Victories through Defeats

Victories through Defeats??? That does not make any sense. At first thought and glance…no it does not…but allow me to explain.

(2 Corinthians 2:14,NIV)  “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ...”

God wins His greatest victories through apparent defeats.  See…very often the enemy seems to triumph for a season, and God permits it.  But then He comes in and upsets the work of the enemy, overthrows the apparent victory, and as the Bible says, “frustrates the ways of the wicked” (Psalm 146:9, NIV) So…consequently, He gives us a much greater victory than we would have known had He not allowed the enemy seemingly to triumph in the first place.

Confused yet…let’s consider the story about the three Hebrew young men who were thrown into the fiery furnace.  There was an apparent victory for the enemy.  It looked as if the servants of the living God were going to suffer a terrible defeat.  We have all been in situations where it seemed as though we were defeated, and the enemy rejoiced.  We can only imagine what a complete defeat this appeared to be for Daniel’s friends.  They were thrown into the terrible flames while their enemies watched to see them burn.  Yet…the enemy was greatly astonished to see them walking around in the fire, enjoying themselves. You know the story…then King Nebuchadnezzar told them to come out of the fire.  The enemy "...crowded around them.  They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their head singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them…for no other god can save in this way” (Dan. 3:27,29,NIV)

This seemingly and apparent defeat resulted in a miraculous victory.

Now…let’s just suppose…these three men had lost their faith and courage and had complained, saying “Why did not God keep us out of the furnace!?” Most likely they would have been burned, just as quickly as the guard did when shoving them into the furnace and God would not have been glorified.  If there is a great trial in your life today, do not acknowledge it as a defeat.  Instead, continue by faith to claim the victory through Him who is able to make you “more than conquerors” (Rom 8:37, NIV), and a glorious victory will soon be apparent and experienced.  May we learn that in all the difficult places, situations and challenges God takes us, He is giving us opportunities to exercise our faith in Him that will bring about blessed results and greatly glorify His name.

To Honor Jesus through worship, prayer & obedience

As the new year begins...hopefully so does our passion to enjoy a closer walk with Our Lord Jesus Christ.  But that must begin with Honoring Him through our worship, prayer and obedience to His word.

To Honor: Psalm 73:25 - "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you." (NIV)

To Worship: 1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." (NIV) 

We should see every moment as potential of enjoying communion with Our God.

To Prayer:  Phillippians 4:6-7  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

As I remember reading sometime ago...I paraphrase...God did not give us prayer as an reward that we deserve, but prayer is a privilege given to us by God.  Many think it is our gift to Him...but it actually is God's gift to us.  We need to remember...no one is good enough to earn God's attention or this attentiveness to hear when we pray.  Prayer is a gift of His mercy and grace.

To Obey:  Psalm 119:100-101 "I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.  I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. " (NIV)

I had learn long time ago, when I first was taught to study the bible and not take which ever commentary I were using words for what the verse is telling me.  When I began to study the bible...I read the bible...all while...listening to God to speak to me thru the word...with his still calm voice.  Also learned...by not seeing how much I could read...I learned to relish  treasure and ponder what I read.  Speed is not the victor here...slowly pondering the word and praying for what is read requires a consistent practice, a disciplined habit to be in the Word on a regular basis...eventually...if we are still enough...and listen...God does and will speak to us through His Word.

This brings me to when we posses and enjoy the disciplined spiritually.

Isaiah 40:31 "...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

In closing...I do not know about you...but when Christ...when I let Christ inside me...he is my source of power and makes all my footsteps strong...steady...and my christian life possible.  There has only been one person that has truly lived the Christian life.... that's right...Jesus Christ.

91st Psalm..."He is my refuge"  (Ps 91:2)

Proverbs 13:13 "Despise God's word and find yourself in trouble. Obey it and succeed."

14 January 2013 Weekly Reflection-Praise

Lets begin with "The Lord's Prayer"

Our Father who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us debts, as we also
have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.  For Thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and
the glory, forever.  Amen. 
                          Matthew 6:9-13

14 January 2013 Weekly Reflection

"Hallowed be Thy name....:"

Praise

Let us bow before the Lord today.  Thank Him for His faithfulness to you.  His Word has been our guide.  His mercy and grace, our encouragement.  His love, our motivation.  His Spirit, our Helper.  His power to bring about changes within us, our hope.  (Chuck Swindoll)

Reflection:

Father, we come today in adoration.  Thank you for caring about us before we were ever born.  Thank you for flooding this earth with the presence of Jesus Christ and for not letting us forget Him, because You have recorded the truth in timeless Scripture.  We bow before You because we have the Bridge, who has brought us from earth to heaven.  We pray for those today who do not know the Lord Jesus and ask that You might create in them that hunger for Him, something only You can do.  Give no rest for relief until there is faith in Jesus Christ firmly established on his finished work.  And we shall adore You as we wait for You to work.  Amen.

