Advent, a time of HOPE

       Today’s word is HOPE.  God in his mercy constantly reminded the Jews that a messiah would be coming to save them from their sins and rule over his kingdom.  Hundreds of years before Christ’s birth Isaiah wrote “Of the increase 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 9:7    Knowing that a king was coming that would reign eternally with justice and righteousness gave them HOPE!  Knowing that God would accomplish this with intense enthusiasm and devotion gave them HOPE!

       We know Jesus came and established His eternal kingdom forever. When we know Him we are part of His kingdom.  His ruling as king on earth is still future to us, but we can be assured that God will accomplish this next part too.  We can have HOPE in the work of Jesus and in His Word.  David put it this way in Psalm 130:5  “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.”   What God says will be accomplished just as He says.  What a blessed HOPE we have in Jesus.  Rejoice over His coming this Advent season!  Have HOPE!

Blessings of HOPE,
Linda

Just as the morning mist will clear so that one can see this beautiful pool, so we can have HOPE we will one day see God’s kingdom here on earth.

Advent, a time of preparation

Last year, I blogged each day from December 1 to Christmas to help me focus on the meaning and promises of Christmas.  I found that keeping my eyes on the meaning and purpose of the season enhanced my joy, anticipation and appreciation at Jesus’ arrival.  So I decided to try this again, but this time focusing on the people, symbols and feelings that are associated with Christmas.

Today’s word is joy.  Christmas is a time of joy both spiritually and physically.  The coming of a child is always cause for celebration.  Isaiah 9:6 “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.  The promised messiah, savior, deliverer was cause for great joy.

May this season bring you joy-smiles, warmness of heart, a bubbling of emotions of great happiness and well as inner peace and joy at the long awaited arrival of our Lord and Savior.  Look for joy today both to give and to receive.  Open your eyes to see others as a source of joy and not irritation or anger but as a gift from God.  Joy has to be practiced and used to become an integral part of our being.  Let it begin today….

Blessings of joy,
Linda

P.S. I hope you will forgive my use of the Christmas tree today.  Seeing it brought joy to my grandson’s eyes as we looked at this huge tree.

Thanksgiving Praises

      I love that some people have the habit of sending cards.  In this day and age people are prone to text, email or phone with their messages.  However, there is still something special about receiving a hand written card or note.  It’s message is more than just the words contained in the card but one of ‘I spent time remembering you today’.

      I received a Thanksgiving note this week with the following scripture.  John 1:16  “From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.”  Does this verse describe your life?  Do you see one blessing after another that you in no way deserved or earned?   As you gather with family and friends tomorrow, take a moment to remember God’s infinite grace to you.  His grace in giving you salvation through His son, Jesus, eternal life, hope, joy, peace, patience, kindness, the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide you and His Word to light your life’s pathway are a few examples of God’s grace and favor that He gives to us as believers.

Have a blessed time of Thanksgiving.  Praise be to God for He showers us with so many blessings.

Linda

What does God want for me? Patience

     I decided to look up the definition of patience and discovered it means to be able to bear or endure pain or trouble without complaining or losing self-control and also the ability to wait calmly for something desired.  Both of these aspects of patience are found in scripture, and we are encouraged to develop this attribute in our lives.  Is this easy, NO!  I am consoled that both Paul and David also struggled with God’s desire for them and those around them to be patient.  Psalm 37:7 begins “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…. Psalm 40:1-2 says “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”  Paul wrote to the Corinthians about developing patience in their suffering.  2 Corinthians 1:6 “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.”  Both David and Paul speak of the virtue of waiting and developing what Paul calls patient endurance in life to be able to endure hardship and suffering as we wait for God’s timing in the events of our lives.  They also proclaim God’s faithfulness to us as we wait.  David put it so eloquently “He heard my cry and lifted me out of the mud and mire”.    God rewards our patience and knows exactly what we need and when we need it.

     In Galatians, Paul tells us that patience is a fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22).  That means it is a resulting characteristic that the Holy Spirit develops within us as we love and seek to please Jesus in our lives.  James tells us this gift of patience will help us to stand firm and endure as we wait for the Lord Jesus to return. (James 5:7-8)  Revelation speaks of patient endurance and faithfulness that will be needed by the saints. (Rev. 13:10)

     After reflecting on these verses, it is no wonder that God desires that we develop patience.  He sees it as a necessary attribute needed to live a life pleasing to Jesus in the midst of the turmoil we find in the circumstance of our lives.  God knows that developing patience and patient endurance will bring great joy to our lives and a calmness as we trust in Him.  Romans 12:12 puts it this way “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  

     Do you fret and worry over things in your life or do you find hope and joy in watching and waiting for the Lord?  Are you faithful in prayer for strength and endurance as God works to refine and develop your character?

     PATIENCE is easy to say but hard to do.  I am claiming Psalm 37:5 more and more these days.  I find great strength and comfort in it. “Commit your way to the LORD, trust in Him and He will act.”  With patience I need to work on commitment and trust then He will bring the action and results.

Blessings as you develop patience in your life,
Linda

One must patiently wait to see Old Faithful erupt. It is a sight worth patiently waiting for!!

Food for thoughts: Peace of Heart

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” Colossians 3:15

Ask God for His peace today as you speak and interact with others.  Be the voice of peace to those around you.

Blessings
Linda

Food for thoughts: Peace with others

Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

     This is a convicting verse.  I ask myself, do others see Christ when I am around?  Do my actions make for peace with others so they can see Jesus in me?  Definite food for thought today!

Blessings as you meditate on this verse,

Linda

What does God want for me? Peace

Peace is something we crave as believers.  “I only need a moments peace” or “Give me a little peace, please.”  Asking for peace from others is not always assured, but asking God for peace is a sure thing.  James tells us “You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2b)  Jesus told his disciples in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”.

So how do I get this peace Jesus wants to give to me?  One step is to seek peace.  Psalm 34:14 says “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”   Do you seek peace in your life?  Do you strive to end quarrels and fights by being a peacemaker?  Is living in harmony with others important enough to you to pursue it?

Another step is to look into God’s Word.  Psalm 119:165 says”Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”  God’s word will lead and show us how to live in peace with others.  A side benefit is that we are then assured that we are sure footed and not prone to stumble over worldly pursuits and circumstances.  Isaiah 26:3 also talks about God’s word in regard to peace.  I love this verse and claim it in my life. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”  Are you experiencing the steadfastness of God’s peace in your life?  Are you walking each day trusting in God to provide and lead you?

The last step I want to mention is that we need to let go of our anxieties and things that are causing us to be unsettled or discontent within ourselves.  Philippians 4:6-7 hits this right on the mark “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Let go of your problems and stop trying to solve everything yourself.  Step into God’s care and let Him comfort and care for you.   Remember, God is greater than anything we can ever face.

I pray that you will be able to apply one of these steps to your life this week and receive the peace Jesus wants to give you.  Remember: seek peace, look into God’s word and give your anxieties to God.  Then as promised He will give you peace.  Psalm 29:11 “The Lord give strength to his people, the LORD blesses his people with peace.”

Blessings of peace, shalom, to you,

Linda

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Here- the Western Wall and dome of the rock.