All Sought To See...

Christmas what a beautiful time of the year!  Lights, tinsel, and celebration!

As I read of the true reason for Christmas, this part really came alive for me.  All kinds of people sought to see this Child born on Christmas Day.

The lowly shepherds (not just one shepherd boy), after being told by an angel of this marvel birth, journeyed to Bethlehem. (Luke 2: 8-20)

Eight days after the birth of this Child, as was custom of the Jewish law, He was taken to the temple to be presented to The Lord.  There a man named Simeon led by the Spirit came into the temple. This man whom very life was set to the tune of the birth of this Christ Child, for he would not see death before he had set eyes on Him. (Luke 2:25-35)

Now there was a prophetess named Anna there in the temple also.  She was said to be of a great age. Don't you like the way Luke speaks of her age not as old but of a great age (sorry age is coming on strong for me so great age sure sounds better than OLD.)   She too had waited many years to meet this Child. (Luke 2:36-40)

So finally I come to the part of the wise men (no certain number of men were given.)   Probably two years after the birth, these wise man were still following a star to seek this Child. (Matthew 2:1-12)

Each of these people came to not only see this Child but to worship Him each in their way.   Okay, I have given you the verses so you can read each account but to get to the point of my account of this beautiful story.

All kinds of people sought to see this Child born on Christmas Day. Some just out in the field, some had been in the right place simply waiting, others traveled for quite a distance.   The one thing all had in common was they worshipped Him.

So let me ask you, where is your Bethlehem?   Will we, in the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season, find the right place, time and gift for this Christ Child?  Will we take time to truly seek Him? All He really wants for Christmas (His birthday) is your worship and you!


Others are writings over at Spiritual Sundays, you will be blessed as you read...

Tis is the Season

Tis is the season!  Thoughts of sugar plums danced in her head.  For many this is not and will not be the case.  Instead worry, haste and lack of the world's definition of enough will take away the joy of many.

When we look at this season through the world's mindset we totally miss the true meaning, the whole picture.

Instead of sugar plums dancing in my head as I woke there were these simple words "who do you say I am?"   That question makes me look deeper inside not only at seasons but deeper within myself.  He is no longer the Child in the manger or no longer the Man on the cross.  Yes, He did come as that Child and He did hang on a cross for you and me!  But if we stop there we (Christ-followers) will also miss the whole picture.

So how do we, how do I answer the same question that He asked of His disciples? Peter hit the nail on the head when He replied "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  (Matthew 16:15-16). But somehow I believe He wants a more personal answer of me this morning.

To me He is my deliverer, redeemer, healer, and giver of life.  Each of these words defines what He has done in my life.  For once I was held captive in sin and He delivered me.  I could not be good enough so He redeemed me.  I could not make myself whole so He healed me.  I was doomed to death (a very slow death) and He gave me life.

That is who I say He is.  How about you?  Who do you say this Man called Jesus is?

He that Speaks

Meet Omar, my African Gray.  The Hebrew meaning of Omar is “he that speaks; eloquent speaker.”  African Grays are noted for their ability to quickly pick up not only the words of their owner but their voice tone as well.  They, like a child, learn to speak when they are 6 months to a year old.  And like with children you must be careful what you say often around them least you hear it repeated when you most likely desire it not to be.

Omar has indeed become “the speaker”.  When I spend time talking with him, his (my) words flow effortless from him.  However, if Omar does not hear the voice of his owner often enough only noise (sounds of his world) come out of his mouth (so to speak.)

Crazy thing how God uses things, people or even pets to teach us needed lessons.  Have you already caught my drift here?

Aren't we a lot like Omar? When we stay close to our owner (maker) we mimic his words, his heart. However if we drift too far we only make the noise of this world!

So who owns you? Are you listening and learning to sound like Him?  How I long to be an imitator of my Lord!


“You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV)

The Voice

She couldn’t decide which voice was louder, the one coming from the lady speaking to her or the one in her own mind. 

 If only she could close her eyes, perhaps the one in her mind would be silenced. 

The hurt and wounded hearts sound much alike although told by different women.  The questions echoed time and again are the same.  Why did God allow this to happen in my life?  Why can’t I just get it right one time? What am I to do now? 

The voice in her mind says you too have lived this life.  Flesh cries out why.  All reasoning gone!  Be silence voices, there is only one voice she wishes to hear.  The true voice of reasoning, which is beyond our ability to make a wrong become right, comes to remind her of the truth.  She is no longer the person that Satan now wants to taunt her mind with.  And the lady across from her is about to go on a journey that only God can orchestrate.  It is then that the healing words flow through her mind.  Just as God has healed her so He will again heal another, and so many more.

His words are so sweet, so gentle, so inviting.  The voice of the turtledove beckoning us to come away to freedom.  He beckons us to come away to wholeness. Listen to sound of God beckoning not only these ladies but you also. . .

