Abundant Blessings

 

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

     Take in the blessings of God this week. Allow Him to fill the holes in your heart and bless you in all things at all times. Jesus loves you to the moon and back and beyond the stars. After all, He has washed your sins as white as snow. Take that love and the blessings of God and give some away. Count your blessings on Thanksgiving Day and every day. And don’t forget to pray for others and allow others to pray for you.

And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.  2 Corinthians 9:14-15

     God’s gift of grace is meant to be shared. And prayer changes things. Prayer opens hearts and heals wounds and brings peace to the soul. I thank God for each one of you and I pray that God’s gifts be given to you abundantly so that you may overflow with joy.

Happy Thanksgiving! See you Monday.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for Your indescribable gifts. We take each one as a blessing from above and we ask to be given opportunities to give to others.

Amen

Rise Above

 

     Well, let’s admit it. Along with the delightful, smells, tastes, sounds and anticipation of the season, there is more. More stress, more busyness, more annoying relatives. There are the gifts that don’t work, that don’t fit, that we don’t need. We overeat, we over shop and wo overdo.

     Take a break before the hectic days and the hoopla begin and remember the One above watching over us, above all else He is there.

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.  Colossians 3:2

  This time of the year is especially difficult for those grieving the loss of loved ones. Jesus is there to comfort, to find hope, to remind us of His great gifts. Remember the blessings and, remember, there is a great cloud of witnesses awaiting us in heaven.

     What do you think? Can we rise above the craziness and focus on the hope that awaits? Shine with hope this season. Let’s focus on the love around us and share memories of loved ones waiting for us and the One who came for us. It’s all about Him after all. He can change everything.

Jesus,

Calm our spirits as we get ready to celebrate the loveliest and purest gift ever given, the life You sacrificed for us, offering us grace and forgiveness. Keep our focus on You and on sharing all of the noble gifts You give to us. Please comfort those who mourn.

Amen

The Aroma of Christ

 

     The sights, smells and sounds are upon us. Leaves have fallen. Christmas lights and displays are ready to greet us. The smell of pine will soon infiltrate our homes. Many of us will savor the smell and taste of our Thanksgiving feasts. I love this time of the year and look forward to decorating, baking, spending time with loved ones. Picking out gifts and delighting the young ones around us add to the holiday anticipation.

     What about the reason for the season? What about the anticipation of celebrating the miraculous birth of Jesus? The sights and sounds of the choir of angels greeting the shepherds as they tended their flocks? The realization that the Savior of the world was wrapped in swaddling clothes? What were the sights and sounds and smells of the manger where he slept?  The surroundings were common, but the magnitude of the event, astounding!

     Did you know we can be the aroma of Christ? Imagine that as this season engulfs our minds, our senses and our hearts, as we become distracted from the true meaning of Christmas.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.  2 Corinthians 2:14

Jesus,

Help us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of You throughout this season. We celebrate You. Born of a woman and the Son of God! Sent to save us all. We look forward to celebrating Your birth. Help our focus to remain on You throughout this busy season filled with sights, sounds and smells of the holidays.

Amen

The Bible

 

     God’s word is available to us, to be memorized, meditated on and researched. Dig into it. It is the plum line for our lives. Saturate your mind with it, until it settles into your heart. I guarantee a hunger and a thirst will develop for it. The more you read, the more you want. There is no end to the blessings it offers. You will get to know Jesus and His ways. Truth will reign.

 

     Sit in awe at the scope of wisdom offered, the prophecies that have come to pass and the prophecies yet to come See Jesus foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament and how His death and resurrection fulfilled the law and the prophets. Read about His soon return and the glories of heaven. Not one word has been proven wrong. In fact, science, archeology, and history continue to catch up and prove its truth.

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold. They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. Psalm 19:9-10

     Jesus is the word of God in the flesh. (John 1) The Bible is all about Him, from Genesis to Revelation. The story of creation, of Israel, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, of David and Solomon, of the prophets, from Daniel and Isaiah to Micah and Zechariah, from the story of Moses and the escape from Egypt, to the baby born in a manger. Read about the flood and the ark, of Jonah and the whale, of the twelve disciples, about the transformation of Saul into Paul. Read about life and how to live it. Choose life and light and blessings. Read of His passion, His death and resurrection, about the life to come. Eternity awaits. Read all about it and go forth and live it!

