RESURRECTION DAY MESSAGE

Happy Resurrection Day! Jesus died and rose again for everyone. Don’t sit on the message. Go tell others what Jesus has done for you in your life.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the words to say. Visit a friend and give him or her your testimony.  Keep this in mind every day.

GIVING TIME TO OUR GOD

Upon arising
Before the hustle and bustle
Demands our attention
As first light shines
Upon delicate branches
After the morning star disappears
Spring flowers reach East
For light given by God
The Bible awaits us
And on our lips
Words of thanksgiving
To the Lord
Gently pierce morning silence
As we meditate on
Our Morning Star, Jesus
Our Savior and Friend
Who speaks to us
Through the Bible, His Word
Casting our fears aside
And in making this connection
Try giving God prayers of thanksgiving
As each day unfolds
With a spiritual sparkle

CHRISTIAN COUNSEL

Practice being good to yourself
You may need self-nurturing
In a personal crisis
Learn strength
By abiding in Jesus
He will never let you down
As all humans do at times

In this world
Of chaos and competition
Listen for Jesus’ voice
He will uplift you
Lay your burdens on Him
He will give you lasting peace
Found nowhere else

Make the Bible your
Daily food for thought
Find within it Divine counsel
As Paul offers to the Philippians
Echoing down through the ages:

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble, whatever things are
just, whatever things are pure, whatever things
are lovely, whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthy—meditate on these things”
(Phil 4:8). NKJV

THE SAVIOR FOR ALL IS BORN

God loves us without reserve
He sent His only Son
Jesus, enthroned from time eternal
Consented to come to earth
On a rescue mission for fallen mankind
Conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born of Mary, a virgin
Betrothed to Joseph from the Royal line
Of David

This fully human/fully divine infant
Cherished as their Son, Emmanuel
Trained by Mary in the Scriptures
Taught a trade, carpentry
By His Father, Joseph
Grew to maturity
And was baptized by John the Baptist
Beginning the mission given Him
Jesus fully reflected God’s character and love
In that He was One with the Father

Teaching the truth
Preaching of the Kingdom of God
Healing with compassion
Raising the dead to life
Forgiving sins
Showing us the Way
To eternal life with Him

Ultimately He laid down His life for us
Satisfying God’s wrath for sin
A sacrifice for us all
And rising again
Defeating Satan, sin, and death

As we celebrate Christmas
Come worship the infant Babe and Savior

LOVE IS FAITHFUL

God’s heart cannot be hemmed in
Oh, that I could experience it all day
But the ruler of this world pours acid
Aiming at our central core
For Satan wants to destroy the beauty
Flowing within us
That love planted by our Creator
Instilled with joy
Nurtured by our heart connection with Him

Hurts and distractions bombard us somedays
Causing some to stray from our mission
To love one another
As He has loved us

Isolated
Fear imprisons the hopeless
Battered souls
Blown near the edge of the abyss
Craving love lost from sight

A faithful, caring Christian
Snatches this hopeless one
Worn from the struggle with Satan

Carrying him with strength
Gained by Jesus’ victory over sin and death
To a meadow dotted with white lilies
Where only beauty abides
This deprived, beloved soul
Catches a glimpse of Jesus
Not far off

Healed, whole, and beautiful
The rescued owns a jubilant heart
As Jesus takes his hand
Renewed by the Savior’s love
He dances with Jesus’ heart
Love entwined with love
Forever trusting in God’s mercy
And faithfulness

REFLECTION

I had wanted to do so much more with my life.  A career in music was high on my list.  However, music requires stamina, which I am not blessed with.

I marvel at the new medical equipment used to diagnose and to treat those with failing health.  I had wanted to study to become a biomedical engineer in my 20’s.  That dream dropped out of the sky like a meteorite glowing in flames, landing on my lap, a charred cinder.  

Sociology and psychology warmed my heart instead.  This knowledge aided me in working with sick and disabled persons of all ages.

Still, I felt there was something missing in my life.  

I grew up in a Christian home, where God was perceived as our holy and mighty Creator, worthy of worship on Sundays.

But I didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, our Redeemer.  Many years later, God led me to a Bible based church.  Through Bible study, fellowship, and a deeper worship experience, I became aware of Jesus’ strong desire to have a personal relationship with me.  So I reciprocated.  Walking with Him has been a rich experience.

