Why are you crying?

I've said this before, and I will say it again today, I'm not a Bible Scholar. I don't have any degrees in theology or Biblical Studies. I have a poor memory and cannot quote scripture. And the truth be told, I'm not even good at remembering where verses are located. But I DO love the Bible and God's Word to us. I'm basically a blank slate. 


The Lord says to me frequently, "Be available", and that's what I try to do; to
be available in my life, time, and finances, but mostly be available so that He 
might speak. This morning as I sat here at the computer, knowing He had
something to say, He spoke a verse to me. John 20:14. 
No, He didn't quote it to me. He just gave me chapter and verse. When I 
opened my NIV Bible this is what I saw.

"At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus."

google images

Here it is in context of the surrounding verses:

John 20:10-18

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁰ So the disciples went away again to their own homes.

 ¹¹ But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept,

 she stooped and looked into the tomb; ¹² and she *saw two angels in white

 sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had 

 been  lying. ¹³ And they *said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

 She *said to  them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not 

 know where they  have laid Him.” ¹⁴ When she had said this, she turned

 around and *saw Jesus  standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

 ¹⁵ Jesus *said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

 Supposing Him to be  the gardener, she *said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried

 Him away, tell me  where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” ¹⁶ 

 Jesus *said to her,  “Mary!” She turned and *said to Him in ^[a]Hebrew,

 “Rabboni!” (which means,  Teacher). ¹⁷ Jesus *said to her, “Stop clinging to

  Me, for I have not yet  ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and 

 say to them, ‘I ascend to  My Father and your Father, and My God and your

 God.’” ¹⁸ Mary Magdalene *came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen 

 the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.

My first question was why this particular scripture, and He said it

was because someone was crying and needed to know that He was 

there with them.

I've read this so many times and the thing that I realize is that sometimes we are

so distressed  in the circumstances that we do not realize or feel that God is with us. 

Mary Magdalene had  just seen Jesus crucified and put in the tomb. Yes, the

circumstances looked the worst; Jesus was gone from them, brutally murdered, and

the plan that they had all hoped for seemed destroyed. Her future and that of all the

others in Jesus' circle was in dire jeopardy. The future  seemed hopeless and bleak.

How did they move forward when their leader, their king and friend was gone...?

Have we all not felt like this at times. We are in the middle of horrible circumstances

that cause us to lose sight of the fact that even though we do not see how things can 

work out Jesus is there with us, He is in control, and He has a plan. And His plans are 

always "good". Lately God has been reminding me to not let what is happening in the

"circumstances" blind me from the fact that He is there with me. 

I know Mary was distraught, overwhelmed with grief and sadness, and fearful and 

uncertain as how to proceed. But a voice from behind her called her name and when 

she heard that voice her attention turned from "herself" to realizing that Jesus was 

right there with her.

No matter what you are going through at this moment, Jesus is there with you. He

will listen to you and comfort you, and give you direction and peace. Sometimes He 

is speaking to us but we don't know that it is God. Get quiet and let Him speak to you. 

He is there with you, and loves you...and He does have the answers.

love in Jesus,

Verse for the New Year

This post may be a little late for the "contemplating the New Year" kind, but I haven't had the opportunity to sit down and put these thoughts into writing until now, so today it is.


I've read and enjoyed so many of your New Year's posts sharing your intentions and resolutions, plans and goals, and just plain old hopes and dreams. Especially you younger gals with big things happening in your lives. Blogging has given many of you some amazing opportunities this year;  from recognition in magazines, photography, television, and the book world, to actually "living your dreams". Honestly, I couldn't be happier for you...really...truly! 


I have to warn you though, as you get older the concept of making resolutions fades a bit and the turning of the calender page takes on a little less significance. Life experience and circumstances have a bad habit of wearing a person down a little. I know what it's like to have "resolutions" wind up in the ditch by the end of January, or to have something thrown in my path unexpectedly like a family crisis or health setback. "Life" has a way of derailing the best of intentions.  I guess the blessings of youth are optimism and the promise of the future. I'm not on a "downer" here, just contemplating life a little, I guess. And how we view what is ahead of us. 


