Author Archives: famtree2014

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December 15, 2013

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God's Plan, God's Promises

There Were Prophesies

O Bethlehem … you are but a small Judean village, yet you will be the birthplace of my King who is alive from everlasting ages past! … And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God, and his people shall remain there undisturbed, for he will be greatly honored all around the world. He will be our Peace. [Micah 5:2,4-5 (TLB)]

From the time of the exodus around 1440 BC, the Hebrews had been waiting for their promised savior. Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah all prophesized the coming of a messiah. John the Baptist was making the same prophesy during the time Jesus lived. Yet, what happened? Why didn’t they recognize Jesus when he came? Perhaps it was because they weren’t thinking big enough. Although most of the Jews believed a messiah would arrive and that he would bring a new kingdom, they thought this would simply be a new government for Israel that was not under the rule of Rome. God had much bigger plans for his people. Thank you God, for thinking big and beyond the here and now. The promised Messiah freed us from more than bondage to Rome; He freed us from our bondage to sin. The promised Messiah did, indeed, bring us a new kingdom: the kingdom of God!

“Comfort, yes, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and tell her that her sad days are gone. Her sins are pardoned, and I have punished her in full for all her sins.” Listen! I hear the voice of someone shouting, “Make a road for the Lord through the wilderness; make him a straight, smooth road through the desert. Fill the valleys; level the hills; straighten out the crooked paths, and smooth off the rough spots in the road. The glory of the Lord will be seen by all mankind together.” The Lord has spoken—it shall be. [Isaiah 40:1-5 (TLB)]

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December 13, 2013

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God's Plan, Obedience, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Temptation & Sin

Run For Your Life

When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful. When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” … But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. [Genesis 19:16-17, 26 (NLT)]

Sodom was to be destroyed. Lot warned his sons-in-law who laughed and ignored him. Even Lot was tentative about leaving until the angels pulled him away. Lot finally took his wife and daughters and fled the doomed city. Unfortunately, Lot’s wife just had to take one last look back and she, too, was destroyed.

We may not live in Sodom, but we might be mired in things that can destroy us: unhealthy lifestyles, destructive habits, harmful relationships, dead-end jobs, or deepening depression. God will provide a means of escape but we are the ones who will have to take the journey. It could take professional help or simply some deep soul-searching but there may be changes we must make or we, too, will be destroyed. Being willing to make a change is not easy, but it is often necessary for our salvation. Let’s not be like Lot’s sons-in-law and ignore God’s warning or like Lot’s wife who clung to her past. Our past must never keep us from the beautiful future God has planned for us.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. [Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)]

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December 11, 2013

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Holidays & Holy Days, Love & Works

Christmas Gifts

2013-12-11Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors. [Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (MSG)]

I have a friend who needed to rent a truck to bring home all of the gifts she’d purchased this last weekend. She said she still has twenty-six more gifts to purchase for Christmas. God wisely kept His hand over my mouth as I pondered her words.

The first Christmas gift wasn’t wrapped in a gaudy box and laid under an ornamented tree in a beautifully decorated home. The first Christmas gift was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in a feed trough in a stable. That first gift was a gift of sacrifice, forgiveness and love. Unlike today’s presents, that first gift will never break, go out of style, wear out, or need replacement batteries. The gift of Jesus is a present that continues to work it’s miracle of love and redemption. Lord, guide us so that the gifts we give at Christmas reflect your grace and not simply the depth of our pockets or the extent of our credit limits!

The best gift we can offer others is the gift of our time. A helping hand, a listening ear, simple words of encouragement and support: these are presents wrapped in love and caring. They may be small gifts handed out just now and then, but over the years they add up to so much. [Joel Osteen, from “The Christmas Spirit”]

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December 10, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holidays & Holy Days

‘Tis the Season to be Busy

A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”

 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” [Luke 10: 38b-42 (MSG)]

O Lord, there is so much we need to do and so little time in which to do it. Our days seem to pass by in a whirlwind of activity. We need a few more hours in each day if we’re ever going to accomplish everything set before us. Don’t let our busyness, even when we’re occupied doing something for you, hinder us from feeling your presence in our lives. Help us pause to relish the holiness of this and every day.

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December 9, 2013

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God's Word: The Bible, Wisdom & Guidance

Teach Me

For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. [Proverbs 2:6-8 (NLT)]

There is so much I don’t know and so little that I truly understand. Teach me, Lord, please teach me.

 

 

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December 8, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holidays & Holy Days, Wisdom & Guidance

Presence Not Presents (2nd Sunday in Advent)

And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel” (which being interpreted is, “God with us”). [Matthew 1:21-23 (NKJV)]

In this Christmas season, O Lord, how easy it is to get caught up in the trimmings and forget the significance of this holiday. As the celebration of our Savior’s birth fast approaches, help us focus on Christ’s presence and not people’s presents. Remind us of the true meaning of “Christmas spirit” and show us how to keep Christ at the center of our hearts, not just this holiday season but every day of the year.