I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
I will start by asking the question I have asked myself multiple times over the years. Are you being Mary or Martha? What we do and say is always determined by our own opinions. I am a conservative Christian who strives to be a Mary. If you read this attached article, you will understand better what I’m trying to say.
Blessings on you and your household and may you take time to be Mary.
Many people in today’s world are having difficulty with their identities. They go to all kinds of counselors to seek help in finding out “who they are.” That being said, I am absolutely sure of one thing. I am a Child of the King. What king? Jesus, of course! And Jesus had no trouble at all with His identity. He knew who He was and why He came to earth.
What I don’t understand is how people could read these verses and not believe in our Savior. It is very clear to me that Jesus came to save the world, to be a sacrifice once and for all for all sin. I read in a devotional earlier this week that Jesus came as a baby and attracted many visitors who were told the good news of His appearing on earth. Then, as He grew, He continued to attract people…along the seashore, in the temple, everywhere He went. Why were people drawn to Him? Because He was fulfilling the Scriptures that had been read to them in the temple. Look again at the first verse that I posted. Jesus healed, preached and gave sight to the blind. He was God on earth, walking around doing miracles during His short life. He did more in thirty-three years than most people do in twice that amount of time. He truly came from the Father and knew His place in Heaven and on earth. We can have that same confidence once we repent and accept Him as our Savior. You can know, just as I do, that I was placed on the earth to serve and worship my Creator and that I am a Child of the King. You can know, just as I do, that when I die, I will go to be with the Lord. Jesus didn’t need trumpets blowing and angels singing to announce His birth, although the Heavens rejoiced at His coming to earth because that was the beginning of God’s plan to save the world. Jesus knew His identity and we can, too. I hope that during this Christmas season, as you give presents to loved ones and receive gifts yourself, that you will remember the greatest gift of all is waiting to be opened. Jesus came to save you from your sins…not so you can continue to sin, but so that you can turn from them and become a Child of the King of Heaven and Earth. Blessings to all who read this today and who needed to hear this message!
If you live long enough, you will probably lose a loved one. This advice was on Facebook and is a gentle reminder to all of us about how to treat and respect those who are grieving, especially as the holidays are coming.
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-grieving-people-wish-you-knew-at-christmas
Yesterday was one of those days that I never want to repeat. I had an appointment to see my primary care physician to check into why I am having pain in my abdomen and also about problems with sciatica. I was examined and then sent to the hospital for a test for appendicitis. After six hours of waiting and taking barium and then waiting more, I got the test and the results. Praise God! No appendicitis! But I still don’t know why I have pain in my abdomen and when I tried to get an appointment with my gastroenterologist, the earliest appointment he has is at the end of January. So, I am in wait mode. I am waiting for my PCP to get me an appointment with an orthopedist to check out my sciatica since my regular ortho doctor retired last year. I am waiting to hear back from the nurse at the GI’s office to see if she can work me in at any time to see my doctor there.
I have been studying the names of Jesus as part of my Bible study of Advent. Thank you, Lord, that you are teaching me to maintain peace. My husband is very anxious and just wants me to be seen right away. Of course, I want that, too, but I am waiting, knowing that peace will help me to get through this latest adventure in getting older. I’m glad that Jesus is teaching me to just keep calm and keep going. Plans change. I ask God for His power to keep me during my times of weakness, spiritually and physically and mentally. Jesus never changes and He can give you peace and strength now, too, no matter what you are facing. Just ask Him to be the Prince of Peace in your life today and every day. Blessings to each of you for a day filled with His peace, the peace that passes all understanding!
Photo from theinspiredwoman.org
Photo from You Version Bible App
Lauren was left to pick up the pieces of her heart when her fiancé sent her a text breaking up with up with her the night before their wedding. In this charming romance, Lauren returns to her hometown to help out with the annual Christmas celebration, only to find d that David has already returned to Holts Ridge and is firmly ensconced in the hearts of her mom and the other residents. The characters are absolutely remarkable in their love for the town and each other. I loved the festivities, especially the Critter Parade. And I thoroughly enjoyed discovering David’s secret and Lauren’s steadfastness and willingness to return to the town in which she had suffered such rejection and embarrassment. Fans of Christmas love will want to read this one and will treasure it for its story and it’s life lessons.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I own a copy of this book on my Kindle. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
This totally clean read is available now! Enjoy a great romance during Christmas!
What did you do to celebrate your last birthday? Most people had gifts to open and were surprised and happy at what they received. Remember that as Christmas approaches, it is all about celebrating Jesus’s birthday. He doesn’t want a gift from us. He wants us, our hearts, minds and lives. He wants us to give ourselves to Him and to then look for ways to help others find Him.
Photo from John Hagee Ministries on Twitter.com
In my devotional today, I studied how important this season is and one of the devotionals that I am currently doing is called “Make Room” by Mark from Casting Crowns. It is found on the You Version Bible App and I highly recommend it. Here is a quotation from the devotional today.
Rather than turning to a store that can offer us savings, maybe we can turn to a Savior born to save us.--Mark, Casting Crowns
Photo from heulu.wordpress.com
Yes, this is definitely the season in which many of us are caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping and wrapping and choosing gifts that we hope others will admire and really enjoy. How about we take time to remember the Savior, the greatest gift of all? We don’t have to shop to find Him; He is as close as our own hearts. The date that we remember His birth is coming in just a few weeks. Let’s each of us remember His birthday by giving Him the gift of us! Blessings for a day filled with quietness before the Lord and Savior of our souls!
Adam and Eve, Redemption, and You
— Read on ettingerwriting.wordpress.com/2019/12/02/when-biblical-familiarity-is-a-bad-thing/
Please go to the original post and follow David. He is wise and a talented writer.
I read an article today about Governor Greg Abbot of Texas. What he said in response to a Tweet made me praise God for His attitude and want to be more like him. Here is the link to the article:
Think about it. What price are you willing to pay to change someone’s life? Blessings for an evening filled with God and His glory!
The holiday season has begun! That means a lot of rushing around and little quiet time. I got up at 5:30 this morning, not for my quiet time with the Lord, but so that I had data to use in order to pay my online bills and get birthday gifts for my little three year old granddaughter. So, that meant that I was tired and ended up napping later. I just got up a little while ago and spent my quiet time with the Lord, doing my devotionals. We need to remember that Jesus made us a priority, so we can’t forget Him during this holiday season that bears His name. Many are trying to take His name away from the holiday, saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” Starbucks is distributing coffee cups that say “Merry Coffee” in order to avoid offending some, I guess. What they don’t know is that their attempt not to offend those who don’t believe in Christ offends those of us who do. We, however, are the minority and we have not been very vocal about our displeasure over Jesus’s being taken out of Christmas. We need to raise our voices and remember Him who came to earth and died for us! I read a devotional today about the innkeeper who had no room for Jesus in the inn. The devotional said that the innkeeper gave Jesus a place, but not the place. See the difference? That spoke to my heart right away. Jesus doesn’t want just any place in our hearts. He wants THE place, the part of us that was created for Him, the empty part that is just waiting for Him to occupy it, even though we have tried to fill that void with so many other things.
Jesus came into the world to save us from our sins, and whether we acknowledge Him or not, no matter how we try to rush around and busy ourselves with the things of the world, one day EVERY knee will bow to Him and His glory and grace. I choose to remember Him now, to make Him a priority and I hope that you do, too. As the busyness increases, don’t forget to remember Him for whom the season is named and to whom we owe our lives, for eternity. Blessings for a wonderful evening and many hours filled with contemplating His goodness and His place in your hearts.
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 