This crazy overdone yard of inflatables inspired me to see how we really had craziness in the year and also to see it in me. Think of the sad scenes but also our excessive blessings – how crazy the haves and have nots – and those who lost it all in war and more… It was like I was feeling JOY of blessings – driving thru beautiful countryside – and yet then realizing that I was forgetting that so many suffer day to day. May I always, Lord, be more thankful to You – to remember to count my blessings and yet suffer your suffering of sorrow as motivation. Ride in Joy but suffer in sight. Pray to You Lord, to make all things right.
Here is an ode to an Old Year goodbye, where we failed to see excesses and failed to be humble. Lord, help me, help us next year to be better than we were in 2023.
Suffering to SEE, what was 2023
Sometimes we are suffering to see, others who pull in excesses but want more and still say “what about me?”.
Many suffer, us too, we see, From a worldly view where we can’t break free.
Stuck in a sin of self-inability, We frustratingly think others should do more, but then they also say “who? me?”.
Some buy into the fable, that they are born unable. But God says you are special capable. I know, I made you from before your cradle.
And whom are we to judge those missing our mark, whom we see, But yet we do see it, oh ache and suffer to see human shortcomings. That feels truly like such suffering Jesus crying through me.
I get it, Jesus, and You died for them, and also for me. We ALL are as human as human can be.
Jesus suffered then, indeed, seeing others who didn’t know Him as Holy THEE. And He suffers now from these (us too) who fail to get past the “whoa is me”.
We don’t stay humble well or remember it’s not “all about me”. So Lord, when I hoard, Or when I seem bored, Or lie myself, when I don’t appear above board, Please find me the correcting convictions that give me vision of You, seeing YOU more clearly is a suffer-based reward.
Excesses, digresses, regrettedness-es.
We are the forest of every broken tree.
Let us leave 2023 now and grow out of it, FLEE.
Let us put aside grumpy grudges and every non-culpability plea.
I explore MORE, for 2024,
To see You Lord, MORE.
As You stand at MY door, help me walk with You MORE.
Let us get into 2024.
Amen
Jesus said: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:1-4
“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus in John 16:33
What part of our Christmas experience does not expire, or go half off instantly when the stores reopen on the day after Christmas? It’s not the candy or ribbon or even cards, those are half off and moved out of the store. Why is it something so precious, timely and expensive is offloaded quickly, cheaply in the time less than it takes to wrap and give them as gifts.
Today even the expensive hallmark ornament collection plus candy plus plus was 50% off… Is it because no one wants to store it, or commerce industry is only financially looking out quarterly for success??. I bought today, 3 days after Christmas, a few things, like blankets 75% off, and more cards because I didn’t actually finish my 2023 ones yet. I also got cake mix with red and green sprinkles for only $1 that has a shelf life to 2025. (Isn’t that scary that something that can last until 2025 with all the preservatives?)
SO, aside from these things, what part of our Christmas does NOT expire, that’s the part I wish we stocked up on: the JOY, the PEACE, the HOPE plus the politeness, the forever gratefulness, and the FRESHNESS.
Something that does NOT last is an evergreen tree cut off. Needles turn brown and fall off and those branches get brittle. They aren’t even good to burn. Only some goats get “expired ” $100 trees to eat like caviar. WE ALSO might fall into an expired existence if we don’t stay connected with our living vine Lord. We must stay green, hydrated, humble and hopeful. We can be the fresh scent of living well spent.
Christmas decorations are packed away, but the LIGHT of the Spirit will always SHINE bright. Let’s share this like it’s going out of style, better yet let’s give it away freely. Shine Jesus Shine – like Your Light is Mine and my Light is Thine.
Christmas SHINE Don’t Cost a Dime.
Amen
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3 NJVK
Always doesn’t mean always anymore – maybe it never did – maybe all ways are not human ways but God does ALL WAYS none of the time and ONE WAY – thru HIM – ALL the time. His ONE WAY is HIS WAY is our New Way, today.
Always is for human daze days – our memories are short – and things like “always do this – always do that” are dreams because maybe we can’t always do this and do that. And then we don’t do what we always do, we are sad. Maybe we complain about things that we thought that were burdens and then became sad to not do them anymore. Human life is funny isn’t it.
But Life in God is a march and a progressive stepwise motion into NEW – even if it is reliving old. Then again maybe old is not old – it is new in a traditional way. Each time we approach things we “always do”, there might be new situations and new people. God does not change but His intentions are new for our new moments to see His direction in a new way. In other words, we got nothing on our ways as God’s Ways are higher – and yet we are allowed to explore our way.
In Jeremiah 13, God equates the Israelites that are supposed to be His pride and people to a linen belt that is not taken care of and becomes useless. God had set aside this set of people – Jeremiah has to go and warn them what is going wrong, and they will be swept to exile again. We see this as a pattern in this old covenant. We are to be grateful – jew and gentile – when Jesus comes to separate us from our sin in the eyes of God – our merciful God does want us to be with Him – listen to Him – and especially acknowledge that HIS WAY is the only way and the best way and why wouldn’t we go the way of the Way…
God’s Way is to bring us back to Him – it may take us a long way humanly – but with turning to God – we are there instantly and with Him – and He does find a WAY to bring us – He makes new ways to get us into His Direction.
I’m going with God – He is my Hope.
Amen
A Linen Belt = told to Jeremiah 13:1-11 This is what the Lord said to me: “Go and buy a linen belt and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water.” So I bought a belt, as the Lord directed, and put it around my waist. Then the word of the Lord came to me a second time: “Take the belt you bought and are wearing around your waist, and go now to Perath and hide it there in a crevice in the rocks.” So I went and hid it at Perath, as the Lord told me. Many days later the Lord said to me, “Go now to Perath and get the belt I told you to hide there.” So I went to Perath and dug up the belt and took it from the place where I had hidden it, but now it was ruined and completely useless. Then the word of the Lord came to me: “This is what the Lord says: ‘In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt—completely useless! For as a belt is bound around the waist, so I bound all the people of Israel and all the people of Judah to me,’ declares the Lord, ‘to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened.’
Paul in 2nd Corinthians 5:17-21 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.“
It’s not unusual to give books away, or find writing in used ones, but when one buys a used copy, like I did last month, it WAS unusual for a greeting card and paper insert to come with it. This is a Jesus Calling devotional book gift re-gifted back to a thrift store which made its way into my hands thru used book selling on ebay, and along with it this card and paper insert, which has God’s Word re-stated for a new audience, me and you. God’s Word is a LASTING WORD.
The first scripture on the paper is Psalm 24:5 “they will receive a blessing from the Lord. “ …. YEAH! On the card, it says on the front cover: “In life we may not know which battles we have to fight.” And inside a reminder that God goes with us. (Fitting for this card went to a couple whose husband was recovering from a bad fall) And inside: the scripture is Deuteronomy 3:22 “The Lord God himself will fight for you“… YES! The paper insert is a set of devotions from Guideposts shared at a Sunday school class, especially fitting about a missed Thanksgiving dinner from illness which yielded unexpected blessings the following year that came about BECAUSE of the missed event and the backup plans that got good things going in motion. God works in mysterious ways, YES!!!
So I don’t know why I was the recipient of this card stuck inside the book, that made it all the way to me, but surely someone needs to hear the message, so I will repeat the scripture sentiment: God has this. God has you!!! God has a plan and God will make His Plan – in His Time.
If we cannot see a blessing, it doesn’t mean God can’t make something beautiful, even out of a tragedy. God can and God does… in His Time…
I will count on God – and His Lasting Word.
Amen
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Psalm 5:1-3 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.
It’s Christmas JOY plus some jolly-ness that touches us, makes us smile. My mom blessed me with not just gifts but the fact that she PREprepared gifts that she PREwrapped before thanksgiving, when I visited her last, and handed me the bag to save on mailing. I truly felt blessed to still have my mom – and surely blessed when I unwrapped a smiling snowman dish from my mom, that I truly know I am blessed to feel that love. It’s a trinket thing but given in real love. (and it is a serving plate too – to serve up some love and joy and jollyness too)I am holding quite a few people in my prayers these days who recently lost their moms. I also know other strained family relationships which are broken down in strife and tears, which adds to blue Christmas times. Truthfully, it’s a hard Christmas for many. Forgetting feels easier than forgiving. And so with humbleness we are to appreciate our family moments that do actually come together. We also cherish peace and cherish those family-to-us friends and neighbors whom God has blessed into our lives. We appreciate relationships that don’t become “needs” but are appreciated as “gifts”.
