Devot. Thanks for the Greatest Gift

HI Folks,

I hope you had a very blessed Christmas!   Below is a devot. reminding us of the Greatest Gift we have received this Christmas-Jesus and the free gift of salvation He freely offers and we have received by faith in Him.

Pray the devot. and song link below bless and encourage your heart.   Merry Christmas!

Song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDZBXbN8L7U,

 

Devot. below used by permission and taken from http://www.icr.org/

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December 25, 2017 Thanks for the Greatest Gift “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15)   We who have known and sought to follow the Lord for many years have received many, many blessings for which to thank Him. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits” (Psalm 68:19), we can pray again and again.   But there is one blessing that is so great that it cannot even be put into words—it is unspeakable! That gift is so great that when we try to comprehend it, the sense of awe and gratitude becomes so overwhelming (or at least should become so overwhelming) that our joy is also unspeakable—indescribable! That gift, of course, is the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and Savior, “whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, . . . ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).   It is significant that the Greek word translated “unspeakable” occurs only these two times in the entire New Testament. God’s unspeakable gift to us produces unspeakable joy in us. We who deserve nothing but eternal separation from God in hell, instead will enjoy eternal life with God in heaven, and all because of that amazing and truly inexpressible gift!   To think that the mighty Creator, God the Son, would not only humble Himself to become His own creature, man, but then also suffer the unimaginable agony of the cross and separation from God the Father in order to deliver us from the just penalty of sin! This act speaks of such love and grace that all we can do is whisper softly, “Thank you, Lord, for this unspeakable gift,” and then shout it over and over again in our hearts wherever we go and share its unspeakable joy and blessing with whomever will listen to its message. “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (Psalm 126:3). Thank you, Lord! HMM     This email was sent to  | Print this article Unsubscribe | Subscribe



Do You Have Room?

   Do you have room in your heart this Christmas for the King of kings, Jesus?  Jesus was God, come in human flesh.  His whole purpose in coming to earth was to someday die and rise again for us, (God's way of paying for our sins), so that we might have the promise of eternal life through accepting what He did for us as or way to get to Heaven?  Have you received Jesus as Savior of your life?  If not, look at this link: https://thejourneyheavenward.blogspot.com/p/are-you-100-sure.html

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   "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)   To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.    And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.    And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:4-7 

   Song Link- Do You Have Room?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR7lo9ycKBA

Devot. Garments for the King

HI Folks,

I pray you are having a very blessed Christmas Day!  The devot. is a reminder that Christ chose to be born into humble surroundings, after being surrounding by the glories of Heaven.  A good reminder of our Saviour's selfless, sacrificial love for us.

I have also included 2 Christmas hymns, ones I don't think you would be familiar with.  Lord bless you and yours this week!  Merry Christmas!

Out of the Ivory Palaces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urhhQaEPvEU

(If you need lyrics, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyMIpGzflY0)

Thou Didn't Leave Thy Throne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBXpuLT1ilo

If you need lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MacsCnVKIwA

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December 24, 2017 Garments for the King “All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” (Psalm 45:8)   One of the most beautiful of the Christmas hymns (though rarely sung at Christmas) is “Out of the Ivory Palaces,” telling how the King of heaven left His heavenly home and laid aside His perfumed, royal clothing to enter “a world of woe.” That this 45th Psalm is symbolic in part is obvious, but that it refers to Christ is also obvious from its use in Hebrews 1:8: “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom,” quoting Psalm 45:6.   That the eternal King left heaven to come to Earth is not symbolic, however, but very real; nor did He have royal robes in which to be arrayed, for they “wrapped [Him] in swaddling clothes” and laid Him “in a manger” (Luke 2:12).   Then, as He later walked the dusty roads of Judea, we know little of what He wore, but we do know that on one notable occasion, He “laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. . . . and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (John 13:4-5). A strange garment, and stranger action, for the King of glory!   Yet, stranger still that men whom He had created later “took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat. . . . but cast lots for it” (John 19:23-24), leaving Him naked to die a painful death spiked to a tree. Finally, His little remnant of friends took “the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes” (John 19:40) for His burial.   Now, however, in glory, He once again is arrayed in kingly apparel, “clothed with a garment down to the foot, and . . . with a golden girdle” (Revelation 1:13), and one day, all His redeemed shall see Him—in His beauty—the King in whose law we delight! HMM     This email was sent to | Print this article Unsubscribe | Subscribe

Devot. Do You Hear What I Hear?