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

Jesus,

We pray for Your word to enliven us, to restore us, to redeem us, to teach and guide us. Develop a hunger and a thirst in our hearts to meditate on it daily, until everything we do and see is seen through Your loving eyes. Let us live for You.

Amen  

Grace and Truth

 

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

     Our churches today often err on one side or the other of grace and truth.  Truth hates sin. Grace loves sinners. How do we balance them? Jesus shared His compassion and love with all people. He came for the sick, the sinner, for you and for me.

     Strong Christians today are known for the truth they stand on, which is important. And too much grace with no Biblical truth waters down the Gospel and brings us into the follies of the world. It becomes easy to compromise and fit in with the world. Love and share Jesus and stand for His truth. It works.

     The Gospel saves and Jesus transforms. He lavishes His grace on us and sets us on the road to obedience. He wants only the best for us, not a watered-down version of what the world says is best. Don’t settle for conformity. You are sons and daughters of the King. Accept His protection. Accept His grace. Follow His truth and you will be blessed.

God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15

Lord,

Keep us balanced in truth and grace. You love all of us, but You do hate sin. Let Your Spirit continue to sanctify us into the life You have in store for us. It is beautiful and blessed.

Amen

Be Filled

 

     Being filled with Jesus will increase our joy. Jesus calls Himself the bread and water of life. Our spiritual health is more vital than our physical health. Our souls are eternal, and our spiritual health will overflow into our physical health and general well-being.

     As we place our faith in Christ and trust Him to take care of us, as we spend good, quality time with Him, as we allow His words and the Holy Spirit to fill us, the power of Christ will overflow onto others and bring light to the world around us.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5;6

…and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19

Jesus,

Fill us to the brim until we overflow with Your love. Keep our focus on You and let Your Spirit work in our hearts with the abundance of joy that only comes from You.

Amen

Be There

 

     The best advice is often the advice not spoken. The two one-on-one care ministries I was involved with and led, trained in the art of listening. Allowing others to talk and to grieve and to unburden their hearts gives them the opportunity to heal. They are allowed to just be, to remain right where they are, to talk out their feelings and emotions, while slowly finding their way. The more we can allow ourselves and allow others to let go of feelings, the more we come to a place of understanding, a place of peace.

     Often the best gift we can give another when they hurt, is to be present.  Quick answers and platitudes offer no real cure. A silent friend can be the one most refreshing, effective and valued. I often need to remember that.

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25

     When we bring Jesus into the presence of a hurting person, we bring His comfort. He refreshes the weary with His gentleness, His kindness, His goodness.  Do not be quick with leading questions, with solutions and answers. Bring the presence and love of Christ. The Holy Spirit will guide you as you listen and love.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Jesus,

We trust You with our silence and with our words. Guide us as we enter into the suffering of others. Take away our fear of silence. We share Your comfort as we have first been comforted.

Amen

 

Listen

 

     The Holy Spirit is the believer’s teacher and guide. There are times I find myself trying to take His place. I judge or I preach or I talk over others with a point I want to make. When it comes to my beautiful daughters, I often give them answers to questions they did not ask. Wanting the best for our children often means allowing them to find the answers for themselves just as we did. We learn through trial and error, through prayer, through patience and, often, through mistakes, or through times of hardship.

     The Holy Spirit will do His job. He will find the answers and the solutions. Some great advice comes from the Holy Scriptures:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19

     The Holy Spirit will do His work in our lives and in the lives of other believers. He intercedes in our lives and brings us into God’s will. Be quick to listen to Him first. Can’t find the answers? Don’t know what to pray? Allow Him.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance of the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

Father,

We thank You for the Holy Spirit’s work within us. He will teach and guide, comfort and intercede for us as we seek answers. We long to be quick to listen and slow to speak.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Light in Heaven

 

     Try to imagine the radiance of heaven. Picture the glimmering new city of Jerusalem, the spectrum of colors beyond anything the human eye has seen, the sea of glass, the trees producing new fruit each month, no more night, no more sorrow, no more pain, surrounded by pure light.  (Revelation 21)

    Humans cannot experience the full glory of God and live. Even with God’s back turned to him while hiding in the crevice of a rock and with God’s hand over that crevice, Moses’ whole countenance changed.

