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Daily Dose of Encouragement

ANTICIPATION!!!

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When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
Luke 2:15 NASB

I ascended the stairs to the top of the platform. The instructor ran through the instructions one last time. Harness was properly fastened and stable; carabiners hooked and checked; helmet secure. I was ready to go. I leaped off the platform! Woooowheeeee! After all the waiting, I was not disappointed. It was my birthday present from my husband – two hours of ziplining!

Anticipation. It’s one of the spices of life. You plan and wait. The days seem to drag on forever. Then suddenly, the expectation you’ve longed for becomes a reality. There’s just nothing quite like it.

Amid the hoopla of the Christmas season, I encourage you to read the story of Jesus’ birth in a not so familiar translation (Luke 2). Read it with the expectancy that Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon, or Anna might have felt. Put yourself in their place and let your mind and emotions envision the hope and exhilaration of that first glance of baby Jesus – the Child – the Savior who is Christ the Lord – the Messiah! Imagine and feel the wonder of His birth as they held Him in their arms and kissed His little face.

May the anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birthday and His imminent return find fresh meaning and a sense of renewed joy in your heart today and in the coming year. Merry Christmas, beloved ones, and be blessed beyond measure!

Eagerly awaiting,

Beverly <><

photo credit: Photo provided by: www.brianreese.com/images/Christmas/Nativity.jpg

When Your World is Rocked

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“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14 NASB

What do you do when your world is rocked? You know, when something happens and everything, at least for the moment, changes and forces you to rearrange your life. Over the past few years, unforeseen incidents such as cancer, injuries from a car wreck, a retinal tear, and even brain surgery have shaken my husband and me to the very core of our being and sent us to our knees. . . often.

With Christmas quickly approaching, I find myself pondering the immense life changing experience of the young virgin Mary. She was engaged to marry Joseph; I expect her excitement in becoming a wife was like that of most women.

However, an unexpected visit and a ringing announcement from the angel Gabriel would forever alter Mary’s life. Chosen by God Himself, she was to be the mother of His son, Jesus Christ. The conception would be a miracle performed by the Holy Spirit. Wow! Talk about rocking her world!

I can only imagine the anticipation, uncertainty, and ridicule she must have experienced during the ensuing months. This young girl had to grow up in a hurry. She not only experienced the joy of pregnancy, but most likely the shameful gossip and unkindness displayed by those unaware of God’s purpose for her life. But, according to what we see in the Scriptures, she hung in there, never giving up or losing her faith.

Yes, Mary’s precious Child would be the very One to bring hope, help, and healing in her time of need and chaos, as well as ours. When our world turns upside down, rest assured Jesus is the Rock on which we can stand.  [Digging deeper – Ps. 18:2, 62:2; Matt.1:18-25; Luke 1:30-31, 2:7, 19, 33-35]

Because of Him,

Beverly <><

Taking Charge of Your Day

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“This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!”
Psalm 118:24

“BEEP-BEEP-BEEP”  As I reach over groggily to turn my alarm clock off, I say in a half-awake whisper, “this is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.” After my bare feet pad their way over to the bathroom sink so I can throw water on my face to help me wake up, I say more confidently with a smile on my face, “this is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.” As my baby lays on the changing table after waking up I sing to him, “This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it…”.

Why this morning mantra you ask? The Bible describes our mind as a battlefield (Romans 7:23). As believers we have the Holy Spirit living inside us wanting to transform us through the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). Unfortunately there is also a very real enemy out there who is described as the father of lies (John 8:44). He takes great pleasure in trying to make us succumb to the doubt, discouragement and deceit he whispers in our ears.

The Bible places great emphasis on godly knowledge and wisdom. And because I have the knowledge that my mind is a battlefield, I wisely choose to start my day primed for victory! Instead of waking up and dejectedly thinking about how many more hours of sleep your body is craving, or how many household chores await your presence, or how you can keep your little ones entertained at the hospital while their older sibling gets a check-up, I encourage you to instead begin your day rejoicing in the Lord and telling yourself that whatever God requires of you today (and everyday), you can do all things (rejoicing) through Him who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13).

Noree Wegmeyer

 

photo credit: http://www.freeimages.com/photographer/asura-45946