November 13, 2022
Oh, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Yes, I am one who loves Christmas, the lights, the decorations, the music, the older movies, and most of all sharing the true story of Jesus coming to earth as a baby who will be our Savior. He came to make a New Covenant with God. He took our place as a sacrifice and we can now be in Him if we receive Him into our hearts. I know Thanksgiving is just a few days away also. Giving thanks for all He has given us, for the precious Word of God that guides us and leads us in all ways and for Him coming to earth to take our place and redeem us from all unrighteousness, is the very greatest gift of all. There’s nothing comparable in this world. Thankfulness is one of the greatest heart attitudes we can have to receive anything He has for us.
As I sought the Lord this week, He asked me a question and then asked me to ask Him a question. This is what He said to ask Him, “What is on Your heart, Lord?” So, I asked and this was His answer, “My heart is for you to know how much I love YOU. I’m not focused on your flaws, your impatience, your plans. Even though I will guide you when you ask for guidance that isn’t my focus. Do you truly know I love you? Do you know My love deeply? Do you feel My love pouring over you? You cannot take credit for the love you have for Me. You have MY love because you have Me. Care for My love in your heart like a precious treasure. Protect it, guard it, fight for it. Don’t let other thoughts and ways cover it up. Let it shine! Don’t blend in with the world to avoid persecution. Shine! Smile My love through your lips. Breathe Me and My love into the lives of others. Hug others with My love. Touch others with My love. My love will go through you to them. My love is in you because you know Me. You have all my love so let it out. You already received My love so believe the truth that you already have it. It’s impossible to have My mind without experiencing My heart!” Wow. That sat me down and I saw His heart. What is on His mind? That we all know how much we are loved. We say we know but we haven’t even begun to experience the depth of His love for us.
Then the Lord asked me, “What is on your heart for the holidays? Tell me your desires. Write them down. It’s alright to have special thoughts, ideas and ways to share My love. This time of year people’s heart’s are about sharing, loving, giving, encouraging, and helping others. What brightens your eyes, makes you wide-eyed during the Christmas season?”
I thought about this. I have goals, dreams, desires. I think we all go into this season desiring to keep the focus on Him and His birth and distractions come, the enemy comes to steal the seeds sown. What we share with others this time of year is the same thing we are sharing with them everyday of the year. The difference is that people’s hearts seem to be more open. Even though the holidays are very secular, the power in the truth that Christmas is about His birth and His coming to earth is a truth that cannot be denied. People feel that Spirit even if they do not know what they are feeling. They have to on purpose determine not to feel it and to avoid it. Many do reject the whole Truth that Christmas is about Jesus – Christ mas. Others do not understand what they are experiencing. As Believers the more we share Jesus this time of year, I believe the more hearts that are open to hearing.
I do have some personal goals that I am asking Him to help me with. One would be getting my cards out before Christmas. 😊 The others are about not letting the distractions the enemy sends take over my thoughts or time. And I love lights. I want lots of lights. Light always repels darkness.
I read 1 Thessalonians this week. What an encouraging Book of the Word. There were a few things he shares with us to do in chapter 5 verses 14-24. These are instructions Paul was giving us through the Holy Spirit on how to help others.
“We appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters,
**to instruct those who are not in their place of battle.
**Be skilled at gently encouraging those who feel themselves inadequate.
**Be faithful to stand your ground.
**Help the weak to stand again.
**Be quick to demonstrate patience with everyone.
**Resist revenge, and make sure that no one pays back evil in place of evil
**but always pursue doing what is beautiful to one another and to all the unbelievers.
**Let joy be your continual feast.
**Make your life a prayer.
**And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.
**Never restrain or put out the fire of the Holy Spirit.
**And don’t be one who scorns prophecies,
**but be faithful to examine them by putting them to the test, and
**afterward hold tightly to what has proven to be right.
**Avoid every appearance of evil.
**Now, may the God of peace and harmony set you apart, making you completely holy.
**And may your entire being—spirit, soul, and body—be kept completely flawless in the appearing of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. The one who calls you by name is trustworthy and will thoroughly complete his work in you.
