Category: Isaiah

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Everyone Has Reason to Sing

“Bless the Lord oh my soul – oooooooooo my soul and worship  His holy name. Bless the Lord oh my soul, oh my soul and worship His holy name!” Those are some of the lyrics to a song written by Matt Redman called 10,000 Reasons.

I love waking up singing praise to the Father! I know He likes it too. The Psalms tell us that He inhabits the praises of His people, that means He lives within our praise. I love it – just love it. We all have reason to praise.

Yes, we do…

If God has been doing amazing things in our lives we have reason to praise. If we have been going through a particularly dry spell we have reason to praise and if we are living in a disaster zone right now, we have reason to praise.

If you are at a time when you are experiencing God’s overwhelming goodness these verses may reflect the gratitude you have in your heart. These are only a few verses from this chapter. The whole chapter is filled with so many wonderful reasons to praise the Lord.

“With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name! 2 With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been. 3 The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, 4  and protects us from death. His kindness and love are a crown on our heads. 5 Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5 CEV

For those who think life has been dry and unproductive – nothing is happening, not good or bad, let these verses speak to you.

“The poor and needy look for water, but they cannot find any. Their tongues are dry with thirst. I, the Lord, will answer their prayers. I, the God of Israel, will not leave them to die. 18 I will make rivers flow on dry hills.  I will make springs of water flow through the valleys. I will change the desert into a lake filled with water. There will be springs of water in that dry land. 19 I will make trees grow in the desert. There will be cedar, acacias, olive trees, cypress, fir trees, and pines.” Isaiah 41:17-19 ERV

And for those who have been going through some really rough stuff lately here are some instructions for praising the Lord that will bring you to a place of peace.

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy. 5 Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:4-7 ERV

Now for anyone who doesn’t feel they’ve been included above, we have David’s instruction in Psalm 34.

“I will always praise the Lord. 2 With all my heart, I will praise the Lord. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. 3 Honor the Lord with me! Celebrate his great name.” Psalm 34:1-3 CEV

Praise brings strength to our lives. As I said at the beginning, the Lord inhabits the praise of His people. Almighty God comes to brings us life, joy and peace as we praise Him.

Want more joy – want more strength? Begin to praise the Father who created you – the Savior who died for you and the Holy Spirit who indwells you with power!

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Always On My Mind

It’s nice to let people know you are thinking of them. Just a note that says “thinking of you” will brighten anyone’s day. Today, I was asked to send this note along to you.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 NKJV

God, our Father, is thinking about you. He is planning good things to fill your day.

“O Lord my God, many are the great works You have done, and Your thoughts toward us. No one can compare with You! If I were to speak and tell of them, there would be too many to number.” Psalm 40:5 NLV

I woke up this morning singing a song that we sang Sunday in the worship service. (I wasn’t able to attend a regular service but did participate in worship through a service that was streamed live.)

Chorus: Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There’s salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope
Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There’s salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope…

Songwriters: Phil Wickham, Brian Mark Johnson Living Hope lyrics © ESSENTIAL MUSIC PUBLISHING, BETHEL MUSIC PUBLISHING

As those words kept going over and over in my mind I got more and more excited. God, Almighty God, has provided a way for me to be freed from sins penalty. Everything that had enslaved me in the past or would try to capture me in the future has had it’s power broken because of Jesus, my living hope!

Those promises aren’t for me because I’m special. No, they are for all of us. Everything that God provided and Jesus has accomplished is for anyone who will receive His provision. He’s been thinking about us for all eternity and He has made great plans for us.

“God has said that all men have broken His Law. But He will show loving-kindness on all of them. 33 God’s riches are so great! The things He knows and His wisdom are so deep! No one can understand His thoughts. No one can understand His ways.” Romans 11:32-33 NLV

When I get up each morning and open my Bible I read it like a letter. I read about the things that are important to God; things that He wants me to know. Things He has done and things He’s going to do. The Bible is my “thinking of you” letter each day. It says “I want to share My life with you, I want you to know that I love you and want to be a part of what you’re doing today. My thoughts are filled with ways to bless you in ways that you really don’t understand”.

I have a friend that I share emails with each morning. She tells me all about her day; where she went, who she saw, the trivial and the monumental. I love reading those emails because I love her. It makes me feel apart of her day although we live hundreds of miles apart. If we can have this kind of relationship on the human level think of how much greater it is with God.

