Have you praised God’s faithfulness lately? December 3, 2009

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TODAY’S VERSE: Psalm 117:2

“For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)” [Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman  Foundation]

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Each day brings us new opportunities to either complain about everything going on around us, or give thanks for how blessed we really are. Every single day the choice to respond either way is in our hands…

As we enter into a new season of hope and expectation around Christmas and the upcoming New Year, it is a great time to consider God’s faithfulness in our lives. For despite all the troubles and tribulations we’ve gone through in the past year, you and I are still standing because of God’s eternal lovingkindness and faithfulness. For God as our Heavenly Father loves us so much, and every single day He bestows blessings toward our loved ones and us. Perhaps we have not taken the time to stay still and see Him working on our behalf…

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your awesome faithfulness despite everything else happening around me. Thank You for the gift of life, health, and resources to be able to live and give. Teach me each day to enjoy the beautiful life moments You grant my family and me, and give us strength to continue on our earthly journey living a life worth living. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Despite your circumstances, don’t stop the music! December 24, 2008

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TODAY’S VERSE: Luke 1:46-50
“And Mary said:
‘My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.’ ”
[New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society]

The Music Coming From the House
By Paulo Coelho

Home

On Christmas Eve, the king invited the prime minister to join him for their usual walk together. He enjoyed seeing the decorations in the streets, but since he didn’t want his subjects to spend too much money on these just to please him, the two men always disguised themselves as traders from some far distant land.

They walked through the centre of the city, admiring the lights, the Christmas trees, the candles burning on the steps of the houses, the stalls selling gifts, and the men, women and children hurrying off to celebrate a family Christmas around a table laden with food.

On the way back, they passed through a poorer area, where the atmosphere was quite different. There were no lights, no candles, no delicious smells of food about to be served. There was hardly a soul in the street, and, as he did every year, the king remarked to the prime minister that he really must pay more attention to the poor in his kingdom. The prime minister nodded, knowing that the matter would soon be forgotten again, buried beneath the day-to-day bureaucracy of budgets to be approved and discussions with foreign dignitaries.

Suddenly, they heard music coming from one of the poorest houses. The hut was so ramshackle and the rotten wooden timbers so full of cracks, that they were able to peer through and see what was happening inside. And what they saw was utterly absurd: an old man in a wheelchair apparently crying, a shaven-headed young woman dancing, and a young man with sad eyes shaking a tambourine and singing a folk song.

‘I’m going to find out what they’re up to,’ said the king. He knocked. The music stopped, and the young man came to the door.

‘We are merchants in search of a place to sleep. We heard the music, saw that you were still awake, and wondered if we could spend the night here.’

‘You can find shelter in a hotel in the city. We, alas, cannot help you. Despite the music, this house is full of sadness and suffering.’

‘And may we know why?’

‘It’s all because of me.’ It was the old man in the wheelchair who spoke. ‘I’ve spent my life teaching my son calligraphy, so that he could one day get a job as a palace scribe. But the years have passed and no post has ever come up. And then, last night, I had a stupid dream: an angel appeared to me and asked me to buy a silver goblet because, the angel said, the king would be coming to visit me. He would drink from the goblet and give my son a job.

‘The angel was so persuasive that I decided to do as he said. Since we have no money, my daughter-in-law went to the market this morning to sell her hair so that we could buy that goblet over there. The two of them are doing their best to get me in the Christmas spirit by singing and dancing, but it’s no use.’

The king saw the silver goblet, asked to be given a little water to quench his thirst and, before leaving, said to the family:

‘Do you know, we were talking to the prime minister only today, and he told us that an opening for a palace scribe would be announced next week.’

The old man nodded, not really believing what he was hearing, and bade farewell to the strangers. The following morning, however, a royal proclamation was read out in all the city streets; a new scribe was needed at court. On the appointed day, the audience room at the palace was packed with people eager to compete for that much-sought-after post. The prime minister entered and asked everyone there to prepare their paper and pens:

‘Here is the subject of the composition: Why is an old man weeping, a shaven-headed woman dancing, and a sad young man singing?’

A murmur of disbelief went round the room. No one knew how to tell such a story, apart, that is, from the shabbily dressed young man sitting in one corner, who smiled broadly and began to write.

