Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he
is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for
he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Greetings, my beloved,
I hope you are having a wonderful week. Today is all
about trusting God. Last week we spoke about God being our source. Part of
allowing God to be our source, is trusting in Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, "Trust
in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And
He shall direct your paths." So, how do you trust in the Lord? I love the
first part of our scripture reading today, "Seek the Lord while you can
find Him, Call on Him now while He is near" I believe seeking God is a form
of trusting in Him. If you seek God with all of your heart, calling on Him for
every aspect of your life, knowing and believing that He knows what is best for
you - how is that not trusting in God? Knowing that God's thoughts are not
ours, and His ways are higher than ours, what do we have to fear? This is a new
year, let us throw off the anxieties and fears that bind us up. We may have
anxieties and fears hidden deep inside of us, and we aren't even aware of it. I
know one thing I've always been afraid of, and that is the unknown. Snakes,
spiders, and rodents don't scare me, but not having control over a situation
frightens me out of my mind. Prime example, last Sunday at church, the pastor
asked if anyone likes to take tests. I surely never really liked tests - why? I
get test anxiety like nobody's business - mainly because, I have no control
over the test. I'm not sure what answer they are looking for, and my mind goes
into overload trying to find every answer possible. I've passed up becoming
certified in my career, simply because I'm scared of the test. Let us put aside
our anxieties and fears, as we learn to trust fully in God. I've been listening
to Kari Jobe's song, "Steady my Heart." There is so much truth in
that song.
I'm not sure what tomorrow brings, but I know that God is in control, so what
do we have to fear?
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and
you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money
and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what
does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will
delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may
live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised
to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander
of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do
not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One
of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”
Happy New Year, my beloved!
I hope you had a fabulous Christmas and New Year! I had a
wonderful Christmas. I am very excited about the new year. The Lord gave me a
much encouraging scripture for this new year. Last year, 2012, was a rough year
for us. We faced many challenges, and I wonder if we even passed the tests the
Lord set before us. My husband got Psalm 23 for our scripture for 2012. And
while that Psalm often seems to be a comforting Psalm (which it is), it also
was a description of our year. I really felt like we spent the majority of 2012
in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. We clung as much as we could to the Lord,
for what else can you do in the dark valley. However, I feel we are on the
brink of a New Horizon for this new year, a new season. I'm not sure what 2013
holds, but I am excited to see what the Lord has in stored for us. Especially,
after reading this scripture. I feel that this chapter is broken into 3 points
for us. This week, I want to focus on the first part, which is verses 1-5
(above).
This first point is God is our Source. It is one thing to
say you completely and totally rely fully on God, and it's another to actually
do it. I must admit it is so hard to do. Especially, when being raised in a
society, in which you really do not lack anything. If you're hungry, you go to
the grocery store to pick up food, or you can go to a restaurant (we have many
to choose from), then there is even delivery. Food is so plentiful to us, that
it is hard to imagine what it is like to not have any. My son will go a few
hours with out food, and think he's starving. Think about the children in
Africa that have gone days without food - some even longer. But it goes so much
deeper than that - how do you turn to God for every need, every decision, every
facet of your life, when we are so used to living in a soceity where there's
the internet, books, knowledge - we have information at our fingertips, and it
is so easy to fall into the trap of self fullfillment. So, how do we turn to
God for our source, when we have everything we need right in front of us? It's
when those trials hit, you recognize if you truly allow God to be your source -
your life can only come from Him. So, how is he our source? Jesus tells us in
the book of John, that He gives us Living Water (John 4:13). In John 6, Jesus
tells us He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35). God promises us, if we partake of
Him, we will never grow hungry or thirsty again. Is he talking about a
spiritual hunger and thirst? I can tell you, when I take out the physical distractions,
and turn inwardly seeking God - I can hear God the loudest. That is what is so
wonderful about fasting. Silencing the internal chaos and external distractions
to focus on the source of our strength, our salvation. It is at that point,
that you can go deeper with God. Isn't that what you want? Are we willing to
give up to receive? God wants to bless us immensely, but we have to allow Him
to be our source. As we live in a time of injustice, where good is called evil,
and evil is called good, it is even more important to rely on God to be our
source for justice, strength, and salvation!