Many of you have talked about how you have a "word" for the New Year. A word that some of you will use as a roadmap for the journey into 2012. To other's it's a definition of what you desire the atmosphere around you to be; a goal, an attitude, and a viewpoint. Hopefully our words are God given and spoken. I know that God likes using dates, times, and seasons to express Himself in our hearts. When we're prayerfully contemplating our lives and the prospect for change, He's is more than happy to speak to our open hearts and minds. He's an "encourager", and He desires to bring us into a place of possibilities and optimism. He's been working on me in that area...


OK, back to the "word" idea for the New Year. So I asked God if there was a specific word for me to contemplate and keep in my spirit for this year. It didn't come immediately, but as I was doing a short post for New Year's Day, a scripture verse came to mind. It had nothing whatsoever to do with the adorable vintage postcard with kittens, but it had to be included. 


Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

It seemed a little out of place and incongruous with that postcard post, but I've learned to go with it, if it's something from the Lord.  This verse has been rattling around in my head for a few days and the more I've thought about it the more I've realized God has been speaking to me concerning this thought for quite a while now.

Let me share just a little of what I think He may be trying to say. 


First of all for this verse to be truly accurate we need to be a child of God. Believers can have a firm faith that if we really love the Lord and seek Him that He will ultimately be in charge of our lives and destinations. If we never seek Him for help and guidance then it's easy to get off track in our thinking and plans. This in turn can send us down the wrong path. Staying in touch with the Father on a daily basis and letting the Holy Spirit lead us may not mean that our lives will be easy or perfect, but they will be "determined". The Oxford dictionary says this about the word "determine, -ed" fixed, precise, distinct, settled, persistent, unwavering.


Another word that stands out for me in this verse is "course". Here is the definition: onward movement or progression, path, way, route, or track, a lesson, a part of a meal, a series of hurdles, a horizontal layer of bricks" a length of water.


And then this word, which really means a lot to me at this time. "Step". a unit of movement, a manner of walking, a degree in the scale of promotion or advancement, making progress, pace, stride, taking action, being in agreement.

At this stage in my life I'm more "contemplative" about the future. I've learned the hard way not to run off on my own and in my own thinking to do a certain thing. I don't want to get into something that's just not part of God's plan for me. There have been a few things that I've been "measuring" in my mind and considering so I've turned them over to God for timing and specifics. He's determining them for me and I'm allowing Him to plot the course, not only of this New Year, but of my future. He can do all that for me, but if I don't lift up my foot one day at a time and exert some effort to take the "step" nothing will happen. 


I had a sprained ankle last week, and now that I think of it, it may have been a little teaching tool that the Lord allowed. The thought of not being able to walk for a few days had me reeling. The concept of taking a "step" has a little more significance than it did before.


I'd love to hear in the comments if God has spoken a "word" or verse to you for the year. 


Love you all, thanks for listening, and sharing my life. You're a huge blessing to me!


In Jesus,

No Spiritual Bandaids

How many of us want and need a "quick fix"? Problems in our lives that we look at, shoot up a prayer to God, and then try to cover up from everyone else? No time to deal with the issues, just a need to have the matter taken care of? 

 "God, please fix this!!!"

We might be able to get away with this for a while, maybe even a long while, but eventually we will realize the "problem" is still there. Nothing healed, nothing resolved, nothing really fixed. Oh, it may look a little better. But is it a lasting solution, or is your problem just sitting there, or maybe the problem is even "infected"?

When our older daughter was about 13, she and a friend had been riding a motor scooter (which I had forbidden but she did it anyway) out in our rural subdivision. The streets were not "paved" with concrete, but more of an asphalt surface, you know, hardened tar and gravel. Well, the inevitable happened; a spill on the bike and a screaming, crying kid, limping up the driveway with blood covering her bare legs. She was in a lot of pain and no "I told you so's" were needed. Now, what if I had just wiped off the blood and put on a bunch of band aids?

I called the doctor, and this was his advice. Put her in a warm tub with some Epsom salt, and be prepared for some time to work. Having worked in the ER, I am accustomed to a little blood, so I did what could have been done for her there. Tweezers in hand I set about the job of removing debris and gravel. An hour or so later, and after hearing a few, "NO!, NO's" She was cleaned up and slathered with Neosporin and some bandages. The healing began, but not until the junk was out, and the wound cleaned. A quick fix would not have beneficial here. Time, information and some work were critical to see this resolved in a way that would permanently have a good outcome.

