CHRISTMAS 2011

To all my bloggy friends out there...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I also want to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone...where ever you are around the world...that reads this blog.

As bloggers...and readers...we may all live in different places but we have one thing in common...JESUS! If it weren't for JESUS being born a long time ago in that little stable, we wouldn't know the amazing love we know now. Because of JESUS we have peace...hope...joy...and love that fills our life. We all have a common bond in Him. Isn't it great how we can come together...write and read...and just simply share JESUS. We can pray for each other and help each other in our daily walk with HIM. 

If you are a reader and you don't know JESUS as your Savior there is no better time to ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life. That's the reason HE came to earth and was born here. To bring us HIS amazing gift of salvation so one day we can go to be with HIM. If you haven't asked HIM into your heart you can do that now. Just simply talk to HIM and tell HIM you're sorry for your sins and ask HIS forgiveness. JESUS is waiting for you to do that. HE loves you so much that HE gave HIS life for you.

There's a little song I remember singing as a child...

Into my heart, Into my heart,

Come into my heart LORD JESUS.

Come in today, Come in to stay,

Come into my heart LORD JESUS.

Pretty much that's all you have to say...Come into my heart, come in to stay. I know I need YOU and I believe YOU died for me. Help me to turn my life around so that I can live for You. Thank YOU for loving me and saving me. In JESUS name...amen. 

Then have the best Christmas you have ever had! 

Here is the Christmas story.

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

 ¹ At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. ⁵ He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

 ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. ⁷ She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds and Angels

 ⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

 ¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven,
      and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

 ¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 ¹⁶ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. ¹⁷ After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, ¹⁹ but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. ²⁰ The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

 ²¹ Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

1 Corinthians 15:57

Tonight, while sitting and reflecting on my day, I picked up a journal that also has a devotion on each page. The devotions are from Frances J. Roberts books. This one is from Come Away My Beloved.

I definitely needed to read this.

1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

O My child, have I ever failed you? Have I not been your refuge and your strong defense? Fear not. My purposes will be fulfilled in spite of your weaknesses, if in your need you rely on My strength. I glory in overruling the prevailing circumstances, and I take pleasure in bringing victories in those places where no victory is anywhere in sight. Count on My coming. Ask for the victory. I will come and bring it.

Today if you're going through things that are more than you think you can handle...think about this. Has HE ever failed you? Has HE ever not been there to hold you up when you can't stand on your own anymore? Has He not given you victories that you never thought you would see? When you need more strength than you think you have, when you need someplace to go...go to the Lord. Run into His arms and let Him be your strength and your shelter. He won't ever let you down.

Psalm 61:3

For You have been a shelter for me,
         A strong tower from the enemy.

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
      The righteous run to it and are safe.

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength,
         A very present help in trouble.

Psalm 23:1

The LORD is my shepherd;
         I shall not want.




     

God Still Does Miracles Today

I was reading Child of God's blog and saw that God is doing some great miracles! December 16 Katie's PET/CT scans came back as NED (no evidence of disease) no cancer found! She was diagnosed 9/13/2011. Praise the LORD!

One year ago, 12/2010, Ansley's parents got the news she had stage 3 cancer. Today, 12/19/2011, PET scans came back...NED! Wow! Praise the LORD!

God is awesome! He is a miracle worker...The HEALER!!

When I was reading about what God has been doing I couldn't help but to be excited. Excited for Katie and Ansley and both of their families and friends. What a Christmas present!

When you hear of these things you realize just how big GOD really is! He still does mighty miracles today! We just have to have faith and pray.

A scripture came to my mind when I was reading...

Ephesians 3:20-21

²⁰Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--

    ²¹To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

No matter what's going on in your life today remember that God is in control. He does amazing things in the lives of His children...us...everyday.

Hebrews 13:8

⁸Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).

If you don't read Child of God's blog you should check it out. There are many on there that need prayer. When we pray...God responds! Child of God puts updates up as she receives them. When there are miracles...you get to thank and praise the Lord for them. It's so exciting to read what He is doing in the lives of those that are going through these illnesses. As we read of the miracles that the Lord is doing it helps to boost our faith. We can all use a faith booster now and then and those that are sick can use your prayers.

