Luke 2.11

Christ has come and this is a day to rejoice! Luke 2:11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.NASB95

Could you just for a moment imagine opening up your bible to find the last book in it was Malachi. No hope, no comfort and no salvation. Thank you Jesus that you are there in the world's most famous journal. As I reflect on the last few days. It has been tough post surgery. I have tried to stay focused on the prize and I would like to say the pain was too much. Then I have to think about what Jesus went through on the cross. My pain is nothing compared to what he went through. Here is what the message says... Hebrews 12:3-5 When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves. The Message
I am very grateful, but it would be easy to feel sorry for myself. When I think about the five inch gash and the three in gash in my gut it pales in comparison to Jesus on the whipping post. To think, I have pain meds, Jesus did not.

I am supposed to go to Waco today, but I don't want to, because I hurt. So I have a choice, I can hurt at home or hurt there. Either way I am going to hurt. So I am going to Waco. I want to thank everyone for calling and checking up on me it has been overwhelming. I wish everyone A Merry and Joyful Christmas and a prosperous 2011.

Smile today they are contagious

Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."NASB95

 

 

Use me God

Ever heard the phrase "Use me God, Use me!"

I want to ask you a question. Would you ever "use your sons or daughters to get something done for yourself?"  That almost sounds selfish and that is not who God is. He is not self seeking, agreed? Do you think they would ever say Daddy use me?  I am going to use my child to get what I want. If you are led to go into the mission field is it so you can be used by God or to walk in what you have learned from your Father, to serve not to be used. I think because your Daddy loves you and that you love him that you are going to do the things that make your Daddy proud because of who you are in Him!  He is not going to use you,   He is going to stand back and watch because you have listened and learned to walk in His ways, to learn his statutes, His commandments, His ordinances and His testimonies.  This is my Son for whom I am well pleased!  You are not going to get in the way because you have learned to speak when He tells you to speak and you do what He tells you to do. Just something to think about.

1 Kings 2:2-4
"I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. "Keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, 4 so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'NASB95

"I'm about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong; show what you're made of! Do what God tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life-map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses; then you'll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go. Then God will confirm what he promised me when he said, 'If your sons watch their step, staying true to me heart and soul, you'll always have a successor on Israel's throne.'

 

Always be ready

Always be ready! Are you? Are you ready for that one person who comes up to you and says "can you tell me exactly what it means to be a Christian and how I can become one?"
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, NIV
Personally, I have never had anyone ask me that specific question before, but you know he is out there. I would hate for someone to ask me that question and then I do my best job at explaining what I know and then they said they had to go and then they looked at me and said "Oh well, thanks for trying" that would be a sickening feeling. So my question is Are you ready for that question? Are you prepared? That person is coming.

1 Peter 3:15 through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.The Message
I think there are a few things we can do to prepare for this time. First, know your story and be able to share it in 3 to 5 minutes. Speak the truth in love and show compassion. I think it would be good for your relationship with the Lord to be in a good place, People can tell if you are approachable. Speaking on your relationship with the One. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best. Where are you today? I can say for myself that I am a 7 today. I have been better and I have been worse. Have a great day!