Psalm 8:1 "O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Thy name in all the earth."

Praise is leaving one own self out of the way and becoming occupied in adoration of God.

My Unemployment Prayer

My Unemployment Prayer I wish to share with others.

Dear Father in Heaven, giver of all good things.  I thank you for having created me and preserved me to this day.  You know of all my needs and my fears because of my present unemployment.  I pray that you comfort and strengthen me, and help me to maintain my hope and courage.

It is clear from your word that work is normal and good for man, yet I have not found the work which I need and seek.  This situation is hard to understand.  Help me, Lord, to surrender wholly to you my God and to look to you, for the employment which I need.

I pray to you Lord, correct what is wrong with me or with the employment situation in general, and give me the opportunity to earn my own bread.  Open a door of employment which I do not now see.  Keep me from discouragement, bitterness, and depression and help me to put my trust in you.  It is such a challenge as I ride the weekly roller coaster ride of hope & rejection…Hope & rejection in these past 3+ years, help me mentally, physically and spiritually as I daily try to trust in you and keeping the faith.  I know from Jer 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Phil 4:6-7…you have a plan…I need to keep the faith…and to trust beyond my own understanding – give me your strength daily with these things.

Help me to say with a believing heart and mind –(Psalm 145:15-16 KJV) “The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.  Thou openest thine hand, and satisfied the desire of every living thing.”

In that knowledge and in that faith make me trusting and patient.  In the meantime care for me and mine according to your promise.  I trust that you will do so for the sake of Jesus Christ, my Savior, in whom you have promised to give us all things.  “You take pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” (Psalm 35:27)

So Lord, give me time to listen to you today.  Expect to hear in your spirit – guidance, loving encouraging voice, counsel and your will and strength to take that step of faith.

Pray in your name, glory, honor and praise – Jesus Christ – I pray.  Amen and Amen!

2013 Morning Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for having kept me safe during the night.  Now I pause at the gateway of another day & week to ask you to go with me.

I do not know what this day or week holds in store – pleasure or pain, health or sickness, sunshine or darkness.  However, I am not afraid in you will to be my companion, for you do love me with an everlasting love and do guard and protect me from all evil.  I need your presence every step of the way.

I do not know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future.

Watch over me and over those whom I love.

Open my eyes to every opportunity to do good, for you had created me in Christ Jesus unto good works and had foreordained that I should walk in them.  Give me faithfulness for every task set before me and grant me grace to render service to all men as unto you, my Lord.

Help me to live this day as though Jesus died for my sins, shed His blood for me as of yesterday, arose today and were coming back tomorrow.  Let His cross be my glory and His favor my crown.

Grant me enough success this day and week to be encouraged and enough difficulties for me to be humbled.  Give me strength to overcome when I am tempted to do wrong and to seize my opportunities to do good.

I lift up my heart to you at this hour, sincerely grateful for the opportunities of another day, week and year.  Bless me in what I do today that all may be acceptable to you.

 Help me, I pray, to reflect in my life the infinite love with which you do love me in Jesus Christ, my Savior.  In all my dealings with my fellow man, help me to love them as I love myself, and to do for them what I would have them do for me.

Give me the courage and strength to endure losses rather than to inflict them on others.  Be grateful for what I have and not what I have lost.

Help me to realize that life consists, not in the abundance of things which I possess, but rather in what I do with what I possess, whether much or little.  Teach me to know that Godliness with contentment is great gain and to live accordingly.

Oh…How I pray Dear Lord…Give me not tasks equal to my strength, but strength equal to my tasks.  Grant me the Grace to live this day as though it were to be my last on earth and the first with you in Heaven.

Oh! How too often I have offended you.  I ask you, this day, this prayer, not to hold my sins against me.  But to blot them out with the blood of your beloved Son, who died also for me.  Help me to live more and more according to your will.  Make my thoughts ‘loving’, my words ‘kind’ and my deeds ‘selfless’.  Let my light shine before men that I may glorify you and draw others to your kingdom.  Make me ever humble and willing in your service.

As stated in (Psalms 118:24) “This is the day that the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it”.  Grant that every word I speak and every act I perform will reveal your presence in my life.  Make me thoughtful and considerate and keep me patient with all I come in contact this day.

Remove from my heart all malice and resentment, and enable me to bear with serenity the unpleasant situations which I cannot change.

Protect me from the allurements of sin, from doubt and worry, from lovelessness and strife.

