JOY... Sunday

Devotional for 12/15/13

This is the third week of Advent, our preparation time before Christmas. Some people use an Advent wreath for the four weeks preceding Christmas with 4 candles around a central 5th candle. The 4 candles are usually 3 purple and 1 pink, and the central candle is white. The first week of Advent one purple candle is lit, and the second week 2 purple ones are lit.  But on this third week of Advent the pink one is lit.  Each candle has a meaning associated with it which varies a little with different traditions. The first one is the candle of Hope or the Prophecy candle, the second one is the candle of Preparation or Peace, or the Bethlehem candle. The pink one, lit on this third week of Advent, is the candle of Joy or the Shepherd candle. It symbolizes the rejoicing of the shepherds in the fields and our own rejoicing that God's promised Savior was born. The fourth one lit will be the candle of Love or the Angel candle, and the fifth candle which is lit on Christmas is the central white one, the Christ candle.

So this is the week we celebrate the joyful news the angels brought to the shepherds that a Savior was born.  We celebrate the elation in the shepherds hearts that they then shared with everyone they met.  We celebrate the gladness we now have in knowing and having faith in our Savior.  Not everything in life is joyful, but we can rest in the peace of knowing that Jesus came to earth in order to save us, and nothing can snatch us from his hands.  Nothing we have done in the past is too terrible for God to forgive.  Nothing this world can dish out against us is too devastating to take away our heavenly home.  We cannot be jubilant about everything that happens to and around us, but nothing can take away our internal joy as we remain faithful throughout it all and find ways to glorify God because of it.

On this third week of Advent then, let us focus on the joy we have in Christ, the Savior. Let us give thanks regardless of our circumstances. Let us look forward with anticipation at the celebration of his first coming to earth, and to his return at the second coming. What joy! 

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:8-11 (ESV)

written by Jan Andersen

FEAR NOT...Saturday

12/14/13

"So do not fear, 

for I am with you; 

do not be dismayed, 

for I am your God." 

Isaiah 414:10

     This is certainly a time and season when a person could be fearful.  Some people have to have bags packed and the car loaded with possessions to flee a possible tornado, flood, fire, or hurricane.  Others listen with trepidation to the world news -- will there be a nuclear strike in Syria?  Will more wars break out?  What is the financial market doing with all its ups and downs?

     God never promised us a life free from change and uncertainty.  He did, however, promise that He would walk through all of it with us.  So believers in Jesus can rest assured that they are never walking alone.  God is still in control, even when all else around seems chaotic and bleak.

     There are many passages in Scripture which talk about peace and strength and reassurance in the midst of turmoil -- personal, national, and world wide.  Look to the Lord -- fear not!

Written by 

Carol Stefecik

Here us Chris Tomlin singing "God of Angel Armies"

Sad Beginning...Friday

11/13/13

Tuesday Devotional....

           ...Happy Ending

Twas' 14 days

before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children

stormed through heaven's gate. 
Their smiles were contagious,

their laughter filled the air. 

They could hardly believe

all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy;

they didn't know what to say.

They remembered nothing

of what had happened

earlier that day.

"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

“This is heaven," declared a small boy.
"We’re spending Christmas at God's house”.

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their Savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same. 

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name. 

And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace, 

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe,

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!

May this country be delivered from the hands of fools

I’m taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.

“Come now my children let me show you around."

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can. 

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight, 

“in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

(C) Zydha Hart
December, 2012

This was written by my friend Zydha after the Sandy Hook Connecticut School incident that happened in December, 2012.

 Shared by Corinne Mustafa

Here is a song of comfort for anyone who has ever lost a loved one.

"His Love Our Greatest Gift"...Thursday

Love...

His Love sent His only Son. (John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-10)

His Love  lights up the darkness. (John 8:12)

His Love never fails. (1Cor 13:8)

His Love is never ending. (1 Cor 13:4-8)

His Love never gives up on us. (1Cor 13-4-8)

His Love always satisfies. (Psalm 107:9)

His Love is the way, the truth and life. (John 14:6)

His Love brought abundant provision to our spirit, to our soul and to our body.

             (Psalm 37:11, 73:7, 78:15, 132:15 & 147:14, John 3:16, 

               Matt 6:25,Romans 5:17, 2 Cor 9:8)

His Love for you kept Him on the cross.

When God's rod of judgement fell on Jesus at the cross, it was His blood that flowed for us.  We deserved the judgement.  And we deserved the punishment. But Jesus took our place so that we can receive the blessings, Isn't that beautiful a beautiful gift?  That is the Love of the Father. 

