Merry Christmas in July 

By Susanne Scheppmann

Key Verse:

    “Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11NKJV) 

Devotion:

I should have used that newly advertised “prescription strength” deodorant today. Our outside temperature was a sweltering 115 degrees. It felt about 350 degrees in my car as I toodled around doing my errands. The air conditioning never had a chance to cool the car before I opened the door and drug myself into the next store.  

I felt roasted as I drove. To my chagrin, a traffic signal changed to red and I braked reluctantly at the busy intersection. The car stopped and I saw waves of heat radiate off the pavement.

Then I saw a mirage—a bouncing Santa Claus. Upon closer inspection, I discovered a bulky, garish balloon outside an electronics store. A sign hanging in the overheated air read, “Celebrate Christmas in July!” The sign tried to cajole potential consumers to spend their money in the store, without celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.

Suddenly, an idea pushed its way into my overheated thoughts. “Why couldn’t we celebrate Christmas in July? Wouldn’t it be fun to have Christmas without all the holiday fuss in December?”

As the car idled, my mind raced. My family could celebrate the birth of our Savior and make it intentional—especially if it was in July. We could decorate a tree in our backyard. We could barbeque a turkey breast. Then after dinner, we could sit on the patio and read the Christmas story as we watch the sunset. 

The light changed and so did my attitude. I no longer dreaded a day full of errands in the sun-baked desert. In fact, I added a couple more stops to my list. First, I swung into a discount store to pick up a stronger deodorant and a few “stocking stuffers” for my family. Then I headed off to the grocery store to prepare for Christmas dinner on the grill in July.

I believe honoring Christmas in July will help my family to focus on the birth of our Savior in a unique way. And who knows—it may become an annual festival that will create lasting memories for our family and our faith.

So, “Merry Christmas in July!”

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me to remember to celebrate You throughout the year. Grant me innovative ways to weave the story of Your life throughout my family’s ordinary day-to-day routines. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application steps: 

Read Luke 1:1-2:20. Consider how you can celebrate Christmas throughout the year.

This month plan a special activity to honor the birth of Jesus.

Reflections: 

Do I reflect on the birth of Christmas only in December?

How would my life change if I celebrated the birth of Christ year round?

Power verses:

Matthew 1:23, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, ‘God with us.’” (NIV) 

Luke 2:11-12, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (NIV) 

John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (NIV) 

© 2008 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.

“Spiritual Motherhood”

By Susanne Scheppmann

Key Verse:

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, “But we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.  We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (NIV)

Devotion:

My long sullen face refused to smile, even though Kay was making me laugh on the inside.  She continued to scrape out the pumpkins and throw the stringy pungent seeds at the five kids seated around the table.  Kay chortled as one hit my nose and hung down.

I was fourteen and motherless.  My mother died the previous August and anger raged in me.  I remember thinking, “I shouldn’t have a good time with this woman.”  The notion of betrayal seemed to lurk deep inside of me anytime I began to experience affection for Kay.

Kay continued to love me through all my ugly teen angst.  She proved the love of Jesus Christ to me through her unfailing love.  Kay is now my stepmother.  She eventually led me to accept Jesus as my own personal Savior.  Although Kay is not my biological mother, she is my spiritual mother.

It reminds me of the story of Naomi and Ruth.  Naomi was Ruth’s mother-in-law.  Naomi soon found herself a widow and both of her sons died.  After all this tragedy, she decided to go back to her hometown.  Naomi advised both of her widowed daughter-in-laws to go back to their own towns and find new husbands. 

But Ruth loved Naomi as her mother-in-law and spiritual mentor.  She did not want to be separated from Naomi or her God.  So Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16 NIV).

Naomi and Ruth travel not only the road back to Bethlehem, but they journeyed on the path of life together.  Their story continues with Naomi advising Ruth on matters of love and marriage.  Their tale ends happily ever after with these words:

The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer.  May he become famous throughout Israel!  He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.  For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth” (Ruth 4:14-15 NIV).

