Category: Peace

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Heart To Heart

Technology is wonderful. We can send an email and receive a response in a couple of hours. Better yet, we can text and get an answer in a matter of minutes. These forms of communication are fine but nothing can compare to hearing the voice of a dear friend.

Video chats are nice, phone conversations are great but sitting and talking face to face is over the top!

Face to face conversations involve touch, eye contact, voice inflexion and quality time. These times are the best when building and keeping a relationship. That’s why I love my morning quiet times so much. I get to sit and talk with my heavenly Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In my heart and through God’s word, I can hear them speak to me. There’s nothing that compares to these intimate moments of personal communication.

Heart to Heart!

The Father wants to hear what’s on my heart and He wants to share His loving thoughts with me. The depth of that is almost incomprehensible but it’s true. Loving, Almighty God wants to speak with me.

“Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NLV

The Creator of the Universe is waiting to talk to me and show me the wonderful things that He has done and that He desires to do! And then, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come to remind us of the things that Jesus had taught while He was here. He knew that sometimes we have memory failure and forget so He sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper.

“I have told you all these things while I am with you. 26 But the Helper will teach you everything and cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name.

27 “I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” John 14:25-27 ERV

When we find ourselves worrying over a particular situation; work, children, health, finances, relationships, if we pray about it and ask the Lord to remind us of what we need to do, He will be faithful to give us the answers we need. He will bring peace to our lives.

We can talk heart to heart.

I’m sure we all have those close friends whose word we trust. We know they will tell us the truth, they won’t lie. We can place even greater confidence in what God says to us. In all of time, He has never lied and He never will. I remember the first time I read these verses written by John. They seemed too good to be true.

“We believe people when they say something is true. But what God says is more important. And this is what God told us: He told us the truth about his own Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the truth that God told us. But people who do not believe God make God a liar, because they do not believe what God told us about his Son. 11 This is what God told us: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life, but whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

13 I write this letter to you who believe in the Son of God. I write so that you will know that you have eternal life now. 14 We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. 15 He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him.” I John 5:9-15 ERV

When we place our confidence in Jesus and believe that God sent His Son to be our Savior we receive new life in Him. And if we know that we have new life in Christ, God’s word says we can come to Him, with no doubts, and ask Him for the things we need and He will give them to us. God isn’t looking to withhold things from us; He wants to provide for us and fill our lives with blessing.

“Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.” II Peter 1:3-4 ERV

When we talk to the Father, heart to heart, we won’t be asking for things that are selfish or displease Him instead we will be asking for things that will make our relationship with Him stronger. That pleases Him greatly.

I want you to look at the face of the woman in this image. Do you see the contentment and joy? She is at peace spending time with Jesus. This sense of well-being doesn’t come with a quick text, a short email, a brief call; it comes from spending time face to face and heart to heart.

I’ve prayed for you this morning that you will know that same peace.

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I’m Going Fishing

Have you ever been through a time of crisis? I mean the gut wrenching, heart breaking, all hope is gone, kind of crisis.

It could be the death of a loved one; the end of a marriage you were trying to save; an attack that devastated your health and physical well-being or perhaps it was a financial situation that left you destitute.

Seeing the news of the last few days, I find myself praying for those who are losing everything to the floods, tornados, and snow storms. Homes are gone with everything that was in them; the livelihood of farmers and ranchers are lost; entire towns are being evacuated. What to do?!

I hope you will find comfort in this. I want to tell you about a man who had lost all and was fearful that he would be arrested and possibly killed. He went fishing. Yes, fishing! He went back to what he knew before his life was turned upside down. He went fishing. Some friends went with him.

“3 Simon Peter said, “I am going out to fish.”

The other followers said, “We will go with you.” So all of them went out and got into the boat. They fished that night but caught nothing.

4 Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore. But the followers did not know it was Jesus. 5 Then he said to them, “Friends, have you caught any fish?”

They answered, “No.”

6 He said, “Throw your net into the water on the right side of your boat. You will find some fish there.” So they did this. They caught so many fish that they could not pull the net back into the boat.

