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Humblest Beginnings

Family

It's like a crammed and jammed elevator. People thrust together by chance on a short journey, saying as little as possible. The only difference is you'll eventually get off the elevator and never see these folks again-not so with the difficult relative. Family reunions, Christmas, Thanksgiving, weddings, funerals-they'll be there.
Does Jesus have anything to say about dealing wih difficult relatives? Is there an example of Jesus bringing peace to a paiful family? Yes, there is.
His own.
It may suprise you to know that Jesus had a difficult family. It may suprise you to know that Jesus had a family at all! You may not be aware that Jesus had brothers and sisters. He did. Quoting Jesus' hometown critics, Mark wrote, "Jesus is just the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters are here with us" (Mark 6:3).
And it may suprise you to know that his family was less than perfect. They were. If your family doesn't appreciate you, take heart, neither did Jesus'.
It's worth noting that he didn't try to control his family's behavior, nor did he let their behavior control his. He didn't demand that they agree with him. He didn't sulk when they insulted him. He didn't make it his mission to try to please them.
When Jesus' brothers didn't share his convictions, he didn't try to force them. He recognized that his spiritual family could provide what his physical family didn't. If Jesus himelf couldn't force his family to share his convictions, what makes you think you can force yours? I can't assure you that your family will ever give you the blessing you seek, but I know God will. Let God give you what your family doesn't. If your earthly father doesn't affirm you, then let your heavenly Father take his place.

Max Lucado

Faith in Future Grace

Impatience is a form of unbelief. It's what we begin to feel when we start to doubt the wisdom of God's timing or the goodness of God's guidance. It springs up in our hearts when our plan is interrupted or shattered. It may be promped by a long wait in a checkout line or a sudden blow that knocks out half our dreams. The opposite of impatience is not a glib denial of loss. It's a deepening, ripening, peaceful willingness to wait for God in the unplanned place of obedience-to wait in his place, and go at his pace. And the key is faith in future grace.

Just as you can look back and see where grace has been bestowed upon you, you can be certain there is grace in the future: future grace.

Lamentations 3:25

Money: greed

If money is the gauge of the heart, then this study revealed that money is on the heart of most Americans. In exchange for ten million dollars:
25% would abandon their family
25% would abandon their church
23% would become a prostitute for a week
16% would give up their American citizenship
16% would leave their spouse
13% would put their children up for adoption
Even more revealing than what Americans would do for ten million dollars is that most would do something. Two-thirds of those polled would agree to at least one-some several-of the options.
Jesus had a word for that: greed
Jesus also had a definition for greed. He called it the practice of measuring life by possessions.
Greed equates a person's worth with a person's purse.
You got alot=you are alot.
You got a little=you are little.
The consequence of such philosophy is predictable. If you are the sum of what you own, then by all means own it all. No price is to high. No payment is too much.
Greed is relative. Greed is not defined by what something costs; it is measured by what it costs you. If anything costs you your faith or your family, the price is too high.
With that being said, it is apparent our society pressures many to define themselves by possessions.
Try this on if greed doesn't rear its ugly head in front of your face on any given day. Watch as the kids battle for the latest fashions, newest electronic gadgets and gizmos. Behind many of those observations are the parents or adults nuturing that so called need, excuse me, greed. Keeping up with the Jones's I remember used to be the term. Not sure who the family is that our society is trying to keep up with these days, but I can assure you it all stays here when the inevitable happens.
On that note I simply want to place in your hearts this holiday season to remember it isn't what you get or what you have that God see's. It is what you give. Your heart is your direct line to God and in his opinion (which is the only one that counts) there is no room for greed. Keep your peace this Christmas and it will be Merry indeed