Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Wordless Wednesday *Linky* You'd Better Watch Out...

They loved their Christmas presents! And then I gracefully got out of the way before I got hit in the cross fire!
Link up and join in the Wordless Wednesday fun!

Let Christ Fill Your Lives - Colossians 3:16

Colossians 3:16 -- "Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts."

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The message about Jesus Christ is not just some message, it is The Message. It is the Good News. It is what the Great Commission is all about.

Matthew 28:19-20 -- "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

These men and women gave up the life they knew to walk with Christ. When He died, I cannot even imagine what they felt. Christ was the Teacher, the Holy One, the Son of God. he was whom they had built their hope and trust on for the future.

Thankfully, Christ's death is not the end of the story, only the beginning. Because Jesus, a sinless man and a pure sacrifice, gave His life we can all be saved. We are no longer stuck in a cycle away from the Father, but we may approach Him in confidence, communicate with Him and expect an answer. We are not without hope, but rescued and given eternal life with the Father.

John 3:16 -- "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

Let this message of salvation and hope and love fill your lives. You have purpose, you have joy and peace in you and you are loved!

You see this is no ordinary message, it is The Message. It is the message of life, love and eternity spent with the Father.
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Thank you so much for all your support with "Tales from a Mother." In the fall of last year, God put on my heart to begin Daily Devotions on my blog. I have been so blessed to be able to write and share the Gospel. I have tried to remain obedient in this endeavor and God has taught me and shown me many ways that He is working in the world and given me further purpose to reach out to others and share the Good News of the Lord. I pray for you and I hope that you have a wonderful year in 2014.

For the last week of the year, I am going to visit a few of my favorite devotions that I have written throughout the year. This one was first published on September 2, 2013.
 Tales From A Mother - Daily Devotionals

Monday, December 30, 2013

His Grace is Enough - Titus 2:11

Titus 2:11 -- "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people."

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It always amazes me, the power of God's grace. We are sinful, forgetful people. Just like the Israelites wandering the desert, we often flail and wander through life. Even though we know the great rewards God has for us, we aimlessly follow our sinful desires and forget all that God has done for us.

But does God abandon His people? No! He fulfills His promise to save us, despite our constant sin.

Romans 5:8 -- "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

God's grace has no bounds. He forgives us despite our repetitive transgressions. he loves us even though we often disobey Him. He gives us mercy, He offers us peace and He brings us joy. Even through the darkest times He is our light and through our weakest moments He is our shield.

Through Jesus, the grace of God has been revealed. He has come into the hearts of His people to save us and bring eternal salvation to a wicked world. His grace is enough, His graves saves us.

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Thank you so much for all your support with "Tales from a Mother." In the fall of last year, God put on my heart to begin Daily Devotions on my blog. I have been so blessed to be able to write and share the Gospel. I have tried to remain obedient in this endeavor and God has taught me and shown me many ways that He is working in the world and given me further purpose to reach out to others and share the Good News of the Lord. I pray for you and I hope that you have a wonderful year in 2014.

For the last week of the year, I am going to visit a few of my favorite devotions that I have written throughout the year. This one was first published on October 9, 2013.
 Tales From A Mother - Daily Devotionals

Friday, December 27, 2013

Come All You Weary - Matthew 11:28

Matthew 11:28 -- “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

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We all have burdens, I know I do, big ones and small ones. Jesus tells us to bring these to Him, not to keep them inside. It is a challenge to let go of our burdens, but the peace it brings is indescribable.

I have trouble with letting my worries go. Ironically, it’s usually over the small stuff, like getting things done in time, what to get a friend or whether I should have that third cup of coffee. The big things are sometimes easier to let go of like mine and my family’s health, or job possibilities, or the state of the world we live in. Of course these are all not easy to let go of either.

It is inevitable we will get weary. I feel it all the time. Having all of these thoughts and emotions bouncing around in my head wears me out, especially on top of an already busy day. But Jesus doesn’t want us fretting or worrying over big or little things because He has it all covered. Ultimately we are just wasting energy that we could be using bettering His kingdom.

