Let's face it, we live in a me first culture. On one hand, it's quite a natural response: we feed ourselves when we're hungry, we shower when we're dirty, we sleep when we're tired… we just do things for ourselves.But the me first mentality can grow dangerously beyond this instinctive disposition. It's the push and shove to be the best, it's the looking out for your own personal gain, or the lifestyle of "I'm gonna do what I wanna do in spite of how it affects others" that can cause strife to so many. And when there is a multitude of me-firsters in the same place, all going at life with their own selfish vigor, it can be a social war zone, in marriages, in families, and in the workplace.So how do we combat the seductive monster of SELF CENTERED LIVING?Jesus.He did things differently.…He first loved us. I John 4:19When Jesus came to earth, the King of kings and Lord of lords didn't flaunt His power over the weak. The unblemished Holy One didn't trample underfoot the lowly. The all Wise and Knowing One didn't shame the ignorant. No, He first… loved us.And what was the depth of His love?But God demonstrates His own love toward us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8There is no greater sacrifice from a no greater God-Man towards a no greater company of me firsters.Without question, it is God's will for you to be the absolute best you can be in the area of gifting in which He has blessed you. But at the same time, put your agenda down (or the agenda you have for your spouse, or for your children); don't climb another rung of the culture's egocentric ladder. Instead, stop and look around. Someone may need the Jesus that lives in you. Do what He did; He first loved.Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:3-5I am convinced, embracing the He first mindset will change the direction of your life, for the better.

I'm sure all are familiar with the term "3D" when it comes to watching a movie. Well, I would like to propose the term "3Be" when it comes to living your life. Let me explain:Be Still-- God implores each of us, Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10The flip side of this verse implies that when we're not still, we lose sight of God. This simple verse calls us to not just slow down, but to stop. Stop the spin…stop the RAT race (properly termed), and simply take time to meditate on God. When doing so, we come away knowing Him. As a result, our perspective changes. Instead of focusing on our big problems and frantically asking a "small" God to help, we gaze upon on a huge GOD, peacefully knowing that He can take care of all our needs.One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 27:4Being still and gazing on the Lord is NOT a waste of time; it's a blessing...Be Loved-- When we are still before the Lord, we can live up to our given name, be-loved. See the connection of being still and being loved in these passages:Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who build it… It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to His beloved even in his sleep. Ps 127:1-2The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between His shoulders. Duet. 33:12Remember true life begins with Him loving you, not you loving Him (see I John 4:19). Rest in this truth, beloved, so you can...Be Thankful-- When we learn to be still, and to be loved, then our hearts can do nothing but be thankful! After meditating on who HE IS, and HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US, a heart of gratitude sincerely and abundantly develops:I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Ps 69:30Give thanks always in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thess. 5:18So dear friends, if you're spinning, stop; if you're in the rat race, make every effort to get out. Learn to live your daily life in Three Be: be still, be loved, and be thankful. You will not regret it! Because He promises, anyone who trusts in Him will never be disappointed. Rom. 10:11

It's important for our hearts as believers to take note of certain verses that are repetitive throughout the pages of biblical history. One such verse is this:

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalm 107:1)

Here are just a few places in which this foundational truth shows up in scripture:

When King David brought the ark of the Lord into the tent, he gave a psalm of thanks to the Lord, which included: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. ( I Chron. 16:34)

When the temple of Solomon was completed, and then dedicated to the Lord, fire came from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices; and then the temple was filled with the glory of the Lord. The people responded in reverential awe with these words: Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting. (II Chron. 7:3)

Before battle, when King Jehoshaphat was surrounded on all sides, he sought wisdom from the Lord in what to do; and the Lord instructed him and his people to stand firm in faith, and worship Him with these words, Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindess is everlasting. (II Chron. 20:22) Interestingly, and wonder-fully, while the Israilites were singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against their enemies and they were defeated (II Chron. 20:22).

This imperitive command, give thanks to the Lord, coupled with two irreversible truths about His character, for He is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, was imprinted on the hearts God's people and sung from one generation to the next.  They are sprinkled throughout the psalms: Ps 100:4,5; 106:1; 107:1; 118:1, 29; 136:1.

Now it's our turn to sing these ancient words that are forever true. Will you join in the chorus?

Can you give thanks to the Lord right now? Even in the midst of trial or sorrow, believers in Christ can be thankful for this one incomprehensible gift: eternal life. Start here.

Do you believe with all your heart that the Lord is good? If you are doubting this fundamental truth, ask Him to remind you of His vast goodness, found both in His word and in your past walk with Him.

