Happy New Year! - Rest, Reflect, Renewal

Christmas is over. (Deep breath.) Another season of rejoicing in the birth of the Savior has come and gone. We are packing away our decorations, unstringing lights and taking Christmas music off our playlists, while the kids are in the other room playing with new toys. We are all ready for a bit of rest from the celebrations, cooking, traveling and the joyful busyness of the holiday. The New Year is upon us - an amazing opportunity to rest, reflect and pray for renewal for the year ahead.

Rest - “Come to me, all those who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” -Matthew 11:28 (NIV)  As strange as it sounds in a culture that pushes activity, the Lord calls us to rest. After celebrating Jesus’ birth in such glorious (but likely tiring) fashion, what blessing it is to simply sit, take a breath and rest. Rest in who He is, what He is doing and what He has done for us this year. How? He may call us to rest in Him in so many ways, by switching off devices, perhaps opening our Bible or journal in the peace of the morning or just simply sitting in quiet prayer are all great ways to start.

Reflect - “I will meditate on your wonderful works.” (Psalms 145:5b)   A new year is an opportune time to reflect on how the Lord has worked in and around us. Take note of what He has done with a sense of gratitude. Pray with an honest and open heart about any ongoing difficulties, and talk with God as you remember moments that have changed you or have shown you more of Jesus. And for those who blessed you this year, take an opportunity to send a thank you card or a note or gift of encouragement to thank them.

Renew - Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”  The new year is dawning, and maybe it’s time for a new, or renewed, you. As we pray for and seek renewal, we are called to place our hope in the Lord. Reminding ourselves of where our hope lies, praying without ceasing, fixing our thoughts on things above and not on earthly troubles - these are among the many ways we can seek the kind of renewal that only comes from Christ.
Let's trek into 2016 with a fervor and hope for what the new year holds! Let's seek and pray for rest, reflection and renewal as we - through grace and faith - strive to walk according to His will.

You know I love ya, Don

More on this devotion:
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Merry Christmas ... Experience His Presence

Christmas Peace is opening your heart, your mind, and your strength to Experiencing His Presence in your life. This is not easy in a busy world … it is stopping, listening, and waiting. It is taking a deep breath and breathing in His Spirit. It is to look to God (for God is With Us!) and say … “I love you.”

On Christmas Day some years ago, a little boy was seen going in and out of his church several times. The boy would walk up to the nativity scene and stare and then walk back out. After several times, the boy was asked, “What gift did you ask of the Baby Jesus?” he replied, “I didn’t ask for anything. I was just in there loving Him for a little while.”      

The baby is born to you and to me. Merry Christmas. Don't forget to love on Jesus today and receive His PEACE!

You know I love ya, Don 

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.