December 2018 – Daily Devo Time

Daily Devotional for December 31, 2018 – Always resting in God’s promises…”It’s going to be a GOOD year!”

1 Chronicles 17:23-27
“And now I accept your promise, Lord, that I and my children will always rule this nation. And may this bring eternal honor to your name as everyone realizes that you always do what you say. They will exclaim, ‘The Lord of heaven is indeed the God of Israel!’ And Israel shall always be ruled by my children and their posterity! Now I have the courage to pray to you, for you have revealed this to me. God himself has promised this good thing to me! May this blessing rest upon my children forever, for when you grant a blessing, Lord, it is an eternal blessing!”

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Today, the family of Greg’s brother, Bruce, came to our house for a brief visit with us and Grandma E…his wife, Helen, his daughters, one spouse, their children, and a couple of friends. There were thirteen of us seated in our great room. Three years ago this morning, Bruce entered into heaven. While he had suffered devastating injuries in a car wreck on December 21st, we thought Bruce was making progress. His death seemed sudden and unexpected – and left us reeling.

I looked around at the “children”…two grown girls we have loved since they were babies…the great-nieces and nephew – two girls now in college and a boy in high school. I marveled at how “beautiful” each one is – inside and out…how well-rounded they seem, and how blessed we all are. And I thought about today’s scripture passage.

As with all families, a lot has happened to us. Much of it had been good…some was not so good… and some of it was downright awful – at least in the moment. Someone said to me not long ago…”Your family has been through so much!” My reply to her was…”We haven’t been through any more than any other family – and far less than many.” In truth, this is simply life…and we are all living it as best we can. Those whose faith remains strong and steadfast seem to have a better shot at managing the rough spots…but God is no respecter of persons when it comes to what He allows us to endure on this earth, knowing fully well that He is continually available to lift us if we call on Him.

This is the key… to recognize that God is always with us…and to remain confident in His promises to bless and care for us through every single situation and circumstance. God looks for servants who remain steadfast in their faith in Him. He delights in families who pass down this confidence and assurance to the next generations and set an example of dedication and loyalty…reliance and conviction.

Someone said today that they didn’t know what 2019 would bring. My sister-in-law quickly interjected…”It’s going to be a good year!” And indeed, I am confident that, whatever happens, this will be the case. I am certain of this because I am certain of God and His promises. I have no doubt that He will be with me every step of the way, and my heart is full of peace and joy to know that my future is completely and solidly in His hands. I hope you can say the same…and that you are demonstrating this confidence to those in your circle of influence.

As we close another year, I wish you joy and peace in Christ Jesus. I pray that you are on a first-name basis with our Heavenly Father…that you fully acknowledge that He is your KING of Kings and LORD of Lords…and that you speak to Him each and every day about all things great and small. I pray that the Holy Spirit lives and breathes in you…and that your outward living is a direct reflection of this Life within you. And I pray that 2019 is a year of tremendous blessings for you, regardless of the twists and turns that it may bring.<

God has promised us good things…earthly and eternal blessings alike. We cannot even begin to understand what glories await us in Heaven! Our God is more than worthy of our praise, our steadfast faith – and our unending honor and glory. Will you give Him yours in the coming year?

Daily Devotional for December 30, 2018 – We are loved like kings…but how will we reciprocate?

1 Chronicles 17:16-20
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family that you have given me all this? For all the great things you have already done for me are nothing in comparison to what you have promised to do in the future! For now, O Lord God, you are speaking of future generations of my children being kings too! You speak as though I were someone very great. What else can I say? You know that I am but a dog, yet you have decided to honor me! O Lord, you have given me these wonderful promises just because you want to be kind to me, because of your own great heart. O Lord, there is no one like you—there is no other God. In fact, we have never even heard of another god like you!

