Treasures

"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." Matthew 2:11 (NIV)

 

What are you doing with your treasures? The Magi came from the east for to worship the Christ child. They brought gifts- gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts were precious, rare, valuable, expensive, and significant.

 

In her book, Legacy of Prayer: A Spiritual Trust Fund for the Generations, Jennifer Kennedy Dean writes, "We can leave behind for our descendants a spiritual trust that can never be stolen, squandered, or lost. The words we speak in prayer, are living and active vehicles of God's power. Our prayers are "stored up" in the spiritual realm, to be released at exactly the ripe moment."

 

In todays news, we hear unsettling phrases such as "Recession", "Economic Crisis", "Bailouts", and "Bankruptcy". Let's respond by focusing on the One to whom the whole earth belongs (Psalm 24:1), and making spiritual deposits that matter for eternity!

 

 

Father God, this Christmas season and in the New Year to come, help us to focus on our true treasure, Jesus Christ, and to diligently store up prayers in heaven on behalf of our descendants that will be answered in Your perfect timing. Amen.

 

 

Have a blessed Christmas! May the grace and peace of the LORD be with you!

 

 

Christmas Wishes



Our oldest granddaughter emailed us her "Christmas Wish List". She requested a butterfly net and book, a doll, clip-on earrings, a purse, and all things sparkly- shoes, bracelets, necklaces, rings, hair clips, lip gloss and powder. And then, there's my favorite- "a beautiful princess dress that reaches to my ankles".

 

I hope she gets it all! But I do have my own wish list for Joy:

 

My prayer is that like the shepherds, she will hurry to the Christ child, like the wise men she will seek Him, like the angels she will praise Him, and like His Father she will love Him. I pray she will believe Him and make room for Him in her life. May she live "happily-ever-after" with the Lover of her soul and Prince of Peace... Jesus the Messiah.

 

My wish for her is my wish for you as well. Christmas blessings to you and yours!

 

 

What are your Christmas wishes?

Jesus in Me

 

Humans inherit familial features, such as Grandma Joan's curly hair,  Papa Joe's brown eyes, or Uncle Henry's pointed nose. These features remind us of particular relatives. Who do you resemble? Who do people see in you?

 

Jesus Christ - Immanuel - became flesh and came to live among us (John 1:14). Sharing in our humanity, He experienced hunger, grief, pain, sorrow, loneliness, disappointment, and death. Jesus, God Incarnate, was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet lived a sinless life. Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God (1 Peter 3: 18). Buried and raised from the dead, He gives His Spirit to live in us (John 14: 16-17).

 

Apostle Paul wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2: 20). Paul exhorts believers to put to death evil practices, and put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (Col. 3: 5-10). Meditate on Colossians 3: 1-17. What do you need to put away, and what will you put on, so that others can more clearly see Jesus in you?

 

This Christmas season, may Immanuel - God with us - be seen in you and me. More than a clean and orderly house, may others see a pure heart. More than tree ornaments and lights, let them see the light and love of Jesus. More than cookies and candy, may they taste and see the Lord is good!

First Friday: Prayer for Children

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,

the fruit of the womb is a reward."

Psalm 127:3 (NAS).

 

 

Our Father God in Heaven, you are the Creator of the heavens and the earth. You have made us in your image. Thank you for the gift of children. Forgive us for the times we have neglected and mistreated this precious gift.

 

Thank you for the gifts and talents with which you have blessed the children in our world. Your plans for each of them is good. They are fearfully and wonderfully made!

 

Bless children with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Bless them, LORD, with good health and strength. Give children humble spirits and grateful hearts. May they always demonstrate a child-like faith in God. May each child honor and obey their parents.

 

Father God, you sent your Son to earth as a baby. You gave him, the name above every name...Jesus. I pray the children in our world will decide to follow Jesus. I pray each will know truth and obey God. Help them to make good choices. Protect our children from harm, injury, and disease. Protect our children from evil. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon their generation. In the holy name of Jesus the Savior...amen. 

