You Are A Miracle

Hey, you. Yes, you reading this. Do you realize that you are a miracle? Take a deep breath. Let it go. Stop and focus for just a few minutes. Yes, I know you are busy and have no time to take a breath. This, however, is important. You seem to have forgotten, or maybe become distracted but, in any case, you keep discounting the fact that you are a miracle. There you are with all your God given talent, a deeply loved child of the Almighty God. You are designed and handcrafted in God’s love and still you act ordinary. 

Take today, for example. Did you rise proclaiming, "Lord, thank you for the miracle that I am, for all you have provided me and for your hand upon my life to display your love and beauty through me".  No. Well, you should! You should know that you are a miracle. Your life, talents, personality, strength, and uniqueness are one of a kind. 

You were created just the way you are for a purpose. Not just any purpose, rather a God-given purpose that only your miraculous self can complete. Whatever ails you, drags you down, limits you and has you doubting your greatness, is merely a tactic of the enemy to defeat the miraculous self God wants you to be. 

Don't just sit there! Stand up and demonstrate the miracle you are. God expects nothing less. In fact, he is counting on you. So am I.

You are the God who performs miracles; 

you display your power among the people.

Psalm 77:14

The Missing Ingredient

Perhaps this has happened to you. You set out to make the perfect cake. Butter - check. Eggs - check. Sugar - check. Flour- check. Mix and bake. Wait. Something is wrong. The cake is flat. The batter looked fine. Even a secret taste test of the batter (shhh) tasted yummy. The mixer worked great; the oven was set to the right temperature. It must have been an ingredient. Oh no, the baking powder! That's what is missing. The missing ingredient resulted in a flat cake instead of a fluffy raised cake.  

 

A missing ingredient can also impact life. Home - check. Family- check. Career - check. Pet - check. Mix in friends and stir. Wait. Something is wrong. Life doesn't quite meet the expectations that were set. It looked pretty on the outside and sounded like it would be happy, successful, and full of love, but something went wrong. Oh, yes. There is a missing ingredient. Jesus Christ. Life without Jesus is flat and empty. It falls short of the full life that God intended and never turns out as wonderful as it could be. 

 

What about you? Is Jesus the main ingredient in your life or is your life Jesus-free or Jesus-lite? Is He fully integrated in your life or just sprinkled on top for appearance? The recipe for life can include all kinds of variation except for the one key ingredient that makes everything else worthwhile - Jesus Christ.

 

The humble shall see their God at work for them. 

No wonder they will be so glad! 

All who seek

God shall live in joy. 

Psalm 69:32

Warming Up by the Fire

In most of the country, it’s a bit chilly outside. Some have snow and others just frigid temperatures and ice. The best thing to do is wear lots of layered clothing to keep warm or better yet, cuddle up and sit by fire. There, by the fire’s glow you can settle in and rest. You may even opt for a warm beverage or perhaps throw on a comfy, soft blanket to snuggle under.

 

The feeling of warmth and comfort by the fire is much like the warm, loving glow you feel when you take time to sit and rest in the presence of Christ. Jesus is the Light of the World. It’s impossible to be with Him and not feel His loving presence and warm tenderness. After time with Him you will be all aglow with radiance and grace.

 

Do you think this is true? Go ahead and discover it for yourself. It doesn’t matter if you sat in His presence a day ago, two weeks ago, or not for a year. After all, Jesus gave His life to be with you. When you surrender to His gentle comfort, and share your heart with Him, you will be filled with the warmth of the Spirit and your soul will shine anew. 

 

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasure of living with you forever.” Psalms 16:11

 

 

 

Miraculous Appearance

 If you had to sum up in one word what currently matters most in American culture, a good describer would be "appearances".  Yes, appearances seem to be what is most important to people. There are influencers, celebrities, and even famous people with no talent appearing to be important, wealthy, cleaver, or have some special quality that others are chasing after.