Once more, I cannot tell what this day or week or month or year has in store for me or loved ones, whether it be good fortune or misfortune.  I do trust though your promise that you will give me the strength to bear whatever this day, week, month or year may bring and that you will make every experience work together for my and your good.

I am grateful for the opportunities which this day, with your blessing, offers to provide my daily bread.  Teach me, while toiling for the material things of life, never forget that my Savior said: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”.

Help me firmly to believe that you will add to me of things material, for an example, gainful employment, what you know is to be best for me and family.

Keep your word constantly before me that it may ever be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

God, I pray that you bless and prosper the members of my family and friends.  Give us a government which rules for the welfare of all.  Protect our country, our churches, our homes, our work places, our schools, our children – that we may all work quietly and enjoy all your blessings in peace.

Help us to remember that our needs will be supplied as long as we rely on you and on your bountiful mercy.  For all things – make me thankful.

May you always receive all the praise and glory in all I do and people see, in Jesus name I pray.  Amen and Amen.

Wisdom...Instruction...Directions...Do we ask for these?

(Proverbs 1:2-7 NKJV) "To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgement, and equity; To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion --A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

"enigma" - A saying, question, pictorial representation, or the like, containing a hidden meaning to be discovered; a riddle; anything puzzling or inexplicable.  

"riddles" - Dark Sayings. 

(James 1:5 NIV) "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Jesus made it clear to His disciples: they should petition God to meet their needs.  So should we.  We are no different.  Genuine, heartfelt prayer produces powerful changes in us and in our world.  When we lift our hearts to God, we open ourselves to a never-ending source of divine wisdom and infinite love.

Do you have questions about your future that you simply can't answer?  Many are facing underemployment, unemployment, separation from families for employment, financial struggles, family strained due to the economy, etc.  So I ask you...do you have needs that you simply can not meet by yourself?  Do you sincerely seek to know God's unfolding plans for your life?  If so, ask Him for direction, for protection, guidance and for strength - and then keep asking Him every day.  Whatever your need, no matter how great or small, pray about it and never lose hope.  God is not just near; He is here, and He's perfectly capable of answering your prayers and to provide you with counsel, instruction, wisdom, etc.  Now, it is up to you....all you have to do is ask...and keep on asking....(1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV) "pray continually;"

Petitions, Prayers and Intercession

How often do we petition, pray and intercede for family, friends, self, and individuals of authority in our business, local (city, county and state) government individuals, local churches, Congress, leaders of our country, even the President of the United States and perhaps leaders of other countries?

Lets see what the bible advises us to do.  

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior." (1 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV)

Petition means to ask. God not only urges us to ask, He is pleased when we do.

Prayer is talking to God, anywhere, anytime.

Intercession is praying for someone else.

'The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ constantly intercedes for us (see Romans 8:34), so it pleases God when we intercede for someone else including heads of state and others in authority because we are doing what Christ does.

(Romans 8:34 NIV) "Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more that that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

Thanksgiving always pleases God, and the Bible specifically tells us to include thanksgiving when talking to God about those in authority.

We are to pray respectfully for leaders. "Show proper respect to everyone, ... fear God, honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17 NIV). We are to pray with the clear understanding that government authority is established by God. "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established". (Romans 13:1 NIV). We also pray  knowing that God's Word says, "The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1 NIV).

We should, can and must pray using words and thoughts from Scripture.

Help our president [or anyone in authority at any level] to accept wise counsel. "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure."(Proverbs 11:14 NIV); "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22 NIV)

• Teach [name] to trust in You. (Psalm 21:7 NKJV)  "For the king trusts in the Lord, And through the Mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved."


• Protect [name] from the influence of the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV) "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one".

• Give [name] discretion, foresight, and understanding in making decisions. (1 Chronicles 22:12 NIV) "May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God."

• Generously answer his/her prayer for wisdom. (James 1:5 NKJV) "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

• Pour out Your Spirit on his/her leadership. (Proverbs 1:23 NKJV) "Turn at my rebuke; Surly I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you." 

• Deliver [name] from opinions contrary to Your Word. (Psalm 119:105 NKJV) "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."

• Protect [name] from harm, and bless and protect his/her family. "For they intended evil against You; They devised a plot which they are not able to perform." (Psalm 22:11 NKJV) "that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons." (Ezra 6:10 NKJV) 

• Enable [name] to carry out his/her duties with humility toward You and toward others. (1 Peter 5:5 NKJV) "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.  Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

• Bless [name] with strength, endurance, and stamina. "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." (1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV), "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

• Equip [name] to act according to Your will and to make choices pleasing to You. (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV) "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

• Give [name] the courage to do the right thing even when urged to do the wrong thing. (Proverbs 2:11-15 NKJV) "Discretion will preserve you, Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths;"

• Give [name] a tender heart of compassion toward those he/she leads and serves. (Colossians 3:12 NKJV) "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with on another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."

