Peace, Be Still!

December 16, 2012 by 3 Comments
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Peace, Be Still!

 

As Believers, we celebrate Jesus every day, all year round, but in the month of December, we pay special attention. The rest of the world is also celebrating their version of Christmas. It’s ironic that one of the most heated controversies at this time of year is whether the seasonal greeting should be “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” All that tumult and uproar over what is meant to be a celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace. Jesus came so that you and I can have peace in every area of our lives. But what is peace?

What is Peace?

The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, is rich in meaning. In the nation of Israel, people greet each other with “Shalom,” knowing that it is the expression of a great blessing. Shalom means completeness, safety, soundness in body, welfare, health, prosperity, peace, quiet, tranquillity  contentment, peace used of human relationships, peace with God, especially in a covenant relationship, and peace from war.

That’s quite an exhaustive list. And it is no surprise that our Lord Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He is the source, the rank, and the order of peace. Jesus is peace personified. When He was born, peace was released throughout the earth: peace and goodwill to all men – peace in our inner beings and peace in our circumstances.

Inner Peace and Circumstantial Peace

As you can tell from the thorough description of peace found above, there is a state of peace that originates within us (inner or personal peace) and there is a state of peace that exists outside of us (external or circumstantial peace). We experience personal peace when our hearts and minds are tranquil. We experience circumstantial peace when our surroundings are calm. But sometimes our inner and circumstantial peace doesn’t match up. Let me explain. We can experience:

• inner turmoil while external circumstances are in turmoil
• inner turmoil while external circumstances are peaceful
• inner peace while external circumstances are in turmoil
• inner peace while external circumstances are peaceful

The latter two of these two are full and blessed peace. Through the Prince of Peace, we can take authority over both inner peace and circumstantial peace. When we have the peace of God as our inner peace, our circumstances can come into alignment with that peace and we can see the favor of God in every area of our lives. While we often use our emotions as a barometer of peace, peace extends beyond our emotions.

Peace Is More Than A Feeling

Inner peace focuses on feelings. But peace is much more than a feeling. The peace of God is not something that brings us a temporary state of tranquillity  The peace of God goes beyond our own understanding: things may not be going well and we may feel that all is lost, however the peace of God tells us that all is well. God is in control.

Inner peace goes beyond our feelings and even beyond our spiritual awareness of God. It is the actual essence of God manifesting in our lives. Many times, we look toward the supernatural, wanting the earth to shake, the heavens to move, and the angels to show up to tell us things will work out. Much like at the birth of Jesus.

But what we truly need is the peace of God because the peace of God is miraculous. It is the peace of God that moves things in the supernatural. Peace is the doorway through which God releases His blessing.

Peace Is The Doorway

Peace is the doorway to the Father’s working in your life. Don’t take that lightly. God operates in this realm of peace. It is in the atmosphere of peace that He releases blessings into our lives. Peace is the doorway to the miraculous; peace is the doorway to your answered prayer. That’s why the Bible declares, “Be anxious for nothing.” And Jesus said many times “Do not worry.” He knew that anxiety and worry block the door to blessing, while peace guard us from pain and torment.

Peace Guards You

Peace guards your heart and your mind. In fact, the Bible describes peace as acting as a garrison. A garrison is a military base where troops are housed. So peace, with all its defensive weapons and ammunition, is stationed over your mind. It is there specifically to protect your mind and your thoughts.

As you allow God’s peace to prevail in the midst of difficult situations, you can know that your mind and heart are supernaturally protected. Your heart and mind need protection because when you are born again, everything in your life proceeds forth from your spirit. The peace of God guards the sanctuary of your heart, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (NASB).

Peace is Practical

Have you ever been faced with an important decision and questioned the supernatural peace that you sense? Perhaps you’ve wondered if you can trust such peace. The answer is YES! Such peace will sustain you through any situation. Peace is powerful. It will stabilize you. It may make no sense that you have the peace of God, while nothing about the situation seems favorable. But suddenly, everything has changed for the better. It’s amazing.