The truth is, things are not always as they appear. What is visible to the world via social media, Hollywood, or the news is almost always a made up version of reality. That is not surprising when you consider we live in a fallen world. Jesus warned us that Satan is a liar. His goal is to distract, attract and attack. He even tried tempting Jesus. He will stop at nothing to make what is bad look good, just to get his way.

God's "appearances" are quite different. With God we learned to never judge a book by its cover as he uses the small, unassuming, and meek to do mighty and often miraculous work. His ways are awesome and awe inspiring. He sent the Savior of the World as an innocent newborn baby and had angels and a star appeared to announce His arrival.  He used a small shepherd boy to take down a giant and become King. He chose an orphaned girl to grow up and become a courageous queen, saving Israel from annihilation.

What about you? Are you getting caught up in appearances and becoming distracted from what matters most? Are you focusing on Christmas gifts, decorating and hosting the perfect "celebrity"  version Christmas for yourself, or are you celebrating the true meaning of Christmas? No matter how things appear, Jesus Christ, and the joy that comes from knowing Him as the Lord of your life, is the greatest gift of all.

Praise honor and glory to you Jesus Christ! 

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: 

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

You Are a Gift

Have you ever felt invisible? Maybe you have felt as though you didn't matter, weren't important, or were forgotten. It's not a very good feeling. In fact, it can lead to depression, sadness, doubt, and even hopelessness. The truth is you aren't invisible. You have been created by the God of the Universe in His image. You are vibrant, strong, smart, kind, loving, and so important to God. 

God know all about you from before you were born and into the future. Your life, and His Son Jesus Christ, are gifts to you. He sees your ups and downs, wins and losses, shining moments and defeats. He loves every part of you, even when you are sad and down on yourself. God is cheering you on. He knows your potential and is watching for you to grow into it. His blessings will chase you down because God finds you impossible to ignore. You are always on His mind and heart. He loves you deeply.

So, don't just sit there. Get up and show God how much you appreciate the gift of life, and gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ, that He has given you. 

"Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed." Deuteronomy 28:6

Spiritual Eyes

Look around. What do you see? Are you witnessing despair, confusion, and fear or do your eyes see possibility, grace, and encouragement? Your sights may be on the natural while the supernatural looks very different. You see rejection. God sees the path He is setting you on to fulfill your destiny. You see loss. God sees blessings and new experiences you never thought possible. 

While your vision is limited, the supernatural view is limitless. God has angels, guides, and paths surrounding your journey that your human eyes can’t even imagine. When you feel like things aren’t going your way, find yourself hitting a brick wall, and getting no positive answers, God is in control. He knows exactly where you need to be and the precise timing to take you there. 

Instead of feeling frustrated and asking why, set you sights on Jesus and know the answer will be revealed in His timing to provide the blessings that already have your name on them. Nothing is eternal until God acts and He is working all things together for good. Keep looking up and know God has things well in hand to provide all you will need to be walking the journey He designed just for you. 

“For we live by believing and not by seeing.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭

Blessed

Photo Credit Casie Steele

It may not seem like it. There are all kinds of issues to deal with and even more to be concerned about. The news is going from bad to worse to the point where you just shut out that noise and pray. Every day presents another challenge, hiccup, problem or setback. Still, no matter the picture or details of what you are dealing with, you are blessed. 

To start with, if you are reading or having this read to you, you are alive. God loves you and created you to be the one and only you there will ever be in all eternity! You are one of a kind, unique, special and His very own child. 

You may not have everything in life that you want or dreamed, but no matter the situation you have your Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. You have the promise of eternity and in this place the promise of His mercy and grace. Through Him you can do all things. You are blessed.

If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of the world. If you have money in the bank, your wallet, and some spare change you are among the top 8% of the world's wealth. If you woke up with more health than illness you are more blessed than the million people who will not survive the week. 