“The Lord answered, “Could a mother forget a child who nurses at her breast?
Could she fail to love an infant who came from her own body? Even if a mother could forget, I will never forget you. 16 A picture of your city is drawn on my hand. You are always in my thoughts!” Isaiah 49:15-16 CEV

I hope this gives you as much comfort as it gives me knowing that God is thinking about us today. His thoughts toward us are innumerable. We are always on His mind!


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Strong & Courageous

I am not one who likes to hear “take it easy, sit, rest, don’t overdo”. It’s only been a week since my procedure and I’m mentally ready to be back at it but physically my body and my surgeon are saying “not yet”. Y’all need to be praying for Dave – he’s the one that has been tasked with keeping me in line.

So, is it any wonder that these verses came alive to me this morning?

“I have given you every place where the bottom of your foot steps, as I promised Moses… 5 No man will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. I will be with you just as I have been with Moses. I will be faithful to you and will not leave you alone. 6 Be strong and have strength of heart. For you will bring the people in to take this land which I promised to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and have much strength of heart. Be careful to obey all the Law which My servant Moses told you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left. Then all will go well with you everywhere you go. 8 This book of the Law must not leave your mouth. Think about it day and night, so you may be careful to do all that is written in it. Then all will go well with you. You will receive many good things. 9 Have I not told you? Be strong and have strength of heart! Do not be afraid or lose faith. For the Lord your God is with you anywhere you go.” Joshua 1:3-9 NLV

Do you see the point the Lord is making in His instruction to Joshua? Be strong and have strength of heart, in other words, be courageous. It’s repeated three times in six verses.

What a message!

Joshua was tasked with leading the children of Israel, well over a million people, across the Jordan River and into the land God had promised Abraham they would possess. This would be no easy task. Some folks think that when we follow the Lord life will be lived on easy street. Not at all. We will have tests, trials, struggles and challenges but we never have to face any of those things on our own.

Look at verse nine above – “For the Lord your God is with you anywhere you go”. In the book of Hebrews we have God’s promise that He will never leave us, we won’t be forsaken or abandon. We will never be without the Lord’s help. With a promise like that we can stand strong and be courageous! We’re not in this alone.

Our strength of heart, courage, comes when we stay focused on God’s word. The Lord is telling Joshua to meditate, ponder, strongly think on His word day and night. Don’t deviate from what the Word says. Follow the course that God has planned, listen and obey. This instruction comes with a promise of “be careful to do all that is written in it. Then all will go well with you. You will receive many good things.”

Fear is one of the biggest obstacles that we battle. It starts very early in life – taking the first step, jumping into a swimming pool, learning to ride a bike. The thing that helps us overcome these fears is a loving parent standing there and saying “don’t worry, I’ll catch you”. Love gives victory over fear.

The words “fear not” are used 71 times in the King James Bible, “courageous/courage” 30+ times, “be strong” 40 times, and “trust in the Lord” 26 times. If we focused on only two of these verses each day we would have three months worth of instruction on worry-free living. We should take time to hear what our loving Father is saying to us.

“You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NLV

The Lord knew that I would be going through this time of recovery and rest. He knew it would be challenging to say the least. It gives me lots of time to pray and to meditate on His word. I expect to be stronger and more courageous than ever when my time of rest is over. I will keep my mind focused on Him.

I’m praying for you! Be strong and courageous.

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Responding to “If”

Have you ever gotten trapped in the maze of “what if”? At one point or another I think we all have. There are all sorts of “if” questions; some are personal, others are intellectual or career oriented and others are more philosophical.

What if: I were taller, smarter, my nose were smaller…What if: I had continued with college, become a doctor instead of a plumber…What if: there is life in outer space. And then there are the what if’s that are related to Scripture.

In yesterday’s blog, we saw how Satan used one of those what if’s in the garden with Adam and Eve. He introduced an element of doubt into Eve’s thinking. Did God really say? What if He doesn’t want you to be as smart as He is?

“4 But the snake said to the woman, “You will not die. 5 God knows that if you eat the fruit from that tree you will learn about good and evil, and then you will be like God!” Genesis 3:4-5 ERV

When we begin to study the Bible and see what God says to us Satan will try to use the same tactic on us.

What if: God isn’t real, He’s just a myth, His Word isn’t true, there is no heaven or hell, you don’t need faith. All of these are doubting thoughts that I have had at one point or another.

When these thoughts occur the first thing we should do is realize we aren’t the only ones having them. Christians who came before us and millions who come after us will all be plagued with thoughts of doubt.

How do we deal with doubt? I’m glad you asked. As always, Jesus is our perfect example.

“ Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to a desert. There He was tempted by the devil. 2 Jesus went without food for forty days and forty nights. After that He was hungry. 3 The devil came tempting Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to be made into bread.” 4 But Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man is not to live on bread only. Man is to live by every word that God speaks.’”

5 Then the devil took Jesus up to Jerusalem, the holy city. He had Jesus stand on the highest part of the house of God. 6 The devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. It is written, ‘He has told His angels to look after You. In their hands they will hold You up. Then Your foot will not hit against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to the devil, “It is written also, ‘You must not tempt the Lord your God.’”

8 Again the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain. He had Jesus look at all the nations of the world to see how great they were. 9 He said to Jesus, “I will give You all these nations if You will get down at my feet and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to the devil, “Get away, Satan. It is written, ‘You must worship the Lord your God. You must obey Him only.’” 11 Then the devil went away from Jesus. Angels came and cared for Him.” Matthew 4:1-11 NLV

There are three important “if” issues in these verses. Satan questions the deity of Christ, “If you are the Son of God”. Satan is a crafty enemy, one we are incapable of defeating on our own. He came to Jesus when He was at one of his weakest moments. Jesus had been fasting for forty days and now He had begun to hunger.

The important thing to see is that Jesus didn’t react rashly in His weakness, instead He let God’s word answer for Him. The power to resist temptation came from God’s word. We will overcome our temptations the same way.

“So anyone who thinks they are standing strong should be careful that they don’t fall. 13 The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.” I Corinthians 10:12-13 ERV

In the second temptation the devil quoted Scripture to give his argument validity. Jesus didn’t take the bait; he didn’t need to prove who He was. He left that up to God, the Father. And He countered with Scripture.

Satan had been cast from heaven because he wanted to be greater than God. He coveted a position of honor. He wanted God’s Son to bow down at his feet.

” 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will go up to heaven. I will raise my throne above the stars of God. And I will sit on the mount of meeting in the far north. 14 I will go much higher than the clouds. I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 But you will be brought down to the place of the dead, to the bottom of the grave.” Isaiah 14:13-15 NLV

One more time Jesus used God’s word as a weapon and landed blows of defeat on His enemy. This time it was too much for the devil and he fled. This is what we need to do each and every time temptation comes.

” 4 We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. 5 We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:4-5 NLV

And here is what God gives us to fight with.

” 11 Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks…13 That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.

14 So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. 15 On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. 16 And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. 17 Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.” Ephesians 6:11-18 ERV

Our sword in this battle is the word of God. It is sharp enough to cut all the “what if’s” out of our lives. We will be able to stand strong and never give up when we are standing on God’s word!

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A Promise Is A Promise

Let’s start the new year out with a strong reminder. Here it is. When God makes a promise He keeps it!

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

As many of you know this is my life verse. If this verse isn’t true then there is no reason to put our faith in any of the other verses in the Bible. I know that’s a strong statement but that’s the truth.

Look at it this way, if God could lie or change His mind after He says something how would we know what we could believe and what was subject to change? The other day I did a teaching on the solid rock foundation that we have in Christ. But if God can lie or change His mind then our foundation is as unstable as the sand on the beach when the tide recedes. We are doomed to fail.

“Whoever hears these teachings of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. And it fell with a loud crash.” Matthew 7:26-27 ERV

God is not a liar! His promises are true. They are more certain and absolute than anything else we can put our trust in. There was a time when Jesus’ ministry was being questioned. People thought He was trying to change the Old Testament laws. This was His response.

“Don’t suppose that I came to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning. 18 Heaven and earth may disappear. But I promise you that not even a period or comma will ever disappear from the Law. Everything written in it must happen.” Matthew 5:17-18 CEV

We live in a world where everything changes. “The experts say” that butter is harmful and so margarine was invented. Now margarine is harmful and butter is good. “They say” that we had to stop using paper bags in the grocery stores and so we started using plastic and that is now more harmful than paper production. Every day there is a new study with new and conflicting results.

But God…

“1See how much I love your instructions! Lord, I know your love is true, so let me live.
160 Every word you say can be trusted. Your laws are fair and will last forever.” Psalm 119:159-160 ERV

“Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. Our Lord, you keep your word
 and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food.” Psalm 145:13-15 CEV

“Grass dies and flowers fall, but the word of our God lasts forever.” Isaiah 40:8 ERV

There is no greater truth that I can impart than this, God’s word is true and He is worthy of our trust!

The very first thing that Satan did was get Adam and Eve to doubt God’s word and He’s been trying to get us to doubt His word ever since.

