Godly Gossip

It’s Not What We Have but Who We Have

2012-01-31T15:15:00.000-06:00

“See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!” 1 John 3:1

We do not deserve nor should we have…. We are unworthy, sinners, who deserve death. Yet we live as though we are entitled to things, some things, money, happiness, health, pleasure, success.

These things, they take away from Him, His purpose, and us. They take away who God made us to be, His children, His love, His chosen ones.

Being those, are greater than being rich, happy, healthy, fulfilled from pleasure and successful. Being those, gives purpose, meaning, value, and are things that last, remain, and are constant.

His children, His love, His chosen ones, these we don’t deserve to be, but are, by His grace, His mercy, and His love for us, you and me. What better things are there than these?

“You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, dear friends in Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people. May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:6-7

On Separate Sides Of The Cross His Fringe Is Touched

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

"She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his robe." Luke 8:44

It's constant, his itch and pain. It lingers, and flares, and covers his little body. This sickness of the skin. I know, he knows, we all know, but yet he keeps going, never saying, just playing. All while it rages, and covers, this itch, this pain.

"He's three!" I murmur. But I know, he knows, we all know, it could be so much worse, so we give praise, we say our thanks. We are blessed. He's alive, he's ours, he smiles and laughs. He is busy and squirmy, funny and smart. He's alive and healthy, so we are blessed, we are thankful.

It's been long, this battle of the skin, sickness, and cyst. Three years long. As we wade through one more opinion, one more doctor to offer relief. One more scan of this little brain, we pray, we trust, we know, we all know...we are blessed.

This woman, three years is short to her suffering of 12 years. The bleeding, the draining of life, energy, and strength. Living as an outcast, rejected, and called unclean. She knows suffering and pain. She has waded through the opinions of doctors, praying one, just one could bring relief.

When one day, her on one side of the cross and him on the other, He came. He came and brought relief. The two, one grown and one only three, know, relief has come, and without words, just faith, they reach up and touch the fringe of His robe.

Altar Sunday

2012-01-29T06:00:00.001-06:00

Today I lay down the things of "Me." My wants and desires, my fears and worries, my selfish thoughts and actions and my need to be served.

Today I lay down "Me" in order to pick up more of Him.

Jesus keep me from picking these things up as I walk away from laying them down. Amen

What I Thought Was Right, Was Wrong

2012-01-28T22:21:00.000-06:00

"We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us." Philippians 3:3

"I have accomplished all I have wanted to in this profession." The man stated. "I have reached the top."

"So, what now, what's next? What have you learned?" She asked the man

"Now, I don't know. What's next? I want to focus on what lies ahead for me and my family, and that is heaven. I want to put me aside and focus on serving Christ and my family more. What have I learned? Alot! All these things that I thought to be important; success, being the best, being at the top, means nothing in the end. They are worthless compared to what Christ has done.

In reaching the top of my career, I counted more on my own goodness, human effort and ability, than I did on knowing Christ. I have realized that all this, that I thought I wanted, never satisfied me. It only left me frustrated and empty.

Today, I have learned to focus on a new goal, a goal that is everlasting. I have learned that real satisfying success comes from Christ, not from me. I had a better relationship with my job and all its success, than I did with Jesus, and I don't want that anymore. Because that relationship, though it led me to the top, it also left me empty, frustrated, greedy for more, selfish, demanding, prideful, and up and down.

Today I am trusting Christ to save me. Today I am no longer putting confidence in my own human effort. Instead I am going to talk about what Christ Jesus has done for me. For then I can really know Christ and share in His suffering.

Today I am choosing the path He has laid out for me and not the path I want for my own.

7 Day Challenge

2012-01-27T06:00:00.001-06:00

"Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts." 1 John 5:21

Things that take God's place;

T.V.
Self
People
Job
Money
Shopping
Activities
Internet
Facebook
Hobbies
Busyness

Can you add to the list? What takes God's place in your heart?

How can we keep these things from taking God's place and becoming our idols? We can begin by realizing each of these things are all about the "Me". We can monitor the time we spend investing in each one, verse the time we spend with the Lord and in His Word.

Then we can put aside our selfish ambitions, pick up our crosses, choose Jesus first, feed our hearts His truth, instead of trash, and follow Him and His ways and not the world's.

Sound pretty easy? It is when Jesus becomes your habit and when your desire for Him is greater than your desire for the things of this world.

It is daily and a choice.

Here is a challenge; Write down the amount of time you spend on the list above (BE HONEST) Then for the next 7 days spend that same amount of time with Jesus in His Word.

Jesus if I spend more time investing in the things of this world, may my conviction be so strong I become miserable. Amen

It’s Time to Get Uncomfortable and Make a Change

2012-01-26T20:08:00.000-06:00

"Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11

Have you become too comfortable where you are? Are you content with the way things are around you? Maybe your attachment is so strong, the thought of uprooting, or even making a change, scares the daylights out of you.

As I think back on Paul's life, I bet he struggled with the same things. I bet he grew attached, maybe even became a little comfortable, and I do stress a little. As often as he was thrown in prison, beat, and starved, I can't imagine him, able to get as comfortable as we do.

With every church he planted, he met and served alongside men and women he grew to love and adore. But Paul always knew his stay would not last long. Paul found out throughout his ministry how often several of his churches became too comfortable and content with sin and little growth, thus calling them out with boldness and love.

I think we have the same problem and need to be called out as well. We have become too comfortable in our own homes, towns, and lives. We have grown immune to the sin in us and around us. We fuss about the problems but what are we doing about the problems? We lack boldness, compassion, and fail to promote peace.

Instead we demand our way, cause dissension, and we have even segregated ourselves. We have made it more about religion than a personal relationship with Christ. There is only ONE GOD and ONE BODY. So why are we splitting churches? Why are we saying one is better than the other, why are we not working together as one body that stands on the Word of God and shouts with one voice? Instead there are so many voices it has become utter chaos. No wonder the lost are confused. They see and hear two different things.

What keeps Jesus from completely wiping us out? I only know one answer to that. Romans 2:4-11 "Don't you see how kind, tolerate, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? But no, you won’t listen. So you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from your sin. For there is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on sinning-for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good-for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.” Grace and mercy that is why!

The changes that are being made, are they made to better ourselves or to exemplify the Lord? Do we sit and wait for others to do something, or do we follow the Lord's leading and get busy doing all things in His name, for His glory, with love, compassion, kindness, as one body and in peace?

The biggest devastation I see about this comfortable, complacent living are the lives that are being affected. If we tolerate sin within our homes, lives, churches, schools and communities, so will our children, generation after generation.

We need a Jesus change brethren, wouldn't you agree? Let’s not wait for our letter or God’s wrath to turn from our sinful ways. Let’s change now, because Christ is coming and He deserves nothing but our absolute best.

Jesus we have become to self –focused, thus losing sight of what is most important-YOU. Forgive us. May we who are called by Your name turn from our sins, humble ourselves and pray. For then, You will bring healing to a very broken world. Amen

Guaranteed Delivery

2012-01-25T11:43:00.000-06:00

I know you will think I am crazy and behind on times, and in reality, I probably am. But I have just recently discovered this amazing thing. Tracking my shipment! Just recently I ordered something and was later sent an email that said, "Keep track of your shipment."

So I clicked on the tracking number and it took me to a page that was so detailed. It showed me where my order was, when it was sent, the day, the time, the hours until I would receive it, etc.

It was fabulous. I got more excited checking that email and watching where all my order went just to get to me.

It has been a busy little thing, and doing a lot of sightseeing.

I am thankful for these men and women who work all around the clock so I can get mail, even if it is bills.

I never realized how much work was put into getting mail and/or packages. But today I am thankful.

Do you know something else many of us don’t realize or even get excited about for that matter, is watching God’s Word spread?

Just like my mail and package is delivered by man, so the Word of God is delivered by us. It starts, let’s say in Jasper TX and before we know it, His Word has spread from Jasper clear across the World. Amazing isn’t it?

The difference here is; God’s Word is a lot more beneficial and exciting than this package I am waiting on. And though I cannot track where all God’s Word goes when I send it out, I do know for a fact it is being sent out, and is busy at work, doing a lot of sightseeing, and changing tons of lives as well.

How do I know God’s Word is spreading, well one, I am spreading it along with lots of my other brothers and sisters, and two, God tells me so, in my favorite verse. Isaiah 55:10-11 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my WORD. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

So though I can’t keep record everyday of where all God’s Word goes when it is spread (sent out), I can be sure it is going out, and will reach each person it is to be delivered to.

Now that is exciting!

Jesus, thank You for the guaranteed delivery of Your Word. Amen

One Amazing Relationship

2012-01-24T19:09:00.000-06:00

“I love your sanctuary, LORD, the place where your glory shines.” Psalm 26:8

Do you think it is humanly possible to just sit in the presence of Christ, with no requests, no words, nothing, just the two of you? You, enjoying His presence and warmth, and Him just being Him, amazing, and holy!

Oh I long for these moments. Okay, I live for these moments, and yes it is humanly possible. The problem for me is, when I get there, I don't ever want to leave.

Jesus and I have this time together quite frequently, except for lately. And brethren I am missing it. Yes we spend time together every day studying His Word. And that is amazing, but sometimes, well really, a lot of times, I need everything to be turned off, the studying, the requests, the thoughts, the words, everything, so I can just enjoy Him, His presence and His Holiness.

This relationship, Jesus and I have, is, sigh, beyond magnificent. It is refreshing, fulfilling, satisfying, and beautiful. Honestly, I am just so blessed to be considered His lover, daughter, and bride.

I desire this closeness with Jesus. Do you?

Oh, I hope you too; have an intimate relationship with Jesus, one that allows you to sit in His presence, with no requests, no words, nothing, just the unbelievable joy of being together.

Jesus I am unworthy to have such an amazing relationship with You, the most Holy God. Thank You. Thank You for the most unbelievable love relationship ever imagined. Amen

Stop Right Where You Are

2012-01-23T10:33:00.000-06:00

“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55:22

Their burdens are light, actually they have none. Right now they walk with in faith and trust, holding their heads high and their shoulders upright. These two little boys, walk behind the yoke of G and I.

For us we have gotten off track. Our weight is heavy and our burdens are many. Our shoulders are pushed forward as we try to carry each one. His more so than mine, and often times the weight he carries has him bent all the way over, where his eyes only see his toes.

We, G and I, often times step out from behind the Lord, thinking we can carry the weight on our own. All to find it is too much for us to bear.

Why do we try to bear the weight alone?

It is not for us to carry. “Get behind me”, He says. “Take my yoke upon you.” Matthew 11:29

His yoke fits perfectly, and the burden He gives is light. The yoke of the world is heavy and wearisome and its burdens are more than we can bear.

This thinking and believing we can carry the weight on our own, has been traced back all the way before Jesus walked the earth.

“So now the LORD says, ‘Stop right where you are! Look for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.’ But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’” Jeremiah 6:16

The Israelites tried to walk out from behind God too. They took more burdens and weight upon themselves than they could bear, and it only caused more sorrow, pain, and problems. It accomplished nothing.

We do the same thing, when we reject taking the yoke of Jesus. We accomplish nothing and gain nothing. Instead, we pile on the weight, cause more problems, add more stress, and increase the pain.

What are our burdens anyway? If we would stop and lay them down, we would see that a majority of every burden we bear, we created.

Satan likes to weigh us down with the things of this world, and the sad thing is we let him. We take on the stress of our jobs, the problems of others, our financial situations, and sin.

In spite of all the burdens we bring upon ourselves, or that others place upon us, there is hope for us.

And that hope is found in Jesus.

“The LORD is faithful in all he says: he is gracious in all he does. The LORD helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads. All eyes look to you for help; you give them their food as the need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.” Psalm 145:13-16

“Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus it just seems like such nonsense that we have tried to carry so many of our burdens alone. Free us from this crazy thinking. Remove the yoke of ourselves, and place Your yoke that fits perfectly upon us. For then and only then will our burdens be light. Amen

Altar Sunday

2012-01-22T06:00:00.001-06:00

"There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!" Psalm 43:4

I come to the altar not for me, but for You, Lord. I come to give You the honor and glory You deserve. I come to bask in the warmth and beauty of Your presence. Here at the altar, I fall on my knees and out stretch my arms, lifting my voice in worship and praise.

You are Holy and lovely, O Lord my God. You are worthy of all praise. Glory and honor belongs to You, my rock and my redeemer. May You be high and lifted up.

Today I come to praise.

Everyday Should Be Sunday

2012-01-21T22:06:00.000-06:00

Now seek the LORD your God with all your heart and soul. Build the sanctuary of the LORD God so that you can bring the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honor the LORD’s name.”
1 Chronicles 22:18-19

How do you prepare your heart for Sunday worship?

Do you spend Monday through Saturday preparing your heart? Or do you wait for Sunday?

Jesus deserves a heart that worships Him more than once a week. He deserves a heart that is constantly, everyday, preparing for Him, worshipping Him, and seeking Him.

He deserves a heart that treats everyday as though it was Sunday.

Jesus everyday should be a Sunday. Help us to treat each day as though it was. For then we would live in a state of constant worship, praise, and preparation. Amen

An Opportunity to Give

2012-01-20T10:43:00.000-06:00

We have an opportunity today to reach into our giving...fund and pull out some love, aid, and help to a family in need.

I don't have all the details, but the one that matters most. They have lost everything. The fire consumed it all in its fury. It left nothing untouched. Though it did not reach them physically, it reached them mentally, deep in their hearts, in their minds, it found its way.

Until I am able to give more distinct details, I ask that if the Lord has opened your heart to giving, giving Him, giving His love, would you pray for this family of many. This family of many, now without a home, is trying to figure out what next.

We are all capable of praying, we are capable of giving, giving love, help, encouragement, and even money.

There Is Only Room For One

2012-01-19T10:54:00.001-06:00

"Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests, and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you? And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for the right time and place to betray Jesus." Matthew 26:14-16

His "ME" desired to be fed. It begged for attention, praise, and money. If only he could wrap his fingers around those three things and bring them into existence, the "Me" would be satisfied, quieted, less demanding. It, the "Me" would finally have what it wanted.

He was sure he was on the right track. He was the treasure for Jesus and knew he would one day be great in the Kingdom of God. He just had to wait it out, keep doing what he was doing. The only problem was, the "Me" grew more and more impatient as time went on.

And then one day, he, the "Me", realized his hope for praise, attention, and money would never happen as long as he followed Jesus.

So he did the unthinkable, and all for the sake of pleasing and feeding the hunger pains of the "Me". He betrayed Jesus.

For the first time the "Me" was temporarily satisfied. But it didn't last long. That temporary fix, soon turned into a gut wrenching pain, shame, and fear, that lead him to his own death, a death that the "Me" drove him to.

This desire to please the "Me, the self" is deadly, not only to yourself, but to others around you. The need to please and tend to the "Me" is what placed Christ on the Cross. There were many, many "Me's" placed on the cross that day. "Me's" that love the temporary satisfaction of the world, the sin.

There is not room for Christ and "Me". Only Christ! When our hearts and minds focus on what the "Me" needs and wants, it begins to take the place of Christ. It becomes first. It becomes our idol.

Jesus take up every square inch of my heart, and fill my thoughts with only Your Word, so that the "Me" is suffocated out and has no room to return. Amen

Healing will Come

2012-01-18T11:51:00.000-06:00

"Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of leprosy." 2 Kings 5:10

I placed breakfast on the bar and moved to the sink to rinse the dishes, when Avery suggests that I pray this morning.

