Advent(Dec. 14): A Candle in the Darkness

The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

"We don't have to stumble around in the dark...because Jesus is out forever Light.

Jesus is the only Light in the whole wide dark world.

We are all saved from the dark of our loneliness because God is love and He can't stand to leave us by ourselves in the dark - Jesus comes to the darkest places so you can see His light the brightest!"

"During the darkest days of the year(our winter), the world celebrates that 

Light has come into the world, a dawning over the land of the shadow of death, and in the warmth of that halo, we have hope." 

The Light has come into the world…… those who follow the true way come to the light, and it shows that the things they do were done through God.”        John 3:18-21

 A History:

The Syrians and Assyrians first ravaged the countries here mentioned, and that region was first favoured by the preaching of Christ. Those that want the gospel, walk in darkness, and in the utmost danger. But when the gospel comes to any place, to any soul, light comes. Let us earnestly pray that it may shine into our hearts, and make us wise unto salvation. The gospel brings joy with it.

 His name — describes His glorious nature and qualities.

• Wonderful Counsellor —  He understands what we’re going through and can advise us while He accompanies us through whatever we are facing.

• Mighty God — Signifies strength; a strong valiant hero, a proven Warrior, unafraid to battle and never defeated, One of high ranking power who is expected to lead the battle. HE IS NOT AFRAID OF A FIGHT!

• Everlasting Father - “The ruler with authority to pass on or deny access to eternal life.” (source)

• Prince of Peace - the One who is the leader of peace and offers it to others.

(source)

Below is a contemporary song with the description of Isaiah 9: 

And, of course, we are all familiar with this song from Handall's Messiah:

"And now, Jesus comes - God with us, God in us, and He makes you to be a very real miraculous candle - a light of joy and hope and love

...make space for the Light in this.  

We’ll make a whole wondrous season of it.

to simply light a candle in the middle of a week that moves directly from the tradition of Giving Thanks to God —- to the tradition of Advent and Wanting and Waiting for More of God."

Come back again, as I share Day 15 of the Advent Calender...in the book, "Unwrapping the Greatest Gift".(All quotes listed are from the book, unless indicated.)

From December 1st to December 25th

I will be sharing each story in this beautiful book, as well as some of the breathtaking pictures. Won't you join me? Stop by each day to see the stories shared. If you would prefer I email you each days post, please leave your email in the comments section or send me an email at apop12341@hotmail.com 
and let me know. I will make sure each post is sent to you.

To view the whole series on one page, go HERE

You may find me linking up at any of the blog parties listed on the left sidebar.(or go to my blog party page link, below)

Favorite Blogs Parties where I Link-up 

Advent(Dec. 13): Looking At Things Inside Out

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." 

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, 

but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these." 

So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." 

Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." 

1 Samuel 16:6-7, 10-12

"Samuel thought Jesse's oldest son, the one with the broad shoulders, who looks like he could carry a big sword and wear a big dazzling crown, would be the one whom God would see as king.

But, God looks at the way things are on the inside.

So, Samuel tried to see the way God sees.

And long after the {almost} forgotten son of Jesse - David, the sheep watcher, goat herder, and puny kid brother - was anointed king of Bethlehem, there was another unseen One born in that very same little town - One who was left out with the sheep because no one made room for Him either."

"Like Samuel, we tend to look at the way things seem on the outside. " 

As we can see from God’s perspective, the outward appearance is not the best way to judge a person. There is an old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Its meaning is simple, a person’s appearance, either their physical attributes or clothing, are no indication of their inner being. We need to be very careful because outward appearance can be very deceptive. There are people in this world that many consider beautiful on the outside but their inside does not match their temporary exterior beauty. (source)

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting: but a woman (or man) who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30) 

We need to realize that first impressions rarely tell us much about a person, so we should give him or her some time to reveal what is in their heart before making a decision.

A true child of God will reflect a humble spirit, love for God and others, as well as joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This is truly a beautiful person in the eyes of God. “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:20)

Come back again, as I share Day 14 of the Advent Calender...in the book, "Unwrapping the Greatest Gift".(All quotes listed are from the book, unless indicated.)

