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He is our Everything

Isaiah 9: 6 (AMP) For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I want to encourage you to you are and not try to be someone’s everything. First, I want to show you who Jesus is.

Wonderful Counselor: A king’s wisdom often came from the counselors they surrounded themselves with. A wise ruler knows they can’t possibly know everything, so they rely on trusted advisors for guidance. But Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor—His wisdom is perfect. He never made a mistake, never had to guess the right path. His way is always flawless.

Mighty God: He had the ability to carry out the perfect plan. Christ’s authority is everlasting, and He reigns as Lord over all creation.

John 1:1-4 (AMP) In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.

Yet, He became a man, just as human as you and I.

Everlasting Father: This isn’t about the first person of the Trinity. Jesus is like a perfect father to His people, bringing us into His family and holding us forever. “Everlasting” doesn’t just mean eternal—it speaks to the never-ending care He has for us. There will never be a moment or a single day when the Lord of creation doesn’t love you. He is, in every way, a perfect father.

Prince of Peace: Sin ruined so much for us, but Jesus was the only one who could end the separation between us and God. He bridged the gap, taking our place for the sins we committed. He loved us enough to willingly make that sacrifice, despite our flaws. True peace and prosperity don’t come from personal achievements or setting goals to become a better person next year—they come from fully embracing Christ.

Without Jesus, having everything still means we have nothing.

John 15:5 (AMP) I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

I have been meditating on Jesus being our everything. Then this revelation came to me: I am somebody. He is our Everything. When the somebody tries to take the role of our Everything we are out of order and chaos enters our lives. This is when we open the door for offense, resentment and strife. It is when I am content with being a somebody that I am full of joy and then I can offer others grace, mercy, forgiveness and even peace.

I am meant to be a branch, not someone else’s’ root. He is our Everything. When we stop trying to be everything then our Prince of Peace can take his rightful place in our hearts. Strongholds can be broken. I do not have to go through the cycles of happy, disappointment, depression and resentment. My joy is found in the Lord. Insecurities flee and I am content in being a someone not their everything.

This Christmas remember He is our Savior and you are not. Us being a someone should point others to the One who was, is and always will be our Everything. Take a step back and reflect on the why you are doing something. Who are we reflecting? Will this glorify God? I am praying for you.

God, our Creator, You are wonderful and holy, worthy of eternal glory and honor. Thank You for sending Your Son, our Marvelous Counselor, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Comforter, and for Your Word that helps us know You more. We repent for trying to take the place of savior in others’ lives and making everything revolve around our own happiness. You are our Everything. Shape our hearts to align with Your vision and plan and help us surrender to the roles You’ve truly called us to, as ministers of reconciliation. You alone deserve all glory and honor, and You are enthroned as the most important in our lives. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Preparation

Ephesians 6:15 (AMP) and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 

Preparation is something that we take for granted these days, especially in world where we do not like to wait. How about a world where everything revolves around self? I am a woman that likes to be prepared. Do you know when I prepare for birthdays and Christmas? Right after the last one ends. I know they will be coming around the same time every year. I am not in the stores right now looking for wrapping paper. I bought enough for my family and probably yours when it all went on sale right after Christmas.

Today I had a sweet mom and her two kids over to bake and decorate Christmas cookies. I have learned that I need to prepare when have littles over my house now. My boys are eighteen and twenty-one, so my home is no longer set up for babies and toddlers. One of the things I did, other than put items away, was I baked ahead of time half of the cookies we were going to decorate. The waiting is the hardest part when they are that young. I spent my morning preparing for them. I had them in mind when I set up my living room.

The preparation of the cookies was not just for my gifts to others; it was also a way for them to gift people as well. We made enough to share. That took preparation. I planned on them having all they needed. I planned on them having more than enough. Why? Is that not how our Father in Heaven is (Matthew 7:11)?

This time of year, is my favorite. I get to give in ways that are special to me. I search out opportunities for our church to bless others in our community. I love to bake, so there are lots of people that are going to get treats from me. I love to find treasures for others and let them know that I am thinking about them and listen to them.

