Look for the Sign

Kolleen Lucariello has the unique gift of turning everyday circumstances into fun, intriguing, and life-altering lessons. In this Christmas UPLIFT post, she points us to three positive ways to discover the presence of Jesus this season.

I (Dawn) found this post point on for motivating the true Christmas spirit. But first, a funny story.

Here's Kollen . . .

“You’re in the wrong lane!” I shrieked as we approached our exit at a rather rapid rate, while boxed in by an enormous amount of traffic.

My driver, aka my husband, quickly darted over just in time to avoid a navigational miss.

“Why isn’t she talking to me?” He grumbled in frustration.

Which “she” was he referring to? I wondered.

“Wait. Who isn’t talking to you?” I asked.

My eyes had been in a book. I had no explanation for why his other copilot, Siri, had gone silent. I did question why he hadn’t seen the sign, however.

“I wasn’t looking for a sign.” He said, “I was waiting for her to talk.”

After years of significant Interstate travel, I knew exactly what happened—he’d gone into the zone. He was lost in thought with his eyes focused on the destination. Everything else became secondary.

“Well,” I said, half-teasing—half-terrorized, “Perhaps you could do both!”

The scene had nearly put me into heart-failure. Common, I think, when frightened by an unforeseen event.

No Siri on That Christmas

Incidents like this can help me empathize with the shepherds who were minding their business—as they did every other night—when they experienced their own startling and completely unexpected event. Imagine the look on their faces when an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The New English Translation says the situation “left them absolutely terrified” (Luke 2:9).

Understandable.

Terrified in the moment, but after listening to the proclamation of the Lord, it would seem no time was wasted in their departure to Bethlehem. That was enough for them to go “look for the sign” that would “lead them to find” (Luke 2:11).

Did they follow the star as the Magi had?

Can you imagine trying to follow a star? Without Siri to clarify every turn I wonder how long it took them.

Regardless of time, I know they did not give up until they found the one they’d been seeking. The reward for their obedience to go and look for the sign led them right to the presence of God.

Oh, that I might have the same tenacity to look for the sign that will always lead me into the presence of Jesus, rather than allow my troubles to become my focus. Especially during the season of Christmas when the pain of loss or the end of tradition seems to amplify its raging voice.

Are you looking for a sign that will lead you to enter in and experience the presence of Jesus?

Look for the Sign

Perhaps it’s the Sign of HOPE?

Every time the Israelites faced a new set of circumstances, they grumbled rather than remember God’s faithfulness through the years.

Are you able to “set your hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe?” (1 Timothy 4:10, ESV).

The Sign of PEACE?

Jesus is the Prince of Peace and He promised that when we remain in Him we will have peace.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV).

We will never have peace that surpasses all understanding until we encounter the presence of Jesus.

A Sign of JOY?

Jesus promised that keeping His commandments and abiding in His love infuses us with His joy, and that would produce joy within that would overflow. (John 15:10-11).

We can abide in his love and experience the presence of his joy when we can’t muster it on our own.

Ultimately, what we look for we will find.

The shepherds could have tried to explain away what they’d just witnessed. They may have had a list a mile long of why they shouldn’t, or couldn’t, leave their location.

Yet, they didn’t.

Instead, they “said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.’ So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger” (Luke 2:15b-16, NET).

It was because they looked for the recognizable sign that others were made aware of the identity of this baby boy.

He was so much more than your typical child; He was Christ the Lord.

Are you waiting for God to reveal a sign when He’s asking you to simply recognize His presence is already with you?

Avoid a navigational miss: go and make others aware of all the Lord has made known to you.

Who does God want you to help discover the presence of Jesus this holiday season?

Kolleen Lucariello, #TheABCGirl, is the author of #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time and is the Co-Director of Activ8Her, Inc. She is passionate to help every woman realize her identity in Christ and live accordingly. Kolleen and her hubby, Pat, make their home in Central New York. She’s the mom of three grown children and Mimi to six incredible grands. For more information about Kolleen, visit www.speakkolleen.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of ooceey at Pixabay.

