Merry Thanksmas

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

Today is a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving. Today as we take down the tree and put away the Christmas ornaments and nativities, I will be shedding tears of joy, not only for the beauty of Christ’s birth, but for family and friends. I rejoice in traveling mercies as we drove over a thousand miles to be with children, grandchildren and best friends (not an easy feat for us mature-over 70 folks)! Lots of stops and prayers, but God answered our prayers. We watched all three grandkids participate in worship and heard a wonderful word from God delivered by my son-in-law, and witnessed my daughter ministering to the children We rejoiced in Jesus’ birth, opened gifts, laughed, and gave and received lots of hugs. We ate too much, exercised too little and drank in the warmth of family and friends.

A lot of prayer went into this trip, for safety, encouraging words, understanding hearts, and leaving behind the fragrance of the Christ of Christmas. We prayed for everything and now it is time to rejoice and thank Him for all He has done! Time to reflect on His sovereignty, His humility and desire to bless us and answer our prayers. He truly gave us “our daily bread,” and I pray we hallowed His name.

Father God, thank You for Advent, for leaving your throne in heaven to become like one of us. Thank You for loving us so much to offer redemption and the awesome opportunity to leave this earth and join You in heaven. You came to us so we could come to You. Such love is beyond our comprehension, but not beyond our experience. May our lives reflect that love as we in turn have been called to love others as You love us. Love us, forgive us and glorify Your Name through us, we pray!

Baptism of the Spirit

16-17 The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.” Matthew 3:17-18

Jesus needed John to baptize Him to complete the work of God’s prophecy concerning the Messiah.

NOTE: The following thoughts have not been researched but came to me this morning as I read this passage more closely. I asked myself why Jesus, the Son of God needed to be baptized. I realized that Jesus did not do any miracles but lived as a normal man until after He was baptized in the Spirit (Holy Spirit). Jesus did not begin His public ministry until after He was baptized. For 30 years at home, Jesus did nothing to distinguish Himself as unique with the exception of being a very bright scholar at the age of 12. Now when Jesus asks John to baptize Him and John refuses, we hear this reply:

15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.[f]” So John agreed to baptize him. Matt. 3:15

I hear Jesus saying that He truly showed us the path to salvation and completing His work in this world. We must be baptized (filled) with the Holy Spirit to do the works that He did and that he has called us to do. There’s so much implied here that I cannot even comprehend, but I know the Holy Spirit is the key to doing the work of Jesus here on earth. Even the new believers in Samaria who accepted Jesus had to be baptized into the Holy Spirit.

15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:15-16

Father, I realize You revealed Your plan down to the last and most important detail, the Spirit–filled life. I honestly don’t want to be baptized by Your Spirit to have power to work miracles, but to hear Your voice clearly and to know You more fully. May Your Spirit fill my life today and may I walk in complete obedience one day at a time. Pour out Your Spirit O God upon my life, I pray.

Keep Moving

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,.. So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt…. On arrival, he settled in the village of Nazareth. This move was a fulfillment of the prophetic words, “He shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2 :1,14,23

Three times in this chapter we are reminded about a fulfillment of prophecy. First, that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem; second that He would come out of Egypt and third, that He would be called a Nazarene. God is always faithful to His Word.

If we don’t know the prophecies of God, we won’t be able to recognize when they are fulfilled. This made me think of the day and age in which we live and what prophecies are being fulfilled of which we are unaware. It makes me want to study the book of Revelation more thoroughly. The dilemma is that the interpretations of this book range from A to Z and it is very difficult to know whose interpretation is most accurate. These Jews only knew after the fact when the prophecy was fulfilled. But still we must know the prophecy to know when it is fulfilled. All prophecies from the Old Testament about Jesus’ first coming have been fulfilled. They seemed so mysterious when given and yet so perfectly fell into place when they were fulfilled. Those who heard those prophecies had to believe and live in that truth. Now Here we are facing a future of prophecies of the second coming and we, too must believe and live with expectant anticipation and readiness.