     Reflecting the light of Christ is just a small part of the unimaginable glory of heaven! Let’s keep that in mind when we stumble, fall and pick ourselves back up again and again throughout our lives. There is a future filled with forever light!

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  1 Corinthians 13:12

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its light. Revelations 21:23

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light and they will reign forever and ever.  Revelations 22:5

Dear Father,

We thank you for the light of Christ, the light of the world, the light of our hearts and the light of heaven. Show us how to shine with His light throughout our earthly lives. One day we will witness Your full glory. Let that always bring hope.

In Jesus name

Amen

See you back here on November 18th. Enjoy the week!

 

Unveiled Light

 

     The closest any human has come to seeing the glory of God is Moses. When God called him to lead his people into the promised land, he did not believe it. He was not ready. He was not qualified. He wanted God to pick someone else. All of us can relate! Moses asked to see God’s glory. You can read through the encounter in Exodus 33 and 34.

     God told Moses that His presence would pass by, but no man could see His face and live. God hides Moses in a crevice in the rock and God passes by with His back to him. This encounter with God leaves him radiant. In fact, he has to wear a veil! His countenance is so bright the Israelites are unable to look upon him.

     Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus leaves him blinded. Soon he has a new name, a new path, a new ministry. He is changed forever. Read all about it in Acts 9. Isaiah is allowed a peek into the throne room of heaven. He immediately says that he is undone and that he is a man of unclean lips. Encounters with the living God bring us to our knees in humility and awe, in fear of His holiness (not afraid, but a reverential fear) and we are undone. The power and the glory of God change us. We will never be the same. And His glory shines on us and through us.

     Remember this. The veil to the temple was ripped from bottom to top when Jesus was dying on the cross. The veil separated the ordinary folks like us from the Holy of Holies. The death and resurrection of Christ left us with full access to the throne room. Until then, the high priests had been the only ones able to enter the inner room of the temple where the presence of God resided. Listen to what Jesus has done for us!

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

     I pray for each of us to be completely changed by the living God! His love is deeper. His light is brighter. His glory is beyond anything our earthly eyes can see. Someday we will see Him face to face. We’ll talk about that tomorrow. In the meantime, go boldly to the throne room time after time and be changed by the radiance of Christ.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18

Dear Jesus,

Let these words rock our world! You transform, you change. You mold us more and more into Your image. We come before the throne room boldly in need of Your mercy and grace and glory.

Amen

You Are Light

 

     You know the song. We sang it in Sunday school, “This Little Light of Mine,” The chorus includes these words, “I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine let it shine.” Picture a very dark cave. You cannot see your hand in front of your face. You struggle, groping in the dark, trying to find a way out. And then you spot it; a candle ahead, brightly lit, on the floor of the cave.

     This tiny, intimate light changes everything. This seemingly insignificant light will guide you out of a dark place. It lights the space around you, bringing awareness to the truth of your surroundings, a beacon, a feeling of warmth, a way out. It brings hope. A small amount of light will offer the same into the darkness around us. Our little lights can bring hope and guidance. The light in us is Jesus.

     We can’t shine for others until we are emptied of the darkness within and filled with the light ourselves. Jesus exposes darkness, all of it, and heals it with His love and light. Allowing Him into our secret places isn’t always easy. We are comfortable there. Can we trust Him? Can we trust Him with the hurt stuffed down deep within, all of the past and present grief? Can we bring it out into the light and allow the God of love to remove the darkness? He is the great healer. He will do it!

     And nothing can snuff it out again. Even if the enemy of our souls tries and tempts and entices, Jesus is more powerful. The light dispels the darkness. The darkness has lost its power.

