On this last day of 2013, let us consider the past year, while we look to the future. The Hebrew description of this would be like a man rowing a boat; he backs into the future while looking towards where he has been. As you reflect, know He is declaring new things into your life, and will be working mightily for them to come about.
Month: December 2013
Luke 19: 11-27 The Parable of the Ten Minas
A wealthy man was going on a journey, but before he left, he called ten of his servants and gave each ten minas…”Put this money to work until I get back.” In that day a mina was worth about three months salary, so it was a sizable amount of money he gave each one to invest as they saw fit. Some used the money wisely and made more, while others did nothing, and incurred their master’s wrath on his return. We’ve all been given gifts and talents from our Master…but what are we doing with them? Each of us are responsible for the way we use or waste what the Lord has given us.
Psalm 7:17 ” I will give thanks to the Lord…”
As we all get ready to welcome in the New Year, I would challenge you to pray more in 2014. I can hear you complaining already…”I don’t have time to pray during my busy day!” So, let me reword it…do you have enough time to say “Thank You!”? If you think about it, our prayers should mostly be just that – Thank You Lord! And as your gratitude for God increases, so will that gratitude flow into the rest of your life. Just imagine what the world might be like, if we were more grateful to one another.
Jonah 1:3 “But Jonah ran away from the Lord…”
The Lord has laid something on your heart…it could be to talk to someone about Jesus, or move out in a gifting He has given you, or like me, to write. Regardless what it is, you know God has spoken, but you run in the opposite direction, hoping that God will lose interest and let you go. WRONG! The Lord has a surprising amount of tenacity and patience towards us, gently herding us back to what He called us to do in the first place. Just be honest with God…tell Him your fears and concerns. For like Jonah, you really can’t run away from the Lord.
I Samuel 3:10 “…Then Samuel said, ‘ Speak, for your servant is listening.’ “
To listen for the Lord…so very easy to say, but so very difficult to do. Active listening, or giving your full attention to the Lord is hard to do. Our minds wander, we fidget in our seat, other thoughts take over, and suddenly that quiet time of seeking Him, has vanished. The Lord has much to tell us…but we have to slow down, discipline ourselves and listen.
Matthew 2:11 ” On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, and of incense and of myrrh.”
On this Christmas morning, my wish for you is the gift of God’s Peace, His Provision, His Presence, His Power and His Prosperity into your lives and your homes… for God gave to us the greatest gift ever – His Son Jesus – who in turn gave us the greatest gift ever…Salvation.
Matthew 2: 1-2 ” After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’ “
When that brilliant star rose in the East that Christmas night, it confirmed a prophecy spoken long before by the Prophet Balaam in Numbers 24:17, ” I see Him, but not now, I behold Him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” The Messiah had come…the King of Kings and Lord of Lords…Christ Jesus was His name.
Luke 2:15 ” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ “
The shepherds had received Rhema from God…His revealed Word to them, concerning the Messiah. They not only heard the Word and believed, but they acted on it…which is what true Rhema means. Having God’s Word speak to you, and you moving on it.
Luke 2:11 ” Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”
The Anointed One…Jesus Christ came to deliver you from the guilt and power of sin in your life…and from eternal death. If you had been the only person on Earth, He would have come to save you…for it says in this passage, “…a Savior has been born to YOU.”
Luke 2:9 ” An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”
As the shepherds were gathered around the campfire that miraculous Christmas night, suddenly the skies filled with a blinding luminous radiance as God’s glory…His Shekinah presence… came down to Earth. They were frozen not only with fear, but with utter astonishment and amazement as they witnessed His glory in full display.
Safetypinlove 