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you have had a super week!  

 

The devot. for today is on anticipating Christmas.   The writer of the devot. shares how his family will learn traditional carols together (like I suggested last week) in preparation for Christmas.  

 

I have also included 2 songs:  The First Noel shares the entire Christmas story (so consider sharing  it with family esp. the kids).  I couldn't find a version with all 5 verses, so I have included a lyrics link.  

The second song, Do You Hear What I Hear is the title of the devot., as well as a song:)

 

I pray you have a blessed Christmas Eve weekend anticipating our Savior's birthday!

 

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/faith-works/coming-to-our-senses-week-two  

(Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

 

The First Noel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IawyZ3umrTE

 

Lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/c/christmas_carols/the_first_noel.html

 

Do You Hear What I Hear?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhTnDaEmA5k

Devot. Prepare Him Room

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  

 

Well, Christmas is less than week away!  Where did the time go?

In general conversations I am asking folks, "Are you ready for next week?" 

I know many are not, I'm a little in shock that Christmas is next week!

 

But in the spiritual sense, are our hearts prepared to celebrated Christmas?  Are our heart ready to celebrate Gods Birthday? (An awesome thought if we dwell on it long enough!).  

 

As I said in a previous devot., going to a Christmas Eve service or program, wish someone a Merry Christmas, learning a traditional Christmas carol are all practical ways of spiritually preparing for Christmas.

 

At the same time, we have to consciously think, "It's Jesus birthday, Lord help me to celebrate Your birth from my heart, focus on that instead of all the bustle around me."

 

On another hand, I do want to mention something that I think bears mentioning.  

I know Christmas is not always an easy time for folks, esp. if they have lost a loved one.   

I wished to share something that has been a personal blessing to my family and myself and we have used ourselves.

 

GriefShare is a faith based ministry that has locations in churches all over the US.   Their website is packed full of resources is dealing with Grief and Surviving the holidays (even daily emails with encouragement).  We have gone through GriefShare in recent years, after the loss of a loved one.  IT HELPED SO MUCH to help us heal and feel the Lord's peace. 

 If you or someone you know is hurting, please look at/pass on this site.  https://www.griefshare.org/

 

I pray you have a very blessed week!  Devot./song below

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/features/prepare-him-room  (Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

 

Song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOX5z5QJ_dY

Devot. Coming to Our Sense/Practical Christmas Ideas

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a super weekend!  

 

Do you feel like you are losing your senses around Christmas time?

 

How do we keep a sense of calm in Christmas, keep Christ in Christmas and make an eternal difference in someone life?

 

In previous devot. on the blog I shared how one of Jesus' qualities was that of servanthood.   He served others, thought of others and died for others.    So how do we think of others and encourage those around us (esp. the kids and teens) to think of someone else other than themselves at a time when we think so much of 'what we are getting', rather than giving?

 

Below are some links of how you can make a difference in the life of a persecuted Christian, a child overseas this Christmas or other practical ways.

 

The first 3 places I help every year or have helped with and the first 2 places are also budget friendly, but very meaningful and meet a need for someone else.   The first sent of links from VOM I esp. love, as they are ideal for getting your family, church, youth group involved in.

 

I also have underneath the links some practical and fun ways to keeping Christ in Christmas.  

 

Pray you have a very blessed week!

 

Devot.   https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/faith-works/coming-to-our-senses-week-two  (Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

 

Useful, Practical Ways to Help:

 

Persecuted Church:  (Links Taken from https://www.persecution.com/.   Links 1 and 2 I have done with a girls Bible study I host/teach.  This is our 3rd year and the teens get so excited to help!   Link #3 we will be doing this year.  This is a great activity for the family!)

https://www.persecution.com/actionpacks/

https://www.persecution.com/familymedpacks/

https://www.vombibles.com/

https://www.christmascare.com/

 

2 Orphanages/Christian Schools Overseas, 1 Ministry in the US (Link taken from https://dwministries.org/.   I have been very excited to help with this for about 3-4 years).

https://dwministries.org/christmas-wish-list/  

 

Helping Children Overseas:  (Link taken from https://www.worldvision.org/.  Did this about 4-5 years ago.)

https://donate.worldvision.org/giftcatalog

 

Help a Child Who is Waiting to Be Adopted: https://awaa.org/one-orphan/season-of-hope

(Link taken from http://awaa.org/   This is a good, Christian agency that  is making a difference in the life of an orphan.)

