THE DECEMBER BIRTHDAY GIRL OR BOY

Today my beautiful mother turns 89 years old!  Birthdays are something to celebrate no matter what your age. People often become upset getting older but it is a joy to know you are blessed to be a blessing to others and share the knowledge you have gained here on this Earth.

When you are born in December the natural reaction from friends might be, "That is horrible. I bet you do not get many presents being born in the same month as Christmas." Birthdays are not just about gifts although sharing gifts is a way to show  love to others. 

Birthdays, such as the one of the baby Jesus in a manger, are times to rejoice. Gifts are given. Parties are held. Often you go to dinner and get a cake. At least that is the custom here in the United States in our modern day.

Waiting for the arrival of a newborn is special and the years that individual has are a reason to give thanks each and every year.  The most special birthday ever was that of Jesus Christ. In Luke chapter 2 is recounted the birth of Jesus. Take time to sit and read it over even though you may be familiar with it. Verse 2 of this chapter says 'So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.' 

There was joy, the savior was born.  Do you feel like rejoicing? Many may be sad this time of year and rushed and not feel the joy of it all. Today stop what you are doing to thank God above for sending his son to save us from our sins. 

PRAYER: This is a great month. We anticipate celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Help me Lord to remain focused on this and not get caught up in the tinsel and holly and Santa Claus. I truly want to say "joy to the world the Lord has come." In Jesus name. Amen.

I LOVE CELEBRATING

 Life is worth celebrating. All kinds of occasions. Births, baptism, graduation, weddings, anniversaries, and yes birthdays no matter how "young" you are. Today I am celebrating a milestone birthday. I was born in 1953 so do the math. I am not ashamed. Life is a celebration. God has blessed me with sixty beautiful years. And you know what they say "60 is the new 40".

Do you like to celebrate? Parties are fun. Getting together with friends and family and enjoying good food and good times. Gifts are nice too. But did you know what the greatest gift of all is? It was the birth of Jesus Christ. 'God so loved the world that He gave us His only son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but should have eternal life.' (John 3:16)

It is going to be one tremendous celebration for Christians when we arrive in heaven. Also when one sinner repents it says "the angels rejoice". Luke 15:10(NIV) says 'In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

I have been to the funeral of Christians who chose to not make it into a sad affair, but instead to turn it into a celebration of a life well lived. It is really a neat thing to see family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of the believer who has now entered heaven. We down here are left with memories and feel a great loss, but sooner or later all of us are going to die. No matter how much some people want to try to stay here, perhaps try to be frozen like in the movie "Forever Young" we have to face it. Death will come to all of us.

Are you ready to meet Jesus if today were the last day you would spend on earth? On Halloween death is sort of mocked and made light of. Death is real. Hell is real. There are not a bunch of zombies running around trying to spook people. Joking and dressing up may be fun on this day but making sure you know Jesus is vitally important. It is my hope when each of you die your families will be able to celebrate the fact you most assuredly have gone on to meet Jesus and have one gigantic homegoing party!!

PRAYER: Thanks Lord for the promise of heaven and eternal life. Help me to be a witness to those who do not know you and share your love with them. Even as we joke about scaring people on Halloween let us not forget that hell is not a joking matter. It is real and is forever. Help me to take that seriously and help others who do not know you come into a relationship with you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link to enjoy a song of Celebration.

http://youtu.be/XV15GBkgJgs

STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD

When you are depressed or in despair over something how do you react? Do you simply give up and worry or do you get out your Bible and look up verses to give you renewed strength and hope? That is what God's word does you know. You can claim promises in scripture and pray scripture over a situation. But first you have to know the word. To know it is necesssary to make it more than a coffee table ornament. It is meant to be used, and yes you can even underline things as you go.

