Day Two

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

Laying down the hammer used in his carpenter’s trade, Jesus kissed his mother on the cheek and started out the door with nothing but a bag flung over his shoulder. His time had come as he had heard his father’s voice speaking clearly. This was his appointed time to fulfill his destiny; the reason for his birth, and ultimately, his death from the very beginning of time.

Off in the distance, John’s voice echoed above the crowd, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!” Baptizing many on that day, with the scorching sun beating down upon his brow, John looked up and Jesus was standing beside him to be baptized. “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” John asked Jesus. Jesus replied, “Let it be so now, it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus was baptized, and rising up out of the water the heavens were opened and the Spirit of God descended like a dove on him and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil for forty days and forty nights. For the first time, he felt the pangs of hunger, with his stomach feeling hollow and every rib could be counted from lack of food, and his mouth parched from thirst. If only he could have just one drop of water to wet his tongue that was sticking to the roof of his mouth. Falling from the extreme heat and lack of food and water, alone in the desert sun with no shelter, he was alone to be tormented and taunted by Satan. “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Knowing his eternal purpose and what he was doing for all of humanity, Jesus overcame the pangs of hunger and thirst, realizing that all those who would come to him would be satisfied in a deeper way than food or drink. They would be fed spiritually and after coming to him, they would be filled. They would never hunger or thirst again for the scraps of the world. Crying out to God for supernatural strength, he spoke back to Satan, with the same words he has taught all that have followed behind him, with all authority, “Away from me Satan, for it is written, worship God and serve him only.”

What a victory! He had passed the test! Satan left him, and God smiled down on his precious obedient son. Returning to Galilee, Jesus was full of the Spirit. Everywhere he went, he drew a crowd. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. Come to me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. I will refresh your weary souls and give you streams in the desert. Be set free today! Be healed today!” They came one by one, the lonely, hopeless, forsaken, the outcasts, the downtrodden, the sick, the woman caught in adultery, the woman with the issue of blood, the young, the old and of every economic status. It didn’t matter. They had a need and Jesus filled their needs, from the small to the great. He didn’t do it for the multitudes, but for that one individual, steeped in sin and bondage, knowing that he held the answer to their most urgent heart cry. No matter how long it would take, he would never give up on them. He was born for this very purpose. First, one would come, and then another; one by one they came to him with the realization that they needed a miracle and he had the cure. The beggars, the harlots, the lepers came one by one to sit at the feet of Jesus, to hear his stories, share a meal or be warmed by the campfire. They would learn from him and find hope where no other hope could be found.

The greatest miracle of all is that he loves me, even me, the sinner that I am. He loves me; all the good, the bad and the ugly. He does not push me away, but he pulls me close. He is the glory and the lifter of my head. He sees my desperation in a crowd full of people and he looks straight at me into my eyes and I know love like I have never known before!

Romans 2:4

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

John 6:37

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Luke 15: 1-7

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable; Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

We are so busy reflecting on Jesus’ ministry that we sometimes forget how Mary, his mother, must have felt, knowing her son was about to embark on a mission that was ordained by God. As a mother and a grandmother, I can just imagine all the emotions she must have had welling up inside of her when Jesus left that day to start his ministry. She had the same memories that all mothers have. She had given birth to him, fed him, clothed him, bandaged his cuts and bruises and watched him play as a child. I’m sure she had the same problem of letting go as so many of us face today when it’s time for our kids to leave the nest. She knew this was God’s plan from the beginning of time, and I love her gentle words of faith in her God when the angel, Gabriel, gave her the news that she was going to be the mother of the Messiah that would save his people from their sins.

Luke 1: 46-48

and Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth to all generations shall call me blessed.

Because Mary was chosen by God to bring forth her son, Jesus, the world will never be the same! What a glorious hope for all mankind!