These are instructions for this season in the conditions of the world sytem we live in and great
encouragement during the Christmas season. This year Christmas may look different in many homes. That may be a good thing. People are looking for Truth right now and the Truth of the birth of Jesus is life changing.
Here are some verses about the powerful, anointed love of God towards us. Then He asks us to share this love, through Him, with those around us.
“For here is the way God loved the world—he gave his only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him[b] will never perish but experience everlasting life.”
John 3:16
“Those who are loved by God, let his love continually pour from you to one another, because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of him. The one who doesn’t love has yet to know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8
“The light of God’s love shined within us when he sent his matchless Son into the world so that we might live through him. This is love: He loved us long before we loved him. It was his love, not ours. He proved it by sending his Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins. Delightfully loved ones, if he loved us with such tremendous love, then “loving one another” should be our way of life!”
1 John 4:9-11
“Even if the mountains were to crumble and the hills disappear, my heart of steadfast, faithful love will never leave you, and my covenant of peace with you will never be shaken,” says Yahweh, whose love and compassion will never give up on you.”
Isaiah 54:10
“Give thanks to the great God of the heavens! His tender love for us continues on forever!” Psalm 136:26
“Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!” Romans 8:37-39
“But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!” Romans 5:8
“My old identity has been crucified with Christ and no longer lives. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, dispensing his life into mine!” Galatians 2:20
“But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy. Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace!” Ephesians 2:4-5
“But Lord, your nurturing love is tender and gentle. You are slow to get angry yet so swift to show your faithful love. You are full of abounding grace and truth.”
Psalm 86:15
“The Lord your God is in your midst, A Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins],
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17
“Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children. The reason the world doesn’t recognize who we are is that they didn’t recognize him.” John 3:1
“For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends.” John 15:13
“We have come into an intimate experience with God’s love, and we trust in the love he has for us.” 1 John 4:16
Oh, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Yes, I am one who loves Christmas, the lights, the decorations, the music, the older movies, and most of all sharing the true story of Jesus coming to earth as a baby who will be our Savior. He came to make a New Covenant with God. He took our place as a sacrifice and we can now be in Him if we receive Him into our hearts. I know Thanksgiving is just a few days away also. Giving thanks for all He has given us, for the precious Word of God that guides us and leads us in all ways and for Him coming to earth to take our place and redeem us from all unrighteousness, is the very greatest gift of all. There’s nothing comparable in this world. Thankfulness is one of the greatest heart attitudes we can have to receive anything He has for us.
As I sought the Lord this week, He asked me a question and then asked me to ask Him a question. This is what He said to ask Him, “What is on Your heart, Lord?” So, I asked and this was His answer, “My heart is for you to know how much I love YOU. I’m not focused on your flaws, your impatience, your plans. Even though I will guide you when you ask for guidance that isn’t my focus. Do you truly know I love you? Do you know My love deeply? Do you feel My love pouring over you? You cannot take credit for the love you have for Me. You have MY love because you have Me. Care for My love in your heart like a precious treasure. Protect it, guard it, fight for it. Don’t let other thoughts and ways cover it up. Let it shine! Don’t blend in with the world to avoid persecution. Shine! Smile My love through your lips. Breathe Me and My love into the lives of others. Hug others with My love. Touch others with My love. My love will go through you to them. My love is in you because you know Me. You have all my love so let it out. You already received My love so believe the truth that you already have it. It’s impossible to have My mind without experiencing My heart!” Wow. That sat me down and I saw His heart. What is on His mind? That we all know how much we are loved. We say we know but we haven’t even begun to experience the depth of His love for us.
Then the Lord asked me, “What is on your heart for the holidays? Tell me your desires. Write them down. It’s alright to have special thoughts, ideas and ways to share My love. This time of year people’s heart’s are about sharing, loving, giving, encouraging, and helping others. What brightens your eyes, makes you wide-eyed during the Christmas season?”
