Yesterday, at church we were discussing about John the Baptist asking people to repent and make way for the King. “Clean heart” was the key point and the lesson called for 7 yr-olds to share about their Christmas preparations. Obviously, the idea was to use “cleaning up the house” and emphasize the need for a clean heart. Every one was enthusiastically telling about how they were helping with decorating the tree, wrapping the gifts, baking sugar cookies, gingerbread house etc. etc. The warm animated chatter was chilled by one little boy’s heart-breaking “we are not doing Christmas this year”. For an eternal moment my adult mind blanked out as the scripted lesson plan did not include a strategy for exceptions. Looking intently into those sad pair of eyes, I asked: “what is Christmas all about?” The eyes lighted up and sadness was replaced with joy, as little Jake flung his hands into the air and shouted “Jesus!” to lead a chorus of crazy chirps- “Christmas is all about Christ” bursting across the silenced room!

Nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ in body and in spirit… so, economic crisis or health crisis; all God’s people remain united in the joy of salvation and the gift of eternal life that nothing and no one can take away. Sometimes, we learn from the mouth of babes…

A little Tennessee Ernie Ford fact, When he was offered a National TV show he would only accept if he was allowed to sign off with a spiritual song. The Network balked at the idea and a standoff ensued.

But Ole Pea Picken Ernie Ford stood his ground and became the first Variety show to sign off with a Christian Spiritual song.

I remember awhile ago you created an article about discouragement or disappointment does it take us closer to God or cause us to grow farther from Him. I am not sure when it was. At the time I felt like other people were not living up to my high expectations of them and was becoming disappointed in them which was resulting in depression. I have grown since that was written and have found that daily looking into the heart of our Lord is the only true security I have. That was a very good article and would probably benefit some in today’s economy.

Add to that the threat of North Korea and Iran having nuclear weapons, and there really might be a terrible black cloud forming. We haven’t closed our eyes to 9/11 yet have we? Terrorists are chomping at the bit to rid the world of Israel and The United States.

But does that make the situation bleak. Do we cave in and gnash our teeth? Some will for sure commit suicide and others will rape, rob and kill.

But our Lord Jesus, the all knowing One reminded us that in this world, we will have tribulation, BUT He also promised, that in Him we can and will have peace, and “Be of good cheer, I (Jesus) have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Folks, He is the one I am looking unto. I have peace in the midst of turbulent times.

Some have suggested that “quoting Scripture” isn’t as important as loving others and “getting out there and doing something”, but I will tell you from experience that without the rock solid promises of God’s Word, hiding them in your heart, and reminding yourself day by day, and as the times get tougher, minute by minute, along with “praying without ceasing” you are in for some extreme and difficult days, and you won’t have anything to help others with either.

But Jesus is there and He promises abundant living for all who will take Him at His Word.

God is faithful to me even when I am not to Him. He comes after me when I turn down the wrong path. He goes before me and is behind me. He takes care of me in amazing ways…especially when I least deserve it. He is in control of the economy, the weather, the government, everything….nothing touches us without His permission.

In days of need and fear, we are more connected to God and to each other…we should see challenging times as a blessing instead of a curse.

My mother’s father was a union coal miner and during one of the big strikes in the early 20′s My grandfather and his family were evicted from their “company house”. My mother was a young teenager and she and her family lived in a tent. The UMWA the union set up tent cities to house their members while the strike went on.

So not only did the coal company pay their miners with Chinky Tink they also rented houses to them as part of the miners pay.

So Tennessee Ernie Ford said it all in his song. Bad times for them built a better tomorrow for me.

I have so much because of the efforts of others who came before me. I must remember that. And of course remember because of the greatest sacrifice Jesus Christ made for me, I can look forward to eternity in the comfort provided for me by Our Lord.

Our God is a Jealous God. He disciplines those He loves and seeks to draw each of us closer by whatever means is best for each of us. He is the perfect Father who knows each of us intimately. He wishes for us to know Him as intimately. One day that will happen for those who surrender to Him.

His wish is that none should perish. However, He also knows that surrender is a voluntary act on our part. As the All-knowing All-Mighty Perfect One, He realizes that while many are called, few will respond. It is a sad fact that too few of us grasp.

Those of us who have surrendered can take comfort in knowing that we have a secure place in Him despite the ‘testing’ we may be required to endure. We must remember that “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

Any believer who reads the last book of scripture knows what is yet to come. Perhaps tomorrow, perhaps in our lifetime, perhaps not. I submit that this economic crisis is yet another reminder that this world is temporary and our time in it fleeting. We have a mission to reach as many as possible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Again, I am reminded that Christ met physical needs as well as spiritual. It is the same today as then. The world may see us as insane to love our enemies and show them kindness. But, I believe those that can be saved will respond to exactly this kind of self-sacrificing love. Scripture says we must be as wise as serpents and meek as doves.

When we come to a full realization of the power of Jesus in our lives, we become invincible. Nothing can stop the Will of God. Paul expressed it in these words. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

“Finally, brothers & sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”