(some information provided from a Billy Graham literature, other from NIV & NKJV bibles)

Jesus has Gone Through it all Before us

I [will] move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that

of the children. (Genesis 33:14)

'What a beautiful picture of Jacob's thoughtfulness for the cattle and the children! He would not allow them to be driven too hard for even one day. He would not lead them at a pace equal to what a strong man like Esau could keep or expected them to keep, but only one as fast as they were able to endure. He knew exactly how far they could go in a day, and he made that his only consideration in planning their travel. He had taken the same wilderness journey years before and knew from personal experience its roughness, heat, and distance. And so he said, "I [will] move along slowly." "Since you have never been this way before" (Josh. 3:4).

We "have never been this way before," but the Lord Jesus has. It is all untraveled and unknown ground to us, but He knows it all through personal experience. He knows the steep places that take our breath away, the rocky paths that make our feet ache, the hot and shadeless stretches that bring us to exhaustion, and the rushing rivers that we have to cross-Jesus has gone through it all before us. As John 4:6 shows, when Jesus meets the Samaritan Woman, "Now Jacob's well was there.  Jesus therefore, being wearied from his journey, sat thus by the well...." (NKJV) "Wearied", in short meaning...Jesus was worn out, tired.  He was battered by every possible torrent, but all the floodwaters corning against Him never quenched His love. Jesus was made a perfect leader by the things He suffered. "He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust" (Ps. 103:14). Think of that when you are tempted to question the gentleness of His leading. He remembers all the time and will never make you take even one step beyond what your feet are able to endure. Never mind if you think you are unable to take another step, for either He will strengthen you to make you able, or He will call a sudden halt, and you will not have to take it at all.  

Frances Ridley Havergal

New Years Day...A New Beginning

A New day always brings a new beginning, but nothing like a New Year Day. A New Year's Day always bring a refreshing, new opportunity for a new beginning.

This piece will be in reference to a new beginning many years ago...please read below Deuteronomy 11:10-24 (NKJV)..."¹⁰ For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; ¹¹ but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, ¹² a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.

¹³ ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹⁴ then I^[a] will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. ¹⁵ And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’ ¹⁶ “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, ¹⁷ lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you.

¹⁸ “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ¹⁹ You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ²⁰ And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, ²¹ that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.

²² “For if you carefully keep all these commandments which I command you to do—to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him— ²³ then the Lord will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess greater and mightier nations than yourselves. ²⁴ Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the River Euphrates, even to the Western Sea,^[b] shall be your territory. (this bible verse is compliments of Biblegateway.com)

As we stand at the brink of a New Year, our hearts are filled with some anticipation and challenge.  Only God knows what the future holds.  As we cross over into the year of 2013, we do so with the same challenges Moses gave his people so long ago.  As we cross over in to the New Year we are reminded of:

• God's Provision
• God's Presence
• God's Promise
• God's Protection

In reference to Deut 11:11, I believe what Moses is saying to Israel is, what God is saying...to us...He will meet our needs! He is our source.  Like the land of Israel, our land will "drink water from the rain of heaven." How many times have we seen this across the years...when it looked like hope was almost gone? In those times when we began to feel our source was running out, "God would rain from heaven the blessing upon us."

Moses reminded the people that the land that they were about to possess was a land of "hills and valleys." God never promised us the way would always be easy.  It is not a mountaintop experience all the time. 

Like the Israelite's we walk through the valley.  And often times we come face to face with a mountain along the journey which humanly speaking looks impossible to climb.

What they are preparing to enter...much like us..we face many "hills and valleys."

We should and need to thank God of the hills, the mountains.  Often in the valleys we forget about the mountains.  And, unfortunately, often when we are on the mountain, we forget about our valley experiences.  Both ARE important!...If there were no valleys there would be no peaks.  We never learn spiritual lessons on the mountain. Unfortunately...they are always learned in the valley where we are trusting, depending on God to get us through our trials and tribulation. Of course..we would choose the valleys...but His ways are not our ways.  He is in fact the God of the mountains.  He is also the God of the valleys.  

Lets look closely at Deut. 11:11.  "It is a land that drinks rain from heaven."  That is, He provides for us supernaturally.

Now...for the children of Israel the land was quite a contrast from the past years of Egypt.  Moses reminds them that the land which they were about to possess was "not like the land of Egypt...where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot" (Deut 11:10).  What was the difference?  The land of Egypt depended on human resources.  There was not much rain.  The Nile was their source and it overflowed once a year. Hard work was involved, by hand and by foot, they dug trenches, canals to irrigate the land.  In Egypt it was all done by human effort.  Work, work, work was the motto.  In Egypt there was no need for God.  Water was stored by artificial means and fields were irrigated by human sweat and tears.  Egypt did not depend on God like Canaan did.