7 The follower Jesus loved very much said to Peter, “That man is the Lord!” When Peter heard him say it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself. (He had taken his clothes off to work.) Then he jumped into the water.” John 21:3-7 ERV

You know the background to this story. Peter and the others had been following Christ for three years. They left everything to be one of his disciples. They saw Jesus do miracles; they did miracles. They believed Jesus was the Messiah, God’s Son, and then they saw Him die. The Pharisees and religious leaders hated Jesus and his disciples. They were on the “Most Wanted” list.

Jesus had appeared to the disciples a couple of times after His death and yet, here they were. Floundering from their loss. They were emotionally undone. Where should they go from here? In true Peter fashion he declared “I’m going fishing”. I’m going back to the familiar, back to what I know. I’m finding something that will distract me and I’m going to a place of comfort.

Wow!

Some of us crawl into bed and pull the covers over our heads. Some find comfort in alcohol or drugs, they need to forget. Others find consolation being with others who have also experienced the same type of loss.

I want you to notice something from this story. In their loss and desperation the disciples didn’t go seeking the Lord. They went fishing and the Lord found them. He not only found them, He helped them catch a boat load of fish, cooked them breakfast and served them hope!

“The other followers went to shore in the boat. They pulled the net full of fish. They were not very far from shore, only about 100 yards.[b 9 When they stepped out of the boat and onto the shore, they saw a fire of hot coals. There were fish on the fire and some bread there too. 10 Then Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish that you caught.”

11 Simon Peter got into the boat and pulled the net to the shore. It was full of big fish—153 of them! But even with that many fish, the net did not tear. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat.” None of the followers would ask him, “Who are you?” They knew he was the Lord. 13 Jesus walked over to get the bread and gave it to them. He also gave them the fish.

14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his followers after he was raised from death.” John 21:8-14 ERV

We can trust Jesus to meet us in our time of crisis. He sees the hurt and brings comfort. He sees our fear and brings peace. He hears our cries for help and comes quickly to our aid.

“Jesus came to Nazareth where He had grown up. As He had done before, He went into the Jewish place of worship on the Day of Rest. Then He stood up to read. 17 Someone handed Him the book of the early preacher Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. 19 He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.” Luke 4:16-19 NLV

This was Jesus life mission; healing, saving, restoring and forgiving those who were without hope and purpose.

“For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].” Hebrews 2:18 AMPC

Maybe you have “gone fishing” because of the overwhelming circumstances in your life. If you look around, you’ll find that Jesus is there. He’s come to bring comfort and assistance.

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Digging In!

Ever heard the expression “digging in your heels”? It’s a statement used to indicate determination to stand your ground, strength of position, fighting against resistance, steadfastness.

I don’t see it as a sign of stubbornness. Instead, I see it much like an anchor. It’s the kind of determination that keeps us from being drawn astray or floating off with the tide and winds of popular opinion.

In the last few days I have been reading in Deuteronomy. This is Moses final instructions to the nation of Israel before the get to cross the Jordan River to their “Promised Land”. He is taking this time to remind them of the promises the Lord made to them and also of the laws that God gave them to obey. Moses is reminding them to be steadfast on God’s word.

“I taught you the laws and rules that the Lord my God commanded me. I did this so you could obey them in the land you are ready to enter and take for your own. 6 Obey these laws carefully. This will show the people of the other nations that you are wise and sensible. They will hear about these laws and say, ‘Truly, the people of this great nation are wise and sensible.’

7 “The Lord our God is near when we ask him to help us. No other nation has a god like that! 8 And no other nation is great enough to have laws and rules as good as the teachings I give you today. 9 But you must be careful! Be sure that as long as you live you never forget what you have seen. You must teach these things to your children and grandchildren.” Deuteronomy 4:5-9 ERV

Moses wasn’t going to be able to go with them when they crossed the Jordan and he wanted to make sure that they knew how important it was to them and all future generations to follow God’s law.

“So you people must be careful to do everything the Lord commanded you. Do not stop following God! 33 You must live the way the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will continue to live, and everything will be fine with you. You will live a long life in the land that will belong to you.” Deuteronomy 5:32-33 ERV

God had led the Israelites with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night since the time they left Egypt. If the cloud or pillar moved they moved; it if stayed in one place they did too. Moses words reminded them to keep following the Lord and not to move unless He directed it.

