Merry Christ-mas!

All is still and quiet in the house.

The freshly fallen snow outside is glittering in the blue night-light of winter.

We've watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and still have A Christmas Story to look forward to.  My bro and I had a "light-saber" fight with the wrapping paper rolls, and my tummy is telling me that I ate too much chocolate and sugared popcorn.  But I don't care, because it's Christmas Eve!

What can I say?  A Muppet Christmas Carol is one of my absolute favorite Christmas movies. :)

But through all of the warm feelings of peace on earth, goodwill to men, I pray that I will never lose the wonder and awe of what Christmas truly is...it's the celebration of the birth of my Saviour, Jesus Christ.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.

and it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said on to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

: : Luke 2: 8-18 : :

During this season of celebrating Christ's birth, my church has been focusing on the wonder of His birth.
Just a wee babe born in a stable, yet...
Jesus was God.
Jesus was man.
Jesus was a servant.
Jesus was/is our Saviour.
Is that enough wonder for you?!  I can't even begin to fully take it all in.
Let's take the shepherds, who were the first to hear of Jesus' birth, as our example and share the wonderful news with everyone we meet!  Our Saviour is born!  Glory to God in the highest!


Merry Christmas everyone!

Art thou weary?

I don't know about the rest of you, but sometimes it feels like I've got the entire world resting on my shoulders.

Okay, we're all human, so I know you've all had days like that.

It's so, so easy to get bogged down with everything that's going on in our lives.  With everything that we have to do every single day.

Sometimes, I just need to remind myself to give my burdens, no matter how great or how small they may be, to the Lord.  He is willing and He is more than able to carry them for me.  In fact, He loves to carry them for me, because He loves me.

Once I've allowed Him to bear my burdens, I can breath and I can see.

I can see His hand in my life.

I can see how beautiful this world that He's created for us is.

I can see how much my family needs me and appreciates me.

I can see that sometimes, I just need to be still and wait.

 I can be still, and know that He is God.

I can rejoice in Him and glorify Him once more.

I can thank Him for giving me this life to lead, for putting me exactly where I'm most needed.

I can see that I have a purpose, even when it seems I'm going nowhere.

The following are some verses, quotes and songs that lift me up and give my soul a much needed boost.

I hope that they will lift you up today, too.

 

 Be still, and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen, 

I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:10

While I'm Waiting...I listen to this song every morning, and the lyrics never cease to encourage me.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, 

and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

Someday, I'll understand.

And let us not be weary in well doing: 

for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9

Blessed Be Your Name...another song I listen to every day.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: 

he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 55:22

Voice of Truth...love, love, love this song.

As for God, his way is perfect: the word to the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

For who is God same the Lord?  or who is a rock save our God?

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Psalm 18:30-34

And remember this...

Have a beautiful blessed day, everyone!

Continue in Prayer

This morning's devotion in Morning and Evening (by Charles H. Spurgeon) seemed written just for me.

Here's a short excerpt...

"If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father's face, and live in thy Father's love.  Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of His love.  Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master.  The motto for this year must be, "Continue in prayer."

It tied in so perfectly to my goal for this year!  Don't you just love it when that happens?

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Walk in wisdom towards them that are without, redeeming the time.

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Colossians 4: 2,5 & 6

I do take this for my motto.

Source: fanny-fart.tumblr.com via Natasha on Pinterest

I shared this on Ladies of Virtue.

Predestination

Here's an article I wrote/Bible study I did on the topic of predestination in 2009...

What is predestination?  According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, PREDESTINATION, (is) the act of decreeing or foreordaining events; the decree of God by which he hath, from eternity, unchangeably appointed or determined whatever comes to pass.  It is used particularly in theology to denote the preordination of man to everlasting happiness or misery.   Predestination is a part of the unchangeable plan of the divine government; or in other words, the unchangeable purpose of an unchangeable God.

Romans 8:28-30 are the verses most used to support predestination, according to The World Book Encyclopedia (1964); PREDESTINATION, in Christian theology, is a doctrine which sets forth the belief that the eternal destiny of man is determined by God.  The word comes from the Latin, and means determined beforehand.  Belief in predestination is based on Paul’s words (Rom. 8:28-30).  Saint Augustine (A.D. 354-430) and Saint Thomas Aquinas led in developing the doctrine.  John Calvin later emphasized it.

John Calvin was one of the foremost leaders of the Protestant Reformation in Europe in the 1500’s.  According to The World Book Encyclopedia, CALVANISM, the Christian creed developed from Calvin’s teaching is generally summarized as follows:

(1)   God is absolute sovereign in His creation.

(2)   God as sovereign both foreordains and foreknows all things, including man’s destiny.

(3)   Originally man was pure and made in the image of God, but has fallen from this state through his own voluntary act.

(4)   Man can be saved only through the unmerited grace of God, as mediated to him through Christ.  Man can do nothing to promote his own salvation, and no amount of good works can further it.

(5)   Those predestined to salvation will be saved. 

Foreordination is a word that also pops up quite frequently.   FOREORDINATION, is the belief that every event is foreordained, or decreed beforehand, by God.  Supporters of this doctrine argue that if God does not ordain every event, He cannot be said to be all-powerful.  Foreordination in its extreme form teaches that, by God’s mysterious choice, some people are destined for hell and others for heaven.  (The World Book Encyclopedia)

So, now that we have a better understanding of what predestination is, let’s go to the Bible and look at Romans 8:28-30.

“28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”  Romans 8:28-30

Verse 28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

What is God’s purpose?   “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”  2 Timothy 1:9

God’s purpose is Christ Jesus.

Verse 29 – For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Who did God foreknow?

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

God knew us before we were born, and he knew who would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  He predestined those he foreknew, to be holy, or conformed to the image of Christ.  In other words, every man, woman, and child who takes the step of faith and believes that Jesus died for our sins and was raised on the third day, is predestined to be conformed to His image.

John 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

2Ti 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Verse 30 - Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom

he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Who did God call?

Heb 9:15  And for this cause  he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

God calls each of us, whether we accept or not is our choice.  When we make the choice to believe, we respond to His call, and will then be conformed to the image of Christ, although we will certainly not be perfect until we reach heaven, and receive the promise of eternal life.  

Act 16:30  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…

God knew before the world began who would put their faith in Christ and be saved.  He foreordained those who would believe to eternal life and to be conformed to the image of His son, Jesus.  If each of us was predestined to either eternity with God, or eternity in hell, then why did He send His son to die for us?  He would have just sent us either to heaven or hell, and Jesus’ death wouldn’t have been necessary.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)   God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)   There would be no need to repent if our eternal destiny was already decided.  He calls each one of us.  It is up to us to answer him.  He proves his great love for us by allowing us to make our own decision.  

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  2 Peter 3:9