Devot. Mary and the Grace of God

Dear Friends,

Here is our last Christmas devot., until next Christmas:)  It is about God's grace as shown in the lives of those who faithfully followed Him.

Pray it is a reminder to us that Grace is God giving to us something that we don't deserve; and yet He gives it to us each day.

What a loving and awesome God we serve!  Pray you have a blessed weekend and Lord's blessing on you and yours in the New Year!

 

Share with a friend

December 24, 2015 Mary and the Grace of God “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” (Luke 1:30)   This announcement by the angel Gabriel to the virgin Mary, that she had been chosen as the mother of the coming Savior, contains the first mention in the New Testament of the Greek word for grace (charis). Mary was chosen, not for anything she had done, but because she had “found grace.”   In a remarkable parallel, certainly implying divine inspiration, the first mention of grace in the Old Testament is also associated with the coming of a new dispensation in God’s dealings with men. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8).   Just as Mary found grace, so Noah had found grace. Grace is not something one earns or purchases; grace is a treasure that is found! When a person finally realizes that salvation is only by the grace of God, received through faith in the saving work of Christ, he or she has made the greatest discovery that could ever be made, for it brings eternal life.   But there is an even greater dimension to the grace of God. When we do “find” grace, it is actually because God in His infinitely precious grace has found us and revealed to us the Savior of our souls. Just as God found Moses in the desert and found Paul on the road to Damascus, then saved and called them to His service, so He finds us, and then we also find His saving grace.   Mary’s discovery of God’s grace in salvation, through the coming of the “seed of the woman” into the world, is revealed in her Magnificat: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:46-47). This could well have also been the testimony of Noah long ago, and it surely should be the testimony of each of us who has found grace today. HMM      | Print this article

A Need Overseas: Malaria Prevention

This is from a young friend of mine who tries to reach out and help overseas as she can.   I promised I would pass along this email to you and I'm sending early b/c there is a deadline.  Forward if you can and if you feel led to help please do.

I am going to see what my girl's Bible study and I can do.  Blessings! 

There's this missionary in Africa I follow on Youtube, Gret Glyer, and for the past half year, he's been doing weekly fundraisers to help individuals in a Malawi village. He shows the person's (or family's) problem in a video, and in the next video after the money's raised, he shows how the money has helped. It's been really awesome to witness and get to be a part of over the past couple of months. (Here's a link to the playlist of videos if you'd like to see: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8JRcmXVcYaaksNTZRQ3pnP7fwVVNWWF_)

Gret's latest project is to get mosquito nets for an entire village. It might not sound important, but malaria, a parasitic disease rampant in Malawi, is spread by mosquito bites. Most adults survive, but children can easily die from it. The crazy thing is it's almost entirely preventable. The mosquitos bite mostly at night, so the nets protect the people while they're asleep. 

Gret has only 3 more days to complete fundraising for the entire village but he's so close to making the goal. You wouldn't have to donate a lot; it's just $9.50 for a single net. I understand if you can't, but if you could pass a long this email or the linked Youtube video, which explains the project and it's significance, to someone who you think would interested, that would be amazing.

One more thing: even if the entire goal isn't met, the money fundraised will be used to buy as many nets as possible and handed out to children first. Even if just 75% of a village gets nets, the frequency of malaria cases drops dramatically, so every little bit helps. 

Link to donate: http://www.villagefridays.com/malaria 
Link to video: https://youtu.be/IpJj6pxdunM

Thanks so much for reading through this, and I hope you can help in some way.  

Send Email

Add to Contacts

Edit Contact

Send SMS/MMS

Add to Contacts

Edit Contact

Devot. God Gave Himself

Dear Friends,

Happy week after Christmas and almost New Year!  I pray you had as blessed a Christmas reflecting and celebrating the miracle of Christmas as my family and I did.

I saw this devot. last week and was inspired and touched by it.   This is Christmas in a nut shell, folks.

I pray you have a blessed and safe rest of December.   Remember in prayer those who have lost loved ones in the recent storms. 

 Lord bless you this weekend!

