Answers...

Answers? I don't have them all.

What I do have is an inside scoop to THE Answer Man.('search the scriptures....they testify of Me.' John5:39)

Sometimes I get answers immediately.

Some I'm still waiting on.

Sometimes I get a 'yes'....sometimes a clear 'no'.


There is nothing special about me, you have the same opportunity to this Answer Man. But following Christ must really be about following HIM...seeking His FACE, not just the blessings of His Hand.

Oh, don't think I've got this down pat...I'm a work in progress.

But I am confident that He will continue His work in me till it is completed.
(...a promise found in James1:4)



'Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked,"What do you want?"...'(John 1:38)

So...what is it you want from Jesus. Do you seek His kingdom?... or yours?

His glory?

....or yours?

Be honest with yourself. He knows the truth of it

Maybe I'm the only one, but the truthful answers are not always very pretty. I thank Him again this morning that he loves me in spite of the ugliness, and never gives up on me, always encouraging me to face the truth and allow Him to change me into the image of His dear Son.

I have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created me,...For he has rescued me from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought me into the Kingdom of his dear Son. (Col. 1:10,13)

Only Almighty God can do that.

Friend...

friends...Our culture calls lots of things friendship. But having a true friend is a treasure, being one is not easy.

It is a relationship and requires commitment and work.

On Facebook, we collect friends and number them. People 'request' to be your friend, and we have the option of accepting or rejecting.

I rejected a request last night, and it has made me wonder if I do that in 'real life

"Every man is a friend to him that gives gifts"(Prov.19:6)

Do I look for friendship only from those who have something to offer me in return? When it's beneficial for ME? When I am comfortable with it?

Jesus Himself calls us friend.

If we look for benefits from friendship, He is THE ONE.

But it's a relationship and requires commitment and work.

"... See MoreYou are my friends when you do the things I command you"(John 15:14MSG)

That would be a tall order without His grace, without being connected to Him, for He is the PowerSource. "..apart from Me, you can do nothing"(John 15:5)

Lord help us be good friends to each other.

Sale....

Sales...this time of year everything is 'on sale'.

Want a costly item? don't want to pay the price?...wait til it's on sale.




What we need most is something we can't purchase...never could, never will be able to.

It will never be on sale...in fact it's the most expensive thing to ever exist.

And whether you know it or not...it is the only thing that will fill your need, bring you comfort, contentment, and total peace.

It is right standing with God, paid for in full by the blood of Jesus Christ. (Rev.1:5)

It is the greatest need you will ever have. Jesus offers to fill that need for us completely. You need only accept the gift.

It is the deal you can't afford to pass up.... if you do, you will never know the joy of His salvation and you will regret it for eternity.

Now...

Now...

Time is not new...but it is important. Now is all we have. Live fully in it.

Not in the past.

Not waiting for that perfect time yet to come.

Now.



"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Ps. 90:12)

Oh Lord, help us to be wise in our 'now'.


Grief...yes, I've tasted it, but have never had to drink the cup that has been to the lips of so many. Again today, some drink of it.

I have no help...nothing to offer...no way to take it away.

I think again of Job's story.."If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales...it would surely outweigh the sand of the seas.."(Job 6:2)

I can not imagine the heaviness of the sorrow some bear at this moment. I can only offer myself to God and ask Him to use me in some small way to bring His comfort. He is the only answer.

"In my distress I called to the Lord. I cried to my God for help From His temple He heard my voice. My cry came before Him, into His ears. (Ps.18:6)

I purpose to live in my 'now'. It is all I have. And I purpose to live it as God leads. He has brought me to this place, He will lead me forward from here.

New....

New....

We're about to enter a new year.

But is anything really new?

Solomon says no.(Ecc.1:9)

Time is not new. Measuring it is not new.

Filling it is not new...no matter what you fill it with.

Measured time...hours, days, months, and yes...years...is not new.

But eternity will never be old.....

Things that have eternal worth are the only things that matter. The only way this coming year will be different from the last will be determined by our relationship with The Creator.

Not stuff.

Not image or appearance.

Not information and knowledge.

"Fear God and keep His commandments..."(Ecc.12:13 )

Solomon should know, He tried it all...and found success in his efforts but found no fulfillment from the success...no value.

Make it your business to know His will for your days and years. Seek Him with an undivided heart, and He will be found. (1 Chron. 28:9)...

Imagine and expect...

Imagination... does anyone else play out the day in your head before it happens?

How perfect it will be? What might go wrong?

I do it because I am selfish. There, I said it.

