I have become a Martha at times especially during this time of year. I get caught up with “many things that trouble (bother) me.” Jesus said: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1. It means it’s time to back off from doing too much, and sit at Jesus feet again. I like to be driven from inside not from distractions outside my life. (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27)
There is an illusion that we have a remote control of our life. I deal more with if I make a mistake if the enemy is there to “jump” on that mistake. It's because he is like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour so he will pounce on me when I mess up. (1 Peter 5:8). I was talking to a friend about that because I was coming back from refinancing my house and I was excited going back to work that the refinancing finally went through with a six-month battle with my bank, and drove too fast on a street not paying attention and a police officer stopped me so I asked God for grace. The policeman just gave me a verbal warning! I missed an exit recently trying to get to this Bible study on Friday night and ended up going out of my way several miles, and it was annoying, but I found when I’m under attack many times the Lord has shown me a scripture or something to help me and he gave me one that night and it was one that he wanted me to say. He wanted me to say this scripture that night out loud: The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Psalm 37:2
The Lord had me say "my steps are ordered of the Lord and he delights in my way."
My favorite Christmas memory is how my mother would hide Christmas presents and then forget where she put them. I never understood that until part-timers hit me. Part time I remember and part time I don't. My brother and I were bad about peaking at those Christmas presents wrapped under the Christmas tree and spoiling the surprise. We don't know what surprises are up ahead in our lives and sometimes we want to know everything ahead of time but that is not how life works. I was at this Bible study and someone said they believe the worse wherever they go so they are not disappointed. That is not what I believe, I claim favor and believe the best and believe for good things to happen in my life. I always used to say in my 20's that "I'll shoot for the moon and if I end up on the telephone pool, at least I've shot for the moon." So although things go sour sometimes in life (some people like to eat sour things like Sour Patch kids), I'll keep believing for the best. (Love believes all things, hopes all things. — 1 Corinthians 13:7). (For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11).
Who enjoys the gift more at Christmas---the parent who buys the gift for their son or daughter or the son or daughter who receives the gift. That is how our heavenly Father is.
"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"Matthew 7:11
The greatest gift is eternal life. (John 3:16)
The greatest gift is eternal life. (John 3:16)
Watch out for those Irish red heads! Some Christians are not friendly. It’s sort of like this cashier I went through at a store for Christmas shopping late at night, he did not like ringing up my daughter and my stuff, because we bought too much close to his quitting time. Many people determine that they are not going to like you. Maybe you are too needy. Maybe your house is bigger than mine so I’ve decided I won’t like you. Maybe it’s because you have blonde hair or red hair and I don’t like blonde hair or red hair men or women. (Let’s stereo type a bad temper in those red heads or blondes are dumb). I always liked that song by Amy Grant, “Our Father’s Eyes.” I want my Heavenly Father’s eyes. They will know you are Christians by? I was blessed when I spoke to a teacher when my daughter Jessica was in 2nd grade that she made it a point to help a person in a wheelchair at her school. She took it upon herself to be his friend and help him get around that school year in her class. Jesus said that the crowd only came because He fed their belly with bread, when he fed the five thousand. They did not care about the word of God or miracles (Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. John 6:26). Some people are friendly for the wrong reason. To get or take something from us. Once they get want they want they are gone. I wonder if I do that to God? Do I use God to get what I want? Do I only serve and love God when the chips are up? All of Jesus disciples ran off when the chips were down in the garden. Do we run off and leave a brother and sister in Christ because they have a mental or physical disability? They are not popular or are out of a job? Are we seeking to be a lover in life or a taker? Many people have handicapped hearts. You can’t see their heart, but God understands. It’s why we do what we do. God looks at the heart, he does not judge as man does by the outside appearance or what we do. (1 Samuel 16:17, Mark 7:20, Hebrews 4:12). God understands abandonment, insecurity, rejection and hurt issues in our pasts. When I broke my ankle running down my stairs, I was waiting in the doctor’s office and there was this midget who was staring at me, and he looked mean to me. A scruffy nerf herder looking guy like Princess Leah told Hans Solo! Later, when I went to sit down in another waiting room, he ended up talking to me about his degenerative disease and we talked about the Bible when I was waiting to get my cast put on. He reminded me of Zacchaeus in the Bible who climbed a tree to see Jesus. I can’t go by looks when I minister to others. (Love must be sincere. Romans 12:9)
At my office a woman has a whole board full of her 5-year old daughter's pictures she drew for her that she proudly displays. “Mom, you will be proud of me the next time I see you when I go to heaven like I was proud of my daughter that day when her teacher told me how she reached out to a classmate, but then again, maybe you are already proud of me since it talks about a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us." (Hebrews 12:1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmMO6wsQCMs
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