Above all, I get to help prepare the special Christmas message for church. I have been meditating over it for weeks and have been talking to my husband about what the Bible reveals about Christ’s birth. What special piece does God want us to pay attention to this year? Last year we shared about it not just being a story. Christ’s birth is recorded in history. Everything that happened is not just a story, it really happened. The story of Christ’s birth is not a myth. This year, are we going to have ears to hear? There is a parable about preparation. I will end this blog with the parable. I hope you take a look and know that you are loved and that I want the best for you. The best was given on Christmas Day!

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible]. For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them]. But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’ But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’ But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’ Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come]. – Matthew 25:1-13 AMP

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Believe

Luke 4:21 (AMP) He began speaking to them: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.”

We are in the Christmas season. I did not teach my children about Santa. I focused on the story of Christmas as centered on Christ. My oldest son has a vivid imagination. We had a guest speaker come into the church, when Ari (our son) was about seven, and that guest speaker got a new name. The speaker had black hair, a mustache and wore fitted suits. My son was convinced that man was Tony Stark, the Iron Man. We have referred to him as Tony Stark since then. I did not want my kids to question God being real to them, although God chooses to make Himself real to all of us. I never wanted to be that stumbling block.

As I was reading Luke 4 this morning I had a thought about belief. Jesus went to His hometown and read from the scroll of Isaiah.

Isaiah 61:1,2 (AMP) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me to bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, to proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives and freedom to prisoners, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord

He stopped in the middle of the second verse, rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and proclaimed, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.” First let’s dig into what the favorable year of the Lord is and back track the rest of the scripture from there. The favorable year of the Lord is also known the year of the redeemed, or if you like to be traditional, The Year of Jubilee.

Described in the book of Leviticus. A “Year of Jubilee” is a special year occurring every 50 years in the Jewish tradition, as described in the Bible, where slaves are freed, debts are forgiven, and land is returned to its original owners, signifying a time of liberation and renewal; it is considered a time of sacred rest and a reminder of God’s mercy and providence (source Google AI). Jesus said He fulfilled it. Did they believe Him? Absolutely not. It actually made them upset to hear this proclamation. Their intent was to throw Him off of a cliff because of those words. We know that did not happen.

My question is, what do you believe? Jesus said that He was sent to bind up our wounds, to proclaim release from captivity, to set the captives free, and that it is the year of the redeemed. When is it? Now! Are we living that way? Or have we taken the bait of unbelief and are awaiting for something else, still looking forward to the Year of Jubilee. Are we still looking for the new year for something to change in our lives. Is 2025 going to be my year? It is already my year. It is already the year of the redeemed. If you are made new in Christ, everything that Jesus accomplished through His life, death and resurrection is available to you right now. Jesus even gifted us with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Joyce Meyer wrote “God anointed Jesus to bring the good news and to set the captives free, and it’s important to receive the freedom He has provided for us. A battle takes place in our mind when we choose freedom instead of remaining in bondage. The devil puts thoughts in our mind, thoughts that disagree with God’s promise of healing, but we can choose to cast down those thoughts and imaginations and believe God’s Word. We will choose to listen to one voice or another, and our deliverance depends on that choice. If we listen to Jesus and believe Him, deliverance is not only possible, but it will become a reality in our life. Jesus came to open prison doors and set the captives free. You and I can be set completely free as we choose to trust God and obey Him.” (from an excerpt of The Battlefield of the Mind Bible)

Lord, Abba Father, El Shaddai, You are so Wonderful. Thank You for sending Your Son to be the anointed One. Through that anointing we have been set free. Forgive us for our unbelief and for not allowing the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to bring us to the fullness that You desire. We repent for listening to any voice that makes us feel shame. You have set us free from the power of shame and feeling inferior through Your Son. We desire to walk in the fullness of everything Christ restored to us. Now is the favorable year of the Lord. We are the redeemed. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose love today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Is it ever the wrong time?

Matthew 1:23 (AMP) “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”—which, when translated, means, “God with us.”

Is it ever the wrong time to watch a Christmas movie? Since 2020 I have started changing my home over to celebrate Christmas on November 1st. Why? The four weeks between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day are just not time for me to enjoy all of it. Starting earlier, I do not have to do it all in one weekend. I get to take my time and enjoy every moment. There will be days in December that I get to enjoy baking Christmas cookies for my neighbors. Immanuel-God with us should be more than just four weeks. It should be every day, all year long.