Because of Jesus’ mercy and grace, we can come boldly to his throne and make our requests known to him. There is no sin too great to keep us away from his fathomless love. His mercies are new every morning and because he welcomes the sinner, and all who need a Savior, we have a glorious hope. We can live a victorious life with a new beginning as we accept his invitation to “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is near.” His love is boundless! What wonderful news to know that Jesus invitation still stands today, to embrace eternal life! We have been sent the invitation from the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! This is the party of all party’s and the one giving the party gives us a gift, the gift of eternal life! We don’t have to wait until life as we know it here ends. We can start right now living the abundant life that only Jesus can give us today!

Won’t you accept his invitation if you haven’t already, and find out what the abundant life is all about? He holds the power to set you free today from fear, and the ravages of sin will lose their hold on you. Lay your burdens down and start to enjoy the abundant life found only in Jesus Christ.

Day One

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Mary let out a deep sigh as the blazing sun beat down upon her brow. With sweat pouring off her drenched face, she felt the sting from the heat wrap around her like a blanket on a hot day. Her swollen feet were as parched as her lips. It seems as though they had traveled for days and days. Mile after mile they had made their way along the dusty, dirt roads, around mountain passes and rugged terrain, riding on the back of a donkey. This was not quite the honeymoon she had in mind a short time ago. With no shelter from the hot sun or the cold windy nights, she wondered, would they ever reach Bethlehem? With every bump, her huge nine-month belly shook, and the stabbing pains were starting to become unbearable.

If only they could reach their destination soon, Mary thought. She couldn’t wait to freshen up at the Inn and get some much needed rest. She knew it wouldn’t be much longer until her precious baby boy would be born. As tired as she was, she was filled with anticipation at the miracle that was taking place.

Mary thought back to a short time ago when she was ecstatic to be betrothed to her beloved, handsome Joseph. He was a godly man and so very gentle. She had her eyes on him from the start. My, how things had suddenly changed since the night the Angel first appeared to her, telling her that her virgin womb would bring forth the Messiah, the Son of God. He would be the long-awaited answer to so many prayers for generations. His name would be Jesus. But, it was never easy from the start. So many questions bombarded her mind, and not only her mind, but her family, her friends and mostly Joseph. But Mary kept all the words the Angel had spoken to her that night, and pondered them in her heart. She knew her God had a plan that would enfold in His own time.

Now, no matter what she remembered from the past, nothing could deny that this was a full-fledged miracle of God, with every kick that she felt, knowing the heartbeat inside of her was the precious Son of the Living God.

“But why, God? Why would you bring your Son into the world under these dire conditions? Why these dusty roads? Why like this?” As difficult as it was, Mary had a heart for God and was obedient to his leading. Sometimes, you must just go on and trust him when nothing else makes sense, she thought. There was no glamour in any of this; no glitz! But they were chosen by God, handpicked for such a time as this.

At Bethlehem’s entrance, the pains grew more intense and became unbearable with each step. Joseph, frantic to find help for his wife, found help from no one. There was no room in the inn, but as a last resort, the innkeeper pointed them to a stable with livestock. At least it was quiet and out of the way of all the noise of the busy hub bub of the town.

With one last push, Mary, the young mother of the Savior of the world gave birth to Jesus, the long awaited Messiah, who was born on that most holy of nights to save his people from their sins. There in that dingy, dirty, smelly stable full of barn yard animals, after giving birth, Mary laid Jesus in a manger, a barn yard trough, that cradled him, along with some hay that the animals were sharing. The brightest star stopped overhead. It’s brilliance attracted people near and far, to come see the miracle that had just taken place. The world would never be the same!

Luke 2: 8-14

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the Angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the Angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

This holy child, Jesus, the Son of God, was born in a dirty, messy stable surrounded by barn yard animals. This leads us to ponder, Why would God allow his own son to come into the world like this? There was no royalty in this; no glory, no majesty fit for a king, the holy Son of God. Instead, Jesus was brought into the world in this humble, lowly estate to lower himself down to man’s level so that we might recognize him as one of us. God allowed his very own son whom he loved so much to be brought down lower than the angels, so that in due time, we would be lifted up, that we might have the abundant life that only he could give us.