We bow our heads and offer our thanks, and ask our request for Dax to be healed. We close with amen, when out of his precious mouth Avery says, "Mommy, it is kind of like Dax has leprosy, Jesus healed the man with leprosy. He will heal bubba too." (Dax has mild to severe eczema, okay, severe crawl out of his skin every second eczema.)

I turn my head back to the sink, laugh, and ask Avery, "Did you learn that last night with daddy?"

Avery, "Yes, mommy, does Dax have leprosy?"

"No baby, Dax does not have leprosy." I replied.

"Jesus will heal him, mommy."

"Yes baby, Jesus will heal Dax."

He has not one question or doubt, he believes Jesus will heal. How have we lost that faith in Jesus today. That faith that does not question or doubt, just faith that believes Jesus will heal.

So many suffer, yes, but those who belong to the Lord, are ALWAYS healed. One way or another Jesus ALWAYS heals, whether in life or death. Healing is coming.

Jesus thank You for the faith of this child. May we all have this child-like faith. Amen

The Simple Beauty of His Penmanship

2012-01-17T10:49:00.000-06:00

“These stone tablets were God’s work; the words on them were written by God himself.” Exodus 32:16

On this side of the cross, the sky as His tablet, He, in the simplest form, nothing fancy, just plain reaches down from Heaven and places a J.

To a mommy lost in the thoughts of her day, it brings stillness. To a five year old little boy who spots it from the backseat and shouts, “Mommy look, a J for Jesus.” It brings questions, intrigue, and reveals Jesus’ awesomeness.

“How did He do that mommy?”

“Do what baby?”

“How did He put His letter there?”

In the simplest form, nothing fancy, just plain. He reaches down from Heaven and places a J.

A mommy still and silenced gazes at the beauty of His penmanship. She gently breaks the silence with a soft whisper, “Thank You.” Thank You for giving him, this 5 year old little boy, the vision to see You, Jesus, in the things that many of us don’t! Thank You Jesus, for the visible gesture of love You have given us. Thank You, for reaching down from Heaven, in the simplest form to show Your presence.

Jesus thank You for allowing us to capture the beauty of Your penmanship and presence. Amen

Confess, Acknowledge, and get Honest

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Do you ever just wish you could physically cleanse your heart? I mean really get in there with a hammer and chisel and clean out those hardened areas.

David felt that way too, and since he couldn’t physically clean out his heart, he went to the One who could.

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, isa broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.” Psalm 51

All throughout this prayer is healing, beauty, hope, and reassurance. David knew the only way to be cleansed and healed was by confessing, acknowledging, and being completely honest before the Lord.

Maybe it’s time we confess, acknowledge and get honest before the Lord so we, too, can be cleaned out.

Jesus because of Your great compassion blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from sin. Then create in my a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me. Amen

Altar Sunday

2012-01-15T22:33:00.000-06:00

Jesus as we gather together in Your house. May our hearts be open and receptive to Your Word and the teaching of the Holy Spirit. As we approach the altar may we lay all at Your feet that hinders us from having complete fellowship with You.

Jesus bring us closer to the cross.

What is He calling you to lay at the altar?

Still Wondering

2012-01-14T14:26:00.001-06:00

"Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you." Romans 12:3

Yesterday I asked you how much faith God has given you? I am curious if you answered that question?

I pondered on that passage all night long. How much faith God has given you. It really is a powerful verse and a deep question.

This morning I looked into some parallels and wanted to share them with you, because if you are like me, you have to exhaust every area of understanding humanly possible.

Amplified- "For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him." Romans 12:3

The Message-(I really like this one) "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." Romans 12:3

NASB-"For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." Romans 12:3

NIV- "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." Romans 12:3

Each translation brings a whole new meaning to the passage. I love it!

I believe The Message brings it to a whole new level for me. "The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God IS and by what he does for us, NOT by what we are and what we do for him."

Faith-knowing who God is and what He does for us. Wow!

Jesus thank You for the amount of faith I have been given, may it only increase from here to eternity. Amen

How much faith have you been given

2012-01-13T23:16:00.001-06:00

"Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us."

How much faith has God given you?

No More Hiding

2012-01-12T06:00:00.001-06:00

“Now, although Adam and his wife were both naked, neither of them felt any shame.” Genesis 2:25

They are seen, our sins. There is no hiding. Not from Him there’s not. To Him they are public, to man they are both hidden and public.

There is no running, not from Him, from man, yes, but not from Him. Not from Jesus.

Adam and Eve tried that, running and hiding, from God. “Toward evening they heard the LORD God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees. The LORD God called to Adam, ‘Where are you?’ He replied, ‘I heard you, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Genesis 3:8-10

We try it too.

The fear, shame, and embarrassment, it used to not exist. Only beauty, exposed, raw, pure beauty existed, that was before the apple.

That apple, full of poison, filled them, filled us with shame, fear, and embarrassment and with the need to hide, to bury, to cover up. Even to deceive.

Intimacy and closeness became less intimate, more distant. Now on this side of the cross, today, in 2012 they have even become less sacred, more used, more accepted in all the wrong ways.

Many of us bear the scars of those decisions. Many of us still wear the chains of the worldly intimacy and closeness with man. We give into the flesh, the pulling of our chains.

Many of us still try to hide those scars, for some they are still fresh, raw, sore, and shameful.

He sees them, there is no hiding. No matter how many layers we apply. We might be able to keep man from seeing, but He sees, Jesus, He sees them.

There is no deceiving, only transparency. Transparency, that is as clear as glass and can be seen all the way through. There is no hiding, no covering it up.

The hiding we think we are doing, is hurting Him, the One who sees it and hears it, the One who is standing right there, right beside us. He is everywhere.

Not even the dark of night can hide it, the sin, it can’t even hide us. Exposed, always exposed before Him.

What if we stopped hiding, running, deceiving, and came to Him? What then?

Then He would cover us in the clothing of His blood. He would draw us in, close and intimately just as we are. He would wipe away the shame; remove the fear, and embarrassment, and then strip us of all the sin. Bringing us back to the way it should be, the way my friend Paula says, with such beauty. He would bring us back to being naked and UNashamed.

Just as they were, Adam and Eve, in the beginning, before the apple, before the sin!

“Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Psalm 32:5

Jesus bring us back to You naked and unashamed. May our scars be a constant reminder of the scars you bore for us. May we stop running and hiding and come to You just as we are, in chains, in shame, in fear, and lay at the foot of the cross, exposed and broken before You. For then, then we will be set free, healed, and held intimately and closely in the arms of You, our saving grace. Amen

Giving Fund

2012-01-11T08:57:00.000-06:00

“Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, ‘Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well’-but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?” James 2:15-16

This need to give, to do till everything is given and done, has resulted in a Giving Fund.

Giving doesn’t always mean money. We can give many things, our time, prayer, a cooked meal, a pie, a hug, an ear, a Bible, groceries. We can give a blanket, a coat, clothes, extra toys. Things we have excess in that could be beneficial to someone who has little.

What about love, kindness, gentleness, Jesus, friendship, support, encouragement.

All of these things we can give, we can do.

All of these things require less of the “Me” and more of them, more of Him.

In Philippians 2:3-4 Paul says, “Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.”

The Giving Fund requires us to make ourselves nothing, just as Christ made Himself nothing. (Philippians 2:7)

It requires selflessness, humility, and a heart with a pure motive.

So I ask that you pray for this Giving Fund. Pray it will become all that God wants it to be. Pray it will bless as many lives and break the bondage of slavery that many are living in. Pray for God’s guidance and leadership to govern it. And pray for people to take part in the Giving Fund.

If you are interested in being a part of the Giving Fund, please contact me or my husband at;

godlygossip@gmail.com or garrett.morgan@jasperisd.net

Our prayer is that, we, the Body of Christ will join together, functioning as one, to serve. Would you consider serving with us? You can do it right where you are.

It is only good enough, when the enough, becomes everything.

2012-01-10T09:37:00.000-06:00

“In all the world has there ever been such sorrow? O daughter of Jerusalem, to what can I compare your anguish? O virgin daughter of Zion, how can I comfort you? For your wound is as deep as the sea. Who can heal you?” Lamentations 2:13

When you wonder if you are doing enough, giving enough for Him who gave everything, did everything.

So many starving, homeless, and hurting people surround me and I wonder if I am doing enough. Then again when did enough become good enough? It only becomes good enough when the enough has become everything.

This burden and brokenness of doing more, it doesn’t go away, instead it increases, it deepens when you see the smile on the faces of those He has helped. That’s joy, true joy, joy that I crave, joy that is given freely by Him, His grace.

It is enough when taken, it is more than enough, because everything He has and is, is more than enough, it is everything.

He brings me back to the 27 million chained to slavery. I can see them, the chains; their marks left on me are a constant reminder of what He did for me, how He set me free; free from sin, death, and more.

I can see the chains still wrapped around the arms of those enslaved to hunger, fear, abuse, sin, loneliness, and worldliness. And it causes me to look at my scars and my heart breaks. How can I do more, give more, for Him for them.

They grow tighter, those chains, they grow tighter and become heavier. I see them on the girls around the world enslaved to sex-trafficking, to women enslaved to their husbands who in some countries are free to beat them, hurt them, use them, and leave them. Those chains, tight and heavy are even strapped on girls and women in America.

For many, those chains were put on by others, but for a lot they put the chains on themselves, hoping that love came with those chains. When will it be enough, when will His love be enough, it is everything, His love, isn’t it?

I see so many bearing the chains of slavery, some of them are women dressed beautifully who sit in church. Others walk the streets, the aisles of Walmart, even the halls of school, bearing those chains of slavery.

Captivity is what slavery really means, and it just so happens that there is One who is able to set the captives free. Christ!

His death, His blood, His resurrection! It sets us free. It can set them free. But they have to see, from us, who bear the scars, not the chains, but the scars. They have to see Him in those scars.

Help, aid, love, the Word, consistency, His blood, and the Cross. They each need to see, hear, and know about each of them, that hope lies within them and that He offers it freely to them. For then enough becomes everything.

Who will go? I will go Lord, send me.

“Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Lord, I’ll go! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

27 Million

2012-01-09T11:30:00.000-06:00

"I have cried until the tears no longer come. My heart is broken, my spirit poured out, as I see what has happened to my people. Little children and tiny babies are fainting and dying in the streets. Mama, we want food, they cry, and then collapse in their mother's arms. Their lives ebb away like a life of a warrior wounded in battle." Lamentations 2:11-12

"Did you know 27 million people live in slavery?" Those words rolled off his tongue, out of his mouth, and straight into my heart.

As our Pastor spoke that deafening truth, I was floored. 27 million people live in slavery.

Let that sink in for a minute. Maybe some of us are included in that 27 million. My first thoughts were those bound in the slavery of starvation, addiction, sin and abuse.

That saddens me greatly. It also saddened Jeremiah greatly, in the powerful book of Lamentations. Jeremiah had a love for people that ran so deep, he was often found broken and weeping. The people turned to selfishness and sinfulness and rejected God, therefore bringing great suffering and exile upon themselves. It devastated the Lord, which devastated Jeremiah.

Do we share in the same sorrow for the 27 million people living in slavery today? Or do our eyes only see inward? I am guilty Lord of looking inward, forgive me.

Jeremiah wept until tears no longer came. His heart broken and his spirit poured out, as he saw what had happened to his people. Little children and tiny babies are fainting and dying in the streets. They are crying out, “Mama, I am hungry.” And then collapse in their mother’s arms. This is reality today! The slavery of starvation!

I can't help but to be brought back to the question I asked you earlier in the week, "Where are we brothers and sisters? Where are we, those of us whom call ourselves servants of God?"

.How can we rise up within our own communities and help those trapped in slavery?

Today I pray our eyes would only see the slavery that surrounds us. I pray our hearts would begin to break for the things that break the Lord’s. I pray we move outside of our comfort zones and fears and into the battle field where slavery runs rampant.

Jesus break my heart for what breaks Yours. Forgive me for thinking I have to have more in order to help more. I have plenty in You, and in You my resources and funds will never run dry. Amen

Altar Sunday

2012-01-08T08:52:00.000-06:00

"When they arrived at the place where God has told Abraham to go, he built an altar and placed the wood on it. Then he tied Isaac up and laid him on the altar over the wood." Genesis 22:9

May today be the day we lay ourselves on the altar as a living sacrifice to the Lord. Surrendering all of ourselves to the One who paid the price.

Jesus remove us from our comfort zones, remove us from our routine today as we gather together in Your house. May Your presence be so known and the Holy Spirit be so strong within us that we move outside of the confinement of our pews and kneel at the altar of Your feet. Amen

Praying with Confidence

2012-01-07T23:31:00.000-06:00

Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.
Exodus 9:28-30

Do we pray with such confidence as Moses? We really don't have to plea, we just have to believe.

If you have ever kept a prayer journal or calendar and went back and looked at it, when were the times you saw your prayers answered? More than likely those were the times you believed and trusted fully and completely.

Oh, that we, as brothers and sisters would pray with such confidence. For then I believe God would do some mighty things!

Make Me Nothing

2012-01-06T10:04:00.000-06:00

There are many moments spent with the Lord that He reveals a deep truth that leaves me startled, yet curious and broken.

Have you ever been there?

The truth was found here;

“Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8

I have done the complete opposite of what Christ did. I have demanded and clung to my rights as whom, Kristi. Who am I, that, I should demand and cling to these rights I think I have?

Understand I am not speaking negatively of myself or degrading myself, by any means. I have learned a very important truth this morning, brethren.

How can I believe or even think that I deserve anything, brethren I deserve nothing, and I should not demand or cling to what I think I deserve.

Christ, God Himself, did not demand or cling to His rights as God. And if anyone deserves or has the right to cling to His rights, it is Him.

I, a mere mortal, have believed that I deserve to be happy, I deserve to have things, I deserve to get to go and do things, I deserve to spend what I want, because it is my money, I deserve to be rewarded for the things I have done and do, I deserve to take a break, I deserve to be pampered. And I have clung to those rights.

The truth is; Jesus made Himself nothing. He took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. He came here to serve and did not demand to be served, nor should I, a mere speck, who by His grace alone even exist.

This world leads us to believe we have rights and that we should demand those rights. But if I, a lover of Jesus Christ, want to imitate Him, then I must make myself nothing. I must take on the humble position of a slave.

Jesus forgive me for demanding my rights. Forgive me for clinging to them as though I actually deserve them. Thank You for opening my eyes and showing me the first steps in overcoming the “me”. Thank You for showing me through Your Word what it means to be truly humble. Amen

Anyone can wear the title.

2012-01-05T19:28:00.001-06:00

“I call to you, to all of you! I am raising my voice to all people. How naïve you are! Let me give you common sense. O foolish ones, let me give you understanding. Listen to me! For I have excellent things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and hate every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing crooked or twisted in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn.” Proverbs 8:4-9

Where are we brothers and sisters? Why are we hiding? Why are we not taking a stand for Christ more?

Why are our churches not packed? We, who call ourselves children of God? Where are we? He is calling us. His voice is raised.

Why do we not crave His wholesome and good advice?

Has the world captured us? Has it lured us into to selfish living?

He has wonderful and excellent things to tell us, so why are we not listening more? We should crave His voice. He makes it plain and clear for us. So why do we make it so difficult?

Are we afraid?

Do we only want the title of Christian, yet not live as one?

The cost of following Him means giving up everything, yourself, your wants and desires, your comfort, everything. The rich man had the opportunity to follow Christ; all he had to do was sell everything.

All we have to do is sell everything and follow Him. He, who is calling, He, the One who offers wholesome and good advice. He, the One who gives life, hope, peace, comfort, protection, healing, love, and joy.

We are few, you and me who have counted the cost, sold it all, died to it all, we are few.

