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Posted on 01/01/2024 3:15:48 PM PST by luvie
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Doin’ our best. We’re not as cold as y’all, but still. It IS winter. :)
Bible in a Year :
Today is Epiphany, the day which commemorates the event described by the carol “We Three Kings of Orient Are” when gentile wisemen visited the child Jesus. Yet they weren’t kings, they weren’t from the Far East (as Orient formerly meant), and it’s unlikely there were three of them.
There were, however, three gifts, and the carol considers each. When the magi arrived in Bethlehem, “They opened their treasures and presented [Jesus] with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). The gifts symbolize Jesus’ mission. Gold represents His role as King. Frankincense, mixed with the incense burned in the sanctuary, speaks of His deity. Myrrh, used to embalm dead bodies, gives us pause.
The fourth verse of the carol says, “Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume / breathes a life of gathering gloom; / sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, / sealed in the stone-cold tomb.” We wouldn’t write such a scene into the story, but God did. Jesus’ death is central to our salvation. Herod even attempted to kill Jesus while He was yet a child (v. 13).
The carol’s last verse weaves the three themes together: “Glorious now behold him arise; / King and God and sacrifice.” This completes the story of Christmas, inspiring our response: “Alleluia, Alleluia, / sounds through the earth and skies.” .
Reflect & Pray
How do you feel when you ponder the truth that Jesus was born to die for you? How does His resurrection inspire you?
Heavenly Father, may Your Spirit help me live my life in gratitude for Your Son giving His life for me.
For further study, read Jesus or Herod? The Choice of the Magi.
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Bible in a Year :
Restore us, God Almighty; . . . that we may be saved.
The pictures coming from a friend’s text stream were stunning! Photos of a surprise gift for his wife revealed a restored 1965 Ford Mustang: brilliant, dark blue exterior; sparkling chrome rims; reupholstered black interior; and a motor to match the other upgrades. There were also “before” pictures of the same vehicle—a dull, worn, unimpressive yellow version. While it may be difficult to envision, it’s likely that when the vehicle rolled off the assembly line, it was also an eye-catcher. But time, wear and tear, and other factors had made it ripe for restoration.
Ripe for restoration! Such was the condition of God’s people in Psalm 80 and thus the repeated prayer: “Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved” (v. 3; see vv. 7, 19). Though their history had included rescue from Egypt and being planted in a land of plenty (vv. 8–11), the good times had come and gone. Because of rebellion, they were experiencing the hand of God’s judgment (vv. 12–13). Thus, their plea: “Return to us, God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see!” (v. 14).
Do you ever feel dull, distant, or disconnected from God? Is joyful soul-satisfaction missing? Is it because alignment with Jesus and His purposes is missing? God hears our prayers for restoration (v. 1). What’s keeping you from asking? .
Reflect & Pray
When have you experienced the restorative, reviving work of God? What areas of your life need restoration now?
Father, I long for Your restoration. Help me to see my need for it and to receive it.
Learn why life seems difficult and unfair from Dr. Larry Crabb.
I forgot the ping list, I’m sorry
Bible in a Year :
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
While driving late at night, Nicholas saw a house on fire. He parked in the driveway, rushed into the burning home, and led four children to safety. When the teenage babysitter realized one of the siblings was still inside, she told Nicholas. Without hesitation, he reentered the inferno. Trapped on the second floor with the six-year-old girl, Nicholas broke a window. He jumped to safety with the child in his arms, just as emergency teams arrived at the scene. Choosing concern for others over himself, he rescued all the children.
Nicholas demonstrated heroism by his willingness to sacrifice his safety for the sake of others. This powerful act of love reflects the kind of sacrificial love shown by another willing rescuer who gave His life to deliver us from sin and death—Jesus. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). The apostle Paul emphasized that Jesus—fully God in the flesh and fully man—chose to lay His life down and pay the price for our sins, a price we could never pay on our own. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (v. 8).
As we thank and trust Jesus, our willing Savior, He can empower us to love others sacrificially with our words and actions. .
Reflect & Pray
How do you feel when you consider the price Jesus willingly paid because He loves you? How can you put the needs of others before yourself this week?
Dear Jesus, help me trust in Your provision as I place others first today.
Happy Manic Monday!
The calm before the storm here....6-8” of snow starts overnight into Tuesday and Wednesday. Mostly dreading the wind that will drift the snow. Going to get the snow shovel at the ready, and make sure the Bobcat will start today incase the battery needs to charge. Winter survival is fun. 😅
We had about 4” south of Boston.
Sounds like it’s going to be pretty hectic up there. Stay warm, safe and dry! Get all the gear ready. Do you have a generator?
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Yeah, we have a generator. Have never needed it, but good to have one.
😅
I am hoping for the lower estimate of snow.
😅
I ALWAYS do.
Brrrr! Has it stopped snowing yet?
it’s always good to be prepared. Make sure it’s got fresh fuel and starts properly. My hubby used to sell and work on portable generators for Cummins.
Oh yes. All shovelled out and waiting for the next one.
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WEARING RED ON FRIDAY
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