“The snake was the most clever of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. The snake spoke to the woman and said, “Woman, did God really tell you that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Genesis 3:1 ERV

Make the commitment that this year that you will trust God and His word like never before. Each day find a promise in God’s word and live it.

“Lord All-Powerful, you are God. You have promised me some very good things, and you can be trusted to do what you promise.” II Samuel 7:28 CEV

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God’s Not Mad

I got to thinking after I did yesterday’s post on pruning that some may think that God is mad at them. He’s not!

We all have things that need to be pruned away, removed from our lives, so that we can grow strong and healthy. But God never does any of that with an attitude of anger, He is always led by His compassion.

That was a wonderful part of the angels message “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” The sacrifice of Jesus ended the war between God and man. God judged our sin by placing it on Jesus and He paid the price. He was convicted, found guilty and punished with death for crimes (Sin) He didn’t do. Paid in Full.

“But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help [a you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.

8 The Spirit will come and show the people of this world the truth about sin and God’s justice and the judgment. 9 The Spirit will show them that they are wrong about sin, because they didn’t have faith in me. 10 They are wrong about God’s justice, because I am going to the Father, and you won’t see me again. 11 And they are wrong about the judgment, because God has already judged the ruler of this world.” John 16:7-11 CEV

The Holy Spirit will reprove or correct men in their sin, but the sin is not believing that Jesus was and is God’s Son and He is the sacrifice for our sins. He will reprove of righteousness, showing us that through Christ we have been made righteous and that judgment belongs to satan and those that follow him.

The Apostle Paul put it this way in II Corinthians 5.
“For if a man is in Christ he becomes a new person altogether—the past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new. All this is God’s doing, for he has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ; and he has made us agents of the reconciliation. God was in Christ personally reconciling the world to himself—not counting their sins against them—and has commissioned us with the message of reconciliation. We are now Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were appealing direct to you through us. As his personal representatives we say, “Make your peace with God.” For God caused Christ, who himself knew nothing of sin, actually to be sin for our sakes, so that in Christ we might be made good with the goodness of God.” II Corinthians 5:17-21

It is our job, as ambassadors, to tell people that God has made a way of “peace” for them through Christ. Reconciling us to Himself, God has made a way for us to become righteous, complete new creatures.

Today I want to do my job as an ambassador of Christ and bring this good news to you. Now I ask you to share it too.

7 “For a short time I turned away from you, but with all my love I will welcome you again. 8 I was so angry that for a while I did not want to see you. But now I want to comfort you with kindness forever.” The LORD your Savior said this. 9 “Remember, in Noah’s time I punished the world with the flood. But I made a promise to Noah that I would never again destroy the world with water. In the same way, I promise that I will never again be angry with you and say bad things to you.” Isaiah 54:7-9

God isn’t mad at us – He is reaching out to us with arms of love!

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Are You Growing

This morning I was on my way to the kitchen to get a second cup of coffee. I passed the side table and realized that the bamboo plant sitting there needed water.

Two years ago a neighbor brought it to us as a Christmas gift. I’ve moved it to a larger pot. It had one shoot die and another start. I must admit that I haven’t had as much success with it as I do with my other plants. It seems odd to me that a plant can grow without soil and survive, or even thrive, on only water.

I enjoy taking care of my plants. Some of them I brought from Montana when we moved almost five years ago. Others that made the trip have been with me much longer than that. I have one corn plant that I rescued from near death when we lived in Encinitas, CA. That was 1990. I can’t remember how many shoots I have cut from that plant and given away. It continues to thrive.

At the end of each year I ponder my spiritual growth. Years and years ago I heard a minister say “if you aren’t growing and moving forward in your spiritual life you are backsliding”. Yikes! Since that time, I have prayerfully evaluated my spiritual growth.

Do I look and act more like Jesus than I did before? I must honestly say the answer hasn’t always been yes. Some years my growth seemed dormant and in others it appeared that my leaves were dry and brittle, almost dead and in need of pruning.

“Jesus said to his disciples: I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of what I have said to you.

4 Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. 5 I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me.” John 15:1-5 CEV

One thing I have learned in tending to my plants is that pruning doesn’t hurt a healthy plant. Pruning is the cutting away of the dead and useless branches. When they are removed, the plant grows stronger because it is no longer trying to supply water and nutrients to areas that have died.

It’s important that we are well watered. We will grow and be more like Christ when we are. How are we watered?

