TRUE TESTIMONY

 SCRIPTURE John 19:35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.

 John 20:30-31 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

OBSERVATION John the disciple gives true testimony that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, that we may believe and have eternal life.

APPLICATION I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Giver of the gift of eternal life. 

PRAYER Thank You Jesus for paying the price so that I may have the gift of eternal life.

Peace through the Cross

Each Friday between now and Easter I will remember the cross and Jesus' sacrifice. . . . Jesus, today I remember and give thanks that I have peace with the Father through the blood of Your Cross.-Colossians 1:20

ADVENT-The Journey to Christmas

 

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.

GOOD NEWS-From a Full Cradle to an Empty Tomb

 

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. ”

FOREVER KING

 

 

 

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.

PRESENT PRESENCE

 Advent-Coming, Arriving, PRESENT. God's presence with us is one of His greatest presents to us.

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

 The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel-God with us. Isaiah 7:14

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-Hope

ADVENT-Coming

Christmas is the season of hope. Children hope for the latest popular toy or game. Families hope that everyone can make it home for the holidays. But the hope that Christmas commemorates is much bigger than our holiday desires. JESUS, the “Desire of All Nations” (Hag. 2:7), HAS COME! He has “delivered us from the power of darkness,” bought our redemption, and forgiven our sins (Col. 1:13-14).Christ in us gives us the hope of glory. Praise God for the hope of Christmas!-From the pages of Our Daily Bread

Immanuel-God with Us

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.

Comforted to be a Comforter

 

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.

STRENGTH in Brokeness

 

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

In Part . . . In Full

 

 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.

Eternal Word

 

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.

Hosanna in the Highest!

 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! 

Serving, Helping, Saving

 

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.

Remember His Sacrifice

 

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.

Jesus, my Savior

 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.
Application Jesus came to save us by sacrificing Himself.
Prayer Thank You Jesus, my Savior, for sacrificing Yourself to pay the penalty/price for my sin.

The Day I was Born

 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

Marvel and Astonishment

 

Scripture Luke 4:22 So all bore witness to Him and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?

Luke 4:32 They were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority.

Luke 4:36 Jesus speaks/commands with authority and power.

Observation People marveled at Jesus’ gracious word, were astonished at His teaching with authority, for He commanded with authority and power.

Application/Prayer  Jesus, I, too, want to speak gracious words. I, too, would be astonished at Your teaching. I, too, would marvel at Your words spoken with authority and power.  

Christ My Savior

 Scripture Luke 2:10-11, 40 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 the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Observation Jesus Christ the Lord, strong in spirit, full of wisdom and God’s grace, a Savior for all people.

Application Good tidings of great joy for all the people includes me. Jesus came to be my Lord and Savior.

Prayer Thank You Jesus for coming to be my Lord and Savior.