The Birth of Jesus Changes a Life

Today's post is by Maria Johnson, a fellow writer and member of Word Weavers International. I know you will be blessed by reading her insight of how Jesus changed her life.

 by Maria Johnson

Just the Right Amount of Jesus

 “The reason for the season” is a marketing success story.  It’s an effective sound bite for

The birth of Jesus changes a life

those of us who “get it” to let everyone else know that we “get it” and that they should “get it”, too. 

I realize the heart behind the message is sincere.  I’m saying the exact same thing when I encourage people to look to God’s Word for hope in mental illness. 

But we humans are flawed, and we have taken this valid encouragement and turned it into yet another requirement for doing Christmas “the right way.”  For those of us with anxiety issues, this can be yet another trigger during the holidays. 

What I try to do is think about what God did outside of the popular nativity story in Luke (Luke 2:1-20).  And I specifically try to think about not just what God did, but how what God did has changed my life.

God Became a Man

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

God has always wanted a relationship with man.  But once man sinned, we were cut off from Him because He is so holy.

He knew all along that we couldn’t make it all the way to Him.  So He came to us.  He came to me.

John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

There have been many times when I didn’t have the strength to do one more thing to be a “better Christian.”  I was in the pit of depression and saw no hope of ever getting out.

Jesus came to me.

The baby born in that manger, the one immortalized in plastic on so many front lawns, grew up and offered me compassion.

Matthew 11:28 - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

When Jesus was born a human child, He brought God to the earth to meet me where I was.

Jesus Cleared a Path to God

Jesus cleared a path to the heart of God.

When God designed the tabernacle in the wilderness, two curtains separated the mercy seat, where God’s presence was, from the people.  The first curtain led into the holy place, where only the priests could come. 

Hebrews 9:3,7 – “Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place … But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.”

God had made a way to be in the midst of His people, but He still had to keep His distance because our sin could not exist in His holy presence.

When Jesus died on the cross and paid the price for our sins, that distance was no longer necessary.

Mark 15:37-38 – “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

I don’t have to go through a priest to get to God.  I don’t have to complete a checklist of tasks perfectly just to be able to talk with Him.  The only requirement now is accepting His sacrifice and His Lordship.

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem provided hope that I could come into God’s presence.

Peace On Earth

Jesus didn’t come to earth to remove conflict. He couldn’t do that without removing free will. In the end, He will remove conflict, and those of us who used our free will to choose Him, will enjoy that eternal peace.

I have to be honest, though. The hope of eternal peace in the sweet by and by offers little comfort when I’m trapped by insomnia and all my worst fears are ravaging what little sanity I have left.

It’s then I have to remember that Jesus didn’t just come to set up a retirement plan.

What He brought instead, was a way to find peace in spite of conflict – whether that conflict is internal or external.

John 16:33 - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

When Jesus was born into the chaos of a stable, peace was born. That’s not just a baby in that nativity painting; it’s peace.

When I remind myself that I’m celebrating the birth of peace, it’s easier to let go of the need to “get Christmas right.” I can look back in thanks that He came, but then live my life today filled with all the benefits of why He came.

How is today better for you as a result of Jesus being born? Join the conversation.

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The birth of Jesus changes a life (click to tweet)

Maria spent most of her life focused on the theatre, while also dealing with depression and bipolar disorder.  Through Celebrate Recovery, she has come to a place of stability and peace and is now serving as a mental health advocate.  Recently, God called her to focus on writing as her main priority and she started a Bible study blog,  God’s Word for Mental Health.

She lives in Covington, GA with her husband, son, dog, and cat.  A proud geek, she enjoys fantasy and sci-fi stories, super hero movies, and spreadsheets.

Giving Thanks in the Middle of War

by Barbara Latta

In the middle of the Civil War when brother was killing brother, the country was torn apart by

Giving thanks in the middle of war

hatred and most felt there was little to be thankful for, Abraham Lincoln made this Thanksgiving proclamation across the land.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Despite the strife and problems our country is facing now, we do not have the tragedy the Civil War brought to the land. We have much to be thankful for and as we come together with our friends and families this week, may we give honor and praise to God from whom all blessings flow.

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Feel free to share your thoughts.

He Trains My Hands for War

by Barbara Latta

If Christ be captain, no fear of defeat.

War is not a beautiful thing, but in our fallen world truth and justice demand defense.

God prepares selected men with a gift for war, for without it nations would crumble under the attack of evil and the gospel would not have a pulpit from which to be preached.

Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle (Psalm 144:1 NASB).

