"For unto us a child is born . . . "My mom stained these in ceramics when we were children, lots of hard work but will always be a family treasure, as she was and will remain-LOVE AND MISS YOU MOM
God isn’t in
the business of meeting expectations. He’s in the business of blowing them out
of the water. Jesus is an incredible example of God’s exceeding goodness.
Through Jesus, God met needs the Jewish people didn’t even realize they had. He
provided much more than the fleeting prosperity of an earthly kingdom. He
established His eternal kingdom, provided salvation, reconciled humans to right
relationship with God, and brought hope to a broken world.
Hebrews
11:1 Now faith
is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence things not seen. Romans
8:24; (2 Cor. 4:18; 5:7)
Ephesians
3:20 Now to Him
who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is
the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Just as there was an angel of the Lord who announced to the shepherds that their Savior Jesus Christ was born, so, too, there was an angel of the Lord that descended from heaven and appeared to the Mary’s, rolling the stone away from the empty tomb and announced the good news that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead. Both at His birth and resurrection, the announcement was the same, “Fear not . . . do not be afraid.” GOOD NEWS the Savior of the world is a baby, born unto you, and lying in a manger . . . GOOD NEWS the crucified Savior is no longer lying in a tomb, He Is Risen . . . GOOD NEWS the gift of God, eternal life is ours! This Christmas let us celebrate the greatest gift and the greatest gift giver!
Luke 2:8-12 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
Matthew 28:1-3, 5-6 As the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb . . . behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow . . . the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ”
In addition
to being the moment the Savior came into the world, Christmas marks the
beginning of the legacy of eternity's greatest King. Jesus will continue to
reign long after the kings and kingdoms of this world pass away, and we will
get to live under the covering of His perfect love forever. Thank You for
coming to earth and beginning Your journey to the throne among us. I’m so
grateful You care for me deeply and will always advocate for me as my King.
Scripture Psalms 125:1-2 Those who trust in the Lord are
like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides
forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord
surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.
Observation Those who trust in the Lord are on
solid ground which cannot be moved.
Application My faith and trust is in the Lord,
my solid rock and surrounding mountain.
Prayer Thank You Lord for being my solid
ground and surrounding mountain.
Observation Jesus came to serve and lay down His life to ransom lost souls.
Application Jesus came to lay down His life to pay the ransom for my soul.
Prayer Thank You Jesus for coming to Earth to lay down Your life for me.
LORD help us to focus on, be aware of and treasure Your constant, abiding presence with us. What would Christmas be like if we truly celebrated the present of God's presence?
ADVENT-Coming
Observation Jesus saw the multitudes and was moved with compassion.
Application I, too, would see/look upon others as Jesus did, with compassion.
Prayer Lord Jesus, this day, every day You bless me with, may I look/see others through eyes of compassion, like You.
God hath not
promised skies always blue,
Flower
strewn pathways all our lives through.
God hath not
promised sun without rain,
Joy without
sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath
promised strength for the day,
Rest for the
labor, light for the way,
Grace for
the trials, help from above,
Unfailing
sympathy, undying love.
God hath not
promised we shall not know
Toil and
temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not
told us we shall not bear
Many a
burden, many a care.
But God hath
promised strength for the day,
Rest for the
labor, light for the way,
Grace for
the trials, help from above,
Unfailing
sympathy, undying love.
God hath not
promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy
travel, needing no guide.
Never a
mountain rocky and steep,
Never a
river turbid and deep.
But God hath
promised strength for the day,
Rest for the
labor, light for the way,
Grace for
the trials, help from above,
Unfailing
sympathy, undying love.-Annie Johnson Flint
Scripture Matthew 1:20-23 Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So, all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Matthew 3:17 suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Observation Jesus, Immanuel, God with us, God’s One and Only Son, God in flesh and blood.
Application Jesus, God incarnate, came to Earth like me and for me.
Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for coming like me and for me.
Scripture Psalms 124:8 Our help is in the name of
the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm
121:2 My help
comes from the Lord, the Maker of
heaven and earth.
Observation The same God Who spoke all things
into existence is my Helper, friend, Lord, creator, Father.
Application I would draw each day from Your
infinite power source.
Prayer Thank You Father for being my
constant consistent infinite source of help and strength.
Scripture
2 Corinthians 8:9
II Corinthians 9:6-8 II
Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! II Corinthians 10:4-5 10:10 10:17-18
Observation
Jesus, God’s
gift that is beyond description or measure.
Application
Today, every day,
now and forever I will be thankful to my heavenly Father for the gift of
eternal life.
Prayer Thank You Father, thank You Jesus
for the gift of eternal life.
