Image via Wikipedia And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen … [Read more...]
God Never Fails – Lectio Divina
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth … [Read more...]
Come, Lord Jesus
Image by doug88888 via FlickrHe who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 Come, Lord Jesus.Yes Come, Lord, Jesus.In this time of year as we approach the celebration of Your birth – we know you have come once before and will come once again.Come Lord Jesus.Draw closer so we can see You clearer.Cross the thresholds of our hearts so we love you more.Reach for our hands so we serve You better.May our steps match Yours and follow only in Your paths.May we only see Your face as we face the difficulties in life.Come Lord Jesus.Help me to see You as You are – Savior, King, Master, LoverSlow me down so I don’t miss You. Hush the noise in my heart – I want to hear You.Come Lord Jesus.I know I really don’t have to summon You – You are already here.You wait, though, for my open hand and my obedient heart to turn to receive all Your love.I know You are already present whether I sense You or not. Bidden or unbidden You arrive to save us. … [Read more...]
Where Love and Faithfulness meet – Lectio Divina
Image via WikipediaLove and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps. Psalm 85:10-13Love and faithfulness meet togetherLord I love the idea of love and faithfulness meeting.Faithfulness coming from the earth, from the heart of Your people.Leaping upward where we are grasped by Your arms of love.You look down upon us with fairness and guide us home to You.You give us all that is good and prepare us as Your harvest.All these godly virtues – love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace embracing in an intimate kiss – show us that one leads to another and we are to follow.When I face hate, I am to show love.When I am filled with doubt, I still reach upward with what little faith I find.When I see injustice, I fight for the truth.When I find … [Read more...]
Thankfulness for God’s Unfailing Love
Image by las - initially via FlickrLet them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Psalm 107:8Unfailing love Lord I have been pondering the concept of Your unfailing love for us.Just the thought of how enormous Your love is boggles my mind.On this week of pouring out our thanks for so many blessings, I thank You Lord for your abiding love.UnfailingReliableTrustworthyConstantUnshakeableEnduringMay my response be a growing devotion to You, my King and Savior. … [Read more...]
Bowing with Thanksgiving – Lectio Divina
Image by RMaltempo via Flickr Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Psalm 92: 1-2, 6-7Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our MakerA week, Lord. No really all month where we focus on being thankful.I know I should be thankful all the time and have felt the practice of gratitude increase in my life.I do join the psalmist here in singing for joy unto you, Lord.I shout my praises aloud to You, my Rock.With overflowing thanksgiving, I worship You with songs and music.But Lord I almost missed the sixth and seventh verse.I dash into your presence with my thanks.I jump up and dance with the music.I am more than willing to praise You in my manner of worship.But how often do I … [Read more...]
Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant – Lectio Divina
Image by LSE Library via Flickr“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! Matthew 25: 21Well done, good and faithful servant.Master, what will you say to me when I come to You in my final moments on earth?Will you ask my about my sins? How I used my gifts? What I accomplished? I heard one man reflect that he thought You would ask “Did you enjoy life?” Yes life is also about joy.Master, I want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant”Lord, I don’t know all the answers.I make tons of mistakes.I let my eyes drift away from You and onto shiny bright objects of the world.But I have a deep desire to be faithful – faith that only comes from You.Lord help me be true in the use of my time.Faithful in being who You made me to be.Attentive to Your presence in every detail, every person, every circumstance.My prayer? My desire? Show me how to be a good and faithful servant. … [Read more...]
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord – Lectio Divina
Image by suneko via FlickrThough the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.~Habakkuk 3:17-18Yet I will rejoice in the Lord Lord, no matter what - I will rejoice in You.I want to live this way all the time.I know often I don’t, but with Your strength, I can try once again.I can dance with You when all my work and efforts fail to produce.I can laugh with You when I am hungry for more, especially more of You.I can shout, “Alleluia” when my hands are empty and my heart is heavy.I can relish our past times together, even when I currently feel far from You and deeply crave Your presence. I can delight in my doubts because You are my Savior.I celebrate You, Lord.I will be intentionally joyful because You are God.I will rejoice in the Lord. … [Read more...]