• Because of His Love He sent to us the Holy Ghost. (Rom 8:11, Acts 1:8 & 2:4)
• Because of His love we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us,
      because of the one who lives in us. (Phil 4:13)
• Because of His Love I have learned to be content in whatever state I am in. (Phil 4:11)
• Because of His Love I can stand fast. (Phil 4:1)
• Because of His love we do not have to be afraid. (Is 41:10)
• Because of His Love He will not force you, we have been given choice. (Josh 24:22}
• Because of His Love we CAN raise the dead, HEAL the sick. (Matt 10:1 & 8)
• Because of His Love we have access to the thrown room, He is always available. (Eph2:6 & 17-19)
• Because of His Love you have a future. (Jer 29:11)
• Because of His Love you are blessed coming in and going out. (Duet 28:6)
• Because of His Love whatever you put your hands to do it is blessed. (Duet 28:9 & 12)
• Because of His love you are loaded with His wisdom. (Eph 1:7-9, 17
• Because of His love He died for you, He took every curse, every sickness, every disease.
• Because He Loves you He has felt every pain that you have suffered. (Is 53:3-5, I Peter 2:2 

Love is Here, Love is Now.

Love is the Lord living in you and through you.

(2 Cor 6:16, Romans 8:10, Romans 12:4-5)

This is the Greatest Gift 

His LOVE.

Today's song is performed by the Bates Family, "The Love of God"

Written by

 Kathryn Hanson

"Taking It By Force"...Wednesday

12 11 13

 

When I get to heaven I am so looking forward to meeting John the Baptist. He was a man that knew how to preach and knew how to walk in the power of God! He was no wimp and knew his place in the Kingdom of God. Which brings me to one of my favorite scriptures in Matthew 11:12...

 

 "And from the days of John the Baptist until now, 

the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, 

and the violent take it by force."

 

Every time I read that scripture, my spirit is stirred up and it is like the fire of God is burning in my spirit man. I am reminded to press forward with fervent, absolute determination to grab hold of all that God has prepared for me as His daughter.

 

I totally believe that we as His people, in order to be Victorious, must walk in His Holy zeal with great determination. He has called us to walk in radical abandonment onto Him, and be men of great courage forcefully advancing the Kingdom of God!

 

We are in a Spiritual war, and this is no time to be passive, but to push forward and to be persistent in the Spiritual matters at hand. Keeping all that in mind, we can be assured of tasting Sweet Victory in Christ!

 

In Radical Abandonment,

Sandy Billingham

Here is a song for today..."Set A Fire"...by Jesus Culture

Happy Holidays to You...Tuesday

<sup>12/10/13

It was the end of the Christmas party and I was saying goodbye to the other parents. As I was approaching one particular couple it occurred to me that they might follow the Jewish faith, so instead of wishing them a Merry Christmas, I said "Happy Holidays!" The Dad gave me a look that seemed to say "I see what you did there." He smiled nicely and we parted ways. His polite yet curious reaction reminded me of a column I once read back when the war on the word Christmas was raging (again).</sup>

^{A man of Jewish faith wrote a public response to the suggestion that Christians should stop offending others with their words of good cheer. He explained that he enjoyed being greeted by strangers with "Merry Christmas" on their lips. He said that it never seemed like an affront to his own beliefs, but a sincere wish from one person to another that 'I hope all may go well for you'. He said he responded in kind with his own "Same to you" and in his heart he was saying 'May God bless you'.}

^{I stopped being upset over the swapping out of the words Christmas and Holiday, when I read that the first definition for holiday is, in fact, holy day! I thought that's cool! There will always be those who are trying to confirm their own beliefs by taking away from the meaning of Christmas by their word choice. But that does not have to diminish the meaning of Christmas for us.}

^{The definition of holiday:}

hol·i·day

noun \ˈhä-lə-ˌdā, British usually ˈhä-lə-dē\

: a special day of celebration : a day when most people do not have to work

CloseStyle: MLA APA Chicago

 Full Definition of HOLIDAY

1 :  holy day

2 :  a day on which one is exempt from work; specifically :  a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event

Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holiday.

WebsiteLink

Of course, we don't need a dictionary to reassure us of what is true. We have God's Word and His Word is Truth!

Dear Lord, please help us to be Your light and Your love to others every day, especially during this holy season. May the words of our mouths be good, kind, true, and acceptable in Your sight. In Jesus name, amen.

For the country music fans among us, I hope you enjoy this original song by Jeffrey Allen Edwards:

"I Believe in You"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CauDHE4PGw

Even the Mob Celebrates His Arrival...Monday

12/9/13

He is coming! 

Celebrate him in  all you do to get ready for Christmas whether it is Cards, Wrapping Presents, Entertaining, or even Shopping. Here is a video that shows that there can be celebration of Jesus birth...even in a Mall. This happened in the South Bay (Redondo Beach, CA)  a few years ago.

Please click on the link below and enjoy the traditional songs of Christmas. Praise the Prince of Peace in all that you do this season.

Think on the words of these songs 

and bless God for becoming flesh 

and dwelling amongst us! 

 Good News...

HE IS COMING

Better News...

HE HAS ALREADY COME!

Shared  by 

Corinne Mustafa