There was coal in my stocking!
I’ve been naughty. Right?
Actually, receiving coal was funny, but it did provoke a serious question.
Does God Give Bad Gifts?
Does God give His children, believers in Christ, coal? Does God give bad gifts to His own?
Nope.
““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 what is good to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11)
The Father gave us (believers) His Son. How will He not give us all things?
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
God’s Gifts
Jesus Christ
“Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who 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)
The Holy Spirit
“Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
Justification
“…being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;” (Romans 3:24)
Eternal Life
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
And wait! There’s more! (Make your own list.)
Discipline
Of course, He does discipline us to make us more godly, to make us more like Christ.
Discipline is a gift!
“‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:19)
He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:10–11)
What To Do With “Coal”
Sometimes, God’s best gifts look grim.
Remember, He is our Father, loves us from everlasting to everlasting, and equips us for heaven.
Everything from His hand, the apparent good and the apparent bad, will be used for good.
When I unwrapped the “coal” in my stocking, inside the wrappers were chocolates.
And, yes, the chocolates were yummy.
Look beyond the appearance of the “bad gift,” know your Father loves you, and trust Him to use that “gift” for good. (Romans 8:28)
photo: Nasa.gov
Revelation gives us another view of Christ’s nativity. No sweet Christmas music here. Instead, think “Jaws,” and then music accompanying a fierce battle scene.
War in Ages Past
“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
“Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.
Christmas and Easter
“And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne…
War in the Present
“And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon…And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him…
“And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child…
“[And] the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” (Revelation 12:1–17)
War!
The battle began in ages past and will continue until the devil and his supporters are thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:10)
Christmas is a time for gratitude:
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
God sent His Son to save us from our sins. If we believe in Christ and He whom sent Him, we become children of God (our own nativity!) and have eternal life. (See, for example, John 1:12; John 3:16; John 4:24)
Christmas is also a time to take stock:
We are in a fierce battle.
We are part of Christ’s army (See You’re In Christ’s Army Now).
Let’s stay alert and be faithful.
Review who and what you are praying for and about.
Are you the only one praying for that person, or that issue, or that opportunity?
You might be.
What implication does that have for the fervency of your prayers?
That possibility definitely helps me be consistent in my prayers, and heightens my sense of responsibility.
It is God, of course, who is sovereign over our world, but He has told us to pray.
If I am the only one praying, I want to make sure I am, in fact, praying.
How about you?
Let’s pray!
Mapmakers used the phrase “Here Be Dragons” at the edges of their known world. *
Beyond what they knew, there was danger, there were dragons.
We often think of the future that way. Beyond the edge of our (confident) expectations, we often fear dragons are lurking.
Too often, we focus on dragons, and not on God.
Yet, our Lord God is there in the future. He has control of whatever dragons might be lurking.
Instead of thinking “Here be dragons,” think “God is with me.”
Our challenge is to trust Him for our future as well as our present. (See When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready?)
* At least, that is what I always thought. The truth is different, although there is at least one map (published about 1503) that uses that phrase in that way. See http://www.maphist.nl/extra/herebedragons.html
But, Lord, I don’t want to.
Have you ever said that to your Lord? I have. Ask yourself: “Is He Lord over your decision?” “Is He Lord over your life?”
Recently I talked about being on the shelf. (See On the Shelf) So, learning my new area of service should be—will be–wonderful. But what if I don’t like my new assignment?
It is God who decides our area of service. He gives each of us gifts that we are to use in His service, to build up the body of Christ. Some of us are feet, some eyes, some less presentable parts of Christ’s body.
So what if He gives me an area of service that reflects me as a lowly, less presentable part of the body? I am—you are—His, and in service to Him. It is His choice.
And it is GOD who rewards faithful service.
I wonder if Paul didn’t have his first choice of a ministry. Paul!
“For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh…” (Romans 9:3)
Paul passion and anguish for his fellow Jews was deep and genuine, extending even to willingness for eternal self-sacrifice (which Paul knew wasn’t possible).
Yet God did not give Paul a ministry to the Jews for whom Paul had such devotion.
Instead, God sent Paul to the Gentiles, including to the Corinthians who gave Paul such heartache. Yet Paul was faithful in his ministry to them.
“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart…” (2 Corinthians 4:1)
Has God given you an area of service that you really don’t want? Remember God’s mercy to you: He
- Called you
- Saved you
- Justified you
- Is sanctifying you
- Will glorify you.
Let’s be conscious of His mercy towards you and me, thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him in whatever way He wants, and be faithful.
“Give us grateful hearts, our Father, for Your many blessings. Make us mindful of the needs of others. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
This Thanksgiving, take stock. Are you a grateful person? What are you grateful for? The Lord has given you and me many blessings–spiritual and earthly, eternal and temporal.
I once heard someone ask: “If the Lord removed everything for which you had not given thanks, what would you miss?”
This Thanksgiving, let’s take steps to become more grateful.
#1: Decide to become characterized by gratitude. Make up your mind.
#2: Ask the Giftgiver to give you a grateful heart.
#3: Spend time, at least 30 minutes, listing every spiritual and temporal blessing you can in that period of time. Thanksgiving Day is a great time for this, but pick additional days throughout the year as well. Your birthday. Christmas. New Year’s. Easter.
#4. Develop daily routines to reduce grumbling and increase gratitude:
– When you catch yourself grumbling, deliberately give thanks for something instead. (See Who are you grumbling at?)