Jesus wants to give us rest. I believe Jesus’ greatest challenge for us to to come -- come live in the present with Him. Right now is the only time we can affect. If we are too busy worrying over the future or fretting over the past, we miss right now, the only time that really matters, the only time the Lord can really touch us and give us rest.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Jesus is talking to you. He is talking to me. Take comfort in his assurance. Give him your worries and burdens and He will give you rest.

Dear Lord,
Help me to live in the present. I come to you looking for rest. I give you my weariness and my burdens and I take assurance in your presence. Thank you for loving me so much.

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"Come All You Weary" by Thrice is one of my very favorite songs. It lifts me us when I am down and reminds me of exactly what I am sharing today. I hope this lifts you up as well. Have a blessed day.



Come All You Weary
by Thrice
Come all you weary with your heavy loads
Lay down your burdens find rest for your souls
Cause my yoke is easy and my burden is kind
I’ll take yours upon me and you can take mine

Come all you weary, move through the earth,
You've been spurned at fine restaurants and kicked out of church;
I've got a couple of loaves, so sit down at my feet,
lend me your ears and we'll break bread and eat

Come all you weary
Come gather round near me
Find rest for your souls

Come all you weary, crippled you lay
I’ll help you along you can lay down your canes
We've got a long way to go but we’ll travel as friends
The lights growing bright further up, further in

Come all you weary
Come gather round near me
Find rest for your souls

Rest for your souls

Come all you weary
Come gather round near me
Come all you weary
Come gather round near me
Find rest for your souls
Rest for your souls
Rest for your souls

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/thrice/

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Thank you so much for all your support with "Tales from a Mother." In the fall of last year, God put on my heart to begin Daily Devotions on my blog. I have been so blessed to be able to write and share the Gospel. I have tried to remain obedient in this endeavor and God has taught me and shown me many ways that He is working in the world and given me further purpose to reach out to others and share the Good News of the Lord. I pray for you and I hope that you have a wonderful year in 2014.

For the last week of the year, I am going to visit a few of my favorite devotions that I have written throughout the year. This one was first published on February 22, 2013.
 Tales From A Mother - Daily Devotionals

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Jesus Feels Your Hurt - Matthew 14:14

Matthew 14:14 -- “Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

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Jesus performed many miracles during his ministry. Some were to prove his identity as the Son of God and some were to teach important truths. But, Matthew 14:14 is an example where Jesus performed miracles because he felt compassion for the people.

Compassion is to feel the hurt of another person, just as they are feeling it. Compassion goes beyond sympathy and empathy to an intimate place where your suffering IS my suffering -- it is the deepest form of loving and caring.

When we are hurting Jesus hurts too. He loved his people as a man walking the earth and he loves us all now as the Son of God in Heaven. When we suffer, Jesus suffers too. He has compassion for you -- he wants to save you.

Dear Lord,
You know how I am hurting -- for you are hurting with me. I seek your strength, comfort and love as I go through each day.

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Thank you so much for all your support with "Tales from a Mother." In the fall of last year, God put on my heart to begin Daily Devotions on my blog. I have been so blessed to be able to write and share the Gospel. I have tried to remain obedient in this endeavor and God has taught me and shown me many ways that He is working in the world and given me further purpose to reach out to others and share the Good News of the Lord. I pray for you and I hope that you have a wonderful year in 2014.

For the last week of the year, I am going to visit a few of my favorite devotions that I have written throughout the year. This one was first published on January 23, 2013.
 Tales From A Mother - Daily Devotionals

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christ's Glory and Suffering - Romans 8:18

Romans 8:18 -- "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later."

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There are many who are suffering right now. Suffering loss or sickness, depression or anger, loneliness or death. There are many ways that people suffer. And the holidays seem to exponentially increase those feelings.

For many Christmas is a time of celebration, family, peace and joy. But for others it can feel like salt in a wound. As Christians we share in Christ's glory, His victory and His peace. But we also share in His suffering. He died on the cross to save us all; however, we are still in the world and feel the effects of sin, just as Christ did leading up to the cross.

Many times we believe that we would be better, happier or healthier if our circumstances would change. However, God wants us to mature in His Spirit so that we can feel whole and stand in Christ's glory, victory and peace even as we experience circumstances that aren't so good.