I might as well admit it,"The Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.("1Chron.28:9)

I want things how I want them.... but God doesn't always work the way I imagine....even when He wants the same things I do.

Expectations...did you have them?

Were they met? Disappointed? Pleasantly surprised?

Were you properly prepared? If so, what did you do to prepare?

Jesus said when we put His purposes first, He takes care of the rest.(Matt6:33)

I struggled to depend on Him, trusting Him to tend to the details...and He did.

Magnificently.

As ...He always does.

For once, I didn't look at the storm...

White....

♫•*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪....I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.... ♫•*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪

Did you get your dream? Anybody have that much sung about 'White Christmas'? Did you see snow fall on this Christmas?



"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow".(Isa.1:18)



Snow may fall on you this Christmas. I've seen no snow, but I am reminded of my cleansing. I don't know of anything that's whiter than snow. It's about as white as it gets I think....


"Cleanse me and I will be clean, wash me, and I will be whiter than snow"(Ps.51:7)


Whiter? I can be whiter than even snow?

It all began when God left the perfection of heaven, stepped off His throne and into the flesh of an infant human.

Just to make me whiter than snow.

THAT is something to make merry about.

Thank You Jesus.

Happy Birthday Lord.

Ponder...

"Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the house..."


"...the time came for the baby to be born"(Luke 2:6 NIV)





This Eve of Christmas, what will your activity be?

Both of my sons were born around 9a.m. after a night of labor. Every year, I remember the day and the evening before that night of labor. I recall the activities of the day.

I especially recall the emotions of that first birth...the un-known..what will it be like...will everything be ok...can I do this...should I have accepted this responsibility...

"Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." John 2:19 NIV ...


I have no doubt that every Eve of Christ's birth, Mary re-lived the trip to Bethlehem on that donkey.

Every closed door and every 'sorry, we don't have room for you'. Every scent of that barn. Thankful for Joseph, who could have walked away but didn't. Going over the labor..the pains, the blood, the pushing. No proper way to bathe the newborn, no family to 'OOOooooo, and aaaaahhhhh'

Pondering..certainly lots to ponder.

And the face of the Child, the first cry, the first suckle... the thoughts and wonderings of what the future held for her baby. Ponder indeed.


We too have much to ponder. May we all ponder this Eve of Christmas.

Immanuel, God with us.

Child...

Child. What can a child do? What power could a child possibly wield?

“From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." (Gen. 3:15)

A Child was God’s answer for humanity. All mankind was touched by the stain of sin, no longer innocent, no longer perfect, the relationship between man and The Perfect One forever broken.

Until The Child.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6)

Hard concept. A Child will bear the responsibility of governing me? A Child will be the One to give me advice and counsel? A Child will somehow be in charge of my peace?

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”(Luke 2:11)

“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”(Luke 2:40)

“And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.” (Luke 4:44)

“….you are to give him the name Jesus.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever;

his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:31-33)

Hallelujah !!

Light....

Anyone who does not have Jesus Christ can not appreciate Light, they only know darkness. To not know Jesus Christ is to live in darkness.

Ever ask a person born blind to describe light? It is difficult to describe light without knowledge of darkness. And impossible to fully appreciate the value of light having never known darkness.

Jesus is the Light of the world. Heavenly starlight was just a glimmer of the Light born in the stable that night.


♪♫•*•♫♪ ♪♫•*•♫♪ ... ''a star, a star,shining in the night, it will bring us goodness and light' ..'♪♫•*•♫♪ ♪♫•*•♫♪


♪♫•*•♫♪ ♪♫•*•♫♪ I once was lost,but now I'm found, was blind, but now I see'..♪♫•*•♫♪ ♪♫•*•♫♪




TO PHOS TOU KOSMOU translates 'light of the world'.

"I am the Light of the world, Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."(Jesus, John 8:12)

Have you experienced the discovery of His Light?

Can you now describe Light because you've been rescued from darkness?

May we not forget what a dreadful thing it is to live without His Light...may we never take for granted His birth, His Life, and His death.

He came. He is coming again. Hallelujah.

Food....

Food. There will be plenty everywhere we go...more than plenty.

We will eat.

And eat.

But a few hours later, we will be empty and hungry again.

ARTOS ZOES translates 'bread of life'. Jesus IS this bread.(John6:48)

Don't confuse your hunger pains. Recognize your spirit craving His Bread. ..He fills an emptiness and hunger that nothing else can.

Permanently

Traditions...