Do we have behaviors that God has been trying to speak to us about? Attitudes and ways of thinking that are non-productive? How about relationships that are difficult and a source of constant concern? Just like a physical ailment, injury, or disease, we cannot ignore problems hoping they will go away. A quick fix, usually doesn't last, and can cause more harm in the long run.

Our spiritual lives can be this way. A lot of debris, hurts and pain. Incidents that are major sticking points in our lives. We can't make any progress because we don't allow God to get in there and do the work.

We need to give God permission to teach us and show us what kind of steps we need to take, to see healing and lasting change come to our lives.

Seeing lasting change in our spiritual lives takes a little effort and attention. It takes time in prayer and reading God's Word; Bible study and listening for God's direction in our life. None of these things can be accomplished by snapping our fingers. Our development as Christians takes time. Salvation is immediate, but the renewing of the mind and our conforming to the likeness of Jesus can be a process.

One of the complaints that I had about my early years and into young adult life was that I was out of balance. I had been taught "doctrine" (not always the truth), but didn't have any "practical" information on how to live my life. It was all about what I should "believe", but nothing about "how to live" the Christian life day-to-day.

Then we can go the other direction in that we just want to know what to do, without having a belief system to back it up. We need both; good doctrinal understanding about God, and then practical teaching about our Christian walk. We won't be able to find the steps for our future and a healthy Christian life, attitudes, and relationships if we don't have a good foundation of who God is, and how He feels about us.

It's critical to realize that we need to establish our Christian lives on what we believe, instead of forming beliefs based on how we behave.


This will be the only way to see our identity in Christ really causing us to move forward. We need the proper Identity In Christ, and then the correct doctrine and theology to go with it. Don't skip the doctrine part to get to the "quick fix". Let's let God teach us about Himself, have that firmly planted in our hearts, then allow that knowledge to bring change.

Love,

Debra

 

concepts taken from Chapter 3,

Victory Over the Darkness

Do you have GPS?

If you are a Christian we have one of these nifty little gadgets already installed. You don't have to pay extra, it comes with the package. Yes, we all have a GPS; you know, a "God's Plan System".

"GPS-the Global Positioning System is a U.S. space-based radionavigational, and timing services to civilian users on a continuous worldwide basis -- freely available to all. For anyone with a GPS receiver, the system will provide location and time. GPS provides accurate location and time information for an unlimited number of people in all weather, day and night, anywhere in the world."

Part of learning about God and His Nature is realizing that He cares for us, and that He has a good plan for us. God knows where you are at all times, and has a great plan to get you to your destination. He sees if we are "on course" and knows when we are about to make a wrong turn. He sees what lies ahead and warns, and protects. His timing is perfect and He asks us to stay close. It works all over the world and it's "freely available to all." He will talk us through every step of the way.

I know we've talked about God's plans for us before, but because this aspect of God's nature is so important I want to re-visit these scriptures. They never get old and can always offer us some new insight.

Version: NAS

Romans 8: 28-29
28. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose. 29. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to become] conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren.


I've heard unbelievers say "well, I just believe everything works out for the good." While that is an optimistic attitude it's not particularly "truth" for those who are not in relationship with Jesus Christ. As Christians that trust God and live a life according to what He desires, we can be confident that He will take all things that we learn and experience, and make them ultimately turn into "good".

I had a friend many years ago that had lost a son tragically in a car accident. Two years later when I met her, she was still raw and angry at God. She had received this "word" from God over and over, even by people that did not know her and the loss of her son. When the Lord impressed me with this scripture and was adamant for me to speak it to her, she became infuriated and blew up at me.
"How can you say what happened was good?"
Then I showed her that the verse did not say what happened was good, but that God would take it and ultimately make good come from it. As we submit our life and experiences to God, He will heal us from hurt and harm and will take those burdens from us, then He can work supernatural things in our life. But only if we allow Him to do so.

Romans 12: 2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.


As we allow God to "transform our thinking" we are then able to hear and understand His will. If we are "worldly thinkers" then we will not see God's plan or believe it to be "good".

Ephesians 1:11
NIV In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.
NAS: also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.

Our inheritance as God's children is to be like Jesus. He has a predestined (thought out in advance, determined and planned in advance) plan for us, and asks us to be available to follow that plan.

