God Is With Us

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

I only recently paid close attention to the words of this song. They are just as hauntingly beautiful as the melody is. You only have to read through them once to catch the longing of God's people for deliverance. A longing that had built up for thousands of years. And yet, in some ways, a longing that was somewhat dimly understood. They were looking for a physical deliverer, and Jesus is so much, much more.

As I thought of the words of the song one question kept coming to mind: "Do I even appreciate the fulfilled prophecy in my life?" Emmanuel has come! And He has perfectly filled that longing - God is with us. We are ransomed! He has freed us from the devil's tyranny. We are saved from hell. The Day-Spring is here and we do have His joy to disperse the clouds from our lives. He has defeated death! The way to Heaven is wide open to us! He has freed us from the law.

How do I let myself become so used to God's blessing? Why do I allow myself to take His wonderful presence for granted?

Emmanuel - God is with us. Rejoice!



The Mother's Mite

"...And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts in to the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites." {Luke 21:1&2}

This is a beautiful story of honoring Christ to the best of your ability. This dear woman gave God her all, and possibly never received her reward until she worshiped God in Heaven. I imagine the joy she had in throwing her crown at the feet of her Lord was greater than that of those who always had an abundance of material thing to give Him on the earth. 

As I read this story yesterday I suddenly saw it in a different light. Right now I am that widow - in a different way. I have always been blessed materially beyond what she was, but as a mommy, sometimes I only have a mite of time here and a mite of time there to give to Jesus. And so often  I allow myself to throw it away on something besides serving my Lord because it's not what other people can  give. Other people can spend a whole hour or more at Jesus's feet, praising and adoring Him, seeking after Him. When I compare the amount of time that I have on some days to that, my few minutes seem worthless.

But they're not! I believe it was the widow's attitude that was so precious to Jesus. She did not consider her gift worthless to God - She gave it in love and knew that it was accepted in love. I can give my day to God in love in the morning, and He will accept it. I can give the song I sing to Jakki in love to God and it will bless Him. I can pray for God's direction for our family as I wash the dishes and God will hear me. I can ask God to be close to my friends that are hurting while I pick up toys and God will pour out His grace on their heart. I can read a verse, one verse, while I sit down with a cup of coffee and God will use it to speak to me all day. I can take a latte to my husband and God will be glorified because I am fulfilling the role He has ordained for me as a wife.

These are little mites of time, but I do believe they bless God greatly when they are consciously lifted up to glorify Him.

I'm not saying we don't need our half hour or hour with God. But there are some days when that is not possibly as we strive to meet the demands of being a wife, mommy and friend. And of course the people who do have hours of each day to give to the Lord bless Him greatly, and are well beloved in His sight. I do not mean to underestimate the worth of what they have to give to God. But do not allow yourself to consider what God has given you to offer Him during this season of your life as worthless.

And let us give it to Him humbly: "Oh my soul, you have said to the Lord, "You are the Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from you." {Psalm 16:2} 

Life is Rich

Life...it is so full, so rich. It has amazed me so much the last while. Maybe because it snowed and snow always fills me with wonder. Or maybe because I know God is creating a tiny little person inside of me, and I never get over the awe of that thought.Or maybe God's just filling my heart with it lately.

But we truly, truly have so much to fill our lives with beauty. A toddler discovering snow. a child sparkly eyes over a hot chocolate mug. The hug of a friend after a chat and cup of coffee. The smiles of people as you shop with your child. Holding hands with the man you love. Soup simmering on the stove. And there's so much more.

And as each of these little moments pass, and I want to freeze them for just a bit longer, in the back of my mind I have to think of all the people who could benefit from just such a moment. A little reminder that God is Love. That "every good and every perfect gift is from above." 

And in that moment I can choose to keep making sure my life is "perfect" for me, or I can invite someone to come blend their lives with mine, even for just a moment. Even if it changes the perfect color of my day. Even if it means the last load of laundry won't get folded, and my house is no longer perfect. Even if it means going out for coffee when I think I should be scrubbing the floor so I look like I have everything together when someone walks through the door. God has so much more in life for us than that! Sharing our lives with others is one of His gifts to us.