When we are ill or suffering, many times we wonder why God has allowed this pain and burden to enter our lives.  We start complaining, dispairing, or blaming someone or something for our malady.  But we don’t honor Jesus’ request to draw near to Him.  He wants to be your best friend in good times and in times of trial.

The next time you feel your life couldn’t be any better, don’t forget to thank God, letting your faith deepen.  You will start talking to Him often during the day.

When seemingly insurmountable trials invade your life, you will discover Jesus is walking beside you, holding your hand.  You will experience His reservoir of living water, deep and unending.

Allow Jesus to heal your scarred emotions.  For He needs you to reach out to individuals who have become distressed on the road of life.  Individuals who don’t know Him.  As Jesus told His disciples,  “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt 10:8) NKJV.  

Looking back, Jesus has been preparing me to accept a mission to continue working with Him, giving people a relief from the pain caused by sin and hope for an eternity spent with Him. 

 

HE IS COMING

Every individual is a matchless gift from God
Discover and cherish their attributes
Accept and overlook their bad tendencies for a time
Pray they will overcome these faults
With the help of Jesus Christ

Cling to Jesus to show you His way
Let the Bible enlighten your path
Be kind to all you encounter

Let your light of love shine brightly
Leading people out of darkness
Teach them God’s way
Many will join a good cause
Invite them to spread the gospel with you
Preparing the lost
For God’s eternal Kingdom to come
Teaching the truths found only in the Bible

Ready the masses for the reign of Jesus Christ the King
He promised to come again in glory
To welcome those wearing His robe of righteousness
A gift accepted by those who acknowledge
They cannot save themselves, not by works
Nor by any human effort
Only by humbling themselves and bowing to Jesus
Accepting His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary
And looking to Jesus for forgiveness if we sin

For the Holy Spirit enables us to come,
Confessing and repenting
Joyfully resuming the new life we’ve found in Christ
Confident God the Father will see in us
Only the righteousness of Christ

What a gift!
What a Savior
Accept Him into your heart now
For the signs of the times indicate
He is coming soon

ENTRUSTED TO GOD

I cannot fathom the depth of Your love for me
You’ve always been here, watching over me
You have a plan for me
Even though I’m not sure what it is

Lord, lead me
I am ready to surrender all of myself
Even though I’m weak to follow through
And vulnerable to blows from the enemy
But You strengthen me through Your Word
And Your Spirit dwelling within me

Show me Lord where You want me to serve
Open my eyes to those in need
Let me not discriminate
Bury my arrogance that surfaces at times
A blessing abodes in the humble soul
Help me revamp my priorities
Give me the gift to think first of others
And to not shy away
Help me grow wings as a butterfly
To flutter from person to person
Engaging their beauty
To dance with Your heart
I’ll speak of Jesus’ love
Our only sanctuary when the storm blows in

Hearts connected to Jesus cannot deceive
But speak truth to all
The truth that saves
Let me speak truth
As part of my misssion

THE GREATEST GIFT

Why choose death
When you can turn
To the Lord of life
And live

Sin brings destruction
Satan controls
The Lord of life gave His life
So you can live with Him
Forever
Content, saturated with love
Needing nothing else but His approval
Never to flounder again on your own
Freed from sin
Knowing He is the First and Last
Our eternal Balm
He heals the brokenhearted
Gives hope to the downcast
When all seems lost
Every effort is futile
He gives wings to fly
Soaring to heights above clouds
The surety of a paradise He chose for you
He would give you nothing less
You are the love of His life

He comes as a knight
To the darkness of this world
Gently lifting the willing
On to His white stead
Bound for the New Jerusalem
And eternity
All are chosen, marked for mercy
Few are willing
Join this grateful few
Who give loyalty to Him
When He calls

When He knocks
Open the door
Allowing Him to transform your character
Your holy vessel
Now far from falling
To the wiles of Satan
Freed
No longer captive to sin
But glorious
Glowing with His righteousness
Never to crave worldly ways again
For now you know Him well
Content in His love
Jelled in the conviction, a truth
He died and rose for you
Why choose death
When Jesus Christ is our salvation
Cling to Him
Till He takes you home
To reign with Him forever

CHRISTMAS HYMN FOR WORSHIP

O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels!

Refrain:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord!

Sing choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!

Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!

Refrain

—O Come, All Ye Faithful; Anonymous, Latin, 18th century
Translated by Frederick Oakeley, 1841, and others