Happy New Year

Revelation 21:5a  And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!"  

Happy New Year.  Resolutions, new diets, maybe quit smoking, be a little kinder, give a bit more...out with the old, in with the new, right?  I think everyone likes a new beginning.  A the new year is a great place to start with some new thinking.

Colossians 3:10-15  Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed, you will share in all His glory.  So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking with you.  Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust and evil desires.  Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.  Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.  You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.  But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander and dirty language.  Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all it's wicked deeds.  Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.  In this new life it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free.  Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us.  Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Make allowance for each other's faults and forgive anyone who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in our hearts.  For as member of one body you are called to live in peace.  And always be thankful.  

That's quite a challenge, isn't it.  But we are not alone in this.  We have the Holy Spirit to lead and empower.  We don't change overnight, but we can continue fighting the good fight.  And remember, when we fail we have Jesus as our advocate and payment for our sins.  1 John 1:9  But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

And everyday we get to start again, secure in God's love and mercy.  Lamentations 3:22-23  The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is His faithfulness;  His mercies begin afresh each morning.

So here's to a new year for all of us!  Let's go forward, grow and become more like our Savior.  And let's share His love far and wide!

Lord, thank You for new beginnings.  Thank You for the tender love and mercy You give us each day.  Help us to shine Your glory and share Your love a hundredfold this year!  We know it's You who do the changing, but I do ask that You give each of us hearts of obedience and break down any stubbornness that may impede this journey towards holiness.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Perhaps use these Scriptures as daily meditations this year, or find ones that fit with Your areas of need to focus on and claim as Your own.   And please keep me in prayer as I will You that we all grow up into mighty men and women of  Christ. 

And one admonishment that I believe comes directly from God:  There are some of us who are harboring unforgiveness in our hearts.  I truly believe God is saying right now to give it up.  Let it go.  Do not start another year hating and reliving past injustices or hurts.  Even if you never see the person again, even if they have passed on, even if they never acknowledge what they did was wrong or hurt you, even if your feelings kick and scream...you must, for your own sake, for obedience sake FORGIVE.  Start the new year off with a clean heart.

Gift

Christmas is over.  The prettily wrapped and ribbon clad boxes are opened, enjoyed and hopefully (maybe???) put away.  Family and friends may have gone home, and one more holiday to go before settling in for the winter.  Most of us feel about 10 lbs heavier. 

But there is one gift that lasts.  And as I thought about the first Christmas I remembered that God gave the first gift ever.  And the angels sung the first carols.  The shepherds shared the first gathering around the Savior with God's chosen couple.  And this first gift never gets old, never gets put away.  It's ours to keep for eternity!  It's the gift of God's love and salvation that came to earth wrapped in the form of a human baby.  We never have to return it because it's always going to be the right size for our hearts.  And we will never finish unwrapping it, because it's filled with all God's eternal graciousness. 

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.  

Romans 5:16-17  And the result of God's gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man's sin.  For Adam's sin led to condemnation, but God's free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.  For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many.  But even greater is God's wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.  

Ephesians 2:8  God saved you by His grace when you believed.  And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 

God's grace through Jesus brought salvation, righteousness, reconciliation, and eternal life to us here on earth.  What a wonderful, immeasurable gift!  The fullness of this gift cannot be realized here on this side of Heaven, but one day....when we enter His gates, oh what amazement, what awe and wonder we will find and feel!  Thank You Father for this priceless, unfathomable gift! 

Thank You, eternally thank You....still not enough, but thank You.  And thank You for showing me these parallels to share, for the reminder that You are always the initiator.  1 John 4:9-10  God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him.  This is real love--not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.  What a gift!  What a Savior.  What love!!  Oh, Lord, this gift never gets old, but we do tend to take it for granted.  Let that change.  Help us to get excited and stay excited over this most precious of gifts.  Thank You.  In Jesus' name, amen

Have you accepted this gift?  If not, now is the time, today is the day.  If  you have, why not spend some time thinking about it in worship, thanksgiving and praise. 

Okay, One More Song.....

Okay, so I was looking for this song earlier.  I fell in love with it when I heard it the other day, but of course I was driving so I couldn't write down the name and didn't know the artist.  But I just found it now and am so happy I can share it with you.  In case you can't tell, I love Christmas songs!! 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Isaiah 7:14  All right then, the Lord Himself will give you the sign.  Look!  The virgin will conceive a child!  She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel (which means God is with us).  

This is my last post before Christmas.  I want to wish everyone of you who reads this blog a very Merry, very blessed Christmas.  The beautiful season is coming to a close, but the hope, love, peace, and joy it brings never ends.  They are God's gift to us in the person of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  And He is the best gift we could and will ever receive. 