Spiritual motherhood holds many benefits.  I profited eternally from Kay’s spiritual teaching.  Also, God has allowed me the same opportunities as Ruth and Naomi. 

I am the biological mother of two sons and I now have two wonderful daughter-in-laws.  I pray I can exhibit the example of a godly woman to them.  God allowed me the honor of leading my own stepdaughter to accept Him as her Savior.  And if that wasn’t enough blessings, He grants me the privilege to help serve women through my home church and Proverbs 31 Ministries.

So many times, I feel the motherly emotions of our Key Verse, “But we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 NIV).”

Indeed, spiritual motherhood is one of the greatest blessings of my life.  I would like to encourage you to search for women who need a spiritual mom.  I promise it will be a blessed experience for you.  You just might say, “It’s the best Mother’s Day ever!” 

Prayer:

Dear Lord, Open my eyes to opportunities to become a spiritual mom to someone.  Help me to lead them into a deeper knowledge of you.  Lord, let me make an eternal difference.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application steps:

Read the Book of Ruth through slowly.  Write down how Naomi guided and advised Ruth.  Make notes how God blessed Naomi throughout the book of Ruth.  Then take a few moments and reflect on “spiritual motherhood”. 

Refection points:

Has someone in my life been a spiritual mom to me?

Have I ever thanked her?

Who looks to me to guide them in their walk of faith?

What can I do to encourage her?

Power verses:

Titus 2:3-5, “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” (NIV) 

Proverbs 16:20-21, “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.” (NIV) 

© 2006 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.

“He is Risen! Indeed!”

By Susanne Scheppmann

Key Verse:

“. . . It is true! The Lord has risen . . .” Luke 24:34 (NIV)

      

Devotion:

Over the past few days, I have heard the phrase, "He is risen!" Somewhere from the recesses of my memory the return phrase, “His is risen, indeed!"  has sprung from my mouth.

The phrase, “He is risen! Indeed!” is termed as the Paschal or Easter greeting. The term “Paschal” comes from the original Hebrew word pesach referring to the Jewish Passover.  Experts on Christian customs believe the greeting originated shortly after Christ’s resurrection.  It is popular among both Catholics and Protestants.  As the commemoration of Jesus’ resurrection nears, it is used as a triumphant greeting. One person rejoices with, “He is risen!”   The other answers with the joyous response, “He is risen, Indeed!”

A risen Savior changes lives not only for eternity, but right now—today—here on earth.  That is a fact to celebrate!  Recently my home church illustrated this truth on a Sunday morning by having fifty people stand on stage holding a hand-painted sign.  In the beginning, the audience saw only a white piece of poster board. Then, as music played softly, one by one each person flipped his or her own sign over to display the power of a risen Savior in each life.  The signs read,

Methamphetamine addiction--Drug free
Cancer--Healed
Suicidal--Abundant life

Lonely—Fellowship

Alcoholism—Sobriety

Filled with bitterness—Learned to forgive

Insecure and unloved--Loved and secure in Jesus

The stage was filled with humanity at its worst, but Jesus at His best. This humble display of the power of Christ moved many members of our congregation to tears.  Then, slowly, applause erupted from the auditorium in praise of God.  The Apostle John finished his gospel with these compelling words, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25 NIV). These words apply today as well as in the first century.

I often take for granted what the risen Christ has done for me for eternity and for today.  I lose my gratitude for the ever present power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. But today I have regained my wonder of living in the power of the resurrection. Christ is risen--Indeed!

Prayer:

 Dear Lord, You have risen, indeed!  Help me to remember each day of the year that You are triumphant in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application steps: 

 If you do not know the risen Savior, Jesus Christ, please go to the above link, “Do You Know Him?”   If you are a Christ follower, tell the world, “He is risen!  Indeed!”

Reflections: 

How does Christ’s resurrection affect me on a day-to-day basis?

Do other people recognize that I am a Christ follower?

Power verses:

Luke 24:6-7, “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" (NIV)

Mark 16:6, “Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.” (NIV)

John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  (NIV)

© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.