“Those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
Isaiah 51:11
We have entered into the season of Advent, a time that we look back in preparation for celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus. It is a time when we look forward and prepare our hearts for the day when He will come again. May this be a season of truly entering into…
Enter into – the holy moment when the angel Gabriel talked with the young peasant girl Mary about God’s plan and the part she would play in it.
Enter into - the joy Elizabeth and Mary shared.
Enter into - the amazing sights and sounds as the heavenly host proclaimed to the shepherds, that a king had been born, a king that would bring hope, peace, salvation and freedom to all men.
Enter into – the reverence as the Magi bowed down to worship this same king.
Enter into – the faith of Mary and Joseph, of Elizabeth, of the shepherds, of the Magi.
Enter into the faithfulness and love of God - A God who so desired to restore the relationship between Himself and His most favored creature, that He became like us.
This year as you celebrate Christmas truly enter into – the holiness, the joy, the amazing sights and sounds, the reverence. Enter into the faith, love, hope, peace, salvation and freedom.
Enter into – the real reason for the season… Jesus.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for giving us the greatest gift – the gift of Yourself in the form of Your Son. Help us to truly enter into this season and all that it holds for us. For those who are facing hard times during this season of celebration, may they experience in a new and powerful way the hope, peace, love and faith you have for them and all of us. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
It's the Little Things
“…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:20
I was thinking today about all the little things that we are able to do, enjoy or receive daily – things we might not even think to be thankful about. Oh it’s easy to be thankful for the big stuff but today’s passage says we should be thankful for everything – even the most seemingly insignificant occurrences in our lives.
For instance today I am thankful that I got to see robins playing in the trees at the corner where I am a crossing guard. I am thankful for the opportunity to wave and smile at so many people from that same corner and that they smile and wave back. I’m thankful that throughout the day one of the furry creatures that share our home will come and keep me company as I work at the computer. I am thankful knowing that somewhere right now someone is praying for me.
What about you - what little things can you find to be thankful for – maybe there was that smile from a stranger at the grocery store when you weren’t having a good day? Maybe it was that perfect cup of coffee, hot chocolate or tea you enjoyed in the quiet of a chilly morning.
This week as you prepare to join with family and friends in fellowship around the bountiful feast provided by the Giver of every good thing – I encourage you to think about those small things you can be thankful for. I think you fill find that the cup of blessing you hold is truly overflowing.
May you be blessed beyond measure today and every day, by both the miraculous and the seemingly insignificant things of life. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
A prayer
Father – Thank you for the many little blessing you send to us each day, even if we don’t always recognize them. Thank you for Your faithful provision. May we share from the overflow in ours this season of giving thanks and may we thank you always and for everything. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Ephesians 5:20
I was thinking today about all the little things that we are able to do, enjoy or receive daily – things we might not even think to be thankful about. Oh it’s easy to be thankful for the big stuff but today’s passage says we should be thankful for everything – even the most seemingly insignificant occurrences in our lives.
For instance today I am thankful that I got to see robins playing in the trees at the corner where I am a crossing guard. I am thankful for the opportunity to wave and smile at so many people from that same corner and that they smile and wave back. I’m thankful that throughout the day one of the furry creatures that share our home will come and keep me company as I work at the computer. I am thankful knowing that somewhere right now someone is praying for me.
What about you - what little things can you find to be thankful for – maybe there was that smile from a stranger at the grocery store when you weren’t having a good day? Maybe it was that perfect cup of coffee, hot chocolate or tea you enjoyed in the quiet of a chilly morning.
This week as you prepare to join with family and friends in fellowship around the bountiful feast provided by the Giver of every good thing – I encourage you to think about those small things you can be thankful for. I think you fill find that the cup of blessing you hold is truly overflowing.
May you be blessed beyond measure today and every day, by both the miraculous and the seemingly insignificant things of life. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
A prayer
Father – Thank you for the many little blessing you send to us each day, even if we don’t always recognize them. Thank you for Your faithful provision. May we share from the overflow in ours this season of giving thanks and may we thank you always and for everything. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Believe This...Not That
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”
John 8:32
I would hazard a guess that most of those reading this would say they are honest, that they don’t lie, but I wonder…do any of the following statements sound familiar?
I’m a failure and no good. I’m so lonely and miserable. I can’t lose weight. No one will ever love me. People will like me if I do what they want. It is wrong and un-Christian to think of my own needs.
Can you think of similar things you may be saying to yourself? These are all lies… we humans quite often lie to ourselves without even realizing it and we believe every word we tell ourselves, until we are emotional wrecks afraid to take chances or risk being hurt.
But what is the truth? What should we be telling ourselves instead so that we can be set free, from our lying self-talk, our depression, anger, anxiety, self-hate and fear? What about:
I am deeply loved by God so I am important. The Lord himself goes before me He will never leave me or forsake me. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. Jesus loves me so much that he laid down his life for me – I am of great worth. Scripture says “love your neighbor AS yourself” (Mark 12:31) it doesn’t say better than yourself it says as yourself.