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

For all intents and purposes, the Christmas Season 2018 is “in the books” in our little corner of the world. Sure, we still have New Year’s to celebrate, but it will be quiet and without much fanfare here. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that we are “worn smack out” as my cousin Natalie likes to say. But looking back on the events of the last several weeks, I am filled with joy and contentment as I think of all that we shared with family and friends. We were indeed blessed this Christmas season.

But if I am totally honest, we are blessed…period. God has not made us kings, like the family of David…but He has done great things for us. He has blessed our family in countless ways…even when we surely didn’t deserve His grace and mercy. And I bet He’s done the same for you, as well.

Let’s be clear, NO ONE will ever love us like God does. God loves us through thick and thin…in spite of our sinfulness – and beyond what we can ever imagine. He doesn’t do this so we will love Him in return – or even so we will serve Him and praise His name. God has no ulterior motives. He simply loves us because He wants to do so. Who do you love in this manner? I daresay it’s very few people. We humans like to put conditions on our love!

But let’s do this…let’s do our dead-level best to love others as God loves us. I read a meme in the last few days that suggested we pick one person and pray every day for 30 days for his/her happiness – and see what happens. This seems like a good place to start! Figure out some way to share unconditional love with even one other person for a set period of time and see what God does with your efforts. And be sure to stop often and thank Him for loving you so well in the process.

Scripture indicates that for all of the wonderful, incredible, amazing things that God has done for us to this point, there is more to come! As we close this Christmas Season and another year and look toward the future, let’s vow to love God with all we have in return and see how far He will take us. I’m in…are you?

Daily Devotional for December 28 – Operating in faith and losing control…what do you need to give to God?

1 Chronicles 17:1-14
After the king had made himself at home, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look at this: Here I am comfortable in a luxurious palace of cedar and the Chest of the Covenant of God sits under a tent.”

Nathan told David, “Whatever is on your heart, go and do it; God is with you.”

But that night, the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell my servant David, This is God’s word on the matter: You will not build me a ‘house’ to live in. Why, I haven’t lived in a ‘house’ from the time I brought up the children of Israel from Egypt till now; I’ve gone from one tent and makeshift shelter to another. In all my travels with all Israel, did I ever say to any of the leaders I commanded to shepherd Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?’

“So here is what you are to tell my servant David: The God-of-the-Angel-Armies has this word for you: I took you from the pasture, tagging after sheep, and made you prince over my people Israel. I was with you everywhere you went and mowed your enemies down before you; and now I’m about to make you famous, ranked with the great names on earth. I’m going to set aside a place for my people Israel and plant them there so they’ll have their own home and not be knocked around anymore; nor will evil nations afflict them as they always have, even during the days I set judges over my people Israel. And finally, I’m going to conquer all your enemies.

“And now I’m telling you this: God himself will build you a house! When your life is complete and you’re buried with your ancestors, then I’ll raise up your child to succeed you, a child from your own body, and I’ll firmly establish his rule. He will build a house to honor me, and I will guarantee his kingdom’s rule forever. I’ll be a father to him, and he’ll be a son to me. I will never remove my gracious love from him as I did from the one who preceded you. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will always be there, rock solid.”

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

If your toes didn’t sting just a little when you read this passage, you might need to get real! We humans are notorious for thinking that we know what is best…in all kinds of situations and circumstances. Just like David, we often see things we think we could improve – when 1) nobody asked our opinion; and 2) no “improvement” is needed!

Worse yet, we often seem to think we know better than God. So we pray, “LORD, do this or that”…when what we should be saying, is “Thy will be done…because it is already perfect!” We should be demonstrating a faith and confidence in God to fulfill His plans and desires with precision and impeccable timing. We should be showing God – and the world – that we trust Him to handle everything from the smallest detail to the biggest problem. And I am preaching to myself as I tell you these things – because like many of us, I am a “fixer” by nature!

This is the day to redouble our commitment to serve God faithfully – and to surrender our will to His. Let’s renew our determination to trust His “tent” over our “cedar palace”…and to let Him have complete control in our lives. As you plan your New Year’s resolutions, put this one at the top of your list! I know I have!