The Tooth Fairy or the Holy Spirit?

Joy Elben is a gifted interior designer and writer who battles physical issues with grace and joy. In this Joy UPGRADE, she reminds us there is real joy that is solid and secure—not from circumstances, but from the Holy Spirit who indwells us.

“Joy can feel like an ever-elusive concept, like the Tooth Fairy, or the Easter Bunny or the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” she said.

“We quest after, wish for, and chase down the peace and contentment that it brings.”

Oh, I (Dawn) have been down that elusive trail to happiness, and it does not compare to the joy I have now. Joy explains this so well.

Joy continues . . .

If joy, by its very definition, is characterized by great pleasure and happiness, well-being and delight, then it stands to reason that we want to be in pursuit of such a trait.

Honestly now, we all desire that. I know that I do!

While writing for an upcoming publication a few years ago, I asked my husband to play a quick word association game with me. I would say a word and he would tell me the word that came immediately to mind. For example: milk and cookies or peanut butter and jelly.

When I produced the word “identity,” the first word that came to his mind was “theft.”

I laughed because I was certain that as a seasoned pastor, he would share some deep insightful anecdotes on which I could elaborate. Instead, I received an image of an RIFD* wallet meant to ward off identity theft.

I then came to love the idea.

In September of 2019, our family was gifted the opportunity to go to the Middle East on a mission/humanitarian trip, and the first thing I did was buy an RFID cover for our passports.

It was made apparent to us that identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world, and in a moment, can devastatingly damage, if not ruin, your credit and sense of security.

It can take years to recover and restore what had always belonged to you in the first place.

Think about it, the enemy would love nothing more than to steal from us the joy of an identity rooted in who we are as a child of God.

Just as a thief stealthily comes to steal your identity replacing it with another, so the Deceiver will try to replace the truth that you are eternally whole and secure with the lie that you need to look for significance or individuality in temporal trappings.

The Bible is in fact our RFID protection against such robbery.

It is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of Truth. It is there to remind you of who you are; thus, being the ultimate protection from identity theft.

When we know Whose we are, our joy is secure.

Joy is different than happiness.

The world would have us on an endless search for the next thing that will fulfill our longing for contentment.

Fundamentally, however, we all know that feelings of happiness can be elusive and fleeting. They dissipate like the fog as the sun beats down upon the beach in the heat of the day. It’s gone just as surely as it was there, but the biblical definition of joy goes so much deeper than that.

What is True, Biblical Joy?

1. True, Biblical Joy Comes from the Holy Spirit.

You will find that biblical joy can be a contstant and non-transient companion through the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

How sweet it is to know that joy, because it is a fruit of the spirit, is a natural manifestation of the Holy Spirit in me:

But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy . . . . (Galatians 5:22).

It isn’t up to me to conjure up a feeling of happiness, but rather it is a result of walking with the Lord and growing in my faith.

2. True, Biblical Joy Is Grounded in the God of Hope.

True joy has staying power that can abide through the harshest of rays and the darkest of days because it is grounded in the assurance that Jesus is our source of joy, peace, hope, and confidence, as seen in Romans 15:13:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. True, Biblical Joy Carries Us Through Difficulties.

The God of the universe is our rock and salvation. Due to this truth, we can live in an abiding state of joy despite experiencing legitimate and deep sorrow or uncertainty in our circumstances and trials.

The writer of Psalms knew the reality of this truth as he penned:

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:1).

I surely look forward to the “forevermore” promised in the Psalms, but for now I rest in His faithfulness, knowing that He knows what is best and can be trusted with life’s unknowns.

Joy in the Lord is greater than anything the world can offer.

Are you searching for your source of joy and strength outside of the standard of the character of Jesus? If so, take a moment to examine what you are trying to control. Can you visualize yourself handing your circumstances over to God?

