There are two contrasting Bible stories that spring to mind when I think of my options. The first is that of Sarai, Abram's wife, who had been waiting forever for God's promise to give her and Abram a son. Sarai felt that she had waited long enough, and the solution was perfectly clear to her, so she sprang into action.

Genesis 16:1-4a – Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; so she said to Abram, "The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. (NIV)

From this union came Abram's first son, Ishmael. God's promise to Ishmael was not the same as the promise that He gave Isaac, Abram's "Son-of-Promise" through Sarai. Arabs and Christians alike recognize Ishmael as being the father of many Arab nations, and as a result of Ishmael's birth, and by God's promise to him, the stage was set for the millennia of hostility between Jews and Arabs. However, had Sarai just waited for God to act in His way and in His timing, much unrest in the Middle East might have been averted — even in this present time.

The other story is about Joseph, Mary's husband, who found himself betrothed to a woman who was already pregnant. His first reaction was to quietly divorce her, as was his right. Yet, Joseph didn't do that.

Matthew 1:20 – But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." (NIV)

Joseph trusted God to arrange things as they should be, and he was obedient to God's instruction, so our Saviour was born in Bethlehem.

In both stories, the characters had a choice to make: believe God and follow His plan, or take it upon themselves to fix things. Sarai made a decision which led to many negative results, while Joseph was obedient to God, and through the righteousness of Mary and him, God provided the long-awaited salvation for mankind.

There are lessons here for us about practicing the faith that we claim. Let us lay our problems before God and wait. It works for me every time. Let us simply wait upon His will and obey it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You know all things now and in the future. Help us to be in communion with You through the Holy Spirit, that we may trust in Your guidance and follow Your instructions, so that our lives are acceptable to You and so that our actions may bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

As I was reading about this demon-filled Gerasene man, who was so possessed by a "legion" of demons that he was cutting himself with stones, I realized that when I was young, I never heard about young people cutting themselves or suffering from anorexia nervosa or bulimia, but now it's commonplace. Even youth suicide is approaching an epidemic. Like the Gerasene man, what despair our youth must be experiencing to resort to such acts of desperation! Obviously worldly things are not meeting their spiritual needs.

So many people today have no knowledge of God. Their souls are completely possessed by worldly things because they don't know that they have the option of reserving room for a relationship with Him. We've lost three generations of church goers — and counting.

In the town where I live, the churches are quite active, but primarily with seniors. There are few youth or children in most of the parishes. Twenty years from now, these churches will have died off. Who is going to pass the torch, and to whom? Who will minister to our suffering young people?

The only answer that I can see is prayer. For example, Nehemiah, upon hearing news of the state of the remnant of his people in Israel, wept and then prayed day and night. As in the present day, there seemed nothing that one person could do — but Nehemiah prayed.

Nehemiah 1:4 – When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (NIV)

As stated in the hymn, The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended by John Ellerton, God's church is praying day and night.

We thank Thee that Thy church, unsleeping,
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.

As o'er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.

The sun that bids us rest is waking
Our brethren 'neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making
Thy wondrous doings heard on high.

Take heart. God is in control, despite the grim appearance of our present world. The future will unfold according to His plan, and somehow, He will bring it to its predestined end. Our job is to do what we can to spread the gospel — but especially, to pray.

Prayer: Lord God, we take comfort in knowing that You are in control of this world and that ultimately, things will work according to Your plan. Thank You for Your faithfulness to us. Help us to be faithful to You as we pray for Your world. In Jesus' name, we ask it. Amen.

Not everyone has come from a loving, nurturing home, and for those who haven't, it's hard to grasp that God knows us inside and out and yet loves us and wants a relationship with us in spite of our failings and sins. My family of origin was not a supportive one, and because I grew up with a surplus of criticism and little positive reinforcement, "Our Father" was not a name for a loving God that I could relate to. It was a big leap of faith for me to trust that God actually loved me, that He was willing to forgive the sins that I had committed, that He would wash me clean enough to stand before His throne through the blood of Christ, and that all I had to do was come before Him and repent of my sins. It couldn't be that simple, could it? Fortunately, my grandmother was a practicing Christian and was very present in my life. She was my safe place, and although I didn't live with her, I was able to learn from her about how much God loved me.

Ephesians 1:7-8a – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us. (NIV)

The impediment that prevents some people from becoming children of God may be that they don't feel adequate, and their sins weigh on them. They believe that God cannot forgive and love bad sinners such as themselves. I was once told an analogy that stuck with me. When we come face to face with Christ to confess our sins, He takes them and tosses them over His shoulder. We can still see our sins behind Him, but He cannot, and they are now truly gone. However, for peace in our spirits, we must also dismiss them as gone. That's the second step in the healing — forgiving ourselves! God's love washes us clean, and we are white as snow.

Isaiah 1:18 – "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (NIV)

Acts 26:17b-18 – I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (NIV)

Only a God who loves us unconditionally would make these promises. He created us in His image and loves us in spite of our sinful nature and wants us to be in fellowship with Him through eternity. Trust Him to forgive you and restore you to a clean slate, as He has promised. Then, you must also let your sinful past go.

Prayer: For the many who have been hurt in this life and don't understand Your unconditional love, Lord, please build them up so that they can trust in You. Help them to know that once they repent of their sins, they are secure in Your love and can have in their lives the peace that passes understanding. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

It seems that Christmas is now just about being silly. Having been founded as a Christian attempt to redeem Saturnalia — the week-long, pagan Roman festival of light to the god Saturn leading up to the winter solstice — it appears to have reverted back to its origins, with feasting, a carnival, and an "anything goes" atmosphere.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)

Traditional Christian symbols seem to be fading, while the Grinch and Minions seem to be on the rise. Whatever happened to bells and stars and wreaths? Although they didn't fully portray the meaning of Christmas, they did represent church bells, the star of David, and the wreath, a full circle of God's plan for humanity and His faithfulness. There was a connection to the real reason that we celebrate Christmas. Vanishing is the calm, peaceful, gentle atmosphere of Christmases past. Fading away is the reassuring music that was uplifting and meaningful, like Silent Night and Joy To The World.