Daily Devotional for December 27, 2018 – Seasons of silence…what happens when prayers simply elude us

Romans 8:26-28
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

I have to admit…I have been so busy lately with holiday festivities and family activities that there has been more than one night that I fell into bed and thought, “LORD…I really didn’t talk to you much today…and when I did, words failed.” This was not a time when I was upset or distraught and thoughts would not come together…it wasn’t a season of wandering away – or questioning God. It was purely and simply a busy time of doing, serving and celebrating…and stopping to sit still and have a lengthy conversation with God simply didn’t happen.

As I read this scripture passage again today, I realized that there was nothing wrong with this “season of silence”. In fact, as I thought about the events of the last month or so, I saw God’s hand in every detail. I recognized times where He “prayed in and for me” in many instances. I felt His presence, comfort and care – even when I didn’t fully verbalize a request. I realized just how well God knows me…how ever present He is, and how intricately He knits together even the most minute details of my life – all the time! And I whispered a “Thank You!” to Him for knowing and loving me so well.

This passage is not a license to say, “Dear God…well…You already know everything!” It is not a “free pass” to assume that God knows our thoughts, so we never have to verbalize them to Him. We are called to engage in conversation with God. We are commanded to stay ever close in thought and prayer…to praise Him continually…and to “pray without ceasing”. But this passage reminds us that God knows us better than we know ourselves…and He loves us anyway! He works on our behalf even when we fail to give Him the time of day. And that is amazing!

I will do better as things slow down now. But even if I were to remain as busy as ever, I am determined to take some time to sit, be still and talk with God every single day. Not only do I owe Him that much…but it is in these moments when I take time to really listen that God gives me some of His richest gifts and imparts valuable wisdom. I don’t want to miss out on any of that…what about you?

Daily Devotional for December 26, 2018 – Celebrating Christmas…every day of the year

Romans 5:3-5
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

If your “festivities” are over, I hope your Christmas was wonderful. I know many are still celebrating…and I wish you a continued “Merry Christmas”. We celebrated with family on Christmas Eve – and again on Christmas Day. My sister declared it to be “one of the best times in a few years.” And indeed, it was a good two days.

But this is what one of my dear friends, Scott, posted on Facebook yesterday…”I hope everybody is making it through today, if it’s a hard Christmas for one reason or another this year. I promise I have had my share and understand. Do what you can to be happy today. My co-workers and I have been saying the last couple of weeks…’What if the best part of our lives hasn’t happened yet?’ That thought gives us something to look forward to…I like thinking about that.”

Indeed, troubles and trials do not pause for the Christmas season…or any other time of year. But the Christmas holidays offer the perfect time to stop and remember that, because of Jesus, we can handle these problems and trials. We are reminded that we have a Savior who will help us manage every challenge…a perfect example of how to live with patience – and hope. Jesus is our Rock and our Redeemer…and He will keep us steady in any and all situations and circumstances.

Especially in this busy season, stop and give a few minutes to God. Talk with Him about how and where you need to make adjustments and operate with more patience, faith and hope. Renew your determination to share “Christmas” – and Christ – with others every month of the year. Be known as a servant of Jesus whose heart is always full, no matter what is happening around you. Jesus Christ is born…He died for our sins and LIVES again! We will join Him someday to spend Eternity in His presence! This is cause to celebrate and hold our heads high – any day of the year.

My friend Scott has indeed had his share – and then some – of “life challenges” and lessons. And he is one of the most faithful – and joyful – people I’ve ever known. He “gets it”…he knows WHO is in charge and why we really celebrate. He keeps the spirit of Christmas alive all year long by serving others and demonstrating the love of Christ to everyone he encounters. This is what we are all supposed to do…but some of us could still use a little work at getting it right. Are you among them?