Joy Elben, born and raised in sunny, San Diego, California, grew up at and later served at Shadow Mountain Community Church and Turning Point Ministries. She then journeyed alongside her husband to Forest Home Christian Camps, in the picturesque setting of Ojai, California. After two years in this beautiful setting Joy and her family relocated to Georgia and learned a new normal in the sweet, South. Joy has enjoyed speaking opportunities throughout the US and the Middle East. Joy and family currently reside in Southern California. Joy is a pastor's wife, adoptive mom, foster parent, enthusiastic traveler, writer, artist, graphic designer and owner of Joy Elben Design.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Anastasiya Babienko at Pixabay.

* RFID means "radio frequency identification," a form of wireless communication.

How to Leave a Legacy

Sally Ferguson is refreshing and positive, and she challenges Christians to bring glory to God as they become all the Father means for them to be. In this Legacy UPGRADE, she encourages us to stretch our ideas about legacy and consider fresh ways to make a difference.

"What do birthdays, New Year’s celebrations, and funerals have in common?" Sally says. "Those are milestones where we scrutinize the trajectory of our lives."

I (Dawn) know Sally is right. I've experienced all three kinds of milestones over the past year, and each time, the Lord spoke to me about some important changes I needed to make if I want to create a legacy for my family.

Sally continues . . .

A recent trip to a cousin’s funeral got me pondering those familiar questions of impact and purpose.

What kind of legacy will I leave behind?

As I celebrate another birthday, I wonder, Am I making a difference in the world and in the people around me?

Maybe you question life too?

• Does my work matter?
• Does my family know I’m crazy about them?
• Am I making the best use of my time and talents?

I suspect a lot of people are asking those questions in what has been dubbed "The Great Resignation."

Since COVID hit, people are resigning from jobs they don’t like and moving closer to family and finding fulfilling work.

Family connections give us roots and wings—roots for stability and wings for dreams.

Are you wondering about your legacy? Here are a few things I learned from my cousin, Vern.

1. Add a little spunk to life.

With a sly grin, Vern could con you into working on his projects. His family laughed about the jobs he had waiting for their arrival, and delighted in tales of Vern’s mischievous antics.

Vern was always up for a game of Uno and very competitive. His great-nephew described hundreds of games matched with hilarity.

What does spunk look like for you? Add your twist of fun to every day. Bring joy to those around you and, in return, you will be blessed.

“A merry heart does good, like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22 NKJV).

2. Be a dedicated worker.

Vern was a people person and that was displayed in the way he treated his customers.

As a traveling salesman for many years, Vern showed an interest in others and was an interesting person to talk to. His curiosity for life was visible in every conversation and sparked many discussions. 

What is your work ethic?

Be a hard worker and a good steward of what’s been entrusted to you. Let your personality shine in your passion.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV).

3. Stay active.

In his later years, Vern participated in Rock Steady Boxing, a program designed to fight back against Parkinson’s Disease.

How do you exercise your main resource, your treasure and gift?

The Lord gave you a body to care for and protect. How’s that going?

“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18 NIV).

I have two thoughts on this verse.

• In order to love yourself, you have to take care of what you have.
• And, in order to love others, you have to participate in their lives. How will you get involved?

4. Release your creativity into the world.

Vern became skilled at a Norwegian painting process called Rosemaling. The delicate swirls and flowers adorned wood, slate, and paper in magnificent proportions.

What is your craft? Genesis 1:31 says,

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”

ALL OF IT!

We were made in the image of our Creator, and He equipped us to be creative.

Use your art to bless others. Sing. Sew. Swing a little one. All of it is an expression of who God made you to be.

5. Be a devoted Christ follower.

Even while serving in the Army, Vern stayed committed to his faith and displayed that in his purity. He swapped beer rations for soda rations, and when his stash got full, he even gave that away.

Roget’s Desk Thesaurus says to be pure is to be unspoiled, untarnished, and above suspicion.

Do your best to represent His best.

“I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44 NIV).

How will you leave a legacy? Remember:

• You are a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.
• Bring joy to those around you, and represent your King.

May your creativity leave our world a better place.

Oh, and by the way, Vern was 97 when he passed, with a sharp mind and a joy for life. He was still actively painting and playing his favorite card game.

I want to be like Vern when I grow up.

How will you leave your mark on those around you?