Anyone can wear the title, Christian. But only a few will ever walk it.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

Trust Issues

2012-01-04T10:26:00.001-06:00

“This is what the Lord says: Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives. But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.” Jeremiah 17:5-7

Which are you? The one who puts his/her trust in mere humans, or the one who puts his/her trust in the Lord?

I am beginning to see how quickly we respond with, “I trust in Christ.”

That was me this morning when Jesus and I were visiting. He asked me the same question and I was quick to say, “You, Jesus, I trust in You.”

When He quickly replied, “In all things? You trust Me with every part of your life?”

Sigh…

“Am I the first one you come to? Often times I am, but more often you go to a human."

Oh, brethren these moments, not my favorite, but in the same sense some of the best moments because Jesus is the love of my life and I am desperate to please Him in every way possible, and it begins with my trust in Him.

So, what can be learned from this?

For starters I need to bring it down and place my trust under a microscope.

Secondly, I need to constantly be aware that if I am putting my trust in anyone or anything other than Christ I am going to have trust issues.

Thirdly, I need to evaluate all situations and circumstances according to the Word of God.

When I am sick, do I trust the doctor to heal me or do I trust Christ? Yes doctors are fabulous but doctors are also human. Jesus created my body, He knows it best.

In my marriage, do I trust more in my husband to meet my needs, to provide for me and the boys, or do I trust Christ to meet our needs, provide for us, and hold us together? Christ created marriage, Christ holds marriages together, and Christ blesses marriages that are centered on Him. I should be more committed to my marriage with Christ than I am to Garrett. Because then my commitment to Garrett will be that much stronger. I will be fully satisfied in Christ and from Christ.

When I lose a loved one, do I trust more in a human to comfort me or do I trust in Christ to comfort me? A human can only comfort me temporarily; Christ’s comfort is constant and continual. Christ knows the ache and pain and emptiness best, because He can see it and He knows exactly how to ease it, relieve it, and fill it. No human could ever do it as good as Christ.

What about addiction? Addiction is the lack of trust in Christ and more trust in a substance to meet the need. Wouldn’t you agree with that?

Think about all the times you trusted someone or something only to have that trust broken. Stinks doesn’t it? Yet we still put more trust in those someone’s and something’s more than we put in Christ. It is rather funny that we continue to trust humans yet fear humans, rather than Christ.

Christ is the ruler of heaven and earth. Christ is the creator of life and death. Christ is our defender, warrior, protector, and comforter. Christ is the one with the final say. His wrath is greater than any human wrath. Christ is the one who determines our final destination, heaven or hell. Christ is also the one that never leaves us nor forsakes us. He never breaks His promises and no matter what our trust in Him will never be broken.

God very specifically says, “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

Trusting Christ is something we are to do at ALL times, above ALL things and ALL people. We cannot and should not wait until we hit rock bottom or until a crisis happens to trust in Him. “O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your hear to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8

He has to become the first one we go to. Before any person, any doctor, anything.

“For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth.” Psalm 33:4-5

The Bible reveals the importance of trusting in Christ and it is a GREAT place to go if you have trust issues.

Why is it great to trust in the Lord? Because we are blessed for doing so.

"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

Jesus I want to be one of those trees!

Jesus forgive me for not trusting You in every area of my life. Keep me attentive and aware of when I begin to develop trust issues. I want nothing more than to trust in You and You alone. Move me closer to that every second. Remind me every second that human life is fleeting, we are here today and gone tomorrow. Remind me that human knowledge only goes so far, but that Your knowledge is wider, deeper, and greater than what I could ever comprehend. Jesus You are more than worthy of my trust. How crazy I am for thinking any different. Jesus there is great joy that comes to those who trust in You. (Psalm 34:8). Reveal to me every area where my trust in You is lacking. Amen

“Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God. They trust their wealth instead and grow more and more bold in their wickedness. But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever. I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will wait for your mercies in the presence of your people.” Psalm 52:7-9

What do you get excited about?

2012-01-03T00:22:00.000-06:00

The Lord has really hammered me lately on this question. And I know why ,because He wants us to be EXCITED about Him.

I want us to be EXCITED about Him. So I ask, again, what do you get excited about?

Oh, I hope Jesus was your first response. If not maybe His Word can change your answer.

Here are just a few reasons to get excited.

1. "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all your sins. He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross." Colossians 2:13-14

2. "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

3. "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8

4. "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

5. "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children." Hebrews 12:5-6

6. "But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.(It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5

Are you starting to get excited, too?

God's Word is full of excitement.

Jesus there is so much to be excited about. In this New Year help us to focus on the excitement You offer. In Jesus name, amen.

A Range of Emotions…just not the ones you would expect.

2012-01-02T23:57:00.001-06:00

“The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud commotion that could be heard far in the distance.” Ezra 3:13

I know the feeling of anticipation, excitement, being nervous, even frustrated, and all too well. I get all four of them every Friday night at my husband’s football games and for my brother-in-law who coaches for the Redskins.

I get those same four feelings during Avery’s t-ball games, soccer games, and now basketball games. I get them when company comes over and I am not sure what mood my sweet baby Dax will be in.

I also get them before I speak, when Garrett speaks, when I teach, and even when I study.

Sometimes I even get them when I write.

I like them. Is that odd? Maybe a little. Normal, I think so.

I know these, put a knot in my stomach feelings so well because I get them when I study the Precious Word of God. That is why I like them.

I love the anticipation of my daily affair with Jesus. I get overly excited to open His Word, I get nervous when He begins to speak, when He calls me to go and do, and when He disciplines me. I even get frustrated when I realize I have failed Him, disappointed Him, and sinned against Him. I get frustrated when I don’t understand a particular passage, all to find out I didn’t get it because I wouldn’t listen, or because I tried to get it from my own human logic. That, I know, accomplishes nothing.

These feelings, they don’t stop there.

Do you know I anticipate sharing God’s Word with you and others? I get VERY excited when I see and hear others excited about Jesus. I get VERY excited to see others come to Christ, to see walls broken down, lives transformed, marriages restored, sick people healed, and addictions overcome. I get VERY excited to teach God’s Word and be taught. I get VERY excited to see young and old hunger and become passionate about the Lord and His Word.

I get nervous when I see people get caught up in sin, I get nervous when God reminds me that time is running out and people are dying and going to hell.

I get frustrated when people disregard the Word of God, His existence, and the power and importance of His death. I get frustrated when I/we fail to minister to the broken and instead minister to self. I get frustrated when we know our lifestyles are worldly yet we continue to try and straddle both God and the World.

I like these feelings because I believe Jesus experienced them too.

Christ’s anticipation-The Cross

Christ’s excitement-When He is chosen to be Lord of our life and when He gets to bring us home. I think He has many, many, many excitements.

Christ’s nervousness- The time right before His death.

Christ’s frustrations-being ignored, rejected, placed second…

These are just a few of what He and I have discussed. His Word is full of so many more. I hope you will open it up with anticipation and excitement to find out more.

Jesus may we anticipate our meeting with You more. May we become excited about Your Word and who You are. May our nervousness move us to deeper faith and trust, and may our frustrations become teaching tools that help us grow. Amen

Where are You Sweet One?

2012-01-01T22:27:00.000-06:00

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13

Where is your heart sweet one? Where have you wondered, strayed, or remained?

Is your heart broken, shattered or torn in two? Have you moved closer to the cross or further away?

Where are you sweet one? Have you wondered out to sea and are now trying to figure out how you got there and how you will return to shore?

Where is your mind sweet one? Is it centered on the Word or centered on the World? Where has your mind taken your actions and your words? Has your mind brought you closer to the cross or further away?

Where are you headed sweet one? Are you headed in a new direction? Is it leading you closer to Christ or farther away?

Today you and I sit in a New Year, with a new chance and a new opportunity to heal, to turn around, to make right what we did wrong. We have the opportunity, you and I, to run closer to Christ, closer to the cross.

So where ever you’re going sweet one, may it be in the direction of life, light, hope, healing, peace, and joy, may it be in the direction of Jesus Christ, the one who gives it all.

Today is here, the past is gone, set your eyes forward sweet one to what lies ahead.

You are not able to go back only forward. Yesterday you were broken but today you are new, new in Christ who made you.

Sweet one where are your eyes? Are they on that which is temporary, or on that which is everlasting?

Are your eyes fixed on the light or surrounded by the dark? Where do you allow your eyes to lead you sweet one?

Today in this New Year, Christ offers His light. Open your eyes and receive it, see it, and don’t ever look away from it. Let it guide you and direct you, for it will lead you to true life, to Christ.

Sweet one in this day, this New Year, find yourself searching for Christ.

Let your blessings from 2011 carry you into 2012

2011-12-31T22:03:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year sweet ones! May you look back and reflect only on your blessings from the Lord alone and allow His greatness and love to carry you into the New Year.

With so much love

Godly Gossip

" Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14

We were never alone, nor will we ever be

2011-12-30T06:00:00.001-06:00

“For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” Joshua 1:5

Another year is coming to a close and as I sit here and reflect on this past year there have been so many changes. Some good, some not so good, some needed, and some that I never would have expected.

I don’t know what this past year was like for you. But I do know that no matter what it was like, good, bad, exciting, hard, smooth, etc. God was with you and me every step, every day, every second, and every minute of every day.

He held our hands, He wiped our tears, He whispered words of love. He caught our hearts when they shattered and He laid next to us when we couldn’t get up.

He braced us for the news, and encouraged us through His Word. He held us until we fell asleep, reassured us when we worried, and reminded us, He was near when we feared the worst and the worst it was.

He promised healing, maybe not in the way we hoped, but in the way He knew was best. For some He called home, and for others He needed to keep here just a little while longer.

He taught us, disciplined us, and strengthened us. He spoke to us and for us. He challenged us and called us. He even sat back and watched us.

Never once in the 365 days of 2011 did He leave us, fail us, or forsake us.

He was, is, and will always be, our God, our Lover, our Savior, our Protector, our Redeemer, our Healer, our Friend, our Comforter, our Teacher, our Leader, our Source of Life, our Breath of Life, our Daily Bread, our Hope, our Future, our E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!

Jesus You are our rock and our redeemer. You keep watch over all things, You control all things, and You love all things. We can never escape Your love or Your presence and for that we praise You, thank You, and fall down in worship because of You. Thank You Jesus, Amen

Human Effort Accomplishes Nothing

2011-12-29T06:00:00.000-06:00

“It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing.” John 6:63

I often find myself frustrated, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Have you ever been there? Maybe like me, you have even found yourself doubting your ability to do certain things, or be the child God has called you to be.

I have doubted myself. I have questioned and even wondered if spiritual change was taking place within me. Am I growing? Am I reflecting His image, His character, His Word?

Am I…

Can I…

Will I…

Who am I kidding, I am not…nor will I ever be…

These thoughts they run through this weak mortal brain of mine. But through the thickness of these thoughts, these words, these doubts. Something light, yet solid and strong, seeps in and glides over the thickness of these words and shouts.

“HUMAN EFFORT ACCOMPLISHES NOTHING.” John 6:63

It is the Spirit…

You can do nothing on your own. For I am the vine you are the branch, If a man remains in Me and I in him, he can produce much fruit. APART from Me, he can DO NOTHING. (John 15:5)

I must stop this effort to accomplish Jesus likeness on my own. I must sit here in this truth, that my human effort can accomplish nothing, but doubt, frustration, exhaustion, weariness, and even produces more self than selfless. I must sit here in this truth, that it is the Spirit within me that accomplishes eternal life, gives eternal life. It is the Spirit within me that accomplishes Christ likeness, gives aid, help, guidance, and the ability to grow and change.

It is the Spirit, which Christ left, to fill me, with His presence, His love, His guidance, His peace, His Word, His comfort, and the desire to grow DAILY, to love DAILY, to be more selfless DAILY, and to be madly in love with HIM more and more every day.

I am relinquishing my own human effort, so to live by the power of the Spirit.

Jesus You have made clear the importance of the Spirit and the NEED for Him. Thank You for leaving such a great counselor behind to lead me closer to You. Amen

A different kind of rest

2011-12-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

How often have I read through this verse thinking of rest in the manner of sleep. That might sound crazy to some, but to me sleep seemed to be the thing that would ease my weariness and lighten my burdens. But God's rest is not a good dose of sleep. His rest comes in the form of love, peace, comfort and healing.

So how does one find rest in those? By first removing the heavy yoke of the world and placing Christ's yoke on.

You see so often I have, and, I am sure many of you have too, looked to things of the world and people who might be able to lighten, even remove our burdens and weariness. Yet how quickly we find out that it never gets lighter or goes away. Why? Because the yoke of the world is heavy, wearisome, sinful, stressful, frustrating, and overwhelming.

And no matter how much sleep we get, we still wake up to the same burdens. Unless we have taken off the yoke of the world and put the yoke of Christ on. The light, loving, peaceful, healing yoke that supplies true and lasting "rest".

Jesus You are humble and gentle and in You there is rest that my soul needs. Thank You!

When you know Jesus is at work

2011-12-27T19:19:00.000-06:00

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Sunday December 19

On our way to church Avery says, " I have asked Jesus to live in my heart."

Mommy: What does that mean Avery?

Avery: It means now I need to go get baptized and go to heaven.

Mommy and daddy....

When you know they get it

2011-12-26T11:32:00.000-06:00

"People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17

December 20, 2011

Avery sitting at the bar eating says, " I just heard God talk to me."

Daddy replies, "What did He say?"

Avery: He said Avery. And I said yes God I am listening."

Daddy: what else did He say?

Avery that's all!

T'was the Night of His Birth

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.” Luke 2:14

DAY 25-I cannot believe it is finally here! It has been an amazing journey to Bethlehem. Today we celebrate the life of our King, from His birth, to the grave, to the throne of Heaven. Our Savior and King, He is here indeed. Let’s go out and shout at the top of our lungs to the ends of the earth, the battle has been won!!

T’was the night of His birth and all through the fields

Not a sheep was baaing not even a coyote was howling.

The Shepherds were their guarding with care

When all of a sudden they stood with a stare

Right where they stood was a vision so clear

It was the angel of the Lord that shook them with fear.

As the Shepherds hearts pounded

There the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded

Don’t be afraid I bring you great news.

I know it will leave you very amused.

It is of great joy for everyone!

For a baby is born, the one and only Son.

Yes the Messiah, has truly been born

And one day the curtain will be torn.

Here in Bethlehem in this tiny town,

Comes forth the child who will wear the crown

He has come as Holy and Pure

Giving a promise that is forever sure.

You must hurry now and go and see.

For He is placed in a manger as snug as can be

The mother has wrapped Him in strips of cloth

And one day those men will rip them off.

Before they were off their they saw

A vast host of angels singing a song

Glory to God, in the highest of heaven,

And peace on earth to all whom God favors

So off they went to see the wonderful gift

And their in the manger the mother did lift

The Savior who came in human flesh

Quickly they went to share with all

Everything they had heard and saw.

The people were amazed

And their in her heart Mary did praise.

For our Savior is here the very one that SAVES!

Merry Christmas!!

Here in Human Flesh!

2011-12-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” Matthew 1:23

DAY 24- We have finally made it to Bethlehem, David’s ancient home and soon to be the village where a ruler would be born. Today is the day! Jesus is here!

The minutes seemed to pass by slower and slower as my labor progressed, and as a distraction I kept recalling the words Gabriel spoke to me in describing my son.

Your son Mary, He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. He will reign over Israel forever and His Kingdom will never end!

My Son, who I am to name Jesus, will be Holy, Pure, and Perfect. My heart began to fill up with so much emotion. The time was finally here, I, a lowly servant girl am about to give birth to the Son of the Most High. The very one that would shower mercy upon Israel…….