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 The rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there without giving water to the earth. This makes plants grow on the earth, and gives seeds to the planter and bread to the eater. 11 So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well.” Isaiah 55:9-11 NLV

We are watered with God’s word. It provides what we need for a full and fruitful life.

“If you get your life from Me and My Words live in you, ask whatever you want. It will be done for you. 8 “When you give much fruit, My Father is honored. This shows you are My followers. 9 I have loved you just as My Father has loved Me. Stay in My love. 10 If you obey My teaching, you will live in My love. In this way, I have obeyed My Father’s teaching and live in His love. 11 I have told you these things so My joy may be in you and your joy may be full.The Christian with Other Christians 12 “This is what I tell you to do: Love each other just as I have loved you.” John 15:7-12 NLV

Take some time over the next few days to ask the Lord if there is anything He would like to prune from your life. There’s no condemnation if He shows you something; it’s for your benefit. Pruning will make you stronger and more productive.

I thank God that He loves me enough to see that I grow in a healthy way by removing those things that would stunt my growth.

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From the Father’s Heart

Merry Christmas to all of you! I pray your day is filled with peace, joy and love.

As you celebrate the birth of Jesus, I hope you experience the same anticipation, excitement and wonder that the shepherds did over 2000 years ago. May you find joy as you celebrate with family and friends but take time for solitude and let the Lord speak directly to your heart.

I have no carol to share this morning. Instead I’m sharing with you a poem that I wrote over 30 years ago.

A Christmas Gift by Kristi Wilson

Christmas has a glory no other day can claim
For it was on that special day, the blessed Savior came.
The promise of His coming had been known for many years
And now that day was really here, the answer to men’s prayers.

Now it seems so long ago, that angels spoke to men
Proclaiming the good news of His birth to free them from their sins.
Some have forgotten the very meaning of His humble birth
And what those words really meant, “Peace to men on earth.”

It’s not the Santa in the store or snow upon the ground
It’s not in pretty presents or carols sung world ’round.
The true meaning that’s in Christmas is simple and unchanged;
It’s the answer found in Jesus and the power of His name.

All the brightly wrapped presents, the world’s problem cannot hide
The only thing that can heal man’s hurts is Jesus Christ inside.
If He’d only come again, I’ve heard the people say
That would solve the problems that we face each day.

But you see He’s never left, not since the day He came
For He lives within my heart and for you He’ll do the same.
God gave us such a special gift on Christmas long ago,
He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to let the whole world know

His great love so rich and free was brought to earth that day
To save mankind from their sins and to answer when they pray.
This gift was given to all the world, no one was left out
To receive it, just believe it and do not ever doubt.

The Son of God died for your sins to bring you life brand new
The greatest gift of all times has been given unto you.
There’s no tree or tinsel or the chime of silver bells
That can put the heart of man at peace or save his soul from hell.

Only Jesus Chist can answer the longing of each heart
And give to man eternal life and a brand new start.
There’s nothing wrong with Christmas, its tinsel, toys and trees;
The carols have new meaning when from sin you have been freed.

I share with you a cherished gift of my Father’s love
Jesus Christ, our Savior, sent from heaven above.
Merry Christmas one and all, you’re loved that is true
Rejoice, rejoice, it’s Christmas time and I offer this prayer for you.

“A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 CEV

Merry Christmas! May God’s gift fill your hearts all year through.

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Three Days of Christmas

We are in Yuma visiting with my Mom for a few days. Yesterday I asked her what Christmas traditions they had when she was a child. She’s 95 and so I wanted to know what Christmas was like in 1920- 1930’s on a farm in rural Iowa.

Mom doesn’t really remember a Christmas tree although she is sure that some years they had one. Gifts were useful items, mostly clothes, that her mother had made. She told me that they didn’t need toys; they made their own entertainment. There was always a tree to climb, a game of tag to play and even though she was scared of horses, she remembers that one year there was a new pony. 

What is most prominent in her memory are the three days of Christmas. 

Christmas Eve they would go to my grandmother’s parents home. The grandparents would have a small gift for the grandchildren but it was more about being together, celebrating the birth of Christ and sharing the day’s meals with those you love (aunts, uncles, cousins).

Christmas Day was spent at home with just the immediate family. My Mom’s  grandparents would come occasionally if they didn’t have out-of-town guests. My grandmother fixed a Christmas dinner and my grandfather always prayed thanking God for the wonderful gift of His Son and the other blessings that they received throughout the year. 

The third day of Christmas was December 26. They would go from their small town of Hardy to Eagle Grove, a distance of 17 miles, to spend the day with my grandfather’s father, the uncles and their families.

