Lessons I Learned from a Pine Christmas Tree
Psa 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
I grew up with our family having a fake Christmas tree my entire life. I preferred having a fake tree as the only way to have a tree…until I got married and was “told” what we were going to do, just kidding, I wanted to try it out and see what it was like. I am very glad that I tried getting a real tree, because my family really enjoys that process. These next few lessons came as a result of going to a tree farm or tree lot and the process it takes to buy and get it home and decorated. I hope these lessons will encourage, challenge, and convict you just like they have done to me.
Lesson #1
You have to go where the trees are and search all of the trees.
You have to go to the tree farm where they are, or in some cases you need to go to a tree lot and pick one out. You will not get a tree unless you go where they are.
Application
God the Father is seeking someone to use. This is why we were created…to be used! I do not want to live this life without having any purpose from God the Father. What a sad life to live when a person lives a life that has no purpose. I do not know about you, but I want to have purpose to everything that I do. I want to fulfill God’s purpose for my life. Let me ask you a few questions:
1. What is God’s will for your life? Do you know it? If not, then I suggest that you seek God and beg Him to show it to you. The only way to get total fulfillment and satisfaction in life is to do what you were created to do.
2. Are you DOING God’s will? I didn’t say your own will. I have met many people who blame a lot on the Lord, their mistakes. included.
Are you willing to follow God’s will for your life? I feel crazy even asking that question because asking that question is like asking a lady if she wants chocolate; it’s like asking a car guy if he wants a fully restored vintage car of his choice; it is like asking a starving person if they would like to go to a buffet. God’s will is the best thing that anyone could ever do!!!!! Doing God’s will takes faith, but God gives that peace that passes all understanding, He gives that grace to help in time of need, and He gives that fulfillment that every addict in the world is looking for. God’s will is so good, we should pay to be a part of it. We should not have to be convinced to trust God and follow Him, but rather we should be “bugging Him” to use us. What happens to the trees that are not picked and every year they get passed up? They become rotten…why, because they do not fulfill what their purpose is. What will you do? Do you know God’s will? Are you in God’s will? If you are not, then you are missing out on the “key” to life!
Are You My Teacher?
Tit 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
“Every man is my teacher”, is what I heard growing up from a hero of the faith, Dr Jack Hyles. I will not give the statistics of what God has done through him, but I will tell you that he was used in a mighty way to change our country for good and for God! When Bro. Hyles stated that he can learn from any person, it was like Albert Pujols saying that he still has a lot to learn about being a good hitter, it was like Michael Jordan saying that he still has a lot to learn about the game of basketball, it is like Donald Trump saying that he has a lot to learn on the subjects of Real-Estate and Business!
If Bro. Hyles can humbly admit that he still has a lot to learn, then I can admit that I have a LOT to learn still! My point with all of this is that I have learned a lot from a tree. Yes, a lowly pine tree is my teacher. I am not ashamed to admit this. Over the course of the next few devotionals, I will share with you the many lessons that I have learned from the lowly pine tree. Will you be open and receptive to the lessons and thoughts that have helped me? I encourage you to read with an open heart and a teachable spirit!
Your Turn God
Mat 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
I started a little series on Joseph and I want to continue it today. I have listed the first 3 points. I will add one more.
1. Joseph did right, even when his ancestors and relatives did wrong.
2. Joseph reacted slowly.
3. Joseph respected Mary, even when he didn’t trust her.
4. Joseph waited and thought about what should be done, before he did anything. I know that I kind of went over this two days ago, but I want to add something to it. When Joseph waited and pondered what to do next, that allowed God to step in and inform Joseph of what to do and how to do it. When we react slowly, we allow God the opportunity to step in and fix, explain, show, and solve the problem. When we are quick to jump, we often find ourselves getting ahead of God and making the situation more complicated than it needs to be.
Notice in verse 20 the Angel of the Lord came to him and told him what he needed to hear and to do. I would also like to point out that Joseph listened, he did not talk or interrupt or try to control the situation. He allowed God to do what was best, and because of it he and Mary and Jesus were bettered for it. When crazy things happen to you will you allow God a chance to do something, or will you jump ahead of God? The choice is up to you!
Revealed Respect
Mat 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
I started a little series on Joseph yesterday and I want to continue it today. I have listed the two points from yesterday. I will add one more.