And when we do have strife, remember that “Tis the season” to please do give forgiveness – especially as Grace comes from on high, “Tis the season” to actually put aside any pride. Life is too short to hold onto anything remotely snide.
“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me…” rings as song against worldly wrong.
Sounds easier to say than do, but to actually give the gift of forgiveness, even if it is for the benefit of others, to “make nice” especially as the new year rings in, is a healthy partnership with the Lord in making peace. We also can realize that the human disappointment we feel IS from the human side of us, humanness which is ingrained into us by our brokenness. So in sharing and resharing DIVINE forgiveness, we could emotionally feel more free and be the children God is preparing us to be…
I pray us peaceful moments and time to reflect this season. Better to be in God’s Courts where He fills them with righteousness and love than anywhere else.
It is DIVINE to re-gift the best gift from God – forGIVEness. FORGIVENESS.
Amen
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Psalm 65 NKJV – To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song.
Praise to God for His Salvation and Providence
Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; And to You the vow shall be performed. O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come. Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them. . Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple. . By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of the far-off seas; Who established the mountains by His strength, Being clothed with power; You who still the noise of the seas, The noise of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples. They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs; You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice. . You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; The river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, For so You have prepared it. You water its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth. . You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, And the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing.
Happy Joyous Christmas to you my friends!!! Happy are the People whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:15
Christmas Eve was filled with mystery and marvelousness, and now Christmas Day is a Gift of the babe Jesus born – and we are blessed with having Him grow in us each day and today too, a blessing knowing Jesus as our Shepherd, Jesus as Lord.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2
He will take care of his flock like a shepherd: He will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; He will gently lead their mothers… Isaiah 40:11
Today, Christmas, is a beautiful opportunity to share from the prophet Isaiah, and oh what a blessing to ask to have child-like AWE everyday and imagine that view of the Heavens FILLED with God’s Glory.
May we all appreciate the creation anticipation of a child Savior, like Isaiah did, and also the expectation of a King. Isaiah wrote hundreds of years before Jesus came and there was yearning for this fulfilment. It was shared first with Mary and her family, then in the distant Bethlehem, city of David, shepherds who knew to tend their flocks were called in to first see this Christ child. Our Lord, is a Shepherd to His Own children, that’s us, our Lord knows how to tend His Flock, rebuild His Kingdom people and Restore all to Himself.
Isaiah wrote sweetly of the coming of the King, a new covenant and HOPE. Isaiah wrote of God being Almighty Creator. The Lord Himself holds us and our collective futures together. Let us all be grateful and satisfied as much as we are curious. Let us call Him our Wonderful Counselor and Prince of PEACE too.
Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 40:26 ESV
Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.
I’m glad my children are both home for Christmas. That’s my gift, having them home… Time goes fast. Grown up kids grow up even faster…
Time to prepare for Christmas day is becoming shorter and shorter, as there are Christmas gifts to organize, wrap, and still to buy. The tree is beautiful, this year my friend came to help decorate, 4 hours it took us, yeah! Crazy amount of ornaments! The village is also done. The cookies were baked and consumed a while ago. Now nearly all that’s left is “just” Christmas morning prep in that last push. Enjoy a blessing of a weekend before Christmas – whew – because now it’s on… !!!
The cat is in on it all, even saw her presents ahead of time, geez, digging in the closet. But the most amazing sight? She posed – poised picturesque under the tree, surely to get our attention. And that cat has an opinion on everything. The Christmas cards, hmmm, I’ve started them but will work on them next week, after Christmas, good for me to send in decompression mode when I will rest in the appreciation of the Christmas rush ended and the Christmas lush feeling just started. I will enjoy the doneness of achieving living thru one more christmas-prep-game and pressure off… whew…
God gives us this lush feeling in resting in Him. It’s not a game to Him. He is Name above all names, and above all games. He also is NOT still, His HolySpirit hyperspeed is unfathomable to us. My mind is blown by the attention to detail He gives to our daily lives, from before eternity.
So in this Christmas time, God is giving an ongoing theme of the real meaning of Christmas – I’m so grateful – it is in “stop the insanity” moments – just like portrayed by the Peanuts gang, in a Charlie Brown Christmas. I’ve started with a little book of the story, then over and over the same Luke scripture has been showing up, then my eye catches anything Peanuts gang – to my eventual Christmas cards going to get Peanuts stamps, and yet I got them 6 months ago… crazy… God knows to stop the games of life and remind us of Him.
What I do know in these last bits of prep time, it’s to take the praise time! Take the down time to regain uptime with the Lord. Christmas prep might feel like a marathon rat race game, but let us bow down at the NAME above all names and over of all games, JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. He wants us to remember Him, always. Remember the JOY in the Lord because everything else will fade away.
So many scriptures to touch our hearts before Christmas – David knew the Lord – and heard God’s Promise to bring salvation to all who would turn to Him. David did turn to the Lord – in asking mercy and in JOY. May we also do this always. For JOY, PROTECTION, SALVATION, STRENGTH, may we look for our Shepherd now and Christmas and always.
Amen and please read of the JOY to KNOW: Psalm 28 Of David.
To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve. Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.
*** Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
*** The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Always brings warmth to my heart – to know of Simeon and Anna in the temple and how they knew Jesus – as a babe – both that they knew to wait on the Lord – studied and believed the scriptures and prophets – and that they were able to see the fulfilment of the birth of the Christ Child – the Messiah in Jesus – for the world.
But in Simeon’s truth telling – he clearly knew and said how Jesus would be a stumbling block to many who may have spoke of him as a potential – an earthly king – but could not understand him – or open their hearts to Him as Heavenly king, Messiah. Simeon told us the known future that Jesus would be a dividing force between people who knew and did not want to know. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” And Anna spoke of the redemption brought by this child, Jesus – who is Immanuel, God with us.
Oh – that we would always tell of Who gives our HOPE – that we would always be watching and working for Jesus through the Holy Spirit to open hearts – to tell of the redemption to so many who may hear – oh that they would hear! Oh Jesus – fill us with YOUR WISDOM – become real IN us to serve You and Love You – and share your HOPE.
Oh Messiah – won’t you open eyes and hearts – this Christmas and always.
Amen
Luke 2:25-40
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
Jesus was coming – salvation – mercy – blessed to really know.
Zachariah’s son John, pre-prophet like Elijah, was ready to go!.
God’ was bringing TRUE the Kingdom’s Promise of long ago.
Jesus, Immanuel, God with us – forgiveness and peace to flow.
If you know, serve Him, let it SHOW!
Jesus – our Christmas baby – in us may He grow.
Amen
The hope in Zachariah (father of John the Baptist) singing that the Savior was coming1!!
Luke 1:67-79 – Zechariah’s Song
Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us – to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
If life is like the weather report, predictions of events, seasons, living conditions, then we should prepare. And when God is going to move, He often prewarns us and let’s us prepare. We pray more people turn towards Him. We now get weather foreknowledge down to the hour when the rain drops will start, so we can choose to freakout or breakout the fun rain slicker and boots. We prepare by getting to safe places with supplies in the worst weather. Now tornadoes? To me that’s something different, yet pinpoint accuracy is amazing. Simply take cover and pray, know your safest place. Tis the season of bad weather, it’s something you just can’t totally prepare for but you can try.
We especially can prepare by knowing that God will get us through this weather of our world. So how about life? Prepare by steadying ourselves in Him. God called to even the furthest wanderers: “if they will learn carefully the ways of My people, to swear by My name, ‘As the Lord lives,’…. then they shall be established in the midst of My people.“
What would you do if God told you that your life was threatened? Would you freak out? Or would you pray it out… In the case of Jeremiah, he had to TRUST the Lord and just keep doing HIS work, which was to warn the people into compliance. And Jeremiah’s enemies? God said: “I’ve got this. – keep going… (and those people not listening to God in Jeremiah’s time – God said listen to me or you will certainly be threatened not just by your situation but by your non-compliance to return to me).
We don’t seem to have that level of enemies in people, like Jeremiah did, certainly we now witness evils in modern distractions and dangers, especially trying to go it alone. We should surely prepare by trusting God to take care of us. And keep going. Worship over wandering our eyes.