Isaiah 9:6 – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (KJV)

The true meaning of Christmas is that when Christ was born on earth, God's plan for humanity's salvation was in place. God was going to reconcile us, His beloved creation, to Himself. He was willing to offer His own Son as an atoning sacrifice.

With cartoon characters sporting Christmas hats and red-and-green clothing, what message are we giving to our children about the reason for the season? Obviously, it's party-time, just like Saturnalia, and it grieves my heart that our youth may never know what Christmas really represents.

As Christians and ambassadors for Christ, it is our duty to try in our own towns and families to tell the true Christmas story as often as possible and to represent to others what God did for us that Christmas Day so long ago.

Prayer: Heavenly Father and loving God, Who gave us Your own Son to live and die to reconcile us to You for eternity, may we be quick to speak to a heathen world and explain what Christmas is really about. May those hearing us then be moved to draw closer to You and to accept the great gift that You sent us that first Christmas in Bethlehem. Amen.

This woman's life, from the time she became a Christian, was one of service to others. The eulogies lasted an hour, while one person after another told of the impact that she had had on their life. Some stories were funny and some were sad, but they all reflected her loving, gentle spirit. The term that was mentioned to describe her more than once was "a servant's heart". She was a true follower of Christ in that she fully accepted His cross and His ministry.

1 Peter 4:10 – Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. (NIV 2011)

Luke 22:27 – For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (NIV 2011)

Christ came to earth for one purpose: to serve humankind in His life, death, and resurrection, and to bring us closer to God. His ministry was all about teaching us how to live as God would want, and finally, His death was a sacrifice to atone for all our sins for all time. Oh, what a Saviour! What better life can we live than to follow in Jesus' footsteps? Although He was a king, He humbled Himself to minister to humankind. Can we, as His followers, do less?

John 13:14-15 – Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (NIV 2011)

As Christians, we are commissioned by God to go forward, loving and serving one another as Jesus has taught us. Having done that, at the end of our earthly journey, as we come into the nearer presence of God Almighty, we will hear Him say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21 NIV 2011)

1 Corinthians 9:24 – Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (NIV 2011)

Prayer: Father God, You have chosen us as Your own. You have sent Jesus to teach us how to live and serve others, and finally, to bring us eternal life. Please help us to follow Jesus' example of service and to be lights in this dark world. Then, when our race is done, we will be in heaven with all the saints and angels, worshipping and praising You into eternity. Amen.

In English, "hope" implies a wish for something that may be possible. However, "hope" in the New Testament, from the Greek word "elpis", to anticipate or to welcome, is much more affirmative. In Greek, it's an expectation, trust, or confidence.

Because of the implication of the word "hope" in our language today, and because hope underlies all our Christian beliefs, we need to think "trust" when we read "hope".

Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (NIV 2011)

This word "hope" is everything to a Christian. Whatever trials and tribulations we are asked to endure, we have hope (trust) that, if not in this life, in the next, we will be better off. We hope (trust) that God's promises are sure, that He is with us through all things.

Because of our hope in God's salvation and the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit indwelling us, our lives reflect the assurance that we are secure now and in our death. From our safe position, we can look outward and take care of others in the world around us. Our lives should reflect our confidence.

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." The lovely hymn by Edward Mote sums it up: "On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand."

As Christians who have been given these promises and whose sins have been hung on the cross with Christ our Saviour, we should be bursting with love and lovingkindness to others. While others tread through our sinful and broken world in fear and uncertainty, we are able to stride in confidence that we are under God's protection, and even when things go awry, He still has us in the palm of His hand.

Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV 2011)

Let's take our hope out into the world and be living examples to others of the confidence that we have because of our personal relationship with Christ. Perhaps others will want some of our hope for themselves.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to rely more fully on You and Your promises to us. Help us to live lives that reflect Your hope in us so that others may want to share in it, too. In Jesus' name, we pray this. Amen.

Exodus 34:22 – Celebrate the Festival of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering at the turn of the year. (NIV 2011)

2 Chronicles 31:5 – As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything. (NIV 2011)

Our Thanksgiving is all about feeling grateful to God, gathering family together and basking in a general sense of wellbeing. It is, actually, my favourite holiday. But perhaps we need to take it a step further and consider the other part of the Festival of Weeks: the giving back to God as an offering of thanks. The Jews gave ten percent of their increase for the support of the priests and Levites. This was not the leftovers, but was supposed to be the best and most perfect fruits, vegetables, grain, and livestock.

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 – Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever." (NIV 2011)

Now that I tithe, I have often seen God's hand at work: making that monetary donation possible by unexpected monies appearing to offset the expense, or by providing opportunities to earn extra funds. It is my fervent belief and experience that if you undertake a project to the glory of God, He will provide the means to see it through.

Matthew 6:2a – So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. (NIV 2011)

Jesus does not say, "If you give to the needy", but rather, "When you give to the needy". As Christians, we are expected to give freely to support our churches and those less fortunate than ourselves. Whatever we give, He will make up in some way, and we will receive the benefit of knowing that we are thanking God for our bounty, however large or small, by sharing it with others.

This Thanksgiving, consider whether your givings to your church and charities are something you do wholeheartedly and generously with the gifts God has provided. Remember, whatever we give, we cannot outgive God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your lovingkindness and generosity to us. Help us to remember that all that we have comes from You and that it is our duty to ensure that we share that bounty with the world around us. Amen.