The light of the righteous shines brightly but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.  Proverbs 13:9

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.  John 1:5

    If there is darkness engulfing your life right now with dread, worry, hopelessness or fear, God can handle it. That darkness has no power over Him. Fill up on His light.

Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine! (Matthew 5:14-16)

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for Your words to us today. We pray for our country. Help us to come together as one nation under God. With You in our hearts, our minds, and our spirit, we can bring Your light to a darkened world. Remind us of that truth. Where You are, there is light. You have come into the world as light and Your glory will shine within us and through us until we witness Your full glory.

Amen

The Word is Light

 

     Jesus is the light of the world and the lamp of heaven. It is no wonder we read that the Bible is a lamp and a light. Jesus is the word of God come to life in the flesh (see John 1)

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

     The word of God gives life and hope. It brings comfort and healing and conviction. When we read it, it reads us! The word might give us just enough light to take one small step during a difficult season. Other times, it shines like the noon-day sun, giving immediate joy and warmth to our whole being.

     I love the second verse above. The unfolding of the Bible opens up new understanding. God wants every part of us, spirit, soul and body under His direction. He can handle every part of our past. As He unfolds His wisdom, little by little, everything can be brought into His glorious light. If there are simmering coals of hurt, anger, unforgiveness or past shame still being covered by activity, addiction or despair, give it all to the light of the world.

     Do not fear. He is a mighty God. Our pasts will be used in a future filled with the light of Jesus and the lamp set before our feet. Light exposes darkness. The unfolding of our lives under the power of God’s word leads us onto a stable and firm and open path filled with light and freedom.

Dear Father,

Your word fills us with joy, with hope, with new beginnings. Continue to open our understanding as You light the path before us and remove the darkness behind us. We take one more step into a future with You today. Make our stories count for You. Take our hand and walk with us into a brighter future.

In Jesus name

Amen

 

Children of the Light

 

     God is love. God is light. As believers we are children of the light. We no longer live in darkness. I could use a little extra light right now. How about you?

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you. God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all.  1 John 1:5

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  1 Thessalonians 5:5

     How blessed we are to be called children of God! We have been drawn to the light of Christ. We have been drawn to hear His Gospel. Our souls have been renewed. The Holy Spirit within us continues to draw us to the pure light and love of Jesus. I pray you hear these words and take them in. As believers, God continues to work in us. We are continually being sanctified, made more and more into the image of Christ.

     Only a miracle-working God could take lumps of clay like you and me and mold us into something new. His love and light have turned my world upside down and I only grow deeper in my love for Jesus as the years drop away, one by one. Each day brings us closer to our heavenly home and each day on earth can draw us closer to the transforming light of Christ.

Dear Jesus,

We no longer walk in the dark. You have shown us the light of the world. It is You. The darkness no longer has power over us. We are Your children today, tomorrow and forever. Give us lives of passion and purpose to shine Your light before others.

Amen

 

Humble Our Hearts

 

     I have more questions than answers this week. Searching and seeking over the last thirty-five years always brings me to the foot of the cross. Can I trust God even when I don’t understand? Or do I run from Him and try to figure it all out on my own? Or do I humble myself before the Creator of the universe with the understanding that He will get me through.

     God hates pride above all. There is a list of the seven things God hates in the book of Proverbs and pride is at the top of the list. Satan’s removal from heaven came from his desire to be like God.

     Jesus is our example of the humble servant. He humbled Himself to die for us. He chose to live among us and leave the glories of heaven. He loves a meek spirit, a humble heart, a willingness to be the least and put others before ourselves.

     We can’t do it without Him. None of it. Beginning on our knees each day with a willingness to leave the answers to Him will set our hearts and minds in the right place. On Him. And He will lift us up.

     To rise above, we first need to humble our hearts.

“So the last will be first and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and the humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

Humble yourselves therefore, under God’s mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

     The maintenance man from our church when our girls were growing up told us, “To humble ourselves does not mean to think less of ourselves, it means to think of ourselves less.”  Wise words from a man of faith.

Dear Father,

We come before You this morning, with a willingness to bow before You. We don’t have all of the answers, but You do. Comfort us and lift us up to be Your servants in the world around us.

In Jesus name

Amen