Jeremiah said he did not know he was like a lamb headed into schemes he didn’t know. But he did know there were many walking away from God. Now, think of what a BIG contrast this is because Jesus KNEW that He was the lamb to be slaughtered. SACRIFICED. And He walked that Way anyway, He even told people why, He was the compassion God the Father sent to heal the people from broken living. Jesus faced the enemy down, said “I’ve got this”, crushed the head of the snake (even if his tail is still wriggling). Jesus wins. In marching forward keeping His mission, Jesus complied the ultimate compliance. Satan knows God wins, he’s just trying to spoil the last bits of time before he is banished forever. Revelations tells of the times he will be gone then gone forever.
If you see evil in this world, or in your next steps, remember God has got that accounted for in His Plan. He will comfort us by calling for complete trust in Him.
Stand up to enemies of distractions with the power of God’s Might and the enemy will flee. God will walk you through the shadows and into the Light.
It’s a lesson from this prophet Jeremiah to keep shining the Light of God on all the evil, and keep living.
Amen
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Jeremiah’s Life Threatened. Jeremiah 11:18-23, 12
Now the Lord gave me knowledge of it, and I know it; for You showed me their doings. But I was like a docile lamb brought to the slaughter; and I did not know that they had devised schemes against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.” But, O Lord of hosts, You who judge righteously, testing the mind and the heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them, for to You I have revealed my cause.
“Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the men of Anathoth who seek your life, saying, ‘Do not prophesy in the name of the Lord, lest you die by our hand’ – therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, I will punish them. The young men shall die by the sword, their sons and their daughters shall die by famine; and there shall be no remnant of them, for I will bring catastrophe on the men of Anathoth, even the year of their punishment.’ ”
Jeremiah 12 NKJV
Jeremiah’s Question
Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments.
Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously? You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; They grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth But far from their mind.
But You, O Lord, know me; You have seen me, and You have tested my heart toward You. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. How long will the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither? The beasts and birds are consumed, For the wickedness of those who dwell there, Because they said, “He will not see our final end.”
The Lord Answers Jeremiah
“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan? For even your brothers, the house of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you; Yes, they have called a multitude after you. Do not believe them, Even though they speak smooth words to you.
“I have forsaken My house, I have left My heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of My soul into the hand of her enemies. My heritage is to Me like a lion in the forest; it cries out against Me; Therefore I have hated it. My heritage is to Me like a speckled vulture; The vultures all around are against her. Come, assemble all the beasts of the field, bring them to devour!
“Many rulers have destroyed My vineyard, They have trodden My portion underfoot; they have made My pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. They have made it desolate; Desolate, it mourns to Me; The whole land is made desolate, because no one takes it to heart. The plunderers have come on all the desolate heights in the wilderness, for the sword of the Lord shall devour from one end of the land to the other end of the land; No flesh shall have peace. They have sown wheat but reaped thorns; They have put themselves to pain but do not profit. But be ashamed of your harvest Because of the fierce anger of the Lord.”
Thus says the Lord: “Against all My evil neighbors who touch the inheritance which I have caused My people Israel to inherit—behold, I will pluck them out of their land and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. Then it shall be, after I have plucked them out, that I will return and have compassion on them and bring them back, everyone to his heritage and everyone to his land. And it shall be, if they will learn carefully the ways of My people, to swear by My name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ as they taught My people to swear by Baal, then they shall be established in the midst of My people. But if they do not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation,” says the Lord.
There’s something I was NOT been worrying about, an unusual something. My son’s doctor saw it and wanted it checked out – probably nothing but a specialist doctor would have to see it to know that, with all their fancy instruments. Did I take any time to worry about it. Certainly I did not prepare for it (paperwork so last minute too), but it was something for which we proceeded one step at a time. EARLY morning, down in the city, a VERY EARLY appointment. Our praise is that we have great doctors and their knowledge base. It is funny how the early-ness of the appointment distracted from the potential situation. Well, it all went very well. THANK GOD!
I was not worried because the doctor was not worried, and I was especially not worried because I never took it out of God’s Hands. Maybe later I thought I will worry, but I prayed that not to happen either. I was sure there was nothing I can help with by worrying, so I didn’t. I DO PRAY, I do walk this road, drive it actually, and focused moment by moment – was more worried about parking in center city but probably not a problem at 6am. Now I could have been worried about the impending rainstorm but I have good tires and maybe the rain would chase away the traffic. I also could have complained about leaving the house at 5am, but I was not going to complain there either, those doctors start even earlier.
Anyway, prayers were appreciated but worrying was NOT.
We especially pull close to God when we pause to pray.
We don’t and won’t have to put something in God’s Hands if we never took it out of His… And honestly, everything IS always in GOD’S HANDS.
Amen
PS – these are prayers I request for others – to help pull them and us closer to God: friends with covid, including an ICU-bound mom, who passed away, of a college friend. Prayers for people with illnesses and challenges. Prayers for a friend who lost their dog recently. Prayers for all the people in Israel and Gaza and Ukraine, which barely makes the news anymore, and all the sickness, famine and wars including human trafficking which never makes the news… May the Lord intervene.
And… Prayers in a positive way appreciated for all to see the wonder and hope of Christmas and to know the Lord, for their sake and His. Amen
Hung up our green elf “Hider” today – a blessed memory I cherish 8 years now. It brings tears to my eyes remembering… I love my big son, 19 now, and I miss the little boy of course… so blessed at this memory…
Yes My Elf on the Shelf, There is a Real Jesus, 30 NOV2015
It’s quite often lately that I bump into a conversation about God and Jesus – and tonight I have to pause to tell you that I got to share the REAL meaning of Christmas with one of the most important people in my life – my son. My son IS my elf on the shelf – my director of activities, my wisdom-speaking genius – the most thoughtful kid ever known to man. He is my baby boy, 11yrs old now, – he and my daughter are my joys – they are my purpose, they make me a mom, my job is to raise them.
And tonight, over a conversation about an elf on the shelf I witnessed a miracle after I told of a miracle… See, we are Jesus’s purpose – He came to help us know and tell of HIS mission in life – HIS purpose – and that is connecting us to GOD forever – yes, to give us eternal life, in the home of OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN… over the course of a couple years, Jesus caused a change in me in stages and Jesus is the One who is helping me help others find their way to our true Father. It means I have to be bold and challenge myself to act and speak in truth.
SO – elf – my elf is adorable, 11 years old, a thinker – a gentle and sensitive soul .. he can explain a sunday school bible lesson to me better than anyone after hearing it just once – he takes it to his heart – he truly believes in Jesus and God. But as any eleven year old – he still needs training – he still needs guidance – he is still a product of our society robbing children of their child-like wonder and making them grow up too fast.
My elf wanted to clean (yeah unheard of), he wanted to clean the living room area so that we could start our Christ-mas village and especially the nativity scene and he wanted his robotic dinosaur to be looking at the baby Jesus. He patiently waited for me to get off the phone – and sure, it was a very important phone call, but he was waiting and he is much more important than anything else swirling in my life right now. So yes, I shut my phone off and refocused all my attention to him – I only have my little ones for a few more years – and I need to focus – my plans are secondary…. God will put me where HE wants me, and not where he doesn’t, and I am not sad at other lost opportunities because God’s plans are MUCH better than mine.
So, my adorable elf paused after setting the baby Jesus into the manger scene and then he asked the age old question – “Mom, people say Santa is your parents – and people say your parents move the elf on the shelf” – pause – pregnant poignant pause – what is mom going to say – “Well… what do YOU think?” He answers that “I think Santa is God and Jesus and the presents drop from heaven” – pregnant pause – but I of course felt blessedly empowered to explain this: “Well, that is a great thought, but why did God send Jesus to us? – it wasn’t for toys and presents – so why is Jesus God’s present to us? ” – my son says “to give us forgiveness for our sins” – “Yes, but why did Jesus have to forgive us” – “Ummm…” – it is now that I know my mission is to teach why – “Jesus was a gift from God to us – to forgive us from our sins so that …., why?” – “Ummm…” – “Jesus wants us to have ETERNAL —-” – – – “LIFE!” he finished my sentence… Yes! – I knew that bible lesson was in that 11 year old head somewhere – and I hope and pray it stays in his heart and grows there – “Jesus came to save US by forgiveness to give US ETERNAL LIFE with God in Heaven” – silence – pause – thinking – processing… And absorbing ones faith takes time – takes repetiion – takes teaching but most importantly reaching and nourishing conversations to achieve understanding that Jesus IS REAL…
“So Mom – what about the elf on the shelf – can you tell me if parents move him?”…. Ok – time to come clean – I know that it is important to tell the truth and so I said: “Yes – your parents move your elf” – silence – pause – thinking – processing…
See… our elf was not intended to be that elf on the shelf- he is a GREEN elf – an ornament from the 40’s? 50’s? well before this “elf that moves” myth started and I was not too pleased to hear the hoopla about it – sorry folks who have fun – but it’s quite a feat to generate even more work for yourself moving it, just due to a successful movie etc – yeah i wasn’t going to buy into it… but my then 9 year old wide-eyed and precious boy discovers this ornament in the box and declares that we have an elf on the shelf – and thank you God he didn’t know that the elf moved every day because neither did I – whew!
