Celebrate God

We cannot always find joy in our circumstances but we can always find joy in the Lord of the circumstances. (Mary Southerland)

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

I love how The Message puts Philippians 4:4: "Celebrate God all day, every day.  I mean, revel in him!"

2 Corinthians 2:9

"For to this end also I wrote, so that I  might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things." (2 Corinthians 2:9)

Silent Night

Silent Night
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"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" (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

Friend to Friend
Tomorrow is Christmas Day. I imagine if you're like most of us, you are still scurrying about with last minute Christmas preparations.  What do you think the angels were doing on that first Christmas Eve?  Do you think the heavenly host had one last choir practice before their concert on the hillside? Do you think God was making sure that everyone was in their proper places on the kingdom stage before the curtain rose on the grandest drama of all time? Do you think the Holy Spirit was hovering low over the entire world, stirring the hearts of men and women to receive the greatest gift of all?

I'm not sure what was happening in the heavenly realm the night before Jesus was born.  But I do know that my heart is aglow with the joy that tomorrow we celebrate Jesus' birth once again.

Perhaps you have sung Christmas carols hundreds of times in your life, but today, I encourage you to pause and read the words to one of my favorites as if you are seeing them for the first time.  Read slowly.  Ponder the words. "Glories stream from heaven afar"...picture it. "With the dawn of redeeming grace"...savor it.  "Christ the Savior it born"...celebrate it.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, My heart quietly waits in anticipation of the grand celebration that tomorrow brings.  Thank You for the gift of Your Son.  Thank You for redeeming grace.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen 

When we obey God, we experience internal tranquility.  When we step outside of the will of God, we feel uneasy.  Our God-given peace cannot be lost; but if something is not pleasing to God, peace will not rule.

When we feel a tug of war ensuing in our hearts, we need to pay close attention; God is speaking.  When we know the Holy Spirit is leading us in a particular direction, to go against that leading is, in essence, to reject the leading of the Holy Spirit and Sin against God.

Colossians 3:15 says that the peace of God should rule our hearts, not our circumstances.  We can't depend on what our circumstances say to determine what God is doing.  We must always look inward first and move according to the Holy Spirit's witness in accordance with God's Word.  When peace rules in our hearts we can confidently move forward regardless of what external circumstances look or feel like and regardless of what others say.

"Discerning the Voice of God" (Priscilla Shirer)

"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace.  And always be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

Read this powerful story about what God's love is all about... sometimes we tend to forget...

http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2002/novdec/8.78.html