Ephesians 2: 10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God created good works for us to do here on earth. Each person's works and plans are not the same. God calls each of us to be in His likeness, that way wherever He puts us and whatever He asks us to do, we will be letting Him shine through.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Going back to that GPS, isn't it easier to read if all you have to do is stick on a major Highway? I'm not particularly good at map reading, but when we go to St. Louis to see our kids, we have a straight path, one highway.

Jeremiah 29:11-14
11. 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12. 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13. 'And you will seek Me and find [Me], when you search for Me with all your heart. 14. 'And I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.'

This is one of my favorite scripture passages and I speak this back to God frequently. His plans for us are for good and not calamity. He gives us a future and hope! No matter if we get off course, as these Israelites had done, He promises to bring us back to Him and that He will restore us.

Genesis 50:20
"And as for you, you meant evil against me, [but] God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

As Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brother's lack of love and ruthless jealousy, God had a plan all along. He situated Joseph in the Pharaoh's household and gave him access to the wealth of Egypt. So when famine came God would have a plan to build the nation of Israel.

John 10:10
The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Here Jesus is telling us that He does not kill, steal from you, or plan on destroying you. Please remember this. It is our, enemy, the devil that does these things.

With what is happening in our country today and in our personal lives, stay strong with the power of the Holy Spirit. Remind God of these scriptures, for yourself and family. TRUST Him and ask for His good plan for your life and your loved ones.

He is good and has good plans for us!

love to you all,

Debra

Looking Forward

When we come to the end of December, we inevitably find ourselves in a place of contemplating the past year and considering the new year ahead. Where do we find ourselves? Are we comfortable with our status quo? Are we where we want to be, or do we want "change" in our life? This is a time for "New Years Resolutions". So, let's take inventory.

Version: NAS


Philippians 3:13-14
13. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of [it] yet; but one thing [I do]: forgetting what [lies] behind and reaching forward to what [lies] ahead, 14. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

In Old Testament times, in the Book of Jeremiah, God addresses the people of Israel. They as a nation, had wandered away from their faith. They were far removed from what God had called them to be. I think we can see a parallel with our country today. But as a nation, we are first individuals. If you find yourself wanting a closer relationship with God; if little by little in this last year or years you have lost focus for the future, listen closely as the Lord will show you how to come back.

Jeremiah 7:23-24
23. "But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.' 24. "Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in [their own] counsels [and] in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward.

There have been numerous times in my life that I have found myself far from God. How did I get there? How was it that one day I woke up and looked around and I found myself in a place that wasn't at all where I wanted to be? Each time there was a common denominator in my predicament...I had not been reading my Bible in a consistent way. I had gotten off the path for some reason or another, and ended up somewhere else.

I think the key word here is consistency. Not to let "life" get to be "Number 1". Putting God first, ahead of the cares of the immediate. Taking time to acknowledge Him every morning. Submitting myself to Him. Putting His Word in my heart and mind on a daily basis.

It's really "easy" to get off track. First I worry and fret, (we already talked about that one) then,I think I have an answer, my stubborn "will" takes over. I have forgotten to ask God. I have relied on my own understanding instead of His.

Proverbs 3:1-7
1. My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; 2. For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you. 3. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

We can find ourselves in all kinds of situations in our personal lives. Living in a mess. Or someone else's. Wanting to have it change. Wishing our life was different. Acknowledging God is the first step. Going to Him; "calling on Him". That's the beginning. Seeking Him for the change, and not trying to do it in our own power. That's a key element. Seeing the need for change and then asking God to accomplish it in His way.

Jeremiah 33:3
'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

Lamentations 3: 22-24
22. The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23. [They] are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. 24. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."

Psalm 103:12-13
12. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions (sin) from us. 13. Just as a father has compassion on [his] children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Our Father is infinitely compassionate. He doesn't hold our sin against us and rub our face in it. He doesn't keep reminding us of our failures and shortcomings. He just wants us to return to Him; to be with Him and to hear what He has to say.

I read once, pertaining to us staying "on course" with God, that just a few degrees "off" will cause us to miss our destination. Just like with a plane or ship. Staying on course is critical. If we are off "just a little" every day, over the course of years we will totally miss the plan God had for us.