Jesus promised that He would give us His peace during the trials of life as well as the power we need to overcome them. No matter what suffering you experience now, it will be nothing compared to the glory that God will reveal to us later.
 Tales From A Mother - Daily Devotionals 

Monday, December 23, 2013

Service, Sacrifice and Salvation - Hebrews 9:28

Hebrews 9:28 -- "So also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

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When Christ walked the earth He had many followers and preached to great crowds. He was the Messiah, the Savior, the one who was going to bring restoration and redemption to all of God's children. He did these things, but not in the way the people thought they were going to happen. The Messiah was suppose to be the king who returned the land of Israel to God's people. They believed the Savior would be a great warrior who would conquer the land that God promised them. However, they received a servant.

 Matthew 23:11 -- "The greatest among you must be a servant."

The apostles, the men and women, who walked with Jesus, heard his teachings and saw his miracles, were full of hope while participating in Jesus' ministry that he truly would save the world.

 Matthew 12:21 -- "And His name will be the hope of all the world."

However, all of that hope could have died with Jesus on the cross. Thankfully, God had a bigger plan for His Son and for this world. Jesus rose from the dead to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He gave us more hope by conquering death than He ever could by conquering a city. Because of Christ's veiled time of service on earth we may all have an eternity with God.

John 11:25 -- "Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying."

When Jesus comes again, He will not be a veiled servant as he was the first time, He will be a wonder to behold and everyone will know the Son of God in all of His majesty. This time he will not come to teach but to judge. He holds the keys of death and grave and He is here to grant true salvation by conquering sin once and for all.

Revelation 1:18 -- "I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave."

We do not know when Jesus is coming again, but we must be prepared. We must know in our hearts that Jesus is King and that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. 

Matthew 24:36 -- “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows."

The question is not if Jesus will return to save us all once again, but when. Are you ready?
 Tales From A Mother - Daily Devotionals 

Friday, December 20, 2013

A Small Town - Micah 5:2

Micah 5:2 -- "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past."

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The prophet Micah foretold the birth of Jesus down to the name of the small town he was born. I mean really, how cool is that!

Bethlehem was a small village located in the district of Ephrathah. There was little distinct about this town other than it was the homeland going back to King David, the line Jesus was descended from. Joseph and Mary did not even live in this town at the time of Jesus's birth, but the census drew them back there.

God gives us promises that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem and beyond all odds -- he was. This wasn't coincidence this was a miracle. This was God.

God's Word, the Bible, is full of promises. Just as He kept His word that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He will keep His other promises too.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for sending Your son. You knew when, where and how Your plan would be fulfilled in the past, present and the future. I know you are Almighty. Help me to be faithful and know you have everything under control when I feel like I'm falling apart. You promised me peace and salvation and I trust you will keep your promise.
 Tales From A Mother - Daily Devotionals 
*Originally posted on March 18, 2013

Thursday, December 19, 2013

The Gift of Peace - John 14:27

John 14:27 -- "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."

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This time of year is often hard on a lot of people. It is the end of the year and it is common to think back to all of the things, good and bad, that happened over the past year. There is a time to grieve over troubles throughout the year, but it is also a great moment of triumph because God grants us a new beginning, a fresh start into the new year.

Just before Jesus was arrested and crucified He gave his disciples some much needed comfort for the struggles He knew lie ahead. He leaves them with the gift of peace of mind and heart. What more is there when the world has turned upside down than knowing, having an inner peace, that all will be right in the end.

This is no guarantee that the world can possess. The world is full of sin, chaotic energy and darkness -- there are not assurances there. But with the Father, our Creator, there is a holy promise that justice will be served. We do not know what this next year brings, but we have assurance that the Lord will be with us wherever we go and that He will give us the strength and the peace in the moments we need it the most.