They were to dig in their heels and stay put even if everything looked good to them.

Oh for that kind of determination to be close to the Lord. Too many times I have found myself running out a head of the Lord and calling back for Him to hurry and catch up. Those are the times I found myself in situations that were not good for me. Those are the times I found myself asking the Father to rescue me once again.

How much better it would be if I simply sat down and said I’m not going if You’re not. Period. End of conversation.

We get caught up in our own plans, defending our own reputation, making our way when we should be waiting on the Lord’s lead.

“…But now you will again see the Lord, your teacher, and he will guide you. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.” Isaiah 30:20b-21

Just as the Lord led the Israelites, if was prophesied that Jesus would lead us but we need to listen for his voice.

“My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, 28 and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands, 30 and I am one with the Father.” John 10:27-30 CEV

The Lord promised to lead and protect the Israelites as they followed Him and Jesus promises the same to us as we follow His leading. God will lead us by a peace in our hearts. Become determined that you won’t let your own ambitions, pride or desire for things lead you. You won’t let the enemy deceive you into following him.

Dig in your heels and say, “Lord if you don’t go, I’m staying put!”

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Proper Focus

About two weeks ago I ordered new glasses. I didn’t think much about it because the optometrist told me my prescription hadn’t really changed. Only a slight difference, he said. I got the new specs on Thursday and I am still adjusting to the clarity I have now. It has certainly been surprising what a small change can do.

A small change in our spiritual sight can bring about big changes too. God’s word has a way of helping us bring things into proper focus.

O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good!! End of sentence, end of paragraph, end of story! To keep our peace and our joy we MUST keep our focus – God is good.

“Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus. 19 Don’t stop the work of the Holy Spirit.” I Thessalonians 5:17- 19 ERV

Let’s focus on the verses above. It took me a while to understand them. Growing up I would hear verses like this and they would be followed with a comment like “we just never know what God’s going to do so we have to be thankful for whatever it comes our way”.

No!

No, I don’t have to be thankful for the things that our enemy, Satan, sends to destroy me. I don’t have to be thankful for murder, devastation, corruption, health crises or relationships that implode.

But… I do need to be thankful that no matter what comes, I have Jesus in my life and greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I can be thankful because this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. I can and will be thankful because Jesus said, in this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

Focus Kristi, focus.

When my life is in Christ Jesus, it doesn’t matter what comes my way, I can give thanks knowing that I won’t be going through it alone. God has sent the Holy Spirit to guide me through victoriously. Yes! I can be thankful and I can be at peace because my mind is stayed or focused on Him and on the truth that He is good!

“You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever. For the Lord God is a Rock that lasts forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NLV

It’s Monday morning – choose to give thanks and keep your heart focused on God and His goodness.

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It’s Monday! Time To Sing

In a few moments the birds will begin to sing. Just before sunrise they join in chorus! What a great way to start the morning.

“I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me, He watches me
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches
I know He watches, I know He watches me”

Those are the words to the chorus of an old gospel favorite, His Eye Is on The Sparrow. I love the lyrics of that song. I was reminded of them again this morning as I was reading in Luke 12.

“Jesus said to his followers, “So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat or what you will wear. 23 Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 24 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in houses or barns, but God feeds them. And you are worth much more than crows. 25 None of you can add any time to your life by worrying about it. 26 And if you can’t do the little things, why worry about the big things?” Luke 12:22-26 ERV

I don’t know why we have been conditioned to dread Mondays. We HAVE to go back to work – how about adopting the attitude we get to go back to work? Like I said yesterday, there were days when we had no job. That leaves you with a desperate feeling. Having a job is better. Be thankful!

Those birds that sing each morning don’t differentiate their song because of what day it is on the calendar. No, they just sing every morning.

Monday is a day that always seems to be filled with so many challenges; spiritual, mental, physical and relational. So on Monday’s we need to be thinking like Jesus – we NEED the mind of Christ.

I know I’ve told you this before but I’ve heard it said they are 365 verses in the Bible that give us instruction on not worrying or becoming anxious or fearful. It seems we are a people prone to worry so God takes a lot of time to help us get past that.

“Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad. 5 Always be gentle with others. The Lord will soon be here. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9 CEV

I remember the first time the Lord really flooded me with His peace. I had gone through a very difficult time physically and emotionally. I was hurting so deeply, I wondered if I could go on. I poured my pain out the Lord; I told Him I didn’t know how to get over the loss. I needed His help. Without it, I didn’t know what I would do.

I started focusing on the Lord and what He had done for me; what He endured for me, death; how much He loves me. I began to thank Him for His love that never ends, His ability to bring answers to my questions, His peace for turmoil and His comfort for my grief.

In my back yard that night I looked at the stars, thanking Him, praising Him, with tears still streaming down my cheeks, I was enveloped by the night and I felt God’s arms of comfort surround me and His peace pour over me. The peace that passes ALL understanding. But as long as I was going to think about me, my problems, my heart ache – I was unable to receive peace. As my thoughts focused on Jesus, the peace came.

Jesus knew we would need His peace. Some of his final words to his disciples were this:

“But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you. 27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:26-27

So as you start the week today, join with the birds in their chorus, keep your mind focused on Jesus and let Him bring you to a place of peace. God bless you all.

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Pitch Black

Last night I learned what the saying actually means – “can’t see your hand in front of your face”.

Our power went out about 1:30 a.m. We were awaken by hearing all the little beeping alerts from the appliances and electronics throughout the house. That lasted about 2 seconds and then the power was out again and it was black.

Dave ventured out of bed to find a flashlight so he could see to turn off the heater, mission accomplished and then light was out again. Little Glory got very nervous after a few minutes of the darkness and began panting. I was really concerned for her but could see nothing. That’s when I decided to test the above cliché. I put my hand in front of my face and brought it closer. I could see nothing, I even had my hand touching my nose and couldn’t see it.

It was the strangest thing.

I had Dave give me the flashlight and I came out to the living room to find a candle. The strike of the first match lit up the room. The small candle gave off a glow that could be seen in the adjoining rooms. I lit two more – one I placed in the bathroom and the other on the kitchen bar.

Now we had light!

Glory relaxed and I read some on my phone but decided it would be best not to run the power down since I didn’t know how long it would be before we had electricity again. I did go outside to see if it was just us or the whole neighborhood was dark. Everyone was without power, there was a glow to the south from the lights in Nogales but that was it. The night was cloudy because we had rain about sunset. No moon or stars to be seen.

As I laid down on the couch these words came up in my heart.

“People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16 ERV

Let your light shine! Let the Father receive praise!

There are so many ways we can let our light shine. Friendship is one of the first things that come to mind – genuine friendship. Loving people who think that no one cares is like a beacon to that one. Kindness to a stranger; buying someone a tank of gas, a bag of groceries; giving them your coat or your parking space and doing it with a smile.

Jesus greeted a prostitute with forgiveness, a tax collector with acknowledgement of his value, a demoniac with peace and a divorcee with non-condemning words. He played with the children and wept with those who had lost loved ones.

He was love in action. His light was shining brightly.

There are so many around us who live in darkness. Theirs might not be a physical darkness but it’s darkness just the same. Depression. Low self-esteem. Heart ache. Financial destitution. Loneliness.

“It was God Who said, ‘The light will shine in darkness.’ He is the One Who made His light shine in our hearts. This brings us the light of knowing God’s shining-greatness which is seen in Christ’s face.” II Corinthians 4:6 NLV

We’ve had God place His light of love in our hearts. It’s up to us to set it on a lampstand for others to see. I know how important just a small light can be. Thankfully, the power came back on about an hour or so later.

Ask the Lord to show you how you can light up the darkness for those around you.

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Best Part of Waking Up

What’s the first thing you want to see when you wake up?

Strange question? I look for my robe and slippers and then take Glory out of our room close the door so we don’t wake Dave and head to the back door to let her out. (I know, who let the dogs out – me)

Then I bring her back in, feed her, start the coffee, grab my Bible and my computer and sit down for my quiet time. But I guess the first thing that I see is the clock. If it’s too early I try to roll over and go back to sleep for a while.