       

December 25, 2015 God Gave Himself “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)   It is singularly appropriate that we look at this greatest of all verses on Christmas Day, for it records the greatest of all gifts. The theme of giving is very prominent in the Bible, with such words as “give,” “gift,” “gave,” etc., occurring more than 2,100 times. The first is Genesis 1:16-17 when God created the sun, moon, and stars “to give light upon the earth,” and the last is Revelation 22:12 when Christ will return with His rewards to “give every man according as his work shall be.” “He . . . gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons,” as well as “life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 14:17; 17:25).   But the greatest gift, clearly, was when God gave Himself for a lost and undeserving world. It was the greatest gift because it met the greatest need, revealed the greatest love, and had the greatest scope and purpose of any gift that could ever be conceived in the heart of an omniscient Creator.   That was not the end of His giving, of course. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). “Trust . . . in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).   This great gift of God is abundantly sufficient to provide salvation and everlasting life for the whole world. But a gift only becomes a gift when it is accepted, and the greatest of all tragedies is that this greatest of all gifts has been spurned and even ridiculed, or—worst of all—simply ignored by multitudes who need it so much. When they brazenly refuse God’s free gift of everlasting life, they can only perish in everlasting death. God did all He could do when He gave His Son; for when He gave His Son, He gave Himself. HMM      | Print this article Unsubscribe | Subscribe

Devot. The Incarnation

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! 

Well, it is upon us-the celebration and remembrance of GOD'S BIRTHDAY! I put it that way because #1. It is the truth, #2. It is absolutely amazing!  and #3. It is it the True Reason for the Season  and it can last in our hearts throughout  the year even when the tree and decorations are put away and gifts forgotten.

JESUS is the GREATEST GIFT God has ever sent to mankind as undeserving as we are and the knowledge of God coming in human flesh to dwell with mankind, (John 1:1-18)  the wonder and awesomeness, can live in our hearts throughout the year and the joy of it should be consciously loved our and rejoiced over daily in our hearts and lives.

I have included a song link with the devot. It is a new favorite of mine that I plan to sing for my church's Christmas Eve Service next year.

It is sung from Mary's perspective, but the chorus(please listen to the words), esp. about Jesus being born in us and our hearts having  vacancy can apply to our lives.

Do we have room for the King of Glory in our hearts and homes this season or has He been removed for the more popular "X-mas?"

 

He is the TRUE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS and since it is His birthday (even if it isn't the true season of His birth as many believe it was spring based on details in the Christmas story-lambs out in the fields in winter time would never happen in Israel, too cold), HE should be the One who is worshipped and celebrated!

I pray that you and your families celebrate our One and Only Saviour this week.   Go to a Christmas Eve service (it brings me back to earth and the True Reason for Christmas) and read the Christmas story in Luke 2 on Christmas Day to the kids and grandkids, read it for yourself.   Let's celebrate Jesus this week!

From my family to yours, a personal prayer that your Christmas will be filled with the presence of Jesus.  Merry CHRSTMAS!  (Devot., song, Christmas Story below)

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/18365  (Used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

 

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOPHkvbdOpw

 

Christmas Story:  Christmas Story: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202&version=KJV   (Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.biblegateway.com/)

Teaching Your Kids About Christmas/Devot. Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a good weekend!  

I saw this article at the beginning of the month and thought it would be helpful in explaining Christmas, the true reason for, to anyone of any age.   I think we are living in a time when this current generation does not even begin to fathom the True Reason for the Season because we have commercialized and X-mas-it so much.  We are cutting out the True Meaning in our society and in the lives of this current and next generation!  Where do you do think it has gotten us?

 

I said to a crowd of people this past weekend that the whole meaning of Christmas for many, until the last however many years or so, has  been celebrating God's willingness to come

to earth as  humble Baby to one day wear a crown and die on a tree.   That is the heart of the Season.   And it's the only thing that will last in our hearts and lives past the tree and

the gifts.   Jesus is the Everlasting Gift that can bring hope and joy all year, all lifetime, long.   What are we doing to share it?

 

I found a short devot. that I hope is a blessing to you heart this week.  May the Babe of Christmas, the Saviour of the world,  be reflected in your life this week!

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/tidings-comfort-joy  (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/#

(Christmas Article below)

 

 

 

 

      

Make sure you receive Focus emails—add email@email.fotf.com to your address book. Get Phil Vischer's DVD "Why Do We Call it Christmas?" DONATE NOW       Help Your Children Understand The Real Meaning Of Christmas!   FREE With A Donation Of Any Amount»   Teaching Kids About Christmas   Listen Now»           For many of us, it probably feels like Christmas gets more hectic, and more materialistic, every year. It can often be tough for our families to maintain focus on the "reason for the season"—Jesus' birth—when we're surrounded by commercialism and so many conflicting messages. A recent Focus on the Family® radio broadcast that many listeners found especially helpful is "Teaching Kids About Christmas," featuring Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales® and Jelly Telly®. Phil provides a wealth of background on the various cultural traditions (mostly European) that eventually blended into the familiar modern trappings of Christmas—Santa Claus, gift-giving, evergreen trees, etc. He points out that younger children, especially, may struggle with understanding how church pageants about Jesus can fit in with "wall-to-wall Santa Claus." Phil gives tips on striking a balance, such as telling the story of the real Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Greek bishop who loved Jesus so much that he gave all his money to help kids in poor families. Our goal for this broadcast is to help families emphasize the true meaning of Christmas—and how that sets up Easter. You can listen to "Teaching Kids About Christmas" on our media player. Also, for a donation of any amount, we'll be happy to send you a copy of the Jelly Telly® DVD Buck Denver Asks ... Why Do We Call It Christmas? If you know someone who could be encouraged by this broadcast please share this email! Or, if we can be of assistance to your family in relation to these issues, please let us know—;we're here to help.   Share This Email     Connect With Us   Marriage | Parenting | Today's Broadcast | Family Store

Devot. Lights in the World

Dear Friends,

I hope you have had an awesome week!