And then…………oh, I can still hear it like it was yesterday, there it was the sound of His cry. My ears have never heard a better noise!

Then came the moment He was placed upon my chest, the feeling of His little body next to mine was a moment I would capture forever. I gentle wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in the manger.

Joseph and I could not take our eyes off of Him, here in human flesh, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Son of the Most High!

“Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me.” Luke 1:46-49

He is here, He is here, I want to shout from the mountain tops, our Savior and Redeemer is here. Oh, Praise the Lord for today is the day of Salvation, today is the beginning of a new life to come.

It would not take long for the news to travel, and oh, just how amazing it would be delivered.

Stay tuned……………………….

A Place of Resemblance!

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

“O Bethlehem of Judah, you are not just a lowly village in Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.” Matthew 2:6

DAY 23- It has been a long couple of days, but we are finally coming into Bethlehem. Today we will hear all about the moments leading up to the birth of Jesus.

It was a long trip for Mary and me, we were lucky enough to have found a donkey to carry Mary. It was beginning to become very hard for her to walk such long distance. Finally arriving into Bethlehem we went right away to register. We got everything taken care of and headed over to the Village Inn to try and get a room.

At this point Mary had started to go into labor and we both knew it would not be very long after. Things began to get a little rushed, we went in to try and get a room but there were none available and no exceptions were being made. So we walked around trying to find a place that would be suitable enough for Mary and the baby.

That is when we came across a stable! Our stables back then were not like your stables today. They were caves that were dark, cold, and dirty, but provided some protection from wind and rain. It was the best we found and at that time seemed just fine for Mary and I, and we really didn’t have that much time anyway.

There were no bed’s just hay and feeding troughs (mangers) that had been carved out of the rock wall of the stable used to place food in for the animals. Mary and I talked and decided with some fresh hay, well as fresh as we could find, we would place the baby in one of the troughs (mangers).

It worked for us and we were thankful that we just had some where to go. Of course just like you, we thought we would have had our baby in Nazareth, but the work of the Lord and the timing of Augustus’ decree decided otherwise.

But the prophecy of long ago “O Bethlehem of Judah, you are not just a lowly village in Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6) would soon be fulfilled.

My friends upon hearing this story I hope you leave here today with a heart of thankfulness, a heart that will reflect on the place your Savior would be born. We should not be so consumed with the things of this world that will only perish, but with the very things of Jesus. We should be thankful for the warmth of our homes, and beds, and the clothes we have. But most of all my friends, remember this, this place, this very cave, that was dark and dirty would represent the world, a dark, dirty place full of sin in desperate need of a Savior that would bring light, hope, and warmth.

Deliverance, Mercy, Forgiveness…

2011-12-22T06:00:00.001-06:00

“I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death.” Isaiah 53:12

DAY 22-Today will be our last day here in Jerusalem and then we will be heading on to Bethlehem. I hope you have had time to let the words of Isaiah absorb within you.

I want to finish sharing with you the words from our friend Isaiah.

“But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins-that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins……He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.” Isaiah 53:8-12

Lord it is truly the celebration of Your Son’s death. It is what He took on for all of us, it was our sins he carried. It is the very purpose He came to earth in human flesh. How amazing is Your grace!

Oh, my sweet friends that you would truly grasp the importance of His death that made His birth so incredible, the selfless love of our Father to send His Son to deliver us.

I pray you will see the nature of our Father and His divine plan for each of us. This journey is not just about the amazing detail of Jesus’ birth but about the amazing detail of His death-the very death that gave you and me life!!!

We will meet you here early tomorrow morning we must get to Bethlehem in time to register.

All for YOU

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

“There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.” Isaiah 53:2

DAY 21- It has been a long two days of traveling and we are almost to Bethlehem. We are coming into Jerusalem today and we must stop here. There is something very important that I must share with you before we arrive in Bethlehem.

Today I must share with you the message from our friend Isaiah. The importance of his words, of the event he describes is what makes the arrival of our Son so significant. Let’s put it this way the significance of His birth is the importance of His death.

“He was despised and rejected-a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death.” Isaiah 53:3-8

My brothers and sisters you must store these words in your heart. Let them penetrate to the core of your soul. For this, though just a part of the prophecy, is what makes this journey, it is what makes the reason of our Son’s birth so special. This is the reason we should celebrate, no, not what He endured, but what He sacrificed. Today my friends we celebrate the life of Jesus’ death, because from His death we have received life!

We will stay here in Jerusalem tonight and tomorrow we will continue hearing more from Isaiah. As we depart from one another I ask that you lift your hearts up to the Lord and praise Him for the gift of life.

Life given-Life taken

2011-12-20T06:00:00.001-06:00

“See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted.” Isaiah 52:13

DAY 20- It will be a long journey to Bethlehem my friends, but we have much to discuss. Today the Lord is leading us in a different direction, a direction that will lead us to the cross. It is the cross and the death that makes the birth so magnificent.

There are many things we celebrate, but there are two very significant celebrations that will and have changed the lives of many forever, the birth of our Son and the death of our Son. I know this comes at a very unusual time, but it is so important that you understand just how amazing LIFE is! It is what will make the birth of our Son so much greater to each of you.

Over the next couple of days we will be hearing from our friend Isaiah and the prophecy He gave long ago about the importance of our Son’s life.

We must keep traveling, but I want to begin sharing with you a story that still impacts Mary and me so much, a story that brings bittersweet feelings to our heart. We hope that by the time we reach Bethlehem you will have a deeper understanding of just how amazing the arrival of our Son is.

“See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. Many were amazed when they saw him-beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person. And he will again startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not previously been told about; they will understand what they had not heard about.” Isaiah 52:13-15

Please pardon us for being so emotional, it still humbles us every time we share this story. You see this servant, the one who would be highly exalted, the one who would be beaten and bloodied, so disfigured He could not be recognized, would also be the one that was placed in the womb of my wife Mary. He would be the Savior that would take upon Himself, our sin so we could receive life.

So today, today we are celebrating life-life given and life taken. Do you celebrate the gift of true life?

His Amazing Timing!

2011-12-19T06:00:00.002-06:00

“All returned to their own towns to register for this census.

DAY 19- We have made it to Nazareth! God has been so good and faithful; He led us here safely. Today we are going to meet up with Mary and Joseph, some things are going on and I am not sure how long we will stay here. Let’s get going they are waiting.

We are so glad you made it, we saw the Lord leading you, and we knew you would make it. You are just in time, we are getting ready to leave, a census has been decreed and we must return back to our home towns.

Let me start from the beginning I see some of you with puzzled looks on your face.

Augustus, the Roman emperor has just sent out a decree that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. So we all must return to our home towns to register for the census. Since I am a descendant of King David we must go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. (Luke 2:1-4)

So we have no time to spare, we have a 70 mile journey ahead of us, we need to get going. We will visit on the way.

Have you ever stopped to let all of this sink in? The timing of this is amazing. Apparently Mary was getting close to delivering and God knew exactly where He wanted His Son to be born. I mean what impeccable timing for Augustus to send out a decree. God’s amazing timing!

I think we seem to forget just how planned out our lives really are. What timing for Mary to have to travel, and ladies you know what I am talking about, 9 months pregnant, could you imagine traveling by foot, camel or donkey 70 miles? Augustus could have sent out the decree months before or after. His timing brother though hard to understand at times, is always perfect and fitting in the end.

And how wonderful for us, that we are getting to see first hand the work of the Lord. It is all in His timing, and according to His will. Why would we choose to live according to our will and not His?

In the end when our eyes are opened, we will see how perfect His plan for us was and is.

Have you experienced God’s perfect timing and plan in your life?

A Prayer for Your Journey

2011-12-18T18:40:00.002-06:00

“You both precede me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” Psalm 139:5

DAY 18- Pack up camp, gather the family, we are headed to the village of Nazareth. There, we will meet up with Joseph and Mary. Oh my goodness we are getting close! If everyone is ready let’s head out!

Lord we praise You, we praise Your mighty name. You are and will forever be the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. We stand in awe of Your holiness. Thank You for the wonderful privilege of being Your children.

Father thank you so much for all of our sweet friends and family that have gathered together over these last 18 days to hear the stories of Your greatness. As they leave us to begin their journey to Bethlehem we ask that You both proceed and follow them.

Lord we ask that as they travel You will begin to do a work within them. Prepare their hearts for what they will hear and see over the next 7 days. We ask that You remove any and all distractions so they can put all their attention on You.

Go with them now Lord as they leave us to meet up with Mary and Joseph. Bless their time together Lord and again thank You, thank You for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful journey. In Jesus name, amen.

We have enjoyed each and every one of you so much. Elizabeth and I will continue to pray for you as you journey the rest of the way. Give Joseph and Mary our love. Just follow the light that precedes you, it is God leading the way.

He Deserves More than Leftovers!

2011-12-17T06:00:00.001-06:00

“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.” Luke 1:76

DAY 17-Don’t you enjoy each day that we get to spend as a family hearing and learning about Jesus? I hope you have been blessed and filled with more of God’s love on this journey. Today we get to continue hearing the praises of Zechariah.

Isn’t God so good? My wife and I cannot tell you enough how wonderful it is having all of you here with us. Didn’t you enjoy yesterday hearing how wonderful God is? Well today I want to continue sharing with you the praises of our God and of our son John.

“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” Luke 1:76-79

Could you imagine having such a call on your life even before you were born? Well guess what, you do, and you did, even before you were born. It is the call to help prepare others for the return of Christ. It is a call to share the Good News of the Savior that has come to redeem and save us. It is a call to join with other believers and lift your voices in shouts of praise to our Heavenly Father. And that my friends, is a great enough call to praise God about, because it is an honor to be a child of the Son of God.

I want to leave you with one last thing today. God should be praised before anything. Do you ever just go into your conversation with God asking for yourself before you praise Him for who He is? Man I have so many times and through all of this I have learned that He should be praised, honored, and adored before a single word is spoken for me or anyone else.

Have You Praised God Today?

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

“Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:” Luke 1:67

DAY 16- Today we have the wonderful privilege of hearing the praises lifted to the Lord through Zechariah.

Yesterday I shared with you the importance of the Holy Spirit; I hope that you recall all we discussed so that you will see the significance of these words.

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited his people and redeemed them. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant with them, the covenant he gave to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies, so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness forever.” Luke 1:68-75

Notice the very first words spoken through me were praises to God for all that He had and was going to do. He was going to send us a Savior, a Savior that would redeem us and save us. That in its self was enough to celebrate.

I want you to let these words resonate in your heart as we start getting closer to Bethlehem for the birth of a very special baby.

The importance of today is for you to be reminded that above all things, God deserves our praises first, before any other word is spoken.

Have you praised God today, have you lifted your voice to Him with praise and worship? If you have not done that today would you take a moment to praise God for sending His Son to redeem and save you!

Send it on Down!

2011-12-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

“Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy.” Luke 1:67

DAY 15- Wow! We are 15 days into our journey, can you believe it? It is going by so fast. There have been so many wonderful stories shared and even more to come.

We have enjoyed being with you over these last 15 days. We hope you have been as blessed as we have. We look forward to each new day the Lord gives us to share of His amazing grace and love.

Yesterday we shared of the great news that spread throughout Judea. Our son’s name and my restored speech! Upon my ability to speak again I became filled with the Holy Spirit. There is so much importance in the Holy Spirit that I find it necessary to share with you just how He works.

In the book of John 14:10 “The words I say are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.” Jesus was saying when I speak; it is the words of my Father in me not my own. And just as you and I speak on behalf of our Father it is not our words but the words of our Father that lives within us.

In Jeremiah 1:9 “Then the Lord touched my mouth and said, “See, I have put my words in your mouth!” It is the Spirit that allows the Word of God to be in us.

When my wife was greeted by Mary she was filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit that gave her the words to speak to Mary. It was the Holy Spirit who would fill our son John even before his birth, and it would be the Holy Spirit that would speak through him in the wilderness.

And the day I regained my speech I was filled with the Holy Spirit and began praising God. I say all this in hopes that tomorrow as I share the words of praise with you that you will understand it is the words of my Father in me. It is all about Him, it is by His power alone that any of us can share the Good News. The most important of all, the conception of Jesus was from the Holy Spirit.

I want to close today with this scripture for you to think about until we meet again. It is from the book of John “If you love me obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” John 14:15

The Word Spread and the Wonder Fell.

2011-12-14T13:43:00.000-06:00

“I wonder what this child will turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord is surely upon him in a special way.” Luke 1:66

DAY 14-Goodness, can you believe it is day 14? I hope you are learning more about our incredible Heavenly Father. As we continue to travel, I hope you are seeing the importance of each story. It is these stories that lead up to our destination in Bethlehem.

Yesterday I shared with you the day of John’s circumcision ceremony and the moment that I regained by speech. Today I want to share with you the news that spread throughout Judea.

The moment everyone heard words come out of my mouth, their jaws dropped and their eyes widened. “Wonder fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked. “I wonder what this child will turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord is surely upon him in a special way.” Luke 1:65-66

I want to share with you what our friend Isaiah says in chapter 55:10-11-it will help you see the power and control of our Mighty God. “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to and will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:10-11

It is awesome to see how that really does happen. It was my speechlessness; my son receiving the name John, and it was the moment I could speak again that sent people out spreading the news. I believe this was the beginning of just how special our son would be, and how influential he was going to be on the world. God’s purpose and reason for giving us John was so he could prepare the way for the one to come.

Did you know that you are very similar to my son John, each and everyone of you? At your birth the news spread and people rejoiced. You were brought into this world to do just as our son John did-he prepared the way for Jesus-You are here to prepare the return of Jesus. What a special privilege! Make each day a special day, a day devoted to preparing for His return. Most of all remember the words of our friend Isaiah and rest assured that when the Spirit speaks through you, God will take it and accomplish all HE wants it to and it will prosper everywhere HE sends it.

He is coming, yes He is coming, oh thank you Jesus, we await your coming!

Keep My Lips Sealed

2011-12-13T10:57:00.001-06:00

“Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.” Luke 1:64

DAY 13-Today we will be gathered by family and friends of Zechariah and Elizabeth as they join in the story of this great day, the day of John’s circumcision ceremony.

Thank you for coming, thank you for being faithful followers of our Lord. I am elated all of our family and friends could be here as we share and remember one amazing day.

Our baby was already eight days old! As Jews, we have a law that every male is to be circumcised on the eighth day and will also receive their name on that day. Here is a little history on the importance of these ceremonies;

It was a covenant made between God and Abraham. Abraham was to serve God faithfully and live a blameless life, and God would make him the father of many nations. Abraham’s other part of the agreement was to have every male among him be circumcised; the flesh of his foreskin must be cut off, thus bearing a sign that they accepted the covenant. It would also be a mark they would bear of God’s everlasting covenant. (Genesis 17)

Elizabeth: All our family and friends gathered for this exciting day, and wanted to name our baby Zechariah after his father. Family names were very big to us! But I knew what the Lord wanted so I said, “NO! His name is John!” You can imagine the commotion that comes next. The whispering and outburst of questions began. “Elizabeth, what are you saying? There is no one in our family with that name.” So of course they all turned to Zechariah.

Zechariah: Remember I could not speak or hear. So there I was watching everyone when I saw all eyes turn to me and hands and arms flying around as everyone was trying to gesture to me for a name! I motioned for a writing tablet and wrote “His name is John!” And in that instant I could speak and I began praising God.

