Christmas Story: Angel visits Joseph in a dream

Often hope is only found in our obedience in times of suffering. Check out today's Christmas Story and notice how Joseph obeyed immediately even when things did not make sense.

https://youtu.be/UwvqZz64soU

The Spiritual Discipline of learning to tell Bible stories

During COVID, GOD used the practice of learning how to tell Bible stories to become a spiritual discipline for me. I realized this discipline became my spiritual act of worship that gave me peace, joy, and calm in a season when our world seemed chaotic and out of control. 

https://youtu.be/cysMBVOWGJM

Christmas Story: Mary visits Elizabeth

https://youtu.be/Plikk7iGy28

Christmas Story: The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary

https://youtu.be/Tgt3ieXv-yw

Abigail - an Instrument of Peace

"God has nothing to do with it!" 

I thought, "Here we go again!" Sometimes, sitting at a family table can be anything but peaceful. I remember as a young person getting all knotted up inside while trying to figure out how to bring peace, but also stand up to my uncle's aggressive logic about God, Christianity, and well me as a follower of Christ. I find myself wondering at times, What does an instrument of peace look like? As I study Abigail, I see some character qualities that birth actions worth noting. Her story is short and can be read in 1 Samuel 25. It includes a surly, foolish, drinking husband and a soon to be passionate king that defends his men's rights and a courageous servant not afraid to defend goodness to protect his people. Upon finding out that Nabal rejected the traditional gift of hospitality during sheep sheering to the shepherds who kept the sheep safe, David decided to kill all of Nabal's men for such a blatant disrespect of him and his men. Abigail, Nabal's intelligent and beautiful wife, provides us with an example of a woman that acts as a peacemaker. Abigail acted swiftly, generously, and humbly as she gathered supplies and greeted David with a bow. When she spoke, Abigail spoke of God's presence and goodness. She spoke life to David reminding him of where he had been and what he had done for the LORD. Abigail spoke life by speaking truths that came as reminders that showed the best of what had been and what will be. She acknowledged clearly the mistakes made and asked for pardon for her husband's error. She spoke with confidence in what she knew about God and David. All of this came from a heart to serve and protect. 

So, again I ask, What makes someone an instrument of peace? The person is swift to respond to circumstances. Acknowledges both the good and bad in the circumstance. Brings God into the conversation and speaks of what God has done and will do. An instrument of peace speaks with confidence in what she knows. She speaks life into the person about who they are called to be and not be! Sometimes this is easier said than done. 

I know one day, as a older teen I spoke boldly to my uncle about my belief in God. He listened and ended up saying, "Now that is a Christian I will listen too!"  When I look back, I realize that it was my confidence to speak up about what I knew that earned me his respect. He never fought with me about God again and even allowed me to talk to him about God through the years. How might you be asked to live out as an instrument of peace today? Which character qualities of Abigail do you need to grow in by acting swiftly to live them out? Praying for a humble, servant heart that acts courageously! Will you join me? 

What to do after I know how to tell a story

https://youtu.be/69qhz-MrBFo

Touched Lips

I awoke the other morning thinking of the coal that touched Isaiah's mouth. Though he did not feel his lips were worthy, his guilt was removed and he was used of God. I felt I was to share this with my church, but I didn't know what to share yet. This morning as I read Daniel, I noticed that Daniel's lips were touched in his vision. He felt so overwhelmed and he had no strength or breath. He was touched again and told, "Do not be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you, be very strong!" He was strengthened and said, "Lord, let me speak!" When I saw this I wondered, how many lips were touched in the Bible before they were sent to speak? I knew Jeremiah told the people to taste and see that He (His Word) is good, but then I found that his lips were touched as the LORD put His Words in His mouth (Jer. 1:9). God gave him the words to speak. And then I remembered how poor Ezekiel was told to eat the scroll and discover it tasted sweet, but man kind would not listen to what God sent him to say because of their rebellion. So the LORD would make his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth so that he could not speak because of their rebellion. Notice, it wasn't Ezekiel's issue, but the hearers! God would tell him when to speak again asking for people to listen. Then  I thought of Zechariah the priest and father of John the Baptist. When he did not believe that Elizabeth would have a son in old age the LORD removed his ability to speak for lack of belief until he was allowed to declare John's name. Only then was his mouth loosed by God to speak His praise. In each of these, the call is to declare the LORD'S truth. We are told in Hebrews 13:5, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess His name." This is one of the fruits we have from the Holy Spirit: fruit of repentance, fruit of righteousness, fruit of light,fruit of the spirit, fruit of wisdom, fruit of unfailing love, and the fruit of the lips. Church, do not be afraid, your guilt is forgiven when you have drawn near to Jesus Taste the Word and see that it is good then speak it. Do not worry if the people do not listen. It is their rebellion not yours. Do not let unbelief get in the way. Declare His praise and proclaim the name of Jesus!