Giving and Forgiving

Jeff

 

The words you see above were written by a friend and pastor on his Twitter account today.  I found them so profound that with his permission I created the above.

Giving and forgiving is the real story of Christmas.  John 3:16-17, which is etched in the minds of the faithful says, “God so loved the world that He gave (giving) His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish but would have everlasting life.  God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved (forgiving).”

Have you given much thought to the Reason for the Season this year?  Do you know the One and Only Son of God?  Have you received His forgiveness once and for all?  Are you getting the point?  He loves you so much He gave His own for you.  This is personal to each person.  If you or I were the only person on this earth He would have done it all the same.  Not one of us is unforgivable.  Not one of us is unlovable.  He sent His Son for all of us.  If you haven’t surrendered your life to Him, do it now!  Call a friend or pastor and let them know you want to be totally His.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Everything I Need To Know About Christmas

Christmas1This is what I think is most important about celebrating this Season.  If you would like to add please comment below.

Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.  Matthew 2:14

My prayer for you:

Heavenly Father, help us keep Jesus as the focus this Season.  Let us keep others in our minds and hearts, forgetting ourselves and giving our best.  Bless us with the inner peace of the knowledge that Jesus is, was and will be.  Make it so Lord!

Keep The Appointment

clocks

How often do we keep our God appointments?  Are we more likely to say…If I have time today…Maybe later…and then it’s time to sleep and we have had no or little contact with Him?

1 Samuel 13:14 tells us of the consequences for King Saul when he decided to go his way and not keep the appointment God had given him.

God is out looking for your replacement right now!  This time He’ll do the choosing.  When He finds him, he’ll appoint him leader of His people.  And all because you didn’t keep your appointment with God!    The Message

What was the appointment?  Samuel had told Saul to wait 7 days before attacking the Philistines at Gilgal.  At that time he, Samuel, would sacrifice to God and the battle could begin.  Saul waited the seven days, but in the meantime he was loosing his army to fear.  On the 7th day when Samuel didn’t show up immediately Saul took matters into his own hands and did the sacrifice himself.  Samuel showed up at the end of the sacrifice and said, “What on earth are you doing?”  Saul’s answer was much like our own when we feel we’ve waited long enough and have to take matters into our own hands.  Every time I decide I’ve waited long enough and it’s time to do it my way…there is a consequence.  The results are not the ones I wanted.  Saul’s consequence was not only the loss of his kingship but a serious bout of mental illness.

What is our appointment?  God only wants one thing of us.  He wants a relationship with us.  Each day I set aside specific time to spend with the Lord of my life.  I read His personal instructions to me (The Bible),  I talk to Him about my day, my thoughts, and lift others up (in prayer), and I sit quietly and enjoy the moments with Him (Psalm 46:10).  After reading the verse above, won’t you agree, it’s just to risky to miss the appointment.

Awed By His Provision

praiseAs I consider all that I am thankful for I am awed by the provision of Jehovah Jirah, My Provider.  There has never been a time that I was without food, clothing, shelter or Him.  Even through the darkest times of my life He has been a constant presence.  Oh, How He Loves You and Me!!!

Daniel’s words say thanks so beautifully:

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for He alone has all wisdom and power.  He determines the course of world events; He removes kings and sets others on the throne.  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.  He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though He Himself is surrounded by light.  I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for You have given me wisdom and strength.”  (Daniel 2:20-23)

Can we say the same.  Yes, we can!   Just like this…

Praise the name of God Most High!  He alone knows all and gives all.  He knows the plans He has for my life.  He charts everything that happens all around the world every second of every day.  He gives the perfect gifts and talents to each person.  He knows everything, every second, everywhere.  He knows what we want to hide and His Glory shines on every secret.  He alone, and no other god, is worthy of my constant praise.

My alphabet of thanks!  Thank You, LORD, for:

America, Bible, Cats, Dee and Deb, Eternity, Family and Friends, Goodness, Home, Imagination, Jesus and Joyce, Kindness, Life, Music, Nature, Opportunities, Parents, Quiet, Ray (Ruth, Rick, Robin) , Stella, Technology, Unity, Victory, Words, X (standing alone can be Christ or Christian), You, Zeal

Now it’s your turn.  Have some fun doing an alphabet for what you are thankful for!

May you be blessed, during this season of Thanksgiving, with the wonder and amazement of all you’ve been given.  Oh, How He Loves Us!

Ancient Words

When Michael Smith released Ancient Words he spoke right into my heart.  (Click on the blue title words to listen to the song.)

AncientWordsVerse1

Thy WordDavid’s words in Psalm 119:11 tell us to hide God’s word in our heart’s.  How do we do that?  By memorizing them.  When we take time to memorize the Word we have all we need to make decisions, to deal with the ups and downs of life, and to help those around us who need to hear them.

AncientWordsVerse2

Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, has given us 774,746 words that will change our lives when we choose to live by them.  Words of life, read John 3:16.  Words of hope, read Jeremiah 29:11.  Words of strength, Joshua 1:9.  (Did you know fear not appears in the Word 365 times.) Words for coping, Psalm 46:10.

AncientWordsVerse3

Take the time to read, read, and reread Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts and Revelation.  Use a red-letter edition.  His words are as timely now and they were then.

AncientWordsChorus

Ah, Lord God, you have breathed Your word on to the pages of my Bible and into the nooks and crannies of my heart!  Keep me always mindful that You breathed those words into existence so I would have the answers.  Thank you, Lord!

This post was written for the Weekly Writing Challenge: Moved By Music