 

Since this week was Hanukkah and our upcoming Christmas are all about lights,, I found a devot. on US being lights!

This is something that really matters strongly in my life right now-being a light that reflects Jesus in every way, showing folks  Him living, active and making a difference in my  life.  Reason for this is that hopefully folks will see what is missing in their own lives, Jesus,

and want to know my Saviour as I do.

 

I pray this devot. will remind, bless, encourgae, and challenege you to shine this weekend for Jesus!

 

Lord bless and keep you and yours this weekend  

 

Devot.    http://www.icr.org/article/6180   (Used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/

Devot. Hanukkah

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week!
Last Sunday night began the celebration of Hanukkah.  I wanted to share the background with you and also show you where it is seen in the Bible.

The Bible is a book written under the inspiration of God, but the men He used to write HIS WORDS, were predominantly Jewish.   If you remember Jesus was raised in a Jewish home and therefore our Saviour was Jewish :) 

I want you to see how our Saviour would have celebrated this season, and what this holiday means to us Christians.

I  couldn't make up my mind which devot. to send, so I have 2 short ones:)  Read one now and save one for later.  May you feel the Lord's peace this weekend!

Devot. 1 http://www.icr.org/article/feast-dedication/     

Devot. 2 http://www.icr.org/article/festival-lights/ 

(Used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

Devot. Christmas and the Gift of Peace

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a good weekend!  When I read this devot's title the other night and it was just what I needed.

We all need peace in our hearts, lives and world.   Christmas is a time that represents peace, but this peace is only made possible because of the Prince of Peace  coming to earth as our Saviour .

Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

I pray this devot. is a blessing to your hearts!  Lord bless and keep you safe this week.
Devot. http://intouch.org/read/christmas-and-the-gift-of-peace  (Used by permission.   Taken from http://intouch.org/)

Devot. Grasping Christmas

Dear Friends,

 

I pray you had a blessed Thanksgiving as my family did.  

 

Well, today is the first week of December!  As one of my young students said to me this week,  "Well, only 25 more days to Christmas!"   

I found this devot. as I was looking on one of my favorites sites and I found it hit the spot.  

 

Do we fully grasp the miracle of Christmas and the role it plays in our very salvation?   God coming in human flesh to eventually wear a crown of thorns and die for our sins?  It's powerful if you think of it.

 

I pray you and yours have a safe and blessed weekend in Him!

 

Devot. http://intouch.org/read/magazine/faith-works/grasping-christmas (Used by permission.   Taken from http://intouch.org/)

Devot. The Pilgrims

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving and were able to reflect and see God's abundant blessings in your life.

I pray the devot. below is a blessing as well.   Lord bless you and yours this weekend!

Share with a friend

November 26, 2015 The Pilgrims “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” (1 Peter 1:1)   These “strangers” to whom Peter wrote his two epistles were actually “pilgrims.” He used the same Greek word (parepidemos) in 1 Peter 2:11: “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts.” The word means a resident foreigner, and its only other New Testament usage is in Hebrews 11:13, speaking of the ancient patriarchs who “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”   We give honor today to the American “pilgrims,” as they called themselves (thinking of these very verses), who left their homelands in order better to serve God in a foreign land. The “pilgrims” to whom Peter was writing likewise had been “scattered abroad” for their faith (note Acts 8:4).   For that matter, every born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is really just a pilgrim here on Earth, ambassadors for Christ in a foreign land. “For our conversation is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). That is, we are citizens of heaven (the Greek word translated “conversation” in this verse is politeuma, meaning “a community” or “citizenship”), and are here only for a time to serve our Lord until He calls us home.   And while we are here, we may endure many trials and sorrows just as did those Massachusetts pilgrims. But He nevertheless supplies our needs—just as He did for them—and we ought to abound in thanksgiving, as they did.   Thus, Christians all over the world have cause for thanksgiving every day. Since we are “enriched in every thing,” through our Savior, this “causeth through us thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11), and we should be “abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7). HMM      | Print this article Unsubscribe | Subscribe