Last night, I joined a friend and we watched The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I like a nostalgic Christmas for my home and this brought back all the feels of my childhood at Wesley Heights Elementary. My favorite teacher was my first grade teacher, Mrs. Richardson. I even looked her up and invited her to my wedding day, and she attended. She was the teacher that introduced me to the love for books. I would finish my school work early and get to go back and sit in the reading area. Of course I got to put the books away in my own special way, because the other kids just threw them on the shelves. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was one of her favorites to read to us.

It is about a small church in a small town putting on their annual Christmas play. All the children in the church participate in the story of Jesus in a manger. They even have the angel (only speaking part) telling the shepherds in the field that the Savior of the world has been born. There is this one special catch this year. To take a quote from Amazon.com: The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, swear, and smoke cigars. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

The Herdmans are led by the oldest sister, Imogene. She is the oldest of six with four brothers, Leroy, Ralph, Ollie and Claude. The youngest, Gladys, a girl, is the scariest of them all because she hits…hard. The Herdmans want to be in the play and they want the best parts. Why did they show up in the first place, because they heard there would be desserts, the best desserts. The narrator (a classmate of the Herdmans) her mother is directing the play, a sweet woman name Grace. Grace feels she does not quite measure up to the other church women. She volunteers to show them she can do more than buy store bought cookies. I feel so much like Grace sometimes. I do not like drawing attention to myself and would rather just stay in the background and help make others shine. However, when put to the task, I will give it my all.

The Herdmans are tough because that is all they know. We never know where their parents are. Imogene is the mother figure to the kids and she is just a kid herself. She takes because that is all she knows how to get things. They love the movies and the great adventures, this is their chance to be somebody else. Imogene takes her role seriously and has the rest of the Herdmans do research and learn as much as they can about their parts. They even get library cards. This is a group that have never heard the Christmas story before. Imagine hearing it for the first time and all of the questions that a child could think up. Imogene is playing Mary, Ralph is Joseph, Claude, Ollie and Leroy are the three wise men and Gladys is the angel of the Lord.

Every year the church does a food drive and delivers Christmas hams to families in need. Do you know what family is on that list every year? The Herdmans. Bob, the narrators father, takes his family with him to deliver the hams this year. Their first stop, the Herdmans. Imogene has to hold the ham up high to keep it from her feral siblings, exclaiming that they cannot have any until Christmas Day. A little glimpse into the real struggles these kids have.

The day for the play is approaching and the whole church is outraged that Grace has allowed the Herdmans to be in it, not only that, they have practically taken over the play. The church is watching Grace very closely on how she navigates these kids. Do you know what she does, she does not scold them, she shows them kindness and patience. Something these kids have never received before. She does not ignore them, she is attentive to every question they have.

The big day arrives and the Herdmans are going to back out. The town does not want them in their big Christmas Pageant anyways, they just get blamed for anything that goes wrong. So who shows up at their door on Christmas morning? Our narrator, Beth. She begs them to come so that her mom will not be put to shame for allowing the Herdmans to be in it in the first place. Her mom worked so hard to keep them in it. At the last minute they show and the event starts.

Imogene and Ralph walk out and they are not using the regular costumes the church provides, they made their own, because that is what Mary and Joseph would have really worn. They would not have looked perfect, they had been traveling a long way. Imogene, holding the doll Jesus, because there was not a family that would allow a Herdman to hold their actual baby for this pageant. Imogene pats the baby on the back, burping him. It takes a moment but the church in their stoicism are enjoying the baby doll being burped. Do you not think that Mary had to burp Jesus? Our angel appears and exclaims: “Hey! Unto you a child is born!” Gladys, who likens the angel to a super hero in her comics, waving her arms with such big gestures. Then come our wise men, carrying their Christmas ham. A gift so special that they wanted Jesus to have it.

2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV) You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

These kids that had never heard the Christmas story before, yet realized just how special Jesus is. As Imogene sits there looking tenderly at the Jesus doll, a tear rolls down her cheek. The church is in awe and sings Silent Night together. The true meaning of everything right there in that small town, in that small church. Jesus, the Light of the World, God with us, brought us into a His family. It was the Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The Herdmans were a needed part of their community.

