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Merry Christmas!

The lights are my favorite Christmas decoration! The lights on a tree brighten an entire room, and I never tire of riding through neighborhoods looking at all the outdoor displays.

This year we oohed and aahed our way through the Norfolk Botanical Gardens Light Show with our son and his children. It was an enchanted wonderland.

Jesus is the Light of the world and He said all of His followers are too (John 8:12 & Matthew 5:14).

“In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:1-5 & 14 (NLT)

Underlined is my emphasis.

This is late posting, but I had a great time celebrating Jesus yesterday. I hope you did too! And I’m praying we will continue to celebrate Jesus every day! May we truly receive all the life our second birth brings (John 3:3-8). May we never settle for less than the freedom and fullness of life Jesus paid so much to give us (John 3:16-17, John 10:10 & Galatians 5:1). And may we willingly let go of anything that prevents us from taking hold of and following Him full tilt (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Merry Christmas Sweet Friend!

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Friend or Foe?

I learned something new when The Littles were earning their Junior Ranger badges. I’ve been there before, but somehow missed the horror of friendly fire experienced during that first Civil War battle.

Prior to the Manassas battle, both confederate and union troops were American troops. That meant their uniforms didn’t help identify them as friend or foe. For example, cadets from VMI were fighting on both sides of the field and wearing the same uniforms. And all their flags were very similar. Therefore, the enemy was hard to recognize, and allies were mistaken as the enemy.

Taken in the Manassas Battlefield Museum by George.
Taken in the Manassas Battle field Museum by George.

There’s a spiritual lesson in this. I must be very careful in the heat of battle or I will mistake those Jesus came to save as my enemy (John 3:16-17).

“Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil’s evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.” Ephesians 6:1-13 (GNT)

Underlined is my emphasis.

I must not mistake people as the enemy! People who persecute me because I’m a Jesus-follower are not the enemy. They’re lost people in need of God’s grace and hope.

This is not an easy truth to remember in the thick of battle! But I’m convinced the enemy wants me to forget so I will hurt those I’m meant to love on God’s behalf.

God’s word is very specific about how I’m to respond to people who persecute me, how I can overcome evil, and the reward He has for those who are faithful to obey His word (Matthew 5:10-12 & 43-48, Romans 12:17-21 & 1st Peter 3:13-17).

How about you? Is there someone persecuting you? Are you struggling to remember that person is not your enemy? If so, share a first name in the comments section; I will pray with you for that person, and for your ability to remain strong in the LORD and His mighty power.

FYI: Although your email is required for leaving a comment, it is not captured. It’s only a security feature.

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Stand Firm!

Our sons and two older grands spent the day hiking on a nearby section of the Appalachian Trail on Black Friday. Meanwhile, George and I took our daughter and three youngest grandchildren (AKA: The Littles) to the Manassas Battlefield National Park.

The Littles earned Junior Ranger Badges by completing specific activities/requirements as we watched films, toured the museum, explored the grounds, and participated in a Ranger led ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­program.

One of the things they learned was how General Jackson got his nickname, Stonewall Jackson. It was during the First Battle of Manassas; General Bee was heard referring to him as a stone wall. Why? Jackson stood firm on the field of battle when facing the enemy.

Taken by George at Manassas Battlefield November 2019

Talk of Stonewall Jackson has me thinking about the terrible truth that every single Jesus-follower has an enemy. The Bible is clear about this. He is real and his intent is the destruction of every life the LORD died to save (1st Peter 5:8 & John 10:10a).

This is not the typical enemy. This enemy is unseen! And he’s continually strategizing ways to implement his plans to steal, kill, and destroy lives. Read what Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus.

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:1-13 (NLT)

I want to remain steadfast while the battle rages all around me.

And…

I want to be found standing firm after the battle is over.

There is way too much to learn about standing firm in just one post, so let’s focus on one truth today and continue unpacking our battle gear in the next few weeks. Standing firm requires us to be strong in the LORD and His mighty power.

Whew! I don’t know about you, but that’s a great relief for me. It’s not my strength or power, but the LORD’s that will see me through every battle. I can choose to do the right thing every time! How? His strength and power are mine and will overcome every fear, temptation, and complacent area I surrender to Him.

Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” Romans 10:11 (NASB)

When I choose to believe His way is right, good, and able to succeed (Romans 12:2), I will live by His strength and power and stand firm through every battle.

How about you? Share a Scripture that encourages you to stand firm in your faith even as the battle rages all around you.

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Which Way Should I Go?

