Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 

 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 

 And everyone went to their own town to register. 

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 

He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 

and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

Thought for the Day

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 

-Matthew 1:18-25

Thought for the Day

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

-Isaiah 9:6-7

Thought for the Day

 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,

 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 

 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

-Luke 1:26-35

Thought for the Day

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 He was with God in the beginning.

 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

-John 1:1-5

Thought for the Day

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD— 

and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;

 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.

 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. 

-Isaiah 11:1-5

Thought for the Day

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. -Proverbs 17:22

Thought for the Day

The one who lays up treasure for herself (or himself) is not rich toward God.  Luke 12:21 (paraphrased)

Thought for the Day

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.       -Luke 14:11

Thought for the Day

Always pray and do not lose heart.

Thought for the Day

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Luke 6:45

From My Prayer Journal...

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence, 
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Amen.

-Psalm 51:10-12 

What is Gratitude?

What is gratitude?

Is it simply a glad heart?

No, I think it is so much more.

It is an attitude

That is thankful for all things

The good, the bad, the up, the down.

The beautiful and the ugly

Through it all it still says,

Thank you.

I’m so blessed.

I’m so grateful.

For it all, the good times, the hard times,

The lessons learned, the sickness,

The healing, the hunger, the feast

The disappointment, the celebration

The exclusion, the inclusion

The hellos and the good-byes.

Simply a living continual thank you!

That is gratitude!

Thought for the Day

I came across this on pinterest today. It is something to consider....

Sometimes you think you're being buried, 

when you're really being planted. 

God is using this season to grow you.

-Unashamed Impact

Thought for the Day

Knowing their thoughts, He said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand."

Matt. 12:25

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.

Romans 14:19

Thought for the Day

You will show me the way of life

granting me the joy of your presence

and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Psalm 16:11

Thought for the Day

Do not consider yourself wise. Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 3:7 (CEV)

Thought for the Day

Listen to the wise and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

Proverbs 19:20 (NIV)

Thought for the Day

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5 (NIV)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thought for the Day

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Thought for the Day

The mouths of the righteous recite wisdom; their tongues discuss justice.

Psalm 37:30

Thought for the Day

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

James 3:13-17

Thought for the Day

Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers. Use your time in the best way you can. When you talk, you should always be kind and wise. Then you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. 

Colossians 4:5-6 (ERV)

Thought for the Day

The LORD is the source of wisdom;

knowledge and understanding come from his 

mouth.

Proverbs 2:6

Thought for the Day

You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.

Deuteronomy 13:4

Thought for the Day

Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

John 16:32

Thought for the Day

The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works.

Psalm 145:17

From My Prayer Journal

LORD, please give me a heart to understand, eyes to see and ears to hear you when you speak to me. Help me understand what you tell me.

Thought for the Day

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

Psalm 145:3

Thought for the Day

The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;

the LORD loves the righteous.

Psalm 146:8

Thought for the Day

Blessed is he whose help is in the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God.

Psalm 146:5

Thought for the Day

Great is our LORD, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure.

Psalm 147:5

Another thought...

The fear of man ensnares but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

-Proverbs 29:25

Thought for the Day

The secret things belong to the LORD our God,

but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever,

that we may do all the words of the law.

Deuteronomy 29:29

Thought for the Day

...Praise the LORD!

Psalm 148:14

Thought for the Day

...Trust in the LORD. Trust in him now and forever!

Psalm 131:3 (ERV)

Thought for the Day

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;

your steadfast love, O LORD, endures

forever.

Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Psalm 138:8

Thought for the Day

God's love never ends nor fails.

1 Cor. 13:8  

From My Prayer Journal

I am to love you, LORD, the LORD, my God with all of my heart and all of my soul, taking care, being mindful to not let my heart be deceived that I turn to other gods (idols) and worship them. This is to be deep within my heart so that I will love You, walk in Your ways (follow You) and hold fast (commit) to You always. Help me do this LORD God! I desire what You desire for me!

From My Prayer Journal

Lord, 
Help me to do the things you require of me--to fear you, to walk and live in obedience to you, to love you and serve you with all of my heart and all of my soul. 

Thought for the Day

...Yet not what I will,

 but what you will.

Mark 14:36

Thought for the Day

The LORD is near to all who call on Him 

to all who call on Him in truth.

Psalm 145:18

Thought for the Day

The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works.