Jesus left the glory of heaven to be born in a dirty, grungy feeding trough.  He came to walk the dusty, sin stained roads of earth, living among a fallen people, most who rejected Him, to save us.  He was born to die a criminals death on the Cross as payment for our sins.  But that wasn't the end of it.  He lives!!  He rose from the grave and conquered death!  He now offers us the same eternal life of joy.  All we need do is accept this most wonderful of gifts!  Make the Savior your own.  Peter tells us in Acts 2:38  Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.    Turn to Jesus!  His arms are wide open for all who will come.  Accept His gift of salvation today.  Accept His love.  It is the best gift of all time.  Merry Christmas dear readers!! 

Numbers 6:24-26  May the Lord bless you and protect you.  May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.  May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.

Matthew 1:23  

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

None Other

On Sunday night we had the enjoyable privilege of seeing a wonderful Christmas concert with some great Christian artists.  This song touched my heart and brought the Christmas message home to me.  And then I heard it again today on the radio.  It's definitely a new favorite!!

So as we are quickly approaching Christmas day, and many of us in an  ongoing flurry of activity, perhaps it would be a good idea to take a few minutes and breath in the truth of the greatest love ever shown....the love of our God and Savior, our heavenly Father .  It feels good to just rest in this love for a while.

Enjoy.

Isaiah 9:6

 For a child is born to us,

    a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

    And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor,[a] Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Dancing in My Seat

Yesterday was a busy day....but then again, most days are busy days.  The Christmas seasons definitely adds to the busyness.  Yesterday I finished wrapping up my presents, readied those needing shipping (my husband will be taking those today, thankfully!), and accomplished the everyday tasks that needed to be done before I raced off to work.  I still had to stop to feed some feral cats and I was feeling the time crunch.  I have to say though, I have noticed that God has been very faithful in this area of stretching my time, or making it all fit in and I am getting a lot better about worrying over it.  But still, even though I wasn't fretful, I still felt a bit rushed. 

I love this time of year.  I love the lights, the decorations.  I love giving presents. Trying to find something that makes a loved one happy, something they will enjoy or can really use.  The getting parts not to bad either!  I certainly don't mind gifts.  The wrapping paper is so pretty, even when it's scattered across the floor looking like a tornado went through. Beautiful music fills our churches and airwaves (every Sunday our worship team manages to find a few of my favorites!).   But most of all, I love the reason for the season, which is Jesus.  I love the special emphasis on His reason for coming, Emmanuel, God with us.  I love the studies and sermons that are "Christmascentric."  A new word, cool!  Advent focused, hope building, joy filling teachings that point to our heavenly Father and His love for us.

So, anyway....I drove into work yesterday, like I said, feeling a little rushed.  And then I heard a new song (new to me anyway) that just made me smile and laugh and dance in my seat as I drove.  I have to say, a first, I wasn't so sure about the tune itself, it's not exactly my style music.  But the more I listened, the happier I became.   I want to share it with you and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  Let the reason for this season fill you with joy and hope.  Everything we truly needed came that first Christmas!!

Thank You Lord for the love You gave us on that first Christmas long, long ago.  You filled our greatest need.  You started the process for our redemption, made it possible for us to be reconciled to You.  Thank You Jesus for coming for us!!  Luke 1:78-77  Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.  Let us focus on You, the light You bring, the peace You give, even as we enjoy the trappings of the Christmas season.  All things point to You Lord!! 

Luke 2:8-14  That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly,, an angel of the Lord appeared among, them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them.  There were terrified, but the angel reassured them.  "Don't be afraid!"  he said.  "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.  The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And you will recognize Him by this sign:  You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."  Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."  

Enjoy the song. 


 

Psalm 107

Psalm 107

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

    his love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—

    those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

3 those he gathered from the lands,

    from east and west, from north and south.[a]

4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,

    finding no way to a city where they could settle.

5 They were hungry and thirsty,

    and their lives ebbed away.

6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

    and he delivered them from their distress.

7 He led them by a straight way

    to a city where they could settle.

8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,

9 for he satisfies the thirsty

    and fills the hungry with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,

    prisoners suffering in iron chains,

11 because they rebelled against God’s commands

    and despised the plans of the Most High.

12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;

    they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

    and he saved them from their distress.

14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,

    and broke away their chains.

15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,

16 for he breaks down gates of bronze

    and cuts through bars of iron.

17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways

    and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.

18 They loathed all food

    and drew near the gates of death.

19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

    and he saved them from their distress.

20 He sent out his word and healed them;

    he rescued them from the grave.

21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings

    and tell of his works with songs of joy.

23 Some went out on the sea in ships;

    they were merchants on the mighty waters.

24 They saw the works of the Lord,

    his wonderful deeds in the deep.

25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest

    that lifted high the waves.

26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;

    in their peril their courage melted away.

27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;

    they were at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

    and he brought them out of their distress.

29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;

    the waves of the sea[b] were hushed.