Yes, YOU are BLESSED.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

Christmas Present

The hunt is on! It happens every year. With deliberate, calculated precision, and a heartful of love and anticipation, the hunt for the perfect Christmas present is under way. No, it is not a search for the just right, hard to find gift. Rather, it is an entirely orchestrated production to prepare, package and deliver the perfect Christmas to everyone in your life. Now that is really setting yourself up for the impossible. Still, the mission is set and off you go. So, you make it down the list of need to gets, have to do's, and must not forgets and spend time manufacturing the perfect Christmas present.

This year why not take a different approach? This year give up the notion of Christmas by design and instead aim to celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ. Jesus really is the greatest Christmas present. Share Him with someone in need of his grace, light, peace, and strength. Introduce someone to His majesty with a easy-to-read copy of the Word. Witness the restoration of a soul when a song of God's mercy pierces through despair and darkness. Open your heart, wallet, and table to infuse a bit of Christ's light where it otherwise would never shine. Yes, this is Christmas present. What will you do to make it a Christmas that glorifies the One it is all about? Jesus Christ is the reason for Christmas and the heart of the season.  

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” Galatians 4:4-5

Your Brand

 

Photo by Casie Steele

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to attend Harvard Business School’s Leadership Certification Program. I learned so much about leadership and business. Much time was spent learning about brands and branding. Organizations spend millions of dollars building and sharing their brand. A brand sets the expectation for a product, service, or experience. For example, Walmart’s brand is low prices and no frills. Nordstrom’s brand is excellent service and  quality merchandise. 

You too have a brand. You have a way of behaving, relating to others, and living life. As a follower of Jesus, you are walking with Him each day and striving to live as He would expect you to. After all, you are His Ambassador sharing His “brand” with the world! 

So are you demonstrating to others Jesus’s brand of:

• Loving others 
• Treating everyone without favoritism
• Grace especially in the most trying situations 
• Humbleness 
• Compassion
• Forgiveness 
• Being a servant to others 
• Prayerfulness 
• Peace 

That’s quite a list. As you move into the change of seasons, why not use this time of change to reflect on the way you model Jesus in your life. Ask God to make you aware of the areas He thinks you need to adjust. Then, move forward being the best Christ follower you can be. 

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭

Following

 

Social media is all about followers. You may be following lots of people, all trying to influence you. No matter what, the One to follow, and best life influencer, is Jesus Christ. You can find Him right where you are, anytime, and for always. 

It’s a great time of year with a change of season to reflect on your life and changes you need to make. The most important change may be to consider those you are following and giving time to. Are you spending time on worthless social media or in God’s Word? See, you have time to be with God and pray. You just may be spending time in the world instead. The season is changing and so can you! Follow Jesus. 

Jesus Is Enough

Have you notice how complex and twisted life has become? There are more choices, details, and processes than ever before. Life was much simpler in the past. Consider the simple act of watching television. Years ago there were three or four channels to choose from. Sure, the selection was limited but the shows were great and today are considered classics. Now, there are literally hundreds of channels and frequently nothing worth watching. There are more choices and options, in just about all aspects of life now than ever before, but also more unhappiness and unrest. More does not always mean better. Sooner or later, you learn that less is more, and you finally say "Enough!." As you grow older and wiser you realize you don't really need much in life. Fancy cars, homes, and things are not important. Health, family, friends, and safety matter the most. 

Perhaps you have reached the point where you know that Jesus Christ is enough for your life. If you have, you understand that in Christ you already have all you could ever need. If you haven't, you may be caught up in the allure of worldly things, or things of the flesh. Then enemy of God is skilled at creating a facade of glitz and glamour to attract you and keep you from the One that means more than anything. Set your eyes and heart firmly on the Lord. Ask Him to show you what really matters most. When you do you will know that Jesus Christ is enough for you.

"Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything." Colossians 2:9-10  The Message

 

A Letter From Christ

The Bible says you are God’s ambassador. It also says that you are a letter from Christ. You may not realize it, but you are on display representing God in your daily walk. A letter can be eloquent, matter of fact, or a word of encouragement. 

It’s not common to write or receive letters anymore which makes being one even more important. You are uniquely positioned by God to share the Gospel message of hope, love, and grace. 