It reminds me of a verse in the book of Psalm “Take control of what I say O’Lord, keep my lips sealed.” Psalm 141:3 He did that to me. I spoke words of doubt that day in the sanctuary and from that day on He sealed my lips. Wow, our God is amazing.

I can’t help but to wonder if there are days we speak words of doubt, hate, anger, etc that should result in our lips being sealed. Let’s trust fully in the Lord, His power, Word, and authority, and pray that in all situations He will take control of our words and keep our lips sealed.

Complete Fulfillment

2011-12-12T16:42:00.000-06:00

“You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice with you at his birth.” Luke 1:14

Day 12- Today is a very exciting day for all of us, today is the arrival of John also known as John the Baptist. So take off your shoes, come on in, and find your place in the living room, the baby will be here soon.

It had been a very interesting nine months I must say, being old in age sure made things a little more difficult. I did not get around as easy as the younger mothers did. I had a lot of discomfort with my pregnancy. When Mary came to visit me I was in my sixth month. She stayed with me for three months before returning home. She was of great help and though pregnant herself, she took good care of me.

I remember them saying Elizabeth it’s time, are you ready? I had never been more ready! It all went as I expected and I will never forget that moment. He was here; our baby boy was finally here. It was the first sound of his cry that made my heart flood with joy. He was beautiful and healthy and made in the image of God.

Zechariah: The day of John’s birth was truly a special day. It was a day our faith went from just faith to complete fulfilled faith. It was a day that the words spoken through Gabriel were fulfilled, and it was a day our hearts were both completely full. I have to say that Elizabeth and I thought we knew what love was, but this type of love, a parent’s love, it cannot be described.

That day in the sanctuary I remember Gabriel saying, “You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice with you at his birth.” Luke 1:14 and that is exactly what happened.

Upon the arrival of John, the word spread quickly to our neighbors and relatives that the Lord had been very kind to us, and everyone rejoiced with Elizabeth. (Luke 1:58) It was just as Gabriel said it would be. It was truly an honor that the Lord found favor in Elizabeth and I and we were there first hand to see His promises being fulfilled.

I can truly say that day was a great day. We all have been blessed! There are two days approaching that will be the greatest days for you and I. Days that will bring absolute fulfillment. We can’t wait!

I pray today will be a day you receive Jesus. I pray today will be a day that if you have already received Jesus that your heart will be filled with love and thankfulness. I pray your eyes will be open to see that Christ gave us the ultimate gift, and it is that gift that promises life. If you are searching for hope, if you are seeking to fill a void, or to be fulfilled by something or someone, let it be Jesus! He always stays true to His Word, and will always fulfill His promises.

Confident Assurance

2011-12-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

“So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Day 11- We have set up camp here in Judea as we wait on the arrival of John, the baby boy of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Today we will stay around camp, Elizabeth and Zechariah will join us here.

Thank you for allowing us to come and join you at your camp today. I want to share with you something so important, that I find it to be extremely necessary at this point of your journey.

It is something we all have, but just think of in many different ways. What is it? Faith! I believe that it is your faith in Christ that you are on this journey today. Only the Lord knows the strength of your faith, as He did mine that day in the sanctuary.

Up to that day I was sure of my faith, it was God who saw my faith in Him, that He chose for me to be a Jewish priest; it was by faith that the Lord found approval and blessed me with my son John. But there was that one moment when I heard that my wife and I would bear a child in our old age that revealed a truth about my faith. I doubted! I doubted and struggled with believing that it could even be possible. It revealed that I allowed my human flesh and the situation to seem greater than the Lord, of whom I have faith in.

I want to share with you a very famous passage in the book of Hebrews that I believe will help you understand faith a little better. It is Hebrews 11:1-3 “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”

In every story you hear, they are stories of faith, they show God’s righteousness, power and complete control. Our faith should be not that of man or the world, but of God, the one who sent His Son, and whose Son will one day return. Our faith should come from the promises God gives us from His Word. God wants us to ask all things and in asking He expects us to believe He will answer. He also wants us to understand that it is His timing and His way.

I believe, like in my situation, when I doubted, it was because I couldn’t see how we could have a child in our old age. He showed me just how unhappy it makes Him when we doubt His authority, and power. It was not about what I thought; it was about Him putting His plan into motion. All I needed to do was have faith in the Lord and believe He could do big things. I did not need to question, I just needed to accept. Now I see that His timing in all of this was for the purpose of His Son. His timing was so John could prepare the way for Jesus. It is through our faith that the Lord shows His righteousness.

We need to understand just how important faith is. Further down in chapter 11 verse 6 the writers go on to say” So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Our job is to have faith in Him who created us.

God will reveal to us what He wants us to know and understand. He wants our faith to be BIG and in Him no matter what. When you face moments that seem impossible remember they are possible with God and all He requires is faith.

I hope your faith is strengthened in knowing God is in control of all things, and He understands everything. Every situation, every obstacle, every tear, every smile, every laugh, every sickness, every diagnosis, every battle, every struggle, every addiction, every decision, every thought, every prayer, everything!

So trust in Him, believe in His promises, and cling to His Word.

The sweetest aroma!

2011-12-10T06:00:00.001-06:00

“For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me.” Luke 1:49

DAY 10- We are ten days into our journey to Bethlehem. I hope you anticipate and look forward to each new day. I hope you have enjoyed the time we have spent with Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph. We will be camping here in Judea for awhile as we prepare for the arrival of Elizabeth and Zechariah’s baby. So let’s set up camp, turn the livestock out to graze, and send the children to play.

Mary: I will be leaving soon to return to Nazareth but before I leave Elizabeth and I have a few more stories to share with you. If you recall Elizabeth had just been filled with the Holy Spirit, upon my greeting, and from that these were the words spoken.

“You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed. What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:42-45

Mary: My heart was full and excitement does not even do justice for how I felt. So this is the best way I could describe just how honored I felt to be used by God. The sweetest aroma to the Lord is true praise and worship.

“Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Might One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our ancestors-Abraham and his children-to be merciful to them forever.” Luke 1:46-55

Has the Lord done things for you that make your cup runeth over? If you stop and think, He does something for you every day. He showers His mercy and grace upon you; He supplies all your needs for the day. He loves you unconditionally, He promises you life everlasting. He gives you hope through His Word and He provides healing for the sick. These are just a few but far more than what we deserve. Do you know what He is doing for you today? He is offering salvation!

At some point today would you lift your voice up in song and praise? Thank God for what He has done for you and those around you. Maybe even right a song of praise, but let today be the day you lift your heart up to the Lord and offer Him the sweet aroma of worship.

I just had a wonderful friend say to me words that were so sweet and true. “Christmas is about Jesus, it is about being adopted into His family. It is about being in need of a Savior and He is that Savior! Christmas is about Jesus and what He did. It should be a holiday not of gift giving but of Christ giving.” Do you know someone that needs a Savior today, let that be your gift, introduce them to Jesus.

Leaped and Filled

2011-12-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

“At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Luke 1:41

DAY 9-We are heading to Judea to meet back up with Elizabeth and Zechariah. I hope you are prepared; we are moving right along and over the next couple of days there will be lots of knowledge and wisdom poured out. Along with that will be lots of praise and excitement. So saddle up folks we have some traveling to do.

Today I want us to put ourselves in the place of these couples. Let’s envision the meeting of these two women.

Mary: Knock, Knock-Elizabeth it’s me Mary.

Elizabeth: OH MY!

Mary: Elizabeth are you okay?

Elizabeth: Laughing. Yes my baby just jumped within me at the sound of your voice.

The two hug and giggle. **At that moment Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41)**

Elizabeth: (Her eyes filled with tears and her heart overflowing with Joy) - Oh Mary, “You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed. What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me!” (Luke 1:42-43)

Mary: You know? (Remember Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit-of who is giving her insight)

Elizabeth: (Nodding her head up and down.) Yes and when you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” (Luke 1:44-45)

Mary: (Crying, with joy and praise), Elizabeth I do believe, I do believe and God has worked all things out, for all of us! (Mary just received confirmation that everything she was told, was true) They hug while laughing and crying all at the same time. (Yes brothers it is possible to do both)

I have to stop here because there is one major thing I do not want us to overlook-the Holy Spirit! Stay with me everyone your about to be covered in some knowledge.

In Luke 1:41 when Mary entered and greeted Elizabeth, just from the sound of her voice the child leaped and Elizabeth became filled with the Holy Spirit.

First of all we have to recall how Jesus was conceived, by the Holy Spirit. So you know that the Holy Spirit is present and full of power.

Second, we have to remember what the angel of the Lord said to Zechariah that day in the sanctuary about his son “And he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.” (Luke 1:15)

Third, I want you to notice the words Elizabeth speaks to Mary in Luke 1:42-45

Her heart was filled with love, joy, humility, and kindness. She felt honored to be in the presence of the mother of the Son of God. She had nothing but fruit pour out of her mouth. She was controlled by the Holy Spirit. This just re-confirms what Galatians 5:22-23 says “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Wow, isn’t that amazing? Power brethren, there is power in the Holy Spirit- Don’t you love the flow, the truth, and the authority of God’s Word?

Words cannot describe how great it is when God open’s your eyes and your heart and reveals His Word to you! I hope that you will allow Him to do that for you today. Would you surrender to the Lord and let the Holy Spirit control you?

The impossible just came possible

2011-12-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke1:37

DAY 8- We finish our day in Nazareth and tomorrow we will be heading back to Judea with Mary to visit Elizabeth. Don’t worry with God there is no back tracking only moving forward.

Hello all of our sweet brothers and sisters. Can’t you just feel the love of the Lord upon us today? These last few days, we have shared with you what we thought to be impossible, but how possible it is with God.

Yesterday Joseph shared his story of guidance and wisdom the Lord had given him through a dream. Today I want to finish sharing with you the rest of the news I received from Gabriel the angel of the Lord.

Gabriel had just finished telling me the baby born to me would be holy and would be called the Son of God. He then continues to say, “What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s already in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:36-37)

There at that moment full of so much emotion I told Gabriel “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.” And then he left.

You see for me it was easy, because I loved the Lord with all of my heart, and I knew that by choosing to make myself available to Him, I would be used and He would be glorified. No, I never expected to be used in such a big way, but I truly felt what my heart poured out. I was willing to accept whatever He wanted, no matter the outcome. And later on you will hear the outcome of my son’s life.

It is our hope and prayer that each day you leave, you take more knowledge of God with you and that you will choose to make yourselves available to the Lord. We hope your thoughts are on Him and His work, majesty, and love. We want each story you hear and have heard to bring Him glory and show His indescribable love. We also want you to know that no matter how impossible you find a situation, it is not impossible to the Lord. He can do ALL things. He can turn bad to good, sorrow to joy, hurt and sickness to healing and hope, anger and hate to love and peace. He can make brokenness whole and He can provide protection and comfort in the time of deepest despair and fear. All we have to do is choose Jesus, look to Him and remember this is not about us but about our Heavenly Father.

We will meet back here at our house tomorrow and will head out for Judea. We have spoken to Zechariah and Elizabeth and they have everything ready for our arrival. May you be completely consumed with Jesus today!

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

What will he think?

“Joseph, her fiancé, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly so as not to disgrace her publicly.” Matthew 1:18

Day 7- I hope you are enjoying being in the home of Mary and Joseph and are learning so much from their story.

It is a beautiful day today, and Joseph and I have been praying for each of you. We hope you are enjoying your stay here in Nazareth. Just as we have been blessed, we know you too will be blessed for choosing to follow the Lord.

We must begin because we have so much to discuss.

I had just found out that I would become pregnant with the Child of God, being a virgin and engaged to be married to Joseph; I wondered how he would take such news. Little did I know at the time, God was already working it out, and I am glad because I love this man!

In our day for a man to marry a woman already pregnant would be shameful and humiliating. You can only imagine when Joseph heard the news, what was going through his head. But my Joseph, oh where do I begin telling you how great my husband is. Joseph is a man of great integrity; he is sensitive to God’s guidance and is always willing to do God’s will no matter what the consequence is. Indeed I could go on and on, but I am going to let him share with you, his part of the story.

Joseph: Upon hearing the news, I decided it would be best if I quietly broke off the engagement, because I did not want to disgrace or embarrass Mary in anyway. (Matthew 1:19)

As I was considering my decision, I fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to me in my dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-22) God knew exactly what He wanted, and He knew exactly how it needed to be done.

In that dream I received the exact guidance and wisdom I needed in making my decision. I received clarity and understanding of the entire situation, and it made me see Mary in a whole new way! When I woke up I knew it would all be okay. I also realized that in taking Mary as my wife, I would become the earthly father of the Son of God. Wow!

So I got up and did just as the angel of the Lord commanded and I married Mary. I brought her home as my wife!

Yes our situation is completely different from any other, but God’s direction for all of us is the same. When we ask and seek Him, He will give us clarity, understanding, guidance, and wisdom to know exactly what to do. In every area of our lives we need and should seek the guidance and wisdom of God. Solomon said it best, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

He did for me, over and over again. Would you trust Him to do the same for you?

The Only Way!

2011-12-06T06:00:00.001-06:00

“For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20

Day 6- We are six days into our journey and I hope you have enjoyed each day and every story thus far. Mary and Joseph continue to welcome us into their home in Nazareth (a village in Galilee) as they share their story of God’s love.

I hope that so far your journey has been pleasant and that you are growing and learning more about the greatness of our God. As always we love to share our story with all who want to hear. We are at a very important part of our story today, a part that I hope will open your eyes, your heart, and your mind to absorb and see how BIG our God is. So thank you again for coming.

Mary: If you don’t mind I would like to pray with you before we begin.

- Jesus our precious Savior, Father, and Lord, we praise You for allowing us the ability to come to You directly in prayer. Jesus I ask that before we begin, You reach down and open up hearts, clear any hindrances and distractions so that we can take in all of what You want to speak to us today. We hope that on this journey we will see You and Your amazing work, love, and plan for our lives. May You the Son of God receive all the praise honor and glory. Amen

Yesterday we left hearing the news that I, a virgin, would become pregnant and carry the Son of the Most High. Today as I share with you how this amazing conception would take place, I want you to understand the significance and importance of why it was to be done this way.

This child, the baby boy I would carry would be the Son of the Most High. He would be perfect, pure, holy, and everlasting. So in order for Him to come into this world as human, He would be placed in the womb of a human woman and conceived by…..well let’s listen as Gabriel tells me.

Gabriel the angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)

This baby of who was to be named Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. His conception was that of no other, and is what made it so historic. It is still so breath taking, so surreal, so astounding. It is actually hard to really grasp, and even wrap your mind around. But it is real, true, and actually shows just how big of a God we serve. It shows how meticulous, how planned out, and how all-knowing, all-powerful, and in control our God is.

Thank you so much for being here with us, we hope you will come back tomorrow. We leave here today praying that you will think of what you have heard, and that you will understand just how wonderful this news and conception was for all of us. I close with this; this child who would be called the Son of God would be placed in the womb of a human conceived by the Holy Spirit, thus allowing Him to enter the world in human form, but be the only perfect human to live!

How can this be?

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

“You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus.” Luke 1:31

Day 5-Today is such an exciting day! It is day 5 and our journey has led us to Nazareth a village in Galilee. It is the home of Mary and Joseph relatives of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Today an announcement is made to Mary that will change not only her life, but our lives.

Joseph: We are so excited the Lord has given us another day to share our story with you. We know you will be blessed as Mary continues to share her story. She left off yesterday with the first part of the message she had received from Gabriel an angel of the Lord. Today she will continue sharing the rest of the news, and by far my favorite part! I still marvel at the work of the Lord.

Mary: I too, like my husband love to share this story with all who will listen. I am so excited to continue and be apart of this remarkable journey you are on, and am so happy we get to come along with you.