I may be wrong, but I believe everyone wants to make the best possible choices in life. The thing is, we don’t really know how to make those best choices apart from our Maker. He created us and He knows what will bring us benefit and what will wreak havoc and harm. So how do we find our way to making beneficial choices? The Bible, tells us Jesus is the way (John 10:1-18, John 14:6)

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT)

I’ve underlined what jumped out at me. I want to go the way that leads to life, but this verse tells me I must follow Jesus in order to know the way. So how do I follow Jesus?

I’m no expert, but I’m learning by baby steps. I need to read His word, the Bible, so I will recognize Him when He speaks to me (John 10:1-18). No, I’ve never heard Him speak to me audibly, but I’ve clearly heard Him in my spirit. I’ve also recognized His leading in the circumstances of my life, and in the words of those around me. He’s even used people who don’t follow Him to nudge me in the right direction. And I have His Holy Spirit living in me (He lives in every Jesus-follower) helping me understand what I read in the Bible, God’s word (John 16:5-15).

But here’s where it can get a little tricky. I’ve discovered I must check what I think He’s leading me to say or do against His word. If the two do not agree, I’m wrong. His way for me will never contradict His word.

Your word is a lamp to guide me
    and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 (GNT)

I need to know His word (Psalm 119:11). Then I’m not always scrambling to find His way. If I read His word regularly, I will learn it, I will quickly recognize what is not truth, and the way I think will be transformed (Romans 12:2).

I’m also learning to trust His word beyond my own understanding of it (Proverbs 3:5-6). I do not think the way He thinks (Isaiah 55:8-9). Which brings me full circle…

If I’m going to walk in the light of Jesus, I must go the way He goes. I must do what His word says is right, and continue following Him even when my mind screams His way makes no sense. He is the light; staying close to Him helps me see with better clarity.

One more thing. During those times when I’m unsure, I can trust God’s plan and time. Sometimes He stops. Those are times of waiting. Waiting is not sitting idle; waiting is a time for continuing to do the last thing He showed me to do.

Times of waiting and serving build my confidence in Him and my ability to serve Him well, while giving me time to practice what I’ve learned. Serving while I wait renews my strength and my spirit (Isaiah 40:31). Serving while I wait prepares me for the next portion of my journey with Him.

How about you? Are you a Jesus-follower? If you are, please share some of the ways you’ve learned to recognize Him and His direction for you. If you’re not…

Today is a great day to become a Jesus-follower. I’ve included a link below to give you more information on how to get started. Please let me know if you make that choice. I want to celebrate with you!

https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

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Give Thanks

Thanksgiving Day is an American holiday set aside for remembering all the blessings we’ve enjoyed throughout the year. It’s also a day filled with tradition.

Everything good comes from the LORD. How do I know this? The Bible tells me so!

“Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” James 1:17(CEV)

This Scripture also tells me our thanks should be given to God.

One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is making Christmas ornaments with our grandchildren. We do it immediately following our pumpkin pie breakfast. (Yes, eating pumpkin pie for breakfast is another tradition.) Why make ornaments? Because the thing we are most thankful for is Jesus, and Christmas is when we celebrate His birth. Without Him, we wouldn’t be able to live in heaven after we leave earth (Psalm 103 & John 3:16).

How about you? What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tradition and why?

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Expectations Create Struggle

I’ve been learning my expectations put limits on God. Yes! I know He is able to do much more than I can think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Yet, I somehow find myself thinking I’ve figured out His plan and the direction He’s going.

When the unexpected happens, I look at the circumstance and question how God could possibly intend “this” for my or anyone else’s good. Which is another way of saying I struggle in my faith when things go differently than I think they should.

Yes! I know and believe God is sovereign, good, and loving. But when I’m focused on what I expect and circumstances don’t look good from my perspective, I find myself challenged.

I’m learning my expectations are influenced by my perspective, and when my perspective is not aligned with God’s, I encounter surprise, hurt, fear, struggle, _______.

God is gently teaching me to surrender my expectations and seek His perspective in every circumstance; to remember His thoughts and ways are not mine (Isaiah 55:8-10).

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Look at the last sentence in the CJB version of that verse.

“so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.”

I’m far from mastering this concept, but I’m learning to quickly check my perspective and get it realigned with God’s. How? By allowing His word to transform the way I think and learn more of Him in the process.

How about you? Have you been surprised by the things of this life only to realize God was working through it to bring blessing and benefit? Share one thing you learned through your experience.

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He Holds Our Hand!

I chose to believe God’s word is true over fifty years ago, but I find my faith is challenged every time there is a divergence between what I want and what God’s word says is good and right.

Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 (CEV)

Faith is choosing to believe without visible proof, but it is not a one time decision. Why? Because every choice we make reveals what we believe about God, Jesus, the Bible, and even who we are as Christ-followers.

The following is one of my favorite Bible verses. I love the promise of God’s presence when we stumble in our walk of faith.

