The First Noel
This week someone ask me the question, "What does The First Noel mean - where is it found in the Bible? " Now, friends, I have heard and sang this song at Christmas time for years and years but I could not answer that question. Well, I did a little research and found out that Noel means a "shout of joy at the birth of Christ". The word Noel is not found in the Bible but, oh, the message is there loud and clear.
The angels said The First Noel to some shepherds who were attending their sheep the night Christ was born. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" Luke 2: 10-11. I have often thought about how those shepherds must have felt. They were just going about their task of attending their sheep one night and suddenly their lives were forever changed with this message of the Birth of Christ. Ours lives are forever changed when we hear the message of Jesus Christ. Praise!!!!
"Father, the message of Christmas is so precious. Thank you for recording it for us in your Word. Truly, Jesus is the reason for the season. Father, how I thank you for songs that have been written through the years that bring joy to my heart at this wonderful time of the year." Amen
Be blest as you listen to this great Christmas song, "The First Noel" .
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Christ in Christmas
I found this video at Bayou Belle's site. I thought the rockin' Nativity was funny, but the message is a serious one. I completely agree that we need to keep Jesus in Christmas!
But that is a very easy conclusion for me to come to - Jesus is in my heart so it is logical for me to want him to be the reason for Christmas. For someone who does NOT know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, why should he mean anything to them? Christmas has been secularized enough that Christ may not make sense to many at Christmas.
Maybe it is time to feel compassion for those who don't have a Christ-centered holiday season. Instead of being affronted by "Happy Holidays" we should pray with compassion for the lost souls who DON'T have the joy of the Lord in their heart on Christmas morning! For we believers, regardless if the Walmart greeter says "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays", Christ can NOT be taken out of our Christmas. Let us strive together, in kindness, to put Christ IN to the Christmas of someone who does not know Him.
Father God,
Please send us out, as your emissaries, into the world this Christmas season. Allow us to show the lost how precious it is to have a Christ-filled Christmas. Let our joy and our peace, found in Jesus, shine before us like a beacon. Let us draw other's near to us that we may minister to them and that we may show them the love of Christ through our actions.
Thank You Father God, for seeing fit to save me. Thank you for the free gift of salvation. Thank you that I have the true meaning of Christmas written on the tablet of my heart.
In Jesus name.
Amen
Thursday, December 11, 2008
THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC
Unexpected things happen and when they happen near a holiday the joy or sorrow of the event seems magnified.
Last week I injured my left knee with no insurance to pay for the doctor or therapy.
Monday I learned that Charlotte, my housekeeper, went home to be with Jesus (she passed away on Friday). She leaves two grown daughters and grandchildren that will miss her.
Tuesday I was told my car needed repairs totaling hundreds of dollars.
Wednesday I learned that Mark, a blog friend of mine and Jen's, lost his battle with cancer. He left his wife Rebecca and grown children to mourn his passing.
A staff member had a serious car wreck on her way home on slick wet streets but no one was hurt, praise GOD.
Only God knows what unexpected thing today or tomorrow holds or even if there will be a tomorrow.
How do we react to the unexpected? If you have lost a love one, you know that for a few moments time seems to stand still. But not so for the rest of world, businesses don't close, traffic doesn't stop, the telephone still rings, the world goes on as if nothing has happen while your heart breaks. You want things to just stop, at least for a few moments while you get your bearings, while you absorb the fact that your life has changed forever. Then come the first holidays without them. I remember the first holidays without my Daddy and years later without my Mama, they were awful. As I type these words, I can feel the emotions and tears welling up from the holes in my heart where they once dwelled. But time passes and joy returns. Life returns to a new normal. For a Christian we find peace in scripture and through prayer or we become bitter. It is our choice.
I saw this scripture on a comment left on Jen's other blog and I wanted to share it here. Jeremiah 31:13 "Then maidens will dance & be glad, young men & old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."
I ask each of you reading this post to keep these grieving families in your prayers through this Christmas season.
