Advent 2013 thoughts (Dec. 1)

Heard that a church is collecting an offering during this Christmas season called “Christmas Gift to the World” to benefit (both local and global) mission ministries.  In thinking of God’s Gift to the world in Jesus, kinda wondered what my gift to Him this year should be – may have even asked in one of those silent, running conversations we have going.  Well, with the Experiencing God class I’m finishing up and a couple of devotionals and blogs I’ve read about assignments, purpose, utilization of gifts, etc., I am reminded - again! – that I have gotten distracted and haven’t been blogging lately. 

Proverbs 24:16

For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

So, I am going to “rise again” and have a blog entry for every day from now until at least Christmas.  I may not blog everyday (as is seen by this first one!) but will have one for every day.  The God Calling devotional (www.twolisteners.org) for December 1^st:

December 1 - Responsibility

I am beside you. A very human Jesus, who understands all your weaknesses, and sees too your struggles and conquests.

Remember, I was the Companion of the Weak. Ready to supply their hunger. Teaching My followers their responsibility towards all, not only those near and dear to them, but to the multitude.

"Lord, send them away that they may go into the villages and buy themselves victuals," said My disciples, with no sympathy for the fainting, exhausted men, women, and children.

But I taught that Divine Sympathy includes responsibility. "Give ye them to eat," was My reply.  I taught that pity, without a remedy for the evil, or the need, is worthless.

"Give ye them to eat." Wherever your sympathy goes, you must go too, if possible. Remember that in thinking of your own needs. Claim from Me the same attitude now.

The servant is not above his Master, certainly not in Spiritual attainments, and what I taught My disciples, I do.

So fainting and needy, by the lakeside of life, know that I will supply your need, not grudgingly, but in full measure.

… reminds me that God had pity with a remedy for the evil, and that where His sympathy was, He - in Christ Jesus - came:

Hebrews 2:14-18 (KJV)

¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

¹⁶ For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

¹⁸ For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

… and my journey with my God continues …

Night Songs - Singing in my bed

Songs: Shout to the Lord, Darlene Zschech (performed with Ron Kenoly and Alvin Slaughter, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftuKUV8R-7Y&feature=related)
Surprises, Israel Houghton featuring Fred Hammond, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kwtGn6HPwg)

Scripture:
Psalm 149:5 (New International Version, ©2010 translation)
Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

Psalm 47:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010 translation)
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.

Psalm 32:11 (Good News Translation - GNT)
You that are righteous, be glad and rejoice because of what the Lord has done. You that obey him, shout for joy!

Psalm 98:4 (New King James Version)

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.

Psalm 100:1 (New King James Version)[ A Psalm of Thanksgiving. ]

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
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Smiling at the Lord’s humor:

Was on my way to bed, and thought to turn on the radio to hear some music before / as I went to sleep, but decided against it. Found an old, unopened ministry newsletter from David Wilkerson at World Challenge, Inc., so I decided to read it before going to sleep.

In the letter accompanying the newsletter, Pastor Wilkerson said: “I hear his Word saying to me, ‘Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.’(Psalm 149:5, KJV).When was the last time you sang joyfully, out loud in your bed, before retiring?”

I laughed out loud. Maybe that was why I thought about some music, so I could sing in my bed, “before retiring” (though I certainly wouldn’t have thought of that!) I didn’t turn on the radio right away, though, thinking about what I should sing. “Shout to the Lord” just seemed to well up and come out of my mouth, so that is what I ended up singing, out loud, several times, under the covers. (Later, I did turn on the radio briefly, and sang my version of “Our God” with Chris Tomlin’s before turning the radio off.)

Then, I thought of another special time “Shout to the Lord” came up. Several years ago, after I first heard that song, it kept coming up in my spirit a lot. One day, I heard about a free concert that Donnie McClurkin was giving. Even though the information came at the last minute, I was able to go with my children. During the concert, I thought of “Shout to the Lord,” and thought that it would be nice if Donnie sang it. A few minutes later – you guessed it – Donnie did break from the other songs he was singing, and sang just a little bit of “Shout to the Lord.” That was a gift for me, to me, from my Lord. I was “giddy” happy then because it was - for me - evidence yet again of God’s Presence in my life, His attention to my heart, and His love for me.

And, Lord, it is because of things just like this, and the remembrance of them, that I just want so much to please You. I know that it is out of love that You shower us with little surprises like this – indeed, that You allow us even to experience surprise, and joy, and love. Thank You for having taken such meticulous care in creating us, and for Your taking such joy in our joy. For all that You do, for all that You are, for Your presence in which I experience gratitude and fullness of joy, I give You thanks, and honor, and praise. I love You, too.

…and my journey with Him continues…