Basically, you do everything that you know to do and then surrender to the inner peace, forgetting the situation. Before you know it, God has taken care of it!

When you later reflect on what happened, pondering how God resolved your situation, you realize that He moved because you chose to rest in His wonderful peace. But be aware that in order to choose peace, you must exercise discipline over your thoughts and your mind.

Choose Your Thoughts

When our minds are focused on God, He promises to keep us in perfect peace because we trust in Him (Isaiah 26:3). Many people wrongly believe that thoughts are like birds: they may light in your mind, or even build a nest, then come and go as they please. God’s Word is very clear that we have been given the ability to choose and direct our thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 tells us “As a man thinketh, so is he.” Clearly, specific thought patterns lead to turmoil and others that lead to peace.

How are thoughts of peace cultivated? By meditating on the many good things that God has done, is doing and will do for you. By recalling the milestones of your life – all the times that God has proven Himself faithful. By reading the accounts throughout the Bible that illustrate His power and promise to deliver and set people free. Peace will change you and God will change your circumstances – something worry can never do!

Worry the Enemy of Peace

The Christian life is not a trouble-free life, but it can be a worry-free life. We never need worry. In fact we are exhorted not to worry about anything (Philippians 4:6,7). Sometimes when we seek peace, we are really seeking momentary relief from our situation, unaware that the entrance of peace can bring tangible results. The enemy will always use worry to pull us into the realm of frustration. But his tactics need not dupe us. We can be assured that God is an awesome God and that He loves us. Worry is disobedient and unproductive. Your Prince of Peace is a prayer away. Allow Him to reign in your situation.

To Sum It Up

The Prince of Peace has come. We can live confident, assured of God’s care and sovereignty. We can have peace in the midst of troubling circumstance and we can speak peace in to our circumstances. Peace is more than a feeling. Peace is the doorway to blessing, guarding over our hearts and mind. Peace is practical. As we choose our thoughts, peace reigns in our hearts and our circumstances are changed. Worry is a tool of Satan and produces no productive outcome. Choose peace.

Shalom, to you!

 

 

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Feasting On the Bread of Life

December 12, 2012 by 2 Comments
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Feasting On the Bread of Life

 

Food is a big part of Christmas celebrations with different cultures and families having their own traditions centered around the holiday meals and gatherings. I grew up in The Netherlands, where my Dad owned a bakery. I remember Christmas day brunches featuring delicious pastries such as stollen, kerstol (similar to fruit cake) and other fancy breads.

Later Christmas day, we gathered for a wonderful type of communal meal called gourmetten. It was a rich family time with everyone sitting around the table laughing and talking while each person cooked bite-size pieces of meats and vegetables. And of course, there was always fresh bread from my dad’s bakery on the table. I remember that bread as being so tasty, but I have since come to know and appreciate the greatest bread in the world: The Bread of Life, Jesus. Have you ever wondered why Jesus referred to Himself as the Bread of Life?

What Is The Bread?

In John, Chapter 6, Jesus refers to Himself three times as bread (verses 35, 48, and 51). Early in the chapter, He had turned five loaves into enough bread to feed more than 5,000 people – with leftovers! So as word spread about the miracle of the feeding of the multitude, it’s almost comical how the people chased Jesus from place to place in order to get free food.

It’s evident that those chasing after Jesus did not perceive Him with spiritual eyes, because they addressed him as Rabbi, meaning Teacher, instead of Lord. His pursuers wanted to know what miraculous signs this Rabbi could give them. They knew about the miracle of manna that was daily provided to the children of Israel in the desert (v. 31) and were ready for some miracle bread. And it was miracle bread he provided, just not the type they were chasing after. Jesus said “This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51c).

They were in the presence of Jesus, giver of life, but because they could not spiritually perceive and believe who Jesus was, they pestered the Bread (Jesus) for merely flour and water baked into a loaf. Jesus description of Himself as Bread speaks of His origin, His purpose and His sufficiency. First let’s explore Jesus’ origin.