— Used with permission from http://www.best-christmas-stories.com
TODAY’S PRAYER
Thank You Heavenly Father, for always paying attention to our needs, and finding ways to bring favor to Your children. I praise You despite my circumstances, and thank You in advance of all the wonderful blessings in store for my life and those around me. As we celebrate Christmas, grant us a higher revelation of Your love through Your Son Jesus, in whose name I pray, amen.

What gift will YOU bring to Jesus? December 22, 2008

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TODAY’S VERSE: Matthew 2:11
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”  [New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society]

TODAY’S MESSAGE
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas in a few days, I invite you to take some time to meditate on the response of these foreigners who came from such a long distance to locate a child who they somehow knew was The King born to the Jews. Guided by a bright star, they spent a great amount of time anxiously searching for him. Once they came face to face with Mary’s child, they bowed down to worship the baby, and offered the best of their treasures.

As we prepare to give out Christmas presents in honor of Jesus’ birth, I encourage you to ask yourself: What gift am I offering to the True Reason for the season? What do I have to offer Jesus that may please Him? In what ways can I express my genuine devotion to my Savior on Christmas and throughout the entire year? What else can I give outside of a heart after Him, a heart that passionately worships Him, a heart that is willing to give Him the very best?

You and I know what that is, and the time has come to come and worship…

TODAY’S PRAYER
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the awesome gift of Your Son Who was born one day to grant us eternal life in You. During this Christmas season, help me to focus my heart in honoring You above all things. Show me, Dear Lord, how to surrender my entire life as the most precious and invaluable gift I could ever offer You. I bring my heart to You right now, and thank You for receiving it. In Your Son Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Rejoice in God’s faithfulness! December 18, 2008

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TODAY’S VERSE: Isaiah 9:6
“A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace.” [Contemporary English Version (CEV) Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society]

TODAY’S MESSAGE
For the secular world, Christmas is just one more holiday to be off work, visit family and exchange gifts. For some people it is such a highly-stressful time, to the point that they dare to say, “I hate Christmas!”

If they could only pause for a moment and meditate on Christmas’ true meaning…

Only as born-again Christians, you and I are able to truly experience what Christmas is all about. For God’s everlasting love and faithfulness toward humankind was once manifested in the form of a baby, a precious little child destined to bring us back to a relationship with our Creator. And once we believe this truth and accept Jesus into our hearts, our life takes on a whole different meaning, full of hope, love, joy, peace, and happiness this secular world of ours is not able to provide.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you a joyous Christmas season.  And above everything else, allow Jesus to be the center of your life. Then the beautiful light of Bethlehem’s bright star will continue to shine through you so others may also know Jesus and experience God’s faithfulness and awesome love.

Merry Christmas! ¡Feliz Navidad!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of eternal life through Your precious son Jesus. I rejoice in Your marvelous faithfulness, and commit to allow Jesus to be the very center of my daily thoughts, actions and decisions. Use me as an instrument of good news so that those around me may come to know You. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Do you know the true meaning of Christmas? December 11, 2008

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TODAY’S VERSE: Isaiah 9:2
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”

[New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.]

TODAY’S MESSAGE
The Yellow Plastic Car By Debbie Roome

‘It is a strange sight.’ she thought. A yellow, plastic car on top of the Christmas tree, and yet when people learned why it was there, it made perfect sense.

“Granny, granny.” A little voice broke into Sheila’s senses. “You said you’d tell us about the yellow car after lunch.” Sheila smiled round at her family; her two daughters and son, their spouses and five grandchildren aged from six months to ten years. The house was warm with their love and she couldn’t think of a better setting to tell the story.

She leant back in her chair and closed her eyes.”It was five years ago this Christmas,” she began. “Grandad Bob and I had gone out for a quick burger for supper.” In her mind she could still see it. The eating area, twirling gaily with gold and silver chains and glittering fairy lights. It was Christmas Eve and that magical feeling of Christmas had been almost tangible.

“We were sitting in the corner,” she continued. “Our burgers had just been served when a group of children were shown to a long table next to us. They were all young. None of them as old as you, David.” She nodded to her eldest grandchild. “They were very excited, talking at the tops of their voices, and pointing at all the glittering decorations and the Christmas tree in the corner.”

She paused a moment, recalling the distaste she had felt with their arrival. The sense that somehow, they didn’t deserve to be there. She smiled at her grandchildren. “They didn’t have on lovely new clothes like you do today. They were clean, but their clothes were old, faded and patched. Some of them were wearing old shoes that seemed to be several sizes too big.”