At the end of that first Christmas with the elf, he was safely whisked away to Santa land at the end of the season – and my then ten year old waited patiently for his return… Ummm… where did he go?… Ummm – “Hider” – my son is named him “Hider” – lost – hmmm… now what – – oh dear – and I looked and I looked – and Hider was in the safest spot to keep him – and he was so safe that i forgot where he was… rats… crushed hopes for a patient young soul… So my son writes him a note – about how he is the best hider in the world and how much he loves him – sigh… mom has failed – mom never wanted this myth anyway and now mom is caught in the middle of a sad boy longing for his elf…
Sigh… tonight – tonight I came clean with him about Santa, elves – a natural progression of an eleven year old’s questioning – but before that it was first the MOST important conversation about God I have had this year – reinforcing that God sent Jesus to be real – to be real for each and everyone of us. So, now in peace that I came clean about the elf and that I shared the Good News, it was THEN I saw this random tin can – I don’t know why I picked it up – I felt something draw me to that can – and poof – there he was – “Hider” – our elf – over two years LOST – LOST I tell you – and poof – within three minutes of sharing Jesus – of knocking that elf myth down a notch – there he was – Hider – hidden in that can for two years… my son hugged Hider and said: “I am going to put him in the nativity – he is going to watch baby Jesus for us” – yeah – my tears – “YES MY Elf on the Shelf, there is a REAL Jesus.”
There is no better blessing than to witness Jesus being born everyday in people – especially your own children… See, Jesus is often born in stages – only enough understanding each time that that indivudual can process at that very moment… And so yeah – Jesus is this miracle gift – I understand this in JOY and tonight in tears, when I was stilled by God.
I thank YOU God for YOUR hand on my life – on my thoughts – on my family – guiding me everyday is a miracle because God IS REAL – Jesus is REAL – trust me – I know this – I just do – I really really do…
Jesus came to save YOU – to save us – in order to reach us into God’s eternal life – in order for US to reach the others – we can preach all we want and plan all we want, but if we aren’t REACHING the others near and far then we have more work to do – and our Father wants us to work at it – and He will reward us when we do – it’s not silly – it’s just God watching me and knowing me – knowing how to reach me – thanks God…
Thank you God for reaching me today – I long to work for YOU always…
People always ask: “Are you ready for Christmas” – ??? – Well, is it best to answer them with my fumbling list of people’s presents not yet purchased let alone conceived? – or say “Well, at least I got my tree! No decorations but at least I am still watering it. “…. HMMM… I think I will try to answer spiritually next time, “I’m ready in my heart. “… I’m ready for the true meaning of Christmas in my heart. Amen on that.
“I’ll be Home for Christmas” – “you can count on me. ” – Oh the song resonates with me and the longing too. But I realized one could sing it in reverse thought – to receive people home for Christmas, like “I’ll be the Home for your Christmas, come Home here.”… Yes, please have all the meaningful Christmas token things here with me at my house… And yes, since my daughter (I hope) will be returning from college (I hope) at least on that overnight and day, to be here (I hope and pray), instead of her independent-apartment-grown-up-lifestyle these days, I’m praying that she comes home for Christmas. I’m blessed she’s independent but I want her to know, both my kids to know, they have a Home with me for Christmas and ALWAYS. SO, “I’ll be home for Christmas” – “you can count on me” – count on Mom, I will pray they know that, I’m sure they do.
And what about that real meaning of Christmas? Are we standing yearning like Charlie Brown: “Isn’t there anyone who understands what Christmas is all about?” Remember the classic pause in the Peanuts Christmas practice musical for Linus to recite the scripture from Luke 2:8-14, and let us absorb that and keep walking towards that real reason, Jesus IS the One Who beckons us: I’ll be your HOME for Christmas, I will receive you, let Me be your Home inside your heart. Know Me inside you and know My Peace.
Through Jesus, as Christ the Lord God and Savior, we are welcomed Home forever with God. May we also be Home with Him in our hearts everyday. Making a good welcome for Him in JOY.
Amen
—
Linus Van Pelt quoting scripture: “And there were in the same country. shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of GREAT JOY, which shall be to ALL PEOPLE. For unto you is born this day in the City of David A SAVIOR, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, Goodwill toward men.’ “
(Photos from an adorable 2 inch book version of Peanuts Christmas.)
Down to Earth is easier when we stop trying to elevate ourselves. People like “down to earth” people, God knows that we do. Christmas’s backhouse stable manger birth for Jesus was the gift of as much “down to earth” as imaginable. Jesus could come. Jesus would come. Jesus DID come. Immanuel, God with us. Let us be down to earth too.
Hidden Gems, people love Hidden Gems like in places to visit, restaurants to try, nooks and crannies of goodness, and yes the gem of beauty reserved for only a few spying eyes. The most beautiful Hidden secure open space we can retreat to and spring from is that private place where God and we meet. Let’s meet Him there, every day. God with us, Immanuel.
There’s a praise song that ponders the mind, sings of a chapter of Jesus’s life we don’t hear about, when He as a child was securely taken away to Egypt by His parents, Mary and Joseph, to prevent discovery of him as a baby to be killed, as that generation was when Herod tried to eliminate any prophet-predicted earthly king to contest his earthly throne. The song, by Rich Mullins, is “My Deliverer” to represent the scattered Israelite community in Egypt (and everywhere) knowing about their Deliverer coming to deliver them (deliver us). Jesus hears them, He hears us. It’s a hopeful song, catchy to us too, envisioned yet it’s a real thing that people seeked their Deliverer, of devoted scripture readers and prophesy believers, cries of the oppressed and depressed. Visions and education given to the chosen few whose Holy Spirit hopes kept them waiting for the Savior, not just earthly but divine. And then teaching others about the delivery deliverance, Deliverer. Like Simeon, old man in Temple visits choosing to praise God in anticipation of beholding our/his Deliverer, our/his Savior, our/his Hope and the Hope of the nation, and of us all. Prayer delivered and answered by seeing Jesus Babe, his own Deliverer, down to earth.
“My Deliverer is coming” – He Came, He will Come Again.
This Christmas, let us be seekers for our Deliverer too. Our down to earth, hidden Gem, personal Savior, Who came not to judge us, but for us to be Saved through Him. John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him“,…. the Only Son of God.
Friends and I were talking last night about how each day is going to get a little longer in daylight from here on out. We do get some depressive feelings in the darkness – and yet that is where the Lord can show us His Light to follow.
I know recently I have marvelled at these early mornings to see the Morning Star, and appreciate how constant it is. It IS a marvel in how the seasons work, how coordinating the calendars and time tries to match and interpret how the world spins, the sun heats, and even the moon gets in the act with ocean tides and being a nightlight. imagine those sailors on the endless ocean voyages thousands of years who studied the stars and moon and most importantly got comfort from them! I mean Who could set up such an intricate system where the system works year after year but also put into play what it influences – how that still will work, modified to adapt. Amazing, and if it were anyone other than God could plan it, it would not be so coordinated nor so much diversity in the system.
And yet the Morning Star moves. Constant and constantly moves. It does. It was higher and higher in my window these past few weeks, but I failed to notice that it was moving (or that I was) until I had to lean lower to see it so high, out of my window frame. Well of course it does move, gradually yet measured, and it’s a planet not a star, that reflects the sun SO brightly that we think it’s a star. And guess what? all the components of the universe move. Really… amazing how to allow it to be measured and yet easily looks like it could be chaos. Amazing.
A conversation I had with a Hasidic Jew (from Brooklyn) on an airplane once, on one European trip, included a discussion of how God makes things, holds creatures and people, and holds them in His Hand until they are placed onto the Earth and into the system we see, that we only see them when they are revealed to us, and yet they always exist in God’s Hand and eye and vision. That is an intriguing thought. We do have such a finite view of each moment let alone eternity planned, that we really make preliminary conclusions of how things work. We make conclusions but don’t have enough longevity to pull in all the data. And yet, it’s a moving system, how could we. It is a Moving System – imagine God Moving it all.