Jeremiah 12:15
"And it will come about that after I have uprooted them, I will again have compassion on them; and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and each one to his land.

In this scripture we see God talking about bringing us to our inheritance. What exactly does that mean? The dictionary defines it as our "birthright, legal legacy, heritage, endowment."
God has an inheritance for us as His sons and daughters. It's up to us to come to a place of receiving it. (more later on this thought)

Ephesians 3:16-19
16. that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; 17. so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; [and] that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18. may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19. and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.

So let's call out to God, and let Him show us how to move forward in this next year. Even if we are in the place He has called us to be, God is never stagnant. He always wants us to keep moving. I want to move forward, daily knowing that I am on the right path with Him. That I am communicating and listening to Him speak daily.
I'm looking to God and His Word to "define" my future. I want to let Him make the plan for the future. More than just a "resolution", but a God inspired way of life. I want to be a willing participant in my destiny and inheritance, taking responsibility for my attitudes and actions by submitting myself to Him; letting Him lead the way.

May this coming year be a time

to get to know God in a more intimate way.

Love and blessings for the New Year,

Debra

An Extravagant Sacrifice

When you look upon the tree at Christmas what do you see? Do you "oohhhh" and "aaaahhh" at the lights and ornaments? Adore the sheer beauty of it, in all it's splendor? There are presents all adorned and piled under it for our loved ones. But do you think on the symbolism of it?

Version: NAS

Luke 2:8-12

8. And in the same region there were [some] shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11. for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12. "And this [will be] a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger."

The angel proclaimed a message to the Shepherds. It is also for us. A baby is born, but not just any baby. He is the Messiah. He is the Savior of the World. He is God's perfect gift and sacrifice for us, His children. Born in humility, Jesus left Heaven and was born, just like us.

Version: NAS

John 12:1-11

1. Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining [at the] [table] with Him. 3. Mary therefore took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4. But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 5. "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to poor [people]?" 6. Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. 7. Jesus therefore said, "Let her alone, in order that she may keep it for the day of My burial. 8. "For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me." 9. The great multitude therefore of the Jews learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. 10. But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus to death also; 11. because on account of him many of the Jews were going away, and were believing in Jesus. 
 
I have thought for many years about this interchange between Mary and Jesus. Mary was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She had seen only shortly before, Jesus raise her brother from the dead. Little did they know that they would be experiencing the arrest, and crucifixion of Jesus in just a few days. They were celebrating Passover's approach: the three siblings who were friends of Jesus, and His twelve disciples. Mary was a young woman who had seen a miracle; her brother brought back to life and she was grateful, so very grateful to Jesus.

There are two accounts of someone anointing Jesus with oil, the other is thought to be Mary Magdalene, but this was Mary, the sister of Lazarus. The fact that this particular gesture happened twice is curious to me. After much prayer for understanding concerning these two separate incidents I believe we have to understand that this was a custom of showing humility on a woman's part.

It was customary to wash the feet of guests upon their arrival, in those days of dusty roads and streets and the wearing of sandals. This was usually done by a servant. But a woman doing the "washing" showed respect and humility. When Mary chose to step out and do this customary "act", it became more than just a courtesy, but an act of worship.

She chose, instead of water, a container of "nard". Nard is and was a valuable oil, containing sweet smelling spices. It is said that it was worth a years wages. Hard to imagine a pint of oil being worth a "years wages".
It was a "perfume" of sorts, but was also used in burial preparations to retard the smell of decay. Very powerful and expensive. Mary's gesture was more than just an act of worship, it was a "costly" one as well.

How does all this play in with Christmas you might be wondering. Let's say that Jesus is more than just the sweet Baby in the manger. He is our Lord and Saviour. He is Messiah, the Christ. Born as a baby into this world, but also as our Redeemer. He was born and prepared as the ultimate act of worship. From the moment He was conceived in Mary's womb He began a journey of sacrifice. It was God's redemptive plan for us. He laid down His life for us, for our sins, so that we can have fellowship with our Heavenly Father.

So let us remember that when we look upon the tree this Christmas morning, all shining and bright, that we see Jesus there. It is not only a "Christmas tree", it should be a remembrance and a symbol of His great and costly sacrifice for us on the cross. To celebrate the true meaning of Christmas we must remember that it is about the Birth of Jesus, but at the same time we also need to acknowledge the purpose for that birth.