Melissa-Anne, aged seven looked down at the shiny, new shoes she was wearing. “I’m so glad to have new shoes, Gran!” She exclaimed.

“Well,” Sheila continued, “I must tell you the truth. I wasn’t very happy to see these noisy children, sitting right next to our table. They laughed and shouted and only quietened down when one of the adults started to tell them the Christmas story.” The woman who had spoken was a slight slip of a person, gray hair, gray eyes, gray clothing, and yet she spoke with great love and compassion. Sheila could still hear the words in her mind.

“Merry Christmas children. We’ve brought you here for a special surprise and to remind you of how much God loves you. God gave us Jesus as a gift, so He could come and live with us. Jesus also died for us to save us from the wrong things we do. Today, we remember God’s gift.” The children had cheered and clapped as they were each served with a burger, a drink and a gaily wrapped parcel.

Sheila turned to look at five year old Danny. “There was a boy, about your age sitting at the end of table nearest to me. He was very, very thin, and he had a terrible cough.”

“That was Samuel wasn’t it Gran?” Danny asked.

Sheila nodded. “Well, Samuel ripped the paper open, and do you know what was inside?”

Danny pointed at the Christmas tree with wide eyes. “That yellow car.”

Sheila smiled. “He was so excited when he opened it. He drove it up and down the table, over the forks under the knives, and you should have heard the sounds he made.” The children laughed as David pretended to drive a car. Sheila took a sip of coffee.

“What next, what next?” Melissa-Anne begged, always the impatient one.

Sheila pulled herself upright in the chair. “I did something wrong.” She said soberly. “Samuel smiled at me and I turned away. I told Grandad Bob to take me home because the children were disturbing me and coughing their germs all over the tables.” Bob smiled from his easy chair by the Christmas tree. “He didn’t want to, but I told him if he didn’t, I would catch a taxi home.”

Although the children had heard it all before, they drew in sharp breaths of amazement. “We were getting into the car when the lady who told the Christmas story came running out.” Sheila felt her eyes moisten. Even after telling the story so many times, it still stirred her emotions.

“Excuse me,” the woman had said. “I’m Mary Richter from the AIDS Centre. I don’t want to bother you, but one of our children has asked if he could talk to you for just a moment.” Sheila had caught her breath in understanding as she saw the little boy, standing thin and gaunt in the doorway. “I normally wouldn’t ask you,” she continued, “but this will probably be the last Christmas Samuel will see. I really want it to be special for him.”

Sheila wiped her eyes. “Of course I had to say yes although I couldn’t imagine what he wanted.” Her mind drifted again as she pictured herself standing under the yellow circle of light in the parking lot.

“You look unhappy aunty.” Samuel had said to her. “I want you to have a lovely Christmas like I’m having.” He had thrown his arms around her, hugging her tightly, and then, slowly, had pressed the precious yellow car into her hands.

Danny climbed into Sheila’s lap. “Samuel died didn’t he?” Sheila nodded, looking at the photo of his beaming face on the sideboard. “He died six months after that Christmas, but he gave me so much. He helped me to stop being a crabby old lady and he showed me the true meaning of Christmas and life.”

David spoke up shyly. “And that’s why you work with the AIDS home and tell people all over the world this story.”

Sheila smiled. “That’s exactly why, David.”

Debbie Roome is passionate about writing stories that touch people’s lives and point them to God.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com CHRISTIAN WRITERS

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Jesus as an expression of true love to humankind. And thank You for the many ways You help us remember the true meaning of Christmas. Help me to always be sensitive to the needs around me, and to be a messenger of Your love and peace wherever I go. This I pray in Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Don’t despair… your moment will come! December 10, 2008

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TODAY’S VERSE: Isaiah 30:18
“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”
[New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society]

TODAY’S MESSAGE
Echoes of Joy
By Darlene Hight

Joyous melody stood, barely able to breathe as the Conductor moved closer. “Is it my turn?”, he asked in a whisper.

“Not yet.” the Conductor answered “Your time will come and it will be glorious, well worth the wait.”

Tears stung Joyous Melody’s eyes as crushing disappointment entered his spirit. I can’t bare the wait. What good is a song that can’t be expressed? Music shouldn’t have to wait. Should it? When? When will it be my time?

