Wrap It Up! By Louisa Guzman

Have you started wrapping your Christmas presents yet? I'm one of those people who actually enjoy wrapping. I make a grand day of it with plenty of hot cocoa and cookies on hand. With Christmas music and Hallmark movies playing in the background,

I take out all my stickers, washi tape, swirly scissors, ribbons, gift bags, assorted papers, tags, candy canes, and all sorts of other odds and ends like ornaments and mini picture frames to make each gift personal and special.

That day I happily get lost in all the glitter.

Sadly, however, I must admit that not once while twisting sparkly pipe cleaners into reindeer antlers

do I ever stop to think of Jesus. How is it that Christmas is Jesus' birthday and yet there are no gifts being wrapped and made special for Him? As John 3:16 reminds us, "for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish". Jesus was God's lavish gift to us. But where is our gift to Him?

I take so much time to make gifts special for everyone else, so naturally I should give Jesus my very best. But what do you give the "Birthday Boy" who has it all? Even the magi got it right by bringing Him gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh.

Hmmmmmm...

So this year I'm going to "regift" my heart to Jesus. I'm not even going to wrap it up. I'm going to leave it open and give it completely to Him.

What gift will you give Jesus this Christmas?

The Power of One!

It’s easy to look at the impact other Christians are making in the world and wonder whether our small acts of service and love are really making a difference. A recent encounter reminded me not to be overly concerned about the masses, when I have the power of touching one life at a time.

After work, I stopped by one of my favorite restaurants to pick up a meal. I wasn’t feeling as well as I’d like that day and casually greeted the cashier as I paid. Usually, I try to express genuine interest in the people I encounter, but I just wasn’t up to it.

The cashier’s face lit up when she recognized me. Her warm greeting reminded me of the need to check out of my feelings and focus upon the given opportunity to be a blessing.

The Bible records several stories of Jesus’ one on one encounters. Though He spoke to the masses, He literally took time out to hear and speak with people, making each encounter important.

Jesus illustrates the power of one in Matthew 18: 12-14 - 12 “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? 13 If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 14 So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

Can you hear Jesus saying to His followers today - What about the person I sent your way who needed an ear, but all you could think about was you? What about the one I sent your way for an answer that you didn’t bother to give because you thought they wouldn’t listen. Be alert for the possibilities of miracles that I desire to do through you one person at a time.

As ambassadors for Christ, daily we are presented with opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the people we encounter. Don’t take those moments for granted. Instead, sharpen your spiritual antennas through prayer, the Bible, and through praise/worship and watch out. Be ready to make a difference, one person at a time.

Rainbows in the Clouds by Idalia Ortiz

Some may say that clouds are depressing or unsettling. I find clouds to be comforting and peaceful. As my friend and I drove home from Sunday church service, there were clouds in the sky and it was raining. She and I noticed a couple holding each other, covering themselves with an umbrella as they stood on the boardwalk. I thought to myself how beautiful. I felt such a peace and the Lord’s presence.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “— John 14:27 NIV

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”— John 16:33 NIV

I’m so grateful that even though we sometimes are surrounded by clouds, God is always in the midst of them. He holds us tightly, covering us from pending storms. And in those clouds, you see a rainbow appear. There’s a quietness and stillness that’s comforting in knowing that God is with us.

Matthew 8:23-26.

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

In Isaiah 4:6, the Lord provides a canopy:

“It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain. “

God is so with us, I marvel of what He has done and is doing:

In Genesis 9:12-17 God says to Noah:

12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”17 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

Wow! God’s covenant to Noah is for all generations and that means, it's for us today. What a loving God! So when you look up and there are clouds above, remember that God will cover you and embrace you in the storm. And, you may even get to see His rainbow. He is such a good, good Father, thank you Jesus.