What if some day your government made your Bible illegal? It could happen. There are many countries where a person can be jailed or executed for their Christian faith. If it were to be taken from you do you have any verses committed to memory that you could cling to each day? Do not think I am crazy or this is a fairy tale as many nations can not have God's word. There may be some readers from some of those countries. There are people in the United States, maybe some who even say they are Christians, who barely pick up their Bible except maybe on Sunday out of obligation. How many communist regimes do you know where the Bible is outlawed and Christians need to go "underground" to hold church and Bible studies or the consequences could be dire?

Why not commit today to start hiding the word of God in your heart? Do not take God for granted. Do not take your Bible for granted!

Each day write on your calendar "time with God" and do not allow "more important" things to squeeze out that time. What is more important than spending time with the King of kings? Learn to "stand on the promises" of God so you can have victory over Satan who works overtime to get you to stumble and turn your back on Jesus.

I am going to list a few verses with promises below. Do you think you can memorize some in the next few months? Do not allow the "tyranny of the urgent" to put God aside till Sunday. Busy people often shut God and church out of their lives entirely. Many have been hurt or do not trust God to help them.

2 Peter 1:4 'He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.'

Jeremiah 1:12 'God is watching over His Word to perform it.'

Isaiah 55:11 'so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.'

Do a word search on promises of God then claim them and speak them out for yourself. Do not allow the enemy to drag you into his pit. Stay strong and stand strong on God's promises.

PRAYER; Lord Jesus you have hundreds of promises in the Bible.I love the truth and I love your word. I need not fear for you are with me. Thanks for bringing hope through the Word of God. In Jesus' name. Amen.


Click on link below for a wonderful praise song.
http://youtu.be/FaUTv1pXRyU

COME ON CELEBRATE!

Celebrations are nice. We celebrate promotions, freedom, birthdays, holidays, victories, retirement,graduations,  Baptisms, new jobs, book releases, births, marriages, and even celebrate life at funerals instead of mourning the deceased. Yes we do like to celebrate.

When Jesus returns in all His  glory it will be the biggest and best celebration ever. I can not think of anyone that does not like an occasion to have a party and get together with friends.

Today marks the release of a book I have a very tiny part in but I am still super thrilled. It is a real "God thing" and I am today on my way back from Arizona where this past Sunday we prayed, dedicated,  and celebrated together with the author of the book my friend Kathe Wunnenberg and other contributors to this project. The name of the book is Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts.

I am so excited for her and this new book. It is a real thrill to know you had a teeny tiny little part that made it in. "To God Be The Glory" I say. God is so good.

He has a plan and purpose for each persons life and life indeed is to be celebrated. Just breathing each and every day is reason to celebrate. Being able to  have people who love you is reason to celebrate. Take time today and find something in your life to celebrate.

Psalm 118:24(NIV) says 'This is the day the Lord has made we shall rejoice and be glad in it.' Thank you Jesus!

PRAYER: Father I thank you for the opportunities I have each day to celebrate life and the gift of life. I thank you for the gifts and abilities you have placed within me. Help me never compare myself to someone else or get haughty if I feel what I do is more important. Keep me humble dear Lord. Thank you again Lord for another day to celebrate. In Jesus' name. Amen.

KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS ON GOD

 

This is Easter week. Many people are thinking of pretty clothes, spring, Easter egg hunts, candy, baskets and all those "worldly" things that go along with this religious holiday. On this very Holy week our thoughts should be on God and things of the Lord. What a happy day it was when Jesus rose from the dead after three days in a tomb. We are to be joyous and celebrate His gift to us. When you focus on Christ you tend to get less caught up in the "world" too. This coming Sunday is not about an Easter bonnet, a cantata, a new suit, and an annual visit to church for many,but it's about the risen King who came that we might have life and live it abundantly.

Do you know Him? Do you think about the things of the Lord often or are you caught up in your earthly endeavors? Is Christ a real part of your life or do you just say "hi" to Him one hour each week on Sunday? Do you want to spend more time with Him but look at your Bible and think it is hard to understand or boring? Do you "talk" to Him about decisions in your life?