We should never look at the Christmas story as common. Every December 1st I choose to start reading a chapter a day in Luke. I will even find passages in the Old Testament that prophecy about Jesus, there are over 300 of them. I encourage my church to look for opportunities to bless people they will never meet. We have “You Were Seen” cards that we hand out with a little gift to strangers. On the card is a QR code that takes them to a website to tell them how special they are in Christ. We even set up a Christmas tree with opportunities to bless people in our community. Look past the story and get the meaning of Immanuel, God with us. It is never the wrong time.

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What are we proclaiming?

Isaiah 52:7 (MEV) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings good news of happiness, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

What is it that we are proclaiming in our lives? What are we proclaiming to others? That is what was on my thoughts yesterday. To proclaim means to declare something that one considers important. What is important?

In the month of December I choose to read a chapter of Luke a day to focus on the life of Jesus. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season. I can get all caught up in buying the perfect Christmas gift, baking the perfect Christmas cookies and planning the perfect Christmas dinner, yet not take the time to focus on the real meaning of this time. It is not just about any baby being born. The Savior of the world came down to earth to live among us.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (MSG) For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He’ll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going with fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.

Luke 4:17-21 (MEV) The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. When He had unrolled the scroll, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then He rolled up the scroll, and He gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all those who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Isaiah 61:1-3 (AMP) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me to bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, to proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives and freedom to prisoners, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance and retribution of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to grant to those who mourn in Zion the following: to give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning], the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. so they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

The Scriptures have been fulfilled! O, that you would know how fulfilling this is. The Message translation calls Him the Prince of Wholeness. He came to make physical and spiritual captives free. What are you proclaiming? I want you to know this Jesus. Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for Him at the inn. Look at that statement again…’there was no room for Him.’ Do not keep Jesus on the outside of your life and only invite Him in when you find the room. He came to heal you up from the inside out. He came to make you whole. He came for the whole world.

One of my favorite parts of Luke is chapter 5. In it we see that Jesus met Simon (Peter) and called him to be a fisher of men. We read about the paralytic man that they lowered through the roof to get to Jesus. The calling of Matthew as he is collecting taxes. He called him out of the booth he was collecting taxes in. My favorite though is the healing of the leper.

Luke 5:12-13 (AMP) While Jesus was in one of the cities, there came a man covered with [an advanced case of] leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean and well.” And Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him. 

Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. According to the law, lepers had to be at least eight feet away from people. Yet, Jesus reached out and touched him. The second astonishing thing: “I am willing” statement. A lot of times we prayer, “if it be Your will.” Remember in Isaiah He is called the Prince of Wholeness. It is His will. This is the favorable year of the Lord. The Scriptures have been fulfilled!

I understand if this has not been your reality yet. I want it to be. That is why I am proclaiming such. Jesus came to do so much more than to save us from hell. I may be pressed down at times, but I am not out. I may have times of concern, but I know who my source is. This is why I choose to honor God in everything that comes through my hands. This is why I do not count people out of my life. We may be separated for a while, but if we allow the Holy Spirit to do the work in our hearts, He will bring us back together. Love always hopes. So I pose this question again, “What are you proclaiming (declaring as important)?”

Elohim, Master, Creator, we are in awe of You. You are Marvelous and Mighty. Thank You for sending Your Son to be the Prince of Wholesness. There may not have been a place for Him at the inn, but we have made a place for Him in all that we are. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit to be the Amazing Counselor. He is a part of the Trinity that now dwells here on earth and within us. We do not take that for granted. Let the Holy Spirit have free reign of our hearts, minds and tongues. We repent for making this season all about us and what we want. We sometimes but the thought of pleasing others before pleasing You, especially when it comes to family. You gave us our families, but we are not to make them lord and seeking completeness from them. You are Lord. Let us proclaim You are Lord. Let us proclaim that this is Your day, this is Your season, this is Your year. Let us walk in Peace in knowing that it is Your will for us to be made whole. Let us proclaim Your salvation grace to the world. Let us proclaim of Your goodness. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose forgiveness today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Celebrate Christmas Year Round

2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP) Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].

