Discovering Christmas Peace in serving others!

“ ’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.” is Luke 1:38.

Serving in Love Graphic

The astronomer measures time by light-years, the geologist by vast cycles, the historian by epics and centuries, the industrialist by the fiscal year, the laborer by the weekly paychecks, the child by the birthday party.

But the common measure of time begins with the awkward motions of rising in the morning and putting one foot in front of the other. Mary’s obedience teaches us the integrity of life is measured in our response to God and his love. As God’s word is fulfilled in our lives, he measures time in terms of responsible living, even when the circumstances challenge us.  Christmas peace is serving others in love … Christmas peace is that our actions speak louder than our words. Are you the Lord’s servant?

You know I love ya, Don

Christmas Shalom ... more than just peace.

GOD WITH US!!! Christmas Peace is not to be forgotten or paid off by the celebrations of lights, ribbons, and gifts. The text today reminds us to not forget the main PURPOSE of  Christmas.

The Angel said, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Christmas Peace is Jesus’ salvation. Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony. PEACE is the absence of agitation or discord. Many search for fulfillment, happiness and contentment in material possessions, money, sex, entertainment, etc. But those things do nothing to fill "that hole in our soul" that only GOD can fill!

This is why in Luke is clear to declare the angels' declaration;  (2:14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” God rests his favor on those whom receive the Baby Jesus. 

My prayer is that you have His Shalom this Christmas. You know I love ya, Don

Busy Interstate ... busy life!

Proverbs 14:12 teaches, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

I am reminded of the funny story about a man that was driving along on the interstate when his cell phone rings and he recognizes it is wife. He answers the phone to hear her frantically saying in the phone, “Honey, be careful, I just saw on the news that a car is travelling the wrong direction on the interstate!”

The man responds, “Are you kidding? There isn’t just one car going the wrong way, there are hundreds of cars going the wrong way!”

John recorded in John 14:6, “Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus has given us a clear path to God by following Jesus and allowing him to bring transformation to our lives. My Friends, get on the path with Jesus and live life to the fullest.

You know I love ya, Don

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, & Mockingjay

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

The Hunger Games trilogy and movie franchise has made millions over the last 5-6 years. The franchise spins an apocalyptic tale on poverty, totalitarian government, and oppression. People can relate to these issues because everyone is under the curse of sin and oppressed by the results and consequences of sin. Life is a true game of hungering for abundance in life and in healing from the brokenness of rejecting God.

Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection, establishes a path out of darkness. It is our faith and trust of Jesus which brings true victory. Every follower of Jesus is a true victor. Jesus blesses those who accept the challenge to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Do not be deceived by the enemy and try to fulfill your hunger with worldly desires. The only way to fill the hunger and thirst is to seek the face of Jesus in the abundance of life he offers.

You know I love ya and may the love of Jesus be ever in your favor. Don

Scriptures that describe heaven.

Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Revelation 5:9-13 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 22:1-5  Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Don't let the fog roll in ...

It was June 18, 1815, the Battle of Waterloo. The French under the command of Napoleon were fighting the Allies (British, Dutch, and Germans) under the command of Wellington. The people of England depended on a system of semaphore signals to find out how the battle was going. One of these signal stations was on the tower of Winchester Cathedral. Late in the day it flashed the signal: "W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N---D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D- -." Just at that moment one of those sudden English fog clouds made it impossible to read the message. The news of defeat quickly spread throughout the city. The whole countryside was sad and gloomy when they heard the news that their country had lost the war.

Because of the fog, people went around without hope and ignorance. The message behind the fog stated; “"W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N---D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D--- N-A-P-O-L-E-O-N-!."

I want to talk to you today about my number one enemy! I truly hate Satan and look forward to the great day of destruction for him and his minions. He has caused such heartache in my life and lives of others, that I despise him.
 

Satan moves like the fog. He uses our sin as cover for truth. When we respond to the clouded fog and deception without thinking things through, he succeeds in dividing our house. 

Jesus does not tolerate Satan, his minions, or the deception … so I ask you today, “why do we?”

You know I love ya, Don

Know Your Enemy - Satan!

Every good soldier knows the enemy! Satan is a real, he is liar, and he will tie you up in your possessions. 

Some things the bible reveals about the enemy:

The truth of our enemy …

·      Satan was created as a holy angel. Isaiah 14:12.

·      Satan’s pre-fall name was Lucifer. Ezekiel 28:12-14

·      He became arrogant in his beauty and status and decided he wanted to sit on a throne above that of God (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:15; 1 Timothy 3:6).

·      Satan’s pride led to his fall. Notice the many “I will” statements in Isaiah 14:12-15.

·      Satan became the ruler & prince of the power of the air (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2).

·      He is an accuser (Revelation 12:10).

·      He is a tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5).

·      He is a deceiver (Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:3). His very name means “adversary” or “one who opposes.” Another of his titles, the devil, means “slanderer.”

·      Even though he was cast out of heaven, he still seeks to elevate his throne above God. He counterfeits all that God does. He encourages opposition to God's kingdom. Satan is the ultimate source behind every false cult and world religion. Satan will do anything and everything in his power to oppose God and those who follow God.

However, Satan’s destiny is sealed—an eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

Praying for you and your strength against the enemy. You know I love ya, Don