Abba, Father, God thank you for hearing my prayer. Thank you for allowing me to know Mark and Charlotte. Father comfort their families, wrap Mark's wife Rebecca in your arms of comfort and peace and let her know that You will be her husband. Give these grieving families Jeremiah 31:13 to hold on to. Father, there aren't any words we can speak to make their sorrow any easier to bear so I just ask you to love them as only you can. Please provide for their financial needs as well as their emotional and spiritual needs. In Jesus' precious, holy and powerful name I pray. Amen.
Last week I injured my left knee with no insurance to pay for the doctor or therapy.
Monday I learned that Charlotte, my housekeeper, went home to be with Jesus (she passed away on Friday). She leaves two grown daughters and grandchildren that will miss her.
Tuesday I was told my car needed repairs totaling hundreds of dollars.
Wednesday I learned that Mark, a blog friend of mine and Jen's, lost his battle with cancer. He left his wife Rebecca and grown children to mourn his passing.
A staff member had a serious car wreck on her way home on slick wet streets but no one was hurt, praise GOD.
Only God knows what unexpected thing today or tomorrow holds or even if there will be a tomorrow.
How do we react to the unexpected? If you have lost a love one, you know that for a few moments time seems to stand still. But not so for the rest of world, businesses don't close, traffic doesn't stop, the telephone still rings, the world goes on as if nothing has happen while your heart breaks. You want things to just stop, at least for a few moments while you get your bearings, while you absorb the fact that your life has changed forever. Then come the first holidays without them. I remember the first holidays without my Daddy and years later without my Mama, they were awful. As I type these words, I can feel the emotions and tears welling up from the holes in my heart where they once dwelled. But time passes and joy returns. Life returns to a new normal. For a Christian we find peace in scripture and through prayer or we become bitter. It is our choice.
I saw this scripture on a comment left on Jen's other blog and I wanted to share it here. Jeremiah 31:13 "Then maidens will dance & be glad, young men & old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."
I ask each of you reading this post to keep these grieving families in your prayers through this Christmas season.
Abba, Father, God thank you for hearing my prayer. Thank you for allowing me to know Mark and Charlotte. Father comfort their families, wrap Mark's wife Rebecca in your arms of comfort and peace and let her know that You will be her husband. Give these grieving families Jeremiah 31:13 to hold on to. Father, there aren't any words we can speak to make their sorrow any easier to bear so I just ask you to love them as only you can. Please provide for their financial needs as well as their emotional and spiritual needs. In Jesus' precious, holy and powerful name I pray. Amen.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
TUESDAY WITH TIZ
*Apologies to Tiz! The 'Blog Administrator' (tongue in cheek) does not seem to know the day of the week.
TUESDAY WITH TIZ
Black Friday
In preparing to write this blog I really tried to figure out a way I could spiritualize Black Friday but I just could not come up with a way. It is like when I tried to spiritualize bunny rabbits at Easter time a couple of years ago. It just cannot be done, so I will just share my Black Friday joy with you anyway. You see, I am very big on family, especially where my grandsons are concerned. I was thrilled when I realized that God established the family before He established the church, so I figure God is big on family also.
Back to Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Grandson #1 and I have managed to go shopping on Black Friday for the past ten years or so. We just must have the little dated Disney snow globe given away each year at Penny's to the first so many customers who arrive. These stores just open earlier and earlier each year but that is OK if you are enjoying family and you have a mission!!!! We did not encounter all the bad things you hear about Black Friday. We were just among hundreds of other people who were enjoying themselves. Most of our family and friends think we have lost our minds. I don't think anyone actually spoke a curse on us but I don't recall anyone speaking a blessing on us either!!! My wonderful husband, with whom I share Grandparenthood, has no desire to join us and neither does Grandson #2.
I just encourage you to have fun with someone this holiday season. If you don't have a grandson, borrow one for a day. I do not have a granddaughter but I feel sure I could adopt or borrow one for a day if I get the urge. A lot of people are out there needing love, encouragement, and attention - do yourself a favor and make someone's day!!!!
