Joyful Christmas Season! Chosen One

Chosen One

“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my Chosen One, who pleases me.

I have put my Spirit upon Him. He will bring justice to the nations.”  Isaiah 42:1

God is the author of an awesome non-fiction. The Bible, with its intertwined stories, development of compelling characters, and all-central theme of restoration through His Son, reads like a novel.

Who is the ram in Genesis? His Chosen One.

Who is the Passover lamb in Exodus? His Chosen One.

Who is the high priest in Leviticus? His Chosen One.

Who is the city of refuge in Deuteronomy? His Chose One.

Who is the scarlet thread in Joshua? His Chosen One.

Who is our king in Judges? His Chosen One.

Who is the kinsman-redeemer in Ruth? His Chosen One.

Who is the trusted prophet in 1^st and 2^nd Samuel? His Chosen One.

Who is the reigning king in Kings and Chronicles? His Chosen One.

Who is the faithful scribe in Ezra? His Chosen One.

Who is rebuilder of broken things in Nehemiah? His Chosen One.

Who is the faithful one at the gate in Esther? His Chosen One.

Who is the redeemer who lives in Job? His Chosen One.

Who is shepherd in the Psalms? His Chosen One.

Who is wisdom in the Proverbs and Ecclesiastes? His Chosen One.

Who is the beautiful bridegroom in Song of Solomon? His Chosen One.

Who is the suffering servant in Isaiah? His Chosen One... Messiah... Jesus...

The thread of Jesus Christ is woven throughout each portion of God’s story. His Book is one of love, compassion, appointment, and redemption. Jesus is the book... (John 1:1-2)

Listen for His Whispers...

Joyful Christmas Season! The True Light

The True Light

The one who is The True Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.  John 1:9 (NLT)

My fingers grasped air as my eighteen-month-old granddaughter dashed from my side. She expected me to give chase through the house—a game she loves to play. 

Barreling around the living room sofa, I chanted; “I’m gonna get you. You better run!”

She bumped into the wall at the front entrance. Stranded. Dancing in place, she squealed. No place left to go. The room was dim, her hiding place dark. She stood two feet in front of me, a giggling, bouncing ball of energy and eagerness. 

That’s when I snapped a light on just above her head. The bright light burst into the space, and she was undone, revealed and loving every moment of it.

Laughter tumbled from her lips louder than before as soft baby curls swayed round her chubby cheeks. She hugged herself in hysteria, then bolted to grab hold my knees, nearly toppling me.

So it was with The True Light. Jesus annihilated the darkness and splashed the world with great and everlasting truth, enlightenment, and joy. 

When He burst on scene, the powers of darkness quaked, and angels rejoiced. The prophet Simeon extolled Him as God's salvation, the one to bring the light of revelation to all people. (Luke 2: 25-35)

Though this world can be a dark, desolate, and evil place, it's darkness is obliterated by the brightness of a Savior who emancipates and shines as bright as the noonday.

The Message Bible says: “The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life He brings into the Light."

Listen for His Whispers

Joyful Christmas Season! God’s Unspeakable Gift

God’s Unspeakable Gift

The baby exited the womb, silent. The doctor brought the firstborn, bathed in blood, to the mother’s side. The child never breathed outside her mother’s womb. Stillborn. This baby never kicked, never flailed, never cooed, never suckled.

As the mother stared into the dim light of recovery, an all consuming weakness threaded through her limbs and body.  Her blood felt no stronger than water. A numb, incomprehensible, and desensitizing flood washed over her. Would she drown?

The longing for her child built. Yet her arms would remain empty. A need so great and a pain so sharp intensified with every jerk of suffocating breath, but only held barren promise. 

Would she have chosen this? Never. Never.

But hadn’t death decided for her? And wasn’t it final? The clock could not turn back, and nothing could change the wretched outcome. Time steadily ticked onward, leaving her behind in a wrenching, hollow hole.