I want to be more like Mary, thanking Jesus for all that He has done for me. Let's become extravagant in our worship, counting not the cost, but lavishing it upon Him.  

A blessed little baby has become

the Redeemer of the World.

May we all be blessed and
touched by God's Hand
this Christmas!
Debra

Warning! It may not always be easy...

Remember the song, "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden"?  Ouch 1973.

As I have studied and prayed over this passage in Luke 1 concerning the angel's announcement to Mary of her favor with God, and then the plan that is put before her, I get the feeling poor little Mary must have been one frightened little gal. The angel made a point to say "Fear not" to her. If I was met with a large spiritual being while I was making my bed, or doing the dishes, I would have to say that I definitely would be a little surprised and a lot nervous. But more than just for the momentary excitement, I think the angel needed to let Mary know that what he was about to say to her, could cause her fear.

God had a plan. This was His Big Plan, and He needed someone that trusted Him, loved Him, and revered Him. God needed someone who was willing to lay down their own plan, and pick up the plan that God was laying before them. Mary was just a young teenager, 13 or 14, I have heard. She had met and was engaged to a young man named Joseph. They had a plan. They were going to get married and live happily ever after.

Most young women have a plan similar to that. I know I did. Whether it's a career, or a marriage, or travel (or all of it) we all have dreams and aspirations, that's just part of our human nature...and it's good that we have that. Plans and dreams motivate us. Our plans and dreams may have slight variations, but most include a love story, a family, and a white picket fence. Youth sees things through those rose colored glasses that maturity often requires us to remove.

Version: NAS

Luke 1:30-34

30. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32. "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33. and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." 34. And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"


Version: NAS
Luke 1:37-38


37. "For nothing will be impossible with God." 38. And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Now, back to The Plan. When we become a Christian, we not only ask Jesus into our hearts, spiritually, but in turn we should be willing to hand over our hearts to Jesus. I have said before that when I became a Christian I made Jesus my "Lord and Savior", but it took a long time for me to allow Him to become "Lord of my Life".
Read it again please, not just Saviour but The One Who is in Charge.
 
So here is Mary with her own plan, and now she has to be willing to say "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
 
My life didn't change a lot until I finally got to the place where I said, "Lord, I am willing to put aside what I think and want, and let You show me what You want." That was not an easy time for me. It was a process of letting go of some things. It wasn't a rose garden, but if we do use the analogy, then there were some mighty big thorns and a lot of manure that I had to be forced to deal with.


Mary "signed on" as I said before. She agreed with God for His plan. Now, I'm not spouting doom and gloom here. God has good plans for us.

Version: NAS
Jeremiah 29:11-14


11. 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12. 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13. 'And you will seek Me and find [Me], when you search for Me with all your heart. 14. 'And I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.'
 
He has good plans, they may just not always be easy. Remember when James and John's mother came to Jesus. She asked what she thought would be a good question. She asked Jesus if her two son's could sit with Jesus in Heaven. She really didn't know what she was asking.

Version: NAS
Matthew 20:20-28


20. Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down, and making a request of Him. 21. And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left." 22. But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to Him, "We are able." 23. He said to them, "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on [My] left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." 24. And hearing [this], the ten became indignant with the two brothers. 25. But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and [their] great men exercise authority over them. 26. "It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27. and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28. just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Mary signed on to become a "servant", a bondslave of the Lord, she was "indebted" to Him.


So, even though we may have to lay down our own plan for our life, wouldn't you rather be doing what God has planned for you? I know I would. I'm shortsighted and don't know what's best. I've gotten my own self in lots of ditches over the years. I have found that God has good plans.
They may not  always be easy, but they are best, and His best for me.

Version: NAS
Romans 12:1-2


1. I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service of worship. 2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.


I would love to hear from you all. What has God asked you to lay down for His plan for your life? How has He taken "your plan" and given it an "overhaul"? I know you all are out there, I'm asking you just to leave a short (or long) comment on these posts, if you feel God nudging you. Let's hear what each other has to share. :)


Healing Scripture #2

Exodus 23:25-26
25. "But you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst. 26. "There shall be no one miscarrying or barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

Be Blessed, Everyone.

love, Debra