New Season in Life

 Autumn has arrived and Summer is gone - the weather is changing, the trees are losing their leaves and the sun is going down a little earlier each day. My friend, a new season in our lives has begun. 

As we face each new day, Be kind to one another and show God's love as we don't know what another person is going through. John 15:12 'This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you' 

If you are struggling and going through a tough time, know that you are not alone. It is through Christ that we can endure, it is through Christ that we get our strength as it says in Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  

Christ said he would never leave us...as we see in Hebrews 13:5 "For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 

My friend, the seasons may change, but our Lord never does. He cares for you and is with you always through the good times and the bad - through every season of life. Draw near to God in prayer and Bible study, talk with Him daily and build your relationship with Him. 

Our Source of Strength

When times get tough, what is your source of strength?  

Let's look at scripture and see what Paul and Silas' source of strength was: Acts 16:25 'About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them'. 

Here we see Paul and Silas as they were in prison in the most loathsome and uncomfortable conditions.  In the face of greater punishment and even death itself, in the midnight hours you could hear the trustful songs of praise and prayer ringing through the prison instead of groans, weeping and fear. They manifested peace and trust in the midst of their trial as their faith in God was their strength.

At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You because of Your righteous ordinances. ~ Psalm 119:62

My friend, Jesus Christ is our source of strength! Let us lift our voices up to him and Trust Him for the ultimate outcome! 

Be Empowered

 Are you feeling as if you don’t have the strength to face the daily challenges of this life?  My dear friend, you are not alone!  The power of Christ in Paul's life empowered him to live as unto the Lord and so it is for the life that lies ahead of you and me. 

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'.

The Apostle Paul knew this all too well. In his life he suffered for Christ's sake, was beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, placed in prisons, was hungry and cold yet his testimony was 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' This was not an expression of pride in his own abilities but a declaration of the strength provided by Christ. The Greek word for strengthen in this verse means to empower. My friend Christ empowers us and gives us the ability to face whatever circumstance we are faced with. We are not alone, it is through Christ we are made strong. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:10 'Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.' 

Paul accomplished great things for God even though he suffered much. Fixing his eyes on Christ he said 'I can' and so can you and I.  Take courage my friend and say with the Apostle Paul, I can through Christ who gives me strength.

Jesus Our Hope

 Jesus Christ has Risen! He has Risen Indeed!  Up from the grave He arose!

As believers, we have a "living hope" because we serve a living Savior! He is Alive He is not Dead - Jesus Christ has Risen!!!

1 Peter 1:3 ―Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (NKJV)

Eye witnesses have proven the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:6 'He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.'

Jesus said to Thomas in John 20:29, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Remember each day what our Savior did for us and live for Him every moment of every day. He is Risen!  Thank you Jesus for suffering that painful death on the Cross for me, for all of us, that we may be Saved and live with you throughout Eternity! Let us today and everyday celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ! Amen

Renewed Hope

 As we close out another year, looking back on everything that happened during the year and looking forward to the coming year, I am filled with many emotions.  We are thankful for the strength that  the Lord gave us as we went through various trials; thankful for a peace in our hearts through tragedy and struggles; and thankful for the many blessings and happy moments given us throughout the year. We praise you Lord that you were with us every moment of a day. We see through life's lens the Lord's presence in our lives, leading and guiding us throughout the year. 

A new year brings new opportunities and a renewed hope.  The Apostle Paul encourages us to live our lives for Christ in Colossians 1:10 ‘So as to Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.’  

My friend, the task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.

Ephesians 6:10 'Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.'

 Philippians 4:13 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' 

Trust in The Lord, He will give you the strength and equip you for the task set before you.  Let us begin this year placing our full trust in the Lord knowing He has a plan and purpose for our lives. Face each circumstance knowing God is with you and will never forsake you. Daily ask the Lord to guide you in the way you should go.

My friend, this life, as we know it here on Earth, is just a temporary home. We never know when the Lord shall return; therefore, we should always live each day as unto the Lord. Be ready, be faithful and live each day as unto the Lord.

Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas to all our Family and Friends! May you have a blessed day as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. God bless you all.

Today in the town of David (Bethlehem) a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” ~ Luke 2:11-14 

Christ our Lord being born in Bethlehem was a fulfillment of prophecy announced in Micah 5:2. Augustus Caesar may have been ruling at the time, but God was in charge, for He used Caesar's edict to move Mary and Joseph eighty miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill His Word. Bethlehem means "house of bread," the ideal birthplace for the Bread of Life - John 6:35 'And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.' 

My friend, God gave the greatest gift of all - His son Jesus Christ. Celebrate His Birth this Christmas and Thank Him for the blessings in your life.  Let's join the angels this Christmas season as we say 'Glory to God in the highest'

Light of the World

Oh how I love the Christmas Season!  A time to celebrate our Savior, Jesus Christ's Birth and the reason He came so that we could be saved and live with Him throughout Eternity.  

One of my favorite things of Christmas are the Christmas lights that adorn our homes, businesses, and towns.  You see, each Christmas light reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the world.  It is so beautiful especially at night-time when it is dark they really shine bright.  The same in our lives, when we are at our darkest point in life, Christ's light shines through us to encourage and strengthen us. 

So this Christmas season, when you see the beautiful Christmas lights, stop and reflect on all the blessings God has given you and know that He is with you twenty-four seven.  He never sleeps and is waiting to commune with you.

Jesus is the reason for the Season - Keep Christ in CHRISTmas!