A Bruised Reeds, Smoldering Candles and Night Lights

Some folks think that Christians should never be depressed. Nothing could be further than the truth. We all have trials and sorrow. The truth though is that we think of those who are depressed as being negative so we shy away often quoting a scripture that is meant to encourage, but the lack of contact and compassion with those quotes is like pouring salt into a wound.

It is true we are to be light shiners and salt shakers. Sometimes just a little light dispels darkness. Sometimes just a little salt is enough seasoning.

The apostle Paul told the Romans to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep. Jesus said to come to Him because He is humble and gentle and will bring rest to the weary.

*Romans 12:15-16 Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind toward one another.  Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.  Do not be wise in your own opinion.


* Isaiah 42:3 He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.

*Matthew 11:29-30  

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Bursting With The News!

The shepherds had been out all day keeping an eye on their sheep. At last the sheep are quieting down and resting.  Now it was their turn to rest. All of a sudden out of nowhere an angel appears to them. The glory of the Lord shone around him.  They are freaked out! But the angel says, "Don't be afraid, guys. I have great news and great joy, not just for you but for all people! Tonight in the City of David a Savior is born, which is Christ the Lord. This is the sign.  You will see the baby wrapped snugly in cloths and laying in a manger. All of a sudden... the sky BURSTS with angels singing, "Glory to God in the highest! Peace on Earth and goodwill to men!

May we be filled to bursting with the joy of the Lord and ready to share the good news of the gospel of Christ!

Merry Christmas!

*Luke 2:8-14

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Gotta! Gotta! Gotta!

We are in the home stretch before the day we celebrate Christmas,  the day our precious Savior was born! It's a time of parties and gatherings. It's a time of preparing all kinds of goodies. It's a time of buying and wrapping and the list goes on and on.  It is easy to become overwhelmed and miss out on the joy of the season. But Jesus is the Prince of peace and the reason for the season.

* Psalms 46:10Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

I Just Can't Wait Till Christmas!

 The gifts are all wrapped up in pretty packages! What might be in them! Toys? Books? Clothes? As children we just can't wait to open those gifts!

As adults we just can't wait to give them! It might be something someone really, really wanted. It could be something they really needed. Whatever the circumstance we are so excited it is hard for us to wait give the gift as well.

God has many gifts for His children and I believe He feels much the same way about giving.  Our Heavenly Father is able to give and do more than we could even think of or imagine! Jesus said if we would ask anything and believe that we had already received it we could have it! Now that sounds like a Father who just can't wait to give good gifts to His children!

*Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

*Ephesians 3:20-21 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, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

*Matthew 7:11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Everything With Breath!

Okay... I really, really like turtles and this is a cute reminder to....
 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalms 150:6

 

Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

 

I Corinthians 6:19 Or 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?

Hey, you!

 We  all have a names and thank the Lord for that! Wouldn't it be horrible to be called, "Hey, you!"  all your life? When our names are spoken we know that someone is addressing us

The Lord knows our name too. Why is that so important?  Because our names are personal. When He calls us it is because He loves us personally and individually and He wants to spend time with us.

John 10:3-4“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

*Psalms 139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in Your book they all were written,  The days fashioned for me,  When as yet there were none of them.

*Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,  And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;  I have called you by your name;  You are Mine.

C'mon....Let's Talk!

We are going to sin. That's a given. When we do we often run away from the Father. But that's the worse thing we could ever do!

During the Christmas season we constantly see beautiful red and white candy canes. We can let those colors remind us that the Lord wants to spend time with us. He is the reason for this joyous season!

He in essence is saying to us, "C'mon, let's talk!"

Isaiah 1:18 Come now and let us reason says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet they I shall be as white as snow. Though theybe red as crimson they shall be as wool.

Selective Hearing

Sometimes we treat prayer as a "to do" or a "gimme" list. Prayer is so much more than that. Our Heavenly Father knows what we need before we ever ask Him. Why then do we need to ask? Perhaps we need to hear how selfish some of our prayers are!  Jesus knows we need reliable transportation, but do we really need the latest and greatest car out there? He knows we need clothing, and I believe He wants us to be well dressed. But do we really need those designer labels?

God's love is absolutely unconditional. Granting  our every request is not!

The Lord wants to bless His children with good things. Think about King Solomon. He was a very wealthy king. But it was not because he sought wealth. King Solomon asked God for wisdom to rule his people then the Lord blessed him with wealth.

Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,  And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 
Psalms 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
John 9:31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.

