular as “worldly, not connected with a church.”Humanism is defined as “any system of thought based on the interests and ideals of humanity.”Secular Humanism is a system of thought (a philosophy based on the ideas of humanity rather than the manual for life — the Bible), that has permeated all aspects of society, even the church. It is identified when ideas are held that contradict what the Spirit of God states in the Word of God — the Bible. Mankind’s thoughts, inventions etc. are not bad in themselves. Neither is humanism, actually, unless it is accepted by faith as providing the answers to subjects such as morality and what lies after death. In that case, it becomes a religion.

Watch TV and learn what is emphasized by this world-system(food, sex, wealth, greed, ownership, etc.). (1 John 2:16) Without Jesus and God’s inspired instructions and insights, mankind is left solely with man’s interpretations and the lusts of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16-21)

Lovers of this world’s system are lovers who do not love. They are primarily self-centered, even in the love they give. This does not surprise experienced adults and it certainly does not surprise Almighty God. They do not live in Christmas love.

Be a Channel of Christmas Love

Determine to love with Jesus’ selfless love flowing through you by the power of the Holy Spirit. By the Lord’s help, you will be a channel of warm Christmas love day-by-day, all of the year through.

I Can Only Imagine

 

 

Martha Noebel, author, cbn.com

My favorite song, “I Can Only Imagine”, won the award for Song of the Year at the Dove Awards, 2002. Songwriter/Singer Bart Millard of the group, Mercy Me won the award. I was so excited. It is a wonderful song that always stirs my heart.

In the song, the thought is presented that we “can only imagine” what it will be like when we stand before God. As I listened to the song on the radio, I envisioned myself in heaven. I was standing in the middle of a large crowd of people that were all facing Jesus, who was standing in front of His throne. I started jumping up and down waving my hands because I wanted Jesus to see me. I knew there was no way He could see all of us. But there I was with my little 5’3” self, jumping up and down, waving my hands like a schoolgirl, trying to get God’s attention. (Well, I guess I know now what I would do if I ever get that close to God. There would not be that quiet, shy, “nothing to say” thing going on. I would be too excited.)

Then all of a sudden, I felt God speak to my heart. He spoke to me, and I felt His presence. I saw a bright light shine over me at the very spot where I was standing (ok, jumping). He said He was with me and He made me feel like I was the only one there. His presence was so sweet. I knew I was so important to Him. I felt His awesome love for me.

He knows how to make each of us feel special; as if we are the only ones around. Even in the crowd, I felt like He saw only me. And yet the people beside me felt the same way. God’s presence is so powerfully wonderful. It brings us into a oneness with God that cannot be explained and barely fathomed.

I can only imagine. What about you? Can you see yourself smiling in the face of God? Can you laugh with great joy knowing God loves you so much that others seem to disappear? Imagine it, because it’s real.

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20 ESV)

Not What You Wanted?

 

by Alex Crain, crosswalk.com

“What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?” – James 4:1

A holiday edition of the TV show “America’s Funniest Home Videos” showed various children opening their presents on Christmas morning. Apparently, it’s hard for many kids to see humor in getting an unwanted gift. Most of their reactions were, well… downright childish.

When the ribbons and paper were torn off, one child pulled out a new pair of socks, threw her head back and erupted in an angry sob. A matching outfit given to another child produced a tantrum across the floor followed by stomping footsteps up the stairs. Other children glowered with frowns and snarls. One even screamed at the parent holding the video camera, then hurled the unwanted gift back in his face. Not exactly the funniest home videos.

In contrast to all the immaturity and ingratitude came a bright ray of hope at the end of the montage as a little brown-haired girl in pink pajamas ecstatically jumped up and down with glee. She held in her hands a tiny chestnut and spun around to the camera exclaiming, “A nut! A nut! I got a nut! I don’t know what kind it is, but I got a nut!”

James 4:1-6 says that sinful responses erupt from hearts that are controlled by overwhelming desires. They don’t have to be sinful desires necessarily. The degree to which “harmless” desires become sinful is shown by what happens when things don’t turn out as you hoped or expected. Whether it is irritability, or an angry tantrum or a sulking frown; sinful responses show that something in the heart has replaced God.

