Your Free Gift From God

“When you pick up the cross of unpopularity, wherever you may be, you will find God’s grace is there, more than sufficient to meet your every need.” Billy Graham

Grace is the unmerited favor of God. We don't deserve it, yet He gives it to us freely.

Why? Because He loves us.

When you look at the cross, Jesus died for me and you. He took our sins upon Himself. Because of Him, we have God's grace. We have forgiveness and eternal life.

Our human mind has a difficult time understanding the magnitude of what Christ did for us and the grace that God so freely gave to us.

I didn't deserve it! It was a gift! That is Grace!

Do You Pout or Smile?

" Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." Mahatma Gandhi

When you are walking to one place to another does your face show how you really feel? Does it show you are sad? Angry? Confused?

Next time you are in a store, look at all the people. Which ones look happy? Which ones have the sad, angry or confused looks?

My grandfather use to tell me, when I was a child, it was just as easy to put a smile on my face as it was to pout . . .and if I continued to pout I would trip over my lips!

I don't pout anymore, but I confess I did when I was a child. Oh, not all the time, just sometimes.

This is probably where I developed the habit of looking the expressions on others.

It is better for sure, to have a smile on our face. It somehow gives you a lift.

We can all be joyful that because of Christ we have forgiveness of our sins. That along should make us happy.

Blessings!

What Is God's Will?

 

“Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” Hebrews 11:6

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” Psalm 105:4

Billy Graham said, “God wants us to know His will and He reveals it to us both through the Bible and through the guidance of His Holy Spirit. Seek God’s will when you pray, and He will help you know it.”

How many times have we thought it was hard to know God's will? If He would just tell us. The funny thing is, He did tell us. His will is written in the Bible.

However, if we don't read the book, then we will not know. He wants us to know what His will His. He has plans for us.

Blessings!

Peace and Love

" And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

We have a new year upon us. Perhaps you are eager to begin the new year and glad to say goodbye to the old.

For me, I welcome this new year, looking forward to the things that Christ has for me on my journey. There were good times this past year, and there were some ups and downs. Yet, I can truthfully say, God was with me in both filling me with His peace and contentment. Praise God.

I have learned that God is for us, not against us. He wants the best for us and His plans for us always include His best.

By putting Him first in our hearts, He can lead and guide us through each day. We are never alone when we are with Christ.

Let us start this new year surrendering our all to Him and giving thanks to Him daily for all He has done for us and is doing for us. Then we can walk in love and peace.

Peace and Love!

The Magi's Visit-What To Give?

 "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." Mathew 2:10-12

Imagine what Mary and Joseph must have thought when these three Magi came into the stable bringing gifts to their baby.

We can assume they explained they had seen the star in the East and had followed it to the Christ Child. With them they had three gifts: Gold, frankincense and myrrh.

There is a spiritual meaning concerning these three gifts. Gold recognizes Christ kingship, frankincense is a symbol of deity and myrrh a symbol of death.

Mary and Joseph would have pondered these things in their hearts.

I often wonder what is it we could bring to Christ to honor Him. The thought comes to mind that I can give Him my all. Recognizing Him as my Lord and King for now and forever. I can strive each day to put Him first in my life, obey Him, pray and meditate on His words. Surrendering everything to Christ gives me everything!

Blessings and Merry Christmas!

Mary's Answer To God!

I am amazed at the courage Mary had when the angel told her she had been favored by God to bring forth the Christ Child. Are you wondering why I said courage?  Because Mary  was a teenager, not yet married; she is told she will supernaturally become pregnant.

People would talk, she could be ostracizied , and Joseph could turn away from her. She could lose everything. Yet, this young girl's faith was so strong she said yes. Luke 1:38 says, And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her."

Would I have had such courage? Would my faith have been that strong? I can only hope! And Yours?

Billy Graham said, "One of the greatest demonstrations of faith in all the Bible was Mary's answer to the angel, accepting God's will for her life ––no matter the cost."

What will our answer be to God?

What Did Mary Experience The Week Christ Was Born?

 This week will culminate in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As I was thinking about writing this post today, my thoughts went to a young girl, traveling with her new husband from Nazareth, a city in the northern region of Galilee to Bethlehem for the census. A young girl who was nine months pregnant.

How difficult it must have been for Mary, during this particular week. She was nine months pregnant, had to ride a donkey, which would not have been comfortable, but especially being pregnant. It says it would have taken about four days for them to walk the distance between Nazareth and Bethlehem. The distance was between 70 and 90 miles. The terrain was unpaved and had steep slopes, with changes in elevation. Imagine what it must have been like for Mary.

Then after a long journey, they are told there is no room for them at the inn. She is close to giving birth. They need shelter. What were they going to do? No one knew that the Savior of the world was about to be born! 

The Innkeeper directed Joseph to the stable, he must have noticed their desperation. I can see Joseph now, gathering straw and pushing it together for Mary. The animals surely wondered what was happening.

This week, let us give thought to what Mary and Joseph went through. Putting ourselves in their situation, gives us a better understanding of what happened as we get close to the birth of the Christ Child.

Blessings!