Yesterday, I told you that Gabriel an angel of the Lord had appeared before me saying that God had decided to bless me. Thinking I was already so blessed I learned the difference between being loved and being blessed. It is being loved by God that blesses me. And because of God’s love for me this is the blessing I received. One I must say that still to this day I am completely unworthy of. Let me explain.

Gabriel proceeded to say, “Mary, you will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Joseph now interrupting, “How great is that? Wow that is awesome isn’t it?” Mary begins laughing, he does this every time.

My mind began spinning, okay, whoa, whoa, let’s start at the beginning! Gabriel how can this be, how can I have a baby? I am a virgin! I am going to have a child and not just any child, the Son of God? Me an ordinary woman made of flesh?

Guys, this is how BIG our God is, this is how LOVED we are, you see on this day it was not just me that was going to be blessed, it was all of mankind. It is all who will receive the good news. I want to stop and let you ponder on the news you have just heard. The news that a child would be placed within me that would carry the name of Jesus that would be called the Most High, He would reign forever, and His Kingdom would never end!

Tomorrow will be another very exciting day, when I share with you exactly how I would become pregnant and I promise it will blow your socks off!

Favored Indeed

2011-12-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

“Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Luke 1:28

Day 4- Saddle your camels, grab the fam, we are heading out! Today we will be saying goodbye to Zechariah and Elizabeth only for awhile, we will return for the birth of their son John. In the meantime another couple awaits us to share their remarkable story. So let’s head out, we are leaving for Nazareth a village in Galilee.

Zechariah: I pray for travel mercies as you leave. Elizabeth and I have enjoyed our time with you and will see you soon. We send you off to Galilee to meet some relatives of ours that will bless you with their story of God’s love. They are expecting your arrival!

Greetings our fellow brothers and sisters, we have been waiting on you and are so glad the Lord has delivered you here safely, please do come in. We hope that you have enjoyed your time with Zechariah and Elizabeth. Just like them we too have a marvelous story of God’s greatness.

For those of you unfamiliar with who we are my name is Joseph I am a descendant of King David and a carpenter here in Nazareth. My wife, where do I begin, she is an extraordinary woman of God who knows her Scripture. She still to this day makes herself available to God. She is a joyous woman loved by all and has been blessed beyond words. She is the best homemaker and mother and I am blessed to be her husband. I could go on and on but for now we have so much to share.

It was the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, and God sent His angel Gabriel (the one that appeared to Zechariah in the sanctuary) here to Nazareth a village in Galilee to visit my wife Mary a virgin. Mary and I were engaged to be married when the angel Gabriel appeared to her, Mary why don’t you take over.

Mary: Thank you! It was a day I will never forget. I was tending to my daily duties when Gabriel an angel of the Lord approached me, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” I don’t know if I dropped the dishes, the food, my broom or what, but I was completely confused and disturbed and had no idea what he meant. Gabriel being sent from God knew my reaction and said. “Don’t be frightened, for God has decided to bless you!” Bless me, I thought, I was already blessed, God has taken care of me and my family, I am engaged to an amazing man, we are healthy and happy, He wants to bless me? If I may say I was confused, I thought I was already blessed, but that day I learned the true meaning of blessed! Being blessed meant more than just being healthy, or having a roof over my head. It meant more than being happy. I learned that blessed comes from the love of Christ. So whether we have much or little, it does not matter. It is God’s love that is our richest blessing.

I want to leave you here at this part of our story today, because I want you to really understand how loved and blessed you are. You see our Father He loves us unconditionally always thinking of us. His love is what sets blessings into motion.

His love is what covers us with blessings and makes us all favored! You are not only favored but loved and blessed because you were created by Him and for Him and you received the MOST amazing gift-The blood of Christ. Wow, would you just think about that today? Would you go and share that with someone today? Let them know that because of our Father’s love they too are blessed!

Speechless!

2011-12-03T10:28:00.000-06:00

“I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!” Luke 1:19

Day 3- We are three days into our journey to Bethlehem and so far it has been great! We are still in Judea with Zechariah, Elizabeth and soon to be John. Today our meeting with Zechariah continues as he shares more of his amazing testimony of God’s love!

Zechariah: Thank you so much for being faithful followers of Jesus and for taking this 25 day journey with family and friends of our Savior. I hope by the end of your quest you will be filled with more understanding and love for Jesus. Remember I told you yesterday that the news would leave me speechless? I was serious!

There I was standing in the sanctuary in the presence of the Angel of the Lord, when my true humanness took over. Hearing all that the Angel had said, I began looking at this situation as almost impossible. I think we all, at some point, maybe even on many occasions have experienced moments and thoughts such as these.

I had so many questions running through my mind; how could this be, are you sure my ears do not deceive me, we are old, is it even possible? And through all these thoughts this is what came out of my heart. “How can I know this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” (Luke 1:18) It was just a little doubt, understandable right? NO and this is why.

The angel responded “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was He who sent me to bring you this good news! And now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you won’t be able to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly come true at the proper time.” Do you see why? It was God that sent the angel to tell me the good news, the very Creator, the One that has no impossibilities! Ya, not a good moment! Right then as I sat in my own sea of doubt, overwhelmed by the situation rather than how big our God is I became speechless! We have all had our times of being at a loss for words, but how often have we become speechless, literally?

Back outside as the people were waiting for me to come out and announce the blessing that would be upon them (Numbers 6:24-26) they began to wonder what was taking so long. The angel left and I finally came out and but my voice did not. So I began gesturing to the people. It was then they realized I must have seen a vision. Oh, and did I, but it was more than the vision, it was the news that came with the vision. (Luke 1:21-22)

So as Jewish priest’s do, we stay at the Temple until our week of duty is through and then we return home, and I did just that, speechless and all.

My week was over and as I headed home, speechless, I wondered how in the world I was going to be able to explain all of this to my wife. I made it home, walked in the door and just as I thought she was completely surprised and had many questions, and unfortunately I could not answer them.

Soon after my return, things settled down and Elizabeth did become pregnant just as the angel of the Lord had said.

I remember my wife saying, “How kind the Lord is! He has taken away my disgrace of having no children!” In our time to be childless was seen as a curse, so to know the favor He had upon us was great.

You see we should never doubt God’s promises. They are true, real, for sure, everlasting, and they come from Him and Him alone. We should instead live in complete assurance of His promises. Are you struggling with doubt? Are you looking at your situation as bigger than God? Are you listening to your thoughts instead of clinging to the promises of God? That is what I did, and I became speechless. We should find great joy in what He promises us, because He is the ONLY one that keeps them.

What does He promise? One of the greatest is what He spoke through my friend Jeremiah when He said “For I know the plans I have for you, “says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look at me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you.” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:11) He also promises us the greatest gift of all, life through His Son Jesus. You have no life until you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. These are just a few, seek the Word of God it is full of promises.

Let’s go now together and share the promises of God with all who will hear!

“All that’s required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart.” Mark 11:23

He will have such qualities as these….

2011-12-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

Day 2- I am so glad you all came back to embark on our 25 day journey to Bethlehem.

We continue our journey in Judea, as Zechariah continues his amazing story of how the Lord blessed him and his family.

I am so glad you are here! Yesterday I spoke of a day that went from ordinary to extraordinary. It was a day that I was offering incense to the Lord in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared before me. In shock and complete fear he told me the message the Lord had sent, and it was that my wife Elizabeth would bear me a son.

Today I am so excited to tell you about my son, his amazing qualities and characteristics and his purpose, all which have been given to him from the Lord.

….So as I stood there in the sanctuary in the presence of an angel I listened as he began to tell me characteristics my son would obtain.

-Would you just vision this moment with me as we hear of the qualities of this child, I know for you and I it is qualities we hope our children will posses.

The angel spoke “Zechariah the son that you will have is to be named John. He will bring you and others great joy. He will be great in the eyes of the Lord and will be filled with the Holy Spirit before his birth. He will also persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord. He will be a man just like Elijah with spirit and power. He will change hearts and disobedient minds to accept godly wisdom, and most of all he will prepare people for the arrival of the Lord.” (Luke 1:13-17)

At this point my heart was full and all I kept thinking was that my wife and I are old in age and now we will bear a son and he will do great and mighty things for the Lord.

As crazy as this is, this is just half of the qualities and characteristics our son John would posses. The rest will come later on. It is a lot to take in and I too felt that way, so much it left me questioning his sincerity.

Every time we reflect upon this story, Elizabeth and I know it was a true honor that God wanted to bless us. But it was a greater honor that He found favor in us to bear a son in our old age, who would lead the way for the Lord.

I must stop here for now and be on my way, I have some work to finish up for the Lord. I can’t wait to meet with you again so I can share the moment of speechlessness the good news left me in.

If there is anything we can walk away with today, it would be that we do not have to be an Elizabeth or a Zechariah or have a child like John. But we should desire to acquire the same qualities, loving and serving God wholeheartedly as they did. God wants us to be exactly who He made us to be, and he wants our children to be exactly who He made them to be. Unique children of God, created in His image, covered in His blood, and faithful followers of Him. God can and will use us to share the Word of God with the world. We all have a purpose, we all have a message to share, and we all are here to glorify the Lord.

No ordinary day!

2011-12-01T20:14:00.000-06:00

“Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John.” Luke 1:13

I cannot believe it has been three years since we began the 25 day journey to Bethlehem. With each New Year the Lord has brought many new faces to join us, and just as He promised, His Word has been sent out and has accomplished all that He has wanted it to. It is Him and Him alone that has led you here, and we are so thrilled you have come and brought new brothers and sisters with you.

So saddle your camels, gather the livestock, and grab the family as we head out on our 25 day journey to Bethlehem.

Let’s get going we have a lot of roads to travel and only 25 days to get there. We don’t want to miss one day of what the Lord has in store for us. I promise our journey and the place of destination will change lives.

Day 1-Our journey begins on the road to Judea. Here we will meet a couple that had a love for the Lord, who were faithful followers and who carefully obeyed the commandments and regulations of the Lord. They were old in age and had no children. Though they desired to raise a family they could not because the woman was barren.

It began as an ordinary day for us. I, Zechariah am a Jewish priest and was on duty for the week serving God in the Temple. My wife Elizabeth was at home fulfilling her duties. I loved my job and never took my calling lightly. But little did I know that this ordinary day would be a day that would change my family’s life forever, and literally leave me speechless.

To God it was NO ordinary day, it was a day He would set His plan of love into motion, and He would begin it in the lives of my wife and me. (Can’t you just hear John as his daddy tells this story; you know that he loves hearing it)

As a part of my duty at the Temple I was to enter the sanctuary and burn incense in the Lord’s presence, so as usual I did what was asked of me and entered the sanctuary and began burning the incense. As I was standing there, an angel of the Lord appeared before me. It was bright and beautiful and left me in fear and complete shock. For a moment I thought I had completely lost it and was seeing things. So there I was standing there with my mouth wide open when the angel said, “Zechariah don’t be afraid the Lord has heard you and Elizabeth’s prayers and today your wife will become pregnant and bear you a son, and you are to name him John.” You can only imagine the thoughts going through my head.

Well that is enough for now. I must get going, but please come back tomorrow, I can’t wait to tell you about my son.

Today might be another ordinary day to you, but to God it is an extraordinary day that He can and will use you to share His love with someone who needs it.

Oh I hope you will come as we continue our journey to Bethlehem. We will meet wonderful people along the way that will bless us and as we travel this journey together I hope you will see the distinct detail, plan, and love of God.

To pant for living water

2011-11-30T15:43:00.000-06:00

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God." Psalm 42:1-2

Have you ever set out to search for satisfaction, completeness, happiness, and/or contentment?

Isn't it so much easier to search for all those feelings in things we can see and people we can hear? It is and that is just honesty. The world offers those things but only temporarily.

When we fall into pits of loneliness, sadness, frustration, even desperation we search and cry out for help from that which will be immediate.

The deer pants for streams of water because it's life depends on it. Yet how often do we, do I, pant for God because my life REALLY does depend on Him.

I desire complete satisfaction, completeness, happiness, and contentment in the Lord. I want to live my life longing and thirsting for Jesus as though each second depends on Him.

Yet at times I don't! I don't search or even pant for Him as though I will die if I don't receive a drink of Him.

No one or thing can satisfy our deepest thirst but the Lord Himself.

Might you pant for Jesus today as though your life depends on it. Because it does!

Jesus I long for You in the deepest way possible. Forgive me for trying to satisfy my thirst from the things that only quench it temporarily. May I pant in the truest sense for You and the living water that only You offer. Amen

What are your motives?

2011-11-29T06:00:00.002-06:00

“The LORD’s searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive

When we do things out of obligation or have to, does it count even if our heart's motives are wrong? I wonder how often we convince ourselves that the Lord is pleased if we just do what we are supposed to, yet our heart’s attitude is wrong.

Isn't it the heart He looks at and the motives which are in the heart?

The hearts motive, it is either true and sincere or convinced obligation and good works is enough. We might be able to say we do this or that because we are supposed to but if the motive of our heart is wrong the actions become a have to duty.

Jesus does not want our love and service to Him to be an obligation or have to; instead He wants it to be a want to that comes from a heart that loves Him.

He does not want our marriages or love and service to others to be a have to, but a want to, because it is our hearts purest desire and because we love Him.

He sees the motive in every single thing we do.

Do we love because we have to or because we want to? Jesus loved because He wanted to not because He had to.

Do we forgive because we have to or because we want to? Jesus forgave because He loved us and wanted to be with us, not because He had to.

Do we serve others because we have to or because we want to? Jesus served because He loved us and loved His Father, not because He had to.

Do we study His Word because we have to or because we want to? Jesus gave us His Word because He wanted us to know how much He loved us, who He was, and what He promises us. Not because He had to.

Do we go to church because we have to or because we want to? Jesus did not create the church because He had to, but because He wanted those who love Him, and are a part of His body, to worship Him with one heart.

Do we accept Jesus because we have to or because we want to? Jesus did not die and offer us life through Him because He had to. He died on the cross because He loved us so much He wanted to save us from hell.

Do we live a good moral life because we think it will keep us out of hell? Jesus sees the motive and a motive without Christ is the wrong motive.

Choose to serve, love, and worship Jesus, not because you have to. But because of what He did for you on the cross. For when we fully grasp His love and mercy we will then produce pure and sincere motives that are pleasing to Him.

Jesus examine my motives and reveal to me all the ones that are displeasing to You. Amen

Head or Heart Knowledge?

2011-11-28T06:00:00.001-06:00

"What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are no the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Have you ever questioned whether or not you were truly saved? Many of us, if asked, "If you were to die today, do you know without a doubt you would go to heaven?" would answer with a confident yes.

Does that yes come from a changed heart that knows, or does that yes come from our head alone?

It is very easy for us to say that we are saved and a Christian, but it is another thing for us to live it.

In 2 Corinthians 5:14-16 Paul says, "Whatever we do, it is because Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them. So we have stopped evaluating others by what the world thinks about them. Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being. How differently I think about him now!"

My questions for you today are;

How do you know when your knowledge and faith has moved the 18 inches from your head to your heart?

How do you know that you are not living your faith in your mind but are living it in your heart?

Do you know for sure in your mind you are saved but in your heart question your salvation?

I believe the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge is a life that has been radically changed for Christ. It no longer engages in the things of this world. It does not continue living as it once did, nor does it partake in the same sins. Rather it has died to it's selfish desires and now lives to please Christ, with it's heart and not just its mind.

"Those who become Christians become NEW PERSONS. They are NOT the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Have you become a new person? Is your old life gone and your new life begun?