The Origin of Jesus

In John, chapter 6, the Jews grumbled that the Jesus, whom they knew to be from Nazareth, claimed to be from heaven; “I am the bread that came down from heaven” (John 6:51a). John 1:14 refers to Jesus as “the One and Only, who came from the Father.” By saying that He was from heaven, he was both asserting that He had come from God and was also building on the miracle of the manna. The book of John opens with the statement: In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. He (Jesus) was with God in the beginning. The significance of Jesus being in heaven with God is summarized in Colossians 2:9: “For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ” (HCSB).

By saying he was the Bread of Heaven, Jesus was also building on the knowledge of the original bread of heaven, manna. Jesus is our practical, yet miraculous sustenance, daily present to meet our needs. In Matthew 6:11, Jesus taught his disciples to daily request and rely on God’s provision: “Give us this day our daily” bread (Matthew 6:11).

In Jesus, the Bread of Heaven, we have provision for our spiritual and physical needs. But Jesus’ purpose was more fundamental than meeting needs. His purpose was to do the will of the Father.

The Purpose of Jesus

And the Father’s will was incomprehensible from a human standpoint. Jesus said, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” Jesus speaks throughout the gospels of the purpose of his coming to earth. It’s a study in itself, including saving, serving, testifying, destroying the devil’s works, fulfilling the law, giving life, proclaiming favor, and bringing judgment.

And how did Jesus doing the Father’s will play out in His day-to-day life? “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23). And from Acts, ” How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38). The will of the Father set Jesus apart as sufficient for every need.

The Sufficiency of Jesus

Bread was the primary source of nourishment in Jesus’ time, but Jesus is the complete and all-sufficient source for all of our needs, both spiritual and physical. First and foremost, the breaking of the bread of Jesus’ body provided forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with the Father. His willing act of sacrifice and obedience fulfilled God’s law and provided us with the supernatural empowerment to do the will of the Father.

But the breaking of the bread of Jesus’ body also provided for our physical well-being: “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (I Peter 2:24). And “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed “(Isaiah 53:5).

Whatever your need, Jesus is sufficient! If you haven’t done so, begin by accepting the Bread of Life as your Lord and Savior. To receive Jesus’ free gift of salvation, pray this simple prayer with all your heart: “Dear God – I know Jesus is Your Son and that He died for me and rose from the dead. Forgive me for all my sins. I receive Jesus into my life right now. Help me to follow You always. Amen.” If you prayed this prayer, please let me know, so I can direct you to more resources.

To Sum It Up

In the coming days, as you sit down to enjoy your Christmas meal, pay attention to the bread. Let it remind you of the bread of Jesus’ broken body. But don’t stop there. It is truly something to celebrate that Jesus, left heaven and its perfection, to carry out a purpose that only He could. And that He also finished what He set out to do, among other things, bringing us salvation, empowering us to live for Him, and healing our bodies. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

 

 

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Merry Christmas

December 9, 2012 by 4 Comments
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Merry Christmas!

 

 

Christopher Columbus introduced St. Nicholas Day to the New World when he landed in the West Indies on December 6, 1492, and named the harbor, in honor of the patron saint of sailors, Port of St. Nicholas. Dutch Americans eventually adopted December 25 as their day of celebration, and by the end of the Civil War, St. Nicholas the Bishop was generally known in the United States as Santa Claus.

Those who read my blog posts on a regular basis know that I was born in The Netherlands. Last week on December 6th the Dutch people in the Netherlands and Belgium celebrated Christmas. The character of Santa Claus (Sinterklaas in the Dutch language), is based on St. Nicholas.

So I wanted to share you with about Saint Nicholas: who he really was and what he stands for.

