Light in darkness

.... And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.””

Luke 1:68-69, 71-79 NIV. http://bible.us/111/luk.1.68-69,71-79.niv

Christmas is about bringing light into a dark world. God came down to rescue us from the darkness of evil and sin. John was chosen to prepare the way. Today we are chosen to prepare the way for the impact of the gospel message. 

Christmas is not about our private little celebrations. Christmas is about spreading the word of the power of this marvelous event. The creator of all things coming down and serving us. That's the message and it is a call to humble ourselves and serve the lost, the lonely, and those who don't know our creator. We are the light of Jesus in a terribly dark and lonely world.

There is hope for everyone that lives in darkness. Jesus is that hope.

Christmas Songs

“I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.”

Psalm 104:33-34 NIV -- http://bible.com/111/psa.104.33-34.niv

Sometimes you just need to sing. Christmas is a great time to remember to sing to the Lord. So many radio stations have nothing but Christmas music right now. I can't get enough during this month long celebration. I'm. It sure what my favorite is. There are so many great classics and new songs it's hard to say. But, all my favorites are on WBCL. That's my go to station during the year. It's a Christian supported station that just lights up my life. Right now there is a lot of wonderful praise music, classic Christmas songs, and joyous sounds celebrating the birth of Jesus on this wonderful station.

It's not just during the Christmas season that we need to sing to the Lord. Our Lord is present in our lives 365 days a year. Through stress, strife, hurt, illness, and loss he is to be e praised. We need to celebrate the Lord in prayer and praise! ALWAYS!

CHRISTIANS RISE UP!

“Remember, Lord, how your servant has been mocked, how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations, the taunts with which your enemies, Lord, have mocked, with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one. Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.”  Psalm 89:50-52 NIV.  http://bible.com/111/psa.89.50-52.niv

The enemy is mocking the Lord. Nation upon nation taunt us. Within our own country the servants of the Lord are under attack.

Due to the multitude of school shootings over the last several years, even decades, schools are changing their response to attackers. The theory used to be for the classroom teachers and students to cower and hide from attackers. They were trained in passive resistance. NOW schools are teaching faculty and students to fight back. We are told we no longer have to sit there submissively waiting for some to terrorize us. We are to barricade our doors. If an attacker enters our room we are to attack with all of our might. We are to aggressively fight back.

School administration is giving its blessing to avoid being a casualty. Your powerful and wonderful God is also telling his followers: be aggressive, strongly counter our attackers. We are to destroy those trying to strip us of our faith in Jesus. We are not to stand by idly while we are being attacked. YES, we are to show love, but we are not to be trampled by those that wish to destroy us. Part of our aggressive response to attackers is to defend the faith. Many of the attacks are with words, laws, and regulations. We are to fight for our right to worship and love Jesus. We are to stand up, even to death, to defend the gospel. Too many people sit quietly while the world attacks our faith and removes our freedom to worship. Even in our wonderful country the anti-christian sentiment is growing. We are made to feel like second class citizens. Our laws and beliefs are being mocked and ridiculed. CHRISTIANS RISE UP! FIGHT FOR YOUR SAVIOR! FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP OUR GREAT AND POWERFUL CREATOR! FIGHT FOR THE BELIEFS AND WORDS IN THE BIBLE! DEFEND IT EVEN UNTO DEATH!

We are at war!

“When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their ancestors, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant.”

Deuteronomy 31:20 NIV -- http://bible.com/111/deu.31.20.niv

We are at war! Yes, we are at war with ISIS and Islamic Extremists. But, the war is broader than just with this hate filled group. The war is against Satan and the devaluing of human life itself. Our nation and really the world as a whole, have been given blessings beyond measure. In our "abundance" we have forgotten the great God of creation.  We have become selfish and completely focused on our own lives, neglecting the lives of others. Satan has buried his lies in the hearts and minds of Islam. He has also filled the hearts of many of our own citizens with death through abortion and abuse of drugs, sex, and alcohol. We have lived so well that we have ignored God. We have been given a land flowing with milk and honey. We have eaten our fill and thrived. We have now rejected the same Lord that filled us with abundance. We have backed down when our faith is challenged. We have displayed a air of weakness and vulnerability and the enemies, from Satan himself, are on the attack. I cry out to the Lord for strength to change hearts. I ask for wisdom and guidance to stem the tide toward hate and death. I know, Lord, we win in the end. In the fight that is today and now, I beg your blessing, wisdom, and strength. Help me be a messenger of your love, your grace, and your mercy. Help us defeat ISIS and the radicals that want to destroy our faith in you. Please send leaders that listen to your word and your wisdom. We can not do this without you! We need you Lord!

God wins!

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.””

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV http://bible.com/111/deu.31.8.niv

I just got home from a whirlwind week with the birth of our ninth grandchild. There was a lot of stress but there is mostly joy. Baby Izyk Steven should be coming home tomorrow and his life will begin with his three sisters, two dogs, a hamster, and loads of loving family and friends. I am so thankful for the love and support from my powerful God. He is amazing.

Now it's time for everyone to recover from the sleepless nights at the hospital and the stress of a sick new born. It's also time to praise God for his wonderful protection and answered prayers.