 

If you are an animal lover like myself, donate a bit of money to a local animal shelter or rescue.   Found this site a few years ago, and my mom has bought from it (good products).  

They also sponser/support other causes as well. http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/home

(Link taken from

 

There is a also the Salvation Army that is around every year or local shelters.

 

Practical Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas:

~Put up a Merry Christmas sign on the front yard; say Merry Christmas; choose gifts that emphasize Christmas; pick cards that show a manger scene, has Scripture on it  (good for gifts and cards: https://www.dayspring.com/) or send a Christmas e-card(https://www.dayspring.com/ecards)

 

~Put up a manger scene inside/outside the house and explain the true Christmas story to the kids, grandkids. 

Tell 'em it's Jesus birthday!

(What my parents used to do every year when I was a kid was keep Jesus out the manger scene until Christmas Day and

then try to sneak Him into the stable Christmas morning without me seeing.  It built the anticipation of Jesus birthday and focused on the True Meaning of the season.    I now do this with the young ones in my life and they eagerly check the manger scene for Jesus' arrival.)

 

~Be courageous and put and Merry Christmas sign or Manger scene on your desk at work:)

 

~Go to a live Nativity, Christmas  program or Christmas Eve service.  

 

~Read Luke 2-the Christmas story- the night before Christmas.   Read ahead of time and jot down questions you could ask the kids/grandkids to make sure they understand.

 

~Get an Advent Calendar for next year to count down the das to Christmas (FYI, Get a 'real', nativity calendar, not Hello Kitty or something else:)  It defeats the purpose of emphasizing Jesus birthday.) 

 

~Google for a list traditional  Christmas carols, and try to learn one a week.  Most, if not all, focus on the birth and even the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Devot. A Pattern of Servanthood

Hi Folks,

I hope you have had a good weekend! 

 

This is not a Christmas devot. but it shows an  aspect of who Christ was.  He was a King, the King of Kings (Rev. 19:16), but He came to earth as a humble baby and took the form of a Servant (Phil. 2:7).

Matthew said of Jesus that He was meek and lowly in heart (Matt. 11:29).

 

Christ is our example of godliness and the area of servanthood is something we can all work on, I'm sure. Personally, I am trying harder to think of others and their interests more than myself.   How much more is this needed for child and adult alike around Christmas time, as we are gifted with so much! 

 

As you read this devot., I would suggest that you read the Matthew, Isaiah and Philippians verses highlighted in red which give you a much clearer picture of how Jesus is described as a Servant in Scripture.

 

I have also included one of my favorite Christmas carols. I pray the devot. is a blessing to your week!   Lord bless you and yours!

 

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/pattern-for-servanthood  (Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

 

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mjRxkMBkE

 

Devot. Christmas!

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a great week!  Here we are into December!

 

I want to share Christmas devots. that will prepare our truly hearts for Christmas and for welcoming our Saviour's birthday.  I would love for us to make The Reason for the Season come alive in our hearts, homes, and personal lives and then spread the Meaning of joy onto someone else.

 

What the world needs right now is Hope, and as I shared in previous devots. the only lasting, tangible, eternal hope comes through knowing Jesus as our personal Saviour.   We maybe able to gain happiness through this Christmas season, but happiness is based on circumstances.  True joy is not contingent on circumstances, but is a gift from God and is there regardless of what we are going through (John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.")

 

So I have 2 questions for you this week is:

#1. How can we Keep Christ (Our Saviour) in Christmas for ourselves in a personal way?

#2. How can we instill the true Meaning of Christmas in the lives of those around us (esp. the children)?   

 

Recently, a child told me that they didn't know Christmas was Jesus' birthday.  It  greatly saddened me!!  Once upon a time, regardless of if Christmas was celebrated in a traditional/religious way or not, everyone knew that Christmas was Jesus' birthday.  What is our world and our young people coming to?  

 

Once the gifts have been unwrapped, discarded, the decorations have come down, what is left for them to hold onto after Christmas (now or when they become an adult)?      It's easy for anyone to become depressed if the gifts, decorations and festivities are all we have to look forward to.   

 

But for myself and others I know, knowing that Jesus is our Saviour, our Friend and that He is with us always, helps to carry us through the rest of the year in a joy filled way and gives us even more excitement during Christmas time!

 

I pray that the devot. below catches our hearts and gives us ideas of how to share the True Meaning of Christmas, and incorporate Jesus into His birthday and our personal lives even more this year. 

 

Have a very blessed weekend!

 

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/from-pastors-heart/december-2017  (Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)