Lord Jesus, open our minds to understand Your Word and prophecies that relate to this age and time. Give us wisdom and discernment and reveal the simplicity of Your plan. Quicken our spirits to truth and shield us from those who simply want to out-dramatize one another. Reveal to us what we need to know and how to obey Your will in all things. As a part of human history, we are also a part of Your revelation. May your prophecies and will in our lives be fulfilled in Your perfect time.

Joseph- Love in Action

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. Luke 2:4-6

At this time Augustus decreed that everyone in the Roman empire return to their ancestral home for a census count.  Joseph took Mary and traveled 80 miles to Bethlehem, town of David’s ancestry, in obedience to the decree. Only men were required for the census, but Joseph carts his pregnant wife with him. Can you imagine being pregnant and being jostled on a donkey or walking for miles on that long trip. It would have taken many days and several stops along the way. Why would he put her through that?

Due to the length of the trip and the phrase “while they were there”, it can be assumed that the birth didn’t happen the day they arrived, but maybe months later. With hundreds of people flooding into Bethlehem, it could have taken months to complete the census. That also indicates their travel could have been earlier in her pregnancy. Just think how long they may have lived in that stable. But why bring her? Maybe to protect her and himself from gossip and the pain of misunderstanding. Maybe to spend time together discuss what was happening without the rebuke of those around them. Ultimately, to fulfill prophecy, although I doubt that Old Testament prophecy was on his mind at the time. Once again Joseph is being obedient, while also caring for his bride.

Father, Joseph’s obedience and tender care of Mary reminds us that as we walk in obedience to You, Your tender love surrounds us. Although the journey may have its challenges, You are there to protect and guide us. Thank You for such a visible example of Your love.

Let the Son Shine In

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

Isaiah continues his prophecy of the future coming of Jesus.  Jesus will bring light into the darkness caused by sin.

The NIV says, “to those who walk in the land of the shadow of death…”  When I read that phrase, I was reminded of Psalm 23 where David says, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil….”  This world is the valley of the shadow of death which faces us each day. The perfect world that Adam and Eve were placed in began decaying the moment they sinned against their Creator and Friend -God.  Vegetation decayed, animal life decayed, human life decayed ……. all existence on earth decayed. But into all that putrefying decay came the light and life-giving presence of Jesus Christ!  With that light comes the promise that our souls will never decay and can live forever with Him in heaven. The earth may pass away, but His promises will remain true and reliable; -you can count on them!  There will be no decay in heaven, no sorrow, no sickness, no pain, no death. All signs of decay will have vanished in the light of His presence!!   The shadow of death will be replaced by the light of the Son.

Father, as I sit here on this rainy day with clouds shadowing the sun, I know that above those clouds the sun is still shining. I am reminded that no matter how dark it gets the Son is still shining. The darkness of death, disease and disaster cannot extinguish the Son. The shadows of depression, discouragement and defeat cannot blot out the Son. In fact, the rains of testing and trials are often what cause us to grow and blossom in our faith. Noting hinders the Son from bringing life out of death. Help us to look for the Son in our lives today.

Do Not Be Afraid

But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” …….Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: Matthew 1 :21,22,24

When we read of Jesus miraculous conception, we often focus on Mary, but today God opened my eyes to see how very important Joseph was in this plan. Jesus earthly linage is traced through Joseph. Joseph was a man of honor who was concerned with Mary’s reputation and determined not to cause her to be disgraced. They were betrothed and their marriage was a good as done and required a divorce Joseph thought he should divorce Mary but paused to give it some thought.

While contemplating the situation an angel appeared to him. Guess what his first words were? Surprise! “Do not be afraid!” Yikes! What must there be to fear? Joseph was assured that taking Mary as his wife was the best thing to do. He was even given the name of the child and a word of prophecy about this child. WOW!

God must have thought as much about Joseph’s character as He did Mary’s. After all, in that culture the man was head of his wife. Joseph obeyed God and was given the privilege of teaching Jesus about God (humanly speaking) and the trade of carpentry. He got to name Jesus…what an honor!!!