This week take time to listen to what you are saying to yourself and if you catch yourself telling lies – replace those lies with the truth and as today’s verse says – you will be set free to be everything God intends for you to be.
A prayer
Father – Forgive us for the times when we lie to ourselves, cheapening the value You have given us. Help us to fill our minds with the truth that we are worthy, gifted, and lovable. Help us to encourage others to see the truth as well. Thank you for Your forgiveness and Your truth that is made clear to us through Your Son Jesus – it is in his name we pray, Amen.
John 8:32
I would hazard a guess that most of those reading this would say they are honest, that they don’t lie, but I wonder…do any of the following statements sound familiar?
I’m a failure and no good. I’m so lonely and miserable. I can’t lose weight. No one will ever love me. People will like me if I do what they want. It is wrong and un-Christian to think of my own needs.
Can you think of similar things you may be saying to yourself? These are all lies… we humans quite often lie to ourselves without even realizing it and we believe every word we tell ourselves, until we are emotional wrecks afraid to take chances or risk being hurt.
But what is the truth? What should we be telling ourselves instead so that we can be set free, from our lying self-talk, our depression, anger, anxiety, self-hate and fear? What about:
I am deeply loved by God so I am important. The Lord himself goes before me He will never leave me or forsake me. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. Jesus loves me so much that he laid down his life for me – I am of great worth. Scripture says “love your neighbor AS yourself” (Mark 12:31) it doesn’t say better than yourself it says as yourself.
This week take time to listen to what you are saying to yourself and if you catch yourself telling lies – replace those lies with the truth and as today’s verse says – you will be set free to be everything God intends for you to be.
A prayer
Father – Forgive us for the times when we lie to ourselves, cheapening the value You have given us. Help us to fill our minds with the truth that we are worthy, gifted, and lovable. Help us to encourage others to see the truth as well. Thank you for Your forgiveness and Your truth that is made clear to us through Your Son Jesus – it is in his name we pray, Amen.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Accept the Blessing
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8
When I brought my mom home from the hospital following her surgery we discovered that the T.V. fairy had been then and left a beautiful new flat screen television in her T.V. cabinet hooked up and ready to go. Ok… I don’t really believe in T.V. fairies but since no one is taking credit for its appearance it makes a good story. She spent the rest of the evening trying to figure out who got it for her. I just kept saying “accept the blessing”.
We serve an amazing God who can and wants to provide for us in so many ways and often times he uses the people around us to do so. But we humans often miss out on the abundant blessing God has for us because we think we are self-sufficient and don’t want to accept things from other people – not even a compliment.
Here’s the thing about God – He wants to be in a two-way relationship with us. He has the resources of the universe at His command. He holds the gifts of salvation and eternity out for us – but we have to accept them. He places others gifts and provisions in the hands of His servants and they hold them out to us – again we have to accept them. I’ve said it before, so I’ll say it again – when we fail to graciously accept the blessings being offered by God and those around us, not only do we lose out – but we deny God and that other person their blessing too.
So this week if someone offers to do something for you, supply a need or just compliment you just accept the blessing. You will be glad you did – plus you will make that person and God smile.
A prayer
Father – Forgive us for thinking that we don’t need others to help us or when we take that help grudgingly because of our pride and self-sufficient attitudes. This week and every week help us to accept the blessings you give. Also help us be obedient when You call us to be the bearers of those blessings to others. Thank you for the greatest blessing ever – Your Son Jesus – it is in his name we pray, Amen.
2 Corinthians 9:8
When I brought my mom home from the hospital following her surgery we discovered that the T.V. fairy had been then and left a beautiful new flat screen television in her T.V. cabinet hooked up and ready to go. Ok… I don’t really believe in T.V. fairies but since no one is taking credit for its appearance it makes a good story. She spent the rest of the evening trying to figure out who got it for her. I just kept saying “accept the blessing”.
We serve an amazing God who can and wants to provide for us in so many ways and often times he uses the people around us to do so. But we humans often miss out on the abundant blessing God has for us because we think we are self-sufficient and don’t want to accept things from other people – not even a compliment.
Here’s the thing about God – He wants to be in a two-way relationship with us. He has the resources of the universe at His command. He holds the gifts of salvation and eternity out for us – but we have to accept them. He places others gifts and provisions in the hands of His servants and they hold them out to us – again we have to accept them. I’ve said it before, so I’ll say it again – when we fail to graciously accept the blessings being offered by God and those around us, not only do we lose out – but we deny God and that other person their blessing too.
So this week if someone offers to do something for you, supply a need or just compliment you just accept the blessing. You will be glad you did – plus you will make that person and God smile.
A prayer
Father – Forgive us for thinking that we don’t need others to help us or when we take that help grudgingly because of our pride and self-sufficient attitudes. This week and every week help us to accept the blessings you give. Also help us be obedient when You call us to be the bearers of those blessings to others. Thank you for the greatest blessing ever – Your Son Jesus – it is in his name we pray, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)