How we each are held is something we think about from our vantage point and often can’t see past our vantage point, we are incapable from seeing it ALL from God’s vantage point, yet with the Holy Spirit to move us we are a part of this immense immeasurable Plan. Just like He sees so BIG, ALL THINGS, He also sees so small, every person, every hair, every tear. And before we know it He will have moved the wind or the circumstances around us, of us, with us, to freshly start a new day or new attitude or new life.
If we are in bad straits, let us wait it out, change it out, shift the cards we are played for a better deal, pray our way into our walk – walk into a problem or away from it – but pray it thru. If we have to move a situation forward, let us move it (for us or others). If we have to take a step back, let us just not trip over the past and build upon it. Remember that we and especially God can wait out how HE aligns the times and the people. This may not be the quick fix – but in the fullness of time, we will forget the small stuff. The great song lyric from Psalm 30 is ‘There may be pain in the night, but Joy comes in the morning’.
Even the Morning Star moves, and we move compared to it. Let us let God make His Way in our lives, today, forever, and pray to know that You Lord, in Your Joy, will move us more Your Way.
Amen
Psalm 30 – New King James Version – The Blessedness of Answered Prayer – A Psalm – A Song at the dedication of the house of David.
I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.
Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.” Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled. I cried out to You, O Lord; And to the Lord I made supplication: “What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!”
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
There’s so few pages left for 2023, in my devotion book or on the calendar. So few and yet does that matter except that we remember time goes so much more quickly now. Ending 2023 means Christmas of course, and how did we ever put our most rushed season at the end of the year? Really Lord? Well maybe it’s because if we focused on Him it might go smoother, or at least we would find more peace over panic.
I appreciate most that God reminds me what I need the most: TIME WITH HIM. And today’s devotion from the Jesus Calling book is spot on to what God reminds: “Take time to be Holy”.
This is so important, not only do we get distracted by glitz, we get distracted by gloom. Our time with Him, in His Word, learning, and our time in His Work, loving, is the best time spent.
I’ve been reading and writing not just to keep up with Him, but to allow Him to catch me up to Him, in awe and praise, and peace and purpose.
Here’s to your end of the year wrap up, remember that the book and calendar starts over, no lost pages or moments with God in charge of time.
So good to focus on the Lord – and to remember He is above it all – and that thought that the whole rest of our eternity will be worry free and with Him – so we should try that more and more now… Here as in Heaven….
Amen.
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, Dec 13th – “Take time to be holy. The word holy does not mean goody-goody; it means set apart for sacred use. That is what these quiet moments in My Presence are accomplishing within you. As you focus your mind and heart on Me, you are being transformed: re-created into the one I designed you to be. This process requires blocks of time set aside for communion with Me. … The benefits of this practice are limitless. Emotional and physical healing are enhanced by your soaking in the Light of My Presence. You experience a nearness to Me that strengthens your faith and fills you with Peace. You open yourself up to receive the many blessings that I have prepared for you. You become a cleaned temple of My Holy Spirit, who is able to do in and through you immeasurably more than you ask or imagine. These are just some of the benefits of being still in My Presence.
…
2 Thessalonians 1:10 ESV
when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
Psalm 27:4 ESV
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own
Ephesians 3:20 ESV
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
This was interesting, watching a woodpecker at a bird feeder (with a camera) freeze in sort of hidden security behind the feeding post while a hawk came close… (photo attached and video link posted below):
It’s instinctual for the bird, would you do the same? Be very quiet and watchful? If this bird could pray, I bet he would. Pray away the prey. I don’t even know if that hawk would attack, but this woodpecker stood still.
We often are thoughtful in either taking steps to taking flight… We all have been in opportunities for fight or flight, and prayer. Praying is acknowledging that God is bigger than our troubles. Worshiping is acknowledging that God is in charge of all. Praising is acceptance of good and bad – praise God no matter what for God is God and we are allowed to participate in watching Him work.
I sort of did this when I saw what looked like a crazed woman trying to cross the street on a busy road, yelling at each car, and finally crossing and screaming at them. I was headed into the convenience store and hoped to avoid her, I did mostly, she was quiet in line behind me, no idea what would take place, I both wanted to run and yet also to hear if she switched into a normal conversation mode from this scary state. You know, I didn’t stick around for listening but as I zipped away, I prayed for the clerk, the situation, and her too with that: “geez Lord, what is going on with her?” unknown… My nervousness avoided the fight (not that there would have been) and I chose flight. We pray God’s got our backs (and every moment). I was stilled silent (and smart in my opinion) to keep moving.
The woodpecker spying the hawk was smart to stay still. Are there moments that we get so stunned that we can’t act? Are there times that silent vibes help or hurt? Some say passiveness is poor participation and yet each situation is unique and we must decide whether to keep the peace or do something to make it through, then return to our peace.
If we take it into our own hands, we could SHOULD rely on the coaching of the Lord, knowing He knows best, and trust mini situations and big ones to Him. Too often we don’t consult Him, even if it’s to say ‘sorry, I’m going to not deal with this situation right now.” And when we act or fail to act, of our own decision making process, may we return to say to God, ‘sorry and please help me turn to You first.’ This helps us think BIG picture at God’s plan.
In Jeremiah 7-10, God had Jeremiah tell the people to worship Him, consult Him, rely on Him, ONLY HIM. The Israelite people had drifted (again) and as individuals and a divided nation Judah and Jerusalem, they were worshiping false gods and not asking forgiveness to the One God Whom could give it to them.
Jeremiah takes this dictation directly from God: “this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’”
And Jeremiah records both God’s Wrath, his own sorrow, and the ultimate pretold plan to “refine” the people and ‘I will scatter them also among the Gentiles‘…
God said: “No man repented of his wickedness, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to his own course, as the horse rushes into the battle. Even the stork in the heavens knows her appointed times; and the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow observe the time of their coming. But My people do not know the judgment of the Lord.”
Jeremiah mourned the situation, like watching a train wreck travesty: “Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people? Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! Oh, that I had in the wilderness a lodging place for travelers; that I might leave my people, and go from them!”
God continues: Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
I agree and hope you do too, I believe I’m God’s lovingkindnesses mercy forgiveness and direction. Jeremiah says: “the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King.”
Yes, I will be smart and stilled and listen to the Lord best I can. Open up my ears Lord to hear and my eyes to see and my heart to know. Amen
What a surprise to find a whole classic movie on Youtube – The Bells of St Mary’s – 1945 – Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. I remember it was a favorite of my Dad’s – really so many classic movies were (except It’s a Wonderful Life – he detested that one – I don’t think he was a fan of Jimmy Stewart… but I digress).
So, I don’t think I remember watching (start to finish) this Bells of St Mary’s – and it has so many good spiritual moments – as well as contrived ones… but moments that do stick out were scenes of the extension of Grace that had to be given over and over. It has comic elements too – even kittens and doggies get into the mix – and oh the most precious little kids doing the Christmas play – singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
The final scenes find the lead school-master sister (Ingrid Berman) struggling to not hold onto bitterness for an assignment she didn’t understand – it was unrevealed to her later that she was being sent away to a dry climate for a little while to improve from the beginnings of tuberculosis. We see her praying “Please Lord take this bitterness from my heart” – and the final scene shows her joy – that she knew the Lord did – that she knew what was causing this trial and all was being done in love. She didn’t pray to reverse her situation but to tolerate it. She wanted to obey the Lord and the direction that the organization of nuns and priests were directed (they took an oath of obedience – to symbolize their obedience to the Lord.) Another great scene was when the sister was explaining that you don’t give up things to be a nun – but you take on a bigger love, bigger role, bigger gift being gifted the Lord.
In LOVE – that is truly how the Lord can explain things to us – how He deals with us – how He wants to bring us under His Wing – and how we can move from disappointment and bitterness into acceptance and understanding. There ARE times in our lives where we are being asked to comply – to stay still for a bit – to BE. Let us let the Lord explain the reasons behind things to us (some day) – and let us listen for HIS Bells in our heads and hearts…
It’s an interesting thing, a boiling pot, because it means something is cooking, something could simmer for a while, something could boil over.
And then again, someone could tip it over too…
Boiling water could surface cleanse, like baby bottles, or could cook, like dumplings, or could scald, like skin. And as for the Lord’s story to prepare prophet Jeremiah, He gave him imagery of a boiling pot of the northern enemies – that was about to spill over into attacking His chosen people, on purpose and in measured punishment – another exile. (Old-Testament-correction of the re-wandering people, yikes)… Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?