Notice verse 1 where James asks the question (paraphrasing), “Why are you so upset? What’s the real problem in your heart?” And then he answers with divine wisdom, “I’ll tell you what the matter is: it’s your pleasures—your desires—that are waging war within you. And the result is sinful fights and quarrels.”

Certainly, there’s nothing inherently sinful about simply having desires in life. God created us to have desires. There are many good things to desire in life: having adequate food, clothing and shelter, having a happy marriage, getting a promotion at work, buying a nice car. There is nothing wrong with these kinds of desires… nothing inherently wrong, that is.

The problems come when, in our hearts, those desires turn into something else. The word translated as “lust” in verse 2 is actually “desire” with the added element of “strong craving.” Epithumeo is not a word that necessarily means “lust” in the sexual sense. The idea conveyed in the original text is “you are controlled by desire.” In other words, some desire—perhaps, even for a good thing—has gotten so wrapped around your heart, that it has become more important than God to you.

Whenever this happens, the result is sinful behavior. And the sin of the heart that must be confessed first in cases like this is no less than the sin of idolatry. False worship occurs whenever worship of the true God is replaced with the god of “my way.”

What a peaceful contrast is painted in verse 6. God gives grace to the humble. That is, those who humbly submit their desires to God and trust Him as the sovereign provider of needs are given grace. Grace here is the desire and ability to obey God and respond in a way that pleases Him. Such recipients of grace are able, then, to deal with whatever happens—whether the present under the tree is a pair of socks, a cool skateboard, the keys to a new car, or a tiny chestnut.

Jehovah-Shammah

 

Leah Adams, author, cbn.com

Although I love the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem in particular, this name of God speaks to me in a very unique way. First, let’s examine the meaning of this name and then seek to apply it to our lives.

Jehovah-Shammah is a name for God that is symbolic of Jerusalem. We find this name for God used in Ezekiel 48:35:

“The distance around the entire city will be 6 miles. And from that day the name of the city will be ‘The Lord is There.'” (NLT)

At the height of the idolatry of God’s chosen people, God withdrew His presence not only from the temple but even from the city of Jerusalem. Such was his anger and displeasure over the repeated rebellion of the Israelites that He said, in effect, “I’ve had it. I’m out of here.”

When God’s presence departed the temple, it signaled to the Israelites and all who dwelt around them that God had removed His hand of protection from them. They would ultimately be scattered to the four corners of the earth and taken captive by surrounding nations.

God did not completely wash His hands of the Israelites, however. His love and mercy were always with them, continually drawing them back to Himself. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God promised a restoration of the nation and a return of His presence to Jerusalem. In that day the city would be called Jehovah-Shammah. That very prophecy came true when the exiles returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the walls. God’s presence returned to the temple in the form of a tiny baby brought to the temple to be offered back to God by his parents, Joseph and Mary.

Let’s think about how this name, Jehovah-Shammah, applies to us. So often you and I live our lives looking ahead to some event, some time in our lives, some potential disaster, some looming date. We may wonder what that date will bring to our lives or how we will survive it. Perhaps it is a doctor’s appointment or a court date or your child leaving home or your mate passing away. It could be a new job, a divorce, or moving from a place that you have called home for many years. Whatever this future event is, it causes you to have a knot in the pit of your stomach every time you think about it. Be it real or imagined, this future occurrence causes you huge amounts of stress, angst, and worry.

Jehovah-Shammah. THE LORD IS THERE! Our God is already in your tomorrow. He already knows what your future looks like and He has complete control over it. We are told in Jeremiah 29:11 that Jehovah-Shammah says,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT)

THE LORD IS THERE! You cannot be in your future now, but He can. You can’t control the future events of your life, but He can. Jehovah-Shammah will walk with you into whatever tomorrow holds because of His great love for you. God is THERE in your tomorrow and in my tomorrow. He simply desires that we trust His heart.

The Best Christmas Gift

 

 

Wally Odum, author, cbn.com

Christmas means different things to different people. For many, there’s some confusion about its significance. From shopping to Christmas cards, it’s easy to get lost in the details.