So, what kind of letter from Christ are you? 

Are you: 

- A short note barely sharing Him? 

- A warning letter preaching without reaching a soul? 

- An unopened letter staying silent in fear of sharing your faith? 

- A love letter sharing Jesus and being a blessing? 

The choice is yours. No matter what though, you are a letter being viewed, and read, by others. 

God is counting on you! Deliver love letters every chance you get and change a life for eternity. 

Be Encouraged

It’s easy to become discouraged; especially if you are looking around and spending time in the world. Instead, chose to be encouraged in Christ. When you are in Christ you will experience peace of mind, heart, and soul. No matter what the enemy throws your way, you are sheltered in the protective arms of The Most High. He goes before you and behind you. You are not alone, nor are you powerless. 

Will the enemy shoot arrows of fear, distraction, and confusion your way? Yes, because the enemy wants to discourage you and your walk with Christ. The goal is to have you give up, give in, and call it quits. Don't do it - no matter what stay in Christ. 

Be bold and courageous! Pray in the Spirit and in His will. Utilize the Word and set yourself firm in full confidence that Jesus is fighting your battle. He already is victorious and in all circumstances cares for and stands by you. You are a mighty warrior - a Christian Soldier! Keep marching and waving your spiritual sword. Ready? Set? March! 

In the Spirit

Photo by The Daily Journey

Are you praying in the Spirit and hoping for something? It may seem impossible, too big, too difficult even for God to bring to pass. Still, you wait on Him in anticipation. Your faith has you believing and knowing God is in control. 

Don't doubt or despair. Do not fret.Trust that the God of the Armies of Heaven has no constraints or limits. Nothing can stop Him when He acts in your behalf. In Him, all things are possible. The apostle Paul, his very life changed forever when meeting Jesus, reminds us "I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

See, it is not in your strength, or by your might. It is through Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God. Nothing is eternal until God acts and He acts knowing your prayers, faith, and what is best for you. Let God show you the way. You will be pleasantly surprised; awe struck even. The same God of Abraham, Issac, Jacob, David, Moses, John, Paul, and Luke, is the God of you! He is able and ready. The question is, are you?

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Dwell

Photo by @groovypat via Instagram.

 Of all the time you will spend today, of all the places you will be, none will be as perfect and beautiful as the time you spend being still in the presence of God. 

Take the time. 

Invisible

 There you are feeling all alone. You pray and ask God for help, and still, you get no relief from the wear and tear of the everyday battlefield of life. Doesn't God know you need Him? Can He hear you and see your pain? Does He even know you exist or are you totally invisible to Him? Wait! How can you be invisible to God when He created you, loves you, and sent His only Son to die for you? That doesn't make sense. 

The truth is you are not invisible to God. You are firmly and lovingly tucked away in the palm of His hand. He is carrying you through life's valleys and getting you safely to the next mountain peak. There you will clearly see and know His presence. God has His fingerprints all over you. Quit looking around and just look up. Then you will see Him caressing you in His love and care. 

See, it's not that you are invisible to God, but rather that you are so distracted and busy looking down and around, He became invisible to you! Set your sights on Jesus, not on the world. Be  filled with the Holy Spirit in total alignment and view of God.  

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of Heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of Heaven, not the things of earth." Colossians 3:1-2

Rise

 

Photo By Casie Steele Photography

The road has been a bit bumpy lately. The last couple of years have taken a toll and still more rough patches seem to be rising up. It's enough to make you want to give up and throw in the towel. There you are, some place between "why bother' and "enough is enough". It can be overwhelming and before you know it you are immobilized. You know what I mean; unable to move forward, gain momentum or grow. 

Sure, rough patches can rise up, but so can you! You are a child of the Most High God. Nothing can keep you from your good. First you need to raise your sights. Lift your eyes up to the Heavens. Don't be paralyzed in your circumstances. God is right there where you are. He sees you and knows exactly what you have been through.