Are you living to please Christ?

Do others see the radical change that has been made in you, or do they still see your old life?

Jesus show us what You see when You look into our hearts. May we not claim to be a saved Christian yet still live our old life that pleases the flesh and blends in with the world. But may we be radically transformed living the new life that is no longer the same. Amen

A MUST See

2011-11-27T22:41:00.000-06:00

If you have not seen Courageous it is a MUST see.

Check out the trailer

http://www.courageousthemovie.com/themovie

Blessing Room-Baby Shower

2011-11-26T22:03:00.000-06:00

Please join us for a Blessings Baby Shower for the Blessing Room at the East Texas Pregnancy Help Center on Sunday, November 27, 2011, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church. The Blessing Room is part of their ministry, and this is our opportunity to share in this ministry.

The center is in need of new items such as:

Baby Bottles

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Bibs

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Receiving Blankets

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Diapers

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Wipes

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Baby Oil

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Baby Lotion

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Baby Shampoo

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Baby Powder

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Baby Onesies, Sleepers, Nightgowns

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Diaper Rash Ointment

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Socks

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Clothing

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Baby Caps

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Thermometers

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Baby Bottle Brushes

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Dreft Baby Detergent

If you have questions call Sue @ 384-2764 or email thegees@joshua2415.org

One of those days

2011-11-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:11-12

Today is a day when you want to run into the arms of the Lord and let Him take you away to a safe place, an accepting place, a place of love, understanding, a place where just being you is good enough; flawed and all.

Jesus as I fall into Your arms would You please whisk me away from everything that surrounds me and hide me under the wings of Your love. Amen

Thank You...it's just not enough

2011-11-24T22:39:00.000-06:00

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34

Thank You Jesus that Your love endures forever. You are just so good and honestly thank You is not near enough, nor does it even come close to how magnificent You are for paying the price on the cross. May we never stop thanking You or showing You how wonderful You are. Amen

In this day

2011-11-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

In this day be thankful because we have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us-one gracious blessing after another. (John 1:16)

In this day be thankful and praise God because our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

In this day be thankful because long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. (Ephesians 1:4)

In this day be thankful because His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:5)

In this day be thankful because this has given Him great pleasure. (Ephesians 1:5-my paraphrase)

It is my prayer for you sweet reader to know how truly blessed you are by the Lord Himself. I pray that in this day the Holy Spirit will reveal each of these passages to you in a way that leaves you overwhelmed by God’s love, faithfulness, and devotion to you. So that in return your gratitude will become an outpouring of thankful living, worshiping, and praise to Him.

Jesus thank You for Your richest blessing that came through Your death, burial, and resurrection. Thank You that Your blessings fall upon us one after another and that You chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault. Thank You for adopting us into Your family and for finding great pleasure through Your Son. In this day may You be honored, praised and thanked every second by Your children. Amen

Don’t Blend In

2011-11-22T06:00:00.002-06:00

Written by Garrett Morgan-

Christ has called us to be salt and light in a dark and sinful world. This applies to every aspect of our lives; home, work and everywhere we go. This is commanded of us. He didn't call us to blend in, but to be different.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

We cannot pick and choose how and when we reflect Christ. We must submit to Him 24/7. Christ will use us for His glory if we allow Him to do so. The only way to radiate Christ is to remain in the Word and prayer. Surround yourself with believers who will strengthen you and encourage you daily (It is a daily challenge). Don’t blend in with the world but stand strong for Christ. It feels lonely sometimes but He promises us He will not forsake us. We are not alone.

Thank God this Holiday for all your blessings. Let’s make sure we show Him with our actions that we are more thankful for Jesus Christ than any other thing in our life. Let your light shine and be the salt of the earth.

Thank you Jesus for your grace, love, and mercy daily! I pray that we can be true imitators when it comes to You and Your Word. Help us be the salt and light of the earth and not blend in with the world. In Jesus name, Amen.

The way out of the pit.

2011-11-21T06:00:00.001-06:00

I recently heard someone say it is hard to give thanks when you are in a pit of sadness or sickness, but the quickest way to get out of both of those pits is to begin to focus on your blessings.

When we focus on our blessings our thoughts shift off of us and onto the Lord. Exactly where they should be!

"Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation." Psalm 100:1-5

Jesus may I spend the rest of my life showering You with thanksgiving, worship and praise. Amen

A very special family

2011-11-20T22:03:00.000-06:00

This is the Miller family. They are very special friends of ours and they need our prayers. Dana the absolutely beautiful mother is battling breast cancer. Would you join with me and pledge to pray for this family over the next year. She has almost a full year of chemo and radiation ahead of her.

I would be so grateful and I know they will be as well. It is my deepest prayer to find some way to begin raising money for this family. So please pray the Lord will show us exactly how we can do that.

In the meantime we all know that the greatest gift we can give them is a down pour of prayers.

"Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well." James 5:14-15

It only makes sense…

2011-11-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

“Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because in the midst of sadness, Jesus is there catching every tear and holding together the heart that has just been shattered.

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because when you feel to filthy to be loved or to sinful to be saved, you feel the blood of Jesus drip from His hands as He washes you in the forgiveness of His blood.

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because when joy is offered, taken and expressed it is from the overflow of your soul filled with living water.

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because when your eyes open and your chest fills with air, you know Jesus is the one who has breathed life into you and removed the scales from your eyes.

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because when the chemo and radiation are through and remission has begun, you know it is Jesus who has healed you.

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because when the lost receive the gift of life, you know hell is no longer their destination.

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because when you are weary and worn, Jesus always pulls you in and gives you rest.

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because when you are afraid, beaten, and broken, Jesus is there to place you under His wings and lifts you up, protected, healed, and whole.

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because when you feel as though there is no more hope, Jesus lifts your head and the cross is all you see.

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because when you feel the movement of your baby inside, you know Jesus has made you no longer barren.

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because when your belly is full, you know Jesus has provided your very meal.

It only makes sense to offer thanksgiving. Because when you extend a helping hand, a hug, even a prayer, you know Jesus provided a way for you to be right there.

It only makes sense to offer thanks for Him giving you His Son.

Jesus may I do more than just offer thanksgiving, may I offer a life of thanks-living. Amen

Would you still gripe and complain?

2011-11-18T06:00:00.003-06:00

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.” 1 Chronicles 16:8

Over the last four days how many times would you say you griped and complained about something or someone?

If I may be so bold and ask, was it because you were inconvenienced? Maybe your plate was full, which may I again be so bold and say because you made it full. Jesus doesn't bog us down with busyness we do that on our own. It's a choice! So you gripe and complain about being busy and not having enough time or enough help with all the things YOU have to do and get done.

Maybe your kids are involved in a ton of activities and sports and you are responsible for getting them to and from. Plus you have to get them home, get homework done, fed, bathed and put in bed. Which again may I be so bold to say, you allow them to be involved in everything! You make that choice, no one else does. Jesus does not tell you to put your child in every sport or activity. He says if it comes before Me or takes away from Me, it has become your idol.

Maybe you griped about something in your home, like your washer and dryer being outside, or your house is not big enough for everyone living in it. Maybe you griped and complained because your house is a mess and it is just one more thing you have to do because no one else will help you do it. Maybe you griped and complained because your house is not full of all the "stuff" you want it to be full of, or the furniture you have is old...Maybe you even griped and complained about your vehicle or the clothes you have in your closet, or supposedly don’t have.

Maybe you griped and complained about your finances, or not having anything to eat in your house, although your pantry and fridge are full!

Maybe you griped and complained about your job, your boss, your coworkers, your employees, your students. Maybe you griped and complained about your pay or your position.

Maybe these last four days you griped and complained about a friend, a family member, your kids, or your spouse.

May I be so bold to ask you, are you griping and complaining because you are focusing on yourself? I mean that really is the reason we gripe and complain in the first place isn't it?

What if every time you complained God revealed to you just how blessed you were, yet how ungrateful you are being. Would you react differently?

What if every time you began to utter a complaint about being too busy God replied with, “Well I am also busy, so I won’t be able to protect you, go with you, shower My mercy on you, or have time for you when you pray.”

What if, every time you griped and complained about taking your kids to and from, God revealed to you a mother who would give anything for her son and daughter to be able to walk so they could be in an activity. What if, He revealed to you a child who couldn’t see, or had a disability and would give anything to be able to do what your children can. Would you still gripe and complain?

What if, every time you griped and complained about your home and the things in your home, God revealed to you, a family who just lost their home and everything in it. What if He revealed to you a child who never knew where they would be, or if they would even have a roof over their head that night. Would you still gripe and complain for having a roof over your head, a bed to sleep in, a couch to sit on, and a TV to watch?

Do you know if we would take our eyes off of ourselves for a second we would see how many people around us are actually homeless and wander from home to home?

What if, every time you griped and complained about not ever having anything to wear, God revealed to you a child whose family can’t even afford clothes so they wear the same thing every day, and dirty because they can’t afford to wash their clothes. What if He revealed to you a man or woman who freezes at night because they literally don’t have enough clothes to wear? Would you still gripe and complain about the clothes in your closet. What about the little boy or girl that wears clothes to small or way to big, or even torn and ragged, because that is all they have. Would you still gripe and complain?

What if, every time you complained about cleaning your house, God revealed to you a mother diagnosed with cancer bed ridden because of the chemo, who would give anything to muster enough strength to clean her home. What if, He revealed to you a woman who just had a stroke and lost functioning in her left side, who today would give anything to be able to clean her house, would you still gripe and complain?

What if, every time you griped and complained about not having anything to eat, God revealed to you just how many people in this world really are starving and have nothing to eat, would you still gripe and complain? What if the only meal you ever got came from the trash, or from the school cafeteria, or from someone nice enough to give you food. Would you still gripe and complain?

What if, every time you griped and complained about your job, coworker, salary, position, or student, God revealed to you a man and woman who just lost their job, their salary, their position, everything. What if He took yours from you, would you still gripe and complain?

What if, every time you griped and complained about a friend, a family member, your spouse, or children, God revealed to you a woman who just lost her entire family because of a drunk driver. What if He revealed to you a husband and wife who just lost their child to cancer. What if He revealed to you a mom and daughter who lost their husband and dad and sister and daughter in car wrecks three years apart. Would you still gripe and complain?

What if every time you griped and complained about your marriage, God revealed to you a man who just lost his wife, or a woman who just lost her husband and now has no one. What if He revealed to you a woman who is beat to near death almost every week she lays on the ground praying someone will find her and save her. What if He revealed to you a husband who loves his wife so much he cries every night because she is addicted to drugs or alcohol. What if He revealed to you a husband who is holding his dying wife or vice versa, would you still gripe and complain about your spouse not helping enough, yet who loves you, protects you, provides for you and supports you?

The reality and sadness of all of this is, He reveals it to us EVERY single day, yet we still manage to focus on ourselves instead of on our blessings and those in need. We teach our children more about griping and complaining than we do about being thankful and selfless. We teach that busyness is more important than spending time with the Lord and as a family.

All that we have, we don’t deserve. Yet we have become so comfortable with griping and complaining that we miss all the blessings the Lord has given, especially His mercy. Not only that but we miss out on what God wants to do and use us for.

We miss out on just how loving and blessed we are, because we let the world and self-tell us we need more; this isn’t good enough, their problems are not our problems, there are too many people to help, there is just no way, not enough money, not enough...

May I be so bold to ask you today to focus on those less fortunate than you. Focus on just how blessed you are to even be alive and have everything that you do.

Is it possible for us today to put ourselves aside and serve others with a genuine heart, because we are in love with the One who has given us life? We can only proclaim His greatness to the world when we have hearts that are thankful and attitudes and actions that are selfless.

Jesus make us uncomfortable. Actually go beyond that and remove us from our daily routines and our daily focus, which is self. Jesus open our eyes to see just how blessed we are to even be alive, to even exist. Help us to be so uncomfortable that it makes us sick to think there are those who have nothing that we will go and offer them all that we have. Jesus move us out of our comfort zones and into faith. Faith that is selfless and giving, for then Your greatness will be proclaimed. Amen

The Source of Hope

2011-11-17T06:00:00.003-06:00

I am blessed to have an amazing husband who is as passionate about sharing God's Word as I am. I love how the Lord uses him to speak in a way I can't.

Written by Garrett

Romans 15:13

^“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Do you ever feel tired, empty, hopeless, lonely, or even miserable? We all struggle with different things from time to time throughout our hectic lives. Satan is the king of busyness and hopelessness. He will completely pollute our thoughts and blind us to our purpose in life. He can even make us feel so hopeless that we hinder or limit the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us.

So many times I get caught up in problems of the world or my profession that I lose sight of the “Source of Hope”. Does this sound familiar? God is referred to as many things and one of them is the “Source of Hope”. He is the only hope. Satan confuses so many people when it comes to hope. Look around at all the addictions people struggle with. This even leads to depression.

Paul was so filled with the Holy Spirit that he would sing, preach, write, and pray about Christ while he was in prison. I don’t know about you, but it would be extremely hard for me to have such a positive attitude and make the impact that Paul did under those types of circumstances. We can learn a lot from Paul and the example he was. He was the definition of Light in a dark world. I truly believe that Christ provided this example to us for the simple reason of completely depending on God for our “Source of Hope”. This is what Paul had. He didn’t do this himself. Christ did it through him and Paul allowed himself to be a tool for God to speak through. We must do the same thing no matter our circumstances or situations in life. Whether we are diagnosed with an illness, broke, broken, confused, discouraged, tired, depressed, sick, etc… We have to believe in Christ and choose to allow the Holy Spirit to produce fruit throughout our life.

Father thank you for creating the Word to guide us! Lord you knew we could not do it on our own. I pray that we will allow you to be the source of Hope throughout our lives and not turn to any other temporary solutions. I pray that we remain strong in you. I lift up all the people who feel hopeless today and ask that you comfort them and show them truth. Give them Peace and Joy as you guide and direct their paths. Amen.

Consider this….

2011-11-16T06:00:00.002-06:00

“So the LORD sent this message through the prophet Haggai: Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the LORD Almighty says: Consider how things are going for you! You have planted much but harvested little. You have food to eat, but not enough to fill you up. You have wine to drink, but not enough to satisfy your thirst. You have clothing to wear, but not enough to keep you warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!” Haggai 1:3-6

Consider how things are going for you. Maybe in your assessment you feel as though things are pretty good. In this period of your life you are content.

But may I ask if that contentment comes from the perspective of the world?

Are you well off according to the standards of man? Is your worldly home in better condition than the house of the Lord?

What harvest are you investing in? The world’s harvest produces little; the food is available but does not satisfy. The profit made on your harvest, is it used to make your worldly home more luxurious, more appealing to the eyes of man?

Oh, how I desire that we, you and me, would consider how things are going for us spiritually. That we would put down the things of this world and pick up the things of Christ.

Oh, how I desperately desire that our eyes, yours and mine, would be opened to see His house lying in ruins, all because we have put Him second, third, fourth, or not even at all, in order to better our worldly homes, our worldly pleasure.

I desire that we, you and me, would see just how deep our hunger, our thirst, and our desire for warmth truly goes, but not just ours, but others who are in true need., for they are the ones who suffer from hunger, thirst, and lack of warmth. Yet we withhold from them, from Him.

Oh, that we, you and me, could see what they see. How can we see our Father’s house lying in ruins, yet not do what is needed to re-build it. How can we move past the place of contentment, complacency, and mediocrity and plant much and harvest much.

Consider what you plant, consider your profit and how you invest, consider your priorities, consider His house.

Consider Him first!