The Dutch Tradition of St. Nicholas

For Dutch speaking people, St. Nicholas comes by steamship from Spain, arriving early in the month of December with lots of gifts for the children. He rides a white horse across the rooftops of all the houses to deliver the presents he’s brought. Children write letters to St. Nicholas asking for a doll or a train. But sometimes they ask for a new dad, when their own dad had passed away, or perhaps for their divorced parents to get back together.

Dutch children leave drawings and wish lists, in their shoes along with carrots or hay for St. Nick’s horse, hoping St. Nicholas will reward them with small gifts. The idea is that in order to receive you must give. I remember that as a child, I always went all out in making the best drawing.

Dutch people gather to sing, eat and exchange small gifts and surprises including candies, chocolate coins and initial letters, and riddles. Gifts from “St. Nicholas” include clever rhymes that humorously highlight a person’s strengths and shortcomings. It’s all a lot of fun. But let me share with you who St. Nicholas really is.

Who is St. Nicholas?

He is a great inspiration to many people. He was a godly man who had a reputation of giving to all people, from the rich to the very poor, from those who did great deeds for others to those devastated by life’s circumstances. He was a revered example to all of us – not a jolly, fat man who got about by flying reindeer and climbed down chimneys!

Nicholas was born in Turkey in the third century and raised by Christian parents. His parents knew that he was special and considered him a gift from God. They were diligent in teaching him about God and being devoted to God. They especially taught him to be generous to the poor.

At the age of 19, Nicholas was ordained a priest. His uncle, who was a bishop, prophesied that Nicholas would lend a hand and comfort many people and that he ultimately, also would become a bishop. All of this was fulfilled in Nicholas’ lifetime.

He led a life dedicated to God. It was said that he would spend all night studying God’s Word because of his desire to encourage people and to bring comfort to their lives He was also known as a man who fasted, prayed, and stood steadfast in his faith.

His life demonstrated his Christian beliefs and values. Over time his legacy has been perverted and misrepresented by Satan: most of us don’t know about St. Nicholas, rather we know him as the myth that Santa Claus has become.

The True Gift Of Christmas

This true story of St. Nicholas is a beautiful picture of the giving that Christmas is all about, because he represents the giving heart of our Heavenly Father. The greatest gift of all is the gift of Jesus Christ given to us by God the Father. In Him we have the joy of living a heavenly life on earth.

Christmas is Christ’s Mass and means anointing celebration. So when we talk about the spirit of Christmas, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus who came to this earth as a gift from our Heavenly Father, anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power. We celebrate that Jesus was among us and “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38).

We Are Designed To Be Givers

Jesus personifies the nature of giving by His deeds, acts and His ultimate gift of sacrificing His life. We all have been endowed with that God-given nature to give to others. This nature is more obvious in some than in others; some of us love to serve our fellow man while others are so conformed to this world that this gift is masked by selfishness and the love of mammon.

Because God created us and we were formed in His likeness, it is in our hearts, in the core of our beings to give and serve others. It doesn’t matter how distorted the world makes us, deep down on the inside of every person is an instinct to look out for the person next to us.

This is the very nature of our Heavenly Father and it is this nature that He placed in us. Paul told us in First Corinthians 13:4-8 that this love toward others never gives up. Love cares more for others than for itself. This love toward others is the most powerful anointing that has been placed on us and in us.

Although the world has tried to mask all of this with different images, it is a fact that this deep yearning is imprinted inside of each of us directly from the personality of God.

Just be aware that it is not the spirit of St. Nicholas or Santa Claus that compels us to bless others this Christmas season. Instead it is the very Spirit of God that inspires us to help others in their time of need or just to spread the good cheer to others around us.

Now, that’s a Merry Christmas!

 

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How to Enjoy a Stress Free Christmas Season

November 28, 2012 by 6 Comments
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How to Enjoy a Stress Free Christmas Season

 

 

Being “stressed out” is a relatively new concept, entering contemporary usage in the late 1920’s. In many respects, the notion of being stressed is an idea promoted by modern media which tells us all the things we must do to experience perfection and then commiserates with us as we consistently fail to achieve it. In particular, the multitude of expectations surrounding the Christmas season can set us up for stress, if we don’t make conscious decisions to be “in the world but not of it.” Let’s first define stress and then move on to removing it from our lives.

