Jesus Is The Ultimate Gift

Christmastime has come to a close and we have ushered in a new year. But instead of looking ahead just yet, I want to look back for a moment on what took place a mere handful of days ago.  Christmas.  The time of year most of the world, whether they are a believer or not, celebrates the birth of Jesus whether they realize that or not.

Christmas is a time spent with family and friends, giving gifts to those we love.  You may or may not have received a gift from a loved one this past Christmas but I guarantee every single person on this planet whether past, present or future has already been given the Ultimate Gift; Jesus.  God gave Him over 2,000 years ago.

You won’t find Him on sale in any store, and you won’t find Him wrapped up in a pretty bow lying under your Christmas tree.  Instead, you’ll find that He was wrapped in humanity, and nailed to a cross on Calvary’s hill.  

He has been placed at the door of your heart, waiting to be opened and received.  Sadly, not everyone opens his or her heart to receive this Ultimate Gift.  Rather, they let the Gift go untouched and they choose instead to open their hearts to empty boxes.  But empty boxes are exactly that.  Empty.  Devoid of life.

So I encourage you today; if you have never opened the Ultimate Gift that has been given to you, open it!  Choose Life.  Choose Jesus.

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and whom it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”  -John 4:10

Dina Pugh

Back to Basics

The other day I was praying for a friend.  She is going through a difficult time right now and asked if I would pray for her.  As I sought the Lord on her behalf, I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to turn to Matthew chapter 7 verses 7-11: 

“Ask, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” After I had finished sharing this with her, I stayed on that page in Matthew and lingered a while longer.

 

The beginning of Matthew chapter 7 starts off with the admonition for us not to judge others.  At the end of Matthew chapter 6 we are instructed not to worry.  A light went off in my brain as to how beautifully basic God’s word is sometimes. The depths of its wisdom are inexhaustible, yet at the same time, riches can be found at first glance.

Here in Matthew where I lingered is a wonderful example of this very thing. Do Not Worry, Do Not Judge, and Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking.  How extraordinarily basic yet profound!  Don’t worry about your life.  Your life is in God’s hands.  Worry does you no good whatsoever.  It harms your body mentally and physically, so refuse to engage in it.

Don’t judge or criticize other people.  Who do you think you are?  Get off your Holier-Than-Thou throne and be humble.  Pass on to others the grace and kindness that God so graciously gives you.  And finally, whatever you need, ask God.  Do you need wisdom? Discernment? Restored health? Provision? Encouragement?  Let God know the burdens of your heart.  He will care for each one of them and answer your request in such a way as is best for you.

 

Believe me, I write these things not only for those of you who would read this, but to myself as well. I probably need this more than anybody!

All in all, in the end maybe sometimes all we need is to simply get back to basics.

Dina Pugh

Desensitized

We live in a world chockfull of news headlines that are marked with violence, tragedy and suffering.  We have become so accustomed to this type of daily happenings, both here and abroad, that unfortunately it ends up creating an affect called, Desensitization.

Now, I’m not a psychologist, nor do I play one on TV, but simply put; Desensitization is a diminished emotional response.  Sadly, I think it’s safe to say, for a lot of us this is what’s happening when we watch the news.

However, I want to point out an even more tragic finding of Desensitization.  Let me ask this: What about the Word of God?  If you have been a Christian for a length of time, does God’s Word still move you?  Does it stir up feelings of awe and wonder or has it become something more along the lines of dry and flat?

Take for example one of the most well known Bible verses.  John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  

Now be honest with yourself.  When you read that, does it strike a chord in your heart or has it become so familiar you’ve become a bit desensitized to it? I confess, I have found myself glossing over that verse instead of stopping and taking time to meditate on the incredible statement that it is!

If you are a parent, you would most likely give up your life in order to save the life of your child.  But would you be willing to give up the life of your child in order to save the life of someone who, frankly, could care less for you let alone your beloved child?  Who in fact may never even accept the incredible sacrifice you made? God did.

We will never in our lifetime be able to plumb the depths of God’s love or His Word. However, that does not mean that we should settle for what we think we already know.  Fan the flame of your heart for the beauty of God’s Word!

Oh, the depth of riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Romans 11:33

Dina Pugh

Be Prepared

This year seems to be flying by with no intention of slowing down.  It seems not that long ago we were all busy making our New Year’s resolutions and here we are, already into October a mere breath away from the holidays.

Another fast approaching observance is Daylight Savings Time, which this year falls on November 1^st.  Each year, twice a year, we are reminded by the news media that Daylight Savings Time is a good time for everyone to change the batteries in our smoke detectors. This weekend one of our smoke detectors got a jumpstart on this. We heard the familiar loud chirp and my husband went in search of the annoying culprit.

It is always wise to be prepared and have things ready before the need arises.  Jesus talked about being prepared and ready, not for possible disaster but for His coming kingdom.  In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus told a parable about ten virgins who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of the virgins were wise, taking extra oil with them.  However, the other five virgins were foolish, neglecting to bring any extra oil.  While the bridegroom delayed, the ten virgins fell asleep.

When the call came at midnight that the bridegroom was coming, the ten virgins quickly awoke and got ready.  The five wise virgins filled their nearly empty lamps with the extra oil they brought but since the five foolish virgins had no extra oil, they left to go buy some.  But the bridegroom came while they were away and those who were ready went with him.  It was too late for the foolish ones who were not prepared to meet their bridegroom.

 

This is a wake up call and solemn warning for all of us.  We need to examine our hearts and see if we are prepared and ready to meet the Lord.  For even though it may seem as if He is delayed in His coming, don’t be fooled, He is coming quickly.

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Matthew 25:13

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:20

Dina Pugh

Help!

We live right off of one of the main streets here in Redlands.  In fact, our backyard is only around 50 yards away from it.  That being said, because our house is so close to the main road, we hear every ambulance, fire truck, and police car that whizzes by.  And let me tell you, at times it seems like a constant procession.

So the other day as an ambulance was screaming its siren past our house, I thought of God. I thought, “Lord, in a way, You’re like that ambulance.”

What I mean is, just like the person who needs help and calls for the ambulance and the ambulance comes, so it is with our Lord.  But so much better.  An ambulance doesn’t know there’s trouble until the call comes in.  An ambulance doesn’t know where to go or what to do until it’s given directions and instructions.  An ambulance may be hindered by traffic or other circumstances as it tries to make its way to the one in need.

Not so with God.  Our sovereign Lord knows all things before we ever call out to Him.  “It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

Our sovereign Lord knows our every need. We need not worry or be fearful when trials come. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore…” Luke 12:7

Our sovereign Lord is always with us. He never has to make His way to us.  “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Am I saying we should only pray and call out to God when trouble surrounds us?  Absolutely not!  We should be in communion with God throughout each and every day, good or bad.  All the while knowing that He is right there with us, always taking care of us.

Dina Pugh