The Incarnation

Happy New Year, dear friends!

On the evening of our Christmas banquet with the Peterborough Petes one of the players admitted that he didn't know what one of the words in a poem I read really meant. The word was "Incarnate"! With the enabling of the Spirit of God I gave an explanation that my friend seemed satisfied with. St. Augustine penned the following words that give us deep meaning to the "wonder of the incarnation":

The Wonder of the Incarnation

He so loved us that, for our sake,
He was made man in time,
although through Him all times were made.
He was made man, who made man.
He was created of a mother whom He created.
He was carried by hands that He formed.
He cried in the manger in wordless infancy,
He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.

-Augustine, Sermon 188, 2

Can you grasp that profound truth? Oh the wonder... May we never forget these truths that are foundational to our Christian faith!

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." - John 1:14 (KJV)

God's Sufficiency

This morning I was reminded again of God's sufficiency for our every need as I read David Jeremiah's e-devotional from Turning Point Ministries.

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9a

David Jeremiah in his Turning Point devotional for today writes:

"Paul was made weak by some affliction, and it no doubt concerned him because of its likely impact on his future ministry. How could he serve if he was sidelined by a serious problem? But God said, "Trust me, Paul. I know the future and your future. I will give you grace to do all you need to do." And He did. Paul became thankful for His weakness because it highlighted God's strength. Just as God knew Paul's future, so He knows yours. If you are worried about your future, perhaps this coming year, especially if you see limitations on your horizon, trust God. The same grace He gave Paul, He will give to you.

Your future is not bigger than God, nor are your limitations larger than His grace. Your faith in Him means your future is with Him."

And from St. Augustine:

"Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love, and the future to God's providence."

And from David or Barnabas, if you please:

"Rest in God's providential care today and trust Him to carry you through. Your limitations pale in comparison to His all-sufficient grace. Be encouraged today, dear friends."

Note: We are experiencing problems with BLOGGER as far as linking to sites is concerned. To check out Turning Point's online devotionals please go to: http://www.turningpointonline.org

Looking Out For Others

Good morning, friend! Pull up a chair! The coffee is brewing! Christmas music can be faintly heard in the background. It's overcast and foggy outside but "surely the presence of the Lord is in this place."

There, I've set the stage. How are you feeling today? Are you ready to reach out and encourage another struggling pilgrim?

Chuck Swindoll's thought this morning is simple yet profound:

"Thank you, Lord, that I have a few things worth giving. Even if it's a lap to be sat on...or the comfort of a warm embrace." He adds the following scripture passage, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 (NIV)

So, friend, the Lord will afford opportunities for you and me today (in the midst of our brokenness, pain and anxiety) to minister His healing touch to one of the "others" that Paul spoke of. Pray for opportunities to encourage "others" today! A pat on the back, an infectious smile, a phone call, a note in the mail. Any of these can lift a weary traveler. Be an agent of peace, reconciliation and encouragement today as you journey towards home.

Thanks for stopping by! Leave the door open as you leave! Another visitor should be here any minute now!

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)

Thankful For What God Didn't Do

When we think of thanksgiving we naturally think of the great things which God has done and the blessings He has showered upon us.

The other day I was reminded that we should also be thankful for the things God DIDN'T do. Warren Wiersbe in his devotional book PRAYER, PRAISE & PROMISES quotes Psalm 103:10 to make his point. "He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities."

Wiersbe goes on to say, "The psalmist says that God "has not dealt with us according to our sins." On what basis does He deal with us? On the basis of the cross, the grace of God. Jesus Christ died for our sins, and God forgives them through the blood of His Son. We can come to Him and ask Him to forgive any sin. But the knowledge that God does not deal with you the way you deserve to be dealt with should not tempt you to tempt Him. Do not be fast and loose with sin. Hate sin, and rejoice today that you're walking with the Father on the basis of the cross of Jesus Christ."

Dear friends, be encouraged today that God sees us through His beloved Son. Thank Him for not dealing with us according to our sin. Grace and mercy have been extended to us from His loving hand. Rejoice in that fact today! Let's praise Him and graciously offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

HAVE A GOOD AND GODLY DAY!

He Giveth More Grace

Note: The following account of God's provision of much-needed grace happened 8 or 9 years ago. Keith Price is now "home" in the presence of the Lord where there is "fulness of joy" and "pleasures for everymore" (Psalm 16:11).