What Is Stress?

According to Merriam-Webster online, stress is “the burden on one’s emotional or mental well-being created be the demands on one’s time.” Put simply, stress places demand on one’s resources that exceed the available supply of those resources; be it time, money, emotions or physical capacity. But wait. As Believers, who is our resource and who is our supply? Stress is the inevitable response when we allow ourselves to become disconnected from our Source. Let’s redirect our attention to our Supply and Source.

As A Man Thinks, So Is He

How do we know that we are stressed? Some telltale signs are worry, fear, irritation and weariness. Often we experience physical symptoms including a rush of adrenaline, and perhaps feelings of breathlessness or overwhelming fatigue. But I believe the main way that we know we are stressed is that our minds become occupied with it. We think or even say “I am so stressed out” or “I don’t know if I can take this much longer” or “How will I ever get everything done?” and so on. It doesn’t take too long for our thoughts and words to bear fruit – the unwanted fruit of stress. But there is an antidote to physical symptoms and troubling thoughts. There is a Name that is above stress.

The Name Above Stress

If you have been dwelling on the demands being placed on your finite resources, take a deep breath and focus on your infinite Supply and Source. God needs many names to describe the multitude of his perfections. Here are a few of His names that demonstrate His superiority over finite supply – which is at the root of stress.

Jehovah-Jireh

This name describes His perfection as our supply: Jehovah-Jireh means the One who sees our needs and provides for them. Do you have a need? Is your supply lacking? Then behold and meditate on Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord your supplier.

Jehovah-Rohi

Another name that describes God’s role as provider is The Lord My Shepherd. Psalm 23 tells us that we shall not want for any good or beneficial thing. Do you need more time? Fewer things to do? The Lord your Shepherd is your faithful provider.

Jehovah-Shammah

When we are in the middle of situations that outstrip our supply, we often feel that we are alone. One of Satan’s craftiest tactics is to create a sense of isolation from each other and from our Source. But God has another name that addresses our temptation to feel alone: Jehovah-Shammah. This name describes how God will never leave us nor forsake us. Psalm 139:8 states the ever-present quality of God like this: “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”

Jehovah-Shalom

Stress robs us of our peace. “Absence of trouble” is the world’s idea of peace. In other words, external circumstances dictate whether or not we are at peace. But God always has a better way. Jehovah’s shalom penetrates our spirit man. In the midst of trying situations, we can shape our circumstances from a position of supernatural peace that comes only from God.

There are many more names of God that speak to his desire and sufficiency to supply our every need. When feeling stressed, it’s good to remember that “the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).

What’s Our Part In Reducing Stress?

In addition to meditating on God as our Supply, we need to ask Him for help to honestly evaluate the demands on our resources. God doesn’t honor laziness, but He also has a spirit-directed plan for how each of us use the resources He has given us – particularly time.
God has promised wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5). We can ask for and receive wisdom to know what to commit to and what not to commit to. If you are prone to overextending yourself, ask God for wisdom in this area.

Isn’t it interesting that when we are under stress, the first thing many of us skimp on is time with the Lord – BIG mistake. We must go to the Lord and seek His wisdom at the first sign of stress. Ask Him to show us His way that we may walk in it. Ask Him for discernment in requesting help from others.

To Sum It Up

Make a conscious decision to be “in the world, but not of it.” There is no family or societal tradition that is more important than loving God and honoring Him. Let this be a year that you and your family experience a Christmas season free of stress.

The most important way to reduce stress is to spend time in the presence of the Lord. Meditate on the names of God, Your Supply and Source.

Do your part to minimize stress by honestly evaluating your commitments.