Let us take note of the contrast of the promised land.  It "drinks water from the rain of heaven. " As you may remember...Canaan was and is totally dependent on God.  Rain was His gift to them.  In fact, this land has always been solely dependent upon His provisions.  Perhaps that is why He chose this land and those people to train His church.  As review 1Cor10:6, it reminds us that everything that happened to the children of Israel did so as an example to us in the dispensation of grace.  How beautiful to know that He proves this with the season rains (Deut 11:14).  He sends the early rain for seed time and the latter rain at harvest.  Both are important for growing a good crop.

Remember..God is our source and He has a way of using us to accomplish his purpose.  As we keep in mind of His Provision..we need to also be mindful of His Presence.

The year 2013 which we embark is a year that God cares for...and for us.  He purposed it.  He planned it.  He knows the way through the wilderness and all we have to do is follow.  There are no surprises to Our Lord.

Much as Moses reminds his people...allow me to remind, me including, us all...that as we share a covenant with Him, and we are His and He is ours..."from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year."  As we cross over in a New Year, we are reminded that God is watching us, that His eyes are upon us.

A new day, a new year...brings a fresh vision, hope and encouragement of new opportunities.  What a blessing to cross over in a new year with the very presence of God Himself.  The eyes of the Lord are upon us!  He is watching us all...watching a dear mother who faces the year raising children without a husband, watching the dad's who's under tremendous pressure to provide while underemployed...unemployed...and He's watching the teenager with all the pressures of adolescence...watching the youth...while they return to school...He's watching each of us.  "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" (II Chr. 16:8-10).  You know...much like the children of Israel, He did not bring them nor us out, except to take us in.  We go into a New Year with God's provision and God's presence.  We also, as the bible states over and over and over....God's Promises.  

As Moses shared in Deut 11:13-15...if we obey His commandments...he will give us and provide for us...our needs.  The single most important thing we can do as we cross over in the new year is to love the Lord our God, obey His commandments...and serve Him with all of our hearts. As I mentioned...note that his promise is conditional...verse 13 begins with "if" and verse 14 follows with "then".  This promise is for those whom love the Lord their God and serve Him with all their heart and soul.  The only thing...like the people of Israel...keeping us from God's blessings...is disobedience.  In short...you are either in obedience or disobedience...you cannot be both.

Moses reminded the children of Israel, and us, what is of utmost importance...loving God.

As we enter a new year we do so with God's promise.  What is our primary purpose? It is to love Him.  It is to love God and serve Him with all of our hearts, souls and mind.

We cross over into the new year of 2013, with God's provision.  We are reminded that He is our source.  We cross over with God's presence.  We are reminded that His eyes are upon us from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.  We cross over with God's promise.  If we love Him and serve Him with all of our hearts, then His blessings will be upon us.

Now being mindful of God's provision,presence, promise...lastly...I find comfort...with God's "Protection".

God's Protection is reflected in the verses Deut. 11:16-24.

Moses is reminding the people, as well as us today...that the Lord will go before us and drive out our enemies.  His protection carries with it a warning.  "Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other god's and worship them, lest the Lord's anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you" (Deut 11:16-17).  Note...the repetition of the importance of loving our God.  "For if you carefully keep all these commandments which I command you to do - to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to hold fast to Him" (Deut 11:22).

Moses knew the only way his people could love the Lord with all their heart was to saturate themselves with a conscious awareness of His word.  That is why Moses as indicated in Deut 11:18-19 reminds and challenges God's chosen people...how they and we need to lay up all of these words in our hearts, soul, mind, and bind them as a sing on the hand...all awhile constantly speaking and teaching our children...all day long..when we rise up to when we lie down...all of God's words, faithfulness, provision, protection, promises and presence.

Then Moses went on to tell them that "Then the Lord will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess greater and mightier nations than yourselves.  Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the River Euphrates, even to the Western Sea, shall be your territory.  No man shall be able to stand against you" (Deut. 11:23-25)

It was a long continuous journey for the children of Israel through the decades of wilderness wanderings.  Moses led them all the way.  And now...he comes to the end of his own life and states, "The land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from rain of heaven, a land which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year." (Deut 11:11-12)  Now...as we cross over to this new year Moses stands to remind us that as we go, we too will need God's provision.  To depend on our own human effort is sheer folly.  We will need God's presence.  There will be times when we, like the children of Israel, wonder where God is.  But find comfort...His eyes are upon us.  We cross over with God's promise.  There may be times that this is all we have to hold.  And, we go with His protection.  There may be times when we will be without help or hope unless God supernaturally intervenes.