Though they stumble, they will never fall,
    for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalm 37:24 (NLT)

When we take that first step of faith and call out to God (Romans 10:9-10), He doesn’t just save us and leave us. No! He comes alongside us, takes our hand, and never lets us fall!

How about you? Do you believe God’s word, the Bible, is true. If so, how does it make you feel to know God will never let you fall?

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It Wasn’t Me!

We’ve recently found ourselves in a battle between our insurance company and our auto body repair shop over their shoddy workmanship.

I was sent back to the shop so the original estimator could see the problem. He took a look and then asked, “Do you want us to do the repairs and make a claim with your insurance?”

Thinking I’d misunderstood, I asked, “Aren’t y’all taking care of the repair, since it’s your work?”

They weren’t! I left feeling saddened over the whole situation. Mind you, this is about more than my car. This is about someone I trusted covering up their mistake instead of fixing it. And it’s about them refusing to take responsibility for the results of their cover up.

The very next morning I was reading in Deuteronomy. Look at what Moses said to the people of Israel.

“And the Lord was also angry with me because of you. He said to me, ‘Moses, not even you will enter the Promised Land!” Deuteronomy 1:37 (NLT)

The underlined is my emphasis.

I was surprised, because God’s perspective was very different. The original story is found in Numbers 20:2-13. God is very specific about why Moses wouldn’t enter the Promised Land, and it wasn’t because of the people of Israel. Look at what God says about it.

“But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” Numbers 20:12 (NLT)

The underlined is my emphasis.

We’re still waiting for our repairs.

Meanwhile, I’m asking the LORD to show me my choices from His point of view. Am I casting blame instead of accepting responsibility? Do I point to the choices of others to justify my response?

How about you? Have you ever had something similar happen to you? Did God teach you something through your experience? If so, please share what you learned in the comments section below.

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Run, Hop, & Skip!

The LORD’s been busy bumping me into a place of different perspective these last few weeks. It started when He gave me a verse in Habakkuk several weeks ago.

Taken by George in Shenandoah National Park, October 2019

“The Lord God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:19 (NASB)

The Amplified version says,

“The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army];
He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet
And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility].”

Taken by George in Shenandoah National Park, October 2019

I recently woke with two more verses circling around in my head. The first was Jesus speaking to His disciples.

“apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5c (NLT)

And the second was Paul writing to the Philippians.

“I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Taken by George in Shenandoah National Park, October 2019

I also felt compelled to re-read the entire book of Habakkuk. It’s only three chapters, but I’d already read Habakkuk just a few weeks ago.

Anyway, I read it and recorded the portions that seemed to jump off the page and speak directly to me. Then I went back to what I had recorded previously. Would you believe they were the very same things?!

What did I discover this second time around? My fears were becoming my high places, but God wanted me to understand He would make my feet steady and sure. He wanted me to be confident in Him. He was reminding me to look at Him instead of my challenges.

Taken by George in Shenandoah National Park, October 2019

How wonderful, amazing, comforting, and joyful is that news? For me, it was liberating beyond expression. I could actually envision myself joyfully skipping over the tops of my treacherously rocky high places.

Me. Taken by George in Shenandoah National Park, October 2019

How great is His love for us? We have no need to fear the challenges or responsibilities of this life! He strengthens us with His joy. He is always with us. He makes it possible for us to do everything He created us to do! (Nehemiah 8:10, Joshua 1:9 & Ephesians 2:10)

How about you? Has the LORD been nudging you over and helping you see something from a different perspective? If so, please share some of the Scriptures He’s used to reveal Himself in the middle of where you are right now.

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Just Ask!

The mountain view was worth the slow, slippery, and rocky ups and downs of the trail. It was awe inspiring!

Shenandoah National Park – taken by George Oct 2019

I stood there marveling over the beauty stretched out before me and was reminded of the verses George included in almost every letter he sent home during his deployments. Yes! It was snail mail. And yes! I still have every one of them.

“I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:1-3 (NLT)

Shenandoah National Park – taken by George Oct 2019

Creation reminds us of how amazing our Creator is. He created the heavens and the earth. Even more amazing? He has named Himself as our Helper. I needed this reminder!

Asking God for help pleases Him. It is not pestering Him! It is a statement of our faith in Him when we seek His help. (Matthew 7:7-11, Hebrews 11:6)

God has given us direct access to Him through Jesus. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

When we’re overwhelmed and don’t know what to ask, we can ask Holy Spirit to ask on our behalf. He knows just what God wants to do for us. We can be sure everything God gives us is good and perfect! (Romans 8:26 & James 1:16-18)

How about you? Did you need this reminder as much as I did? Is there something you need to ask God to help you with today? If so, why not ask Him now?

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