Daily Devotional for December 24, 2018 – Keeping love alive

1 Corinthians 13:8-10
Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

Yesterday, someone shared the “Christmas version” of 1 Corinthians 13. I searched for this on the Internet and learned it was penned (and copyrighted) by a woman named Sharon Jaynes. She has a blog…and I urge you to go there* and read the entire passage.

With full credit to Jaynes, I will paraphrase just a couple of things to give you an idea of how this goes. Jaynes starts the passage – which scripturally talks about speaking with eloquence and doing everything perfectly, but lacking love – by saying that if we wrap every gift perfectly, attend all parties with style and flair, and bake the most beautiful Christmas meals and goodies, but don’t take time to really “be” with loved ones or appreciate the real Reason of the Season, we’ve blown it. In one “verse”, she says (paraphrasing) that love doesn’t envy the decorations and perfectly set tables of others. In another, she notes that love doesn’t scream at kids or miss an opportunity to stop and give them a hug because of the “busyness” of Christmas.

Jaynes completes her revision at verse 7…but I chose verses 8-10 today because God spoke to me through these words in particular. As we prepared for a family gathering later today, I thought of past holiday celebrations…the hoopla and hard work…how my mother and grandmothers spent hours and days getting ready so that we could all “make memories” – and memories I have by the dozens! I thought of hundreds of Christmas cookies and pieces of peanut brittle, divinity, and fudge…of countless potluck meals with turkey, dressing and all the trimmings.

I thought of how those who slaved over hot stoves and ovens, wrapped gifts incessantly, drove us around town to look at Christmas lights and more…parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, neighbors and friends…are now sitting at God’s table and enjoying unimaginable festivities. And I bet they didn’t have to do anything except show up for them! Someday, that will be us. But what will we leave behind?

These people who were a part of my life left a legacy of love. They paved the way for me to grasp the true meaning of Christmas…to understand that the love of Christ poured out for us is cause for us to want to pour out extravagant love on others – especially in this Christmas season. If we are so busy making sure everything is perfect that we cannot stop to love others, we’ve totally missed the mark…and our “love” is incomplete.

Don’t let this happen in your life. Stop today and share love with others…even a rank stranger. You don’t know Who you are truly entertaining. The love of Christ never dies. Is He alive in you today? Merry Christmas Eve…may Christ truly be complete in you today – and always.

*https://sharonjaynes.com/1-corinthians-13-christmas-style/

Daily Devotional for December 23, 2018 – Are you a good listener?

Psalm 95:6-7
Come, kneel before the Lord our Maker, for he is our God. We are his sheep, and he is our Shepherd. Oh, that you would hear him calling you today and come to him!

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

There were a lot more children at church this morning than I expected for December 23rd. I was thrilled to see them…but they were definitely an excited bunch! My group was 2nd and 3rd graders…eight of them. My co-leader, Shannon, and I both laughed that this time NEXT week, they won’t be nearly as excited! But for today, the energy level was high…and the attention span was virtually nil. We both had to give everything we had to keep their attention…and we tried several tactics to get the children to hear us call to them.

We tried a loud voice, switching off the lights, and even walking from child to child and asking them to please listen and pay attention. The children’s leaders had left materials to play several games, but we had to repeat the instructions many times before all of the children heard them…and even then, I’m not sure some understood everything. For instance, there was a race between two teams to see who could make the tallest Christmas tree out of plastic cups and decorate it with tinsel and pom poms within a set amount of time.

Of course, each group stacked the cups in a pyramid, and as they got near the top and added the “decorations,” their structures toppled. As we tried again, I suggested…”Nobody said you had to stack the cups one at a time!” One group caught my meaning and began to double and triple stack their cups for stability. The other group continued stacking one cup each – and throwing up their hands when their structure toppled!

You and I don’t always do the best job of listening, either…especially to God. We are so determined to do things our way…or in such a hurry to “stack the cups and win the prize” that we are completely baffled and bewildered when everything topples to the ground. We act clueless as to why this happened…or what we could be missing – even when the “Answer” is right in front of us.

