Month: December 2023

What Are You Doing for the New Year?

DrJayCook Christian Life , , ,

It is kind of funny how we stay up really late on December 31 and get up late on January 1 because of our celebration of the New Year.  But if you think about it, we are actually getting the last out of the old year while starting the new year a little late.  The way people gripe about each year (recently), it seems odd to squeeze everything out of it before going to the next.

At any rate, it is upon us.  And one of the things often done to ring in a new year is making New Year’s Resolutions.  We mean well, but we seldom keep them; in fact, studies show that only 9% of us actually reach those goals.  23% give up on the gals in the first week of January, and 43% give up by the end of January.

Goals are good, but I would like to suggest that we instead determine to have focused direction in the new year.  The new year is important, and we need to make the most of it.  Consider that Psalm 90:12 states: “Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.”

First, we should focus on the past.  We need to think about the lessons we have learned, the prayers that have been answered, the blessings of God, and the faithfulness of God.  This will help us face the new year.

Second, we should focus on the present.  We need to be right with God, so we need to get right with God.  We must ask Him to help us do as He desires and to give us the direction we need.  We need to enjoy the family and other relationships we have.  And we must commit to grow by committing to our church, Bible reading, and prayer.  This will help us face the new year.

Third, we should focus on the future.  We must ask God to help us trust Him more, so we can face whatever the future holds.  We also need to take care of ourselves, so we can face tomorrow in the best way.  This will help us face the new year.

Make the most of the new year.  Remember the wisdom of Ephesians 5:15-17: “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk – not as unwise people but as wise – making the most of the time, because the days are evil.  So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

You might want to consider the following resource that teaches some good principles on focused living. Though it says that it is for leaders, the principles are true for everyone. Click the picture to learn more…

What Are You Giving for Christmas?

DrJayCook Christmas , , ,

As the song goes: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”  Christmas is a wonderful time – no doubt about it.  There is a special feeling in the air.

We have created lots of traditions for the Christmas season, and one of the most obvious is gift giving.  The picking out, wrapping, and giving of gifts cannot be separated from the season.  We want people to feel special because of our gifts.  We want our gifts to be meaningful.  We want to be good gift givers.

This reality should not be a surprise to us.  We include the Wise Men in our Christmas celebrations, and giving is what they did.  We read in Matthew 2:10-11, “When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.  Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him.  Then they opened their treasurers and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

It is natural to give during this time.  It is like it is deep inside us.  And that should not surprise us either.  After all, Christmas is here because God gave.  John 3:16 states, “‘For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.’”

Jesus left the splendor of Heaven to come to the poverty of Earth – for us.  The Father gave us the Son.  And Jesus gave His life for us.  That is what God continues to do – give.

Christmas is about giving because God gave.  And 2 Corinthians 9:5 points out what we should do because of that: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

We have been given the greatest gift of all.  However, it is up to each one of us to decide whether or not we will receive God’s gift.  And if you do receive it, it is time to give Him your whole self (as the Bible puts it: a living sacrifice).  And if you do receive it, it is time to give the same hope to others.

Sure, we will be giving “regular” gifts this season, but like the Wise Men did, I hope you will give to Jesus.

You may want to read more about this. Consider the following excellent resource – click the picture to see more…

It It All About Jesus

DrJayCook Christmas , , , , , ,

One of the most beautiful buildings in the world is the Taj Mahal in India. The emperor Shah Jahan commissioned its creation to honor his deceased wife.  Since it is nearly four hundred years old, many legends have been created in connection with it.

One legend describes how passionate the emperor was to build a spectacular temple for his wife’s coffin.  He ordered that her coffin be placed in the center of the site as the temple was built around it.  Work continued for over twenty years, and one day during that time Jahan stumbled over a wooden box that was covered with dust.  He was upset at the inconvenience, so he ordered a workman to get rid of the box.  Later he discovered that he had ordered the removal of the box containing the coffin of his love – the very reason for the entire project.

I do not know if that is true, but I can imagine it happening.  After all, I see a similar thing happening every year.

Year after year, we prepare for and celebrate Christmas.  Many people get so wrapped up in the holiday details, traditions, festivities, and gifts that they neglect Jesus.  Some see Jesus as an inconvenience to the holiday and would prefer to remove Him from the holiday completely.  We do exactly what the Taj Mahal legend was about.

But it does not have to be that way.  Christmas comes back to Luke 2:11: “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Christmas is about the only One who can save our souls coming to us.  Christmas is about the Messiah – the Lord coming to us.  Christmas is all about Jesus, and anything else should point to Him.

Personally, I love the music, foods, gatherings, and festivities of Christmas.  However, my prayer is that I never forget why we celebrate it.  And I pray that you never forget why we celebrate it.  In fact, I pray that if you have not accepted the Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord, that you will soon.  It is all about Jesus.

The following book goes into detail about the amazing birth of Jesus. Click the picture to see more…

In Between the Holidays

DrJayCook Christmas, Thanksgiving , , , ,

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Technically, it is not Christmas yet.  We are in the in-between time, and what a wonderful time it is.

Two verses come to my mind about this wonderful time.  Psalm 106:1 states: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.”  And John 3:16 states: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”  Those two verses remind us of what we should be thinking about: that God deserves our thanks for His love, and that love gave us Jesus.

We are in between the holidays, but we are on the other side of what they celebrate.  God has blessed all of us.  He deserves our thanks.  God has given us Jesus.  He deserves our devotion.

It is one thing to celebrate what the holidays represent and another thing to celebrate the celebration.  I hope you will not get wrapped up in the celebrating and not honor the reason for the celebration.

How about giving thanks?

Sometimes our thanks is based on the “stuff” we have.  But “stuff” gets old, goes out of style, goes out of date, and breaks.  We instead should focus on the amazing gifts that God gives: His faithful love, His presence, His salvation, family, friends…

How about focusing on the reason?

It is easy to get excited about sales and parties, but it is more important to get excited about what God has done for us, is doing for us, and has in store for us.  For those of us who are Christians, we must share the hope that was given to us.  For those of us with the money to have cell phones and frequents drive-through trips, we must share the financial blessings we have with others and especially with our churches.

How about praying to show the same love?

We are surrounded by people who are hurting.  We are connected with many who are struggling.  We could turn a blind eye, or we could ask God to help us see the needs around us and know how we can bless them.

The in-between time gives us a month to enjoy.  The in-between time could give us a month to spread joy.  I hope you will choose to make a difference.

Check out the following resource to prepare your heart (and mind) for Christmas. Click the picture to find out more…