TO CURSE OR BLESS THAT IS THE QUESTION

"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9 

Just when I had a great plan for repaying evil for evil, I hear this from Nancy Leigh DeMoss on her radio program "Revive Our Hearts".  OUCH!   Here's some of the text that followed the verse.

"What's that word, "bless"?  Eulogize, speak well of. Now, who's Peter talking about here?  Who are you blessing? You are blessing the person who's given you evil.  You're blessing the person who's reviling you.

God is saying when you are cursed, make sure you don't curse him back, and then ask God for grace to do what Peter say --bless. Look at the end of this, verse 9: "For to this you were called that you may obtain a blessing."

You reap what you sow, You sow blessings into the lives of your family members and friends, and you're going to reap blessings.  You sow cursing, and you're going to reap cursing.

"So as you sow blessings into your family, " Peter says, "you're going to fulfill your calling.  God wants to bless you" and He will; He can, and you'll put yourself in a position where God can and will bless you if you return blessing to those who revile and curse against you.

I guess it wasn't such a great plan after all.  

For all of the transcript go to www.reviveourhearts.com Search previous radio programs.

DARK NIGHTS

This is shared from "Journey" by Dr. David Jeremiah

La noche oscura del alma --The Dark Night of the Soul.  That's the name of the poem written by St. John of the Cross, a sixteenth century Spanish poet.  Written while St. John was in prison for trying to reform his monastic order, "the dark night" represents the difficulties and trials we experience on the road to heaven.

"Dark night" also pictures the isolation we feel during times of spiritual tests. We sometimes lie in bed at night, surrounded by darkness, longing for sleep, but consumed with our thoughts and questions.  The psalmists, expecially David, were candidly honest about their literal and spiritual dark nights. David made good use of his sleepless nights, crying out to God for relief and answers (Psalm 22:2; 42:8) And he relied on the natural order of things to remind him that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5b).

If you are in the midst of your own dark night, use the time wisely.  If there are tears, let them water the words you pour out to God, remembering that joy comes in the morning. 

"You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress."  Psalm 17:3

WHY ARE GRANDPARENTS SPECIAL?

My son, Jason, named his son after his paternal grandpa. Today Jason posted his grandpa's obituary on Facebook  in honor of  his Papa's birthday. Several of the grand kids posted comments of love. What made Papa so special in the hearts of his grandchildren?  Was it his life's accomplishments?  No, because they didn't know about most of them until reading his obituary. If you knew Papa you know it certainly wasn't his kind, gentle spirit :)  

I imagine if you asked his grandchildren it would be the same answer I received when I asked several of my cousins what made our grandmother so special.   They each replied "because I was her favorite."   I knew that couldn't be right because I was her favorite.  When I came to visit, everything centered around me, she played with me, we cooked together, she asked about school and my friends.  She "showed me off" to her friends at church, at the beauty shop, in the stores. We went to the movies and always had a coke float at the soda fountain next door.  Funny, I found out she did the same things with my cousins when they came to visit, but she never talked about their visit, she never mentioned what they were doing, it was always "all about me". She made EACH ONE of us feel SPECIAL!  

I think when I ask Jason and Carly what made Papa so special they will answer the same way.  He made them feel special.  He made them feel they were important to him, and they were.  He loved having them around and knowing what was happening in the lives.

What a privilege, honor and responsibility it is to be a grandparent.  We have such a wonderful opportunity to leave a loving, spiritual legacy in our grandchildren's hearts.

I tell my son, that if I had known how much fun grandchildren would be, I would have had them first :)   Well, have to go now and get some rest, my three very special grandchildren are coming tomorrow to spend the night and I need some rest so we can play, read, have tea parties, pray and make memories.  Maybe years from now they will post my obituary on a social media in honor of my birthday :)   

Oh, did I mention my fourth grandbaby is to be born the end of July?  Pray for Carly and Joe as they prepare for this glorious event in their lives......and mine.  Grandchildren are a special gift from God. 

Happy Birthday Papa, rest in peace in the arms of our Lord and Savior knowing that you left a legacy of love and "specialness".

"May the LORD bless you all the days of your life; and may you live to see your children's children." Psalm 128:5-6

A WOMAN FROM SYRIAN PHOENICIA

I've always had a hard time completely understanding this passage.  Mark 7:24-30.  This explanation from Elisa Morgan made it very clear.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

"We messed up yesterday.  We did worse the day before. We know we'll likely not make it through this day without error. It's not for lack of trying. We try.  Our failures have to do with who we are: human.

There was a woman who likewise knew she was undeserving.  Coming not from the chosen people of Israel but rather as a Gentile from Syrian Phoenicia, this woman approached Jesus, begging Him to help her daughter, who was possessed by an evil spirit.  Acknowledging that she could not fix the child herself, admitting that she didn't deserve His attention because she came from outside the faith....still the woman came.