I do take time before I get out of bed to say my I love you’s. “I love you Father, I love you Jesus, I love you Holy Spirit. Good morning.”

This morning as I was reading in the Psalms I found a comment by David at the end of Psalm 17.

“When I awake, all I want is to see you as you are.” Psalm 17:15 CEV

To see you as you are!

Psalm 17 is another one of David’s psalms of praise – thanking the Lord for being his strength, his defender, his protector, his creator. How much better would our day go if we just focused physically and spiritually on seeing God as He is?

“I pray to you, God, because you will help me. Listen and answer my prayer. 7 Show your wonderful love. Your mighty arm protects those who run to you for safety from their enemies. 8 Protect me as you would your very own eyes; hide me in the shadow of your wings…14 You provide food for those you love. Their children have plenty, and their grandchildren will have more than enough. 15 I am innocent, Lord, and I will see your face! When I awake, all I want is to see you as you are.” Psalm 17:6-8, 14-15 CEV

Today there may be many things fighting for your attention but focus, set your heart and mind to see God, your loving heavenly Father, as who He is!

Enjoy a restful day and focus on how God is here for you.

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The Worry Bird

Sometimes I just know what I’m supposed to share the minute I start my morning Bible reading. Today was one of those days. I was reading in three different places and in each of those I found God’s instruction on worry. To be more accurate, I found instruction on not worrying.

When I was a little girl we moved from Yuma; we left dear friends, our church family and our home and moved to a very, very small town in the middle of the desert, Gila Bend. If you pay attention to summer weather reports Gila Bend is often the hottest place in the nation. That’s where Dad had a job and so that’s where we went.

The people at church gave us a send off and someone gave my mother a worry bird. It looked just like the one I used here this morning. According to all rational thinking Mom had good reason to worry. She was moving with her family to a very small, hot and dusty town where she knew no one. There wasn’t even a real grocery store in the town. Maybe you can identify with what she was going through.

Our lives can be filled with so many worrisome thoughts. There are financial, health, home, children, grandchildren, career and even spiritual worries. Some of us don’t think we are being good parents or grandparents if we aren’t worrying. However, when we allow worry to permeate our thinking it keeps God’s word from working.

“Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching, 19 but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want. This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.” Mark 4:18-19 ERV

We don’t want to lose our confidence and trust in God’s promises. Worry is on the opposite end of the spectrum from faith. Worry is the belief that worse may happen and faith is trusting that God’s best will come to pass.

“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? 27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.” Matthew 6:25-27 ERV

It doesn’t get much plainer than that. Jesus was instructing his disciples and a multitude of people on how God wanted them to live. He knew they had a tendency to worry and so He addressed it. Don’t worry. We are more precious to God than the birds and He provides for them, so He will provide for us. He goes on to say:

“Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.” Matthew 6:31-33 ERV

How do we displace worrisome thoughts when they come? We keep focused on God’s word and follow His instruction. Remember what I said a few days ago? God always keeps His promises. So, each time a menacing thought comes we give it to Him.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

“Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:3 ERV

Each time we give an anxious thought over to the Lord and trust Him to handle it we gain spiritual strength. Its like exercising our faith muscle. Lift the worry, hand it off, lift the worry, hand it off. Repeat. Repetition builds muscle, spiritual repetition builds faith and trust.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Be conscience of the object lesson that Jesus gave us. Each time we see a bird it should make us happy. God’s love for us is so much greater than it is for them. Since He provides for their needs, He will provide for ours!

“And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 4:19 NLV

Don’t be a worry bird!

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Power Failure at Christmas

Do you remember those scenes from the Christmas movies when the man of the house had worked so hard at putting up the Christmas lights and when he plugged them in nothing happened?

Or worse yet, the lights came on for just a moment and then they tripped a circuit breaker. All that effort, all that work but not enough power to display it. We had a tripped circuit breaker at our house the other night. Not from too many lights; it was caused because there was too much power demand made on too small a circuit. It could have been easily averted if the cord had been plugged into another outlet with a greater capacity.