Psalm 145:17

Thought for the Day

God is with me and gives to me because 

He is for me!

Thought for the Day

Great is the LORD,

 and greatly to be praised,

and his greatness is unsearchable.

Psalm 145:3

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Love forgets mistakes; 

nagging about them 

parts the best of friends.

Proverbs 17:9 (LB)

From My Prayer Journal

My Lord, My God,
You are the one true God, the God of heaven and of earth. You command us in your way and you bless and protect us when we walk in your way and adhere to your commands. Lead me on your path all the days of my life. Fill my mind, heart and mouth with wisdom, understanding and faithfulness. Today. Tomorrow. And forever. Let your grace abound in me. Amen.

From My Prayer Journal

My LORD,  
I often forget that you have bigger plans for me and my life. Thank you for reminding me that I am here for a purpose that you have decided. That purpose will be fulfilled because You alone are the LORD, my God whose love does not change nor end. You never quit before You have finished because with You every work is complete! You will never leave a work undone. You said You will bring the good work that You began in me to completion! Thank You LORD for your faithfulness to me! Amen! 

Thought for the Day

Trust in the LORD

and 

do good.

Psalm 37:3 

Thought for the Day

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire

besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and

my portion forever. 

Psalm 73:25-26

Forever.

Thought for the Day

...Peace! Be still!... 

~Mark 4:39

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

Psalm 145:3

Because I trust You

LORD,
Because I trust you, let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love. Let me know where I should go because I put my life in your hands. Show me what you want me to do because You are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me over level ground. LORD, let me live in a way that causes people to praise your name. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it.

Love,

God

Psalm 81:10

I Wanted to Share...

Thought for the Day

For God has said, " I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." So we can say with confidence, "The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?"

Hebrews 13:5-6 NLT

A Message for You

God provides. Trust this. Trust God. 

Yes, today you're lonely, hurt, alone, isolated, unwanted, and rejected. He has heard your cries. He has caught your tears. He has wrapped you up in His arms. He is whispering gently in your ears and in your heart these words.

 "I love you and I am here with you. I am for you. I will lead you. I will guide you. Just trust me. Trust me to lead, guide and direct you. I won't lead you the wrong way nor astray. I chose you, remember. You are my treasure. Why can't you see? Look at me, focus on me. I won't disappoint you. I will never ever fail you. Simply, trust me. That's right, take the step, you can do it. I'll be walking right alongside you. I'll even hold your hand. Just keep your gaze on me. I'll fill you when you're empty. I'll give you drink when you're thirsty. Just follow me and share with others what I've shared with you. Tell them about who I am, what I've done for you and why I do what I do. Never forget, I am a part of you and you are a part of me. No worries, I'll tell you what to say and who to say it to. Remember, I'm here with you. I will help you and lift you up for my sake and for my glory. 

I love you. 

Trust me!"

~Jesus

Thought for the Day

God pays no attention to what others say (or what you think) about you. He makes up his own mind.

Romans 2:11 MSG

Thought for the Day

Try.Again.

Don't.Give.Up.

A Knock

Throw it down, throw it down

Deeper, still deeper

Throw it down

Cover it, bury it, drown it.

Never to resurface. Buried beneath

The layers of protection—

Aloofness, Distance, Hardness, Coldness

Protect from the pain

Right?

No, of course not.

Pain still comes knocking

No answer…

It pounds.

Still no answer…

It shatters the windows covered with

Layers. Shattering to the core.

Inescapable.

Pain is here again. Along with its companions

Darkness and fear

Controlling every fiber, every breath

The knocking continues. The locks are locked, dead bolted

And chained. Your friends, Aloofness, Distance,

Hardness, and Coldness have got your back.

You tell the one at the door to go away.

The knocking continues.

You ask, “who is it?”

The one says, “It is I, love”

You scream, “you must go away!”

It will bring more pain.

Love continues to knock.

Finally, you open the door to say, “go away you only

Bring pain.” And Love says, “ trust me for I will never fail.”

Thought of the Day

God is the one who saves me. I trust him, and I am not afraid.

The LORD YAH is my strength.

He saves me, and I sing songs of praise about him.

Isaiah 12:2 ERV

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.

Proverbs 4:23 ERV

Thought for the Day

God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: 

Show mercy to others

Be kind

Be humble

Be gentle

Be patient

Colossians 3:12 ERV