Years past and Joyous stood by as his friends ‘Haunting Melody’, ‘Lilting Cadence’, and ‘Hopeful Sonnet’ each in turn had their day of selection. In fact, they had been selected more than once by the conductor. And yet, Joyous waited and waited. Maybe my song isn’t worthy of singing or worse, maybe, I don’t have a song to sing. The doubts assailed him. He wondered if perhaps his song had dried up. What if when my turn comes, my song is no more than a clang? He was plagued with doubt and discouragement. And then just at the right moment, when his song seemed heavy and nearing a silent grave, the Conductor approached.

“Joyous, have you noticed the activity in heaven over the last few days?” asked the Conductor.

“Yes, Is something important about to happen?” Joyous asked curious about the stirring in heaven and the stirring in his own heart.

“It is the most important event that has ever been. It has been planned from the beginning of time. This one event will change the world forever. And you, Joyous will be a part of it. Now is your time to sing.”

Tears coursed down Joyous’ cheeks. “It’s my turn?” he whispered.

“Joyous, you have waited long and I know that it was hard but you are ready, now. You have been well trained. You have learned the lesson of timing. Your song must begin slowly, at first on the lips of Elizabeth who is married to Zacharias and the soon to be mother of John. Next, you will give voice to Mary, a young girl who has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus, God’s own son. But the full force of your song must wait until it is sung by a choir of angels as they announce the birth of Jesus, the savior of the world. Joyous, your song will never end. It will be repeated down through the ages. Many songs but one joyous event and one Joyous Melody; Hark the Herald Angels sing, Go tell it on the Mountain, Away in the Manger, Ring the Bells of Heaven and so many more songs in all languages over the entire earth, each one a Joyous Melody. Joyous, go tell your story, sing your song, now and forever.

Joyous waited, breathlessly, expectantly as the angels assembled. Then, the song burst forth in a Joyous Melody that had never before been heard and it still echoes today.

Darlene Hight

Darlene is a writer who travels with her husband,Mark across rural United States as he builds power plants.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com CHRISTIAN WRITERS

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus, and for the blessing of Christmas. As I patiently await for Your answer to my prayers, I will rejoice in Your lovingkindness and commit to wait and trust in You. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Be generous and give December 3, 2008

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TODAY’S VERSE: Matthew 10:42
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
[New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society]

As one of my yearly special devotionals, today I’ll refer you to a wonderful organization I truly believe is making a huge impact on our world’s children: WorldVision. Please accept my invitation to view the following online presentation as an opportunity to sow a seed for the next generation:

http://news.worldvision.org/W0RH006115776FC2C99162EF3EBB40

(If you encounter difficulties clicking and opening the link above, simply copy it in its entirety and paste on your web browser’s address window [the one starting with “http://…”%5D)

Peace and grace to you this Christmas season!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being Yahwe-Jireh, my Ultimate Source of provision and grace, and Yahwe-Shalom, my True Source of Everlasting Peace. In gratitude I commit to share with others the abundance and resources You have granted me. May my light continue to shine so that You continue to be glorified above all. In Your Son Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Prepare the way for your blessing December 1, 2008

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TODAY’S VERSE: Isaiah 40:3
“… Prepare in the wilderness the way of the Lord –clear away the obstacles– make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God!”
[Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

TODAY’S MESSAGE
400 years before the appearance of Jesus on earth, a prophecy was already in place for the arrival of a forerunner who would clear the path for The Messiah. It seemed necessary for God to prepare people’s hearts and ways before they could encounter Him face to face in the person of Jesus. In the midst of spiritual darkness and silence, God provided His messenger so that all obstacles were cleared for the Messiah’s appearance.

Today, as we make room for the Christmas Holiday, we need to seriously consider making room and clearing out all the “clutter” that is taking too much space in our heart. Just as we make sure our house and rooms are clean and in order for the welcoming of family and guests, God needs our hearts to be clean and cleared so that His divine manifestation of grace and blessing be alive within us.

Be ready for the season, but over everything else, be ready for God’s manifestation of grace and blessing over your life and family. It’s closer than you think!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to know You through your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to clear out all those things in the way of Your blessed manifestation in my life. Today and every day I make room in my heart for Jesus to stay and continue being my Lord and Shepherd. In His precious name I pray and rejoice, amen.