The True Reason for the Season

Every year the hype gets bigger and starts earlier.  In fact, some stores have even stocked their shelves with Valentine's Day things, even before Christmas has been celebrated.  What is the reason for this season?  It is not to rush, fill up "to do" lists, or to fill up our minds with gift giving/receiving.  It is all about what is below...the birth of Christ. Take a moment to really read through this familiar text and soak in the words...

Luke 2:1-20New International Version (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehemthe town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviorhas been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Be Blessed and Merry CHRISTmas!

Puzzle Pieces

2 Corinthians 9:15New Life Version (NLV)

15 Thank God for His great Gift.

Colossians 2:10New Life Version (NLV)

10 When you have Christ, you are complete. He is the head over all leaders and powers.

Romans 6:23New Life Version (NLV)

23 You get what is coming to you when you sin. It is death! But God’s free gift is life that lasts forever. It is given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8New Life Version (NLV)

8 For by His loving-favor you have been saved from the punishment of sin through faith. It is not by anything you have done. It is a gift of God.

So many different things have been running through my mind this week.  How to weave them together may be a far stretch, but I will try.  Here are the headlines running through my head:

“Keep your eye on the prize.”

“He brings peace to our choas.”  

“Jesus is THE gift, and there is no other gift like Him.”

“In God We Trust”

Piecing the puzzle together…

This week Mackenzie, my daughter, has been home sick.  We watched Miracle on 34th Street, the 1994 version.  Towards the end of the movie, a dollar bill is presented, in trial, as a symbol that we believe and trust in God.  She handed me a dollar bill today with it circled.  

Do we truly trust God?  Do we let him take ultimate control of our chaos and take the backseat?  So often we are so focused on so many different things in life, some big goals/dreams, some simple, but mind consuming ideas/goals/dreams.  We need to keep our eyes on HIM.  He will provide peace to our chaos and give us the gift that we will never want to live without, grace through the death of Jesus on the cross.  

Don’t loose focus during this time of the year.  Make sure that you take the time to notice what HE is placing in front of you and praise Him for it.  For many of you, this season is harder than it has been in the past.  Give that hurt and grief to Him.  Receive His peace.  Some of us are rejoicing and enjoying life to the point we forget to praise Him for this season.  Regardless if you are coasting along or riding a bumpy road, let Him be the driver.  Trust His driving skills, because He already knows the road that is paved ahead for you.  

Enjoy Britt Nicole's "Have Your Way"

Be Blessed!  

Be the Encourager...

1 Kings 3:11-12New Life Version (NLV)

11 God said to him, “You have asked this, and have not asked for a long life for yourself. You have not asked for riches, or for the life of those who hate you. But you have asked for understanding to know what is right. Because you have asked this, 12 I have done what you said. See, I have given you a wise and understanding heart. No one has been like you before, and there will be no one like you in the future.

1 Thessalonians 5:11New Life Version (NLV)

11 So comfort each other and make each other strong as you are already doing.

Matthew 5:14-16The Message (MSG)

14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Be the encourager…

So many times in our day we have opportunities to be the encourager to others.  Why is it so hard at times?  When we are frustrated with a situation, upset with an outcome, tired, or just feeling discouraged ourselves, it can be hard.  The more that we let God mold our hearts, through reading the word and spending time with Him, he gives us understanding and help us become stronger to face such a dark world.  

I read a story once in a Max Lucado book titled God Came Near.  It was one that stays with me today.  He told of a time that he and his wife had no electricity due to a storm.  He goes into a closet that has all of the candles to retrieve them.  However, these candles are special, they talk.  As he grabs each one, they refuse to go out into the house and light up the darkness.  They each have an excuse listed below:

1st candle states he is not ready.  I need more preparation.  

2nd candle says that he is too busy meditating on the importance of being a light.

3rd says that he is not stable enough and is a “hot head”.

4th says that lighting the world is just not her gift.  Her gift is to sing to encourage the other candles to go out and be the light.   

The story ends with Max walking out with no candles to light up his dark house.  He then asks his wife where she purchased those candles.  She states that she bought them from a church that had closed across town.  Which makes sense, because those candles modeled what the members of the church were doing.  

So what are we doing to reflect His love and encourage others.  It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant.  It can be very simple.  So go out today and encourage others.  

Enjoy listening to 

Addison Road "This Little Light of Mine"

Be blessed!

Benefits

1 Corinthians 14:1New Life Version (NLV)

Speaking in Special Sounds Is Not the Greatest Gift

14 You should want to have this love. You should want the gifts of the Holy Spirit and most of all to be able to speak God’s Word.

1 John 3:1New Life Version (NLV)

We Are God’s Children

3 See what great love the Father has for us that He would call us His children. And that is what we are. For this reason the people of the world do not know who we are because they did not know Him.

Psalm 103New Life Version (NLV)

As we begin to prepare ourselves for a New Year in 2017, we do many things.  One of those is checking off that we have signed up for benefits with our Insurance.  If you have ever taken a look at Psalm 103, you will see a list of benefits of loving the Lord wholeheartedly.  

Psalm 103

v2 - His acts of kindness are unending.

v3 - He forgives my sins.

v4 - He saves me from eternal death.

v5 - He fills my life with goodness.

v6 - He does what is right and fair.

v8 - He is full o loving pity and kindness; slow to anger and has endless loving kindness

v10 - Does not punish us for our wrong doings

v12 - Takes our sins away from us

v17 - His love is unending.

Praise Him and His AMAZING GRACE!!!  

Take time to read Psalms 103 and make sure you sign up for HIS BENEFITS!

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Chris Tomlin (with lyrics)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbe7OruLk8I