Psalm 63

Psalm 63

¹ O God, you are my God;
      I earnestly search for you.
   My soul thirsts for you;
      my whole body longs for you
   in this parched and weary land
      where there is no water.
 ² I have seen you in your sanctuary
      and gazed upon your power and glory.
 ³ Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
      how I praise you!
 ⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
      lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
 ⁵ You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
      I will praise you with songs of joy.

 ⁶ I lie awake thinking of you,
      meditating on you through the night.
 ⁷ Because you are my helper,
      I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
 ⁸ I cling to you;
      your strong right hand holds me securely.

⁹ But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin.
      They will go down into the depths of the earth.
 ¹⁰ They will die by the sword
      and become the food of jackals.
 ¹¹ But the king will rejoice in God.
      All who trust in him will praise him,
      while liars will be silenced.

My study bible says that when David wrote this Psalm it was probably during Absalom's rebellion. The events that took place then were turbulent times for David. David really needed a friend...longed for a friend...and the only one he could really trust was God. He longed for God. David was alone, weary and probably not sleeping well. So what did he do? David cried out to God, told Him how he felt. David needed God more than he needed anyone or anything. He knew that God's love was better than anything else he could have. So he lifted his hands...sang songs to the Lord...and praised Him. 

Everyday there our things in our lives that don't go the way we had planned. It might be small things that really don't matter much...middle of the road things that you know will eventually work themselves out, or...it might be things that shake us to our core. When we have trials, small or large, do we do like David or do we run the other way? When your soul is crying out for answers...peace...and you just can't seem to get a handle on things...do what David did. Lift your hands and praise and worship the Lord. Cry out to Him...sing songs to Him. Talk to Him! Grab hold of Him and don't let go until you know that He has heard your praises and your hearts cry for help! Only The Lord can fill your soul with peace and your body with the rest you need.

Reach out to Him and let Him hold you and give you the peace and rest you are longing for...thirsting for. When you do this it gives your mind a break as well as your body. God knows what you need so let Him give it to you.

A Sacrifice Of Praise

It's funny how quickly things change. Last evening God and I were talking. Work had been a little rough and I was tired. When you're tired sometimes you're just not at your best. So...I was telling God about the things that were bothering me and that's when He started giving me the post I wrote. By this time life was good again. Then just before bed I got some news I didn't want to hear. It affected me negatively...big time. Back to not being at my best mentally. So I read my Bible anyway and then put in my Scripture CD. After just a few minutes of listening I was asleep. Then this morning came...

The attitude hadn't changed a whole lot. I still wasn't happy with things. But, I had to get ready for work anyway. So wouldn't you know it, the first thing I have to do is go where God speaks to me most often...the shower. Well, don't you know, I was telling God how unfair life is when...all of a sudden...in the midst of my bad, complaining mood...a song pops into my head. One I only hear at church and that I never even think about. I don't even know it really and all I can remember is the part that kept playing...over and over...in my thoughts this morning;

Lift the name of JESUS high

Lift the name of JESUS high

JESUS let Your name be lifted high

It was as if a light went on in my very soul! The Lord was telling me to just praise Him. Lift Him up in praise and worship. So I did. Immediately the heaviness was easing. Through all of this He was saying even more to me. This is what it was...

It doesn't matter how much junk and pain has went on in my life...past and present. JESUS...who saved me from all kinds of mess...is really all that matters. HE will make everything work out. HE has my life in HIS hands and HE is in control of every aspect of it. HE will take care of everything. What I need to do is just trust and not let the "stuff" of life mess with me. Keeping my walk with the LORD going in the right direction is what I need to think about. The things of this world are of the least importance. Just keep all of that in perspective and live for the LORD. Do what HE has for me to do and just trust in HIM. HE won't ever let me down.