 

Wise choices will watch over you. Pro 2:11 NLT
You can subscribe to The Daily Choice which is a SPIRITUAL Devotion that helps you to make the right choices in your life!

 

 

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How To Enjoy The Holiday Season with Your Family

December 15, 2011 by 4 Comments
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How To Enjoy The Holiday Season with Your Family

 

by Olga Hermans

 

The holiday season is a time to spend with loved ones. For some people that means that you celebrate Christmas with family members that you haven’t seen for a long time, or maybe spending time with some individuals that you have issues with. We all know how that feels and how much stress that can bring.

This Christmas, I encourage you and myself to celebrate Christmas by demonstrating agape love, which is God’s unconditional love. Make a quality choice to make a decision to give your family the best of yourself even if that requires a sacrificial offering of yourself, your time, and your undivided attention.

Maybe your first thing could be to turn off your cell phone and refuse to allow other commitments to distract you from spending quality time with your family. Let your family know that you want to be there for them and do something that they really enjoy by focusing on what makes them feel loved and accepted.

Find out what their plans are for the next year or their most treasured holiday memories; show an interest in what they love. Allow Agape love to guide you in everything that you do; giving the gifts, cooking the meals, and some fun things.

I love to spend time with my family members, the people that I love and that are closest to me. I like to make the holidays memorable by doing exciting things and setting aside time to relax.

We should not allow Christmas to be reduced to a time of materialism, selfish gratification, and stress. That is not what the Holiday season is for. Today, Christmas has lost its meaning because people don’t know the real meaning of Christmas any more. So sad. It is the most profound celebration of the year.

The other day I was listening to a classic Christmas song: “And men live for-evermore because of Christmas Day!” I always knew that song, but never really heard what the words in fact were saying. This is a profound message.

But today the hustle and bustle of gift-buying, shopping, and catching the best sale consumes the majority of people around this time of year. However, God’s purpose for the Christmas celebration is for us to remember and meditate on the most precious gift of all—Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. The gift that makes you live for-evermore.

Our Heavenly Father has given Jesus to humankind as the ultimate gift. We all would be doomed without Him. God loved us all so much that He gave Jesus to us. He came to die for all our sins so we don’t have to die; the ultimate sacrifice.

It is so easy for us to get all wrapped up in the receiving aspect of the Holiday season; our focus is on what we can expect to get from someone else. Let’s make a shift of focus by imitating what God did through giving Jesus. I believe that this shift of focus would meet everybody’s need; love would flow though our families like never before, and everybody would get blessed.

The blessing of Christmas is bigger than a tree, unwrapping presents, and getting everything on our wish list. It is really all about Jesus! He is the One who deserves the glory, honor, and praise for the awesome work He did on our behalf. He gave us the gift of salvation, something we did not earn or deserve.

Let’s make this Christmas a memory by focusing on other people and purpose to be a blessing to them, just like Jesus was and is, to us. Write down your family members and ask the Lord to show you what you can do to make their lives merrier. After all, it is a Merry Christmas! Find out what and how God wants you to give so He can demonstrate His love to someone through you. This is the true meaning of Christmas.

Please, don’t understand me wrong by thinking that I am against receiving gifts and experiencing the joy of getting something you really desire. God wants to bless you too! But in the midst of all that is going on around you, remember the reason for the season. Jesus is the One who gave us the gift of eternal life. Now that is something worth celebrating!

Someone wisely said:

If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so
God sent us a Savior.

Even if this has been a really tough year for you… perhaps a year of great challenges, we pray that you have a Merry Christmas. We have been redeemed unto God, and we belong to Him. Satan’s tyranny no longer reigns over us, we no longer sit in the shadow of death, and because of Christmas Day men live for-evermore. Think about that!

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Mary, did you know?

December 24, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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Have you ever thought what you would ask Mary if  you could have a conversation with her?

Wow Mary, what if you had known all this? How did you handle the news of your pregnancy? The angel that came was magnificent. And when he said, “The Most High will overshadow you! You’re going to have His Son!”… what could she say or do?