Linda Stafford said that one of the proudest moments of her life was when her young son had the role of a wise man in the Christmas play. When it was his turn to speak his line, he stepped forward, wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown, and announced, “We are three wise men, and we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur.”

Most of us have Christmas memories. My memories of Christmas are filled with all the trappings I love — the lights, the decorated trees, and the carols. I remember the chemistry set my parents gave me, and I remember all of us standing outside the house in the cold that Christmas morning because the directions for creating a “Rotten Egg Smell” worked.

Gwen and I will never forget the one trip we made to the Holy Land. On one of the evenings, we went to a field outside Bethlehem. There, where the shepherds first heard the Christmas message, we listened as the story of Jesus’ birth was retold. It was impossible to look up at the sky that night and not imagine what it would have been like for those shepherds who saw the evening sky light up with angels declaring that a Savior had been born.

Luke recorded the message that changed the world:

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)

“Good news of great joy … for all the people.” What an interesting way to describe Jesus’ birth. In many cases what is good news for one group of people is not good news for others. The next time you watch a football game, notice the different reactions of the fans. Those supporting the winning team are celebrating the news of victory, but those who cheered for the losing team are despondent. Christmas is not like that. It is good news for all the people.

Religious people of Jesus’ day had a list of undesirable occupations. Shepherds were on that list. Religious leaders regarded shepherds with contempt and considered them ceremonially unclean. They couldn’t keep rules like washing their hands before they ate. Regarded as outcasts by their society, the angels went out of their way to let these isolated and misunderstood shepherds know that a Savior had been born.

Later, Simeon would discover the infant Jesus in the Temple. Simeon never missed church and had a vital relationship with God. The good news of Christmas is for all the people. Whether we grew up attending church or have never been inside church doors, the good news is that Jesus has come to be a Savior for each of us. And we all need a Savior.

No matter what our background may be, when we come to Christmas, something about it makes us stop and think. An old pioneer traveled westward across the great plains until he came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the Grand Canyon.

He gawked at the sight before him: a vast gorge one mile down, 18 miles across, and more than a hundred miles long! He gasped, “Something musta happened here!” A visitor to our world at Christmas time, seeing the lights, the decorations, the trees, the parades, the festivities, and the religious services, would also probably say, “Something musta happened here!”

Something did happen. God came to our world on the first Christmas. He came for shepherds, wise men, worshipers, and sinners. We couldn’t reach Him, so God came to us. That is good news for everyone.

I read about a Catholic church in San Francisco. The priest went outside the church on December 26 and noticed that the “infant Jesus” was missing from the manger scene. While he was pondering what might have happened to baby Jesus, a little boy came down the sidewalk pulling a red wagon. In the wagon was the baby from the Nativity scene. The small boy explained, “A week before Christmas I prayed to the little Lord Jesus and I told him if he would send me a red wagon for Christmas, I’d give him a ride.”

On reflection, I am reminded that every good gift I have ever gotten can be traced back to the little Lord Jesus who came long ago. I can’t give Him a ride in my red wagon, but I can pause during this holiday season and say, “Thank you for Christmas, Jesus. You’re the best gift anyone could ever receive.”

 

3 Steps to Weed Sin from Your Life

 Matthew 13 

What is the meaning of the parable of the weeds among the wheat?

Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a person who sows good seed in a field. While he sleeps, an enemy comes and sows weeds among the wheat. This would have meant that the two grew up together and their roots would have intertwined. … In this allegory, the sower is Jesus and the enemy is the Devil.

 

Candyce Carden, author, cbn.com

My boxwood shrubs were neatly trimmed. The sprouting weeds underneath them gone, and the crawling ivy threatening to choke them ripped away. A fresh layer of pine straw covered the ground.

My son helped me take weed control a step further by lining the area with rolls of Weed Block before adding new soil. The stuff claimed to “prevent weeds from growing.”  I’d finally found a solution to the unpleasant problem of weeds, or so I thought. As it turned out, I hadn’t eradicated the weeds. I’d only slowed their growth for a while.