This is where it all began, the part where God tells us to Fear Not! Do not be afraid, just like he told the shepherds that were moved by fear on that most Holy of nights! And yes, Jesus humbled himself so that when we are in the pit of despair, he is not afraid to come down to our lowest place of darkest gloom, and even get in the pig pen with us for a time, to lift us back up. He’s not afraid to get dirty. He came to reach His people in their lowest estate. He came to wipe our tears away and set us free of fear and all bondage that is holding us back from all that he came to give us.

As I reflect on the miracle of Jesus’ birth, I am also humbled that God looked on my lowly estate and loved me so much that he sent a part of himself, his very own Son, Jesus, to be born to ransom me from death and hell. He was born to save me from my sins and to make a way for me to spend eternity with him. He was born into a world from the very start that had no room for him. He suffered many of the same day to day struggles much like you and I, with one of them being rejection. Can’t you just see the Wise Men following that star to where the baby could be found? They were looking for a great king, but they were led to a humble stable, only to find a baby, sleeping peacefully on a bed of hay. I will spend every moment of my life making room in my heart for him.

Do you have room in your heart for him today? Will you give him a chance and let him in to pick up all the broken pieces of your life? He won’t judge you. He is waiting to give you a fresh start. Just like the shepherds, you may be afraid also. He is saying to you in his gentlest voice, “Do not be afraid. There is news of great joy for you also!”

Isaiah 60: 1

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”

INTRODUCTION

FIVE DAY STUDY

There is no doubt that we are living in unsettling times. Fear and panic have become widespread at an alarming rate over the past year, with the talk of Covid-19 being the central topic of most of our conversations. This has compelled me to embark on a journey of my own by tapping into the peace that only God can give us when everything around us is changing rapidly from day to day. It is a comforting assurance to know the Prince of Peace and I want to encourage others to do the same. That’s why I have written this five day study on “Knowing Jesus Intimately.” Only then will we find true peace, unlike the peace the world offers.

People are searching for answers to all the questions that have been plaguing so many of us these days. Speaking of the word, plague, this is a topic Jesus was familiar with when he healed people of Leprosy and many other maladies of his day. He healed the ten lepers and only one of them returned to thank him.

There has been one word that has prevailed through these past several months and that word is fear. Fear has crippled society and stopped many of us in our tracks. While we should be diligent in taking the proper precautions deemed necessary, in no way should we be consumed by fear. The Bible clearly tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. The words “Fear Not” have been reiterated repeatedly throughout the Bible. We must not allow fear to dominate our lives but be controlled by the Holy Spirit and the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. I get the feeling that God was really trying to get through to his kids that he is in total control. He has not given up his throne for a single second. We have nothing to fear if we put our full trust in him. Faith and fear cannot operate together. You either have one or the other. Fear has no place in the child of God.

In every season of Jesus’ life and ministry, there is a powerful lesson to learn and to apply to our own lives. I can think of no better topic to write about in these changing times. Getting a closer glimpse at Jesus, the one who holds our lives in his hands will bring clarity and peace to the child of God as we lean in and get a closer look at the heart of the Father for his children. It is only then that we will find true peace, the kind of peace that we so earnestly crave for a richer life. No matter what life looks like for you today, He is your peace that passes all understanding. This is a five day study to “KNOWING JESUS INTIMATELY.” I hope you will join me in this quest for real peace.

Come with me to Day One of Humble Beginnings to the humble stable where the King of Glory was born. See for yourself how he came into the world to serve and save the lost and to bring hope to a fearful and dying world.

Come with me to Day Two of Jesus, Friend of Sinners. Watch how Jesus could zero in on that one in a crowd, looking deep into their eyes, bringing them to their knees, knowing he was the only one who could give them the one thing they needed, forgiveness.

Come along with me to Day Three, Jesus, Man of Miracles, and see the compassion of Jesus when he wept at the death of his beloved friend, Lazarus, just before raising him back to life, and how he healed the sick, fed the multitudes and loved the unlovely.