12-20-10♪♫•*•♫♪ ♪♫•*•♫♪ I’ll be home for Christmas….you can count on me, please have snow, and mistletoe…and presents ‘neath the tree….♪♫•*•♫♪♪♫•*•♫♪

It is great to be ‘home’. It is great to carry on the traditions we have established…to do what we have always done…the way we have always done it.

But as the circle of life grows, some things must necessarily change.

The tradition becomes what you do THIS time. (…I often caution young parents NEVER to do something they don’t want to continue to do from now on!!! Fill a stocking once, you must fill it for years to come!!!…)

We have an enemy whose purpose is to ‘steal, kill, and destroy’. (John 10:10)

We have a Savior Whose purpose is to ‘give life in all its fullness.’ (John 10:10 )

This is a season of celebration. Let us purpose to stand against the enemy assault, for be assured, the enemy will attack at our most vulnerable time.

He is an enemy. There are no rules of engagement, no honor to uphold.


Our enemy is also a liar. “He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

As we find ourselves in new circumstances, distanced from loved ones, separated by time and space, let us not believe lies. Let us not be influenced by the enemy, but let us purpose that we WILL “Above all, love each other deeply…” (1 Peter 4:8)

Love is not bound by time and space. It is not defined by tradition. Traditions are only manifestation OF love.

Love’s power is strong, and is pictured in the very life of Jesus Christ. Deity stepping into a woman’s body, pushed thru a birth canal, living a human life, dying a horrible death.

Because He loved us.

The Eternal, Omniscient One has never been bound by time or space.

And He is Immanuel…. God with us.

Hallelujah.

Presents/Presence....

It's the season of gift giving. Lots and lots of presents. All in pretty gift sacks with tissue spilling out the top, or wrapped in pretty paper with bright shiney ribbons and bows.

Given a choice, which do you prefer?

Presents? Or His Presence?

When you worship, where is your focus?

Your salvation? Or Your Savior?

The gift? Or The Giver?

Big....

..attention college kids!! The best 'big' ever !! Your sorority 'big' sister or brother may be great help and encouragement to you, but they are no match for this Big !!


...He is the ALPHA KAI OMEGA.

The first, and the last. (Rev.22:13)

We celebrate His birth, but that event was not His beginning, only the beginning of the image of the invisible God.

He was present at creation.(Col.1 and John1)

He was born to die. (Isa53)

He is alive forever.(Rev1)


And I'm in...for my eternal lifetime He is my big

Lord....

♪♫•*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪..'the little lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.'


KYRIOS translates 'lord'.

I wonder about how loosely we use that word.


Does it mean 'owner'? 'master'?..or just 'sir'?

Is He your Lord? The ruling force in your life?

He IS Lord of lords. ("For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes." Dt10)

Every one will know the truth of that. ("...every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.." Phil.2:11)

Simply calling Him 'lord' isn't enough ("Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" Mt7:21)

Be certain that you have chosen Him to reign in your life. Be certain that He is Lord. Be certain that you follow His design for your life.

He left the glory of heaven and went thru the agony of the cross for you.

♪♫•*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪And He will reign forever and ever.♪♫•*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪

Allelujah !!

Peace....

Peace. We sing about it. 'Peace on earth, good will to men.'

We make symbols. (I'm wearing the trendy 'peace sign' for the second go around!)

Lack of conflict.... Jesus has made it possible for us to have that with God, a way to remove the sin barrier.(Col.1:20) We can have a relationship with God that is free of conflict, made free of the curse of death, the consequence of sin. Jesus left glory and became man, perfect and sinless. That first Christmas morning was the arrival of our Savior, the perfect Lamb of God.


Our enemy uses every opportunity to cause conflict. Be aware of his tactics.

He will present offenses, showcase them to us..it's a great bait. He knows how to dangle it just right.

Determine that The Prince of Peace will reign, do not give the enemy opportunity.(Eph.4:27)

That devil has no regard for special occasions he'll cash in on it. Do not allow him to steal the joy and peace of this Christmas time.

It is a choice. Even in righteous offense, even when we have a valid reason to be offended, we can bear it with the help of The One Who suffered the ultimate offense....and He was indeed totally innocent.

Silent...

♪♫•*•♫♪ "Silent night....holy night..... ♪♫•*•♫♪

I'd like to know what was silent about it !!

Luke 2 tells about shepherds and flocks, then a PLETHOS of angels appear praising God.

PLETHOS translates "a bunch"!!

They are not silent...and I doubt those shepherds and flocks were silent after that either!