30 They were glad when it grew calm,

    and he guided them to their desired haven.

31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people

    and praise him in the council of the elders.

33 He turned rivers into a desert,

    flowing springs into thirsty ground,

34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,

    because of the wickedness of those who lived there.

35 He turned the desert into pools of water

    and the parched ground into flowing springs;

36 there he brought the hungry to live,

    and they founded a city where they could settle.

37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards

    that yielded a fruitful harvest;

38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,

    and he did not let their herds diminish.

39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled

    by oppression, calamity and sorrow;

40 he who pours contempt on nobles

    made them wander in a trackless waste.

41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction

    and increased their families like flocks.

42 The upright see and rejoice,

    but all the wicked shut their mouths.

43 Let the one who is wise heed these things

    and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

Loneliness, from Mom

God's timing is always perfect.  And today's entry is no exception.  The Christmas season is supposed to be a time of joy, hope, and anticipation.  Many of us have family and friends we gather with, there's laughter and love.  But for some, there is emptiness, loneliness and sadness.  They have none to gather with, maybe a loved one has died, maybe they live far away from loved ones, or perhaps an estrangement has caused isolation...whatever the cause they feel alone.  Left out and forgotten.  But they are not.  And Mom's journal entry today speaks to that depth of heartache....God's perfect timing. 

Loneliness, when you feel lonely and/or depressed.  This is the time to meditate on God, on His kindness and His love. 

Psalm 42  As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, O God.  I thirst for God, the living God.  When can I go and stand before Him?  Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying Where is this God of yours?  My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of great celebration.  Why am I discouraged?  Why is my heart so sad?  I will put my hope in God!  I will praise Him again--my Savior and my God.  Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember You--even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.  I hear the tumult of the raging seas as Your waves and surging tides sweep over me.  But each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.  "O God my rock," I cry, " Why have You forgotten me?  Why must I wander  around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?"  Their taunts break my bones.  They scoff, "Where is this God of yours?"  Why am I discouraged?  Why is my heart so sad?  I will put my hope in God!  I will praise Him again--my Savior and my God!

Psalm 43  Declare me innocent, O God!  Defend me against these ungodly people.  Rescue me from these unjust liars.  For you are God, my only safe haven.  Why have you tossed me aside?  Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?  Send out Your light and Your truth; let them guide me.  Let them lead me to Your holy mountain, to the place where Your live.  There I will go to the altar of God, to God--the source of all my joy.  I will praise You with my harp, O God, my God!  Why am I discouraged?  Why is my heart so sad?  I will put my hope in God!  I will praise Him again--my Savior and my God!

Psalm 46  God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.  Let the oceans roar and foam.  Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!  A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.  God dwells in that city, it cannot be destroyed.  From the very break of day, God will protect it.  The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble!  God's voice thunders, and the earth melts!  The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us;  the God of Israel is our fortress.  Come, see the glorious works of the Lord;  See how He brings destruction upon the world.  He causes wars to end throughout the earth.  He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; He burns the shields with fire.  "Be still, and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world."  The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.  

Read and re-read these Psalms.  Pray, meditate.  God will hear you, He will speak with you, He will answer you, He will help you and take care of you.    Trust Him, He is your helper.  Hope in God.  Speak the words, in your heart, in your mind, out loud:  "I have hope in You Lord.  I believe in You Lord.  I lift my eyes up to You Lord.  I know You are there for me.  I know You will help me. 

Search.  Read the Bible's accounts of God's goodness, meditate on them.  You will be blessed.  You will come out of your depression. 

Philippians 4:10-13  How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again.  I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn't have the chance to help me.  Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in ever situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.  Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. 

Get priorities straight.  Be grateful (and express it to God) for everything He has blessed me with.  Concentrate, focus on the eternal God.  To find true contentment means checking and changing my perspective, my priorities, my source of power.  Look to God, seek Him.

From me.

It's all about God.  So often we look around at our circumstances.  What we don't or do have becomes bigger than Him.  We magnify our alone-ness and minimize the truth that we are never alone.  It's hard not to be with loved ones for holidays...no doubt.  Sometimes we can feel alone in a crowd of people.  But God never leaves us and never forsakes us.  Meditating on Scripture....living in it, is the greatest healer.  It can also help to help others.  Get out of ourselves as it were.  How about making a prayer list and just praying through it daily, maybe even more than once!!  It's a way to help others even if you are stuck inside with no way to get out.  I find when I focus less on me, and more on others, I am happier.  Feeling lonely is a hard place, no matter how one gets there.   But our Father wants us to know He sees, and He is with us...sometimes we just have to work a little to get that into our hearts.