Come with me to Day Four, Jesus, Lover of My Soul, and you will soon realize the love Jesus has for you. His is a love that whispers into the deepest crevices of your heart and beckons you to come and sit at his feet and drink from the well of his love that will never run dry. Come to that quiet place where he will refresh your soul and lift you out of the pit of despair. Watch how he loves the children and takes them in his arms and how he honors women and their incredible worth.

And lastly, come with me to Day Five, Jesus, Giver of Eternal Life. It is here where you will find renewed hope. Come along quiet streams as he replenishes you back to wholeness. You will see that broken things can become beautiful in the midst of the ash heap of your weary soul. All fear will fall aside when you grasp the miracle of the cross and the power it contains to give you the abundant life that is such a part of the redemption story; the power of the cross. Joy will bubble up inside of you like never before, and new freedom will be yours forever. I can hear the chains falling now. Life will take on new meaning for you as your walk in total peace.

My hope for you is that you will come away refreshed. This same God who rides on the wings of the wind and flung the stars into space is still the same God who cures diseases and rose from the grave. No matter what you are facing in life, Jesus is the Cure!

Life can get to be overwhelming sometimes. No matter where I go, or who I talk to, someone is fighting some kind of battle these days. It’s easy to think that we are the only one going through a difficult time, but the truth of the matter is that no one is immune to problems in this life. From a distance, it may look like that friend or neighbor has it all together and that their life is perfect, when your own life has taken a turn for the worse and you don’t know if you will come through this trial or not. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

Usually, during these times when we get our eyes off of Jesus and start looking around and comparing our own lives to others, we can start to withdraw and start to feel alone. I truly believe isolation is a tool of the enemy. If he can get you to feel alone and that no one cares or understands, he has you right where he wants you. This is when you need to dig into the word of God all the more and learn how to put on God’s strength as a garment and put on the full armor of God.

If you find yourself in this place, it’s important to recognize that you are not alone. Reach out to others. Surround yourself with the love of family and friends and help someone else who is going through a difficult time also. One thing I have observed is that the people who become hateful and hard to live with need loved all the more. Let’s face it! This can be a cold and cruel world. People are used to seeing angry people every day; angry drivers, rude sales clerks, grumpy husbands, downright mean teenagers; And no, our families are not immune to difficult times either. These are the times that we need to put on love and go the extra mile. Smile at that angry waitress, hug our husband, say an encouraging word to our neighbor, or put a note in our teenager’s backpack, telling them how special they are!

When you decide to not allow your own feelings to dictate your actions, your life will take a turn for the better. People are hurting these days and God has called you to be that one to pour his healing balm of Gilead into their deepest wounds. He will use you to bless that one person today if you will let him. Go ahead and pay it forward and just watch how God will work in your own life. He promises to work all things together for your good. Jesus said that in this world we would have problems, but I love the last part of what He said, “But cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” No matter what you are going through, you will come through this! Your circumstances may be telling you that it is hopeless, but never forget, that GOD IS STILL GOD!

Love is our greatest weapon in fighting anything that we will ever face in this life!

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I think that sometimes we get so busy throwing out our requests to God, like he is the owner of a candy shop, that it’s easy to forget that we are talking to the Almighty God, the Creator of the entire universe. One thing that we need these days is a healthy dose of the fear of God!

This morning, God’s word spoke to me once again as I was reading in Ezekiel about the exiles in Babylon. God’s judgement was heavy when he punished Israel for their deplorable sins and wickedness. They were worshiping false gods and idols. There was every form of sexual sin, and abomination, blatantly flaunted at God, as they shook their fists at Him, in mockery. Despite God sending his prophets to warn them time and time again, they were headstrong and bent on fulfilling their own evil lusts and desires, and they would not hearken to God’s warnings. He kept giving them chance after chance to make amends, but to no avail.

One thing I know about my God, He is true to his word and He is not a man that He should lie. He sent heavy punishment on the exiles in Babylon. His mighty arm was stretched out against them. One phrase that I see reiterated throughout the bible that God says to His people, “Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

Contemplating all of this, I wonder today, if we are any different than the exiles in Jerusalem. We are all guilty at times of idols in our life. They might not resemble the statues that the Israelites worshiped, but ours can be in different forms, like our cell phones, the internet, television and so many more. While all of these things aren’t bad in themselves, they can become idols if we put them before God.