We, too, have been and are on a journey.  Now...like the children of Israel. we are crossover people ourselves.  We are crossing over into a new year with hope, refreshed and clean slate, new opportunities and a new beginning.  Yes...He brought us out from there that He might bring us into a land of blessing.  As we enter the new year of 2013, let us, like those who have gone before, love God...walk in his ways...keep our heads up...Looking up...raise our heads up...instead of looking down...God is up...Jesus is up...Lets hold fast to him.

Will end with this piece, by Zinzendorf,

He leads us on by paths we did not know;

Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow,

Though oft we faint and falter on the way,

Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day;

Yet when the clouds are gone,

     We know He leads us on.

He leads us on through all the unquiet years;

Past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts and fears,

He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze

Of losses, sorrows, and o'er clouded days;

     We know His will is done;

     And still He leads us on.

Christmas Day Prayer

Christmas Day Prayer

O God the Father, I praise You for the gift
of your Son, who was born in the poverty and
lowliness of Bethlehem so that I might enjoy
the riches of your grace and the exaltation of
sonship with you.

O God the Son, I adore for humbling
Yourself to be my Savior, for bearing my sins in
Thine own body, and for rendering to my Father
in heaven a perfect satisfaction for my transgressions.

O God the Holy Spirit, I glorify You for
having made my heart a dwelling place of the
Savior of the world and for bringing the peace
of forgiveness to my soul through faith in Him
who is the Prince of Peace.

O blessed Trinity, on this holy day give me
a humble and contrite heart that I may joyfully
claim the Babe of Bethlehem as my Lord and
my God. Remove from me the tattered robes of
my own righteousness, and adorn me with the
spotless garment of Christ's righteousness.
Use every gift received this day from loving
friends to remind me of the gift of a Savior so
that my heart may rejoice and my tongue can
sing, "Glory to God in the highest!"

Help me to cradle the' Christ Child in my
heart, O Holy Spirit, and give me the grace and
strength to love and adore Him all the days of
my life. Amen..

What if Christ had not come???

As many young boys and girls await Santa Claus…you know…”Here comes Santa Claus, Here Comes Santa Claus…right down Santa Claus Lane…” You have heard the jingle and the words from mouth of babes. Oh-h-h! How disappointed these little ones would be if Santa Claus did not arrive.

How would we react or feel if Christ had not come??? A valid question. I remember a story I had read about what if Christ had not come.

It begins with a profound thought generated from what this man read…he is a man of the cloth. He was reflecting on a vision he had. Upon reflecting on this vision…he falls asleep with this on his mind. So…dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.

In this dream, he saw himself walking through his house, but as he looked, he saw no stockings hung on the chimney, no Christmas tree, no wreaths of holly, and no Christ to comfort and gladden hearts or to save us. He then walked onto the street outside his house, but there was no church with its spire pointing toward heaven. And when he came back and sat down in his library, he realized that every book about our Savior had disappeared.

The minister dreamed that the doorbell rang and that a messenger asked him to visit a friend’s poor dying mother. He reached her home, and as his friend sat and wept, he said, “I have something here that will comfort you.” He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended with Malachi. There was no gospel and no promise of hope and salvation, and all he could do was bow his head and weep with his friend and his mother in bitter despair.

Two days later he stood beside her coffin and conducted her funeral service, but there was no message of comfort, no words of a glorious resurrection, and no thought of a mansion awaiting her in heaven. There was only “dust to dust, and ashes to ashes.” And one long, eternal farewell. Finally he realized that Christ had not come, and he burst into tears, weeping bitterly in his sorrowful dream.

Then suddenly he awoke with a start, and a great shout of joy and praise burst from his lips as he heard his choir singing these words in his church nearby:

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels,

O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Let us be glad and rejoice today, because He has come. And let us remember the proclamation of the angel: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11)

Oh...thank God...Christ did come!!! Lets remember and celebrate his birthday on Christmas Day.

More Than a Gift

More Than a Gift

That Christmas I couldn't help focusing on what we didn't have. Then came an inexplicable gift of God's love...

By Ellen Scarano, Annapolis, Maryland

I couldn't help but notice the ornament in the Hallmark store. “Baby’s First Christmas” read the white cursive letters across the top of the ball, a brightly-lit Christmas tree surrounded by toys stood in the background. My husband, Rich, and I were new parents to our daughter, Andrea. What a perfect way to mark her first Christmas! I looked at the price: five dollars. Even that was too much to spend on something we didn’t really need.
The year before had started out promising. We had bought a house and, shortly after, found out I was pregnant. We were thrilled! But a month later, I lost my job. Now we were struggling to pay the bills, and were all alone in a new neighborhood where we didn’t know a soul.
I spent what I could on Christmas gifts in order to give at least something to our family. Whenever I thought about the ornament, though, I was disappointed. Yet, even praying about wanting this Christmas to be special felt more like whining to God about how things just weren't going my way.