Isaiah 28:5-6
In that day the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown, a
beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people. He will be a spirit of justice
to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back
the battle at the gate.
Hebrews 5:7-10
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up
prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save
him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though
he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he
became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated
by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Let us learn to silence out our distractions, that we may
truly and fully rely on God to be our source - our comforter, our savior. Who
knows what tomorrow may bring, who knows what the future holds, who knows what
is destined for us in 2013, but let us cling to God as our ultimate source for
living. It's the secret of being content in all things.
Philippians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to
have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every
situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I
can do all this through him who gives me strength.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
ADVENT SONG
Verse 1: Light the Advent Candle one Now the
waiting has begun We have started on our way Time to think of Christmas
Day
Chorus: Candle, candle, burning bright Shining in the cold
winter night Candle, candle, burning bright Fill our hearts with Christmas
Light
Verse 2: Light the Advent Candle two Think of humble
shepherds who Filled with wonder at the sight Of the child on Christmas
night
Verse 3: Light the Advent Candle
three Think of heavenly harmony Angels singing "Peace on Earth" At the
Blessed Saviour's birth
Verse 4: Light the Advent
Candle four Think of joy forever more Christchild in a stable born Gift
of love that Chrismas morn Hello my beloved! Merry Christmas! I hope you are having a Christ centered Christmas. To think, Jesus came that we may be included in the family of God - how Awesome is that! I don't want to clutter this post with words, but simply include this song - "From my heart to the heaven, Jesus be the center, it's all about you, yes it's all about you."
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the
hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted
Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why
am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the
sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed
is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God
my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now
on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great
things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from
generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has
scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down
rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the
hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his
servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants
forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then
returned home.
Greetings, my Beloved!
Christmas is right around the corner, and I am beaming
with excitement. You must think I was a child, as excited as I am about
Christmas, but I have every right to be, this is the celebration of the birth
of my savior! This advent week is all about the Joy of Christmas, and there is
so much joy in this season.
ADVENT SONG
Verse 1:
Light the Advent Candle one
Now the waiting has begun
We have started on our way
Time to think of Christmas Day
Chorus:
Candle, candle, burning bright
Shining in the cold winter night
Candle, candle, burning bright
Fill our hearts with Christmas Light
Verse 2:Light the Advent Candle two
Think of humble shepherds who
Filled with wonder at the sight
Of the child on Christmas night
Verse 3:
Light the Advent Candle three
Think of heavenly harmony
Angels singing "Peace on Earth"
At the Blessed Saviour's birth
This advent week is all about the Joy of
Christmas, and there is so much joy in this season. When I think about joy this
Christmas season, I can't help but think about Mary's visit with Elizabeth. Can
you imagine, being visited by the woman that God found favorable enough to
carry and raise His only son. Think about that for a second. Even Elizabeth
found the significance of it all. It's awesome to see that already, Elizabeth
knew that Mary was carrying the Son of God in her womb - "But why am I so
favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of
your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." And
because she and the baby she was carrying recognized it, the baby leapt for joy
within her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. How awesome is that!
The next sentence always encourages me, when my faith is lacking - it is the
trust part of your relationship with God, knowing, believing that His promises
are true, and that they will come through. We have been fighting the
infertility battle for almost 6 years now. It has been a tough, uphill battle,
but we believe that God's promises are true. We believe that God has promised
us a child, and we pray every night for this promise to be fulfilled. Know that
Mary never doubted God, is such an encouragement to me, and brings such joy to
my heart. And if that isn't something to rejoice about, check out Mary's song.
This woman knows God. She recognizes the joy in the pregnancy, but realizes it
is nothing she did, it was about God. God chose her to carry His son, because
he found favor in her. How awesome is that! God can choose each of us to
perform His mighty works! We just have to have faith, and believe that His
promises never fail. Doesn’t that bring you joy, unspeakable joy!