I pray you had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with your families. My family and I are away from home, enjoying each other, in the mountains of Tennessee. We take this time to just be us. We go on adventures, eat out at new places and spend time in a new environment to check on our growth status as a family.

I think we should do that regularly as believers as well. We get so comfortable in our routines. I use to read the above scripture and think that it only applied to the moment I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. That is just part of it. Freedom comes when you realize that spiritual awakening brings new life. My spirit man became alive, yes, however I did not know it’s fullness until I started applying the next verse.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (AMP) But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God]. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. 

I am a minister of reconciliation, and if you are in Christ, so are you. As I surrender and pursue after a relationship with the Father, His spirit will begin to speak to my spirit and reveal things in His Word that will cause me to grow and get stronger spiritually. There is no magic formula. I cannot wait to feel it in my emotions. This is a decision I have to make. I have to determine to want the new.

Read your Word not to get your streaks, and not to get your goal to read in a certain amount of time. Read your Word with a surrendered heart. “God what are you saying to me today?” I cannot allow my emotions to lead my life or run my life. It is not about the feeling, it about the character and nature as revealed through His Word.

How can we celebrate Christmas year round? How do I determine if this new life is a part of me continually? Be determined each day to grow in God. How? 1) Through relational development. I must be committed to spending time with God. 2) Through personal surrender. I must be willing to say no to things in my life that pulls me away from the development and relationship with Him. 3) Make myself available to serve. If you have number one and number two and you do not have an outlet in the kingdom, then you really are not growing in anything. If you have number three with out numbers one and two, you are doing it for self promotion and not kingdom building. It is in the moments that you serve that the things that you have learned will be tested and proven. Being available to serve is proving ground in what you said you learned. I would also like to suggest that being available to serve will reveal your calling…the calling to the ministry of reconciliation.

Father, I thank you for the gift of love that you show and give. Let me be an example of that love by answering the call into the ministry of reconciliation. Through your Son I have been made a new creation. The person I was yesterday, is different from who I am today. I choose to grow in your Word and in your ways by developing a closer relationship with you. I choose to serve as I grow. I choose to surrender as I grow. Your life is better than my old life. You are where I find my fullness. Let me be an example of that to others. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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So Loved

John 3:16-18 (MSG) This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

The most quoted verse, John 3:16. We see people holding poster boards with “John 3:16” written at different events. Our athletes have it written on their face or on their clothing somewhere when they go into a game. It is the most well known of all the verse, other than the shortest verse…Jesus wept.

Have you heard something so many times and the meaning of it gets watered down? I think that is how we get about the “So Loved” part of this scripture. The KJV says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I was thinking on this verse on how Jesus told us to love. Can we love as big as He did? We often look at the word “so” and say His love is so great, that He gave. What if we see the word “so” as how He loves, not why He loves? Does God really need a why? Love is in His DNA, it is His character and nature. He did not need a reason, so why should we?

This time of year can be really difficult for some people. Think of the mother and father that no longer have the structured family they had in previous years. My thoughts are with an individual who will be spending their first Christmas without their children waking up in their home, because of divorce. Those parents who are empty-nesters for the first time and not all the kids could come home or Christmas. Those that have been home bound since COVID and never got back out to doing life like it was before.

Ephesians 3:16-19 (AMP) May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

“Having been deeply rooted and securely grounded in love,” that is what we must hold onto when those around us do not make us feel loved. I have been deeply rooted and securely grounded in love. Past tense, it has already been done, I do not have to wait for it to be done.

1 John 4:10-11 (AMP)  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath]. Beloved, if God so loved us [in this incredible way], we also ought to love one another.

Beloved, give love regardless of what others have done. God so loved, that He gave first. Be known for your love (unselfishly seeking the best for others). That is what the joy of this season is all about. Remembering that He SO LOVED! God is a giver and so should we be too. Why? Because we have been deeply rooted and securely grounded in love. We have everything we will ever need when Jesus came. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior our DNA was changed to love. Show your SO LOVED today!