What I have noticed is that satan likes to remind us of all the things in life that really aren't fair. What I have also noticed is if you listen to that little devil he will get a foot hold in. That's all he needs to start his dirty work and bring you down. Don't let him. Remind him who is in control...GOD!!

One day soon, all of these trials we have will be over. JESUS is going to come back and the devil will get what's coming to him. Won't that be a glorious day!!

Hebrews 13:15

New Living Translation (NLT)

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

Ephesians 5:19-20

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁹ singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. ²⁰ And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Linking up today with Tracy for Winsome Wednesday.    

Just Rest

Rest in Him. Sit at the feet of Jesus and rest. Let His peace flow over you until it envelops you and seeps down deep...inside of you. Ask Him to let His love overwhelm you. Then just sit there and think about Him and all that He has done and all that He is going to do...for you...in you...and through you. Just sit in His presence...bask in His light. Before long all the trials and troubles that you are experiencing will start to fade. Oh yes...they will still be there, but the enormity of them will diminish. You will gain perspective on all that is happening. Let the Lord speak to the inner most parts of you. He will speak just what you need Him to speak to you. For each of us what He speaks will be different because we are all going through things, and handling them, in our own different ways. God has made each one of us unique and yet we all have the same strong need for Him. A deep need for His peace...His love...His healing. Let His awesome healing...of spirit...mind...and body...begin to take place. Let it start first...deep within where your soul lies...and work out from there. Once He starts healing the soul holes...and your heart...everything else will be okay. You will find rest.

Just Rest...

Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Zephaniah 3:17 (NCV)

The Lord your God is with you;
       the mighty One will save you.
    He will rejoice over you.
       You will rest in his love;
       he will sing and be joyful about you."

1 John 4:16a (NCV)

And so we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love.

 

Proverbs 3:6

Do you ever think you hear God tell you to do something and wait to see if He tells you again? Usually I don't but there are those occasions when I do. Most of the time God speaks to me when I least expect it. Many times it's first thing in the morning when I'm in the shower. Yep...the shower. Either I'm still half asleep or, I'm talking to Him because I don't get up early enough to have the conversation in my room. Either way that's the place He usually speaks to me. Someone told me it's because He has my attention there. Just me...my thoughts...and GOD speaking!

Well, sometime back God told me to give someone a CD I have. My first response was...I must just be thinking this on my own. Why would I give that to them? Well, I kept thinking about it off and on but eventually dismissed it. But occasionally the thought keeps coming back. Today God is telling me again to do this. Give them the CD. So I will. I know it is God telling me to do this. I asked myself why didn't I just listen before and do what He asks? Why do I have to be so stubborn? The answer could be as simple as this...

The spiritual warfare that goes on around us. Satan is trying to put fear and doubt in our minds and hearts all the time. He is trying to beat us down and make us feel fearful and like our situation...what ever it is...is hopeless. On the other side we have GOD. He gives us strength...comfort...hope...joy...all the good things that we need to make it through. He is always there for us. God is our Rock...our Deliverer...our soon coming King...our All in All. God is everything we will ever need! So why do we sometimes not do what we know we are being asked to do? For me...and those times I don't obey His voice...it's because I'm afraid that people will think I've lost it. Even though every time I do what He asks it is always received well. No one has ever laughed at me and if they did it would be okay because I would still know that I have done what God asked of me.

So if God is asking you to do something...just do it! God will prepare the way before you so everything will go like He wants it too.

This verse in Proverbs came to mind to share.

 

Proverbs 3:6 (AMP)

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

My study Bible says this about this verse...

You may already acknowledge God in many areas of your life but the areas where you attempt to "restrict or ignore" Him will cause you grief. Make Him a vital part of everything you do; then He will guide you because you will be working to accomplish His purposes.

From the first time I ignored what He asked me to do I have been feeling uneasy. Now that I have made the decision to obey I know there will be peace within me. God is good!

Philippians 4:4-8

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
 ⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
 ⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

These verses are so good. They remind me that no matter what is going on in my life, if I will only focus on the Lord I can still be full of joy! The joy of the Lord. In Him we will find His strength which in turn gives us our strength. If you're going through hard times right now...think about all the good times and all that the Lord has done for you. Praise Him for those things and He will give you peace and joy.