And chidbirth in a barn....any mother out there think THAT was silent !?!


But it was holy.

Praise God for that night.

Luke 2:17 lets us know for sure the shepherds weren't silent .......they "made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child."

Gifts....

Gifts. There will be so many.

Things we've wished for...things we expect to bring us joy.

But real joy is not a gift, it is a fruit. A result. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith..." (Galatians 5:22)

This joy doesn't get old, the joy doesn't fade away...in fact, this joy grows and multiplies, birthing into our life peace, patience, kindness..... (not like the newest trend or latest toy)


Don't be tricked into expecting joy from inside a giftwrapped box. You will be disappointed time and again.

Joy is a fruit of God's Holy Spirit, comes listed right after love...it is the love expressed to us by the gift, that is the joyful thing.

On the first Christmas, the greatest gift of all time was given. God Himself stepped into the flesh of a naked, helpless infant. God Himself stepped out of perfect glory into the setting of a smelly barn....and lost humanity.

Happy? Oh yes !! And so very blessed.

He has "redeemed us from the curse of the law..." (Galatians 3:13)

"He has visited and redeemed his people..."(Luke 1:68)

"He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness..."(Col. 1:13)


Hallelujah!

Joy....

"You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence....." (Psalm 16:11)


To many, this time of year brings everything but joy. Many of us have experienced changes of life's circumstances. Traditions will be diffiult to keep, if not impossible. There will be people missing. Some permanently.

Some have been snatched away, only to be seen again on the other side of this realm. Some have been rescued from suffering here, whisked away to an eternal life of no pain or sorrow.

Sadly, there are some who will not know the joy of the Lord, never to experience His Presence. Eternally separated.

PARAKLETOS translates 'comforter'.

Jesus sent this Comforter.(John 16:7) He comes, and when welcomed in, He says "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:16)

This Comforter is here to help us know Him and His purposes. "He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."(John 14:26)

I pray that you will open your heart to Jesus afresh this Christmas season.

I pray you will experience the Comforter in very real and practical ways, bringing you the promise of "...peace that is not logical." (Phillipians 4:7)

Speak His Name. Tell the joyful news.

ALL people need to know and believe.

....else there will be another Christmas lacking joy for someone, somewhere, someday.

Alive...

As you hear the Christmas carols and bells, do you hear LOGOS, the Voice that calls us to light and life?

Do you listen to the LOGOS that was with God the Father in the beginning?

Do you know The LOGOS that became flesh?(John 1)

This LOGOS IS God's creative life-giving Word!!

Just as at Creation, He speaks and it is.

Life and Light.

HALLELUJAH, Praise the Lord.


This Christmas season, when you see a decorative holiday light, think of THE Light. Jesus said HE is The Light of the world. Listen carefully, turn your heart to hear His Voice beckoning you to share His Life.

Just as He was born to die and live again, so are we born to die...

Thru Him, we have the opportunity and invitation to die to sin, and be made re-born, made alive..

Alive.... to live eternally with Him.

Hear....

'Do you hear what I hear.....' I love the message of the familiar Christmas carol.


PROPHETES is Hebrew for prophet, a proclaimer of a divine message.

In Dt.18 the people did not want to hear or see God anymore, they were afraid.

God promised to send a Prophet...One Who would speak the words of God, One from among them, they would not be fearful of Him..


That Prophet is Jesus the Christ.

His arrival was common, He invoked no fear...he entered the world a tiny helpless infant.

He perfectly commmunicates God's Word to us (Heb.1)

Do you hear Him?

Opportunity....

MIQWEH YISRAEL is Hebrew for 'Hope of Israel'..the One Who saves those who trust in Him...

The Christmas season is the Christians's opportunity to 'go into all the world'(Mark 16:15) with the message of IMMANUEL, Hebrew for 'God with us'..

What better opportunity do we have to speak His name than at CHRISTmas time? What better time to speak of the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world? He is The One it's all about.


The One Isaiah said would thwart the enemy's plan..(8:10)..

The One the angel said would save His people.(Matthew 1:21)...



Father, open our eyes to see the opportunities to speak Your Name and tell Your message of salvation. May we see those opportunities BEFORE they unfold, not in hindsight...not wishing we had spoken, but empower us to recognize the time, enable us to be bold and courageous, that we might act in obedience, immediately, cooperating with Your Holy Spirit, acting as Your instrument to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to those He chooses to put in our path.


He is come.

HALLELUJAH, praise the Lord.

Old...