A few days before Christmas we were hit with a snowstorm. While Andrea slept and Rich was at work, I shoveled our driveway. All of a sudden, a voice rose above the blustery wind.
“Yoohoo! Over here!”
It was my neighbor Pauline. We’d only exchanged a hello or two over our fences before. What would make her come outside in this weather? I wondered.
She trudged through the heavy snow and headed toward our yard. I met her halfway.
“This is just a little something,” she said, handing me a small box.
“Thank you,” I said. “You shouldn’t have.”
What a nice neighbor we had! Whether the box held Christmas cookies or a festive candle didn’t matter. It was just the reminder I needed that blessings were all around us.
Back inside, I opened the box. It was more than a little something. A Hallmark ornament, “Baby’s First Christmas.”  

Worth the Wait

Worth the Wait

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.” Luke 2:25-26

The first Christmas was an exercise in waiting for God, as His people had been anticipating the arrival of Messiah for hundreds of years. They longed and looked for their Lord to come as sovereign ruler and king. But instead, God’s son entered earth in a humble manager, secured by a simple stable.

His parents were not royal or regal, but righteous, yet a little rough around the edges. The ethos of Jesus’ birth was unexpected, but He arrived at just the right time to redeem the souls of men. The Bible says, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the law…”(Galatians 4:4, NKJV).

God is worth the wait, because He is never late, but seldom is He as early as men may ask. What are you waiting for right now? A job? A wedding? A class? Forgiveness? Peace? Love? Whatever your situation, wait for the Lord to lead you into His opportunities, and, by faith, you will find fulfillment. Waiting for God is worthwhile.

God is worth the wait, because He gets you to where you need to be, without relying on the delay of human hassle. People are pawns in the hand of Providence; so do not trust in them for peace or progress. God will bring just the right relationships and resources into place in His perfect timing. Trust Him to be your provision, for He will provide what you need in the nick of time. You can stare down fear by the inner strength of the Holy Spirit.

Confide in Christ as your confidant, and He will counsel you in the wise way to walk. Wait for God’s best, and, in retrospect, you will have no regrets. Look for Him in humble people and simple situations, as pride and sin seem to over-complicate circumstances. Jesus was worth the wait at His first coming, and He will be worth the wait at His second coming. In the meantime practice His presence in the present.

Prayerfully follow the Holy Spirit’s leading during times of waiting, and you will walk in the ways of the wise. The Bible says this about a saint who profoundly understood waiting for God, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in His time, Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). This Christmas: wait on Christ to show you His next steps for your life.

Where do I need to be patient and wait on God to fulfill His purpose in His timing? 

First Christmas

First Christmas

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manager.” Luke 2:11-12

The focus of the first Christmas was Jesus. It was His day. There was no competition from commercialism seeking economic gain. The gifts were given to Him. God was the recipient of gratitude and generosity. He was glorified on this day of salvation for all who would come to believe in Jesus as God’s only Son.

There was an appreciation for the Almighty’s descent into the decadence of humanity. There was no feuding from other faiths jockeying with each other for time in the Savior’s spotlight. On the contrary, there was a religious respect and humble worship from those who traveled great distances from their diverse origins of belief. On this day, Jesus unified sincere seekers of truth.

The first Christmas, however, was not without controversy. Politically, He was a lightning rod (some things never change). Government leaders felt threatened, as if a traitor had infiltrated their influence over the masses. Involuntary spies were sent to validate His presence. Once His birth had been verified, the powers-that-be went to work. Insecurity and fear drive people to commit irrational acts, and it was no different back then.

So what started as a celestial coronation for the Prince of Peace ended with jealous leaders taking severe and deadly action. The Christ-child was driven from their pitiful, but powerful presence. They destroyed other God-fearing people in the process. The community was cast into chaos when Christ was removed from their culture.

We can learn from the first Christmas to keep Christ central in our worship and our society. He is the wonder of our worship. He is the reason for our giving gifts. It is because we celebrate His birthday that we pause to pray, reflect, and plan to follow His will in a more robust and intentional manner. Our Master came to earth and made Himself like man.

He took on the form of a servant, though He could have crowned Himself as King. He pointed us to the love and forgiveness of His heavenly Father. The Christ-child was born of a virgin. He was God who dwelt among us; but sometimes we forget Him, even on His birthday. One reason we have failed to keep Christ in Christmas is we have failed to keep Him in some of our churches.