Mom said the thing she remember most about that day was the smell.  She said you could smell the dinner as soon as you got out of the car. 

Lutefisk. 

A traditional Scandinavian meal. She admits that she never liked it. It didn’t have a fragrant aroma, quite the opposite, and the taste was questionable but it’s what Norwegian families ate. Lutefisk is dried white fish that has been soaked for days in a solution of water and lye, then rubbed with salt and steamed before eating. The other part of the meal was boiled sticky rice. She liked that. A big plate was covered with white rice leaving a crevice in the center which was filled with butter and sprinkled with  cinnamon and sugar. 

But the best part of the day was spending it with family. She loved her grandfather, a man who had been widowed since her father was young. A very loving, distinguished looking man. They got to play with their cousins who they didn’t see often enough throughout the year. 

The three days of Christmas. Having family and friends close. Gifts weren’t important, love was! Christ was the focus of their celebration. 

According to my Mom, Dave and I have been celebrating our own days of Christmas. Early in the month we spent time with Kim and Austin in their home; last week we were with Koy and Kym at their home in California; this past weekend we had Kaci, Stephen and little grandkids at our home. Now we are here with Mom, my sister and her family. 

The days of Christmas – filled with love, family, good food, a few gifts and the celebration of Christ’s birth. 

I know I used this verse yesterday but the depth of this one Scripture overwhelms me.

“For to us a Child will be born. To us a Son will be given. And the rule of the nations will be on His shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Teacher, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to His rule and His peace, upon the throne of David and over his nation. He will build it to last and keep it strong with what is right and fair and good from that time and forever. The work of the Lord of All will do this.” Isaiah 9:6-7 NLV

Everything we need, Jesus is! All things wonderful, all instruction and knowledge, all power, an all loving, protective, providing Father and constant peace are wrapped in one gift! There is no end to His rule. We have been given the gift of God’s dear Son! There is nothing greater.

It came upon a midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,
From heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains,
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessèd angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
The love-song which they bring;
O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!

Enjoy your days of Christmas, they may be many or few. Keep your heart focused on the angels song of peace  and rest in the gift of God’s love.

Posted on

Naughty or Nice

We’re only a week away from the day that the world celebrates the birthday of Jesus!

I still have quiet a bit of baking to do and a few more presents to finish but I’m not feeling rushed or pressured. I am simply enjoying the reason for the season; the gift of life that God gave us all over 2000 years ago. 

“A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler.
His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father  and Prince of Peace. 7 His power will never end; peace will last forever. He will rule David’s kingdom
and make it grow strong. He will always rule with honesty and justice. The Lord All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done.” Isaiah 9:6-7 CEV

There is such peace when we have a true relationship with Jesus. For years I didn’t have that. I thought that I was the one responsible for getting God to love me, I had to be good enough for Him to bless me. I guess I had the same impression of God that many do of Santa – was I going to be on the naughty list or the nice list. I had a real struggle. 

Maybe that’s why I so enjoy the celebration of Christmas now. The struggle is over. I have learned that God’s love for me is unconditional. I don’t have to work to earn it; I just need to accept what He has done for me and say “thank you”. 

“May you have loving-favor and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Let us honor and thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has already given us a taste of what heaven is like. 4 Even before the world was made, God chose us for Himself because of His love. He planned that we should be holy and without blame as He sees us. 5 God already planned to have us as His own children. This was done by Jesus Christ. In His plan God wanted this done.” Ephesians 1:2-5 NLV

God chose each and everyone of us to be His. He has showered His love on us and He when He looks at us He sees us as blameless because of what Christ has done for us. It’s not our efforts or actions that qualify us for the Nice List; it’s the actions of Christ. 

“By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God. 2 Christ has also introduced us to God’s undeserved kindness on which we take our stand. So we are happy, as we look forward to sharing in the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 CEV

We’ve been made acceptable; we can live in peace; happiness is ours because of what Christ has done! 

Let’s celebrate!  It’s the Birthday of a King!

In the little village of Bethlehem
There lay a child one day
And the sky was bright
With a holy light
O’er the place where Jesus lay.

Alleluia
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia
How it rang!
And the sky was bright
With a holy light
‘Twas the birthday of a King.

Humble birthplace
But O
How much God gave to us that day!
From the manger bed what a path has led
What a perfect holy way.

Alleluia
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia
How it rang!
And the sky was bright
With a Holy light
‘Twas the birthday of a King

God gave us a gift of new life; He gave us the gift of His Son. Alleluia!

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