Father, thank you for sending your Son and planting the seed of SO LOVED. You are so wonderful. You are so glorious. You are worthy of our honor and praise. Thank you for deeply rooting me and securely grounding me in your love. I desire to be a giver and thank you that you have given me the tools in your love to give. I will never be alone because of your love. May I be an encouragement to others that do not feel loved during this season. Let me see them. Anoint my tongue and my hands, lead me to minister reconciliation to them, as we are all called to do. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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The secret to abundant living

Psalms 100:1-5 (AMP) Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness and delight; Come before His presence with joyful singing. Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving
And His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name. For the Lord is good;
His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting, His faithfulness [endures] to all generations.

We are four weeks away from Christmas. This year my church has picked a family from the local domestic violence intervention center to shop for Christmas. We were given a list of items they would like and have created ornaments for people to get so they know what to shop for. Some items are candles from a well know chain, jewelry, clothing, gas cards (for the mom), and then there are the big items like an ipad and a Canon G7X. Wow! You may be saying that is too big of an ask. Some even judge and say how dare they ask for something that big. They were asked though. Many of their friends have them, why should they not dream of having one themselves.

I was raised by a single mother with three small children. My sisters were three and I was five when my mother got out of an abusive marriage. We lived in some cramped spaces and spent evenings on the stairwell of the night school. That did not keep her from enrolling us in things like dance classes and softball. We were close to family and they would step in and help at times. We never felt neglected.

Not everyone will have that support system. That is why it is important to seek out others. It is not just a one way seeking. I was reading an article about why it was believed that Christians are not giving their best at this time of year. It is because we look at obvious opportunities to give and do not like to be stretched to give. We need to seek out extravagant giving opportunities.

What does that have to do with the above verse? I believe the level of your thanksgiving and gratitude is gauged by the words that come out of your mouth. My husband and I started our marriage out with a two income family. Within a few months I started back to college full time and he stared full time ministry (making not even a third of what he was before). That year we bought our first house, we signed the papers with his college degree being his work history and he was still in the other job. Our first Christmas in that new house was not what you see now. We had a tree, but that was it. We made sure to get for others, but when it came to each other, we just did not have it. We are tithers. We would rather do without, and have, than not honor God with the tithe. Then there was a knock on the door by our realtor. Since we had recommended her to so many people, and they bought houses from her that year, she wanted to gift us. She blessed us with three hundred dollars.

Do you want to know my secret for attracting things like that? We never complained about what we did not have. We praised God where we were. Thanksgiving was always what we showed. Nobody knew how much we were struggling, not even my family. We did not try to credit card our way to looking better (even though I had to put bills or groceries on them sometimes). We did have to borrow money from family once, and paid it back. Never did we give up on God and putting Him first. We did not throw in the towel and say, “this putting God first thing does not work.” Who am I to limit God on how He sustains us? We are to look at His face and not His hands.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Let us remember to put Him first in our lives. Where your heart dwells that is where your treasure is. My circumstances are never going to be better than my praise. My life is not perfect, but that does not mean His goodness is not always on my lips. Give Him your praise and thanksgiving! This is the secret to living the abundant life.

Will those kids get everything on that list? Yes!

Father, I praise you for who you are. You are a good, good father. You know every detail of our lives and desire to shower us with your love. When you sent your Son you gave the ultimate gift. Thank you for the reminder today to be thankful and to look for opportunities to bless others. Whatever I have is yours. Let us see each other the way you desire us to. We are not against each other nor competing, but encouraging each other to grow deeper in our relationships with you. Thank you for your Word, that it is life giving. Let it change me and mold me. Let it reveal your character so that when other options come my way I will know which voice to listen to. Thank you for the people you have placed in my life. Thank you that everything you placed in my hands I will choose to glorify you with. Let your light burn brighter through me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Something to Ponder

Luke 2:19 (AMP) But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart.

Have you ever just sat down and thought about how far you have come? My husband and I like to do this together sometimes. We will sit down and talk about all the people we have met, the things we have done with our family, and the home we have made. We will talk about the moment we met and if we could have ever imagined sitting there together twenty seven years later. We will talk about our church and the changes that have happened. We will encourage each other, because there are times when we think they are set backs, but there are exactly where God want us to be. We talk about our growing moments.