Why should the culture embrace the Christ of Christmas, when some of our churches have marginalized their Master? Let’s start by inviting the Almighty back into our churches with fresh and revitalized reverence in worship, evangelism, and discipleship. Let’s prayerfully and responsibly only “lay hands” on leaders who fear God, hate sin, love people, and teach the Bible. Christmas is losing its luster for the Lord because Christians have forgotten to fear God.

His birth is only significant if His death and resurrection are significant. The Christ of Christmas becomes compelling when we, as followers, flock to Him in faithfulness and obedience. Let all of us who name the name of Jesus revisit Him in the awe and worship of that first Christmas. Let’s exclaim, with enthusiasm to a hurting world, that He has come to heal broken hearts and revive sick souls.

We unapologetically celebrate His birthday with passion, because God is with us. He is transforming us into the likeness of His Son. Let’s make this Christmas like the first Christmas. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with forgiveness, joy, hope, peace, and love while we worship our Lord together. The first Christmas fuels our faith and recalibrates us to Christ.

Taken from the December 16th reading of Seeking Daily the Heart of God. 

Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas

Keeping Christ in Christmas ...

In December, it's easy to get lost in the hustle of the holidays--especially with kids in the house. How do we truly keep Christ in Christmas?

Here are some helpful tips from some other busy parents like you. We hope they'll inspire you to find your own unique ways to help your children celebrate Jesus this year.

	1)	Take a few minutes at the end of the day to read a few verses from the Christmas story.
	2)	Talk together about how you can bless an elderly neighbor, a single parent or an adoptive family.
	3)	Bake a "birthday cake" to celebrate Jesus' birth.
	4)	As you're shopping or waiting in line, pray for those around you who might not know the Lord.
	5)	Ask your pastor or school principal about ways you could help a struggling family in your community.
	6)	Give your kids an early Christmas gift--the opportunity to pick out a special devotional book to share.
	7)	Make a list of "gifts" you and your family could give to Jesus this year--like acts of kindness, prayers for friends and family or even decisions to spend more time with Him.

The Gift I Gave Away

Are we Prepared for the Presence of God?

Preparing for the Presence of God


"Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight ....
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. "
(Luke 3:4, 6)

If we are to receive the powerful presence of God, we must prepare ourselves as John the Baptist lead the way to prepare the people of this time for the arrival of Jesus Christ.  Are you ready?  Prepared?  I pray we head the message from John the Baptist, God's messenger,  to help people from his time to our current time, to receive the Savior of the world. 

John preached unwavering: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matt. 3:2). 
Those who heard John's message and prepared their lives recognized Jesus when He came, and they left all to follow Him. This was especially true of the disciples, whose hearts God Himself prepared (Matt. 16:17). 

Preparation must precede God's presence!

God's instruction, as was John the Baptist, for preparation is specific: REPENT!
This involves a complete change of mind, heart, will, and our behavior toward him.  

He is Lord, and your life must be prepared to receive Him as your Lord. Anything less... is inadequate. Some were obviously unprepared to follow Jesus and missed the opportunity. (Luke 9:57-62). The religious leaders of Jesus' day were largely unprepared for His arrival. They knew the Messiah was coming. They even knew where He would be born. (Matt. 2:4-6). Yet... when word came that the Savior had been born, they made no effort to join Him, preferring instead their religious ritual. How about you?  Are you going to be like them?  Knowing but unwilling... to be prepared, as we go here and there, do this and do that, with being preoccupied in all of our daily activities, events, commitments, etc.

Please permit this being said...if you and I allow ourselves to be unprepared...we can and will miss the opportunity to experience Jesus. Consider this a warning...much like John the Baptist.  

You may practice religion, but you will miss God. 

While others encounter the Lord personally in worship, your heart will remain unmoved. 

As others receive a fresh word from God, you will experience a painful silence. 

Others thirst and hunger for His word daily, seek opportunity to serve him, as Jesus served us...Yet! Others travel with blinders...as one looks into a mirror...we focus on ourselves...instead of others.  We need and must, not only prepare ourselves, but help others to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ.  Are we prepared to celebrate his birthday?  Are we prepared to welcome Him into our daily conduct, demeanor and become the beacon for others to see?

Religious activity can never substitute for a heart that is pure before Him.

As John the Baptist...prepared others for Jesus coming...let's prepare ourselves and others for Jesus presence as we celebrate His birthday...his presence in our and others lives, and his presence to come...the "Second Coming".

Stay tuned...my next message to follow soon...as we celebrate Christmas...but What IF CHRIST HAD NOT COME?

Also expect more seasonal recipes in days ahead.

I pray you to enjoy many blessings this Christmas and always.

Your Brother in Christ