In 1745, the Reverend George Whitefield preached a sermon to troops during King George’s War. He addressed the soldiers from 1 Samuel 22:2 and based on this scripture encouraged the men to act like the soldiers of David. This great preacher is credited with the military motto: “If Christ be captain, no fear of defeat.”

The Authenticity of the Bible - Truth of Fable?

by Barbara Latta

According to Newsweek magazine, an article in a left-leaning Israeli newspaper has stated

Fewer Americans than ever before are trusting scripture as gospel.

that the Bible is not true because physical evidence cannot be traced back to Adam and Eve. The Newsweek feature quoted statistics about the Bible from an American viewpoint:

“The mounting evidence against the Bible means fewer Americans than ever before are trusting scripture as gospel. Only 35 percent of Americans read the holy book at least once a week, while 45 percent seldom or never do, a Pew Research Center report in April found. About 36 percent of Christians said the Bible should not be taken literally, while 40 percent say it is the word of God. In all, only 24 percent of Americans said the holy book was ‘the actual word of God, and is to be taken literally, word for word,’ a Gallup poll conducted in May concluded.”

Taking Inventory of Life's Goals - Using Fall Harvest to Plan Ahead

by Barbara Latta

Taking inventory of life's goals - using fall harvest
to plan ahead.

Fall is a time of harvesting fruits and vegetables that were planted during the late summer months. Apple trees blush with red-ripened fruit and pansies bloom among pumpkins, cabbages, broccoli. Farmers are cutting hay and binding it into bales to support their animals in the winter season.

The produce filling barns and baskets is a result of planting seeds. Without seeds there would be no abundance and our fall and winter tables would suffer.

As the year comes to a close, we will soon begin holiday preparations and our minds turn to baking cookies, buying gifts and roasting turkey. With all these schedule fillers, our thoughts don’t think about spiritual matters the way we should.

But this is a good time to scrutinize life’s harvest for the past months. If the output is not what we want, the yield can change by starting now to plant new seeds.

Taking inventory can be done by answering these questions about the past year:

Did I reach the goals I made at the beginning of 2017? If not, it’s not too late to start the list over. Setting goals doesn’t have to be done at the start of the year. Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6 NKJV).

Do I like the attitudes I am harboring now? Inspect thoughts and find out where any bad seeds have been planted and root them out. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8).

Introspection now can bloom with
ideas for next year.

Did I influence as many people as I wanted to this year for the kingdom of God? Then he said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send our laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).

I have to answer all three of these questions with no. I don’t have the harvest I want, but introspection now can bloom with new goals and dreams when I am ready to start a new list.

My harvest now can be fertile ground for next year’s planting if I rip out the bad seeds that have started to grow before they take root.

And above all, if goals have not been met and the fruit of attitudes is not what you want, don’t succumb to guilt. God doesn’t beat us up over failures. He just gives us a new day to start again. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).

How do you handle your harvest? Please share your thoughts and plant a seed in another person’s life with your ideas.

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Taking inventory of life's goals (click to tweet)

Using fall harvest to plan ahead for next year (click totweet)

Resting in the Middle of Chaos - Learning from the Cattle in the Field

by Barbara Latta

Cows know how to rest. Living in a rural area, I have plenty of opportunities to pass fields full of cattle. One thing I have noticed is that cows are either lying down chewing their cud or they are standing up with their noses in the grass grabbing more food with their teeth.

They are not distracted by passing cars or planes overhead. They don’t care if the wind blows or rain pours down upon their backs. They continue feeding on the nourishment of the land because feeding is the most important aspect of their lives. They rest in the middle of the chaos going on around them.

We can learn from the cattle in the field

We are bombarded night and day with negative information pouring down upon us like the rain that hits the back of the cattle in the fields. Distractions pass us on the highway of daily living and the winds of terror blow against our faith when fearful events occur.

How can we keep our thoughts from straying into the waves of doubt and negativity with so much evil around us?

Creation Declares The Glory of God

by Barbara Latta

In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath
of all mankind. Job 12:10

With so much bad news blaring from every device we have, it’s important to take a break from the stories of tragedies, catastrophes, violence and offense and focus on God. Despite what we hear and see in person or through media, God is the Lord and He is good.

You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You (Isaiah 26:3 NASB).

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. (Psalm 46:1-4).

O clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy. For the Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth (Psalm 47:1-2).

The lesser light to govern the night. Genesis 1:16b

Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by (Psalm 57:1).

My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken (Psalm 62:2).

God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night (Genesis 1:16).

In the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Psalm 57:1

And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen (Revelation 22:20-21).

May your week be blessed and full of joy as you meditate on the power and majesty of God.

Feel free to share your thoughts.

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Creation declares the glory of God (click to tweet)