The joy of the LORD is our strength!

God Answers Prayer

This morning I woke up with a song playing in my thoughts. In fact I kept thinking about it all day. A song I hadn't even thought of in years. This is what it was...

God answers prayer in the morning,

God answers prayer at noon.

God answers prayer in the evening.

So keep your heart in tune.

I knew there was more to it but I didn't remember what it was. I was thinking that maybe this was the only part God wanted me to remember but, curiosity got the better of me so I Googled it. Here is the rest of the song. Actually, this part is first.

Whisper a prayer in the morning,

Whisper a prayer at noon.

Whisper a prayer in the evening,

He will keep your heart in tune.

My first thoughts this morning were...

Why would I be thinking of this song? As a kid we would sing it at church but to my recollection not since. Then it came to me why. I have always thought that when it came to Prayer 101...I failed the class. When trying to pray out loud, with or for people, it's as if my vocal chords break and I get a brain freeze! What I want to say to God just vanishes from my thoughts. Even if my thoughts didn't, my voice leaves me and it's all down hill from there. But...that doesn't stop me from praying and lately it seems I've been doing a lot of that. So I think that God just put that song in my thoughts to let me know to just keep on praying. No matter what. Because you never know when He is going to answer your prayers. The answer could come any time of the day or night so be ready. Keep your heart right with the Lord.

Then this afternoon when I saw the rest of the song I thought of how it fit with the post from yesterday. Just whispering the name of Jesus. Sometimes over and over. That can be a prayer in it self. Jesus...Jesus...Jesus. His name brings such peace and comfort and sometimes that's what we need. We can pray and pray for a person, or a situation, until we just don't know what else to say to God about it. That's when we can just whisper His name and He will come and give us that peace and comfort that we need about the circumstance we are praying for. So, just continue to whisper your prayer...anytime of the day.

In time He will answer our prayer. It may be at morning...noon...or night...but He will answer. Until then...just whisper a prayer to Him. Do it continuously. He is always listening.

Psalm 5:3
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct my prayer to You, and I will look up.

Psalm 55:17
Evening and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice.

Psalms 145:18
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Linking up today with Tracy for Winsome Wednesday.

Something About That Name

Today I'm re-posting  something I wrote in 2009. I don't know why but since Saturday this post keeps coming to my mind. I do know that lately I find myself just calling on HIS name. Sometimes just saying it quietly over and over to myself...JESUS...JESUS...JESUS.  And lately I hear others just whispering...JESUS...JESUS...JESUS. Could it be that we all just need HIM more and more...everyday! I'm thinking that is true. I know that with every moment that passes I need HIM more. How about you?

I'm thinking this must be for someone out there who needs to just get closer to JESUS. With that in mind, here's an old post and I hope you all enjoy it.


Is there something going on in your life today that is difficult? There is an answer. JESUS is that answer. HE might not make your problems go away, but HE will give you the help you need to get through them. There's a quote I heard recently that says...Whatever brings you to your knees is good for you. I think, sometimes, GOD allows things to come into our lives to draw us closer to HIM. If things always went great, and we didn't have any obstacles to overcome, some of us might not talk to GOD as often as we should. It becomes easy to rely on ourselves for everything. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we need HIM. On your knees, talking to HIM, is where you'll find the help you need. No matter what your problems are, there is where you will find peace. It's a peace that is beyond all human understanding.

There's an old song called "Something About That Name"...

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus there's just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus like the fragrance after the rain.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus let all of Heaven and earth proclaim.
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away.
But there's something about that name.