The block kept the devils under control for a few months, but eventually they pushed through the plastic. By the time the following spring rolled around, the weeds were back. And they seemed thicker and stronger than ever.

Weeds and Sin

Trying to prevent weeds by covering them is how we handle the sin in our life. We pray, “Father, forgive me of my sin,” and hope that covers it. We fail to confess specific sin because we’re ashamed, or as in the case of my weeds, because the work is hard and unpleasant to face.

I wanted a One and Done with my weeds. I wanted to wipe them out with ground cover, but this didn’t get to the root of the problem. It only delayed growth for a while before the weeds were back. I had to consistently pull them to get rid of them.

When we fail to consistently admit our sins to God, they spread, gaining traction. Christians justify this because we’re not committing “big” sins such as murder, robbery, or adultery. But soon, the little ones—impatience, partiality, envy, judgment, and others— overtake our garden of life, choking out the fruit of the Spirit.

We must deal with the sin in our life before the fruit of the Spirit will flourish.

Three Steps to Weed Sin from Your Life

1.    Acknowledge, Admit, and Confess

Without acknowledging we have a problem, we won’t get help. We have to own up to our specific sins and confess them to God. To accomplish this, we do the hard work of recognizing and admitting them to ourselves. And we need to do it daily.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV)

2.    Repent. 

After confessing, we do more than ask God’s forgiveness. We work to avoid the sin. Repenting from sin means turning away from what is wrong and turning to God. It means we resist sin, big and small, and obey Him.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19 NIV)

3.    Ask for Help

Just as I asked my son for help with my weeds, we need God’s help with sin. First, we ask Him to reveal our sin to us. We ask Him for the strength to overcome it before it takes root. Then we consistently nourish the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives through daily prayer and Bible reading.

“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.” Romans 8:12-13 NLT).

Weeding our spiritual garden will lead to the life of abundance Jesus promised.

Keep My Running Shoes On

 

By Nichole Huggins, crosswalk.com

I love to walk around my house barefoot. I like the feeling of soft carpet on my toes and feel more “at home” without the restriction of wearing shoes. But more and more it seems that I forgo this comfort for the functionality of keeping my running shoes on.

You see, our home is different than many people’s homes. Because our son has autism, our home is louder; he is always singing, making noises, or quoting movies (in the world of autism it’s called “scripting”). Our house is in interesting order; you will find trains lined up on the kitchen table and strategically placed books open to strategically chosen pages. Currently our back door is always open. Our son loves to run outside and play, but it is also his current belief that the back door should remain open at all times—even if he is playing in a different part of the house. Living in this world of autism has caused our home to be a sometimes chaotic, but always beautiful haven for our family. And for now, living in the world of autism has caused me to keep my running shoes on.

For many, running and autism go hand in hand. People who are “on the spectrum” are often runners. Our kiddo is no exception to this pattern. Although he frequently overcomes his urge to run, our son’s current impulsivity requires me to jump up and move quickly at any moment. I have to be ready, so I keep my running shoes on.

I love how the Lord uses my son’s autism to gently sharpen me in my personal relationship with Him. The Lord has recently reminded me that just as I have to keep my running shoes on, the same applies in my walk with the Lord. I need to keep my spiritual running shoes on.

In 1 Peter 3:15, the Bible reminds us to sanctify our hearts and “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” We need to keep our spiritual running shoes on! It is easy for us to slip our shoes off and run our toes through the carpet of comfortability in life, but that is not the calling of Christians. Life was never meant to be about our comfort, but rather exalting our Creator.

It’s my prayer that people around me will be able to see that my hope is in Christ. May I be quick to help and show love to others. May I be a reflection of Christ in all that I say and do. I pray that I am sharp and “ready to run” this great race called life. Sometimes it’s easy to let our spiritual shoelaces come untied. We become comfortable Christians, and it’s easy for us to get tripped up. I am thankful the Lord can use my precious son to remind me that I need to lace up my spiritual running shoes and be prepared for this sometimes chaotic, but always beautiful life. So, what condition are your running shoes in?

1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)— “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…”