As we get caught up in the excitement of this season and the festivities that will fill the next several days, let’s not forget the Reason we are celebrating. Let’s remember God’s greatest Gift of all…Jesus Christ, who lived and died for us and our sins. Let’s listen for His voice and pay attention to His instructions. When He calls to us, let’s answer…faithfully, humbly, and with complete obedience.

We had a lot of fun this morning as we celebrated as a “church family”. We spent time talking about the true meaning of Christmas and how we can share the Gift of Jesus with others. And we laughed, ate candy canes, and enjoyed each other’s company. There is room for all of this in the life of a Christian…but we have to come to Jesus first and kneel before Him. If we do what He asks and serve as He commands…He will see to it that there is plenty of time for fun and fellowship.

I challenged the children to share Jesus with one other person this week. We talked about how to do this…through love, kindness, telling them how Jesus has blessed us, and even doing the things that are asked of us by Mom and Dad or other adults. It’s really not a complicated mission…regardless of your age. Figure out what Jesus is asking YOU to do this week in His name…and do it! You might even find that you get excited about serving!

Even in the midst of the tinsel, ribbon, bright lights and holiday cheer, find time to kneel before God and listen to what He has to say. Jesus IS the Reason for the Season…be sure that you demonstrate this in the next few day – and always!

Daily Devotional for December 22, 2018 – I know what I’m getting…do you?

2 Corinthians 5:7
But we live by faith, not by what we see.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Nathan came for an overnight visit earlier this week. Yesterday morning, he came to me and said, “I just counted my presents, and I’m pretty sure one of them is a book!” I had to laugh. I asked if he likes books, and he said he did. Nathan readily admitted that he could not figure out what was in the other packages…but he has faith that it is something good. He also lives with confidence that there will be a stocking, candy, good food, and other fun surprises on Christmas Eve.<

Our family counts on us to be there for them…they live with faith that we will support and uplift them day in and out…that our door is always open…that we will answer when they call or message…and we will show up as promised. And yes, they know that there will be a Christmas Eve celebration, replete with food and gifts.

Before we retired, our bosses and co-workers had faith that we would come to work every day. Now, we have friends and acquaintances who expect us to fulfill duties as volunteers…to arrive at the appointed hour and perform the tasks we have promised to complete. I know all of this must surely be true for you, also.

Many people do not have the confidence that there will be someone to check on them tomorrow…that there will be food in their house to eat, heat or cool air in every season, clean clothing, comfortable surroundings, or even fresh water – much less a Christmas gift or two. They don’t know for certain that they will receive the care and attention necessary – mentally, physically or emotionally – to sustain them for another day. Moreover, there are people who will not “make good” on their promises. There are a lot of folks – including many who claim to be Christians – who will bail on promises, fail to show up when they said they would, and only serve the interests that benefit them!

Let’s be honest…to be able to live with faith and hope is a gift! To have true and complete confidence that God will provide for our every need is an amazing blessing. Some have been so beaten down and disappointed for so long that they no longer have this hope. And this is where you and I come into the picture. We must look for ways to share Jesus with others and help to restore their hope. We must demonstrate faithful obedience…we must show up and show out for Christ at every opportunity.

We must cultivate such a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus that our faith and hope in Him never waiver…and we must share this with others in our daily words and actions. Just as our little Nathan has confidence that wrapped packages he cannot see inside contain something wonderful, we must live with assurance that the promises of God through Jesus Christ are real, true, and amazing! Our hope and faith must translate into joy and confidence as we interact with others on a daily basis, so that they will want to trust in an unseen God for themselves.

I hope that there are packages under a tree for you…that you have the confidence of hidden treasures, joys and blessings this Christmas. But more importantly, I pray that you are living with the confidence that God can – and will – supply your every need…and that gifts so amazing we cannot even fathom them await us in Heaven. I don’t know if they will be wrapped in fancy paper and ribbons underneath a brightly lit and decorated evergreen tree…but I am confident that we won’t even care!