 This speaks to me about having to know all the details and the end results before I obey when God speaks to me. I have never seen and angel, but I have experienced the words, “Do not be afraid.”  If I obey, even when I don’t humanly understand the circumstances and have all the details, I too can be used to accomplish my part of God’s great plan. It is both sobering and exciting to be a part of God’s plan of salvation for those around me.

How about you? Have you ever heard those sobering, yet exciting words. Reminds me of the passage in Isaiah….

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Dear Father, thank You for all the Josephs and Marys down through the ages who were obedient so that we could hear and be a part of the Good News and experience Your great forgiveness and redemption!! Thank You for those who have obeyed when they did not fully understand. Help us to obey Your voice when we do not understand even when others question the logic of our obedience.  Thank You for opening our eyes to Joseph and the great honor bestowed upon Him as a great man of God and earthy father of Jesus.

Forget and Move Forward

 “Do not remember the former things,
Or ponder the things of the past.
“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it? Isaiah 43:18-19

The path of deliverance from Babylon back to Israel was hundreds of miles of dessert. No water, little food, and who knows what they would face.. The prophets often reminded the people to remember the past miracles and provision, but here Isaiah says God wants them to forget the past and look forward to new things, new miracles. They are to release the past to embrace the future. This future would eventually lead to the Mesiah. God continually tells His people that a new day is coming, and all will be made right, so do not look back but look to the future God has for you.

God has used this verse in my life three times. Once in 1990 when we left the ministry to heal from the grief of our daughter’s death and to take care of my aging mom.  I thought our ministry was over for good. He reminded me again in 1992 when He said it was time to return to ministry. I was thrilled. And then in 1993, when I could not find a teaching position in the small town to which he had called us, He led me to start up a business -Great Beginnings Pre-school. This meant meeting government standards and lots of details and red-tape which scared me to death.  BUT GOD!  God gave me strength, patience and the ability to meet each demand and Great Beginnings was born.

 Each time He brings this passage to my attention, He is ready to do a new work in and through me. Today as I read it again, I was reminded of His faithfulness and wisdom in each situation. It seems each time I faced a crisis of confusion about the future, a sense of desperation, not knowing what tomorrow would bring,  God has always come through in those hours and shone His light on the next step in the journey of my life.  I feel He is doing that once again and the letting go is never easy, sometimes painful and even embarrassing, BUT GOD! 

How about you. Have you had those moments when God ha called you to let go and move into new territory with Him? It may have seemed impossible or confusing, BUT GOD! Is He calling you to forget the past successes, failures, or challenges, and move into an unproven future where he can show His mighty power and grace to you and through you? What will your answer be? Remember…BUT GOD

Thank You, Jesus for delivering us time and again and continuing to draw us into Your future and “new things” for Your glory.  You are ever faithful and know the plans You have for us, to prosper not to harm, to give hope and new life!  Help us to hear, know and walk that path where You provide streams in the dessert and level the road before us. Give us courage to forget the past and boldly march forward into the new thing, knowing You are already there awaiting our obedience. BUT GOD!!

Capture or Be Captured

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

2 Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

In both scriptures Paul is referring to the power of our thoughts. Since our thoughts can control us, we must control them through the power of the Holy Spirit. We must continually test our thoughts and bring them into alignment with the mind of Christ. What would Jesus think, say, or do with this thought?

The first thing this morning I was thinking unkind thoughts about a situation and immediately I began to condemn myself for such thoughts. I was reminded of these words from Paul. I cried out to the Lord asking why I would even have such thoughts when I know better. How could such thoughts come from one who has followed you since childhood? I immediately asked Jesus to so purify my heart so that I would never have an unkind, jealous, selfish thought the rest of my life. Now you may be shaking your head at such a request or saying, “me to!”

 Either way, this is what the holy Spirit whispered to my heart. Joyce, you still live in sinful world and will be tempted by sinful thoughts. It’s not the thoughts that will condemn you, but what you do with them. That’s why I inspired Paul to write about taking your thoughts captive and renewing your mind according to My Word. If as a believer, you would never again have such thoughts, no need for this reminder and challenge. But now the ball is in your redeemed court and what are you going to do with it?  Speak it, act on it, or surrender it to Christ and seek His view of the situation. Thoughts come and go but you must choose what to do with them. The situation may be unfair or hurtful or have nothing at all to do with you. Regardless, give it to Christ and allow His Spirit of love and forgiveness to replace your unkind thoughts and move forward in obedience. Remember, there is coming a day when you will never battle another sinful thought. Love, joy and peace will be yours forever!!  

