Friday, December 9, 2011

Jesus-The Light of the World



“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me

will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 (NIV)



Our neighbor has a security light that comes on when someone gets to a certain spot on his driveway. Several years ago, it came on and scared some police officers when they received a call about a strange recurring sound that came from the yard. While it startled the two police investigators and any others who venture there, it brought peace to our neighbors.

We read in our Bibles that Jesus identifies himself as ‘The Light of the World.’ By shedding light into our lives, He calls attention to our sins, protects us from harm, and guides us through murky times.

Whenever I feel I have an issue working on my spirit, I can go to Jesus and express my feelings. If I feel the need, He even allows me to vent. He shows me what I need to do in order to advance beyond the depression, the anger or the frustration I may have, all because of His light.

He took my sin upon Himself when He willingly gave His life for me. He forgave me just as He did the repentant thief.



Dear Jesus:

Thank you for shedding your light upon my dark world. Back then, I felt as though I wasn’t worth anything; it was as if I had no real earthly friends. There was an issue in our home that needed Your light and You resolved that circumstance. I give you the praise for that. In the name of Jesus, I pray. AMEN

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Jesus


I felt out of kilter with my devotional life recently. I remembered the names of Jesus I had chosen for my blog topics for this Advent season. I found myself thinking of ways to describe Him to others. Here’s what I put together. I pray you will enjoy them.




Jesus, You are Awesome

Jesus, You are Beautiful

Jesus, You are Close to us

Jesus, You are Delightful

Jesus, You are Eternal

Jesus, You are Faithful

Jesus, You are Glorified

Jesus, You are Holy

Jesus, You are Immanuel

Jesus, You are Jehovah

Jesus, You are King

Jesus, You are Lovely

Jesus, You are Mighty

Jesus, You are Near

Jesus, You are Omnipotent

Jesus, You are Powerful

Jesus, You are Quietly at work

Jesus, You are Righteous

Jesus, You are Steadfast

Jesus, You are Truth

Jesus, You are Unfailing

Jesus, You are Victorious

Jesus, You are Wondrous

Jesus, You are Extraordinary

Jesus, You are Yahweh

Jesus, You are Zealous

Monday, December 5, 2011

His Name Is Immanuel-God With Us

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had
The Holy Family

said through the prophet: ‘the virgin will be with

child and will give birth and they will call him

Immanuel- which means, ‘God with us.’”

Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV)


One of the first things I ask when I hear of a baby going to be born is if the parents-to-be have thought of any names. Names are usually chosen with great care. If a name or the set of initials carry a negative idea or profane idea, most parents won’t consider it.

Our names last our whole lives. We might have a shortened form of our given name that we or others use. On the occasion of a hospital admission our given name will be used unless the nursing staff asks what we go by. When we reach a certain point in life we become known to our health insurance providers by our first name, no matter what we have gone by in our life

When the angel visited Joseph and told him not to be afraid to accept Mary as his wife, the visitor told him to ‘give him the name Jesus’. Now this is not just the whim of the angel. The Lord God had spoken through Isaiah and gave this name to His emissary He will send to earth.

"God with us”-what does that mean? A family I know has gone through a difficult time for just over a year now. God has been beside then each day since this circumstance entered their lives.

“God with us”- an elderly friend of mine has dealt with a ‘backset’ in her health. A mutual friend got the lady into her doctor. The doctor tweaked the lady’s meds. She started feeling better in two days time.

“God with us”-We received a phone call one Sunday afternoon that took us to the hospital bedside of my husband’s sister. They had to transfer her to a hospital that specialized in trauma care. Eleven days later, we watched her as she was transferred to her heavenly home.

“God with us” This past winter, our son expanded his job search. He started applying for government jobs. He was offered a job in a town six hundred miles and three states away. His plan was to fly out there, look for an apartment and return and get what he needed for an apartment. He planned for a two day trip to do this. We had a horrendous winter storm come through the Midwest. Airports closed, the interstate closed in the state lying to the east of his destination. He had to make plane, motel and rental car reservations three times. Our son did get to his new town. He did get those things he needed for his apartment. God allowed him to make that trip safely both times.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...