|
Posted on 09/30/2020 9:26:22 PM PDT by JustAmy
|
Well, if we had THOSE beautiful fur coats........ LOL!
That WOULD make a difference! :-)
Our snow was melting today! Yea!
Nite, Kitty! đ»
Snow melting here too! Huzzah!
Bible in a Year:
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
Looking at the handmade Christmas ornaments my son, Xavier, crafted over the years and the annual mismatched baubles Grandma had sent him, I couldnât figure out why I was not content with our decorations. Iâd always valued the creativity and memories each ornament represented. So, why did the allure of the retail storesâ holiday displays tempt me to desire a tree adorned with perfectly matched bulbs, shimmering orbs, and satin ribbons?
As I began to turn away from our humble decor, I glimpsed a red, heart-shaped ornament with a simple phrase scripted on itâJesus, My Savior. How could I have forgotten that my family and my hope in Christ are the reasons I love celebrating Christmas? Our simple tree looked nothing like the trees in the storefronts, but the love behind every decoration made it beautiful.
Like our modest tree, the Messiah didnât meet the worldâs expectations in any way (Isaiah 53:2). Jesus âwas despised and rejectedâ (v. 3). Yet, in an amazing display of love, He still chose to be âpierced for our transgressionsâ (v. 5). He endured punishment, so we could enjoy peace (v. 5). Nothing is more beautiful than that.
With renewed gratitude for our imperfect decorations and our perfect Savior, I stopped longing for glitz and praised God for His glorious love. Sparkling adornments could never match the beauty of His sacrificial giftâJesus.
Reflect & Pray
How can you make praising Jesus part of your Christmas celebration? What does His sacrifice on the cross mean to you?
Loving God, please help me see the beautiful love reflected through the magnitude of Your sacrifice.
|
Merry Christmas Ginger!
Bible in a Year:
Peace to those on whom his favor rests.
On a cold Christmas Eve in Belgium in 1914, the sound of singing floated from the trenches where soldiers were dug in. Strains of the carol âSilent Nightâ rang out in German and then in English. Soldiers who earlier in the day had been shooting at each other laid down their weapons and emerged from their trenches to shake hands in the âno manâs landâ between them, exchanging Christmas greetings and spontaneous gifts from their rations. The ceasefire continued through the next day as the soldiers talked and laughed and even organized soccer matches together.
The Christmas Truce of 1914 that occurred along World War Iâs Western Front offered a brief glimpse of the peace the angels proclaimed on the first Christmas long ago. An angel spoke to terrified shepherds with these reassuring words: âDo not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to youâ (Luke 2:10â11). Then a multitude of angels appeared, âpraising God and saying, âGlory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor restsââ (vv. 13â14).
Jesus is the âPrince of Peaceâ who saves us from our sins (Isaiah 9:6). Through His sacrifice on the cross He offers forgiveness and peace with God to all who trust in Him.
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced the peace Jesus provides? In what practical way can you share His peace with someone today?
Prince of Peace, rule in my heart today. I praise You for Your perfect peace that this world can never take away!
|
Merry Christmas FRiends!
Have a lovely Christmas Eve.
đâïžđ«
Bible in a Year:
God so loved the world.
Every Christmas we decorate our home with nativity scenes from around the world. We have a German nativity pyramid, a manger scene fashioned out of olive wood from Bethlehem, and a brightly colored Mexican folk version. Our family favorite is a whimsical entry from Africa. Instead of the more traditional sheep and camels, a hippopotamus gazes contently at the baby Jesus.
The unique cultural perspective brought to life in these nativity scenes warms my heart as I ponder each beautiful reminder that Jesusâ birth was not just for one nation or culture. Itâs good news for the whole earth, a reason for people from every country and ethnicity to rejoice.
The little baby depicted in each of our nativity scenes revealed this truth of Godâs heart for the entire world. As John wrote in relation to Christâs conversation with an inquisitive Pharisee named Nicodemus, âFor God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal lifeâ (John 3:16).
The gift of Jesus is good news for everyone. No matter where on earth you call home, Jesusâ birth is Godâs offer of love and peace to you. And all who find new life in Christ, âfrom every tribe and language and people and nationâ will one day celebrate Godâs glory forever and ever (Revelation 5:9). Reflect & Pray
In what unique ways do you celebrate the birth of Jesus? How might the reminder of Godâs love for the whole world bring joy this Christmas season?
Father, thank You for providing salvation through the gift of Your Son.
Bible in a Year:
When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.
While on a red-eye flight to Washington, DC, opinion writer Arthur Brooks overheard an elderly woman whisper to her husband, âItâs not true that no one needs you anymore.â The man murmured something about wishing he were dead, and his wife replied, âOh, stop saying that.â When the flight ended, Brooks turned around and immediately recognized the man. He was a world-famous hero. Other passengers shook his hand, and the pilot thanked him for the courage he displayed decades ago. How had this giant sunk into despair?
The prophet Elijah bravely and single-handedly defeated 450 prophets of Baalâor so he thought (1 Kings 18). Yet he hadnât really done it alone; God was there all along! But later, feeling all alone, he asked God to take his life.
God lifted Elijahâs spirits by bringing him into His presence and giving him new people to serve. He must go and âanoint Hazael king over Aram,â Jehu âking over Israel,â and Elisha âto succeed you as prophetâ (19:15â16). Invigorated with renewed purpose, Elijah found and mentored his successor.
Your great victories may lie in the rearview mirror. You may feel your life has peaked, or that it never did. No matter. Look around. The battles may seem smaller, the stakes less profound, but there are still others who need you. Serve them well for Jesusâ sake, and it will count. Theyâre your purposeâthe reason youâre still here.
Reflect & Pray
Who can you serve today for Christ? Why is it so vital for you to reach out to others with Godâs love?
Holy Spirit, open my eyes to those I can serve for Jesusâ sake.
|
At least THEY love the snow. LOL!
I met 2 ginger kittens today at my friend’s horse boarding barn! They have a black with white paws sibling. All 3 very full of playful energy.
đ±đ±
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