What will you do with your unkind thoughts today?

Thank You, Father, for this message of hope and reminder of personal responsibility. Empower us by Your Spirit to capture our thoughts and continually renew our minds by Your Word. The closer we walk and more time we spend with You, the easier it will be to hear Your words of caution and comfort. Oh, the joy of sweet surrender to Your love!

Blessed to Bless

I will bless you and make your name famous, and you will be a blessing to many others.[a Genesis 12:2

God was going to bless Abraham and make him a blessing to many others down through the ages. That blessing has reached us through Jesus Christ and is a promise to us, also. We, too are blessed to be a blessing to others.

I remember years ago when my husband and I spent several months praying and seeking God’s specific purpose for our lives. We each finally came up with a purpose statement; mine was, “To love myself like Jesus loves me so I can love others like Jesus loves them.” I grew up trying to win the approval and love of my earthly father and felt like I never measured up. Trying to comprehend my heavenly Father’s overwhelming, unconditional love has been a challenge my entire life. It has taken years to realize I could do nothing to earn God’s love, it was and is a free gift and totally beyond my comprehension. So, my life’s purpose is to continually seek to accept His overwhelming, indescribable, matchless love and then share that love with those around me.  I am so blessed and want to be a blessing to others.  I am a daughter of the King, precious in His sight, recipient of His uncontainable, unexplainable, underserving, everlasting love! I need to remind myself every day of who I am and whose I am.  How about you? Do you truly understand who you are in Christ and how very much you are loved by your Heavenly Father?

Father God, thank You for being present when I was formed in my mother’s womb. Thank You for knowing me inside and out and sending Your precious Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me and show me Your unconditional love. It’s been 72 years, and I am still trying to comprehend such unfathomable love. Oh, I so want that love to shine through me to bless and encourage others to seek Your love for themselves. Thank you with my words is not enough. Please help me to thank You with my life! Amen!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Count your blessings!

No One Understands Like Jesus

14. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews4:14-16

The author speaks a language these early believers understood when he talks about a high priest. They knew well the job of the high priest was to present the people and their sins to God, offer a sacrifice and beg for mercy. They ruled from earth, sometimes with very little sympathy for the people. Often, they required more of the people than was possible in obeying all their 600+ rules But, the great high priest, Jesus, rules from heaven, after having lived among us and experiencing every problem we face, even the ultimate sacrifice, death for our sins!! Thus, He is the only high priest who truly understands us. We can freely, with great confidence, bring our needs to Him because He knows exactly how we feel and how to help us!

We often told how our trials and temptations can become a source of ministry to others facing like issues. We can accept that our own struggles will be an encouragement to others and yet often overlook the fact that Jesus struggled in His human form just like we do. We forget the huge price He paid, not only in death, but in life on earth!  He wasn’t born mature; he climbed trees, scraped His knees and caused problems for His parents. He knew hunger, rejection, had to escape for His life and knew great disappointment. He understood sorrow at the death of a beloved friend, and great joy at the wedding of another. He was tested and tempted and had to depend on his Father for strength. He knew the struggle we sometimes face in surrendering to the Father’s will. All this to become our “wonderful, merciful Savior, and perfect High Priest who understands and sympathizes with our humanity, and the only one who can meet all our needs according to His riches in glory.

Jesus, thank You for the price You paid that we might know the Father and be able to spend eternity in heaven! Thank You for your great mercy and grace extended to us when we are confused, rebellious, stubborn, or lacking in spiritual graces. We know You are not there to condemn us, but to call us to faith and victory over our struggles. Your grace is sufficient to meet all our needs. Your mercy is everlasting, and Your forgiveness is ever present when we need it. You are an awesome and perfect High Priest who loves and understands us completely! Hallelujah!