I felt sick to my stomach most of the day yesterday. Perhaps it was something I ate, or perhaps it was the massacre of innocent children. My eyes were filled with tears, as I'm sure every mother's eyes were. It was so hard to do anything, as my heart ached for the families who lost loved ones, on an unforgettable day. I am not one to be a mere spectator, and being over a thousand miles away, what could I do but pray? I prayed, and cried, and prayed some more, until this poem inspired from Inner whispers of my heart. In honor of those whose lives were lost on December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT, please take a moment of Silence, and perhaps these words may bring an ounce of comfort.
Silence
Silence filled the world today, Innocent lives lost, as we pray, Laughter ceased, and time stood still. Was this blood filled massacre real?
Darkness covered the earth today,
Smiles faded, as terror displayed. Flames burning of future world changers, Suddenly quenched by a violent stranger.
Blood filled the school’s halls today,
Seeping past the state’s highway. A gunman’s violent rampage, Left small children in the grave.
Silence comes in simple prayers,
To the Lord, the peace maker. Little ones in a better place, No more pain or suffering they’ll face.
Comfort comes in the form of a song,
Drying tears from all night long. Simple words from a Child’s poem, Welcome the flames to their new home.
“Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee stay, Close by me forever, and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children, in thy tender care, And take us to Heaven to live with thee there.”
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the
time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is
the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and
have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all
Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests
and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In
Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But
you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of
Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then
Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star
had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for
the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and
worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star
they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place
where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to
the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and
worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of
gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back
to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Greetings, my Beloved,
I trust you are having a wonderful week. Aren't you
enjoying this nice crisp, cool weather? I think winter, may just be
approaching. I have been enthralled in my personal devotion time with the Lord
- researching the ins and outs of the Old Testament. I find the Bible quite
fascinating, don't you? And to think, that it was God inspired - the Word of
God, continually living. It is amazing to think, at the beginning of time,
God's plan was already at work. Any questions I have today - in our time, I can
find it in the Bible. Anyways, we are on week 2 of our Advent Candle, the
candle of preparation.
Verse 1:
Light the Advent Candle one
Now the waiting has begun
We have started on our way
Time to think of Christmas Day
Chorus:
Candle, candle, burning bright
Shining in the cold winter night
Candle, candle, burning bright
Fill our hearts with Christmas Light
Verse 2:
Light the Advent Candle two
Think of humble shepherds who
Filled with wonder at the sight
Of the child on Christmas night
With the candle of preparation, it made me think of the Magi,
and their gifts to Jesus. What do you think they signify? I've heard many a
sermon on this very topic, and very different views on it. I'm not sure we
really know exactly the significance of it, but the only source, I truly trust,
is the word of God. Let's look at each of the gifts:
Gold
Now one of the common threads in all of the different
perspectives of the significance of the gifts is the reason behind the gift of
gold. Gold is one of the substances that has retained its value throughout the
centuries. So, why gold? Good question. I believe the magi gave gold to show
they truly believed Jesus was King. What better gift to give a King, than gold?
And after all, Jesus is the King of all kings! (Revelation 1:5)
Frankincense
What I find fascinating are the gifts of Frankincense and
Myrrh, mainly because these aren't objects of my everyday use. Apparently, they
were pretty significant in the Bible. Frankincense was used in the holy incense
in Exodus - the incense that could not be used for anything else, but to burn
for God. (Exodus 30:34-38). In Revelations, our prayers are described as
incense (Revelations 5:8; Revelations 8:3-5). Could maybe, the frankincense be
a gift signifying that Jesus is God?
Myrrh
Did you know that Myrrh was used in the anointing oil for
Priests? (Exodus 30:23). Also, it was used in Esther, as she was prepared to
meet the king. She had six months of treatments with myrrh - talk about
preparation! (Esther 2:12). According to the Gospel of Mark, they offered Jesus
myrrh to drink during his crucifixion, but he refused (Mark 15:23). Then in
John, upon Jesus' death, they used myrrh with his burial cloths. (John 19:39).
