John’s gospel does not have the ‘Christmas Story’.  He begins with Jesus, creator God, being present at the beginning of time and refers to Jesus as the Word.  John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” By definition dwell, today’s word, means to make one’s home with, reside or live.  Have you ever pondered how amazing it is that Creator God cared enough for us to send His son to live among us, to make his home with us?  Why would God do such a thing?  John 3:16 “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him will have eternal life.”   Because He loves us.  Matthew 1:21 “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.”  Because he wanted to save us from our sinful state caused by Adams sin.   Colossians 1:19 “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Because He wanted to reconcile and cleanse us though Jesus.

When I read these verses, I am overcome with profound thankfulness.  I am thankful that God loved me enough to send Jesus.  I am thankful that Jesus was willing to come and sacrifice himself to save me.  I am thankful that God desires a relationship with me and wants me to be reconciled to Him.  I am thankful that I will know Him and live with him for eternity.  How about you? Thank Him today for coming to dwell among us on that Christmas Day.

Blessings through dwelling,

Linda

Do you have favorite Christmas music?  There is a lot of it!  From carols to Jingle Bells to the Hallelujah Chorus,  it covers all aspects of the holiday season. Singing is our word today.  There are several ‘songs’ recorded in scripture about the birth of Jesus.  These songs extol the Lord and His graciousness to us at sending a Savior.  Mary’s Song found in Luke 1:46-55 is called the Magnificat because in Latin the word means ‘glorifies’ which is how Mary begins her song to God. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”.  Mary is so amazed and honored that the Lord Almighty has chosen her to bear the promised Savior that she breaks into song.  “..for the Mighty One has done great things for me-holy is his name.  His mercy extends to those who fear him… He has performed mighty deeds with his arm…He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble…to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”   She was able to tell of God’s mighty deeds in the past and of His great mercy and love. She knew God was eternal and His blessings would continue from generation to generation.

Do you have a song of praise for God today?  What do you know about God that would make you sing?  What has He done in your life or in the life of someone close to you that you can praise Him for?  By all rights, Mary- an unwed teenager, pregnant under questionable circumstances, shunned by her town and relatives should have been bitter or unhappy or worried but she was none of those!  She was praising God for the opportunity to serve Him and be used for His glory.   Does this describe the attitude you have towards the circumstances you find yourself in today?  Turn to God and be like Mary. Claim this promise today.  “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will act.” Psalm 37:5.

Singing with Praise,

Linda

These pictures are of some of the beautiful Mosaics donated by churches around the world at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth.

 

I was thinking about Advent and focused upon the Advent Wreath.   I did a little research into today’s word, wreath.  The use of the wreath has been with us since Greek times when it was used as a crown for winners.  The modern Christian usage as a symbol associated with Christmas originated with 16th century Lutherans in Germany.  They used the wreath and candles to anticipate the coming of Jesus.  Today the wreath consists of 4 colored candles on the edges of a pine evergreen circle and 1 white candle in the middle.  Each edge candle is lit on the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas and then the center white candle is lit on Christmas Eve and Christmas.  The pine boughs that make the circle represent God.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8   God is unchanging and eternal and the wreath circle has no beginning and no end.  The 4 colored candles on the edge represent joy, peace, hope and love.   Joy: Luke 2:10 “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.”  Peace: Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE to men on whom his favor rests.”  Hope:  Psalm 40:31 “but those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles’ the will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  Love: John 3:16 “For God so LOVED the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  Lastly, the center candle representing Christ is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  Christ: “She will give birth to a son, and your are to give him the name JESUS, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Are you anticipating the coming of Jesus this season?  Meditate on the Joy, Peace, Hope and Love we have through Christ. Give thanks today for His coming to save us from our sinful state and restore us to a relationship with Him.

Advent, a time to prepare our hearts,

Linda

 

 

Today’s word is believe.  How quick are we to tell someone- Oh- just believe me, believe it-it’s true?  After Mary was told by the angel she was to carry the Messiah, she packed her bags and went to see her cousin Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was carrying a baby that was to be the forerunner of Messiah, John the Baptist.  In Luke 1 we learn of this encounter.  “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear!’ …Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.”  Luke 1:41-45   Elizabeth was saying that Mary would be blessed because she believed God.  Abraham believed God and “it was counted to him as righteousness.” James 2:23  Paul tells us in Romans 3:23 “The righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”  and  Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    The writer of Hebrews puts it like this: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6

So what do you believe?  Are you like Mary and Elizabeth and claim faith and believe God exists and rewards those who seek after Him?  Is your faith something that exists for you and helps you walk towards righteousness in Jesus like Abraham?  Or will you take the step of faith  like Paul, claiming faith in Jesus for your own, knowing He is who he says He is and is your savior?   Mary and Elizabeth call to us to believe this Christmas season.   Will you?

Believe in Him,

Linda

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