 “My beloved spoke, and said to me: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land.”

             Song of Solomon 2:10-12 ESV

You'll find more encouraging devotions over at Spiritual Sunday

Call Me!

Friendships are one of God's true blessing for our lives. This morning with thoughts of a dear friend's request, I came to the Lord in prayer. With thoughts and prayer roaming through the cobwebs of my mind, a tune found its way in. "Call me, maybe it's late but just call me." Ever so gentle I heard Jesus say "trust me, you really must trust me, there is so much more I want to do. You can trust me!"


The gentle inner voice carried the same tune but there is no denying it was the voice of my Lord once again reminding me that He is trust worthy. Jesus was hearing my prayer of worry, my (once again) cry of fear. He,being ever so gentle, brought peace to my soul with this old secular ballad.

As you read this, bet the tune made it's way into your mind also. You are probably humming right now. Let me assure you, Frank Sinatra could woo you with this tune but he couldn't hold a candle to this morning. And who knows that God didn't whisper the words for this old ballad straight to the heart of its authors.

Imagine Jesus singing these words to me and you, His chosen bride!

"Now don't forget me, because if you let me, I will always stay by you.
You gotta to trust me, that's how it must be, there's so much that I can do.
If you call, I'll be right with you. You and I should be together.
Take this love I long to give you. I'll be at your side forever -
call me, don't be afraid, maybe it's late but just call me tell me and I'll be around
call me, don't be afraid, maybe it's late but just call me tell me and I'll be around"



Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”

In Awe

"You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 NAS

When we think of fear often we picture a state of panic and uncertainty but this is not the fear Moses speaks of here in Deuteronomy. He speaks of standing in awe of the Almighty God. He speaks of being revere before the Almighty God knowing that God alone is to be worshipped. He speaks of being revere knowing that Almighty God is the one and only true God. In knowing these truths of God, how could one NOT desire to keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him and cling (hold fast) to Him?

Jesus tells us that we are to abide in Him (cling to Him) so that we might bear much fruit. (John 15)

Almighty God today we choose to fear you, follow your commandants, listen to your voice and obey. We thank You that You have provided the True Vine for us. As He clings to You so we cling to Jesus. We pray that we may bear much fruit bringing glory to our Almighty God.
Fear=revere, stand in awe of
Cling=hold fast to

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Nevertheless

Having delivered the words I felt God had given me for the group, my head now resting on my pillow, images dancing in my mind – there it was! God’s reminder to me, simply these words “let down the net.”
Let me back up for a moment and explain.  My words spoken were to encourage us to pray detailed prayer from our heart.  Giving an example of how I personally have seen God answer prayers to the detail in which they were prayed.  To see the results of the particular answered prayer I spoke of, I first had to believe the words God had spoken to me.  Not only believe the words but deliver them as He asked.  Having done as asked then I could (and did) enter my prayer closet asking God to bring His word to past, asking in a manner that only God could answer.

As the words “let down the net” danced through my mind, it was as if Jesus was saying that like Peter, I had let down the net and He had given the catch.  Years ago, the answered prayer, came after not understanding why God would ask me to deliver such words to a lady I truly knew very little about.  Still as Peter said “nevertheless at your word, I will let down the net.”

What is God asking you to do today?  Perhaps He is asking you to be a witness of His amazing saving grace…  Perhaps He is asking you to show compassion to someone… Or maybe He is saying to you, just as He told Peter; “let down your net, trust in Me and see the catch (results)”

"When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink."  Luke 5:4-8 NKJV

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The Path

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil."  Proverbs 4:20-27 (NLT)

What lies before you?  Are your eyes fixed on the goal or on yesterday's failures?  Have you marked out (set) a straight path for your journey?  Life doesn't always come at us as we would like.  There are always little stones or even pebbles that can cause us to stumble but still we must travel forward in our journey.

As I type this, thoughts from years past flood my senses.  The trip was all planned!  How I was looking forward to travelling with a friend.  We would make our journey to Cleveland, TN.  There we would attend classes to become Commission Chaplains through the Church of God.  Who would have ever guessed that same day a pebble would change all those plans?  One hurried wrong step, one small accident can change the timing and perhaps even a location in your journey but it does not have to change the destination of your dream.  One small pebble, one wrong hurried step brought me a broken hip and lots of down time to think about the path I had chosen.  

Today, I still haven't reached my final destination.  Why you ask?  My final destination is to become all God has created me to be.  There are milestones God has allowed me to reach but the climb isn't over yet.  So I have fixed my eyes on what lies ahead, (the big picture) spending eternity with the love of my life, Jesus Christ.  As my eyes stay fixed on the destination, He sees me through each step  of this earthly journey be they hurried or slow.