This morning as I read my bible and prayed, God really got my attention. I felt his presence so real and tangible that I could just reach out and touch him. I knew that I was standing on “HOLY GROUND.” It stopped me dead in my tracks and made me want to bow down in worship to him and offer up my praise in the highest form. There are not enough words to describe the magnificence of my God. He’s not asking for material gifts. He wants my heart. He wants to be first place in everything I do.

All of his thoughts are good about me. I know that he loves me so much that he was willing to die in my place and shed his own blood to make retribution for my sins so that I could come into that place of complete communion with him. Without it, there is no other way. It’s a choice that only you can make for yourself, but once you do, you are covered by His blood, and have all the access to come boldly before Him and make your requests known. What an awesome promise!

Yes, He is a mighty God, the King of the entire universe. We are standing on Holy Ground, and as powerful as He is, He is equally loving. No one can fathom His love. It’s limitless. He has removed our sins as far as the east is to the west. Now, we have access to His mighty power. He is on our side and no weapon formed against us shall prosper.

Now, I am not only standing on Holy Ground. I am kneeling on Holy Ground in awe and thanks to the mighty God of the entire universe, my heavenly Father, Who not only gives me victory in this life, but in the next!

Exodus 3:5

Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

I love the quote by Albert Einstein: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

I write these words today while they are still fresh in my mind. This past week I witnessed the birth of my newest grandson, baby Bradley. For nine months, I have watched my daughter, Sarah, prepare for the birth of this new little one. This is the first time that she opted to not know the baby’s gender and be surprised at the birth. She had a few scares during her pregnancy and a miscarriage just prior to this one, but despite an ultrasound that showed a cyst on the baby’s head and some bleeding that led to her spending a few days in the hospital, baby Bradley came on time and was perfectly healthy. Each time that there were any concerns at all, we hit the floor with our knees and Sarah and baby were on the prayer chain at church. Thank God for people that will pray! This is one of our greatest weapons!

I have seen most of my grandchildren be born and no matter how many times I go through it, I am moved to tears at the miracle of birth and new life. I still say, “That first cry gets me every time!” It’s so amazing to me how that mother carries this baby in her stomach for nine months and each part of the baby is intricately formed one step at a time. You watch her belly grow, and you go with her on her escapades when she just has to have ice cream! You do it with her, knowing that she will lose her weight long before you lose yours. Before you know it, it’s time! With suitcase in hand, and an excitement you can’t even begin to describe, there you are, still half asleep and yet too excited to care, knowing that you will soon get to witness one of life’s greatest miracles, the birth of your grandchild.

The nurses hooked Sarah up to all the necessary gadgets, started the IV and the one that really captured my attention was the baby’s heartbeat, I hear this sweet little one’s heart beating so fast and with each heartbeat, it’s as if to say, “I am coming soon! Get ready to celebrate my life! What a glorious day!” I’ve already been through this many other times, but each time, it’s as if it were the first. As the contractions get more intense, I remember when I had Sarah in this same hospital. My, how things have changed since then! I remember holding her in my arms for the first time as a new mother and the love I felt. I think of the blessing she has been in my life and I know the joy she must be feeling, and yes, I do remember the pain of childbirth. That’s why only a mother knows fully when her children suffer the same pain. Pretty soon, the delivery cart is brought to the bedside and the incubator is being warmed up to house the newborn infant. Everyone is scurrying around and doing their own job. We are all cheering her on as we await the baby’s entrance. Excitement is in the air. There I am, lost in the shuffle of it all, with tears streaming down both sides of my face, knowing that this is truly a ” God thing” in the highest form! There are no words to begin to describe the beauty of this moment as I take in the gift of life coming straight from the heart of God! In just a moment, there it is, the most holy sound this side of heaven, the baby’s first cry! I still get goose bumps! All I can say is, “What a Miracle.”