Just think about those words for a minute. Say HIS name...JESUS...what happens to you when you say it? How does, softly, saying the name "JESUS" make you feel? What is it that happens inside of you when you call HIS name out? For me, it is like a spring rain shower. If you go outside, and breathe in the fresh air, you feel clean. After the rain, the air is lighter and you can smell all of the plants blooming. The birds start singing. The flowers stand taller. It's as if you can almost see them growing. That's how it is when you just whisper HIS name. JESUS...just say HIS name and breathe in...you feel peace, calmness and clean. When your sick and you call out HIS name...JESUS...it is like a healing balm that flows over you. You might still be sick but...somehow...you just feel better. If you are feeling heavy, and your problems are weighing you down, HE takes the weight from you. You can begin to stand up straight again. Somehow, your spirit is just lighter. Just like the song says, we need to proclaim the name of JESUS! One day soon everything, as we know it today, will pass away. It will all be gone. But the ONE that will always be with us is JESUS. There is no one else like HIM. If you haven't taken the time to talk to HIM today, do it. Whisper...JESUS...and see what happens. HE will be right there to answer you in whatever way you need HIM too. There is...just something about that name...

Philippians 4:6-7

  ⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:9-11

⁹ Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
      and gave him the name above all other names,
 ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.

The LORD...Our Source

Have you ever noticed how sometimes your life seems to start spinning out of control and there's nothing you do can stop the spin?! You even know all the right things to do, the things that you know will help, but sadly...you don't always do them. That's me...spin...and spin...and spin some more, until finally...I just can't take one more spin. So instead I give in to what I know is right and good. 

The last couple of weeks have been that way. When things go bad I tend to retreat inside myself...hide as much as possible. Well, I have found out...again...just how much more painful things can be when you do that. So a couple of nights ago I picked up my bible and opened it to the Psalms. I have 33:20-22 and 34:17-19 highlighted. This is what they say;

Psalm 33:20-22 (NLT)

²⁰ We put our hope in the Lord.
      He is our help and our shield.
 ²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,
      for we trust in his holy name.
 ²² Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
      for our hope is in you alone.

Psalm 34:17-19 (NLT)

¹⁷ The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
      He rescues them from all their troubles.
 ¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
      he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

¹⁹ The righteous person faces many troubles,
      but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

It always amazes me how the Lord shows me the scriptures I need to read when I just can't seem to get my focus where it needs to be. These verses are so great and they spoke to me just what I needed to hear.

We put our hope in the Lord because where does our help come from...the LORD! We rejoice in HIM...we praise HIM...we trust HIM...because our hope is in HIM alone...the LORD! And HIS love...HIS unfailing love...surrounds us, like nothing else can. Our hope is in HIM alone!

The LORD is there for us. HE listens to us. When we are in trouble...our hearts are broken...we are sick...people we love are sick...the LORD is there for us! HE reaches down and wraps HIS arms around us. HE comforts us when no one else can. HE dries the tears after we have cried all we can cry. The LORD lifts us up and carries us when we can't walk our path alone any longer. HE...the LORD...is there for us.

In this life we will have many troubles and trials of all different kinds. But, there is one thing I have learned...GOD is faithful! We just have to have faith and trust HIM. Put our hope in the LORD. HE will never fail us. The LORD will be right beside us all the time and when we need HIM to...HE will reach down, pick us up, and carry us! 

HE is our source of strength and courage when life hits us hard. We just have to remember to hang tough when troubles hit. Stay close to the LORD and praise HIM and thank HIM no matter what is going on.

FATHER GOD, thank YOU for walking with us through the trials of this life. Keep us strong and keep our joy in YOU flowing. Let others see YOU, and the strength that YOU alone can give, in our lives. Help us to face any trial that we are going through with YOUR grace and give us courage. Help us to praise YOU no matter what and to let others see YOUR light shining through us. Thank YOU for loving us and healing us, spiritually and physically. We love YOU so much. In JESUS name we pray...Amen.

There is a very special person that I know and his name is Wayne. He has just found out this past week that he has lung cancer. I would like to ask you all to pray that the cancer has not spread any where else and that the doctor can do surgery to remove it. They will be doing tests this next Wednesday to find all of this out. Also, please pray for his wife Marge and their family. I know they would really appreciate all of your prayers. Thank you all.

If there is ever anything that any of you need prayer for please just ask.