Honor is our word for today.  I was reading the account in Luke where the angel appeared to Mary.  She was afraid, puzzled and then accepting of the message the angel delivered.  The angel said, “For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.   “May it be to me as you have said”.  Then the angel left her. Luke 1:37    The angel told her she had found favor with God and she would bear the Messiah.  Her son would be named Jesus, Son of the Most High, a king to reign forever.  As she pondered these things, I’m sure she began to accept the honor that God had bestowed upon her. She would be the mother of the savior of all mankind.

Have you ever been given an honor that came with a lot of responsibility or ‘strings’?   In the school district where I worked, each school would nominate a teacher for ‘Teacher of the Year’.  Then a group would decide which teacher would go on to compete for ‘Teacher of the Year’ in our county.  It was a lengthy process that involved speech making, writing out educational philosophy, observations, etc.  At the end of the process, someone would be chosen to represent our county and then go on to compete at the state level.  It was a great honor but came with a lot of additional work.  I think Mary was so honored.  Yes, she was mother of the savior.  But, she had to watch her little one grow and leave, see him be persecuted, hated and even crucified on a cross as a common criminal.  With great responsibility and honor comes pain, suffering and dedication to the cause.  Mary was so honored.  Her response, ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ speaks of her total acceptance and humility before God.

How are you honoring God?  Do you strive to do His work in your life?  Do others see God’s work and presence in you?  Be like Mary today and honor God with your responses and actions.

To His glory and honor,

Linda

Today’s word is sacrifice.  There are 2 reasons I chose this word even though it is not a word or action you would readily associate with Christmas and the coming of the savior.  Today is the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  We remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the defense of our country.  We remember them for their bravery, endurance and because they gave their lives for our sake.  We honor their memory today.

Scripture tells us in Philippians 2:6-8 “Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross!”   Have you ever considered what Jesus gave up to become a man.  He became a servant, had to take on human form, had to humble himself to come to earth and had to suffer a violent death.  Jesus did all of that for me so I could be cleansed of my sins and restored to relationship with Almighty God.   He sacrificed his place in heaven.  Many times in scripture we are told that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven on a throne surrounded by glory and adoration.  He sacrificed his position of omnipotence and sovereignty, power and glory to come down to earth as a man.  He sacrificed his life on the cross so I could be forgiven and restored.  The Christmas manger is a place of sacrifice of the greatest proportion as God came down to earth to save us from our sins.

What is your response to the sacrifice Jesus made?  Do you respond with faith or doubt?  Do you respond with appreciation or ambivalence?   Come today and humble yourself before God.  Thank Him for the sacrifices He made on your behalf.

Humbled by Jesus’ sacrifice.

Linda

Today’s  word is gift.  Were you busy this weekend trying to find the perfect gift for a loved one?  So many times we get so caught up in what to get so and so, we forget why we are doing it.  Today my pastor spoke about the ‘perfect gift’ given by God.  2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.”  God’s gift was so perfect it was considered by the Apostle Paul to be indescribable- so great that words would fail him if he tried to describe it.  Scripture tells us in John 3:16 that God loved us so much he gave us his only son so that through faith we might have life eternal and be restored to a relationship with Him.  God’s gift is exactly what we need for salvation, hope, eternal life, peace and connectedness with God.  No wonder Paul called God’s gift to us, his son Jesus, the indescribable gift.    Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   Ephesians 2:8-9a “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works,”     The gift God gave us, when He sent Jesus, frees us though faith from eternal death and is not something we can earn or work.  It is a true gift from God.

What will you do with the gift of Jesus this season?   Will  you accept it and then tell others of his wondrous gift of salvation?

Blessing,

Linda

How we all need today’s word, peace.  In light of the tragedies in Oregon, LA and the middle east, no one can deny that our world needs peace. At the birth of Jesus, our world received a promise of peace.  “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,'” Luke 2:13-14.  Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid.”  John 14:27.  The peace that Jesus brings and promised is peace of the spirit.  When we please God with our faith and trust, He gives us peace.   Without the coming of Jesus, we would not have that indwelling peace He promised through  the Holy Spirit.  I know this is not peace in our land, freedom from terrorists, turmoil, hatred and fear, but it is a peace that permeates, indwells and helps you to overcome all the fears and horrible situations we see in our world.  Only through Jesus can we know this peace.  The ancient words of the prophet Isaiah give us a hope we can claim each day.  “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trust in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”  Isaiah 26:3-4

Do you know the perfect peace of God?  Are you keeping your focus on God this holiday season to reap His Peace in your life?   Know Jesus and have access to this perfect peace today!    If you do know Jesus and are struggling to find peace each day, claim Isaiah 26:3 and practice focusing on God in all circumstances.  He promises you will receive peace.  He is a promise keeper- you can count on Him!!

Peace to you,

Linda

 

 

My word for today is praise.  I love the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth found in Luke 1.  Zachariah was a priest in the temple and while performing his duties and angel appeared to him and told him that he and Elizabeth would have a child who would prepare the people for the coming Messiah.  Zachariah doubted the angel since he and Elizabeth were older, and he was struck mute.   After the child, John, was born and he was about to be named, Zachariah’s voice was released and he began praising God.  Luke 1:68-76 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. 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 ag0) salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us-…to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness all our days.  And you, my child, will be a prophet of the Most High for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.”    After not speaking for about a year, the first words Zachariah uttered were words of praise.  He saw that his new little son, John, was to be a special servant of God and would tell the world of the coming Messiah.  The long awaited one, Jesus, who would redeem his people and lead them spiritually to live redeemed lives of holiness, righteousness and fearless service.

What words of praise can you give to the Lord today?  Through Jesus you have freedom from sin’s power, righteousness, eternal life, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, guidance through His Word, inner peace, hope, joy and an eternal home He has prepared for you.  Let your lips and heart give praise to God today for his precious gift of Jesus who came to redeem and save us!

Praise God today,

Linda

Today’s word is obedient.  I was rereading the story of the angel’s appearance to Joseph and the word that jumped out at me was obedient.  Matthew 1:20-21 “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'”  Joseph had thought to divorce Mary, his betrothed, and avoid the disgrace of begin linked to pregnant Mary.   Joseph took the hard road and faced the  fears of rumors, disapproval and the judgmental looks of others for the greater good of all of us.  He listened to the angel and was obedient to God’s request.

What is God asking you to do today in obedience to Him?  Do you have a neighbor that needs your help, someone you need to pray for, someone you need to forgive or is God calling you to spend time in His Word to renew and refresh your faith.  Will you be obedient like Joseph or will you let the world’s values keep you from doing what God wants?

Blessings as you walk in obedience today.

Linda

 

 

 

 

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

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.

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

“Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over; will be poured into your lap,  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:38

Does this describe your heart?  Are you generous?  God promises if we give generously, it will be returned to us in greater measure.  Have you experienced this in your life?  If not try to be generous towards others today, see what happens.

Blessings,

Linda