Philippians 4:8(NIV) says '

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.' If you are constantly consumed with worldly affairs and stressed about everything you hear on the news then you might not be listening to the voice of God. His goal for us is joy and peace. These can not be achieved by feeding on a diet of "worldly" things. In Romans 12:2 it mentions not 'being conformed to the pattern of this world but being transformed by the renewing of our mind'. Why not start today and get your focus off the world and cares and concerns around you. Make it a daily habit to spend time alone reading the Bible and shutting out the chaos around you. Only then will you be able to think like Christ. Isaiah 26:3(NLT) says ' You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!' Fix your thoughts on Him today. PRAYER: Lord Jesus the world around me is constantly distracting me with all of its' pleasures. I thank you Lord for being able to get alone and equip myself each day by reading your word. Forgive me when I have put you last or not at all. In Jesus' name. Amen. Click on link and listen to a wonderful song. http://youtu.be/sChJUaU5W9I

WHO IS ON THE THRONE?

 

God is, that's who! Sometimes when the world situation looks dire you may tend to start to fret and fear men. Then is the time more than ever to run to God. We should never leave Him in the first place. Often we let someone else occupy the "throne" of our life without hardly giving God a thought except maybe on Easter and Christmas.

Here we are in the midst of the season of the Saviours' birth yet many still trust someone or some thing more than God who is King of kings and Lord of lords. You drive by homes decorated with snowmen, Santa, candy canes, and elves but baby Jesus is nowhere to be found. He has been "dethroned" by many people I am sad to say.

Christmas time can be hectic only because the world we may allow the world's idea of Christmas to influence us. Many decorate, scurry about, shop till there is no money left, bake cookies and gain weight. Where is Christ in all this activity? Is He even there at all? Why even bother if you leave Him out on His own birthday party. Can you imagine throwing a party for a birthday and not inviting the guest of honor? That is what many people do at Christmas.

This Christmas is Santa on the throne or the baby born in a manger? Is the purpose to just buy presents and eat ham and treats? The purpose is to pause and reflect on Jesus' birth and how thankful we are for Him. Can you let Him be on the throne of your life?

Luke 2:1(ESV) says 'For unto us is born this day in the City of David, a saviour who is Christ the Lord.'

PRAYER : I love you Lord and I thank you for the time of year to remember your birth help me Lord to keep your birthday alive 365 days a year and not just at Christmas. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link and be blessed by a powerful worship song.

http://youtu.be/oYCcFtFwcxo

CELEBRATE JESUS!!

There are many celebrations in our lifetime. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, baptisms, promotions, new jobs and the birth of a baby are a few that come to mind. All these celebrations are wonderful in and of themselves, but the ultimate celebration is celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ not just on special 'Holy days' or on Christmas, but each and every day is the Lord's day.

In Psalm 118:24 it reminds us "This is the day the Lord has made we shall rejoice and be glad in it!"   Do you feel joyful right now or like rejoicing? Many times we let circumstances dictate how we feel. Our faith in Jesus is not based on feelings so we can overcome any bad feeling and capture out thoughts to the obedience of Christ so we can be full of joy.  1 Peter 1:8 says "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious  joy."

Maybe you got up today and had a disagreement at home or work. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding with a friend. Whatever happens you have to control the urge to sink into a pit of worry and despair. You have to do what you can do to make amends but then you need  to move on and focus on 'things above'. The Bible says in Philippians  4:8 that "whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything be excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things."

So in other words to be able to rejoice in the Lord and praise his name you have to control wrong thinking and focus on God and His word.  Do not allow people or situations to defeat you and be joy robbers.

"Rejoice in the Lord always again I say rejoice!"(Philippians 4:4).

PRAYER: Lord I choose to lift up your name daily and stay focused on praising you. When things in life get me down and try to defeat me help me remember to run to the cross. In Jesus name. Amen!
Click noon link for awesome song of praise:
http://youtu.be/XV15GBkgJgs