I couldn’t help but notice the words written on the wall as I entered the birthing unit of the hospital, “Life…The Purest Form of a Miracle.” No truer words were ever spoken. This brings me to the conclusion of why I write this today. You matter to God! Your life is a miracle. God has a beautiful plan for your life. He watched you be born and He is still with you to this day, through the good times and the bad. He was with you at your birth and all of heaven has been cheering you on ever since! He knew you before you were even created and knitted you together in your mother’s womb. He knew all of your days before even one of them came to be. He was with you then and He is with you now, even to the very end, when your hair is white with old age. This is just the beginning of all that He has planned for you, Just like a mother knows her baby, God knows you. He knows his kids and he has great things planned for them for all of eternity.

As I watch baby Bradley sleeping on his mommy’s chest, I wonder what will he be? Will he be a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman or a preacher? Will he be a football player? Maybe a soccer player like his older brothers? Only time will tell…..But right now, he’s just a baby sleeping in his mother’s arms while the love of God enfolds in his life and molds him into that special one that God has destined for him to be since the beginning of time!

Psalm 139: 13-16
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

So many people live so apathetically. They have learned to accept defeat, hard times, failures, past sins, and disappointments as a way of life. They trudge through life day after day with little excitement and enthusiasm that life can be anything but enjoyable. They have succumbed to the thought that their life will stay dull and boring.  Are you one of the millions of people that live day after day with no hope that things will ever get better? Isn’t it about time to climb up out of that pit of despair that has kept you imprisoned for so long? Are you ready for a change? Are you ready to get your passion for living back? Keep reading, my friend. Your life is about to get exciting as you embark on the journey that God has had in store for you since the day your were born!!! You are a masterpiece and it’s about time that you start living like it!!! Get your smile back! Take a deep breath and breathe in all the blessings that God is pouring into your life. He is going to fill you up to the brim with joy unspeakable!

God promises in his word that he came to give you life; not just any old boring life, but a life of abundance. He calls it a “new thing.” He wants you to throw off the shackles that are holding you back from becoming all that he wants you to be. He has a wonderful plan for your life, if you will just ask him what that plan is. Too many times, people get angry with God when things don’t go the way that they had planned. What they fail to realize is that our God is a good, good God. He doesn’t cause illness or lack in any area. His greatest desire is to see his kids happy, whole, healthy and blessed in every way. He did say that in this world we would have troubles and heartaches, but he said to cheer up because he has overcome the world.

He also said to forget the past and to not dwell on the former things. Don’t get so caught up in your past failures and mistakes that you miss the wonderful future that Jesus died to give you. Dwelling on the past will keep you in bondage so that you will stay in the wilderness and never reach your own “Promised Land”, a land flowing with milk and honey.

It’s time to get your hopes up again. Remember that God is able to deliver you out of anything that you are going through. He will put your feet on solid ground and set you free to live the abundant life that is already yours. Look ahead to what God is doing in your life and remember all that he has already done. You have come a long way Baby! You may not be as far ahead as you had planned, but thank God that he has brought you safely this far! If you learn to trust in him and to let him lead you each day, you will soon start to look ahead to your future with hope and expectancy! Keep your thoughts positive and cast down every negative thought that is trying to bring you down. Discouragement is a tool of the enemy. If he can keep you discouraged, you will be too tired to see the new thing that God is doing in your life, and he is always working, no matter how slow the process seems.

It’s time for you to break out of your cocoon and become the beautiful butterfly that is inside of you, just waiting to be set free. There is a fresh new hope with the promise of every sunrise. Yes, you are becoming all that God has intended for you to be. His mercies are boundless and new every morning. Once you take hold of all that he is doing to transform your life, there is no limit to all the good things that your future holds.

Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Do you ever feel like a nobody? In this crazy world where there is so much confusion and chaos these days, it’s easy to get lost In the shuffle. It seems as if you aren’t rich, famous and with the “in” crowd, your life has little or no meaning. You may feel like you are just another number. It’s easy to feel like that these days in the society in which we live. I believe the enemy of our souls uses this to bring people down and cause them to give up before they even begin.