Times were about to change, the Lord’s long term plan was on the move, like tectonic plates shifting – hold on. And surely that’s happening today as well. Sometimes tectonic plates shift slowly then WATCH OUT) Aren’t we blessed to have Jesus to cling to?! Savior and Fulfillment of the Law!)
The Lord’s Word rumbled through Jeremiah in late times of a divided kingdom, Judah and Jerusalem. God sent His prophet for His people, and as we know from scripture that over and over again the people were not just disobeying the proper sacrifices, they were also worshiping false gods. They were building their lives on active tectonic plates and the Lord’s boiling pot was being rumbled. Splashing. And therefore this prophet became the steaming streaming mouthpiece for God. WARNING. If anything, over and over again, GOD DOES TELL US what’s going to happen, tells us to be braced in Him, “times they are a changin”. And HE tells us that HE will handle it.
If Jeremiah (or we) said to the Lord: ‘Things are not good. My path is tough’, then how or what would God help and remind us? He surely would say: ‘I’m already ahead of you. Stay close to Me.’ … ‘I’ve got this.’…
God prepared Jeremiah, prepared Israel’s peoples, and prepares us today, to STAY CLOSE TO HIM. These Prophets and their Psalm songs reminded there’s a seed planted of His kingdom line (Jesus Messiah) that God rooted INTO the Line of Jesse to David, sprouted and nourished. Not an alien Vine but the True Vine.
God’s Promise made this clear but the people themselves lived cloudy lives. Even the priests fell short, forgetting how God delivered them – unable to fully see Jesus coming into the fulfillment of the Prophets… to deliver them and us – in order to bring us back to fulfillment with God.
Let us keep looking towards Jesus, remember Him. God got us this far, under His Wing. The Holy Spirit fills us anew with HOPE. Jesus is the PROMISE, we praise that He gave His All
Amen
—-
Jeremiah 1:13-2:13, 19, and excerpts all the way to chapter 6
New King James Version
And the word of the Lord came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.” Then the Lord said to me:
“Out of the north calamity shall break forth on all the inhabitants of the land. For behold, I am calling all the families of the kingdoms of the north,” says the Lord; “They shall come and each one set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around, and against all the cities of Judah. I will utter My judgments against them concerning all their wickedness, Because they have forsaken Me, burned incense to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands.
“Therefore prepare yourself and arise, And speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, lest I dismay you before them. For behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land – Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, and Against the people of the land. They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”
God’s Case Against Israel
Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holiness to the Lord, the firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; Disaster will come upon them,” says the Lord.’ ”
Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “What injustice have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me, Have followed idols, and have become idolaters? Neither did they say, ‘Where is the Lord, Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and pits, through a land of drought and the shadow of death, through a land that no one crossed and where no one dwelt?’ I brought you into a bountiful country, to eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land and made My heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
“Therefore I will yet bring charges against you,” says the Lord, “And against your children’s children I will bring charges. For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, Send to Kedar and consider diligently, And see if there has been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods,
Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit. Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the Lord. “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.
—
Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing that you have forsaken the Lord your God, and the fear of Me is not in you,” says the Lord God of hosts. “For of old I have broken your yoke and burst your bonds; and you said, ‘I will not transgress,’ When on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down, playing the harlot. Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me into the degenerate plant of an alien vine? For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, Yet your iniquity is marked before Me,” says the Lord God.
“How can you say, ‘I am not polluted, I have not gone after the Baals’? See your way in the valley; Know what you have done: You are a swift dromedary breaking loose in her ways, A wild donkey used to the wilderness, that sniffs at the wind in her desire; In her time of mating, who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves; In her month they will find her. Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘There is no hope. No! For I have loved aliens, and after them I will go.’
“As the thief is ashamed when he is found out, So is the house of Israel ashamed; They and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets, Saying to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ And to a stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’ For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us.’ But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble; for according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah.
“Why will you plead with Me? You all have transgressed against Me,” says the Lord. “In vain I have chastened your children; They received no correction. Your sword has devoured your prophets like a destroying lion. O generation, see the word of the Lord! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are lords; We will come no more to You’? Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.
“Why do you beautify your way to seek love? Therefore you have also taught the wicked women your ways. Also on your skirts is found the blood of the lives of the poor innocents. I have not found it by secret search, but plainly on all these things. Yet you say, ‘Because I am innocent, surely His anger shall turn from me.’ Behold, I will plead My case against you, Because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’ Why do you gad about so much to change your way? Also you shall be ashamed of Egypt as you were ashamed of Assyria. Indeed you will go forth from him with your hands on your head; for the Lord has rejected your trusted allies, and you will not prosper by them.
—
Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord. I am weary of holding it in. “I will pour it out on the children outside, And on the assembly of young men together; For even the husband shall be taken with the wife, The aged with him who is full of days. And their houses shall be turned over to others, Fields and wives together; For I will stretch out My hand against the inhabitants of the land,” says the Lord. “Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down,” says the Lord.
Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ Therefore hear, you nations, And know, O congregation, what is among them. 19 Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people – The fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not heeded My words Nor My law, but rejected it. For what purpose to Me comes frankincense from Sheba, and sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices sweet to Me.”
Therefore thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people, And the fathers and the sons together shall fall on them. The neighbor and his friend shall perish.”
Thus says the Lord: “Behold, a people comes from the north country, And a great nation will be raised from the farthest parts of the earth. They will lay hold on bow and spear; They are cruel and have no mercy; Their voice roars like the sea; And they ride on horses, As men of war set in array against you, O daughter of Zion.”
This is one of my favorite non-real biblical fairy tales, an old folk song (link below for Sting singing it) where Joseph was so mad at Mary being with child that he said: “Let the father of the baby gather cherries for you”… Then the cherry trees themselves lowered their branches to the ground. Joseph stood down and apologized. Humbled. MARY GOT HER CHEIRRIES EITHER WAY.
It’s not a real story, no, not in the Bible, but oh the imagery is fantastic and the point of the story is stirring, and the necessary humility that Joseph (and we) need to have for God is both as Creator and Controller – but BETTER THAN THAT, HE IS OUR COMPASSIONATE FATHER.
Humbled yes, but the imagery that holds me captivated is of the trees bending down, it’s the compassion on the Child and the mom, also a child. And Mary happily gathered cherries. Now we also don’t know if Jesus made Mary’s life easy (but surely He would also tell her to enjoy one day at a time) – and we do know that He would be compassionate towards her – and we do know He was obedient to God His Father too.
The truth in this story is that God does love us to be childlike towards Him in acceptance and Joy. We often must “adult” in earthly life, but as for living best, we can acquiesce to a GREATER POWER who molds us and wants to please us at the same time. Imagine life eternal with acceptance of Jesus’s sacrifice for our wrongs – we are released to be children again – forever.
Let us therefore stay a Child of God, now and forever, enjoy His Warmth of constant attention and love. Enjoy the Christmas Gift of a Christ Child and a Grown Savior.
Amen
“Sting sings cherry tree carol. Live in newcastle dec 2009” on YouTube
LYRICS
When Joseph was an old man, an old man was he He courted Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee He courted Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee
When Joseph and Mary were walking one day Here is apples and cherries so fair to behold Here is apples and cherries so fair to behold
Then Mary spoke to Joseph so meek and so mild “Joseph, gather me some cherries for I am with child” “Oh, Joseph, gather me some cherries for I am with child”
Then Joseph flew in anger, in anger he flew “Oh, let the father of the baby gather cherries for you” “Oh, let the father of the baby gather cherries for you”
So the cherry-tree bowed low down, low down to the ground And Mary gathered cherries while Joseph stood down And Mary gathered cherries while Joseph stood down
Then Joseph took Mary, all on his right knee Crying, “Lord, have mercy for what I have done” Crying, “Lord, have mercy for what I have done”
When Joseph was an old man, an old man was he He courted Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee He courted Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee
How does God start His day? By fortifying us and others as part of His Way. To strengthen speech and sharpen wit. To accomplish His Word’s fulfillment, bit by bit.
Jeremiah was called to be a prophet, to speak on God’s behalf, be part of the delivery of God’s Word, prophetic-style, to then be verified by events set forth, placed by God to fulfill. Prophets could deliver truth. Prophets pre-educated the people. Prophets and us can know the WHAT and WHY, and not worry about the HOW.
