Glory to God

 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,  because he has come to his people and redeemed them. ~ Luke 1:68

According to the dictionary, to redeem something means to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something.  Christ came to redeem me of my many faults and sins.  He came to redeem the world.  Glory to God for His mercy and grace,  Glory to God for His goodness.

As I think about Christmas I really want to focus on Christ.  Who He is and what His coming means to me.  I want to focus on the love that His light shines on the dark places.  HIs mercy as He takes me in as I am.  His Spirit that pushes me to go the right way when I would want to go wrong.  I want to focus on The miracle of His birth, life, and death., and resurrection.  I want to sing praises to My Redeemer whose banner of love is over me.  I want to say thank you and I want Him to be able to shine through me.

Lord, You know I am far from perfect, but You sent your Son anyway.  To save me and redeem.  I was bought with a price, a costly one, but You did it anyway.  So let me offer my praises to You this season and all throughout the year.  Keep my thoughts on You and not the hustle and bustle of life.  Let me love You with a sincere heart.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Worship Him

 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem  and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”~ Matthew 2:1-2

Any night of the week I can catch a Christmas movie on either Lifetime or the Hallmark Channel.  They have similar themes about family, community, and love.  They talk a lot about Christmas magic.  But the magic of Christmas is not magic at all, but rather a miracle.  For unto us a child was born, Jesus, our Savior and He is to be worshipped.  He is to be worshipped year round for He is worthy.  

He is worthy of honor and praise.  He came to us to save us.  He came to reconcile us to the Father and forgive us of our sins.  Christmas is about this special gift from God, His one and only Son.  Born in a manger, but worshipped by angels, shepherds, and wise men.'

Lord may My heart be full of worship for You and towards You for all that You are and all that You have done.  Thank You for the precious gift of Jesus, the King.  I love You.  In Jesus name. Amen

Grateful

 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus, (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV).

All around me are reminders to give thanks. Thanks for things that God has done and thanks for those things that He did not allow.  Things that have kept me and my family safe.  I want my thanks to be an internal habit of gratitude no matter the circumstance because God is good.  He’s better than good.  He is awesome!

So as I take life challenges I look up to the One who saves and is always with me and I give thanks.  Thanks for your patience.  Thanks for your mercy and loving kindness. Thanks for your peace when the waters are troubled. Thanks for family and friends.  Thanks for my needs being met.  Thanks for being my Savior and my friend.  Thank You for being God.

Lord bless the families of this earth.  May we look to You and offer You praise.  May we thank You with humble and glad hearts no matter the circumstances.  We give you the glory and the honor.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Staying humble

 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” ~James 4:6

I had a work event to day and I don't know how it well.  I would like to say it went well, but doubts crowd my mind. like getting things right and doing things right. I take pride in my work.  Imperfections weigh heavy on me and cause me doubt myself.  However, God reminds me to stay humble and to let go of pride.  I am not always going to get everything just right.  I will make mistakes, but I have His grace.  His grace covers me and tells me that I am enough.  It disputes the lies of the enemy that would tell me I lack.  I don't lack because God supplies all of my needs ( Philippians 4:19) My worth is not based on my performance, but His love for me.  So I will stay humble, get up and shake the dust off.  I will remind myself that it is God who gives me the victory.  My validation comes from Him alone and I just need to remain humble and walk with God.

He loves me

 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ~Galatians 2:20

To be crucified is to die to self and my old ways. It is to place His will over mine. It is to be devoted to Christ and to live to serve Him and love my fellow man.  It is a daily exercise as I walk in and by faith in the One who gave His life for me. What is essential to know is the truth of God's love that inspires me to live a life that holy and pleasing to Him.  No matter if I am in the valley or on the mountain top, God is real.  His love is real and He is with me.  So thank You Father.  All glory and honor belongs to You and You alone. Thank You for the beauty of your love. I thank You for new life.  I thank You for love; for your sacrifice.  You gave Yourself for me and I will never be able to thank you enough.  Thank You for being such a good Father, God, Lord and friend.

He sits on the throne

 God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.~ Psalm 47:8

This morning I heard on the news that have "classified" a disorder dealing with the election.  It spoke of people having anxiety and insomnia due to the intensity or the national election.  People have lost friends and connections to family members over who should sit in the White House. However, what God spoke to me in the early morning hours is that we (I) should be more concerned about who sits on the throne of my heart.

I have a stake in the out come of this election, but what will not change is God's authority.  He reigns over the nations; and He is seated on his holy throne. (Psalm 47:8)  He is God and He is sovereign.  He reigns!  I do not have to be afraid and  when I am afraid, I will put my trust in Him  (Psalm 56:3) He is in control and whatever comes to past has gone through  or will go through His hands.  He loves us and His ways are higher than ours.(Isaiah 55:8-9)

The enemy wants us to divided.  He wants us to be in angst and untrusting of our neighbors.  But God desires unity and for love to abound.   I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. ~1 Corinthians 1:10 

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ~Philipians 1:9

So regardless who is President, there is always One Lord and He has us.  He will see us through. So my prayer is that goodness and justice will prevail under the Lord's care and that He reigns in my heart.  That I love regardless of where there may be hate.  That I look to Him to bring true peace.  That I honor Him in my daily living.  I pray for those who have anxiety and ask that God comfort them.  I pray for the healing of this nation and this world.  And I pray that our elected officials would be men and women of God that look to Him to guide their decisions.  Lord thank You for reminding me that I don't have to fret and thank You for being God.  In Jesus name.  Amen

A Certain God

  For with God nothing shall be impossible.~ Luke 1:37

There is a song by CeCe Winans titled "Never Lost".  It speaks of God never failing.  This song reminds me of the certainty of God.  The certainty of His love and grace.  It encourages me to face trials and challenges with a can do attitude because I serve a can do God.  God is faithful, wise, and true and He has never let me down.  He has met me at every crossroad and shown me the way to go.  He been with me on the journey and never left or forsaken me.  He is a sure and true and I love Him.

Lord, thank You for being the God of the possible.  You alone deserve the glory honor and praise.  I thank You for being trustworthy and dependable.  I praise You for goodness, mercy, and grace.  Bless your people and help us to look to You.  In Jesus name. Amen