Oh by the way, I did accomplish the dream I mentioned.  He has allowed me to accomplish not only that one but many others He had planned for me.

This and another encouraging devotions can be read at Spiritual Sundays 
Playdates With God
The Weekend Brew
 

Strength in Numbers

While praying this morning the Holy Spirit reminded me "there is strength in numbers."  Often I have shamed myself for thinking in terms of how many attend the bible study I have the privilege to teach.

 

So it took me by surprise to hear the words "strength in numbers."  

Often we get so comfortable with just the average or enough that we forget more can be better.  See we live in a world where pride is rampantly dangerous!  However that pride is all too often based on "self".  You know what I mean, the "it's all about me" generation.  If we think of our home church becoming big or bigger, some of us shiver because we won't be the same or we won't know everyone.  In some cases perhaps it’s that we won't know everyone's business (just saying). 

This morning I am reminded that Jesus is very comfortable with numbers especially when speaking of His Kingdom.   In Matthew 9, He tells us (his disciples) that the harvest is plenty but the workers are few.  Jesus said these things after going throughout the cities and villages teaching, proclaiming (preaching) the gospel and healing.  Now there is another sermon for sure, the work that is to yet to be done!  But let me move on.

Paraphrasing verses from Matthew 25, the master says to his servant “here take these 5 talents multiply them and bring them back to me.”  The servant did as commanded! The master saw and said "well done, good and faithful servant."

In Matthew 16, Jesus told Peter "on this I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  Don't you agree Jesus must be about building and numbers?

In "Ministry Life Coaching" (my class) God has given me two fundamental sayings which are our platform for going forward.  We are "not in competition but we are into reproduction (making disciples)".   And the second fundamental saying truly tells us how we are able to accomplish that task.  "Our Spiritual Gifts are God's abilities given to us for His glory and to build His Kingdom."

To my Fort Mill Church of God peers and the Ministry Life Coaching group, friend's day is coming. Have you decided to help build His Kingdom?  Remember "there is strength in numbers!"  And to my blogger friends, how about you?  Are you busy building His Kingdom?

 

In His Service,
Linda J

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

This and another encouraging devotions can be read at Spiritual Sundays

Hide and Seek

Thoughts of my son, Michael and his youngest daughter danced into my mind this morning during my quiet time. Thoughts of how Rebecca would be downstairs with me and as soon as she heard Michael come in the kitchen door she would run into my bathroom to hide.  Making his way downstairs he would begin to say "where is Rebecca?"  Although she always hid in the same place, he would open other doors in his search for her.  As soon as his hand touched the bathroom door handle her laughter would begin.  With her ear-piercing screams of delight, she would run to receive his hugs and kisses.

There are periods in my life when I go eagerly into my prayer closet.  As I go it is as though every part of my being is crying out to be with God.  However during the dark unsure periods of my life I find myself hiding.  The prayer closet seems almost dangerous and certainly a place that guilt of being so unsure will have to be dealt with.

This morning as I thought of Rebecca's father playing the game with her, I realized like Rebecca though I hide I know my Father will come to seek and find me.  When He enters the room (my heart,) my every sense of being screams with the delight of a child being loved.

Just as Michael knew where his daughter hides so my Heavenly Father knows where this daughter hides.  Can we truly hide from God? Of course not!  Does God know of my guilty feelings and of my lack of faith?  Of course He does! Still He will come calling, "daughter, where are you?" 

 

Psalm 139:1-12 - NLT

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

I can never escape from your Spirit!

I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

Picture Credit: http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll118/Jacazza/Hide-N-Go-Seek.jpg

Slow and Steady

What was that turtle thinking, crawling, creeping across our wide dirt country driveway? Where was he going? And why did he have to move so slow?  Does he not know I am in a hurry?  

Then it hit me "slow and steady wins the race."  Like the movement of that small creature, I also find myself moving slowly in the direction that God has called me too.  

That turtle may have indeed been moving slowly in my standards but he was moving diligently toward his goal.  And guess what, he was moving the very pace God had planned for him!

How about you?  Are you moving slow and steady (diligently) toward your God given goals? Perhaps like me at times you feel like you are not only moving the speed of the turtle but not getting anywhere to boot.  However, nothing could be further from the truth...  We must just keep diligently moving!  Would you join with me in memorizing the scripture and praying the prayer below?

"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty"  Proverbs 21:5

 Abba Father, according to your Word if we diligently follow the plans (dreams, visions) you have given us, they will lead to profit.  Let us not be too hasty and run ahead of You.  Teach us just as the turtle moves slow and steady, we too can profit in doing so.  So that we may indeed proclaim in the end "we have won the race, completed what you have asked of us."  

Check out other stories of hope at Spiritual Sundays