"Father, I thank you for the fun times in my life. I thank you for shopping malls and restaurants and someone to share them with. And, yes, I thank you for a couch to rest on when I get home. Father, bless each one reading this blog with someone to share the holidays with. In Jesus Precious name, I pray. Amen"
In preparing to write this blog I really tried to figure out a way I could spiritualize Black Friday but I just could not come up with a way. It is like when I tried to spiritualize bunny rabbits at Easter time a couple of years ago. It just cannot be done, so I will just share my Black Friday joy with you anyway. You see, I am very big on family, especially where my grandsons are concerned. I was thrilled when I realized that God established the family before He established the church, so I figure God is big on family also.
Back to Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Grandson #1 and I have managed to go shopping on Black Friday for the past ten years or so. We just must have the little dated Disney snow globe given away each year at Penny's to the first so many customers who arrive. These stores just open earlier and earlier each year but that is OK if you are enjoying family and you have a mission!!!! We did not encounter all the bad things you hear about Black Friday. We were just among hundreds of other people who were enjoying themselves. Most of our family and friends think we have lost our minds. I don't think anyone actually spoke a curse on us but I don't recall anyone speaking a blessing on us either!!! My wonderful husband, with whom I share Grandparenthood, has no desire to join us and neither does Grandson #2.
I just encourage you to have fun with someone this holiday season. If you don't have a grandson, borrow one for a day. I do not have a granddaughter but I feel sure I could adopt or borrow one for a day if I get the urge. A lot of people are out there needing love, encouragement, and attention - do yourself a favor and make someone's day!!!!
"Father, I thank you for the fun times in my life. I thank you for shopping malls and restaurants and someone to share them with. And, yes, I thank you for a couch to rest on when I get home. Father, bless each one reading this blog with someone to share the holidays with. In Jesus Precious name, I pray. Amen"
Thursday, December 4, 2008
THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC
Grace, Grace, God's Grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.
I began humming this today after reading my daily devotion from "The Word for You Today".
It reads, "The word "grace," is so important that Paul mentions it three times more than any other writer. Remembering the violent life he lived, he writes, "although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me to preach...the unsearchable riches of Christ." (Eph. 3:8 NIV) The word grace comes from the Greek word charis, meaning "pure joy." Although you didn't deserve it, God considered saving you a "pure joy." HOW ABOUT THAT?
In John, chapter 8, a woman is caught in the act of adultery. The law is unmistakable about her punishment. The Pharisees are ready to stone her. She knows that Jesus, being righteous, must agree. She has no lawyer to defend her, not even a character witness! Suddenly Jesus stoops and begins to write in the sand. Some scholars have suggested that perhaps He wrote down their sins, times, places, etc. Ouch! When He looks up, her accusers are gone. He says, "Neither do I condemn you...Go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11 NIV). Jesus lifted her from a position of undeniable guilt to one of unconditional pardon. She didn't deserve it, and didn't know it was possible. And that's your story too, isn't it?
One day Abraham Lincoln watched a plantation owner bidding for a slave girl. Figuring he was going to buy her and abuse her. Lincoln paid the price to set her free, "Does this mean I can say whatever I want to say?" she asked. Lincoln replied, "Yes." Again she asked, "Does this mean I can go wherever I want to go?" Again Lincoln responded, "Yes, you're free!" With tears streaming down her face she replied, "Then, sir, I will go with you." That's grace!"
Father, God, THANK YOU for Your grace. I'll go where You want me go. I'll said what You want me to say. I'll be what You want me to be. Thank You for Your saving grace given freely through Christ for it is in His holy, powerful and precious name I pray. Amen
Grace that is greater than all our sin.
I began humming this today after reading my daily devotion from "The Word for You Today".
It reads, "The word "grace," is so important that Paul mentions it three times more than any other writer. Remembering the violent life he lived, he writes, "although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me to preach...the unsearchable riches of Christ." (Eph. 3:8 NIV) The word grace comes from the Greek word charis, meaning "pure joy." Although you didn't deserve it, God considered saving you a "pure joy." HOW ABOUT THAT?