Scripture
2 Corinthians 6:16 You are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in
them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
Observation My body is God’s temple, His Holy
Spirit lives and abides in me.
Application I would be ever aware and mindful of
the ever abide presence of God living and abiding in me.
Prayer Father, today, and every day You bless
me with, I would be ever aware of the presence of Your Holy Spirit living,
abiding, at work in and through me.
Scripture 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
Observation My God comforts me so that I might comfort others.
Application I would have a sensitivity toward the needs of others and with God’s help and guidance seek to be a comfort to them.
Prayer Father, open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my heart to be tender and sensitive to the needs of others. As You comfort me, may I be an instrument in Your hands to comfort others.
Psalm
118:17-I
shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.
2
Corinthians 12:9-And
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in
weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so
that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Let no excess of suffering drive us away from
the throne of grace, but rather let it drive us closer to it.-Charles H.
Spurgeon
“My
weakness… has turned out to be my greatest strength. I didn’t think so at the
time it happened and I don’t think I’d ever willingly lose my hands, if I had
it to do all over again. But having lost them I feel perhaps I have gained many
fine things…. It is not what you have lost, but what you have left that
counts.” When we look at past losses, it provides an opportunity to recalibrate
for future service. The Lord can leverage our losses for ministry. Don’t give
up. Your best years are now, and your best days are ahead".-Harold
Russell
Our
ability to stand tall in spite of the buffeting winds of life is directly
related to the love and support we receive from God and one another. And then,
as the writer of Hebrews says, we are to “do good and to share” (13:16).
Think of how tough it would be to withstand adversity if someone were not
sharing the roots of their strength with us. Our Daily Bread
Scripture I Corinthians 13:12-13
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.
Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am
known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these
is love. 1st John 3:2
2 Corinthians 5:7
I
Corinthians 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace . . .
Observation A glimpse of the glory, strength, power,
presence, peace, love, etc. . . . of God is what we experience now but one
forever day we will see Him in full, in all His glory and majesty.
Application I would live seeking to draw nearer,
know better my God and Father and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and look
forward to that eternal day when I will know, see, experience Him in ALL His
glory and majesty.
Prayer Thank You Jesus for opening the
doors of heaven that I might know and experience Your presence both now, in
part, and forever, in full.
Scripture I Corinthians 12:7 But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
I Corinthians 12:18 I Corinthians 12:26
Observation God gives each member unique gifts
that show forth through the Holy Spirit at work in and through us.
Application Use the gifts that God has given me
through his Holy Spirit for His glory and to minister in a unique way within His
body, the church.
Prayer Father open the eyes of my heart
that I might see how you want to use me for Your glory to minister within the
body of believers.
Scripture
I Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight
not as one who beats the air.
I
Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but 1
Cor. 1:9 God is faithful, who will not allow you to be
tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way
of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
I
Corinthians 10:23-24 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are 1 Cor. 6:12 helpful;
all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek
his own, but each one Phil.
2:4 the other’s
well-being.
I
Corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to
the glory of God. Colossians
3:17 1 Peter 4:11
Observation My God is faithful.
Application I would be a faithful follower and
seek to glorify God in what I do.
Prayer Father, today, help me to be faithful
and to honor and glorify You.
Scripture I Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God,
and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore,
glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are
God’s.
1
Corinthians 3:16 2 Corinthians 6:16 1 Peter 1:18-19 Revelation 5:9
Observation Jesus paid a high price for my soul
. . . my body is God’s temple . . . the Holy Spirit lives in me.
Application I would seek to live for the glory
of God.
Prayer Thank You Father for sending Your
Son for me. Thank You Jesus for paying the price for my soul. Thank You Holy Spirit
abiding in me. May my life be lived to glorify and honor You.
Scripture I Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Observation The Power of the Cross is beyond measure.
Application The Power of the Cross conquers sin and death.
Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for going to the cross for me.
"OTHERS"-William Booth, Founder of The Salvation Army. Let us live today with a sensitive/tender heart toward the needs of others...to be more like Jesus, to see more through His eyes, to love others the way He loves us.-Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.-Philippians 2:4
Scripture Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Mark 14:61b-62 “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? ”Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Observation The things of this world are temporary,
but God’s Word is eternal.
Application I will put my faith and trust in God’s
Word.
Prayer Father, thank You for letting me
know You and Your Word. My faith and trust is in You, Your Word, and the
eternal life and salvation You purchased for me through my Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ.
Scripture Mark 11:9-10 “ Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD !’ Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Mark
12:29-31 Jesus
answered him “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD
our God, the LORD is one and you shall love the LORD your God
with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. And
the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There
is no other commandment greater than these.”
Observation Jesus came in the name of The LORD,
Yahweh, the self-revealed Name of The God of all creation.