From December 1st to December 25th

I will be sharing each story in this beautiful book, as well as some of the breathtaking pictures. Won't you join me? Stop by each day to see the stories shared. If you would prefer I email you each days post, please leave your email in the comments section or send me an email at apop12341@hotmail.com 
and let me know. I will make sure each post is sent to you.

To view the whole series on one page, go HERE

You may find me linking up at any of the blog parties listed on the left sidebar.(or go to my blog party page link, below)

Favorite Blogs Parties where I Link-up 

Advent(Dec. 12): The Little Things

When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”

Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud.

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

Ruth 1:6-9, 16

"Ruth left the land of idols she had grown up with and went back to Naomi's land - Bethlehem.

At first, it didn't look like any miracles were happening in the story of Naomi and Ruth - death, loss, hunger, relocating to a foreign land - but then little things began to happen.

• Ruth just happened to meet Boaz, due to hunger that led her to gathering the left-over wheat in his field
• ...and she just happened to tell him her story
• ...and Boaz just happened to offer her help.
• Boaz just happened to take Ruth as his wife and buy back her family land. 
• Boaz's mother just happened to be Rahab...and the family linage continued when Ruth and Boaz had a son, Obed....and the family grew...until many, many, many great-grandsons later, Jesus was born one day in Bethlehem."

Nothing really "just happens" - God's plan is slowly, but surely unveiled and the Savior of the world would be born through these events!

Another great example:

As we also look at the Christmas story of when Gabriel told the teenage Mary of God's plans for her, he had to strengthen her faith. He said, "For with God nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:37) 

We all need that reminder from time to time.

 Zechariah 4:10 says, "Who has despised the day of small things?

"There is never a night, never a darkness when gifts and miracles and joy aren't coming - coming right to you."

And remember this:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."(Romans 8:28)

God often allows the path to be difficult because He intends on refining us and preparing us for our place of promise. He is intent on extracting from us, that which our enemy would love to leverage against us.
If you’re in a season of refining, lean in. Trust the loving hand of your precious Savior and know that He will lead you to the other side. Refuse a sense of entitlement and don’t demand to be understood.
Instead, humble yourself and seek to understand what the Lord is doing around you.
He will faithfully lead you and you will be strengthened as you go.(source)

God loves to use small things. The thrust of what follows, however, is the implication of that for us. Mark it down in big letters and underscore it! 

The fact that God delights in using the small things means a great deal to his children.
What small things have you seen God use in your life? Think of things you may have overlooked. Someday they may make perfect sense! (source)

Come back again, as I share Day 12 of the Advent Calender...in the book, "Unwrapping the Greatest Gift".(All quotes listed are from the book, unless indicated.)

From December 1st to December 25th

I will be sharing each story in this beautiful book, as well as some of the breathtaking pictures. Won't you join me? Stop by each day to see the stories shared. If you would prefer I email you each days post, please leave your email in the comments section or send me an email at apop12341@hotmail.com 
and let me know. I will make sure each post is sent to you.

To view the whole series on one page, go HERE

You may find me linking up at any of the blog parties listed on the left sidebar.(or go to my blog party page link, below)

Favorite Blogs Parties where I Link-up 

Advent(Dec. 11): The Red Rope

Joshua son of Nun secretly sent out two spies from Acacia and said to them, “Go and look at the land, particularly at the city of Jericho.”

So the men went to Jericho and stayed at the house of a prostitute named Rahab.

Before the spies went to sleep for the night, Rahab went up to the roof. She said to them, “I know the Lord has given this land to your people. You frighten us very much. Everyone living in this land is terribly afraid of you.

 So now, promise me before the Lord that you will show kindness to my family just as I showed kindness to you. Give me some proof that you will do this. Allow my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all of their families to live. Save us from death.”

The men said to her, “You must do as we say. If not, we cannot be responsible for keeping this oath you have made us swear. When we return to this land, you must tie this red rope in the window through which you let us down. Bring your father, mother, brothers, and all your family into your house.

Joshua 2: 1, 8-9, 12-13, 17-18

"...one red rope saved the lives of a prostitute and her family.

Rahab, who hid two spies...and soon believed that their One real God works real miracles."

"Rahab couldn't stop smiling...God loved her at her darkest and badest, and He held her with the biggest and grandest and greatest love. God changed the heart of a girl who did bad things."