Do you know that His lovingkindness is everlasting? Again, if you don't feel His lovingkindness right now, go back to your faith. Stand firm and sing praisesat the foot of the cross, which is the epitome of everlasting lovingkindness.

As you sing this bedrock phrase over and over in your heart, rest with this amazing thought: the night that Jesus was crucified, he served the Lord's Supper to His disciples; afterwards,they sang a hymn together (see Mt. 26:30). Within the lines of this traditional Passover hymn, Jesus filled His lungs with absolute resolution and with a merciful melody for all mankind to hear:

The Lord is God, and He has given us light; bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the alter; You are My God, and I give thanks to You; You are my God, and I extol You; give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 118:27-29

A bible verse that I revisit over and over again is this one:...casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. (I Peter 5:7)And this one:Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you... (Psalm 55:22)The word "cast" means to throw forcefully in a specified direction. In these two verses, we are given the simple instruction to throw all our anxieties and burdens off of our hearts and minds, into the direction of the Lord, who will then take them upon Himself. I wish this straightforward instruction was as simple to obey. Why do I hold on to things I cannnot control?For example, I have four children (2 teenagers, 2 in their early twenties), each with their own set of predicaments, large and small. As their mother, I have a tendency to take on the dangerous attitude of entitlement, making their problems, my problems. If I'm not careful, in a matter of only minutes, I'm a mess. I've gathered in my arms stressful stones, burdensome bricks, and worrisome rocks. Oh how they weigh me down! In this condition, I'm not only useless to my kids, but also to others in my path who may need a helping hand.Therefore, I must continue to develop and strengthen the healthy habit of casting. I must name each worry that I naturally accumulate, and then hurl it in the direction of the One who can not only catch it (He never misses), but also can do something about it (He's always productive). In His hands, each troublesome pebble has the opportunity to become a precious stone.

So friend, if you are holding a heap of havoc, start hurling with hope. Throw it forcefully into the direction of your Savior. He is able...for His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. (Matt 11:30)Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. (Psalm 68:19)

For those of you who live in the area, I want to invite you to my home this Sunday evening for:

The 5th Annual Hope Walking

into 2014

 Sunday, December 29th

7-8:30 pm

The Baxter Home

1765 Warren Hollow Rd.

Nolensville, TN 37135

a devotional will be shared

by Chris and her sister Peggy

For those of you who don't live nearby, or are unable to join the party, here is a message of Hope for your New Year:

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those

who fear Him, 

on those who hope in 

His steadfast love, 

that He may deliver their

soul from death and

keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waits for the Lord;

He is our help and our shield.

For our heart is glad in Him,

because we trust in His holy name.

Let your steadfast love, O Lord,

be upon us,

even as we hope in you.

Psalm 33:18-22

A holiday tradition in the Baxter home is for all of us to load up together in the truck and head toward the local Christmas tree lot. A tree is picked from the selection, put in the truck-bed, and then placed in the corner of our living room. All of this is done in cheerful merriment of the holidays. (Ok, not all of us are cheerful all of the time, but it sounded good).

Our tree stood bare for a night and a day before we decorated it this year. The evergreen branches have a stark beauty all on its own. But, of course, a Christmas tree is meant to be decorated! So, three of the six of us decorated it together last night. The other three in the family obviously had had enough merriment during the tree-selection process…bah-hum-bug.

As we decorated, I was reminded of a life lesson that I have taught my kids on different occasions. The lights and ornaments are inanimate, of course, but we can learn something from them. For example, these objects don’t “look” around and about themselves, wishing they were made differently. They just display their own unique creativity. Also, they don’t “fret” over their postition, wondering why “that ornament over on the other side of the tree gets to hang in a higher spot”. No, the lights and ornaments are content to contribute to the work of art as a whole; but at the same time, their individual spot on the tree is beautiful because of them. As I placed each unique ornament on the tree in it’s designated branch, I thought of how the Christmas tree is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ working together.

Just like the ornaments, we are each a beautiful creation. Both time and care were put into the manufacturing of the intricate items placed on the tree. Likewise, we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14).

And just like the ornaments, as well as the lights, we all have a place to rest, a place to display our beauty, a place to contribute to the whole design. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift…for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:7, 12).

So when you look at your tree this year, think of the body of Christ. You have a unique ability in sharing a universal purpose: to shine your light… and to display God’s glory. And you have a specific place in which to do it. Don’t wrestle, just rest. Hear your Creator and Positioner say, “You are precious in My sight…you are honored and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4). Merry Christmas.

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