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: Consider how things are going for you! Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the LORD. You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the LORD Almighty, while you are all busy building your own fine houses.” Haggai 1:7-9

Merciful Lord I will go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild your house. For then You will take pleasure in it and be honored. Jesus help me plant a great harvest for You. Help me focus on Your house. Amen

Special Guest with an amazing testimony-Alisha Fussel

2011-11-15T06:00:00.003-06:00

I am honored to have a sweet friend of mine, Alisha Fussel share her testimony. Her story and faithfulness offers so much hope. I know you will be as blessed as we have by her passion to help women. I hope you will check out her website following her testimony.

Thank you Alisha for sharing God's love and mercy with us. Most of all thank you for listening to His call to step out and help women in need.

My family knows the consequences of sexual sin. At a very young age, I found myself unexpectedly pregnant. The emotions one feels in this situation are hard to explain. I felt scared, overwhelmed, depressed, sad, angry, judged, filthy, and oddly enough, happy. This may not make sense at all to someone who has not been there. There was a precious life that God created, and that did bring some joy in the midst of all the emotions involved. Many people were encouraging me to have an abortion. (Including some in the church) I praise God for His unconditional love. It is His love that drew my heart back to Him. He loved me even when I felt so unlovable. I chose life! I now have a beautiful 9 year old son, who God created with purpose. I cling to Romans 8:28. I can make HUGE messes of things, but God is so good!! He takes these messes, and still brings good out of them. I love God, and want nothing more than for Him to flow through me to help others.

Three years after my son was born, I received a phone call from a woman I did not know explaining to me that she had a five year old son who was my husbands. Before my husband and I were together, and before we whole heartily began to serve the Lord, this woman had a child and did not call to inform my husband. This situation has not been a walk in the park, but again, I cling to Romans 8:28. Thank God she did call us and now we can be a part of his life. She also shared with me how she was in the abortion clinic about to have the procedure. She walked out at the last minute. I look at my step-son and my son and truly am amazed. I am overwhelmed by God’s grace and mercy in my life.

That was just a brief history so you might understand my heart and passion. With the help of an amazing team that God put together, East Texas Pregnancy Help Center has been formed in Jasper, Texas. My heart is to help those who find themselves in the same situation that I was once in. God has opened my eyes to see that many have it much worse. They do not have any support from family or friends. They need support, love, encouragement, and most of all, God. We have only been open for a little over a month, and already we have seen the abortion minded woman chose life! We have seen salvations! We have seen people with no hope at all leave the center beaming with hope! I could go on and on, but the main thing is that God is at work!

To learn more about the ministry you can go to our website at www.etphc.org or call us at 409-381-8600.

If you let him...he will

2011-11-14T08:47:00.000-06:00

"The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." John 10:10

He will steal our joy, our hope, our peace, our confidence, our assurance, even our trust...

He will kill us with lies, self-doubt and manipulation, by leading us to believe we don't need Jesus or by twisting the Word of God.

He will destroy our marriage, our family, our friendships, our country, even our cities.

All if we let him.

Jesus, the very opposite of the thief, offers us joy, hope, peace, confidence, tons of re-assurance, and gives us the promise of eternal life.

He does not kill us but saves us-through His death on the cross.

He does not destroy but restores our marriages, our families, our friendships, our country, even our cities.

He gives life in all its fullness!

Jesus thank You for giving me life and the fullness that comes with it. Thank You for wanting, giving, and desiring the best for me and of me. Amen

Taking less so they can have more

2011-11-13T18:52:00.002-06:00

This story alone will penetrate to the core of your heart, leaving you desiring to help, to do more, to take less so he can have more. Please click over and read.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

How to live in this evil world

2011-11-12T18:42:00.000-06:00

"And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed." Titus 2:12

Are you wondering how to live in this evil world? Jesus says with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God.

And there is only one way to live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God. With Jesus in our hearts and the Holy Spirit at work within us.

If you notice the more YOU try to do it yourself, the more you fail. That is what makes the Counselor within us so precious, so valuable, and so important. We must simply step aside and allow Him to work.

Jesus forgive me for my lack of self-control, right conduct and devotion to You. Put me aside so the Holy Spirit can complete these within me. Amen

Facing their Giants

2011-11-11T09:13:00.000-06:00

"But forget all that-it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home." Isaiah 43:18-19

It is a soundless night of sleep for most...for others it is the stirring and racing of their minds. For some boys and girls within this county of Jasper for which we live, it is another night they are praying for warmth, protection, silence, peace, rest, and hope...

Hope, that the darkness surrounding them will soon disappear by the morning Light. For then, they can hurry to school for food, for warmth, for protection, for consistency.

Hope that the day might last longer than the day before.

Hope that someone, anyone will come to their aid and wrap their arms around them, encourage them, teach them, yet see the need that lies so deep within them.

Hope for some of these boys and girls comes through a profession of sports, which He, the Creator of, called my husband to be apart of-hope.

What he does every day is offers the Light, who is hope, to boys and girls who are searching, longing, desiring and crying out for.

It might not be through his words, but through his consistency, his love, his passion, his commitment that he shows them hope, and offers them protection, rest, peace, silence and comfort.

He teaches them what it means to believe, to love, to be united, to work hard, to endure, to fight, and to allow the Light to shine within them. He teaches them that ALL things are possible with the Lord.

This man, this coach, this mentor, this leader-my husband sees the need that lies deep within these precious, yet fragile boys and girls, and he sets out to offer His hope.

Tonight some of these boys will fight their giants, would you pray with me that they would win. Not for the mere fact of winning, but because maybe through this victory, they will see His victory!

Jesus show us how, how to offer Your hope, Your love, Your promise to the boys and girls living a life of hopelessness fear, brokenness, and death. Show us how to offer the hope of You that leads to life. Would they see their giants be defeated through Your victory. Oh, I ask Jesus in Your name, Amen.

The curiousness to know

2011-11-10T09:56:00.000-06:00

"And you must love the LORD your God with all your hear, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again." Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Their backs flat to the bed and eyes looking to the sky. He's in the middle with one on each side. His hands grip the Word as he holds it up high. Reading aloud their ears are open and their eyes are wide. I sit in the other room with my eyes closed and listen to the sounds that stir in my heart.

My eyes fill with tears as I listen to him, explain to them, who He is. I can hear the curiousness that pours from their souls. As they ask things such as this.

"Was there people in hell before Jesus was here?"

"Will Jesus die for the people in hell so they can get out?"

I open my eyes to let the tears fall and listen for the answer that will fall. Fall deep into their wondering and longing hearts.

He, the one surrounded by the smaller two simply replies, "He was here before the fall. He died for all, but not all listened to the call. They didn't choose Jesus."

"Why daddy, did Jesus not live in their hearts?"

The lump grows bigger and the tears fall quicker. If only they knew, the ones who fell into the pit of hell that it was real. Would they then have chosen?

I close my eyes and bow my head as I listen to him, the one surrounded by his smaller two, lift his voice to the One that surrounded's the three.

I open my eyes so the tears can fall and praise the One who paid for us all.

Jesus thank You for the sweet sound of the bigger him ministering to the little them. May their hearts grow full of You, Your Word, and Your love from now until then. Amen

Today's duty

2011-11-09T09:42:00.000-06:00

"Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person." Ecclesiastes 12:13

There are two very important tasks to do today. Fear God and obey His commands. They must take precedence over anything else. So if you are one who makes a to-do list, make sure Jesus is at the top, in the middle and at the bottom.

Jesus before we move on to anything else may we stop what we are doing and be with You first. Help us as we go through out our day to be wise in our decisions. Amen

It's your choice

2011-11-08T08:41:00.000-06:00

"So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired." Romans 1:24

Today God has given you the freedom to choose. What will you choose today?

Will you choose kindness or ugliness?

Will you choose joy or unhappiness?

Will you choose love or hate?

Will you choose to encourage or tear down?

Will you choose to serve or demand to be served?

Will you choose to witness or stay silent?

Will you choose to spend time with Jesus or put Him off?

Will you choose to believe in Jesus or stay lost?

Will you choose life or death, heaven or hell?

Will you choose to shine brightly for Him or cover your light?

Will you choose to obey or disobey?

Will you choose flesh or the Spirit?

Will you choose self or selflessness?

What choices will you make today? Remember every choice has a ripple effect-either good or bad!

Jesus help us to be mindful of every decision we make today. May the things we choose be the very things You would choose. May they also be choices that bring You glory and honor. Amen

It's Time for Practice

2011-11-07T14:36:00.001-06:00

"Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:9

Over the last three months my husband, his staff, and athletes have spent everyday working together to become the best they can be, through practice, hard work and discipline.

Though this new year has posed some challenges for our team, they, by the end of district, proved that all of their practice, obedience, and discipline payed off. Thus becoming District Champs.

What was the key? Practice (Everyday)

The athletes put into practice all they had been learning each week, new plays, better stances, where their eyes should be, etc. They also put into practice all they had heard the coaches telling them to do and not to do. They also put into practice all they had seen on film whether on themselves or on the opposing team.

Come game time all their practice would be put to the test. It would be displayed on the field for all to see.

As Christians we are to do the same thing. We are to put into practice all of God's Word. Paul points out three things for us to practice.

1. Practice what we learn.

2. Practice what we hear.

3. Practice what we have seen from God's Word.

We can read God's Word, hear God's Word, even see God's Word being lived out, BUT if we don't put any of it into practice we will not be very successful come witness time. Nor will we reflect Jesus.

So what are some ways you have been putting God's Word into practice?

Jesus help us to spend each day first with You in Your Word, and second putting into practice all You have taught us. So when others observe our lives they will see Your peace within us. Amen

Who do you say He is?

2011-11-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Then he asked them, Who do you say I am?" Matthew 16:15

Have you ever been asked who Jesus is? How did you respond?

When Jesus asked Simon Peter that question, Simon Peter responded, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:16

Would that be your answer today? Is that who Jesus is to you?

Father God thank You for revealing Your Son to me. May I be asked this question from others so that I can share with them who You are. Amen

Quick question

2011-11-04T06:00:00.011-05:00

Do you remember the day You met and fell in love with Jesus? Do you still feel that way about Him today? Has your relationship with Him grown?

Are you more in love with Him today than you were then?

Jesus I can honestly say I love You more today then I did back then. Thank You for the most amazing loving relationship I could have ever asked for. You my sweet love take my breath away. Thank You for this awesome giddy feeling I get inside everytime we are together. Jesus You never get old. Amen

Believe in His ability

2011-11-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

"And all that's required is that you really do believe and do not doubt in your heart." Mark 11:23

Have some things come up in your life that have caused you to doubt the Lord?

Maybe it's the loss of a loved one, a life threatening illness, a broken marriage, a broken relationship, or the overwhelming addiction that controls you.

Whatever it is take heart brethren. The Lord is ABLE to do more than you could ever dare to ask or hope for.

He was able to part the red sea, He brought the dead to life, healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, opened the ears of the deaf, fed five thousand, brought hope to the hopeless, AND..

He, through His death, burial and resurrection overcame death and sin, thus making way for us to walk through any trial, any illness, anything with confidence in His power and love.

Don't doubt His ability, BELIEVE in His ability.

Jesus help us overcome any doubt we might have and replace it with the confidence and promise of Your Word and ability. Amen

2011-11-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

Women Seeking God

Weekly Bible Study

Studying God's Word Together

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2

Do you have a desire to gain a closer relationship with God through His Word?

Please join us for a Community Bible Study on Wednesday nights.

Belle-Jim Hotel 5:30 p.m.

Beginning November 2, 2011

Contact Information: godlygossip@gmail.com

Childcare provided

Ready or Not

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

“And they will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send forth his angles with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.” Matthew 24:30-31

Each day I wake with anticipation and wonder, could it be Lord, could it be the day? Jesus I look forward to this day more than any other day. And though I wake with wonder I know there is work to be done. For the day that is coming is like no other. It will start out as an ordinary day but in the blink of an eye, like a thief in the night every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, every eye will see and every ear will hear. And there in that moment every soul will be still and the Lord will appear!

Number 1 on our list of things to crave-The Lord’s return

Can’t you just visualize it, yes I know that the actual moment is more than our minds can comprehend, but the vision that fills my mind as John, Paul, and Matthew describe it, is amazing.

This time He will enter just as the King of Kings should enter. Heaven will open and the trumpets will sound. There riding on the clouds will be the Son of Man clothed in white shinning with a brilliance of light. The blind will see and the deaf will hear, the cripple will walk and finally all will see the light.

As I look up at the sky and visualize how this moment will be I can hear the trumpets sound and I can see a vast host of angels leading the way. Then, there, riding down on the clouds I can see the Son of Man full of power and glory. At the first glimpse of His beauty and appearance I fall to my knees and cry Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty! And in an instant the dead will rise and those of us who remain who have called on Him by name, will be caught up in the clouds where we will remain with Him forever.

And just as John describes “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.” Revelation 21:3-4

Don’t you long for that day, that day when the Lord will appear? The day when everything else will melt away and we are sitting at the foot of Jesus. The day when those nailed scarred hands reach out and grab our hands pulling us in as He embraces us and says, “Welcome home my child, welcome home my good and faithful servant. Today you will be with me forever.” Oh, Jesus hasten the day when we can come home, home to the place where Your glory dwells forever and ever. Where our bodies are made new and where all things are made clear.

Are you ready? Are you ready to meet your Savior face to face? I am and though I long for the day I know that while I am here I must help strengthen the weak, seek the lost, and spread the news about my Wonderful, Gracious God, who is full of abiding love.

Prayer: Jesus we wait in great expectation of the day You will come and gather all of Your children and take us home to be with You in glory. Hasten the day Lord Jesus, hasten the day. Amen

How much do you crave Him?

2011-10-31T06:00:00.001-05:00

“And this is what God has testified: he has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. So whoever has God’s Son has life; whoever does not have his Son does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12

He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end; He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He is our Shepherd and Savior! He is the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come, He is the Almighty One who will stand forever! (Revelation 1:8)

He is the one and only living God! He is the Father to the fatherless; He is the doctor who brings healing and medicine to the sick. He is the source of food to all who are hungry. He is the one who loves the unlovable and forgives the sinful man. He is the protector to all who seek protection and He restores all whose hearts are broken. He is the light in the darkness and the hope to the hopeless.

Number 2 on our list of things to crave-Jesus

How in the world could we not crave Jesus? How is it that we have lost or not even found an intense hunger for the very One who came to this earth just to save us from the pit of Hell? We desire to be loved, Jesus is love! We want compassion-He is compassion. We want joy-He gives it to us as a free gift. You want mercy and grace-Jesus!

How is it that we can crave worldly pleasure that ends in nothing, but we refuse or fail to crave the One who ends in everything, the one who came and died for us? The one who was beat, spit on, mocked, and then nailed to a cross and hung up to die for you and me.

Jesus is more than just a character in a story; He is the only way to Heaven, He is the only way to receive forgiveness, He is the only one we can depend on, He is where love and absolute satisfaction is found.

Do you really think that craving happiness in a mere human will last forever? Do you really think craving tons of money will satisfy you? Do you really think the world has more to offer than Jesus?

My brother and sisters when you crave Jesus you crave a forever future in Heaven full of love! Jesus gives each of us the choice to crave and do with our lives what we want. And when we choose ourselves over Him we are choosing death, hurt, anger, defeat, and unhappiness. And though you might not see it now eventually you will!

No we are not guaranteed smooth sailing when we choose to crave Jesus, but we are guaranteed His promises, His mercy, His protection and His presence and most of all we are guaranteed a life with Him that will never end.

Prayer: Jesus there are no words to even begin to describe how much I crave You. Jesus forgive me if I ever crave anything but You. In Jesus name Amen.