Go into the New Year.

 As we enter 2022, please take a listen and pray for one another as we go into the New Year.

https://youtu.be/MQe4LkkUKnA

Now the Lord had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. (Genesis 12:1-4)

A place to lay your head . . .

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)

Transitioning from our house of twenty-four years, I understand what it means to have a place to lay your head! God has turned our lives upside down. We have been asked to move out, gut the house of all furniture and supplies, and find places to stay while renovations take place, to prepare the nome for sale.  It has been from hotel to hotel and finally coming to rest at our cousin's place. However, this has been a blessing! 

We have come to live by faith . . . really!  It happened so quickly. Yet God knew it all would occur. We are coming to look forward to how God will do things and where He would have us next. Like with Mary and Joseph and even Abraham and Sarah, He is guiding us to where we will next have a place to lay our heads!

We have been humbled by God's provisions. We are realizing how deeply He is involved in our lives and how He needs to be seen by others by how He works through us. HIStory is taking place today in our very lives. Whether it's a manger or a mansion, we all are literally in His hands! 

Our Father is so so good!

A loving Dad . . .

 A loving dad....missing in so many homes today. Sure, moms are doing a wonderful job, do not get me wrong. However, that is not God's plan! Fathers are needed, wanted, and desired. Dads are vital to a child's growth and maturity. God made no mistake when He created Adam first and held him accountable for Eve. We men have been created to protect, provide, and teach. A home without a husband and father is lacking . . . simply said!

Yet despite it all, we still have a loving and caring Father who cares, nurtures, teaches and provides in God! Thank You Father for being there when we all have needed You! As we celebrate this Advent, let's remember this Name: Immanuel ( God with us). 

We are never alone. We do not have to fear. He will guide us. He is here to help. We are secure and we are victorious because He fights for us. He even listens when we need an ear. He is consistent and He cares!

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:22-23)

Get to know Daddy.

Hoping is believing!

 What are you hoping for this CHRISTmas? Remember when we hoped for the new bike🚲 or new action figure....well, for the girls maybe a new Barbie🙎? Nowadays it is a new i-phone📱 or even a new car🚘! You know, the one in the driveway on CHRISTmas morning with the giant red bow🎀 on the hood?  Nevertheless, it what we may receive or want to receive. However, through Christ, hoping is believing! We, as followers of the Risen Savior, know that we have eternal life through Christ Jesus and we look forward to . . . or HOPE in that day!

Many are without hope today. They are hoping for that special something to occur and life depends upon that hope. Yet this world offers so many false hopes . . . in relationships, jobs, even a cure for illnesses. Trusting in Christ brings assurance. No matter what comes our way, we trust that God has it all under control and one day . . . one day it will all be just perfect!

You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy;
They rejoice before You, according to the joy of harvest,
as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder . . . The rod of his oppressor . . . (Isaiah 9:2-4)

Knowing Jesus has us today and will have us tomorrow breaks the bonds of false hopes. It gives us a different mind set. It allows us to keep moving forward despite the ups, downs, broken dreams and disappointments in life. Today may be a challenge, but tomorrow will be fantastic!

Keep hope alive!

Peace....Heavenly peace.

 No Jesus . . .  No peace. Know Jesus . . . . Know PEACE! Do you KNOW Him? We sing of heavenly peace during CHRISTmas. That silent night back in Bethlehem when Jesus entered the world in flesh . . . what a night! 

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.(Isaiah 9:6)

There is a peace that goes beyond human understanding. There is the peace of God which brings inner tranquility and stability. Then there is the peace with God which is a restored relationship with God the Father through His Son . . . His incarnate Son . . . Jesus Christ!

They go hand in hand. I can rest knowing God is in total control of my life when I am in a right relationship with Him. My soul is at peace for eternity as well as my heart in the present. While I will rest in peace for eternity one day, I can also rest in peace today knowing He has me here and now. 

Peace . . . heavenly peace. Is all well with you? Do you KNOW Peace?

Why do we sing?

 It's the most wonderful time of the year....yes the song says it all! In fact, the songs say it all. Jesus is the Reason why we sing!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Silent Night....Holy Night.

Hark the herald angels sing!; Glory to the newborn King!

Come they told me . . . a newborn King to see.

Oh, Holy Night! 

Away in a manger. . . . ( (https://youtu.be/w5ftBUvToBk)

All these CHRISTmas songs point to the Savior; the One Who came and is to come. Won't we sing them loudly and proudly this Season? Won't we witness to His birth, yet also to His death and resurrection?

And in that day you will say: “Praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted. (Isaiah 12:4)

He is the Reason why we SING! 

Sweet things....looking toward CHRISTmas...Advent cont.

 Sweet things about CHRISTmas....mom's cookie recipe 🍪, grandma's cakes 🎂, the wife's special homemade recipes from scratch 🍩....all sweet things we loo forward to at CHRISTmas. Hey, don't forget about the chocolates and candy canes which now come in all flavors as well as peppermint! Sweet things for sure!