The greatest Gift of all is preparing an amazing, eternal gift for each of us. Just like Nathan thinks he knows what is under our tree, we “think” we know what Heaven will be like. But I’m fairly certain that all parties are in for a huge surprise and delight! Are we living like we believe this? Isn’t it time we did?

Daily Devotional for December 21, 2018 – Love others and mean it…how do you demonstrate Christian discipleship?

Romans 12:9
Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good.

Yesterday, Nathan was playing with blocks. He built a rather intricate airplane, and I bragged on what a good job he did. He said, “You barely looked at it.” I told him I DID look at it, and I thought he had done an excellent job. Nathan, who is six, looked up at me and said, “I know sarcasm.” I questioned him…”Do you think I was being sarcastic?” “Yes!” he answered…”Sarcasm is when someone says they like you or something you did, but they don’t really mean it!”

I assured this sweet child that I was not using sarcasm…that I really did love his airplane. Both Greg and I marveled that he understands this concept already. On one hand…we had to laugh. On the other, we found it a little sad. The world is full of sarcastic, insincere people. Put another way…there are more than a few hypocrites among us. Hopefully, you and I are not in this group!

Do not misunderstand me…I don’t believe hurting someone’s feelings intentionally. I don’t think that we have to be brutally honest at another person’s expense. I also don’t feel that we have to be friends with every single person. There are some folks who simply will not “click”…and others with whom we will never agree on many issues. But we can still be kind, polite, and respectful.

I think of my mother’s admonition (which is the caution countless mothers)…”If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything.” I also think of Jesus’ command to “love one another” and to “love others as I have loved you.” In light of these words of counsel, I encourage you to examine your daily living and see if there is any area where you might be operating in sarcasm…or pretending to love others.

Jesus is calling us to live intentionally…to be genuine in our faith and our treatment of others. Anything less demonstrates lack of commitment to Christ…if not downright disrespect toward Him and His gift of salvation. Remember…you and I rub someone the wrong way, too! We must earnestly seek the help of Jesus as we strive to show Christian love to all others and treat them as we wish to be treated. We can always practice kindness and tact…even toward those we find difficult to put up with!

Our children are not fooled by lip service and insincere words and attention…and neither is the world! People are watching…and judging your Christian discipleship by how you treat them. What – and WHO – do they see in you?

Daily Devotional for December 20, 2018 – Fulfilling your mission in the Body of Believers…we all need a little help!

Romans 12:3-8
I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you. A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.

God has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I can still clearly see my Mam-ma Polly placing fruit and nuts in the mesh stockings that hung around her fireplace for me, my sister, and my brother. I was probably about six or seven when this happened. Mam-ma noticed that I had “caught” her…and she said, “Well…Santa Claus just needed a little help.” I have never forgotten that…I can still hear her voice.

This was a satisfactory and reasonable explanation…after all, none of us are invincible – not even Santa. I imagined how much work it must be for him to deliver all of the packages and fill every stocking in one evening. It was quite plausible that he would welcome some assistance from “Mam-ma Pollys” all over the world!

Here’s the thing…you and I are not supreme beings. Quite often, we need a little help. Paul is reminding us to function as one body for the glory of Christ…and to stay in our lane and do what we do best. He is suggesting that we pull together and “pool our resources” to get the biggest “bang for the buck”! We are to do our best to fulfill our part…and trust others to do the same.

This is not a “pass” to sit back and do nothing. God has called each of us to a mission and ministry. You may feel that yours is rather simple or mundane…but if one person drops the ball, everyone else struggles and is burdened to pull up the slack. Don’t be the weak link! Search your heart and spend some time asking God what He wants you to do…when and where He wants you to serve. Then serve to the best of your ability, and trust that God will multiply and perfect your efforts.

Santa does indeed need a little help…but so do your brothers and sisters in Christ. Are you answering the call and serving to the best of your ability? Don’t you think you should be?

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