She probably had so many thoughts racing through her mind when Gabriel appeared. How do you even begin to understand that God has chosen you to be the mother of the “Son of the Most High”? Now, Mary had to make a choice. A choice of “not to fear”, a choice to trust God and not listen to what people were going to say. It probably made no sense to her at all.

Mary reacted in the only way she knew how and that was to make a choice to accept what God had planned for her. She had grown up knowing the power of God they worshiped. She knew of His love and His provision. And if that was what God wanted for her, then how could she do anything but accept His plan?

It wouldn’t have been easy Many women who had sex outside of marriage were stoned. Joseph choose to stay on her side marry her. But the fact remained: she was the town scandal. Her pregnancy was the subject of gossip everywhere. It didn’t matter what she said, people were going to think what they wanted.

Joseph and Mary knew that they hadn’t done anything wrong, but who believes two young people who were already engaged? There must have been times that she felt very isolated. Elisabeth, her cousin understood and spent quite a bit of time with her. But outside of Elizabeth and Joseph, there was no one who really understood.

She had to trust the Lord completely. Daily, hour by hour, minute by minute, she had to remind herself that God was in complete control and that He knew what He was doing.

How can you benefit from this story? everybody’s situation is unique. There are times for everybody that we have to face unexpected events or shocking news. For some that mean a pregnancy outside of marriage. Or maybe it is an illness or a job loss. It is tempting to let those situations overwhelm us, isolate us and make us doubt God.

It’s a time to choose life and not death, that’s for sure. A time to look to God as our only source and trust Him completely. When you make a righteous choice from a heart that is filled with love towards God; God will come through for you. He is always the same, no matter what happens to you; He is right there to be there for you.

Your life may not turn out how you expected, but it will turn out better than it ever could apart from God.

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Jesus, The Soon Coming King

December 22, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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This morning as I was reading my Bible; I was reading my yearly reading plan and it came to me that without realizing that when we have a reading plan we end up to read the book of revelation in the month of December. You gotta know that Revelation is the book that reveals who Jesus really is. It just came to me how significant that is, to spend the month of December reading about Jesus, our Lord and Savior and who Jesus really is.

You see, our society has made something so fantastic and incredible about the coming of the Lord, that our minds have lost much of it impact and reality. Even as Christians we do believe in the coming of the Lord and we do believe in His virgin birth. If we do not, we cannot claim the new birth in our own life. [Read more…]

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7 Aspects of The Gift Jesus Gave Us

December 20, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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We could call this the “Ultimate Gift”.

How can you choose the Ultimate Gift for somebody who is special to you? Each one of us has gone through this situation, not knowing what to choose for that one favorite person for that special occasion.

What do you do and where do you go? Thinking about that person makes you want to buy everything, but that doesn’t make any sense. No, you want to buy that one special item and see her/his eyes lighten up and tell you that, that is the best gift ever. You can’t wait for the question that will be asked: “How come you think of buying that”? It’s the best thing ever; the ultimate gift that you choose. [Read more…]

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Peace On Earth Is Possible!

December 19, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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We are really living in a time where peace is hard to find. Times are different isn’t it? We keep looking back and romanticize all the Christmas’ times from the good old days. But, we are living in these times and we are called for such a time as this. So, we need to make valuable choices and that is certainly to enjoy this season.

But for many people, it’s a difficult time. Every day our eyes, ears, and hearts are being bombarded by the media with glaring headlines of doom and visions of turmoil…anything but peace.

People everywhere are experiencing all kinds of pressure and stress. And people everywhere have a choice to make—difficult choices between receiving turmoil into their hearts, or choose to resist fear and refuse to allow it to chip away at their peace. [Read more…]

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The Christmas Story

December 17, 2010 by 1 Comment
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Ok, I choose this for Funny Friday; I thought it was very cute. Have a look yourself.

PLUS a short Christmas Joke:

Little Boy wants a present [Read more…]

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