Something/one was missing…

 Something/one was missing…

Nativity…4…

The theme was “an interactive  walk through Bethlehem “, with live animals, foods, with pictures of the Nativity on the flyer…

So I thought it would be focused on the Nativity….wrong, it was focused on the walk through Bethlehem…the live animals, a pony and a variety of goats, were outside the main barn in pens, near a video of the nativity…

I want to stress that these people welcomed us with open arms, giving out free food samples of what may have been in Bethlehem…crafts for anyone …it was fun..

But, I was missing the main event, Jesus…

Driving around at night, it seems like more people are putting out nativity scenes this year, more lights, more decorations…but, I particularly love the nativity scenes…such variety, which point us to the real reason for this season…Jesus….our Light…

 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. 

And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

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 among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke.1.32-3,Luke.2.10-11,Luke.2.13-14

and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Matthew 2:4-6

Born in Bethlehem…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKJmgq7bsfM&list=RDXKJmgq7bsfM&start_radio=1

Firm foundation…

 Firm foundation….

I just feel the need to get grounded again….there is so much going on in the world today, internationally, nationally, locally, families…

Time seems seems warp speed some days and snail speed other times…

Satan is deceptive, working his confusion, pride/lust mankind’s lives ….

“In our faith journey, trusting in God is fundamental to establishing a solid foundation. We often confront uncertainties and challenges that can shake our beliefs. When we put our trust in God, we are essentially laying down a strong base that cannot easily be moved. This trust isn’t a passive state; it involves actively believing in God’s promises and being open to His guidance. A firm foundation in our lives means that, amidst storms and trials, we can confidently rely on God’s word, knowing that He is our rock and refuge. Let’s turn to the scriptures to see how faith and trust play a vital role in creating this solid base for our lives.”

https://biblestudyforyou.com/bible-verses-about-a-firm-foundation/

A few verses this author shares…(some more added)

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make straight your paths. 

Be not wise in your own eyes;fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 

It will be healing to your flesh-and refreshment to your bones.

Prov.3.5-8

 Trust in the Lord forever,for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. 

In the path of your judgments,O Lord, we wait for you;

your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,because he trusts in you.

Isa.26.4,Isa.26.8,Isa.26.3

 Commit your way to the Lord;trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,and your justice as the noonday. 

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Ps.37.5,Ps.37.6,Ps.37.8

 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water,that sends out its roots by the stream,and does not fear when heat comes,for its leaves remain green,and is not anxious in the year of drought,for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Jer.17.7-18

Firm foundation…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prb4C_PEwWM&list=RDPrb4C_PEwWM&start_radio=1

Psalm 42…

 

“Book2…Psalms 42:1-72:20

These psalms include a prayer of rescue, a call to worship, a confession of sin, an encouragement to trust God, a psalm for those hurt by friends, a prayer for those who have slandered, and a missionary psalm.these psalms can help us  retain a sense of wonder in our worship…

Why Are You Cast Down, O My Soul?To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.

Theme…a thirst for God. When you are lonely or depressed, meditate on God’s kindness and love.” Bible study notes…

My Favorite verse is 8,

“By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,and at night his song is with me,a prayer to the God of my life. “

There  are times when I have to lean into God’s songs, either in His Word or songs I have heard and learned over the years…songs that make me joyful, songs that speak to the soul, songs that quiet my spirit, etc…in times of hurt, betrayal, joy, etc…

Thank YOU….

As a deer pants for flowing streams,so pants my soul for you, O God. 

My soul thirsts for God,for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God? 

My tears have been my food day and night,while they say to me all the day long,“Where is your God?” 

These things I remember,as I pour out my soul:

how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise,a multitude keeping festival. 

Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,my salvation and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,from Mount Mizar. 

Deep calls to deep-at the roar of your waterfalls;all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. 

By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,and at night his song is with me,a prayer to the God of my life. 

I say to God, my rock:“Why have you forgotten me?Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” 

As with a deadly wound in my bones,my adversaries taunt me,while they say to me all the day long,“Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,my salvation and my God.

Ps.42.1-11

Psalm 42 song…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Gd-FoNLuI&list=RDQ1Gd-FoNLuI&start_radio=1

Comfort verses 24….mentoring…

 Comfort verses 24….mentoring….

The other day I had breakfast with a couple who are returning to the States to retire…they have spent all of their career life teaching, living, mentoring in another country…and they are free to   Let the next generation take over…their job is done in that area…they left the work in good hands with trusted friends and colleagues…what a good  feeling…passing the baton….

We all get to do that at some point…do we pass it well or do we hold on tight, reluctantly….

