Let the Celebration Continue

 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.~Isaiah 9:6

Christmas has come, but it has not gone.  This year the excitement of Christmas was palatable.  I looked forward to spending time with loved ones.  There was a peace and joy that filled me to my core.   Guess what?  The peace and joy and the excitement is still here because Jesus is still here.

We celebrate the birth of Jesus and all that it means.  Life, hope, joy, and peace. Jesus was born and He also died on the Cross that I might be redeemed.  Better yet He arose from the grace conquering death and giving me and all who believe on and in Him eternal life.  Jesus is with me.  He is in my heart, so I still have Christmas.  

I have a Savior who is in control of all things.  I have a Counselor to guide me on this journey.  I serve a mighty God and I have Father who loves me.  I have peace.  So the celebration of Christ’s birth will continue.  The hope He brings will continue to fill my heart with gratitude for Jesus is the reason for every season. 

Father, I thank You for the birth of Your Son and all the benefits that it brings.  Thank You for the overflowing joy and sense of peace.  Thank You for Your light that shines bright.  Father, I pray a special blessing for those who are without loved ones this year.  Comfort them as only You can,  in Jesus name. Amen

He's bigger

 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)

Today I read something that grabbed my attention in a powerful way.  The author Mark Batterson stated that "In the beginning, God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27). We’ve been creating God in our image ever since. That’s our ancient error. "  Wow!  Have I been trying to fit God into what I can understand?  Have I been making Him like me when He is WAY Bigger?  

I know without a doubt that I serve a good and mighty God.  I serve a powerful God.  I serve  a God that intervened in human existence to make a way for my sins to be forgiven through the birth of Jesus through a virgin Mary(Luke 1:26-38).  A God who would sacrifice His Son on the Cross (John 3:16) so that I might not experience condemnation.  I serve the same God who rose Him on the third day giving us victory over death ( 1 Corinthians 15:55-57) .

My God and your God is bigger than any problem or circumstance.  He is our Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)  He is the great I AM (Exodus 3:14).  He is biggen than the darkness that shadows this earth because He is the light of the world( John 8:12).  

Lord, I never want to box You in because You are too big for that.  Thank You for being great Lord.  Thank You for being might and strong to save.  Thank You for being God.  I love You.  In Jesus name. Amen

Jesus is the Light

  Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV

There are a lot of dark things happening in this world, but there is hope because their is Christ.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He is the way and he shows us the way to live fulfilled lives in Christ.

In my First 5 Study we have been focusing on the light.  It has helped me to keep my focus on Jesus and not the sad things of this world.  The light dispels darkness.  It radiates and illuminates truth.  It uncovers things that are hidden.

I am grateful for the light because I could be stumbling around in the dark, but God lights my pathway.  He shows me which way to go.  He exposes the shackles that would bind me and breaks me free.  He is my hope for tomorrow.  My bright and shinning star.

I want to reflect His light so that others may know Him.   I want to be a transparent vessel for His light to shine through.  I want people to see Jesus in me.

Lord, You rule the world.  You are its light.  You allow us to walk in the light of your truth.  You dispel the darkness and it does not overcome us.  Thank You Jesus.  Help us to shine bright for You. In Jesus name.  Amen

His Grace Is Sufficient

  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I am a fragile human being who gets super natural strength from the Father above.  You have heard me talk about my battles with anxiety and depression.  I am not the only one.  The battle is real and the darkness that seeks to overcome me is real, BUT GOD.  There are a couple of things this week that has allowed the power of the Holy Spirit to flow through me and thus grant me victory and bring the Lord glory.  

First, He keeps reminding me to organize my thoughts.  I brings my thoughts into obedience to Christ -2 Corinthians 10:5. "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" 
I speak God's word into my life and reject the lies o the enemy.  I am more than my emotions.  I am more than a chemical imbalance in the brain.  I am daughter of the King and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me-Philippians 4:13

Second, I trust in God and accept His love.  I realize that a lot of the anxiety is the fear of not being in control. Not being able to get all the things that need to get done accomplished.  Not being perfect.  When I let go of my fears and cast them onto to the Lord ( I Peter 5:7) I am trust the ruler of my life and this world.  I can trust that He will take care of me.  I can trust that my vulnerability is a strength as I rely on the Creator of the Universe.  I trust in the Savior who gave His life for me as I was.  I do not have to be perfect because He is.

Third, I take one day, one moment at a time.  Each moment is a gift and I make the most of it.  I remind myself that I am human and that weaknesses only remind of the Greater God.  It keeps me humble.  Pride goes away and now I can be used today for His glory.  James 4:10: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up

All of this is possible because of His grace.  His favor towards me, undeserved and unmerited but there none the less because of His love. I have made it through another week, another day because of Him.  To God be all the glory.

Lord thank You for the gift of You.  Thank You for your grace and your mercies that are brand new each and every morning.  I thank You for Your power and Your love.  In Jesus name. Amen