Beautiful Season -Beautiful Reason

From the time I was a child I have always loved bright colors and sparkly things. During this season we are surrounded with beautiful lights, pretty wrapping paper and Christmas decorations of all kinds.

 Among the beautiful carols that herald our Savior's birth, are  many activities that come with today's package. We have shopping and wrapping to do. We have cards to write and cookies to bake. Our children and our churches have extra activities as well. But, if we are going to enjoy the true beauty of Christmas, we must make time in our hearts for Him. It's true He slept in a manger, but His home should be in our heart!


*Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
 

Sayings of the Wise

There is a lot of hatred in the world today.  One has only to watch the news to confirm it! Jesus said that He was sending us out as sheep among wolves. There's a lot of wolves out there! There are a lot of haters out there! Do we sound like wolves and haters or do we sound like sheep?
There are many sayings that I have heard from friends and loved ones. Maybe you've heard them too.

 A dear friend once told me that opinions are like noses, everybody has one. It isn't necessary for us to share each opinion we have. Very seldom is unsolicited advice a good idea.

Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

 My momma used to say that fools names and fools faces are always found in public places.
Proverbs 17:23 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,  But the simple pass on and are punished.

A wise man once said if you don't stand up for something you will fall for anything.
Proverbs 28:1  The wicked flee when no one pursues,  But the righteous are bold as a lion.

My sister used to say we draw a lot more flies with sugar than vinegar.
Psalms 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;  Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Jesus tells us to come and learn from Him.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

The Apostle Paul said that godly wisdom is peaceful and gentle.
 James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

 

Flesh And Blood

John 6:53: Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

I confess this verse has always confounded me. How could we literally eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus? If we take the time to study, we will see that Jesus often spoke figuratively, in parables.

When Jesus tells us we must eat His flesh, He is speaking of His nature and philosophy. When He speaks of drinking His blood, He is speaking of drinking in what strengthens and refreshes the soul. Later on in the chapter He reveals to us that the Words that He speaks are spirit and life. We must take the time to pray and study.

My sister told me on more than one occasion that we make time for what is important to us.  I believe Jesus is saying the same thing. 

 

 

 

 

*Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

*Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 Prayer: Lord I love you and want to spend time with you. Please help me find a time during the day to devote to you and make that  my first priority!

 

Wait!

 Waiting is often the most difficult part in the life of a believer. After walking with the Lord for a while we learn that Jesus takes great pleasure in meeting our needs. So patience during that kind of waiting period gets easier.

Waiting for answers dealing with people is different altogether! We have to learn when to speak up and when to shut up! A little bit of salt lends seasoning and a good flavor.  Too much salt is distasteful!
  
As much as we love the folks Jesus has placed in our lives, He loves them even more! And as much as we want a good outcome we can't be responsible for it. We all have to work out our own salvation.

Waiting takes patience, it takes practice and it takes prayer!

Be encouraged that our God is able to do more than we could ever think of or imagine!*

 

 
*Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
 
*Ephesians 3:20-21 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, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

A Proud Look

This might have been the expression on Michal's face when she saw her husband, the king dancing before the Lord.*

The Bible has something to say about this kind of expression. It is one of the things the Lord hates. He hates it because it demonstrates pride. Michal despised her husband.*

I can almost hear my mother say, "You'd better be careful. Your face is liable to freeze that way!"

There are three things that the Lord requires of us; to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God! 

'Nuff said!

*II Samuel 6:16

Now as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

 

*Vs. 20

Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”

 

 

*Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the LORD hates,  Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies,  And one who sows discord among brethren.

 

*Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;  And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

God Listens To Our Conversations

He listens when we are in need:

Genesis 21:16-17

And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.

And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

He listens when we grumble:
Exodus 16:8

And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.

He listens when we glorify Him
Malachi 3:16

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

He hears us when we pray:
I John 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Prayer: Father thank you for showing us how much you carefully listen to our conversations.  Let our conversations be full of thanksgiving and praise and prayer.

What Do You Think?

Have you ever heard some of these instructions? " Mind your manners", Mind your parents." Or how about these phrases? "I have a mind to...",  "Bear in mind", "Changed my mind", or "give a piece of my mind."

 Mind your manners means to behave in an obedient way.  I have a mind to... means you are determined to do something.  We can bear in mind,  (or take something into consideration) . We can change our mind, (our opinion about something).

The mind is that part of us that processes how we feel or think about a thing. And how our mind is set determines what we will do about it.

Romans 12:2   Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.