But notice her request.  She wanted the crumbs.  The leftovers.  She wanted what would have been tossed aside or eaten by dogs.  She stood on a scrap of faith, believing that a scrap was enough for a miracle.

At first this request seems ridiculous. Undignified. Humiliating.  Looking again, we can find resolve, desperation and great hope in the request.  This woman trusted the saving power of Jesus to such an extent that she believed a crumb would suffice.  And Jesus declared her puny plea to be a stunning statement of faith.

Where, like this woman,might we beg for crumbs, knowing that in receiving them comes a feast because of faith?"

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through out all generations for ever and ever Amen."  Ephesians 3:20-21

A NEW YEAR BEGINS!

I read this in Robert V Dodd's Advent Devotions for 2011.  Thought it appropriate for the beginning of 2012.

     "Have you ever wished that you could start over and make a new beginning?  There are times when we find ourselves caught up in the consequences of our own choices and we feel trapped.  We need a power greater than ourselves to enable us to make a new beginning.

     Whenever we repent and turn from our sin, stop relying on ourselves, and start looking to God for guidance and strength, we too can make a new beginning.  This was what Jesus offered to the people when He began His public ministry after returning from the wilderness.  He took up John the Baptist's theme; He called the people to repentance, to stop living their way and to start living God's way. He is still calling people to repentance and faith."

The key here is we CAN have a new beginning BUT ONLY if we turn from our current ways.  God will not make good of our sin.  He will make good of our repentance, our humbleness and our sorrow.

Oh Lord,may we be a people and a nation who come to you in 2012 with a repentant heart.  I pray we will turn from our sin, repent and seek your forgiveness and your mercy. You are Holy, Faithful and True. In the mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

"The time is coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with he people of Israel and Judah...I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sins. "  Jeremiah 3131, 34b.

THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

"The night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature is stirring not even a mouse."

Yeah, right!  Who in the world wrote this?  The night before Christmas, Dad is putting toys together, Mom is cooking, wrapping, cleaning and stressing! The week before Christmas the traffic is insane, the stores are packed and everyone is stressed over what they have left on their 'to do' list.

  

I hear everyone around me discussing all they have left to do and all they will be doing this weekend.  How many places they have to go on Christmas Day, how many gifts they have to take and how much food they will eat.  Oh and this year, how they are going to find time to go to Church, since of all things, Christmas is on Sunday!!

Where and when did we lose it?  The Christ in Christmas.  When did it turn into XMAS?  Xtra busy, Xtra crazy. Xtra loud, Xtra,  Xtra, Xtra! 

Baby Jesus got lost in the wrapping paper, the cookie dough, the shopping, the lights and the decorations. 

As I stand in the midst of the whirlwind it makes me even more thankful that my family celebrates Thanksgiving for Christmas.  I am truly enjoying the season, and spending time reflecting on the past year, my relationship with Jesus and what I want next year;  a closer walk, more time spent with Him, less of the world and more of the Word. 

Remember the real reason for the season, Jesus Christ was born, God came to earth wrapped in flesh, Immanuel, God with us. He came upon a midnight clear on a silent night in a manger, no hustle no bustle, just a few shepherds, some animals and young parents who believed.

Have a blessed Christmas

"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased" Luke 2:12-14

MY CHRISTMAS LIST OF BLESSINGS

I received this Christmas Card from a very dear friend today.  Although she did not write it, she said "it's certainly what I feel".  I feel the same way about all of you, my sweet friends, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to let you know.

My Christmas List is more than just a way to keep track of 

The special people God has brought into my life to love.

It's like a treasured scrapbook filed with pleasant memories

Of all the times God has answered prayer through friends and family 

Every name's a touchstone that leads to a place and time,

Where God has used another's heart to reach out and touch mine.

It may have happened years ago or even yesterday,

But every person on my list has changed my life some way.

through simple conversation, a warm hug or a shared meal,

Every person on my list has helped me grow or heal, 

Or laugh or love or learn or smile....the blessings never end.

As God allows our paths to cross as family and friends.

So please know that this greeting is more than a Christmas wish.

It's a "thank you" card to God for putting on my list

Each and every one whose name I've come to hold so dear...

those who've shown me Christmas joy each day of the year.

This reminded me to do something I did a couple of years ago.  I saved all the Christmas cards we received, put them in a basket beside my favorite chair.  Each morning during my quiet time, I took out a card and prayed for that person or family.  Sometimes I knew of specific needs, other times I just prayed for God's hand of protection and mighty love to cover them.  

During this busy season of Advent, continue to take time in quiet prayer for your family and friends.

"you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many." 

2 Corinthians 1:11