My heart goes out to those who feel empty and lost and along Lord.  I pray that You would wrap them in Your love and assure them of Your presence, today and everyday.  Lord, we need You.  Scoop up Your lonely children in Your arms.  Let them know You are near.  Heal their hearts.  Lord, help them to take the steps they need to seek and sense Your presence and Your love. It's so hard when we feel so lost....but You are our light.  Lord, sometimes all we can take are baby steps, sometimes it feels almost impossible to take any step at all...but I know You can meet us where we are.  Please do that.  People are hurting Lord.  Your children are hurting.  I hurt.  Be our healer, our refuge and our fortress.  In Jesus name, amen. 

Go to the Scriptures today.  Read and re-read, and re-read.

I am going to make a separate entry of Psalm 107.  I love this Psalm because it tells of God's love in spite of the messes we get ourselves in, in spite of how life batters and bruises us...I pray that it, along with these other Psalms will help in some way.  Truly, God's Word is our best medicine! 

Look!

One of the reasons behind this blog, is to remind myself and others that God is active, attentive and visible in our lives.  His Presence is manifest many times at day (I call these God visits), in a myriad of different ways.  Whether it's Scripture, teaching, people, nature, circumstances, small, quiet gestures, or those big, unmissable  "neon signs,"  our Father is right there in the middle of our messes and every days.  

I was recently reading a novel, I can't even remember the name of it now, but probably my usual genre, romantic action, mystery kind of book. In it one of the main characters had a saying that she picked up from her Dad.  She said, her Dad had told her, "every time you smell the rain it means God is near."   Immediately I thought, just like a "God visit!"   So imagine my happiness at finding confirmation and affirmation as I read Psalm 104 only a few days later.  

Let all that I am praise the Lord.  O Lord my God, how great you are!  You are robed with honor and majesty.  You are dressed in a robe of light.  You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens; you lay out the rafters of Your home in the rain clouds.  You make the clouds Your chariot; You ride upon the wings of the wind.  The winds are Your messengers; flames of fire are Your servants.  (verses 1-4)

v2  Dressed in a robe of light.  The sunlight stands as a reminder of God's majesty.  The starry curtain a picture of His creativity, power and His provision of light in the darkness.  Even when all is dark around us, His light, His majesty never ends.  He is still in control and still on the throne!  

v3  Home in the rain clouds.  Smell the rain, His presence.  Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (His home).   The clouds are His chariot.  As the clouds encircle the earth, so our heavenly Father's love and tender mercy encircle us, His care extends to all the earth.  

v4  Winds are Your messengers.  The Bible tells us God's angels are His messengers, sent to minister to His children.  Wind, when we feel it represents His reaching out, communicating, sending His touch and help into our lives.  Flames of fire are Your servants.  Fire brings warmth.  Our Father provides for our needs.  Fire brings cleansing, burning away any unnecessary baggage we carry.  

Hebrews 1:7  Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”   Hebrews 1:14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

Now, I am in no way teaching this as a doctrine or "so sayeth the Lord' kind of thing.  But just as a way to remind us to open our hearts and eyes to the world around us....Our Lord is everywhere!  Reaching out to us moment by moment in amazing, unending ways!  His touch, His care surrounds us.  Sometimes, when I lay down in bed at night, my covers are snuggled around me, I think about God's love, and at that moment I feel as if I am nestled in it.  My soft, warm blankets remind me of God's love.  It's all these little things that add up to God's presence in our lives.  Sadly, many times though, I go through the day busy and unfocused...I am missing so much!!  

Oh, Lord help us see!  Give us a roving eye to look for Your hand.  The world offers so much distraction but You are here, so very present, so very active.  I am glad, that even when I miss it, You are still caring for me!!  But let each of us see a little more today.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.  

Stop and smell the roses today!!  In other words, take a moment here and there to look around, and live in God's moment.  

Onward and Upward

Philippians 4:12-14   I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.  But I press o to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.  

Happy Birthday to me!!  I love birthdays.  And this year is a milestone, 55!  Wow, I can't believe that.  The time between 21 and 55 seems to have flown by. 

As I look back, I know there have been many struggles for me this year.  I seem to have stumbled over the same bumps in the road many times.  But I also have seen that the Lord's love, faithfulness and patience never fail.  Time and again, Jesus offers His hand to lift me up and urge me forward for the next step.  And then the one after that, and after that....He truly is a faithful, everlasting Savior. 

And that is where my eyes are fixed.  Forward, following my Lord.  Do you notice how our God makes so many new beginnings?  Whether it's a new day, new season, or a new year of life, He always lets us have start overs!  I have a new beginning to grow, to mature, to learn and to be loved by Him.  Our Father is so good! 

Lord, help me take what You've shown me in the past year, the love, and the learning and move forward, grow forward and walk closer to You, shine Your glory more and love those around me better.  I love that You do "new"  all the time.  It fills me with hope.  What a beautiful Savior! 

Today, sit with the Lord and let Him lead you in a new beginning.  It's a new day!  You get to start again.