So, her heart was tied to God's by one red rope...like it was her only lifeline.

And she was saved, not because she was good, but because she trusted the One real God!"

The good news in this story is that God forgave Rahab and she ended up being a mother in Israel and an ancestor of Jesus. 

 While far from perfect, Rahab’s life is a model of faith that shows the reality of God’s forgiveness and grace for everyone willing to step out in faith and to trust God with the results.

Have you ever felt as though you are too damaged to be used by God?  Worse, have you ever had the thought that you’re too damaged for God to truly love you?

You and I can't get to heaven trusting in what we've done. We must have faith in the rope - the blood of Christ - that saves us and carries us to safety. This one thing will make the difference for everyone. Like Rahab, we must tie the rope in our window - then when Christ returns for His beloved bride, He  will deliver the ones who have the red rope - the blood of Christ - in our hearts!

(source)

"Everywhere - do you see it? Christmas presents, tied up red ribbons, little red ropes. 

They all tie our hearts to Jesus, the greatest, grandest, Gift!"

"...shaped into hearts - they wrap the happiest love right around you."

Come back again, as I share Day 12 of the Advent Calender...in the book, "Unwrapping the Greatest Gift".(All quotes listed are from the book, unless indicated.)

From December 1st to December 25th

I will be sharing each story in this beautiful book, as well as some of the breathtaking pictures. Won't you join me? Stop by each day to see the stories shared. If you would prefer I email you each days post, please leave your email in the comments section or send me an email at apop12341@hotmail.com 
and let me know. I will make sure each post is sent to you.

To view the whole series on one page, go HERE

You may find me linking up at any of the blog parties listed on the left sidebar.(or go to my blog party page link, below)

Favorite Blogs Parties where I Link-up 

Advent(Dec. 10): Ten Love Rules

Moses summoned all Israel and said:

Hear, O Israel, the decrees and lawsI declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 

"You shall have no other gods before me. 

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 

"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 

"Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. 

"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

"You shall not murder. 

"You shall not commit adultery.

"You shall not steal. 

"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 

"You shall not covet 

anything that belongs to your neighbor." 

The LORD heard you when you spoke to me and the LORD said. 

Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

Deuteronomy 5

"The ten commandments are more than God saying, "Here are My rules of law for you"; they are God saying, "Here is my real love for you."

All through the commandments, God etches into the stone, like a whisper: "I am the Lord, your God...you are Mine."

So that by giving His beautiful people this great gift - two tablets of stone He wrote with His very own finger, - 

He gives these commandments as a call to trust Him, love Him, spend time with Him.

When we are tempted to trust the world - 

the world, who tells us to covet, to hate, to kill, to lie, to separate from having a love relationship with God - we are reminded of this gift of love that will keep us close to Him, to enjoy His presence, His protection, His peace...

 “Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the spirit have even more glory?  For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:7)

Is the law bad? No. Without the Law we would not see our need for Christ.

BUT…Paul says he is a minister of a new covenant, not of the letter (law) but of the spirit. 

If we are in Christ..The law is now written on our hearts!  His love is carved into our hearts!

Where we once stood condemned by the law, we now have the power, through the work of the spirit in us to obey the law.  We can love the law because in Christ, it no longer condemns us. (source)

The commandments also show us how to love God and Others:

This is why the apostle John tells us that “whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him” and “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments” (1 John 2:5; 1 John 5:2).

The Ten Commandments truly sum up God’s law of love.

(source)

Below is a link to a video of a wonderful explanation of how believers are to view the "Ten Love Rules"...

Are Christians Under the 10 Commandments?

Come back tomorrow, as I share Day 11 of the Advent Calender...in the book, "Unwrapping the Greatest Gift".(All quotes listed are from the book, unless indicated.)

From December 1st to December 25th

I will be sharing each story in this beautiful book, as well as some of the breathtaking pictures. Won't you join me? Stop by each day to see the stories shared. If you would prefer I email you each days post, please leave your email in the comments section or send me an email at apop12341@hotmail.com 
and let me know. I will make sure each post is sent to you.

To view the whole series on one page, go HERE

You may find me linking up at any of the blog parties listed on the left sidebar.(or go to my blog party page link, below)

Favorite Blogs Parties where I Link-up