Life is rich. Stop to feel it, taste it and share it. <3 

"Occupy Till I Come"

"...and he called his ten servants, and delivered to them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Occupy till I come.'" {Luke 19:13}

There is so much uncertainty in our world right now. We all know that. And uncertainty can bring so much fear with it that it can seem overwhelming when we dwell on it for any length of time. 

I was really struggling with some of this a few weeks ago, and finally brought it up while Virgil and I were talking over the different things that were happening in our world and the signs of the end times, etc. So many things seem to be pointing towards no freedom for us as Christians, etc I asked him a question that had been lurking in the back of my mind for a while. "Think of all the things our children will have to face in their lifetimes. Is it even right to bring more people into a world like this? Is it right to build up a business?" His answer brought me more peace than I thought a single sentence could, and I keep coming back to it, every time the fears threaten to come back up. 

He said, "the way I look at it is this. Jesus said 'Occupy till I come.' and I think that applies to every area of our life - business, family, and serving God." He had more to say, but that one thought - what peace it brings with it! Jesus has it all under control. We just have to keep serving Him!

That statement is found in Luke 19:13, in the parable of the talents, and if you read it, the whole parable fits the context perfectly, I think. So let's allow Jesus to bring peace to our hearts through His word.

"The Sactuary of God"

"...Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood..." {Psalm 73:17}

Psalm 73 seems to be one of the most literal Psalms about almost giving up. I don't know anything about Asaph besides the fact that he wrote a number of Psalms. I assume he must've had a heart of love after God, because he wrote some beautiful songs of praise. But he struggled with the way things look on the outside, just like us! And he found grace and hope again ~ after he almost gave up. He had to take God's goodness from head knowledge to heart knowledge. And he portrays this journey very vividly in Psalm 73.

"Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked."

Haven't I been in the exact place? "But God! Why do these people who despise You have a better life than me? They have money, friends, popularity and flit from pleasure to pleasure like bees go from flower to flower, filling up on the sweet things in life." I can get so discouraged and life looks all upside down and backwards. But where am I looking? I am looking out instead of up! I am looking at the temporary things in life, instead of the eternal.

Asaph goes on for quite a  few verses, describing the easy life of the wicked. I suspect he even thought he was justified in complaining because he quotes the wicked as saying: "'How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?' Behold these are the ungodly." 

He seems to be trying to remind God how horrible these people are. "These people are evil, God! They're saying You aren't paying attention. You don't know what's going on. They say you don't care about your people. I know that's not true - You know that's not true! Come on God! These people are belittling You! Do something!" When deep in his heart, Asaph just wants revenge. He wants them to suffer too, because he, who is surely better than them, is suffering. Shouldn't they be worse off than him?

This was a very real struggle for Asaph! He struggled with this every waking hour. For while his mind complained, his heart knew God is always good. He knew if there was actual truth in his complaints he would have to wipe out the truth of all of God's acts of goodness in past generations. "Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been plagued and chastened every morning. If I had said 'I will speak thus' behold I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children." 

So now what can he do? He went around full circle with his thoughts of unfairness and at the end knew he either had to choose to believe God was not truly good or that there was reason, even if he couldn't see it. So he goes to the only place he can. To God.

"When I thought how to understand this, it was to painful for me - until I went to the Sanctuary of God; then I understood their end."

 Oh to always remember that the answer to all of our complaints and problems is right there in the Sanctuary of God. To choose to allow God to speak to us, to take His words to heart. To trust His goodness, even if we still don't understand the reason. This is surely where we would find victory, every time. It's been said before, but I don't think we can ever stress the importance of it enough. There is victory in surrender to His will.

After stopping to listen, after he becomes quiet, after he quits complaining and allows God to speak, Asaph makes some discoveries: "Surely you set them in slippery places...thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind. I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before you. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."

He goes from complaining to praising in almost an instant. Everything is surrendered to God and now he's not seeing everything from the outside, but from the inside. He's catching a glimpse from God's point of view. He may not understand everything yet, but he's caught up in the glories and the love of God. It's not about the wicked getting their just rewards, even though he does mention it, it's about trusting God and being confident in His infinite purpose.

