Merry Christmas 2020

On this unique morning in history, I want to remind you - and myself - just as what God said all those thousands of years ago about sending Messiah, the Deliverer, came true, so will His promise of coming again and taking His church to be with Him forever. 

Maranatha! (Come, our Lord!)

Merry Christmas!

BECAUSE HE CAME ... THE WORDS OF ISAIAH CAME TRUE.

Isaiah 61:1-2 Version (NKJV)

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who arebound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,

Isaiah spoke this approximately 700 years before the birth of Christ.

Luke 4:16-21 (NKJV)

So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

There are many stories in the New Testament that prove Jesus did what He came to do.  How could Isaiah have known 700 years before that Jesus would heal the blind and set free those that Satan had oppressed? He knew because the Holy Spirit revealed it.

On this Christmas morning, over two thousand years after He came, my prayer is that you have the faith to accept what a wonderful gift we received ... Because He Came! 

*adapted from an earlier post

Prophecy came true ... Advent Reflections

On this lovely morning when we celebrate when God put on flesh and moved into our neighborhood, I just wanted to take a moment to stop and thank my readers for being on the journey with me. 

I'm on a journey with my Forever Home being my destination, and becoming more Christlike along the way, thanks to His molding and shaping. (It's certainly not me!)

I'm praying all of you are on that same journey, and that perhaps God can use me to encourage you. Just as what God said all those thousands of years ago came true, so will His promise of coming again and taking His church to be with Him forever. 

Maranatha! (Come, our Lord!)

Merry Christmas!

BECAUSE HE CAME ... THE WORDS OF ISAIAH CAME TRUE.

Isaiah 61:1-2 Version (NKJV)

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who arebound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,

Isaiah spoke this approximately 700 years before the birth of Christ.

Luke 4:16-21 (NKJV)

So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

There are many stories in the New Testament that prove Jesus did what He came to do.  How could Isaiah have known 700 years before that Jesus would heal the blind and set free those that Satan had oppressed? He knew because the Holy Spirit revealed it.

On this Christmas morning, over two thousand years after He came, my prayer is that you have the faith to accept what a wonderful gift we received ... Because He Came! 

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections.


Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"

He brought abundance ... Advent Reflections

BECAUSE HE CAME ... I HAVE AN ABUNDANT LIFE.

John 10:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

This does not necessarily mean physical abundance, although sometimes God sees fit to bless in this manner. It means you have abundant life in the things that matter:  love, peace, joy and the calm assurance of knowing that you are never alone.  He walks with you in good times and bad.

Why would you want to live any other way?

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections.

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"

Linking up with Inspire Me Monday.

A thirst-quenching gift ... Advent Reflections

BECAUSE HE CAME .... THERE IS LIVING WATER TO DRINK.

John 4:10 (NKJV)

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

There is only one thing that quenches our soul-thirst. Worldly fame and acclaim can't do it. Fame is fleeting. Do you really want to devote your whole life to chasing it?

Money can't quench your thirst because we all know there are things money can't buy.

There is no peace like knowing your name is written in the Lamb's book of life.

The privilege of coming to Him is a gift.  Let it be one that you accept this season.

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections.

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"

Linking up with Grace&Truth.

Precious? Or Offensive? ... Advent Reflections

BECAUSE HE CAME ... I HAVE A CORNERSTONE UPON WHICH TO BUILD MY LIFE.

Matthew 21:42 (NKJV)

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?

1 Peter 2:6-8 (NKJV)

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”

and

“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

So ... is He precious or offensive to you?  There's no sitting on the fence.  It's one or the other.

If He is precious to you ... what are you doing about it?

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"

Linking up with #FreshMarketFriday

Living Bread ... Advent Reflections

BECAUSE HE CAME ... I CAN BE FILLED.

John 6:51 New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

Don't be filled with worldly things that will never satisfy.  Feast, instead, on eternal things that have lasting value.  Inhaling the Word and partaking of time spent with the Savior will be more fulfilling than anything  the world has to offer.

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"

Linking up with Debbie at #TuneInThursday.

He came for everybody ... Advent Reflections

Because He Came ... we can have THE all IN all.

Colossians 3:11  Amplified Bible (AMP)

[In this new creation all distinctions vanish.] There is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all [everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person].

If you are a new creation in Christ, He is in you.  Period.  You have all the power, love and authority you need because He is there.

Fully God, dwelling in man.

It is too much for the human mind to comprehend.  But it's true.  You don't necessarily feel Him there all the time, but it doesn't matter.  Faith is knowing He said it and believing it no matter what it looks like to you.

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and moved into the neighborhood!"

Linking up with #TellHisStory.

There is light ... Advent Reflections

Because He Came ... There is light in the midst of spiritual darkness.

John 8:12 (NKJV)

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Christmas is a time of light.  I love to go for drives and see the different Christmas lights that people use to decorate their homes.  This is also the time of year when candlelight is common in our homes, as well as decorated Christmas trees shining with hundreds of lights.  My favorite lights are the clear mini lights that look like stars shining when the room is darkened.

Did you ever notice that when a room is pitch black lighting a small candle will make a huge difference?  In the same way, when a person who has been bound by sin becomes a new creation and has the Light (who is Jesus) dwelling inside him, he can stand out like a beacon to the world.

Be a beacon - let your Light shine!

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"

Linking up with Trekking Thru the Week.

