Happy Birthday

Bible toting quoting or savoring the coming Savior?

Many today can quote bible verses, sing CHRISTian songs, even teach bible lessons lead churches, but does that make one a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Let me ask this: Are we going to invite Jesus to His party on December 25 and celebrate Him or invite all other guests into our home and celebrate us? How do we have a party and the one to be celebrated is absent . . . not even mentioned? If the Wise Men could travel up to two years across miles of desert to celebrate the King, then I will celebrate too!

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 in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)

I am celebrating Jesus . . . It's 'ya birthday . . .It's 'ya birthday . . . Happy birthday to You . . . Happy birthday to You . . . Happy birthday dear Jesus . . . Happy birthday to You!

Yes . . . I am shouting and singing this CHRISTmas . . . because He lives!!!!!

 

Waiting . . .

 Waiting . . . 

Waiting on Santa . . . waiting on visits . . . waiting on change . . . waiting on Jesus to return and make it all right!

What are you waiting on as CHRISTmas fast approaches? For the kids, of course it is Santa and the gifts they anticipate. For those more my age, we anticipate seeing our family; visits from kids, grandkids, and others. Some of us are praying and have been praying for a while for a change of one sort or another. We all as CHRISTians should be not just waiting, but anticipating Christ's return!

Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (Amplified)

A break from the daily routine . . .rest!

 A break from the daily routine . . .

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

As a school teacher, I sometimes joke about the best part of teaching; CHRISTmas and summer! However, it is true because we spend so much time and energy building into hundreds of students day in and day out, that physically and psychologically, we need the rest. Students need the rest too!

Jesus promises rest for the weary, both young and not-so-young. What better time to reflect upon these verses than in the coming weeks of rest? 

Merry CHRISTmas to all my students and families whom I serve. It is indeed a blessing to serve. I say it often, this is not a job but a joy! God has allowed me to labor within my giftings daily. I do not take it lightly!

I will see you all in 2023 . . . Lord willing. Have a safe and God-blessed rest!

Wise men still seek Him!

It is beginning to look a lot like . . . well it's raining heavily here in the DMV! But it is still Advent and CHRISTmas Season. No matter the circumstances, we still celebrate Jesus . . . because He came to earth nearly 2,000 years ago to rescue us from sin. He suffered and died for us and conquered the grave as He rose from the dead and ascended back to heaven. However, He did not leave its alone! He sent His Spirit to live within each and every believer to assist, correct, guide and direct us back home to Him one day. Are seeking Him today?

Do we anticipate His return as the devout Jews anticipated His first arrival? HUMMMMMM...... Wise men still seek Him!

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)

Our response says it all!

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (Luke 2:16-20)

Our response says it all! It seems fitting that shepherds were the first to be told of the coming of the Good Shepherd. These particular shepherds provide a model response in at least three ways: First, they responded in faith to what they’d heard and went to find the child. Second, they rejoiced at what they’d heard and seen and spread the good news to others. Finally, they gave praise and glory to the Lord for all of it. 

Many Bible scholars believe these shepherds were watching over special flocks—animals used for the Temple sacrifices. In that case, there’s a double meaning here: Those taking care of the repetitive sacrificial animals were the first to learn that the perfect, once-for-all Sacrifice had come! 

The shepherds were special in God's eyes. . . . So we are too! So how do we respond to this Good News? Will we respond in faith, rejoice within our hearts, and thus give God the praise for it all? 

Finally, our response says it all . . . will we share this Good News . . . a Savior has come!

Suddenly . . . it is CHRISTmas!

CHRISTmas . . . a time of celebration, family, gift giving, and time to reflect. Take a few minutes to take this all in . . .

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:14-15)

Ever think how shocked these shepherds were? Suddenly . . . in the middle of the night . . . angels appeared declaring news about the Savior and then singing God's praises! Suddenly, it was CHRISTmas!

Has CHRISTmas snuck up on you this year? Have we all been so caught up in the things of the world that suddenly, it is CHRISTmas? With all the past two years have given to us, we finally have time to sit back and rest . . . to reflect . . . to consider the time. 

Thank God for CHRISTmas! Thank God for God . . . with us! 

Celebrate  . . . Thank God for Immanuel! Gracias a dios por emmanuel!

https://youtu.be/vdNWCD9JueU

The Reason for this Seasonal break . . . JESUS!

 So this is our last week of school before CHRISTmas break. Many are planning getaways. Some preparing for last minute shopping. Still others are excited about traveling to tournaments in various cities. Some however, are still focused upon the Reason for this Seasonal break . . . JESUS!

Today, we are having a CHRISTmas PJ's day at school. I will be warning my students and anyone else who make be reading/listening: Do not fall asleep on Jesus! Many will and many have done so in the past. All the caroling and all the hustle and bustle of shopping, gift giving, traveling and family, many will miss Him.