Many of us live our Christian lives in a similar scenario. We have the desire to be a witness for the Lord. We want to share His love with those around us and live the kind of life that reflects the Lord but the effort is all ours. We aren’t depending on God. We are plugged into the circuit of our own power when we should be utilizing the Lord’s power.

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 32 “For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?
33 God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.” II Samuel 22:31-34 NKJV

As Christians we are all witnesses. The question is what kind of witness are we? When we are operating in our own power we have a tendency to burn out. When we allow God to energize our lives we take on a new glow and allow His godliness to shine through us.

“God once said, “Let light shine out of the darkness!”[a And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts to let us know that his own divine greatness is seen in the face of Christ.

7 We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us. 8 We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. 9 We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4:6-9 ERV

The important thing to remember is we must depend on His amazing power and not our own. When things get difficult…and they will, when life greets us with unexpected hardship, devastatingly disastrous events and serious setbacks if we are plugged into that amazing power of God we won’t quit.

“For this reason, I ask you to keep using the gift God gave you. It came to you when I laid my hands on you and prayed that God would use you. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind. 8 Do not be ashamed to tell others about what our Lord said” II Timothy 1:6-8a NLV

When we go through those difficult times I mentioned above and we keep an attitude of joy and stay in a place of peace those around us will notice and eventually they will want to know why we weren’t destroyed in the face of difficulty. Our actions will reveal the source of our strength. God’s light within us will come shining through.

The power that lit the sky on that first Christmas night is the power that has been made available to us. In fact, heaven is still singing of God’s power.

“I looked again. I heard the voices of many thousands of angels. They stood around the throne and around the four living beings and the leaders. 12 They said with a loud voice, “The Lamb Who was killed has the right to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and shining-greatness (glory) and thanks.”

13 Then I heard every living thing in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that are in them. They were saying, “Thanks and honor and shining-greatness (glory) and all power are to the One Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb forever.” Revelation 5:11-13 NLV

Let’s join with the angels’ chorus and sing praise to the Lamb of God, who sits on heaven’s throne. Let’s thank Him for the power He has given us.

“Jesus said to them, “You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8 But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.” 9 After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him” Acts 1:7-9 CEV

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high
Singing sweetly o’er the plains:
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem, and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

See him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

The best way I know to operate at full power is to praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!

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O Christmas Tree

Each morning I sit here with my Bible and my coffee, looking at the Christmas tree adorned with angels and tiny lights. I love it!

I think the thing that is most striking about this tree is there are no gifts beneath it and that gives me a real sense of peace, joy and contentment.

There were years when our children were younger and having no presents caused me heartache. I shed many tears wondering how the Lord was going to provide because we had no money for gifts. Frankly, we had very little money for food so it would have been foolish to think of trying to buy Christmas presents.

But this year is different. This year, and the last number of years, there has been a true contentment in celebrating the season with loving hearts and devotion. Yes, we have given gifts to the ones we love and we have received in kind. But the greater joy has come in thanking God for the many blessings He has abundantly given. Our lives are so filled with His love and provision that there is no wanting or needing anything more. Yes, the word is contentment.

With contentment comes peace. True heart-felt peace. The kind of peace that says all is well; no worries, anxiety or stress. The Bible refers to it as peace that by-passes our understanding. Peace that anchors us in every situation. It doesn’t mean that there is an absence of difficulty or problems, rather that there is a confidence in God that means all is well.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you…1 11 I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. 13 Christ gives me the strength to face anything…19 I pray that God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus!” Philippians 4:6-19 CEV

I remember a little chorus that I sang in Sunday School when I was just a girl. “What can I give Jesus, I want to do my part. What can I give Jesus, the love of all my heart. My hands and feet and money too; My praises and my song. I give them all to Jesus for all to Him belong.” The greatest gift we can give is the gift of our heart.

I know many of you have found your true contentment in Christ and have been living this way for years but perhaps there is someone you know who is struggling with the lack of peace and joy this Christmas because there aren’t any presents under the tree. I hope you will share with them what the Lord has taught you about trusting Him and the peace that brings.

In the last few lines of the Christmas Carol, O Christmas Tree, we are admonished to learn to trust in God. I hope you have found that lasting and abiding trust.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer’s here,
But also when ’tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There’s only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !”


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