Christmas Related: Very First KING Sized Bed

                                              THE VERY FIRST KING-SIZED BED

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary.                                      To one without faith, no explanation is possible".                                                                                      ~Thomas Aquinas

 

THANK GOD FOR THAT BED AND THE BABY WHO SLEPT THERE   Merry Christmas!

 

 

Devot. God With Us

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a good week!  The devot. for today continues the theme of Baby Jesus really being God. 

 

Jesus Himself said in John 14:6-11 that when people saw Him, they had seen God the Father.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+14%3A6-11&version=KJV

 

Jesus also said in John 10:30 that He and God the Father were one.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+10%3A30&version=KJV

 

So when you see Baby Jesus in the Manger, you are seeing God Himself in human flesh!

The devot. below is well written, gets you to think and ponder.   I hope the devot. rings a bell in your heart, as it did mine.  

 

Lord bless you and yours this weekend.

 

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/margin-notes/god-with-us (Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

Devot. Who Was the Babe in the Manger?

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a good weekend and are staying healthy and well.   

 

Well, we are officially into the Christmas season.  I know that it seems we have been seeing Christmas since Thanksgiving (decorations and stores advertising things).

At the same time folks at my church have been commenting that people they are running into don't seem to have the "Christmas Spirit" yet.  

I know that this time of year can be more stressful than relaxing, but I'm hoping to help you all with that through the contents of the devots. :)

This one for today is looking at Who the Baby in the Manger really is.   Yes, we know He was God, but do we really think about it that hard?  Does it overwhelm our soul with wonder and awe, does it cause us to lift up praise to Him-that He was willing to come-? 

I was sharing with a young child today that I know that the Baby in the manger wasn't just a baby, He was God come to us in human flesh.  Her little eye brows shot up!  She didn't know that!   Point is, do we think about it and/or think to share that with anyone who would listen?

Below is a story and link that a close friend sent me this story and video link.  The song in itself powerful, as it describes who exactly that Baby in the Manger is, but the story behind this moment,  I think, is just as powerful.    It caused me to tear up and blessed my heart.     I pray that you allow the Lord to use this story/song to touch your heart in a special way

Lord bless and keep you  and yours safe and well this week!

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/who-was-babe-manger (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/)  

 

Story/Song: http://ijr.com/2016/12/747162-as-tornadoes-hit-a-georgia-high-school-terrified-teens-find-the-perfect-song-to-ease-their-shattered-nerves/

Devot. The Greater Purpose of Blessings

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a good week.  This week went by fast for me!

 

This is  the last devot. of the Thanksgiving season before I move us into Christmas on Monday, looking forward to that:)

What is the purpose behind God's blessings?  Yes, it's because He wants to show us His love and mercy (God giving us what we do not deserve), but He also has an even bigger purpose, as stated in this devot.    The devot's message reminded me of the 'pay it forward' motto.

I also wanted to share two other small things with you, two links-a song about blessings and the story behind the song. Both are very powerful, and short, so please take the time to listen in the next few days.

 

Lord bless and keep you and yours this safe this weekend.

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-greater-purpose-of-blessings  (Used by permission   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

(Read Ps. 67 as noted in the devot. It will help to give background to the devot's message.)

 

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

 

Story behind the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjB2skJi2co

Devot. Loaded with Blessings

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a peaceful and blessed week!

 

 In the devot, today it refers to the end of the year, meaning the author of this devot. wrote it at the end of December in preparation for a new year.   But when I saw the devot. and read it, it spoke to me of Thanksgiving. 

 

I referenced a hymn last week, Count Your Many Blessings.   I wanted to include a link that shows the rest of the verses.   It truly shows that if we count our blessings  we will be surprised at how much we have, instead of how little.

 

Also when I think of God's blessings, the below song comes to mind.   

 I heard it years ago, but it has always stuck in my mind and blessed my heart.

 

Pray it blesses you as well!   May the Lord bless and keep you and yours this weekend.

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/1518  (Used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

 

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8o7PCFdy1c   

 

Count Your Many Blessings: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/countyou.htm  (You will need to scroll down a bit for lyrics)

Devot. The Pilgrims

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving day and the last few days will be extra reminders of how the Lord has blessed you! 

 

I found this devot. the other day and it spoke to my heart, thought it was a neat one:)

 

Lord bless each of you and your families this week!

 

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

Devot. Giving Thanks Beyond Our Lifetime

Hi Folks,

 

The devot. for today is just what I'd had on my heart.    It brings our hearts and minds back to the true essence of Thanksgiving.

When I think of the word 'Thanksgiving," I think of it backwards-Giving Thanks."  Psalm 107 implores, urges mankind 4 times through the chapter, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" Oh that we would praise Him for how good He is to us, undeserving sinners as we are!

Last week my co-Sr. High Girls Youth Group Leader gave us a challenge to think of 1 thing every day to thank the Lord for, something we were taking for granted.  I challenge you to do the same.    It can be as simple  thanking the Lord for clean water, a hot shower, a warm house.  When you start think of how much you have been blessed

with, it diminishes what you may not have.   

 

The old hymn, "Count Your any Blessings" says in Verse 1,

"When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done."    (Taken from http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/countyou.htm)

I leave you with 1 final thought and a song.   Consider inviting someone who does not have family to join you for Thanksgiving-an elderly neighbor, a single person, a single parent family, someone less fortunate.

Or if you are the one without family, consider going out to dinner and inviting some folks along who will be on their own.   You don't know the blessing an invite can be, even to someone you may not know well.

Pray for those who have lost loved ones as this time of year can be difficult (I'm thinking of the families of the police officers who were killed this past weekend in various US states).   Thanksgiving is a family time, but can be very painful if family is not there, so please remember folks like this in your prayers.

Last, I have included a song that embodies what our hearts should truly be thankful for.   

 

From my family to yours, may the Lord give you His peace and presence this week and Happy Thanks Giving!

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/giving-thanks-beyond-our-lifetimes  (Used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/)   

 

 Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld1fatQyvjM