Jesus wants to help you rise and be the best you can be. He doesn't want to see you trampled by the world. You have a supernatural source, the Holy Spirit, inside you. You have the power to move you forward and be strengthen. Do you believe it? It's true! So what are you waiting for? 

Rise up! Ask God to open your heart and mind to the steps He wants you to take. Next be obedient to follow through with what He has told you and continue to seek Him every day. There is grace and joy in the journey, you just need to rise up and take the next steps. I can hear Jesus now telling you to walk and watching every step you take. 

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. Acts 3:7-8

Just Love

 

Have you ever stopped to consider that God placed you on this crazy planet for a reason? There is something that you can do, that no one else in the entirety of space or time can do. It may be a specific gift you were blessed with that when shared will positively impact lives. Perhaps you are to lead others to Jesus or be the parent or sibling of someone that will be inspired by you to do so. No matter the reason, you are also called by Christ to love. If you did nothing else with you time passing through this world except to just love, that would be so powerful!

Sounds easy right? Oh but it isn't. There are people and circumstances that are guaranteed to get under your skin, irritate you, and make you want to not love at all. It could be a stranger, someone at work, or even your very own family member causing you to respond in a way that is far from loving. 

You see, love isn't about self. It's about you reaching beyond yourself and connecting with others as Jesus would. God doesn't just love you on the days when you remember to talk to him and you treat everyone in kindness. He loves you when you totally forget He is there and you have a bad attitude with your spouse or child. His love is constant and is looking for you to be a constant in loving those around you.

So, if you are unsure of your God given gift and purpose for being here, fear not. You have a mission to just love those around you. That alone should keep you pretty busy and, yes, blessed.  

"My command is this: love each other as I have loved you". John 15:12

Grace

A New Year is the perfect time to pause and reflect on your life. Often individuals choose to make New Year's resolutions or self promises for improvement. Personally, I like to skip resolutions and instead sit with God and ask Him for a word that might set the tone for the year. Last year's word was "trust" and God did not disappoint. This year's word is "grace". 

In considering "grace" there are several aspects including the definition and its meaning for Christians. The Webster definition is, "unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification; a virtue coming from God; a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance." 

From a Christian perspective, grace is God's favor towards us. Grace is a gift from God that cannot be earned. It's God giving us more than we deserve. God is grace. Grace is what God does because He is gracious. All we have from God is because of grace; creation, salvation, His never ending love, provision and protection are all because of God's grace.

As Christians we rejoice because of God's grace and still we have a responsibility to show grace to others. This is not always easy. As followers of Jesus Christ we are to have the mind and heart of Christ in all we do. This includes our interactions and relationships; especially with those we may feel don't deserve grace. Doing so demonstrates the love of Christ in action. Perhaps you too are hearing God say that you need to focus on grace. Pray that He with transform your behaviors and motives so that you can show grace to others.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. 

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."

Ephesians 2:8

Give Thanks to the Lord

Revised and updated from original post in November 2009

Beyond the turkey and stuffing, past the mashed potatoes; broccoli with cheese sauce and the rolls, lies the true meaning of Thanksgiving. It is not about the pumpkin pie, the kick-off of the football game or holiday season. It has nothing to do with the traditional Macy's parade and the deals of Black Friday. Of course, our culture and the mainstream media focus on making Thanksgiving about these things instead of on its true meaning.

The true meaning of Thanksgiving is tucked away in the festivities and the meal preparation. In some cases, it is buried deep underground and not even mention. The true meaning of Thanksgiving is to praise and celebrate the goodness and grace of God. Many will fail to bow the knee, praise Him with grace before the meal, or raise their hands in gratitude. However, I am sure that you will join me in giving thanks, praise, and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ on Thanksgiving Day and every day.

As you celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with those you love, take a moment to reflect on the great man that was brave enough to acknowledge God before the world as evidenced by the proclamation that follows from so long ago. May you too proclaim God and His Son Jesus Christ this Thanksgiving and always. 

Proclamation: 

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A.D. 1863 

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!