“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12‬:‭46‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Happy Christmas Eve! Tonight I had the joy of attending our Candlelight service at Herbert Memorial UMC. Each Sunday we light an advent candle symbolizing: hope, peace, joy, and love. Tonight we lit the Christ candle because Jesus is the light of the world.

CLICK HERE for See You Saturday.

““I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” Luke 1‬:‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Mary, the mother of Jesus shows us what true servanthood looks like. An unlikely person, selflessly, willing, and humbly devoted. She accepts the Lord’s assignment by desiring His word to be fulfilled. As a verb fulfilled means to carry out or bring to realization as a prophecy or promise. According to Merriam Webster fulfilled is happiness and satisfaction.

Do you feel fulfilled this Christmas? Today is the 357th day of the year. Have you selflessly and willingly accepted the Lord’s assignment for your life? Have you been devoted to seeking, following, and serving Him? As we await Jesus’s birthday, let’s spend this last week immersed in His presence. Let’s try not to get distracted by the worldly view of Christmas. I love this particular image of the nativity with Mary kneeling next to Jesus with her hands folded in prayer. Let’s join her in prayer.

Lord, thank you for your faithful promises. Thank you for choosing me as your child and your disciple. I desire to be immersed in your presence so that I can feel fulfilled with the happiness and satisfaction that only you can offer. Help me not to get distracted by worldly views, but rather find joy in your presence and love with those around me. In the name of Jesus Amen

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Is there someone missing from your Christmas table this year? Maybe the loss of a loved one or a family member serving in the military, or a prodigal child. Thankfully we have a precious gift that is lasting with us all year. He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Immanuel-God with us. Even when we see life in black and white, God is mightier than our darkest days.

This photo is of me, my mom, and my sister at S.N.O.B restaurant in Charleston, SC. This is somewhere we have been with our Dad. This year we made a new memory. Although Dad didn’t have a place setting with us, we have the peace of God knowing that he is with our Immanuel who is with us always. On this Thankful Thursday, let’s live for today and be thankful for the one who holds our tomorrows.

If you are missing someone today, the Christmas song for you is Wonderful by Cain.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I encourage you to listen and watch this video; What God Wants For Christmas? By Darius Tucker. The answers include peace on earth, no more empty seats in church, every Bible with no dust, the devil giving up, and more loving one another. He also asks the question, what if we believe in Him like He believes in us? If you read our key verse from Hebrews, you will see that in order to please God, we must believe. He even rewards those that earnestly seek Him.

This picture below is a prayer coloring page from a sweet Christian friend I have never met. We were untied together through a devotion I wrote for the Upper Room. She has been there for me through my Dad’s cancer journey and now my HPV journey. She went to God in prayer believing that I would be healed. She prayed for peace, health, and strength. Thank God it was His will for me to be healed.

I leave you with Mark 11:24 NIV to meditate on. Give God his Christmas wish. Go to Him in prayer, believing that nothing is to big for Him. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you consider yourself a trailblazer for Christ Jesus? When I hear that term, I think of tracking through the mountains. In Matthew 3:3 John the Baptist was being a trailblazer. He was preparing the way for Jesus. We have talked a lot about words, verses, and mantras for the year. Have you selected a word, verse, or mantra for 2023? Whether you have selected one or not, I want us to meditate on 1 John 2:6 NIV; “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

Jesus was the ultimate trailblazer. His life models who we should be today. When selecting a word, verse, or mantra, it should help us to grow in our faith and to live as Jesus did. As we celebrate Jesus’s life this week, think about the milestones of His life. Think about how we celebrate birthdays and milestones today. When in the different stages; infant, toddler, child, teenager, or young adult, we track and celebrate lots of milestones. Ever notice how we often stop at a certain age? I don’t know about you, but I am in my forties and I can’t wait to see what milestones Jesus will be celebrating with me next.

The mantra I leave with you today is, “Be the Change”. Now let’s go trailblaze for Christ Jesus.

““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It has been a long two weeks back to work postoperative. Just two more working days and I will get much-needed rest. Are you feeling weary or burdened? Is your mindset narrowed by focusing on circumstances? The good news, Jesus offers us peace; “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalms‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God often gives me peace through song and worship. In the song, O Come, All You Unfaithful by Sovereign Grace Music I have read a verse in a whole new light. Notice the words, “born to you” in Luke 2:11 NIV; “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” This is a personal message to each of us. Jesus came to save us all and to give us peace. Don’t get tunnel vision. Don’t get stuck in circumstances. I know I have to keep reminding myself that healing is a process and to be patient.

“he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As we anticipate the coming birth of Christ Jesus our Savior, let’s go into this week surrendered. I love these verses from Titus. In particular, the words that speak to me are, “washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”. If you think about how daily we must take up our crosses, it’s like a rebirth and a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Maybe we should be daily asking the Lord to fall afresh on us.

Two weeks ago we focused on the fruits of the spirit. How have you done these last few weeks? Were you faithful as a temple (host) for the Holy Spirit? This past Thursday Deborah encouraged us to slow down and to build a dam to fill our spiritual reservoir. Every morning we have the opportunity to surrender, get filled up, and start fresh. As we go to our places of worship, let’s find joy in filling our reservoirs. Let’s surrender our worries and turn them into worship.

Join me in worship with, Fall Afresh by Equippers Worship. Some of the lyrics sing; “Lord, we are your temple. Lord, we are your church. Here we are, surrendered. Fall afresh on us”.