In John, chapter 8, a woman is caught in the act of adultery. The law is unmistakable about her punishment. The Pharisees are ready to stone her. She knows that Jesus, being righteous, must agree. She has no lawyer to defend her, not even a character witness! Suddenly Jesus stoops and begins to write in the sand. Some scholars have suggested that perhaps He wrote down their sins, times, places, etc. Ouch! When He looks up, her accusers are gone. He says, "Neither do I condemn you...Go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11 NIV). Jesus lifted her from a position of undeniable guilt to one of unconditional pardon. She didn't deserve it, and didn't know it was possible. And that's your story too, isn't it?
One day Abraham Lincoln watched a plantation owner bidding for a slave girl. Figuring he was going to buy her and abuse her. Lincoln paid the price to set her free, "Does this mean I can say whatever I want to say?" she asked. Lincoln replied, "Yes." Again she asked, "Does this mean I can go wherever I want to go?" Again Lincoln responded, "Yes, you're free!" With tears streaming down her face she replied, "Then, sir, I will go with you." That's grace!"
Father, God, THANK YOU for Your grace. I'll go where You want me go. I'll said what You want me to say. I'll be what You want me to be. Thank You for Your saving grace given freely through Christ for it is in His holy, powerful and precious name I pray. Amen
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
TUESDAY WITH TIZ
Be a Blessing
A week or so ago my pastor challenged his people to be a blessing to someone during the holidays. We had just watched a film clip from the movie "Fly Wheel" where a dad came into town, visited his son at his business and with the son's permission, he prayed for his son. He spoke a Blessing on his son's life, his marriage, his business and his new found Christian walk.
As I thought about what I could do to be a blessing in someone's life, I ask myself the question ,"In what ways have others been a blessing to you? When have you been encouraged? When have you recognized God blessing you through one of His servants?" That very day I received an email from a friend thanking me for being a blessing in her life. She had just read "Tuesdays with Tiz". Can you believe that!!!!! And later that day my boss thanked me for the work I had done that day - work he was paying me to do!!!! It used to be hard for me to receive thanks from someone but not anymore. I now see it as God's Favor to me.
So, how can I be a blessing? I can allow Jesus to love through me to lift someone's burden, to encourage someone, and to comfort the hurting. It may and it may not cost me a dime. I just step off the treadmill of life, put my troubles to one side and make a small deposit of unselfish love in another's life - expecting nothing in return. Glory!!!!
Friends, we are "Blessed to be a Blessing" Genesis 12:2 . So, take the challenge and BE A BLESSING!!!!
"Father, I speak your Blessing on each person reading this blog. I bless their spirits to receive your love and peace today. I bless them to receive your encouragement for whatever circumstance they are in and I bless them to be your channel of blessing to someone today. In Jesus Precious name, I pray. Amen"
A week or so ago my pastor challenged his people to be a blessing to someone during the holidays. We had just watched a film clip from the movie "Fly Wheel" where a dad came into town, visited his son at his business and with the son's permission, he prayed for his son. He spoke a Blessing on his son's life, his marriage, his business and his new found Christian walk.
As I thought about what I could do to be a blessing in someone's life, I ask myself the question ,"In what ways have others been a blessing to you? When have you been encouraged? When have you recognized God blessing you through one of His servants?" That very day I received an email from a friend thanking me for being a blessing in her life. She had just read "Tuesdays with Tiz". Can you believe that!!!!! And later that day my boss thanked me for the work I had done that day - work he was paying me to do!!!! It used to be hard for me to receive thanks from someone but not anymore. I now see it as God's Favor to me.
So, how can I be a blessing? I can allow Jesus to love through me to lift someone's burden, to encourage someone, and to comfort the hurting. It may and it may not cost me a dime. I just step off the treadmill of life, put my troubles to one side and make a small deposit of unselfish love in another's life - expecting nothing in return. Glory!!!!
Friends, we are "Blessed to be a Blessing" Genesis 12:2 . So, take the challenge and BE A BLESSING!!!!
"Father, I speak your Blessing on each person reading this blog. I bless their spirits to receive your love and peace today. I bless them to receive your encouragement for whatever circumstance they are in and I bless them to be your channel of blessing to someone today. In Jesus Precious name, I pray. Amen"
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