Truth is a person ... Advent Reflections

BECAUSE HE CAME ... WE CAN KNOW THE TRUTH.

John 14:6 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

I know people don't want to hear it, but the truth is, there are absolutes.  There is a difference between right and wrong.  And there is only one way to heaven, through Jesus Christ.

If you truly want to live, go to the Way, the Life, and HE will show you how.  If you don't believe me, I dare you to sincerely ask Him! 

~~~

Psst ... Wanna know more about the one way to heaven? Read the tab under my header marked "A Ticket Home."

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"

Linking up with Inspire Me Monday.

The greatest friend ... Advent Reflections

Because He Came ... You can have a dependable friend.  

And in today's world, you sure need someone like Him.

John 15:12-14  (NKJV)

¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

I know of no other friend who would give his life for me.  There's a line in the song, "Oh, How He Loves You and Me," that says it all:  "He gave His life, what more could He give."

A friend that loves you enough to lay down His life. That's what He did for us; so He deserves our obedience and love.

This Christmas season, when all is merry and bright, can you think of ways in which to lay down your life for others?

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"

Linking up with Grace&Truth.

He supplies ... Advent Reflections

BECAUSE HE CAME ... I HAVE WHAT I NEED

Philippians 4:19 (NLT) New Living Translation

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.

God meets our needs through Jesus.  If you accepted Jesus as your Savior, you are now able to have your needs met.  

Notice the scripture says needs, not necessarily wants. 

Our needs are met according to God's riches - a limitless supply!  

Also, read the whole chapter of Philippians.  You'll notice the Philippians first gave sacrificially, then received the promise of their needs being supplied.

Because Jesus came, God meets our needs. Hallelujah!

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"

Linking up with #FreshMarketFriday.

Hearts are mended ... Advent Reflections

Because He Came... those with broken hearts can be healed.

Luke 4:18 NKJV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

Has life just beaten you down?  Is your heart crushed and bruised?  You can find healing, joy and fulfillment in Him. 

After all, He came to heal the broken heart.

Give Him a chance and talk to Him about it.  What do you have to lose but pain?

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"

Linking up with #TuneInThursday

Someone to carry my load ... Advent Reflections

BECAUSE HE CAME ... I HAVE A BURDEN BEARER

Matthew 11:28-30 New Living Translation (NLT)28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Does the load you're under seem way too much for you?  Take it to Him.  No, He doesn't always take the burden away instantly, but He helps you carry it.  He gives you new perspective; and once a burden is given to Him, He sets things in motion that make everything work out in the best way.

Don't carry the load by yourself!

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"


Linking up with #TellHisStory

He shepherds me ... Advent Reflections

BECAUSE HE CAME ... I have a Shepherd who gave His life for me.

 

John 10:11 (NKJV)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

John 10:26-28 (NKJV)

But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand

The bible often compares us to sheep and our relation to Jesus as a shepherd.  The truth is we are lost and don't know where to go without being led. We're notorious for making bad decisions and following just anybody.  But we can know His voice and rest in the fact that He will never lead us astray.  He will never allow the enemy to take us.

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"


Linking up with Trekking Thru The Week.

I have a defender ... Advent Reflections

BECAUSE HE CAME ... I HAVE AN ADVOCATE.

1 John 2:1 New Living Translation (NLT)  My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.

Easton's Bible Dictionary defines the Greek word translated advocate like this:

(Gr. parakletos), one who pleads another's cause, who helps another by defending or comforting him.

One of the perks of being a child of God is you can have a defender, not a public defender but the finest legal talent ever,  the One who wrote the law. (And the One who paid the price for the sins of His children!)

Think about it - the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords is on YOUR side! 

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"


Linking up with Inspire Me Monday.

He prays for me ... Advent Reflections

BECAUSE HE CAME ... I HAVE AN INTERCESSOR.

Hebrews 7:25 (AMP) 

Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.

He is constantly praying for His children - never sleeps and never slacks off the job.  What a feeling of utter peace - knowing He is always in control ... and I'm not!

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"


Linking up with Faith on Fire.

Being real ... Advent Reflections

BECAUSE HE CAME ... I CAN BE REAL.

When Jesus, who is fully God, came to earth and put skin on, He experienced life as a human.  We can never tell Him, "You don't understand," or "You don't know how I feel."  He's been  there.  He knows how life on this planet can be. 

Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV)

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I like the way the NLT puts v. 15.

"This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin."

I love it that He really "gets" me.  There's real freedom in knowing He knows all there is to know about me.  I can be real.

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"


Linking up with #FreshMarketFriday and Grace&Truth.

I can be strong ... Advent Reflections

Because He Came ... I have the strength to do what I need to do.

Philippians 4:13  New King James Version (NKJV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Whatever He has called you to do, you will be able to do it.  He will empower you!

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections. 

Short but sweet, these devotional thoughts pack a punch of scripture followed by the realization, "Hey! I only have this blessing because He came and dwelt among men!"


Linking up with Debbie's #TuneInThursday.

He brought healing with Him ... Advent Reflections

Because He Came .... I can be healed.

The Atonement was not only for redemption of sin but also healing.

1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 

Healing comes in many ways; miraculously, instantly, by use of modern medicine, or sometimes gradually.  He heals in His timing. Don't give up! 

~~~

During the month of December, the Journey will be taking a hiatus. I'm adapting some of my 2012 series, "Because He Came" posts for your Advent reflections.

Linking up with Trekking Thru The Week.