Joshua 1:9 -- "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

This is a great comfort -- there is not need to fear. Because not only can the world not give you peace of mind, the world also cannot take away your peace of mind as long as you hold onto God's precious gift. There will always be trouble, persecutions and senseless acts of evil. However, more importantly, there will always be good and light shinning in the world, there will always be God to comfort you and deliver justice. There will always be Jesus waiting for the divine moment to turn the key of death's door and free the world of sin forever. There is a great victory in our future, so do not be afraid. Hold onto God gift to you, peace of mind and heart, and do not every let it go.
 Tales From A Mother - Daily Devotionals 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Have Life - 1 John 5:12

1 John 5:12 -- "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life."

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Everything in this life is temporary. All the material stuff will fade away, our family and friends are only here on this earth for a short time, and even our bodies fail us. However, there is more to life than just the world we see. Jesus made a way for us to transcend this world and have a home waiting for us with God.

It is important to live a good life. A life where happiness follows you, where you help others in need and make the world a better place. God loves those who live a moral life, but that is not enough. We cannot enter heaven through acts alone, we must have faith and declare Jesus Christ as Savior. Because it is only through the Son that we have eternal life.

John 14:6 -- "Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
 Tales From A Mother - Daily Devotionals 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Let It Snow

Jesus Saves - John 3:17

John 3:17 -- "God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."

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God does pass judgment on the world, but that was not the purpose of Jesus' mission. Jesus came to save the world. The people were lost and in need of a Savior. The people were expecting a warrior, someone to come in and save God's people through battle. Little did they know they were in for a lot more than only a victor. They would experience victory but also redemption. God knew that His people needed more than simply a win on the battlefield, they needed salvation. Jesus coming into the world as a baby, growing in His ministry, and dying on the cross for the sins of all people is the proof of God's love for His people. He saves us because He loves us.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Celebrate In Your Own Way - Roman 14:5

Romans 14:5 -- "In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable."

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We are each unique in our own personality, experiences and method to connect with the Creator. At Christmastime, we each celebrate in our own way. There is no right or wrong way. There should be no judgment of whether a tradition is better, more religious or more valuable. We are all united as God's children and He loves each one of us specifically and individually and an integral part of His family. Christmas is a time for us to come together, united by the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season. However, there are many wonderful way to enjoy Christmas and spread peace and joy throughout the world. Let us each celebrate in our own way and together praise the Lord our God for His love that saves us.

"Twelve Days of Christmas"
by John Denver and the Muppets

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Finding Contentment - Proverbs 30:8-9

Proverbs 30:8-9 -- “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”

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It seems that Christmas is a time of excess. It's not that we have more to spend, but we try to make more out of what, sometimes little, that we have. We make Christmas lists, especially the kids of all the things we wish we could have. This, however, has a tendency to make us discontent with what we do have.

Solomon writes in his proverb to "give me neither poverty not riches, but give me only my daily bread" (Proverbs 30:8). We only need enough. This goes for all things honestly. We only need enough food, possessions, and even time. It is how we use what we have that makes the difference.

Philippians 4:11-12 -- "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little."

It is when we want for excess that we get into troubles of the heart. Because then we tend to forget who the true provider is for all of our blessings. This is a difficult time of year for contentment, but that is exactly why we need to be reminded. By keeping Jesus and His love as the true focus of the season, we can find contentment even in a season of excess and wish lists.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

So the Word became Human - John 1:14

John 1:14 -- "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."

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Jesus Christ became the perfect teacher, the perfect example and the perfect sacrifice for all of humanity simply by becoming human. What happens when God loves His people to the fullest degree? He comes closer to them so they can in turn be closer to Him. Christ was both fully human and fully God. He brought His unfailing love and His perfect faithfulness and shared it will a broken and Fallen world.

I believe the Christmas season is a good time to remember His amazing love for us all. Christ became human and made his home among us on the earth. He didn't just pop His head in to see how things were going, no, He came to a faithful woman. He was born in a manger, the most humblest of beginnings. And He lived out His entire life among those who truly needed His protection and His guidance. He lived and He died for the sake of all of the people that He loved.

That is a beautiful Christmas story, one that we live all through the year. Nonetheless, during this time of high stress, long to-do lists and excess temptations there is also great joy and a Deliverer of peace. Jesus is the reason anything we do it worthwhile at any time. Jesus brings purpose to our lives and an eternal hope of things being perfect once again. Jesus is the reason for everything, but He is most definitely the reason for this season.

We can see His glory throughout the year, and especially right now. We praise the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit for all that they are, for loving us so much to save us and always guard and guide us.