Sally Ferguson loves to dive into God’s Word and splash His refreshing water onto others. She speaks and writes with a look at snapshots of life in the sunshine and in the storms. Sally plans women’s retreats and she’s working on a Bible study for caregivers. She lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, New York, with her husband and her dad. Visit Sally at her website.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Alexander Fox at Pixabay.

Consider 'IT' All Joy!

When I think of Kolleen Lucariello, I think of the word "joy," so I'm delighted she wrote about it in this Joy UPGRADE, a fresh approach to a verse many Christians need to examine more closely.“Count it all Joy. The words came as a whisper and dropped straight into my heart early one morning as I sat conversing with the Lord,” Kolleen says.

“Well, to be fair, the conversation was more like a complaint session; asking for His intervention for many I know in difficult circumstances.”

I (Dawn) experienced such relief in my spirit as I read Kolleen's article. It gave me a new appreciation for what God is doing in my circumstances.

Kolleen continues . . . 

As I pressed on in prayer, the words whispered again … count it all joy.

I paused to ponder and then noticed there seemed to be an emphasis on the word "it"—almost as if the word had been highlighted and appeared to me as: count IT all joy.

Okay, Lord. You have my attention. It? What exactly are you trying to tell me?

You want me to count the “it” as joy?

I began to review my list:

• COVID-19,
• Cancer,
• Hospitalizations,
• Despair,
• Disruption, and
• Political division and unrest.

I prayed for those suffering from chronic illness, depression, a marriage crisis, financial struggles and great loneliness. The list was long and intense.

“Lord, what if there are too many 'its' to count? It feels insensitive, not to mention nearly impossible to ask for a painful circumstance to be counted as joy.” 

Impossible?

Instantly, that thought flipped right around in my thinking with a reminder that there was a time when:

Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible" (Matthew 19:26, NLT).

If God says it is possible, then HOW?

James wrote, Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace] (James 1:2-3 AMP).

In other words:

• “It” is the [name of your trial].
• “It” has a purpose.
• "It" is a test—a test TO our faith that produces endurance IN our faith.
  

The word "testing" comes from the Greek dokimion and is “that by which something is tried or proved” (Strongs Concordance).

Think genuine. Without anything artificial or false.

“The aim of testing is not to destroy or afflict, but to purge and refine.” (Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible)

Could we possibly view our “it” differently simply by changing our perception from, “Why are you doing this to me God?” to “Thank you, God, for this 'it' in my life. Use this trial to purge me of impurities so that my faith can grow and I may become more like Jesus.”

Allowing the testing of our faith to produce patience is what enables us to stand firm under the pressure of “it.” 

Years ago, my sister’s family called Hawaii home while her husband served in the military. We recognized this was a perfect opportunity for our family to experience Hawaii, so we went to visit.

The day we went to Nuuanu Pali State Park, the winds were so intense. They pushed against us in such a fierce way it took effort to take steps forward. We walked pressing forward in such a way that if the wind had suddenly stopped we’d surely have fallen flat on our faces!

I imagine this reflects how we must brace ourselves when we encounter intense testing of our faith.

If we are to remain standing under the pressure of “it,” then we must view the test as a tool God will use to draw us closer to Him and mature our faith.

When we recognize that out of our “it” a deeper, stronger faith was produced, we consider the “it” a joy.  

Upgrades in life happen when we determine to believe the purpose of every trial is AN OPPORTUNITY to press us closer and closer to the heart of our loving Father. 

Unpack the Opportunity

1. Consider—This word means "regard, take into account, reflect on, or suppose."
2. IT—Did you know“it” can be defined as a lifeless thing? How often do we allow trials to overtake us as if they had a life of their own? 
3. Joy—"Joy" is from the Greek chara meaning "the cause or occasion of joy."
   

Suppose you regarded the lifeless trial in your life as an occasion for joy because God used “it” to do what Peter wrote:

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7, NKJV).

In my own strength, I will never believe there is joy to be found in any hardship or test.