– At the end of the day, every day, identify three things for which you are grateful. Think about what happened to cause those good things, and see God’s hand behind them. If you journal, write them down.
– Routinely share with others things for which you’re grateful. Sharing helps cement your thankfulness.
God commands us to give Him thanks (for example, Ephesians 5:20, ). We are told not to grumble (for example, Philippians 2:14).
(See Give thanks. Always. In everything.)
“Give us grateful hearts, our Father, for Your many blessings. Make us mindful of the needs of others. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Happy Thanksgiving!
Employees are bombarded with distractions: email, messages, unscheduled visitors, phone calls. It is a huge productivity problem, with well-paid consultants and programs attempting to improve focus on the tasks at hand. Researchers have found that it takes some time, perhaps 25 minutes, to reengage after an interruption.
Distractions can be a spiritual problem as well.
Martha was distracted by her preparations and missed an opportunity to sit at Jesus’ feet.
“But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”” (Luke 10:40)
Solomon was distracted by his many foreign wives, and bad things happened.
“Now King Solomon loved many foreign women…and his wives turned his heart…away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God…Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully…Now the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not observe what the Lord had commanded. (1 Kings 11:1–13)
Interruptions and distractions must be managed if they cannot be eliminated.
Solomon could have obeyed the Lord and not taken many foreign wives.
Martha could have made more simple preparations and focused on the Lord.
We all are susceptible. A friend who has a child with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) talks about ADOS: Attention Deficit…Ooooh….Shiny.
But we can learn to recognize distractions, and keep our focus where the Lord wants it…But not without prayer and His help. And not without practice.
I think this is a tough problem in busy lives. Do you have suggestions for me?
I love to give and receive encouragement. And encouragement is—can be—a spiritual gift. (See A Little Help FOR Our Friends.)
But it is possible to encourage evil, and that is not good.
“Because you disheartened the righteous with falsehood when I did not cause him grief, but have encouraged the wicked not to turn from his wicked way and preserve his life…” (Ezekiel 13:22)
And the end of the chain of depravity in Romans 1 is:
“Although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.” (Romans 1:32)
We must be discerning to know when encouragement is good, or not.
We must prayerfully consider:
How and when to encourage
AND how not to encourage evil in others.
Let’s consider “how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,” (Hebrews 10:24)
“These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority.” (Titus 2:15)
Let’s consider how to encourage God’s children.
And let’s pray how to respond to the evil in our midst.
“You’re in the Army now. You’re in the Army now.
You’re not behind a plow. You’re in the Army now.”
I sang that ditty as a kid, never expecting I’d be in the Army. Ever.
We’re in the Army Now
But I am in the army now.
And you, as a fellow Christian, are also in Christ’s army. We are to be good soldiers of God.
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3)
Fight the Good Fight
We are to fight the good fight of faith.
“This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, … that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience…” (1 Timothy 1:18-19)
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Use God’s Armor
We are to put on the whole armor of God.
“The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)
We’re on Duty
As soldiers in Christ’s army, we are always on duty. We never get a furlough.
“No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” (2 Timothy 2:4)
Follow our Lord and Commander
We need to stay alert for attacks, and fall in line behind our Lord and Commander.
“And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.” (Revelation 19:14)
“And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.” (Revelation 19:19)
While the battle may rage, and while we know more difficult battles are coming, we also know the outcome of the war. God wins. And we, as His soldiers, are on the winning side.
“These [the beast and his followers] will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)
Hallelujah!
“The Lord has put me on the shelf.”
That is “Christian-ese” for “I am not in service”; “I’ve been set aside.”
Be careful. You may be in the Lord’s place of service, even though it isn’t how you want to be used.
Watch how you interpret “on the shelf.”
How about: “He is preparing me for something.” “He is giving me an opportunity to rest.” “I need to watch for opportunities in the place He put me.” “My time hasn’t come.” “Wait.”
Think about two people who might have felt they were on the shelf and forgotten:
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was about six months older than Jesus (Luke 1).
Eight days after he was born, his father prophesied: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare His ways…” (Luke 1:76)
Then there was a loooonnnnggg delay:
“And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.” (Luke 1:80)
His public appearance didn’t come until he was about 30.
Moses
Moses fled Egypt when he was 40 and settled in Midian where he pastured the sheep of his father-in-law for 40 years. Forty years!
During those 40 years, he married, had children, and tended the sheep.
And then, one day, out of the blue, the angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush. (Exodus 3:2)
The time had come for the LORD to send Moses back to Egypt in order to deliver His people.
Our Shelf Time
John the Baptist, no doubt, knew about the prophecy and was waiting for the Lord to tell him, “Go!”
There is no indication Moses thought he would have anything to do for the Lord. He probably thought he would continue to tend sheep, year after year.
What about you? Me?
We do not know the future. We do not know the Lord’s specific plans.
But we do have the present, and need to use our time wisely.
Continue to grow in knowledge of God.
Study the Bible
Worship
Pray
Be obedient to Him.
Watch for His orders
Trust
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When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready?
When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready? helps Christians not fear bad news, shows them how to handle current trouble, and helps them emerge stronger on the other side.
About me
I'm a Christian, wife, retiree, and author.
I love studying and putting knowledge into action. I'll share what I'm learning, encourage you, and urge all of us to press on to become more like Christ.
Pressing On Together
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