I thought about this. I have goals, dreams, desires. I think we all go into this season desiring to keep the focus on Him and His birth and distractions come, the enemy comes to steal the seeds sown. What we share with others this time of year is the same thing we are sharing with them everyday of the year. The difference is that people’s hearts seem to be more open. Even though the holidays are very secular, the power in the truth that Christmas is about His birth and His coming to earth is a truth that cannot be denied. People feel that Spirit even if they do not know what they are feeling. They have to on purpose determine not to feel it and to avoid it. Many do reject the whole Truth that Christmas is about Jesus – Christ mas. Others do not understand what they are experiencing. As Believers the more we share Jesus this time of year, I believe the more hearts that are open to hearing.
I do have some personal goals that I am asking Him to help me with. One would be getting my cards out before Christmas. 😊 The others are about not letting the distractions the enemy sends take over my thoughts or time. And I love lights. I want lots of lights. Light always repels darkness.
I read 1 Thessalonians this week. What an encouraging Book of the Word. There were a few things he shares with us to do in chapter 5 verses 14-24. These are instructions Paul was giving us through the Holy Spirit on how to help others.
“We appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters,
**to instruct those who are not in their place of battle.
**Be skilled at gently encouraging those who feel themselves inadequate.
**Be faithful to stand your ground.
**Help the weak to stand again.
**Be quick to demonstrate patience with everyone.
**Resist revenge, and make sure that no one pays back evil in place of evil
**but always pursue doing what is beautiful to one another and to all the unbelievers.
**Let joy be your continual feast.
**Make your life a prayer.
**And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.
**Never restrain or put out the fire of the Holy Spirit.
**And don’t be one who scorns prophecies,
**but be faithful to examine them by putting them to the test, and
**afterward hold tightly to what has proven to be right.
**Avoid every appearance of evil.
**Now, may the God of peace and harmony set you apart, making you completely holy.
**And may your entire being—spirit, soul, and body—be kept completely flawless in the appearing of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. The one who calls you by name is trustworthy and will thoroughly complete his work in you.
These are instructions for this season in the conditions of the world sytem we live in and great
encouragement during the Christmas season. This year Christmas may look different in many homes. That may be a good thing. People are looking for Truth right now and the Truth of the birth of Jesus is life changing.
Here are some verses about the powerful, anointed love of God towards us. Then He asks us to share this love, through Him, with those around us.
“For here is the way God loved the world—he gave his only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him[b] will never perish but experience everlasting life.”
John 3:16
“Those who are loved by God, let his love continually pour from you to one another, because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of him. The one who doesn’t love has yet to know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8
“The light of God’s love shined within us when he sent his matchless Son into the world so that we might live through him. This is love: He loved us long before we loved him. It was his love, not ours. He proved it by sending his Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins. Delightfully loved ones, if he loved us with such tremendous love, then “loving one another” should be our way of life!”
1 John 4:9-11
“Even if the mountains were to crumble and the hills disappear, my heart of steadfast, faithful love will never leave you, and my covenant of peace with you will never be shaken,” says Yahweh, whose love and compassion will never give up on you.”
Isaiah 54:10
“Give thanks to the great God of the heavens! His tender love for us continues on forever!” Psalm 136:26
“Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!” Romans 8:37-39
“But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!” Romans 5:8
“My old identity has been crucified with Christ and no longer lives. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, dispensing his life into mine!” Galatians 2:20
“But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy. Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace!” Ephesians 2:4-5
“But Lord, your nurturing love is tender and gentle. You are slow to get angry yet so swift to show your faithful love. You are full of abounding grace and truth.”
Psalm 86:15
“The Lord your God is in your midst, A Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins],
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17
“Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children. The reason the world doesn’t recognize who we are is that they didn’t recognize him.” John 3:1
“For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends.” John 15:13
“We have come into an intimate experience with God’s love, and we trust in the love he has for us.” 1 John 4:16