I walked out to our mailbox, despondent, weary, broken and ready to quit! Why did "ministry" have to be so draining, so taxing, so uncertain, so hard? My spirit was wounded, my resolve depleted and the joy of serving Jesus had disolved in tears. What would the mailbox hold for me that day?

Bills, bills and more bills, collection notices, junk mail or maybe, just maybe, a generous donation or a note of encouragement? That mailbox has been the bearer of many, many blessings over the years and a few unwelcome surprises. As I opened it I recognized the beautiful penmanship of Keith Price, a mentor, wonderful friend, gentleman and faithful servant of Jesus. He enclosed the following poem by Annie Johnson Flint. Tears filled my eyes as I read this encouraging word. I'd heard and read this poem/song many times before but this day it was just for me, a divine affirmation and endorsement of God's great faithfulness. My steps quickened as I made the trip back to the house. That piece of mail from a dear friend had been a life saver!

Be encouraged today, dear friend! His grace is sufficient and in that hour when you feel you can't take another hit, another disappointment, another heartbreaking, gut-wrenching problem, He stands with arms open wide!

"Cast all your anxiety on Him...because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

Chorus:

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure,
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

- Annie Johnson Flint

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

What More Do We Need?

Many thanks to Vicki at Windows to My Soul for posting the following list. If "He is" all these things...and He is...what more do we need? Rejoice in all that the Father is today. Be encouraged by everything He is and does! What a mighty God we serve!

He is:

Abba Father.............when we need fathering.
Acceptance..........when we feel unwanted.
Adequacy........................for our inadequacy.
All-sufficient...............in our hardest situations.
Amen...............when we need Him to be the last Word.
Answer.......................for our uncertainty and questions.
Author of faith.................for our unbelief or doubt.
Bread of life......................for our spiritual hunger.
Bridegroom......when we need companionship and cherishing.
Broken and spilled out for us..........when we've been used.
Burden bearer...................when we are heavy laden.
Before all things.................when we're surprised.
Cleansing.............for our defilement and shame.
Closer than a brother............when we are lonely.
Comforter who wipes away tears........in our griefs and sorrows.
Defender...............when we are under attack.
Deliverer, liberty..................for our bondage or captivity.
Door....................when it looks like there's no way out.
Sure foundation............when we're shaking and insecure.
Faithful friend................when friends fail us.
Fullness.....................when we're empty.
God of details..................when we're frustrated.
God of love.................when we feel unloved and need a hug.
God who is there..................when we feel alone or abandoned.
Guide and way..................when we're confused and need direction.
Grace...................when we're too hard on ourselves or others.
Healer............for woundedness, rejection, physical sickness.
Hope..........when we are discouraged and want to quit.
Humility.....................for our pride.
Joy..............................when we are depressed.
Keeper and Protector..............when we are vulnerable.
Lifter of our head.............when we feel oppressed.
Long-suffering, slow to anger........when we have blown it again.
Mercy............................for criticism and unkindness.
Mighty God, our strength..............for our weakness or temptation.
Never-failing, the same...............when we are fickle and faithless.
Overcoming victory...................for defeat and depression.
Prince of Peace..........when we are stressed, worried, and confused.
Provider...............................for every financial need.
Quieter of the storm...............for struggles without and within.
Reconciliation....................for breaches in relationships.
Rest........................when we're tired and can't go on.
Restorer of our soul............when we're bruised an beaten down.
Reviver, living water...........when we are depleted, barren, thirsty.
Satisfaction......................when we've tried everything.
Song, praise...................when we're joyless and heavy of heart.
Spirit of the Lord..................when we need to be set free.
Strong............................when we're weak.
Trinity unity.....................for mending separation.
Truth.....................in spite of what the world says.
True riches................when we covet the world's wealth.
Vindicator...................when we have been wronged.
Way-maker...............when a solution seems impossible.
Wisdom............................for our hard choices.

* The "I AM" list is taken from Prayer Portions Sampler for the Family by Sylvia Gunter .
* graphic courtesy of AskJesus.org

"He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:32 (ESV)

Seeing Red

Good morning, friends! I pray that you will have a great week!

I found this picture on one of the blogs that I link to
entitled My Place.

It reminded me of winter. It's definitely NOT my favorite time of the year. Yet, in the midst of the snow, there a beautiful red cardinal.

Yes, even in the midst of the situations that we dread and fear, God is present and He gives us grace to help in time of need.

Whatever your trial is today, look up. The Father knows your need and will abundantly supply it...in His time.

Rest in His unchanging love today. "Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7