Application Jesus is, was, and will forever be The
One and Only LORD God over all!
Prayer Thank You LORD God, for coming in the flesh, in the person of Your Son Jesus Christ! I, too, will sing and shout, “Hosanna in the highest!” Thank You for coming for me! Thank You being my Savior!
Observation Say what you will, God knows the truth of what’s in your heart.
Application Whatever the words may be that we speak, God sees/knows what is in our hearts.
Prayer Father, I want to have a tender heart toward You that is reflected in/through my actions.
Scripture
Psalms 121:2 My
help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
Mark
9:23-24 If
you can believe, all
things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the
father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe;
help my unbelief!”
Mark
10:45 For even
the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give
His life a ransom for many.
Mark
10:51 Jesus
answered and said to him, What do you want Me to do for you?
Observation Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth came
as a servant demonstrating God’s power and love.
Application Jesus came to show me that He is the
loving and all-powerful Lord and Savior.
Prayer Jesus thank You for coming to help
me, to love me, to serve and to save me, to set an example for me.
Encouragement, we all need to be encouraged.. At some point in life we will find ourselves faced with a situation or circumstance in which we will need a helping hand, an encouraging word. I cannot count the number of times this has been the case during my lifetime. Today, in the midst of whatever we have going on in our lives let us have open ears to hear, open eyes to see, and an open heart to respond to the needs of those around us. Let us be on the look out for ways we can be a help and encouragement to one another.
Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.-Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Scripture Mark 5:19 “Go home to
your friends and tell them what great things the Lord
has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”-Jesus
Mark
6:34 Jesus,
when He came out, saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion
for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.
Observation Jesus had compassion on people and
that compassion led to action.
Application I want to look at and see this world
more like Jesus, with compassion, and may that compassion lead me to take
action.
Prayer Jesus, I want to be more like You,
to look and this world more like You, to have compassion on others and that
compassion would move me to take action.
Scripture
Mark 3:35- Whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and
mother.-Jesus
Mark
4:9-He who has ears
to hear, let him hear!-Jesus
Mark
4:23- If anyone has ears to hear,
let him hear.
Mark
4:40 “Why are
you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
Observation Jesus shares over and over with the
people and pretty much says, You better listen, and the evidence will be when
you show by your actions that you really hear, believe, live out, have faith in
what I am teaching.
Application I would put my faith/trust wholly in
Jesus, in God’s Word. I would not only listen to but be a doer of God’s Word.
Prayer Dear Jesus, by the power of Your
Holy Spirit, I would put my faith in and be a doer of Your Word. I would show through my actions that I trust
in, believe in You and Your Word.
Scripture Job 19:25-26 I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,
Observation In the midst of pain, suffering,
loss, Job’s trust/faith was in a Living Redeemer that one day he would meet/see
face to face.
Application No matter what I am facing, how
trying things may get, my hope, my faith, my trust is in a Living Lord, my
Savior and Redeemer Who I will one day, with a new body, see face to face.
Scripture Luke 24:6-8 He is not here
but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands
of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And
they remembered His words.
Luke
24:45-47 He
opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures . . .
it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise
from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of
sins should be preached in His name to all nations.
Luke
24:53 They were
continually in the temple praising and blessing God.
Observation It was necessary for Jesus to suffer
and rise again.
Application Today, I remember and am thankful
for Jesus’ sacrifice and that He conquered sin and death for me.
Prayer Thank You Jesus for doing what only
You could do defeating sin and death for all who would believe, including me. Thank
You for the gift of eternal life. May I live a life that blesses and praises You.
Scripture Luke 23:35b He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God. 23:37b If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.
Observation People wanted Jesus to prove He was Christ The King by saving Himself.
Scripture Acts 7:48 The Most High does not dwell in
temples made with hands.
Observation God does not live/abide in a
building but in the hearts of His people.
Application I would live my life in light of the
reality that the Spirit of The Living God of all creation lives/abides/makes
His home in my heart/body. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Acts 17:24
Prayer Father God, I would live my life
each moment of each day in recognition that You live/abide within me, that
my body is Your temple.
58 Years ago, on October 17, 1964 at 6:37 pm eastern time at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan, Michael Anthony Rodriguez was born to Blas and Peggy Rodriguez. I will always remember the story my dad told me about barely making it to the hospital and that if he had hit another red light or two I may have been born in the car. I am thankful for the parents God blessed me with, for my one and only sister, Tina Rodriguez Coffelt, for all my nieces and nephews, that I am still here today to share life with my pretty wife Susie, and above all for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Who has blessed me with the gift of eternal life
Scripture Acts 27:20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would ...