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 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 2:1-7)

Many missed Jesus when He was born. Except for the shepherds, the Magi, and a few more, most missed Jesus' birth. As He grew older and claimed to be Messiah, many more missed His message . . . some even crucified Him!

Don't fall asleep on Jesus this year!

Why do we not read and believe the scriptures?

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people  . . . By the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God . . . (Luke 1: 76-78)

Zacharias, husband of Elizabeth and father of the newborn John (the Baptist), can now speak! He prophesies over his son John. He will be a prophet of God announcing the coming of the Messiah. The Jewish people now can look forward to their redemption. 

Again I wonder, why did they not know the Messiah when He came? Did they not read and believe the scriptures?

The same can be said of the world today. Why do so many not recognize the Messiah? Why do we not read and believe the scriptures?

You see, as in John's day, many heard him declare the Messiah is coming and even read the scriptures . . . the prophecies. They were unfolding right before their very eyes! Yet they did not believe. Today we can read the scriptures and see prophecies (Daniel, Matthew 24, Revelation) unfolding before our very eyes. Yet many chose to ignore and not believe.

How many will miss Messiah when He returns? What about you and me? Are we prepared? Do we read the scriptures and believe them?

The miraculous. . . . "Do whatever You want to do with me God . . . I am Yours!"

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:35-38)

Focus upon the words of Mary highlighted in red above. This is the key to receiving God's blessings! Many are called to serve. Many are challenged by God to do something miraculous. However, when we doubt God or simply cannot believe it is God, He cannot work. 

This Advent Season, as we anticipate the celebration of the miraculous birth of Christ and even His coming again, can we trust God to do the miraculous? 

Abraham did . . . Moses did . . . Noah did . . . David did . . . So did Mary! What about you and me? Can we respond to God by saying, "Do whatever You want to do with me God . . . I am Yours!"

Nothing is impossible with God! https://youtu.be/Viiw6tGimHo

Trust God that He will fulfill His promises

 . . . 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.” 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,” ( Isaiah 7:14) which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1: 20-23)

Seven hundred years after Isaiah wrote it down, God fulfilled His promise. A virgin shall be with child . . . Joseph had to trust God and carry out the prophecy. 

Today, we have to trust God that He will fulfill His promises to us. He will never leave us. He will keep us in perfect peace. He will forgive us. He will provide for us. He will redeem us. 

Throughout scriptures, people had to trust God in some really crazy situations. . . . Abraham . . . Noah . . . . Moses . . . . Gideon . . . . David . . . Mary and Joseph. What about you and me today, during this Advent Season? How must trust God?

“We have found the Messiah”. And he brought him to Jesus.

Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. (John 1: 35-42)

So, has Jesus found you? If so, what have you done with Him? 

John the Baptist introduced his followers to Jesus (see John 1: 36 above). Andrew brought his brother Simon (Peter) to Jesus and introduced him to the Messiah. Peter, as we read in Acts 2, went on to introduce thousands to Jesus.

So what have you and I done with Jesus? If the Messiah has indeed called us, and we have indeed found Him, then what are we doing with Him? 

Advent/CHRISTmas 2022: So what do we do with this verse?

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Ok . . . we know this verse well. Immanuel . . . God with us. So what do we do with this verse? 

Do we memorize it? Do we write it down in our journals? Do we make it a screen saver on our phones? How 'bout making a t-shirt?

What about cherishing it daily and living like it really happened and is still happening within each believer today?

So what do we do with this verse: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Live it out!!!!

"A" people

God cares about grades in school, but not exactly as we do. You see, He wants us to do our best, but our best may not always be the best. So many parents want their children to get straight A's and be top of the class . . . and that is an honorable goal. However, reality says that every student is not a straight A student and not everyone can be number one. Many of our greatest leaders were not A students, but rather A people!

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

Listen to this young lady: https://youtu.be/P0uWLzC4ojQ

As we strive to be our best and honor God through life, as A people we will please God and others will respect us. God will establish us and our children as He sees fit. His plans are not our plans, and parents . . . His plans for our kids are not always our plans!

Let's give God some room to work in our lives, and focus upon being A people even if we don't achieve A grades!

"IF"

But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”  Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22-24)

If we will only believe . . . .If we will only trust Jesus more. If we stop relying upon ourselves to solve every problem.

The man said to Jesus: "If You can do anything . . .". He asked in this way because the apostles tried but could not help his son. (Mark 9:18) The man must have doubted Jesus as well.

Jesus' response was very simple. You see, it was not the apostles, that the man needed faith in, was God! He was trusting man at first. Jesus opened his eyes and he realized he needed help to grow his faith. 

We all need help in our unbelief along the way. Jesus is ready and willing to help. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. James 1:5 encourages us to ask God when we need guidance. 

Faith gets stronger the more we trust God. Faith has to be activated. Start with little things and watch your faith grow! Lord, help my unbelief!