I often lightheartedly say that I am old and tired. That becomes more and more true with each passing day !! Older and tired-er !!


Santa doesn't seem to get any older, and does anyone know where he came from, who are his parents?

EL OLAM is Hebrew for 'The Eternal God'.

He has no beginning, no end, and is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

According to Isaiah 40:28, He is everlasting, never grows tired or weary, and no one can fathom His understanding.

He IS. And I am His.

That fact is indeed hard for me to fathom...that He cares for me.

Leads...

Santa has a red-nosed reindeer that leads Santa's sleigh around the world on Christmas Eve.


JEHOVAH ROI, Hebrew for 'The Lord is my Shepherd' leads us beside quiet waters, in paths of righteousness, thru the valley of the shadow of death, to springs of living water...' (Ps. 23)

He 'carries us close to His heart....(Isaiah 40)

I pray you are a sheep of His pasture.

Peace....

At Christmas time, I like to read 'The Night Before Christmas' to my grand-daughters. The book is put on our coffee table at Christmas, and is read often before it disappears after Christmas is over.

"I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!'.

Our God is JEHOVAH SHALOM, Hebrew for 'The Lord Is Peace.'

He gives much more than a good night, He brings 'the peace of God that transcends all understanding'. Philippians 4:6-7

I pray you know His peace. Not just during the Christmas season, but every moment of every day.

Banner...

There are many things that symbolize the Christmas season to us. Trees, holly, mistletoe, lights.

YAHWEH NISSI is Hebrew for 'The Lord is my Banner'.

At Christmas time, I want my banner to be the nativity, the birth of that YAHWEH TSEBAOTH Who came in Person just for me. And you.


The Lord is my Banner, Exodus 17

Workshop....

Santa has elves to help in his workshop..they make things and carry out Santa's plans to deliver them.

God is YAHWEH TSEBAOTH, Hebrew for 'The Lord of Hosts.'

His workshop is the universe.

He has every single thing, both material and spiritual, at His disposal.

His angelic helpers far outnumber Santa's elves, according to the prophet Elisha. "Those who are with us are more than those with them" (2 Kings 6:16)

This Lord of hosts came in Person.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.' (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Hallelujah

Provide...

We give Santa a list of what to provide under our tree.

God is JEHOVAH JIREH, Hebrew for 'The Lord provides'.

Matthew 6:32 tells us that our God knows what we need even before we do...and verse 30 tells us that if God takes care of the fields, He will surely take care of us !

Our... problem is we get 'needs' and 'greeds' mixed up !!

What is on your list this year?

Everywhere...

Santa can visit every house on planet earth in one night.

God is omnipresent. He is in every place at all times. He does not come to visit a believer, He comes to remain.

God is YAHWEH SHAMMAH...Hebrew for 'The Lord is there'.

And yes, He is real.

Sees...

We sing a song this time of year..."He sees you when you're sleeping...."

Santa sees if you're sleeping and he knows if you're awake.


Well, God is not a Santa. He does, however, see.

He is El Roi....Hebrew for 'the God who sees me."

Psalm 33 tells us that He looks down from heaven to see all humankind. He observes all our deeds.

You think Santa is watching? I can assure you that our God is....

"The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping ...watch on the wicked and the good." Proverbs 15:3

Santa...

Santa... That sweet man with the big soft tummy and big soft heart, love for everyone, gifts to share, joy to bring...

I wonder if some people don't think of our God like they think of Santa. The Sacred Santa of heaven, the One Who loves everybody, wants to fill our every need, fill us with happiness and joy.

Oh, and He does!! But not in the way we expect it. Often what we expect is warped from the disease of sin that we all share. Often our image of God is just that...an image of OURS. A wrong image.

I was never guilty of thinking of God as Santa-like. For me it was opposite, my image was a frowning unhappy old guy with a giant flyswat raised in waiting...waiting to swat me when I messed up. That too was a wrong image.

No, God is not a Santa. But He is the one who decides.

What is 'naughty and nice' is determined by HIS Word...by What HE says.

He is Shopet...Hebrew for judge.

He judges, He decides, He governs.

"Rise up, O Judge of the earth.." Psalm 94:2

"You have come to God, the judge of all men...."Hebrews 12:23

But there is a list.

A very important list. Just one.

And it is written in what scripture calls the Book of Life.

And 'if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life' (Rev 20:15, that person will not see 'the city that does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light...' (Rev.21:23) "Nothing impure will ever enter there, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.' (Rev. 21:27)

Forget Santa's list. My name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Written in red.

Thank You Jesus.