Dec 26 2021

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.

For many people, love is not beautiful. Love can be messy, painful, hurtful, and complicated. When Paul wrote his letter to the church in Ephesus, he encouraged them to evaluate how they loved each other.

He tells them to be meek and lowly; in other words, to be humble, which is the opposite of selfishness. In our lives today, being self-centered can damage friendships, family, and marriages. Humility means that we push our own feelings and desires aside and care more about others than ourselves.

The next word Paul uses is "longsuffering," which means "patient." When we operate in patient love, we commit to staying with the people we love for the long haul. We don't walk away as soon as things get complicated or challenging. We demonstrate the kind of patience that others will have to show us someday.

The last words of encouragement in this Scripture passage are "forbearing one another in love." Sometimes we have to bear with one another, although that does not mean we should allow toxic relationships in our lives. It means we realize that no one is perfect, and we all need God's help. So, we allow each other to make mistakes and forgive each other when needed. We let love be the basis for everything we say and do.

Our love for God should be reflected in how we love each other. God is loving and patient with us. He never leaves us, even when we are difficult to love. We should treat each other with the same attitude—and with God's help, we can.

Lord, sometimes I am disappointed in my relationships with others. Maybe my expectations of them aren't fair. Perhaps I want to be loved without having to show love in return. Please enable me to love, even when I don't want to and it's difficult. Make me meek, patient, and loving in how I treat others. I know that people who do not know you may not want to accept your love, but I need your love every day. Help my actions to be like yours. Thank you for your love for me. In Jesus' name, amen.

Dec 25 2021

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. :

In the first chapter of Matthew, we read the story of how Mary and Joseph learned the part they would play in the birth of the Savior of the world. An angel appeared to Mary, and then Joseph was visited by an angel in a dream.

When Joseph first learned that Mary was pregnant, he knew the child could not be his. He and Mary were not married and had not been intimate. So he decided the best thing to do was to leave her—and then the angel paid him a visit.

It would not take much convincing if an angel comes to you and tells you what to do! Joseph was part of God's plan, and God wanted him to be at peace with what was happening.

During times when we are caught off guard, God also wants us to turn to Him. He may not send an angel to visit, but He will always send His peace. There is a measure of faith that is always required in following God's unique plan for our lives.

Joseph still had a choice to make. The angel wasn't forcing him to do anything. And in our own lives, there will undoubtedly be times when God is telling us to do something and we are unsure or afraid. We should allow our faith to overcome our fears and follow what God says.

Dear Lord, I am grateful that you have plans for my life. Sometimes they require that I respond in faith, and that can be hard. But just as Joseph chose to trust you, I pray that you will give me the confidence and courage to trust you no matter what is happening in my life. I don't always have to understand what you are doing, but it is my responsibility to follow what you say. Help me not to doubt that you are with me. Let me feel your peace and presence in my life today. In Jesus' name, amen.
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