But wait! Take heart my friend! There is someone Who loves you so much that He died to save you; not only for all of eternity, but for today, right here in the here and now, and His name is JESUS! Life, as you know it right now, doesn’t have to be this way. Instead of the mundane life that you may be living right now, it can be exciting and full of purpose, once you take hold of the fact that the God, Who created the universe and flung the stars into space, made and loves you. He knows your name and He has called you to a life of victory in Him!

You may say, “This may be true for others, but not for me. I have done too many bad things in my life. It’s too late for me. Just look at my circumstances! I don’t have a fighting chance!”

Oh no, my friend. You are wrong! Stop listening to the lies of the devil. He knows if he can keep you down and depressed, he has won. Rise up in the strength of the Lord and believe His word. He calls you Beautiful! The very hairs on your head are numbered. He already knows everything you’ve ever done and He still loves you. He is your closest friend. He is your counselor. Nothing you have ever done can keep Him away from you. The only one that can do that is you! Repent today and come to Him. He longs to hear your heartfelt prayer. He knows every thought you think and He is closer than your next heartbeat. He is holding your hand and walking through this very day with you. You are not alone and, Yes, you are precious in His sight.

Sometimes, before we can grasp all of this, there has to be a crushing in our lives. You know what I mean. You have to get so low that the only way to look from here on out, is up. But, just like the fragrance that comes when a beautiful rose is crushed, there is a fragrance in your life, once you put it all in God’s hand. He will refresh your soul and give you joy and beauty for ashes. Today is a new day! You are starting new. Isn’t God’s grace amazing?! None of us deserve it, but that’s what makes it so awesome!

No matter what giants you are facing today, God is bigger than the mountain that is in front of you. You cannot do it in your own strength, but rise up and know that the King of the world is living inside of you. You are well able to walk through this obstacle, and still have the victory!

Rejoice and dare to hope again!! Put your dancing shoes on, because, Oh what a day to celebrate. He knows your name!!

What a week we’ve had here in Ohio! It seems as if we’ve experienced all four seasons in just one week! The weather has gone mad!! Last week, it was almost 60 degrees, and this week, where do I begin? We’ve had record lows of 23 below zero and just when it starts warming up a slight bit, Brrrrr…… we wake up, this morning, to six inches of snow dumped on us overnight! I enjoy all four seasons, but I could stand for Winter to last only a short few weeks and that would be fine with me. If I were into skiing or snowboarding like my son is, that would be different, but, unfortunately, I’m not. In fact, it’s a real accomplishment if I can get through the winter without falling at least once, and I won’t even talk about driving in it! I’d rather not even go there! The problem is that I’m busy! I’m just too busy for this inconvenience. The truth is that all of this snow slows me down and I don’t have time to slow down, or do I?

Isn’t it funny how God’s timing works? His time table is completely different from ours. He has ways of getting our attention, even when we least expect it. That must be why His word says that His ways are not our ways. As I woke up to this mess this morning, I looked out my window, and I wondered, “What happened that made me want to rush through life at such a pace that I stopped noticing things that I used to as a child?” What seems like an inconvenience now, is really a blessing from God. Sometimes, you just have to change your perspective just a bit.

I looked out my bedroom window this morning, and taking it all in, it really is a beautiful sight to behold! There are ice crystals hanging off all of the trees and the dirty ground has been covered over with the most beautiful, fluffy white snow that shimmers like diamonds. It’s as if God is saying, “It’s a fresh new day. Another chance to get it right.” I can’t help but notice the lone robin perching on one of the branches covered in ice crystals. She is sitting there so calm, just taking it all in. I can hear a faint sound off in the distance. Could this really be? Can I really hear birds singing amidst all of this? How can they be singing when everything around them seems so dead and lifeless? There is a quiet stillness that permeates the atmosphere. It’s almost a holy hush. It’s as if God and all of nature have called a time out and blanketed my world with peace. I could, then hear God speak deep into my spirit, “What you think is an inconvenience is really me speaking peace into your day, calling you away for a time out to stop and rest for a bit. I know you love the Springtime and the flowers, but I made the snow too! All of nature is mine. Learn to savor every moment that you live. Look at my works. Aren’t they amazing? I have storehouses of snow that I have reserved for days like this, so that I can get you to slow down and look up and talk to me. ”

I love how God works. Sometimes, when life gets crazy, and on those days when you feel like you can’t take it anymore, He calls a time out and woos us back into His presence and gives us a fresh start once again.