Don't you find it fascinating that myrrh was present for his birth and his
death? So why did the magi choose the gift of myrrh? It could be, to signify
the priesthood of Jesus, as the priests were anointed with oil containing
myrrh. Or maybe, just maybe, could it signify the death of Christ.
In Doug Stringer's book, Born to Die, he brought up a
very good point regarding the gifts of the magi: "Even at His birth, Jesus
was recognized and honored as royalty! And from His very birth, Jesus was presented
with items to prepare Him for His death." As we celebrate Christmas, the
birth of our Savior, in all of the festivities, the joys that new life brings
us every day, let us not forget the sobering reason for the birth of Christ -
He was born to die. His death is not one to take lightly, for it is with His
death that we might live. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice that we can be
forgiven of our sins, and have the hope of everlasting life. Yet how often do
we go throughout our day, not even giving Christ a portion of it, when He
deserves all of it. I know I'm guilty. Jesus was being prepared for His death
at His birth; likewise, at our new birth through Jesus, we are to die that we
may be free from the sin in our lives. Romans 6:6-7 tells us, For we know that
our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done
away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has
died has been set free from sin. So, what is our preparation? That we may
continue to be made pure, holy, and blameless until the day of Christ. 1
Thessalonians 5:23, May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and
through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is our preparation; we are to continually
prepare ourselves to the coming of the Lord. What better way to remember this
than the season in which we honor the birth of our savior. So, while we rejoice,
let us be watchful and ready for the return of our Savior! Let us prepare for Christ during this CHRISTmas season!
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Hello my Beloved,
I hope you are having a blessed week. I am busy trying to prepare for Christmas. I came down with a sinus infection, which interfered with my holiday preparations, perhaps it was just the Lord telling me to slow down and rest, nonetheless, I am feeling much better, and heading full force with my Christmas preparations. I have always loved Christmas time, the lights, the decorations, the music. It all is so delightful. When I was a child, we always had an advent candle wreath to count down to Christmas Day. I grew up in the Methodist Church, and this was a big thing in our church as well. We would sing this song:
Light the Advent Candle one Now the waiting has begun We have started on our way Time to think of Christmas Day
Candle, candle, burning bright Shining in the cold winter night Candle, candle, burning bright Fill our hearts with Christmas Light
Since I no longer have an advent candle wreath, the tradition has faded, but it doesn't mean that it needs to stop. I thought I would include it in my weekly devotions. What a great way to focus our attention on the true meaning of Christmas, Christ. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the lights, the decorations, the music, and the parties, but there is so much more to Christmas. The first candle represents Hope. If you think about it, Christ was sent into the world for salvation, our Hope. If you think about the time when he came, the Israelites were in the need for a savior. They were under the Roman empire, Cesar was ruling, and Herod was the local ruler over the Israelites. It was an oppressive time, and they anxiously awaited the promised savior. Who would have thought that this savior would come in the form of a babe. I love what the angels told the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” The shepherds were anxious to meet the messiah. They understood the times, and the need for a savior. Our world is not much different. There are so many that are lost and hurting, even Christians are in need and hurting, we are all in need of a savior, the Hope of Jesus' return. Jesus will return, we need to hold on to the Hope of His return. For once He returns, we will no longer have any suffering or pain. We, as believers, can hold on to His promise:
Revelation 21: 3-4
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
This promise is only for God's children. Let us give this hope to a lost and dying world, a world full of pain, suffering, and hurt. The best part about this promise, is that God will dwell right there with us. How awesome is that! I love being in the Lord's presence, when it is so intense, you can feel it. Just think to be in that kind of presence, even stronger, daily. Seek to be in the Lord's presence, for in His presence, you don't feel the pain, only sweet peace.
Until next time, rest in His sweet, peaceful presence!
