Tuesday, December 30, 2008

MY CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

It isn’t often that I have Christmas Dinner with my husband’s side of the family, but when we do, all 23 were expected this year at my house. The excitement and joy of having loved ones you haven’t seen for a while and those nearby makes Christmas a special day. But on Christmas morning I became ill. I didn’t know if what I had was the flu or something like it. All I knew was that in a few hours people would be knocking at my front door and there was still much to do. My husband and children try to get the preparations going as best as they could.

This was a day we usually take our traditional Christmas home picture on the stairs of our home. We normally do this on Christmas morning, but seeing how sick I was they refused. At my insistence, they went ahead and took the picture. Afterwards, I went straight to bed. My sick body was still taking its toll. As I lay in bed I lifted my Lord in prayer and praised Him, I knew I was not alone. I didn’t complain to the Lord of my misery, but said to him ‘may your will be done’. I closed my eyes for a few seconds and the most wonderful thing happened. It was in those seconds that something miraculous happened. All I know is when I opened my eyes I WAS HEALED! Yes, it was a miracle. Only Jesus could heal me from what was ailing me, and only He could turn my sadness into Joy. It was Jesus’ birthday and he gave me his gift, the miracle of healing me – what a merciful and compassionate God we serve. Praise His Name!

When I went downstairs and saw my husband and my children - they were amazed at the transformation. I was jumping with joy, and told them Christ had healed me. I had witnessed to them the miracle my Savior had performed. We celebrated Christmas with a spirit of humbleness and thanksgiving, because my God is an awesome God, he is Jehovajirah “God can see” (literal translation), but means “God will provide” and he met my need providing me with a Christmas miracle.

May you and loved ones have a blessed New Year and continue to uphold our Lord and King who is coming soon. God Bless!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

THE TRUE LIGHT

“The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)

This true light the Scripture refers to in the book of John is Jesus Christ. He came into this world to bring us light, but it says that the world did not receive him. (v. 12) Here we have a glorious God sending his son Jesus into this world of darkness and yet he was not greeted with honor, or sounding trumpets, or a parade. Yet instead, he was hounded like a criminal by king Herod, who ordered the death of all children in Jerusalem. And was born in a stable where animals were kept – not a four star hotel – not a pretty picture. In spite all of this; Jesus’ birth symbolizes incomparable gifts of love, humbleness, peace and joy that are grasped in this story of one night’s miracle gift to all humanity.

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12)

It is in Jesus that we find hope of becoming a new person – yes in him we can surrender all our faults and know that we can find forgiveness. He came to this world with grace and truth (v.17), only found in Jesus Christ. It is by his grace that we are saved. Therefore, once we are justified through faith, we have peace with God and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2) Those gifts of peace and joy represent Jesus and are enfold in the Christmas story as we read it from the bible to our children.

Jesus is stretching out his arms telling you to come. There are no strings attached, but to love him with all your heart and soul. He wants you to become his child, so just come to Him and partake of his gifts of love, humility, peace and joy. WON’T YOU BECOME A CHILD OF GOD?

Thursday, December 4, 2008

KNOWING HIS PEACE

“Peace I leave with you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do
Not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

The Lord Jesus knew how easy the human spirit could become unrest in this world. It’s easy to get frazzled when things don’t go our way or when we anxiously await hearing from the family member who is in Iraq or of the missionary in a distant land. I know as a veteran when I was in the midst of the Vietnam War how my concerns were not for myself as such, because I knew my Lord was my shield and protection from the explosions I heard nearby. But not knowing how my family back home was arose concerns, but God kept telling me to let it go and be at peace, because He was going to take care of my concerns. My friend, Jesus knows our needs, especially of unsaved loved ones, or of the sickness that’s crept into your body. He tells us not to be alarmed, but to have faith that He will take care of our needs. Remember he is our Savior, healer, comforter, provider, and he listens to our prayers.

When king David’s enemies sought to defeat him David called on the Lord (2 Samuel 5:19); when he sinned he had no peace and David confessed to the Lord (2 Samuel 12:13); Mary and Martha sought comfort in Jesus who were grieved by their brother’s death (John 11: 1-25); the angels announced Jesus birth proclaiming his peace to all of mankind (Luke 2:14). If those who knew our Lord recognized him as a peacemaker, then think of the peace that only is found in Jesus Christ who is our peace. When we have Christ in us his spirit will give us peace – it is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) His peace is there for you. It is one of the gifts he has for you -but all you have to do is come, know Him and he will give you Peace, Peace, glorious Peace!