I have started doing this with our sons. I will tell them a story about how far we have come. We have raised them to not have to struggle. That has been a blessing, but it also is not completely beneficial. They will be out on their own soon and they need to grow on their own. Mom and dad want to protect them, but we need to point them in the direction of who their true source really is. So I tell them about us trusting God and that we are where we are because of our faith in His promises. It is not magic, it is principles of the Kingdom at work. At the beginning of our marriage, my husband and I chose to put God first in all things. There is only one Savior and His Name is Jesus.

Our Christmas tree is already up. It may be early to some. We did have the tradition of putting up the tree the day after Thanksgiving, but as the kids are now teenage boys, they are off doing other activities. My husband has been at me to buy a new tree for a few years now. Why? Because of the shedding issue. Piles and piles of needles shed off every year. Finally, this year, it had to be done. The branches were broken, snapped while put in storage last year. On our way to pick out a new tree, I was telling my youngest about when we bought the old one. It was the year 2003 and I was expecting his older brother in just two more months. We had put a tree on lay away to use for his first Christmas. It was pre-lit with white lights. We had bought real trees before then, but our cats would drink the water and they would dry out (which is dangerous). My oldest will be turning 19 in a few months, so it did not quite make it twenty years. That is a long time to hold onto something.

The best part is holding onto the memories we made, and will continue to make. It was a great time to share about priorities and how far God has brought us. We talked about sacrifice on our way to pick up the new tree and what it means to be a good steward. We looked for opportunities to be a blessing to someone. We did not rush in and get the one item and then rush home. We watched out for others and allowed them to go first. I pray these moments we spend with them will be pondered later on. I treasure them and hope they do too.

Can you see how far you have come in your walk with the Lord? Can you look back and see all of the many ways that He has blessed your life? Can you look back and think of the majesty of it all? I sure can.

Father, I thank you for the person reading this right now. Let them know that they are loved and seen by you. We stand in awe of you. Your majesty is to be treasured. We are thankful for the life that you have laid out before us. May we take advantage of the moments to share your glory. We ask you to heal any broken area in our lives. We give it freely back to you. We have tried to fix things on our own or hold onto things too long, and it is time to let it go. Thank you for the growing moments. We thank you for putting people in our lives to grow us and for us to help grow. We are not called to do this alone. We thank you for placing us in the ministry of reconciliation. Help us see the way that you see. Help us love the way you love. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Treasured Moments

My oldest, Ari

Luke 2:19 (AMP) But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart.

According to my countdown to Christmas ornament, there are 4 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes and 20 seconds until Christmas at the moment I started writing today. As I was reading Luke, on day two I was drawn to these scriptures about Mary.

Luke 2:34-35 (AMP)  Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is to be opposed—  and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Luke 2:51 (AMP) He went down to Nazareth with them, and was continually submissive and obedient to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Christmas can be a time of a roller coaster of emotions. We often put so much pressure on ourselves to make sure everything is perfect (myself included). I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the moments. Stop busying myself with the tasks and enjoy the moment. I believe Mary was a hands on mother. She took the time to nurture and teach Jesus, even though He was destined for something she had never experienced before.

What if we did just that this Christmas? Experience something new, something different. What if we did not plan things so much (talking about myself) and treasured where we were in the moment. You might say, “If I do not plan anything, than nothing will get done!” I am the same way. What I am saying is that when the shoulders start to tighten, the back starts to ache and all those other physical signs of anxiety starts to happen and your brain looses the ability to form the right words, take a breath and let it go. Remember to treasure the moments.

My oldest is a senior this year. He was nearly a year old, ten months old exactly, when we celebrated his first Christmas. He was the first grand baby on my side of the family. Every one was over to see this little boy enjoy Christmas. He was not old enough to open the gits, but just old enough to be a ball full of energy and participate in the day. He had (an still does) have this goofy sense of humor. The go to gifts were toys he could sit on and play. The best part about it was his smile. He has a beautiful smile. His laughter is unique. I have no idea what he future holds for him.

We are treasuring every moment with our boys. Our boys serve where ever we serve. They long to give and it brings joy to them. Wherever you are I pray that there are treasured moments that you can share with someone this Christmas. No one is meant to be alone and if you are alone, it may take a step of faith for you to walk into the doors of a church this Christmas Eve and feel welcomed. This is not the time to build walls of isolation. He is our shield and fortress. Praying for you this Christmas.

Praying you all have a Merry Christmas!