However, for the believer, the sweetest thing of all is the love that God had for us to send His beloved Son to live for us and die for us . . . then rise from that grave and give us a chance to live with Him forever . . . that is better than CHRISTmas every morning! (John 3:16)

Whatever you are anticipating to receive this CHRISTmas, nothing can be better than CHRIST. He will outlast the toys, the video games and even the newest $300 pair of shoes! This gift is eternal . . . it never runs out of energy and never wears out. 

Are you looking forward to celebrating? Why not start today? Do you know Him? Have you opened this gift? It is really sweet to know Jesus!

How sweet🍬 are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)

J.O.Y. to the world...what if?

 Jesus....Others....then You....this is a way of life whereby a CHRSISTian's life can be kept in order. We keep Jesus and His will first. We place other's needs above our own. We live unselfishly, so I (YOU) come last. YOU are not the most important thing in the world! We as believers are to live a sacrificial . . . a serving life.

 . . . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

What if we lived this way daily, not just at CHRISTmas? How would our lives change? How would others perceive the CHRISTian? How would the Gospel spread?

Live J.O.Y.-fully this day, putting Jesus and Others first!

Imagine being Mary . . . Advent continued.

 A virgin is about to become pregnant with the Savior of the world . . . and YOU are the virgin!!! OMG for real!!!!!!

A Savior has been promised to the people of Israel through the prophets. Jews anticipated this day. But like this . . . me?  How? But yet it was predicted!

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

Imagine being Mary! What would you have done? What would your response have been?

Mary said yes! She risked embarrassment, humiliation, ridicule and misunderstanding. She risked friendships and family loyalties. She risked her engagement to Joseph. She was available and appreciative to God.

What about us? As we approach CHRISTmas, are we as available and appreciative to God?

Are we doing our part?

 We each are unique, unusually gifted, and on a mission. God has endowed each of us with specific talents, personalities and situations to impact this world for Him. We are not to be like anyone else. We are His workmanship and set apart for His work. Compared to others, we may not measure up, yet when used by God we can and will please Him. Really, that's all that matters . . . that we please Him!

Are we prepared to please God or are we trying to please others? Are we ok with how God made us or are we trying to be someone we are not? God has prepared us to work for Him. Doing it some other way will only bring frustration. Folks like Daniel, David, Paul, and John the Baptist all were used by God according to their personalities and design. Had they not accepted His calling things would have been different. 

What about us? God is preparing us all daily. Will we respond? Advent is about preparation .  . . for the coming of Christ. Are we doing our part????

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:1-2)

Advent?

 He's coming . . . . yet already arrived! 

So what is "Advent" anyway? I know most do not even mention it today. We talk about Black Friday, Winter Break and the holidays . . . even Season's Greetings. Somehow the Advent Season has been lost! It is the celebrated and anticipated arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We both recall from the past and anticipate the future. Jesus came to rule and shepherd Israel, He rules and shepherds us today, and will rule and shepherd the entire world once again in eternity when He returns! These are the HOLY-days!

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting to everlasting.” . . . (Micah 5:2)

As we anticipate His return, may we celebrate the fact that He has come into our hearts today to rule and reign. Have you invited Him into your heart? Does He rule in your life today? Welcome Him today . . . welcome to the Advent Season . . . celebrate Advent!

Practice sacrificial giving

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18)

While many give away and donate to many worthwhile causes today, giving when it is a sacrifice . . . when it hurts . . . is what God applauds. You see, giving for a tax write off , to please a boss or co-worker, or for a school contest is not sacrificial. In fact, that is not sacrifice at all. yet giving from your very own need . . . now that is sacrificial giving!

Fasting from a meal and donating that meal money to a soup kitchen is sacrificial. Sacrificing a summer vacation to serve on the mission field is sacrificial giving. Giving up some CHRISTmas funds to purchase gifts for needy children is sacrificial giving. Sacrificing leisure time to support and mentor a young teen is sacrificial giving. Doing without so others may have is sacrificial giving!

God gave His only Son to suffer and die as a sacrifice! In fact, He still gives to us today . . . all we could ever think or imagine . . . what grace, what mercy, what love! We are to reflect that sacrificial giving in our daily lives today so others can experience the love of God. 

We must practice sacrificial giving daily!

Practice being contect.

 It is great to say I have learned to be content, like Paul, when we have what we want. But let things get a little shaky . . . . 

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)

 When things are going well, we praise God and share His good news. However, when we are struggling and in need, that is when our faith is tested. We usually call upon God to supply our needs, not His desires for us! It is ok to have things, however we cannot allow the things to have us! Contentment is not in things, but in the peace of knowing God has us!

I am learning to be content as God is stretching me. What about you? We all must practice being content!

He's got this!

 Just a bit unsure of the future? Welcome to my life! I thought the future with Covid-19 restrictions and types of variants popping up was crazy . . . then God did this thing with my family!!!! I am so unsure of so much these days, yet trusting God like never before! 

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:4-8)

So, as Paul writes, rejoice anyway . . . even in the middle of uncertainty, challenges, and yes, even failures. Think of what God has done and is doing. His peace . . . simply knowing He has the past, present, and future in His hand is enough to calm us. He is our very present help in times of trouble! (Psalm 46:1)

He's got this!