I learned a valuable lesson today. If the birds can stop for a moment, then I can too, and if the birds can find a song to sing, even in this, then I can too! If you will slow down for just a moment, He will speak to you too, in His ever loving and gentle, still small voice!

Isaiah 1: 18
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

Well……we made it through the holidays and we are still in one piece! Or are we?
Getting ready for Christmas can be overwhelming for many of us. We barely got through Thanksgiving and then……THE MADNESS HIT!! I learned a lesson the hard way this year. I tried to go shopping on Black Friday!!! What was I thinking? I had been so busy up until Thanksgiving that I finally had a chance to go to the grocery store, but, believe me, it was the wrong day!!!

There I was trying to grocery shop at Walmart, with lines roped off and people standing in line for countless hours, some of them even sprawled out across the floor. They were waiting for the signal to be let loose to race one another to get the latest version of XBOX or some other electronic, or to grab the last Barbie and her horse, Spirit, while all I was trying to buy was some coffee or tomorrow’s dinner. It’s crazy, but I got in the wrong line that was going no where. I had a slight panic attack, wondering if I would ever find my way out of the store. Finally, after I was almost run down multiple times, I just parked my cart and tried to escape without being the latest headline in the newspaper of “Woman Killed In Local Store While Buying Coffee.” In the meantime, I pressed through the crowd to find Mark waiting amused on a bench at the front of the store. He had been waiting for what seemed like several hours, thinking that I would appear with a cart full of delicious groceries, to see me leave the store empty handed; and something that I will never be able to fully comprehend, is how he managed to meet some new friends while they were waiting carefree on others who were caught in the same mess I was in.

Don’t get me wrong! I love to shop! I can shop with the best of them! I have eight grandchildren, but to tell you the truth, there is nothing that I desire that much that warrants being mauled by crowds of angry people bent on killing anyone who gets in their way. I saw a completely different side of what materialism at Christmas was like this year!

If you can survive the shopping, then, there’s the Christmas cards, the decorating and all that goes with it, not to mention all of the parties and the kid’s school programs and concerts. Now, my biggest problem since we’ve got all that behind us is taking down the decorations. My tree is laying in three pieces in the spare bedroom until I can find a storage bag big enough to fit it!!! I never dreamed that this could even be a problem. I bought the tree this year, and I got a really great price on it. It’s really not that big of a tree. It’s only seven feet tall, but the problem is that it is so full that I can’t find a single container to fit each piece that is wide enough!!! It’s ending up that I am spending more on multiple containers to fit the tree, than I did on the tree, itself! Oh well…..I’ve got to laugh!!! I know God has a sense of humor, too, and He must have had some good laughs at me this year.

In the whole scheme of things, it’s been a lot of fun! Yes, a little crazy at times, but I am so thankful for family, friends, laughter, joy, Cheryl’s cookies, the Hallmark Christmas movies, and all of the special moments that have come with this Christmas season! There are countless blessings that I will always treasure. Sometimes, you just have to look a little harder past all of the chaos to find them, but if you look hard enough, they are there. I am so blessed to watch all eight of my grandchildren laughing and having fun and healthy, and my sweet mama of eighty one still with us, helping to shop and plan the dinner. These are the Christmas specials that no Black Friday special could ever duplicate. These are God’s simple treasures that He plants in our hearts to fill our days with love and countless memories for a lifetime, and they are not to be taken for granted!

No matter what, I still love this crazy, beautiful life that God has so richly blessed me with and I am looking forward to the happiest New Year ever!!!