 

 





I'm Thankful

These are things for which I'm thankful:

* My prayer group meets to pray for our grandchildren and the world they live in.
* Moms who bring their babies to Bible study. It's awesome to see their desire to know God's Word.
* My church family looks like heaven. Red and yellow, black, brown, and white...all precious people in God's sight.
* Pastors who boldly declare God's truth.
* Freedom to worship.
* I live in a city where churches work together for the cause of Jesus Christ.
* My parents faithfully took my brother and me to church, and taught us God's Word.
* I've been married to my husband and best friend for over 25 years. And he always has my back.
* God's provision is more than enough.
* Jesus sacrificed His life for me and you, so we could be forgiven, and live abundantly and eternally.



Have a blessed Thanksgiving!


For what are you thankful?

The Gift of Prayer

My granddaughter's soccer team hadn't scored a goal all season. Before a game, I prayed with Joy, asking God to protect her and her teammates from injury, to help them follow the rules and demonstrate good sportsmanship. I also asked the Lord to allow the girls to experience the joy of making a goal. I'm grateful God heard our request, and He was faithful to answer. The team made their first goal!

Every good and perfect gift is from God, our heavenly Father (James 1: 17). I'm thankful for the gift of prayer. We have the privilege to come confidently before God's throne. He hears us, and He answers. We are to pray all the time about everything, giving the LORD thanks. We can bring Him all our troubles and concerns. And He is not burdened when our request seems small and insignificant.

 

I'm grateful for the gift of prayer. I'm thankful God showed an eight-year-old girl she can pray anytime and about everything...even soccer goals!

 

Scripture References: Hebrews 4:14; Psalm 116: 1-2; Matthew 7:11; Philippians 4:6; Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Peter 5: 7.

 

In what ways are you thankful for the gift of prayer?

Writing God-Honoring Holiday Letters

Psalm 78: 4 says, "We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done." (NIV). We can communicate God's greatness in a holiday letter.

First, pray and ask for God's direction. Ask Him to help you determine whom to write  and what to communicate.

Next, share a special memory or event, and elaborate on your feelings. Keep your letter short and readable.

Conclude with a sincere wish, blessing, or prayer. Apostle Paul concluded his second letter to the Corinthian church this way: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." 2 Cor. 13:14.

Finally, pray for your recipient before mailing the letter.

 

I wrote this letter to my niece, Madison:

 

Dear Madison,

Do you remember when we visited the Natural Science Museum's Butterfly Center? While you remained quiet and still, a butterfly settled softly on your hand.

A butterfly goes through stages. First a female butterfly lays an egg. Next a caterpillar hatches from the egg. Then the caterpillar feeds, grows, and sheds its skin before changing into a pupa. A time of waiting follows. Finally, the butterfly struggles to emerge. The new butterfly is unique and beautiful.

 



A big lesson I learned in my Patriarchs Bible study is when God gives you a promise, expect a time of waiting and testing before the promise is fulfilled.

Waiting for the fulfillment of God's promise reminds me of a butterfly. The promise is revealed, and followed by a season of preparation, waiting, and testing, just as the butterfly strives to get out of the cocoon. And finally, when it seems you will never see the promise come to pass, it arrives right on time, and you are left in awe.

The LORD has promises for you. While waiting for their fulfillment, you may be tempted to believe God has forgotten you. At times, you may feel the enemy is about to devour you. Other times, it may seem the trial is more than you can bear. But never give up. Remember Apostle Paul's words, "Fight the good fight of faith." When your promise comes, marvel in God's faithfulness! He always keeps His Word.

This Christmas season, may you be in awe of the wonder of the Promised Messiah. Merry Christmas, Madison! I love you!

Aunt Lori

 

Share the great things the LORD did or taught you in a special letter, a treasured keepsake for your loved one!

 

What great thing has God done for you recently?