1. Joseph did right, even when his ancestors and relatives did wrong.
2. Joseph reacted slowly.
3. Joseph respected Mary, even when he didn’t trust her. The custom back then with two people getting engaged or “espoused” was to wait 9 months to a year for a “proving time” for the woman to show that was “pure, chaste, and honorable.” If she was impregnated before she was married, then the “waiting period” would reveal it. If this happened, the man espoused to her would take her before the city and expose her and she would bear the shame for not being a virgin. Joseph found out that she was pregnant and loved and respected her so much that he was not willing to make her a public example-verse 19. Even in his broken heart, Joseph still did right by Mary. I often ask myself what I would have done in that scenario, and I probably would not have reacted as good as Joseph did. Here we have another example that it is never ok to do wrong even when it seems justifiable.
I believe that God knew how Joseph would react when put in this situation; that is why Joseph got used by God in such an miraculous way! I could imagine that Joseph was probably feeling some stress at this point, and he revealed to everyone that he was a “Just Man” and that he can be trusted by God with Baby Jesus. Do you think God would just put Jesus in any home? No Way, Jose! God put Jesus in THE home that He could trust to raise His son right! How about you? How will you react to things that are tough? Will you buckle under pressure or will you shine through like Joseph did?
Joseph the Just
Mat 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
I love Christmas! I love the Bible verses that tell us of the story of Jesus coming down on the earth. Matthew chapters 1 & 2 and Luke chapter 2 are the main passages where the Christmas story comes from. These verses are so rich with things that are beneficial to us today; I want to share a few thoughts with you concerning the verses listed above:
1. Joseph did right, even when his ancestors and relatives did wrong. Joseph was in line to be king of Israel, but because his relatives before him lived wickedly; he suffered. Joseph, in our reasoning, could have been justified in being bitter, but he wasn’t. Joseph was more interested in being “Just”. That means holy, equitable, and fair. What will you do…How will you respond when you have to suffer from someone else “messing-up”? How will you respond when your loved ones mistreat or abuse you? Joseph responded correctly and God had respect for Joseph and used him to train God’s only Begotten Son. That is very amazing considering that God could have chosen anyone!
2. Joseph reacted slowly. In verse 20, he thought about what his reaction could be and should be to Mary being pregnant. He didn’t know that it was the Holy Ghost that did it. Even if Mary explained it to him, He probably still would not have believed her; still, he reacted slowly. Slow reactions lead to better reactions. Those who fly off the handle and over-react to life are in for a harder life. Bad reactions only complicate the matter. In our anger and hatred, we convince ourselves that over-reacting will solve the problem. It only complicates the situation and makes a bad situation into a horrible situation. When something happens that is out of your control, remember to react slowly.
Overlooked The Best Things
Psa 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
I know, I know, I have used this verse already. I just can’t stop thinking about how wonderful God really is to me and my family! No, I did not win the lottery. No, I did not receive an expensive gift. No, I was not given something out of the ordinary. My day started like it usually does and nothing significant has happened……..except for the fact that I:
1. Did not wake up homeless today. What a blessing it is to wake up in a warm bed with a roof over my head! My roof is not leaking, that I know of, and my house stayed dry in the rain storm that we were in.
2. I woke up next to my wife. A lot of men can say that this morning. A lot of heart-ache has happened to a lot of good people. I am sorry that others cannot say that they woke up next to their spouse, but if you did, you are blessed!
3. I helped my children get ready for school today. I have two wonderful, beautiful, funny, exciting, energetic, and loving little girls. They, next to my wife, are my best buddies! I got to spend my morning with them today! I know that a lot of soldiers did not have that privilege that I had this morning! Thank God for our faithful, dedicated, hard-working, and sacrificial soldiers who were not able to spend their morning with their little ones!!
4. I got in my car with a hot cup of coffee and went to work! A lot of people are out there looking for jobs, wishing that they had work to go and do! I did not have to worry about my car breaking down (I drive a Chevy, it is 15 years old and it was made before they got rescued by BIG BROTHER) due to running out of gas or any mechanical failure.
5. I get to do what I love to do! WHAT AN AWESOME BLESSING! I get to do what I love to do, and that is to work full time for Christ! It is the highest honor and most humbling honor that I have ever experienced.
I listed these above things to say that our lives are full of daily blessings that we often overlook. I am guilty of overlooking and taking for granted the daily benefits that God gives me!
Bro. CW’s Challenge:
Make a list of blessings today. List the everyday, common things that happen and sit back and thank God for allow you to receive and experience those benefits!
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