But then, her shoulders pinched together, and her heart clenched like a fist as the swell of a warm embrace swept her body and eased her back into feeling alive. The breath of God whispered in her ear, that He was near. Close. Stroking her tender, wounded spirit.

Tears streamed. It was as though heaven tenderly blew damp curls from her forehead, warmed the cold ache of hurt, eased the cramping of childbirth, and suspended her in a dimension unearthly and cocooned.

What had God done?

Understanding rushed into a place far deeper than her intellect. Just what had God, the Father, freely given, but His only Son, though the pain of such an act of suffering would crush His heart?

He offered His child, His babe... as an Unspeakable Gift to all. What unfathomable love and sacrifice could bring God to do such a thing, a Father with a warrior’s devotion to protect His young and a mother’s gentle and compassionate spirit to nurture a human soul with diligent care? How?

Though it bruised and lashed and severed Him, God freely gave His child as an Unspeakable Gift. What brand of love could be so exacting and purposeful and real? The Word says it pleased God to do this for each… precious… human… one. The blood of His son a purchase for our redemption. What love...

Thanks be to God for his Unspeakable (indescribable and unutterable) Gift.

(2 Corinthians 9:15)

This is my story... I grieved the months following this. Some days I was angry. Other days,  I was depressed. But I was never without hope because God the Father was by my side, and  I could not deny His love for me. God. My greatest Sympathizer in the struggle, my greatest Encourager when I felt without hope, and my greatest Comforter when I sat lonely nights in an empty nursery, arms aching to hold my daughter. He loves You, dear ones. Listen for His whispers...

Joyful Christmas Season! Lord of Peace

Lord of Peace

Often at Christmas time we hear Jesus referred to as the Prince of Peace, since His birth and work on the cross brought peace between God and man. But He is also called, Lord of Peace.

“Now may the Lord of Peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His Kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes]. The Lord be with you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16, Amplified)

What is Kingdom peace?

The Kingdom of Jesus Christ is born of the Spirit and is invisible to the naked eye. It is that place which has been redeemed and restored by the actions of Jesus Christ upon His death and resurrection. An internal place, it is one we visit by faith. And in the quietness, hear His voice.

Jesus said in Luke 17:20-21 that the Kingdom of God is not something visible. (verse 21b, Amplified) “For behold the Kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].”

When Jesus restores a person by grace, He invites them to live in His new Kingdom. This is a power-filled place which allows us to live above the often harsh conditions of life on earth, a place of joy in sorrow, peace in confusion, and hope in desperation.

Heaven is a future place of promise and will be a fulfillment of Kingdom life, but we can live in the Kingdom this side of heaven, too. In a living relationship with Him who loves us.

Each year when the holidays roll around I receive my greatest pleasure from revisiting the names of Jesus. This year I share them with you along with a relevant word as a gift. Peace, love, and joy to each of you.

Listen for His whispers

Joyful Christmas Season!

Diadem of Beauty

“In that day the LORD of Hosts will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people…” (Isaiah 28:5 NKJV) 

Isaiah is a personal favorite of mine. God has used this book of the Bible to speak to me on many occasions. 

The book is full of promises. This particular verse speaks of the Lord of hosts which refers to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is our jeweled crown. He's the treasure of our hearts, precious beyond anything the world has to offer. 

He's our shepherd-leader, the one who knows our way, nurtures and protects us, guides us through all things.

He is our gleaming beauty, that part in us which is altogether lovely. 

He is our glorious king both now and in future eternity. 

Another translation calls Him a Garland of Joy (DRB). Imagine all earthly and heavenly joys woven into a wreath and nestled securely atop our Savior's head. 

That was the promise of Isaiah. And when our Lord and Savior came into the world and walked His path, bled and died, rose and seated himself next to the Father, He promised and provided that for each of us. The promise of unspeakable joys...

Each year when the holidays roll around I receive my greatest pleasure from revisiting the names of Jesus. This year I share them with you along with a relevant word as a gift. Peace, love, and joy to each of you.

Mornings in our lives are those fresh, new 

beginnings we cherish each time we 

experience God.