I thought of more comfort verses…as they came along…a way of mentoring….freely sharing passing them on….

Thank YOU….

Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? (Isaiah 43:18-19a MSG)

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber (Psalm 121:3 NIV). 

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24

Hope delayed makes the heart sick; longing fulfilled is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12 CEB).

But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you (Psalm 88:13 NIV).

[God] alone is my safe place. His wraparound presence always protects me as my champion defender. There’s no risk of failure with God! So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me? (Psalm 62:5-6 TPT)

Now when he was in affliction, he sought the face of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him. And the Lord received his entreaty, heard his cry, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his Kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 OSB).

For you are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God. Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever (Psalm 86:10-12

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand (Proverbs 19:21 ESV).

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45 NIV) 

 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!

O Lord, make haste to help me! 

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” 

As for me, I am poor and needy,but the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my deliverer;do not delay, O my God!

Ps.40.13,Ps.40.16-17 

He raised me up….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR7aLsMTE3U&list=RDSR7aLsMTE3U&start_radio=1

Great congregation….

 Great congregation….

Almost two years ago the doctors found ovarian cancer when they did a complete hysterectomy…it was a surprise finding the cancer….so began the cancer journey with chemo…it went away and came back…I now have 9 more weeks of treatments, then reevaluation…with scans, more blood tests…not sure what will happen after those at this point…

When I was so  sick last year, I didn’t write much as I was so foggy minded from the meds…but I was so eager to write again…was learning so many lessons…so as soon I got off one particular med, I could think more clearly…I remember the day that God said…”this is the day to start writing again…” I was sitting in bed at the rehabilitation facility ready to go to breakfast and I was so thrilled to be thinking clearly and I began to write again…I didn’t know if I ever would again ….or if anyone really wanted to read it or I was writing for myself…

God is so good…I don’t know what his plan is, but I am along for the ride…

His blessings to all who read this…whether here in the states or to the far corners of the world…he is faithful, truthful, and has the way to salvation…

Thank YOU….

9. I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;behold, I have not restrained my lips,as you know, O Lord. 

10. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;

        I have not concealed your steadfast love and your       faithfulness from the great congregation. 

Psalm 40:9-10

People need the Lord…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uZcGaixMhg&list=RD1uZcGaixMhg&start_radio=1

Psalm 40:6-8

 Psalm 40:6-8…….

Karen Kingsbury has a new book out, good, a quick read, great lessons…”The Christmas Ring”…one quote hit me as I was about done …

“ reading the verses in the Bible meant having a meeting with God…He was truly alive and active in the pages of Scripture…” Karen Kingsbury…the Christmas Ring…2025…

What a treasure we have, being able to hold a personal letter from the Almighty God in our hands, His Word to us….

Thank YOU….

 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,but you have given me an open ear.Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 

Then I said, “Behold, I have come;in the scroll of the book it is written of me: 

I delight to do your will, O my God;your law is within my heart.”

Ps.40.6-8

 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. 

For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Josh.1.8

 Blessed are you, O Lord;teach me your statutes! 

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 

I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word. 

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;and I will keep it to the end. 

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. 

Lead me in the path of your commandments,for I delight in it.

Ps.119.12,Ps.119.15,Ps.119.16,Ps.119.33,Ps.119.34,Ps.119.35

 Every word of God proves true;he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Prov.30.5

 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2Tim.3.16-17

Ancient Words…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcSAdzLXKVE&list=RDNcSAdzLXKVE&start_radio=1

Psalm 40:4-5… thoughts

 

Psalm 40:4-5….thoughts….

 4.  Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,who does not turn to the proud,to those who go astray after a lie! 

         

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Ps.34.8

 O Lord of hosts,blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Ps.84.12

 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,but with the humble is wisdom.

Prov.11.2

 Pride goes before destruction,and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Prov.16.18,Prov.16.19

 One's pride will bring him low,but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

Prov.29.23

 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning,and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Eccl.7.8

 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.

Rom.11.20

 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

2Tim.3.1-5

 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Jas.4.6

5. You have multiplied, O Lord my God,your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;none can compare with you!

I will proclaim and tell of them,yet they are more than can be told.

Ps.40.4-5

 to him who alone does great wonders,for his steadfast love endures forever;

Ps.136.4

 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isa.55.8-9

There are a lot of thoughts I need to check at the door…pride being a huge one…it does no one any good…God wants a humble heart…his thoughts/ways are so much higher than anything, anyone….

Thank YOU….

Humble yourself….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAnjQ7kyAVk&list=RDSAnjQ7kyAVk&start_radio=1