However, my reliance on God, my trust in His care, and the overwhelming evidence that He is Sovereign and good, begs me to come to a place of gratitude for every trial that produced a greater faith. 

What is your "IT" today? Can you thank God for it, believing He is working in your life in ways you may not see right now? Can you reframe your "IT" as an opportunity to trust Him?

Kolleen Lucariello, #TheABCGirl, is the author of #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time and is the Co-Director of Activ8Her, Inc. She is passionate to every woman realize her identity in Christ and live accordingly. Kolleen and her hubby, Pat, make their home in Central New York. She’s the mom of three grown children and Mimi to six incredible grands. For more information about Kolleen, visit www.speakkolleen.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Timo Volz at Pixabay.

The Gifts of the Magi

Joanie Shawhan has turned suffering into an occasion for joyful worship. In this Christmas UPGRADE, she reminds us of the gifts of the Magi in a unique way—by sharing her own gifts to Jesus.

"My cry echoed the cries of many throughout the centuries," Joanie says, "culminating in the haunting strains of 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.'"

That is one of my (Dawn's) favorite Christmas songs. It has always brought me such peace; and apparently it brings Joanie peace too.

You can listen to two beautiful renditions of the Christmas hymn here and here. (The second one is in English and Hebrew, performed in Jerusalem.)

Joanie continues . . .

In 2006, my treadmill of holiday festivities sputtered to a halt. Instead of my Christmas letter brimming with the clever antics of beloved children and pets, I announced:

“I have ovarian cancer.”

Chemotherapy had sapped my stamina, my strength, and my joy. I didn’t have the energy to drag out the boxes of Christmas baubles and decorate.

I wanted to do more, but I settled on a simple hand-painted nativity set gracing my fireplace mantel.

Multi-colored lights surrounded the figurines in a valiant attempt to cheer me. I watched the shadows play across the wall as I faced another round of chemotherapy.

Where ARE You, God?

As I sought God in the unfamiliarity of a Christmas on chemotherapy, He reminded me of the Magi.

They left their familiar homeland filled with joy and embarked on a journey seeking to worship the newborn king bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

As I reflected on the Magi, I wondered, "What gifts could I offer this Christmas—gifts fit for a King?"

My Three Gifts

1. Gold

I offer that which is more precious than gold, my FAITH. A faith that continues to believe in the goodness of God. A faith that acknowledges Jesus as the King of Kings who reigns over the whole world, including my circumstances.

Even cancer.

This season, I honor the King by walking in faith and trusting Him with my future, relying on Jesus to bring me through the cancer and chemotherapy. God is faithful.

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold (1 Peter 1:7a NLT).

2. Frankincense

Frankincense is an expensive and fragrant incense offered in the worship of a deity.

My fragrant offering pleasing to God is praise and WORSHIP.

Even in the midst of pain, confusion, and chemotherapy, He is worthy.

You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created (Revelation 4:11 NKJV).

3. Myrrh

The bitter perfume of suffering foreshadowed the death of Jesus on the cross. By his death and resurrection, He rescued us from our sinful way of life and gave us access to the living God.  

For me, myrrh represents my altar of SURRENDER to the Lordship of Jesus. I surrender my circumstances, hopes, and dreams to the One who loves me, created me, and died for me.

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV).

This Christmas, I will follow in the footsteps of the Magi and offer my gifts of faith, worship, and surrender to Jesus.

I will look past my sufferings and focus on the majesty of my Savior. He is the source of my joy—a joy not dependent upon my circumstances, but a joy that comes from His presence.

Like the Magi, I will rejoice with great joy.

"Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come!"

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy… they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:10-11 NKJV).

God heard my cry:

Where are You, God?

Through the gifts of the Magi, He revealed himself as Emmanuel—"God with us."

And He is still with me.

Is Jesus your "Emmanuel?" What gifts will you offer Jesus this Christmas?

Joanie Shawhan is a Selah Awards Finalist for In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer. She is an ovarian cancer survivor, registered nurse, speaker, and featured radio and television guest. Contact Joanie at www.joanieshawhan.com.

Graphic adapted from a vector courtesy of Pixabay.