What can we learn from the life of prophets? KEEP MOVING. Gotta do God’s Work. (God said to Jeremiah: don’t be terrified by the people, or else I will terrify you.) Gotta worry less and live anyway. Got to stop worrying about the “Hows” and trust the “Whys” (Jeremiah had to trust and so do we). Serve the Lord and serve others with the understanding that we share LOVE because He LOVES.
I am not a prophet, never will try to be, but I try to share a gift of encouragement to re-publicize, re-advise, re-direct, and remind HOPE is renewable. HOPE is like Rudolph and his glowing nose through the fog, making a way more tolerable. Better yet a LIGHTHOUSE that warns and welcomes and weathers the storms to keep shining. Hope helps.
Jeremiah had bad news to share, but Good News too, that God was intervening, and even if it’s dark for a moment, God has a plan. Light will, Light does, Light did overcome the world.
Just keep not being afraid or resigned, don’t worry about the HOW. Find those first words and actions God wants you to serve with. Like Jeremiah seeing an almond tree in a vision, as a “test test – 1-2-3 – can you hear me now” of the system, then getting the bigger picture description from God (big changes for Israel), let’s keep refocusing our own eyes on His Path.
They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”
God IS with us. Keep the Hope. God is doing big things in His Plan. Keep faith in God. He IS the Holy How. Just be ready for the Holy When.
Amen
………
Jeremiah 1:4-19
The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” – “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”
The word of the Lord came to me again: “What do you see?” – “I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.” The Lord said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,” declares the Lord.
“Their kings will come and set up their thrones in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem; they will come against all her surrounding walls and against all the towns of Judah. I will pronounce my judgments on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods and in worshiping what their hands have made.
“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
It’s amazing, I was told today by Google metrics, that my most active Google Maps photo is a snapshot of a DIRTY ENGINE, haha. It has over 50000 views in connection with a review I gave for my local oil change place (great place). But it’s my old car, gone, mourned over and I’m 2 Subarus further than that now. I even have replaced the blueness with red then new blue. But I loved that car, it served me well, then it leaked, one could smell oil or something inside, and the a headgasket classic crack was the death nail of my life with it. We all wear out. Then again it drove great, wasn’t ready to go. Too bad my photos of a shiny blue car with decorations doesn’t have over 50,000 views… but I digress…
Where am I going with this story? The old photo has more views and so does old rehashing, old complaining in our lives, old stuck in the rut feelings, that in our lives gets more traction and attention, especially by us. But when things are going right, do we remember that we got past the old? Sometime yes and Sometimes no. Sometimes we need to be reminded of how God found a Way. Sometimes we have to admit our hard paths make the easier paths easier. Oh we should remember that God has a way that is not necessarily easy but true. Well, I survived some stuff and moved forward, Thank God. I pray my voice now and in the future to speak more about God’s save than my life’s craze.
(Maybe we all need to find the right person to vent to, share dirty car engine photos or worldly angst, to spill the beans of frustrations but then go and move forward with life. We could/should walk through that door of the future and even though we carry the photo album of past ughs that keep rebooting up in our (my) brain, as we are as human as them all, we can choose to keep the photos in our back pocket – just between Jesus and us.)
So, I know scripture reinforces that there’s a remedy for humanness, because Jesus came to take not our humanness away instantly, but take away the sins of the soul and unstick the stickiness. We are washable in Him (and our photo albums of sins are wiped clean on our hard drives AND in the cloud). Jesus came fully human and “became sin” so it would be taken away. Paul, a sinner too, wrote: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
And in scripture, we have been gifted the reminder that Jesus asked humanly (for a moment) to not have to drink that cup of suffering sin, but “in His Will” He did comply, taking that cup of suffering which He took all the way to abandonment from God. Divinely Jesus took it upon Himself to do so. He became human and He became our sin and He became abandoned. He complied over complained. He took the hit so that we all have the potential to move forward. He made a Way because He came as the Way.
“My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Jesus prayed. (Matthew 26:41)
Could Jesus have stepped away? He had the power to, but chose the Way.
He took the old engine, in you and me, and we don’t have a photo to hold, but know He allows our old engines to be renewed. He moves the past away, and it passes away. God promises this new body, new life, new forever and gives Himself as a down payment, His Spirit in us, to know what awaits. God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come – that new me new you SHOULD get 50,000 views times a million.
A new view – without sin – or cracked headgasket. We WILL get more mileage out of forever life with Jesus. Accept His cleansing today.
Amen
—-
Paul in a letter to the 2nd Corinthians Chapter5:1-5,17-21
Awaiting the New Body
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
…
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
“Assume best intentions” – that’s what a friend of mine reminded us to do, in a management pep talk. He does help us move forward. And if we assume best intentions, we can step aside from mind games that plague us. That’s a crucial part of life, tell mind games: “Game Over.”…
This friend could do those “Ted talks” – those inspiring motivating business and people-saavy videos to ponder… Big rooms thinking I’m going to learn something, and they do, if only to remember what they already knew. Thinking of it, I could give Ted talks too… I could distill life lessons for those who want to verify theirs against others experiences, and yes, as I once sat in a motivational talk and said, “I could do that!”, I could should would actually do that, both as a talker and helper and thinker. Most importantly I know that my source material should be what matters, not just my reaction.
So, for now I will write when the morning is new and the mouth is quiet, it’s easier for me to LISTEN then. What am I listening for? My quieting down first and foremost. This WILL take a while, probably forever… Whom am I listening to? Ah, this is the good best question, as I wonder: am I listening from within for me to help me or others? Am I listening to come up with the answers in life? OR am I listening for the Fountain of Wisdom, the Judge of Justice, the actual Absolute Truth that gives temperance and self-control, AND the Creator of courage.
Yeah, I need to listen for my Lord. As He told prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;” Yes – as Jeremiah was picked by God and then strengthened and empowered, we too can be tools for Him.
In other words, I’m not a Stoic but I have the desire to be the recipient STOKER of the FIRE, set inside of me.
I only have heard piecemeal parts of the philosophy of Stoicism put together, but I have lived long enough to understand it, where that might come from in people’s desires to know self. So, knowing history, I do have desires enough to be in philosophical discussions about people’s philosophical stances, gauging their spiritual stance (or kneeling). It’s good to hear about what others are influenced by, and yet hold tight to that thick shield guarding my own heart. Yup. (God grasp me in Your gentle unbreakable grip).
Here is what I learned from googling: “If we were to describe Stoicism in one sentence, it’d be this: A Stoic believes they don’t control the world around them, only how they respond—and that they must always respond with courage, temperance [self-control], wisdom, and justice.” … OH!!! Now I see the connection and the disconnect too. These are virtuous and fine, but I’m sure they don’t totally or even remotely define my own relationship with the Divine.
It’s good to educate, and to hold street smarts, yet then it’s even BETTER to not edify self but to appreciate a personal place in a Plan BIGGER than me than us. I am going to choose a choice gifted to me, a desire to know God. If He feeds me wisdom I don’t have to memorize and control my conversations for a world that is worldly, a people who are imperfect, a dialog that debates, or a gain that is gated. None of those. And yet understand others to meet the people where they are. Jesus, the Truth, the Word, comes to save the people from our brokenness. I’m not going to be stoic if I can be Spiritual. I’m not going to not know my hope helps. It does because God IS.
I desire me to be me, to be movable (I pray) by “virtue” of the Holy Spirit, to accept in a miracle of my brokenness, that Jesus came to heal. I will pray and because of Christ’s Spirit Who chooses to move in me, yes, because of Him, I will live in HOPE.
JESUS loves us, Hope in his HOPE. God with us – Immanuel.
Amen
—
Jeremiah learned from God who he was to be: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 1:5-8
Christmas? Not bah humbug but humbahbug, not yet bit by the Christmasbug?… nope, me neither, until….. until my Christmas “receiving’…
I wasn’t ready, for Christmas decorating or colors. And I didn’t/don’t have to be, it still early. And yet, after a recent personal tirade about Thanksgiving colors in my life needing more time, I saw my own collapse of my curmudgeonness, it happened just tonight. And I’m not fully in, but Christmas happened, I crumbled to both the secular AND the Spiritual, yes to the cookies then to the colorful lights, then to the conifer tree, and then to the carrying down of decorations – but the lifting aspect of Christmas is the receiving of the gift of Christmas itself. Alleluia. The gift of Christmas Spirit is in itself RECEIVING it.