"Whom have I in Heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish...But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works." 

By the time Asaph is ready to leave the sanctuary he is back on the right path. His sole aim is to declare God's works. Wouldn't it be wonderful to always be in that place? To be willing to let God take our selfishness and give us praise instead? Sometimes I find myself wanting to hang onto my selfishness because it feels good. Because it might bring me pity or attention. How much I am loosing when I let myself fall into this! There is a life of joy for me, if I am willing to go to God's sanctuary and surrender my own thoughts and feelings. Why am I waiting?
 

The Spirit of our Conversation

"...and avoid empty words in which there is no benefit, for they will all the more add to the wickedness of those who converse in them...If a man will purify himself from these things, he is a pure vessel for honor, suitable for the use of his Lord and ready for every good work." {2 Timothy 2}

 Conversation. It's a huge part of our lives. We spend our day conversing with our husband, our children, our family, our friends and with God. We talk face to face, on the phone, email, chat and text. When we're not talking with with somebody, chances are we are processing thoughts, stories and feelings that we will share with at least one person at sometime. 

God has made us to desire and need to share our thoughts with other people. But when is the last time I stopped and considered the spirit I bring to a conversation? Do I use my words to bring life? Or do I have a reputation for bringing the latest bit of negative news along with me?

Our  words determine the spirit of a conversation and our thoughts and attitudes determine our words. If I want to become a vessel for HIS honor then I am going to have to deliberately purify my thought life. If I allow my mind to run along in "empty" subjects, subjects that belittle my friends, my family through Jesus, then those thoughts will be the subject of my conversation. And "they will all the more add to the wickedness of those who converse in them" 

So, not only will I be in the wrong, I will at the very least be putting temptation in front of my friends by putting empty thoughts into their minds. Which means I am letting myself be used as a vessel of dishonor for the enemy." It's a scary thought!! 

Now I am going to hear negative thoughts and stories, most likely every day. And if I don't hear them, I will probably be tempted to come up with some myself. But I don't have to give in! There are negative things in this world, but we don't have to talk about each of them to other people. We have a great and wonderful God who is willing to hear each of our thoughts. We can turn these negative thoughts into prayers! Not prayer requests that we pass along to other people, because that can be a sure fire way to get the news spread {even if it makes me feel holy, it can be very hypocritical!}. I'm sure  there is a time and a place to share prayer needs with other people, but I need to deliberately take time to think it through before I share.

I can also bring a deriding spirit to conversations. Maybe I have a friend who does things differently, or dresses in a way I consider completely tacky. Do I let my mind deride her or do I look past the clothes to the sparkly, fun loving eyes, the ever present smile and the desire to serve Jesus. After all, we are sisters. What right do I have to mock her style of dress? {You know if we think it, it will come out at some point in time. We can disguise it as an offhand remark, but the spirit is still there. Yikes!!}

Or how about the way I see people who are not part of the family of God. I can feel disgust when I see sensually dressed belly dancers at the local farmer's market with men lounging around watching. I can feel disgust when a man that looks more like a woman talks to Jakki. I can try wait to give the little shiver of contempt until my back is turned. But people can pick it up. And if they don't God always does. I still must confess it to Him. What if my little smirk of disgust doesn't go unnoticed by the person and I become responsible for their distrust or dislike of Christianity? Then I am, in someway at least, responsible for their eternity. What if I turned someone away from seeking Jesus by being a poor representative of His?

When I begin to think through this subject I can feel so unworthy. I can feel like it is an impossible mountain to tackle. But it's not! God does not demand perfection in a day, or even a week or year. Even the Apostle Paul says "I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me." 

 If a man who wrote a good part of the New Testament has not attained, there is hope for us! But the key is to "press on" I can't expect God to someday magically make me perfect when I have not even tried. It's an uphill battle. It's a daily battle. But the victory is there for the taking! Let's press forward to the high calling!

"I'm pressing on the upward way;

New heights I'm gaining every day!

Still praying as I'm onward bound,

'Lord plant my feet on higher ground!'

"Lord lift me up and let me stand

By faith on heaven's table land;

A higher plane than I have found,

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."