Merry Christmas

"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished."
~Luke 1:45

This morning when I woke up, I just have that overwhelming urge to go back in God's Word to the ageless story. The story of Jesus and His birth. I just wanted to really reflect and embed in my heart the true meaning of Christmas.

I have been so bah...humbug this year. Just wanting to get Christmas over with. Looking around, it has been such a hard time for everyone this year. So many people and families have struggled throughout the year and now they are trying to just find enough to buy presents for their families. I have seen families be hit with medical conditions that are devastating and were not expected at all. I have seen such spiritual disarray very, very close to me. People are losing hope, they do not see an end to all the madness. I will have to include myself in this.

So, I just started digging in the gospels for the story of Jesus' birth. The REAL Story.... A story of not only true miracles but a story of hope that applies to us just as much today as in the ancient days of old. I truly love Luke and how he portrays such intricate details.

I came upon the story where the angel of the Lord came to Mary and told her that she would be having the Messiah. The baby that would save the world and give the gift of eternal life. Can you imagine how she must have felt? I just can see her on the verge of exploding. Could you imagine trying to hold that in? Well, she didn't. She got herself together and went straight to her cousin, Elizabeth's house. Now, Elizabeth had already been truly blessed by the Lord. She was barren, older and unable to have children. The Lord sent the same angel to her husband, Gabriel months before and told him that they would be having a child. A son, to be named John. The angel also stated that this child would be "filled with the Holy Spirit" on the spot. So, Elizabeth was perfect for Mary to go too. They shared a common story. The only difference, John was to pave the way for the Messiah, Jesus.

You hear no talks of jealousy in this story. They were just happy with what the Lord had chosen for their lives. So, Mary enters Elizabeth's and Elizabeth already knew. They were excited, I imagine they were both talking a mile a minute. I bet joy overflowed in that house that day. Answers to prayers, having God's presence all around them. It wasn't hard for them to believe that the God of heaven and earth had been right there among them.

Elizabeth looked straight at Mary and said... "Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished." This verse just stunned me this morning. Blessed means happy, fortunate, favored.... That leads me to my point this morning.

We, as women, will be blessed (happy, fortunate, favored) when we believe what the Lord says to us.

Believe this day, God sent His son to redeem us. Ladies, He sent Him to forgive and he sent the promise that we will be taken care of. He paid a price for us.... a dear price. We need to remember that this day. To remember His birth, but to also go back to the cross. We need to remember and believe. Believe that provision and favor are bestowed upon us because of who we are in Christ.

So this year, as we turn on the lights to the tree and we enjoy the fellowship with our friends and families.... remember the light that has been turned on for us. Believe.... be favored, happy and most of all fortunate....

Merry Christmas....

Faith

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."


- Hebrews 11:1

As I woke up this morning, more determined than ever to have just some quiet time with My Father.... I had to do the initial things that most mothers know exactly what I mean...

I didn't want the kids to wake up and "ruin" my quiet time so..... I ever so quietly went to start making the coffee with as little noise as possible. I went ahead and let the dogs out and that is where it started. Our sweet, fun-loving Shih-Tzu, Molly is a runner. I honestly believe she could make it to Canada if she really, really tried. She ran instantly barking at 7:00 am on a Saturday morning... Then, Abby, our Pug started barking at Molly's disobedience... as if telling on her. All this, while my street is still in complete silence. So, I just did the only thing I knew to do.... PRAY!!! Father, please help me get these dogs in this house quietly, without waking up neighbors or children. Please, please give me just a few minutes with you..." I am happy to say He obliged.

So, I picked up my Bible and a little devotion that I had been wanting to try out and there Hebrews 11 was... Topic... Faith. Hmmm.... I know all about that, I thought. We cannot see it, alot of times if we ask for it, it turns out dangerous... But then, I looked at Hebrews 11:1.... It said "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

I flipped over to the Merriam-Webster website and looked at their definition... "Faith is a firm belief in something for which there is no proof." That whole meaning just struck me odd. I especially eyed these words. "No Proof".

I decided quickly that I did not like those two words associated with faith. Why? Because, even though I may not live my life as these heroes did here in the word or even some of the wonderful people that I have had the pleasure to know. I have proof. With everything in me, I have proof.

I have seen a physician tell a mother that there is nothing else that they could do for her unborn child because of very specific problems only to tell them at the next visit that those problems don't exist anymore and her baby is fine and healthy. Loss was imminent, this mother had other plans. Plans that were full of faith and prayer, calling on the Lord she knows. She called on her brothers and sisters in Christ and they prayed, believed and called on the One they knew that was the ultimate healer. And guess what, she is about to deliver a healthy little baby boy.

I have also seen lives changed that were nothing short than a miracle from God. Lives that have been lived in bondage and pits and they were enslaved to years of generational sin. Lives that are free now... living a life that is serving to the One and Only true God. Years of bondage, broken through their faith in Jesus Christ.

So, my question is.... Is this not proof? Proof of our Father stepping in our lives and moving.... making a difference? Even when the results are not exactly what we had planned. I have to say that I do deep in my heart know that I have proof He is in my life. Working in my life, communicating with me and showing me new revelations through His Word everyday!!! I do have proof of that... Sorry Merriam-Webster, I just can't agree with you on this one....

I Stand Amazed...

I stand amazed at how blessed I truly am. I have fallen so many times that my knees are so bruised and bloody. I don't know why I continue down the same paths that I do when I know that I know that I know. God, in His grace and mercy, comes and picks me up every single time. All I have to do is cry out. Tonight, I have cried out. The sorrow and pain of life seems more to me that I can ever bear. I am so weary. I remember the words of my Savior when He told me to come to Him. That His Yoke was easy... Come to Him and He will give me rest. Thank you Father, for your Word, for your comfort. I praise You... Lord, thank You for rescuing me. Time after time... I love you more than words can even say right now... My heart is sooooooo full. I just feel like I have to get it out... To share Your love for everyone. Not just me. Father, the theme of my life seems to be, that Your Mercy Said No. I am Yours. You will sustain me and continue to satisy my soul..... Thank You Father... I praise you...

I Stand Amazed...

I am so completely amazed at God this evening. He lavishes me with love, grace and mercy beyond belief... I turn my back on Him, I ignore Him, Stay away from His Holy Word and yet I still know beyond belief that He loves me so much... He created me in my mother's womb. He knows every hair on my head and holds every tear I have ever shed in a bottle. He is a friend to the friendless, a father to the fatherless. I am so thankful that I know Him as my Savior. My Father, my hope and my strength... I am absolutely nothing without Him. I pray that if one person sees this blog that they will come to know this boundless love that I know. It is a love that never ends no matter what you have done. No matter where you have been. He knows it all. He still calls you to Him... He is calling You... Answer, child, answer. Thank you Jesus. Precious Jesus.

Here I Am...

Well.... I have wanted to do this for a long time and finally, here I am. I just think it will be so neat to have a place where I can share my thoughts!!! Sometimes I just have so much to say and no one to tell it to.
I am not really sure what I am doing but hopefully I will catch on quickly!!! :)
I hope this can become a place that I can post my thoughts and feelings on my every growing realtionship with my Awesome God!!! He has been so good and faithful to me. I hope I am able to share Him with as many people as possible here.