Let us see gifts of His Glow. Let us receive the Spirit of receiving.
Ah – the tree. The cat looked genuinely concerned with the decoration boxes, but ah that tree smells so good, that now I will add lights and I’ll be crumbling my way into Christmas more and more – for it IS a process. And Mmmmm…. it’s the gift of friendships and cookies that got me rolling today, rolling dough became rolling out decorations for church and assembly of cookie trays as a donation to a charity. Beautiful and many hands make light work. Christmas creeped in more as I started putting up snowflakes on windows, a gift from a friend that I could embrace…
We got the tree after we had gone out to dinner, celebrating my son’s new fulltime status at his job and a raise too… YAY! Driving home from the restaurant we stopped at one house which had an unbelievable amount of Christmas lights and inflatables… WOW!!! I took a selfie with Santa. OK, Christmas curmudgeon was crumbled in cheer. It’s not just that people need more time for Christmas, it’s that people need more Christmas time in Christmas spirit. I do too, and I really always need more Christmas curmudgeon CRUMBLING – a take over of my holding back.
A crumble to not Christmas GIVING but RECIEVING… OH OH OH not HoHoHo. Christmas RECEIVING is receiving Spirit. We must be realizing more that we have been gifted more moments, friends, futures, forever, and accept them.
Our openness to receiving gifts of wows and ohs. Christmas doesn’t just necessarily mean big things in little packages. But opening and receiving and appreciating that we have been gifted.
And I especially mean RECEIVING of Jesus. The Gift.
It’s a sacrifice of praise, God’s that good to give us the gift of RECEIVING Him.
I am no expert in the scriptures – but I can hear God’s anger when I read it. God gives comfort to his people but consequences to the contrarians. In other words, I would not want to be in God’s fury – It’s worth the Walk with Jesus. Oh, I only want to be covered in the sacrificial shield of Jesus Lord God – and to do that I have to repent for myself and even for what happened via the fall of man via Adam and Eve. I wasn’t there but I must be aware.
Is it tough to repent? It takes humility over pride, it takes brokeness over braisen entitlement. Repentance is a heart yearning to heal and requires believing giving control over to God is worth it. A conviction convinces and JOY rejustifies. In opening the door of our hearts to Jesus, we find repentance is the acknowledgement that we DO need a Savior and can’t go it alone, meaning we can’t get life fulfilment in temporary life. Truly, isn’t it best to step away from God’s Fury and into His Fold?
I know that God has rallied (over and over) against people who say they speak for Him – but really don’t. And God has made a way for His sheep who don’t say a peep – as well as those who stand up and are struck down. Martyrs and many, and more to come.
In Isaiah 66, we have come to the last chapter of prophetic promises – it is NOT a pretty sight of what happens to those enemies to God. I appreciate the promises of God fulfilled, which the old testament BC people only could hope for. Imagine the faithful then who waited and waited, they say half a century of generations after Isaiah until Jesus came. Temple-faithful. We now wait again, worship Him and His Promise.
“Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?”
God gives delivery – and gathers His people… Let us wait on the Lord with hopeful praise, repentance and restoring Joy.
Jesus comes again, God DOES deliver.
Amen
—
Isaiah 66:5-end
Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: “Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy!’ Yet they will be put to shame. Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the Lord repaying his enemies all they deserve.
“Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.
Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God. “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her.
For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.”
For this is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”
When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes. See, the Lord is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and with his sword the Lord will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the Lord.
“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one who is among those who eat the flesh of pigs, rats and other unclean things—they will meet their end together with the one they follow,” declares the Lord.
“And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.
“I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. And they will bring all your people, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord—on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,” says the Lord. “They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the Lord in ceremonially clean vessels. And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites,” says the Lord.
“As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”
I used to be competitive in life, I still am somewhat, and then I realize, when I feel it as grandstanding, that I am to scale that back because I need to remember and understand that JESUS, not me, WON EVERYTHING WORTH WINNING, FOREVER. Jesus shines light on everything that should be important for me and the rest will fade away. I can’t take credit because I didn’t even win the winning, He won it.
But we can feel the blessed feeling of JOY. So, with a blessed feeling that He allows me to feel:
I don’t have to compete even while looking competitive;
I don’t have to whine even when obviously I have been overlooked;
I don’t have to look behind when I’m looking forward;
I do have to wonder what the blessing is in the bungled world, but when I can only see Him then I can see Him as the only thing going right;
(And I do have to mourn what He mourns.)
I DO have to stand up for myself as a child of God, but I don’t have to climb over people, put them down, stand on them or in their way when Jesus already made me a new Way;
and I don’t have to knock anyone down to be picked up, especially because I don’t have to compete if I am not running the right race, His race, a good race where He leads.
I do have to realize that the WORLD doesn’t see eye to eye right now, it won’t, but should remember that IT WILL at some one glorious day when Jesus returns, because then all, on their knees, will bow down. In that day I still won’t have won myself but be filled with wonder that He has given me. And I will then really wonder why I worried so worldly.
Jesus forgives worldliness and brokenness when we repent with open hearts wanting to heal. Let us open them now and keep working in His Way.
Amen
Isaiah 66:1-2
Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.
Many don’t know that Jesus is coming back – but even more don’t know that He came the first time – or maybe they know the Christmas manger story but don’t know WHY He came. Then also they may not know He was prophesied to come – and thus BE the fulfilment of the law (of Moses by satisfying the law) – and fulfillment of the Prophets (by doing everything predicted and by being the Christ). Jesus Came, Comes, Will Come. Jesus crushes the crisis of sin separation. Jesus saves.
Isaiah 65 talks about the righteousness that we need in Jesus from Jesus as Lord – and the whole new beginning that was foretold from the beginning, this is a matter of His Hands and His Coming and knowledge of His Promise and His Hope. Jesus saves. Hope in Jesus.
Peter, beloved disciple, in his 2nd letter urges the reader, including us, to be found “at peace with him” – with the Lord. Urging us to remain within His peace by understanding that His ways are above our ways – make a sacrifice of praise because His return is imminent and like a thief in the night. So let us be ready to be with Him – stay close – stay watching and stay wanting Him. . . With Him, the acceptance of Him as Lord comes first, the fixes next. Always the repentance before repair. Repair in His Righteousness. We all need repair. Jesus saves.
Since we don’t know the hour, I pray we are patient to just keep applying Christ forgiveness in all our situations – be open in our concerns and corrections but be filled with the opportunity that Jesus DOES want us to come to Him… LET US ENCOURAGE THE CONNECTION… My friend always says, in prayerful concern: “I pray the blood of Jesus over: (whomever we are talking about).” Of course that applies to us too, because none of us are blameless, we can’t achieve that, only GRACE and MERCY save us too.
Here are 2nd Peter and Isaiah 65 scriptures – crucial for our Christmas Spirit – remember that the beginning was begun with the end in mind – and the end is ended with and for the New Beginning FOREVER. ALL will become CLEAR in the LIGHT of the LORD – Jesus Messiah – fullness fulfilled – full fulfillment.
Amen
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2nd Peter 3:8-18
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
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Isaiah 65 NKJV
The Righteousness of God’s Judgment
“I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that was not called by My name. I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts; A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; Who sacrifice in gardens, And burn incense on altars of brick; Who sit among the graves, And spend the night in the tombs; Who eat swine’s flesh, And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day. “Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silence, but will repay – Even repay into their bosom – Your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together,” says the Lord, “Who have burned incense on the mountains And blasphemed Me on the hills; Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.”
Thus says the Lord: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, For a blessing is in it,’ So will I do for My servants’ sake, That I may not destroy them all. I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, And from Judah an heir of My mountains; My elect shall inherit it, And My servants shall dwell there. Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, And the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, For My people who have sought Me.
“But you are those who forsake the Lord, Who forget My holy mountain, Who prepare a table for Gad, and who furnish a drink offering for Meni. Therefore I will number you for the sword, And you shall all bow down to the slaughter; Because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not hear, But did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight.”
Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, My servants shall eat, But you shall be hungry; Behold, My servants shall drink, But you shall be thirsty; Behold, My servants shall rejoice, But you shall be ashamed; Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, But you shall cry for sorrow of heart, And wail for grief of spirit. You shall leave your name as a curse to My chosen; For the Lord God will slay you, And call His servants by another name; So that he who blesses himself in the earth Shall bless himself in the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth Shall swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hidden from My eyes.
The Glorious New Creation
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. “No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, And their offspring with them.
“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” Says the Lord.
Debbie Upper 