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SHEILA RHODES
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Tag Archives: Christ
17 Dec
It Is Christmas – He Came To Give Us Hope!
WITHOUT WAVERING, LET US HOLD TIGHTLY TO THE HOPE WE SAY WE HAVE, FOR GOD CAN BE TRUSTED TO KEEP HIS PROMISE. (HEBREWS 10:23)
Despite God’s promises, despite Christ’s love, and despite our countless blessings, we frail human beings can still lose hope from time to time. When we do, we need the encouragement of Christian friends, the life-changing power of prayer, and the healing truth of God’s Holy Word.
If you find yourself falling into the spiritual traps of worry and discouragement, seek the healing touch of Jesus and the encouraging words of fellow Christians. And remember the words of our Savior: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV). This world can be a place of trials and tribulations, but as believers, we are secure. God has promised us peace joy, and eternal life. And, of course, God keeps His promises today, tomorrow, and forever.
Always remember that no other religion, no other philosophy promises new bodies, hearts, and minds. Only in the Gospel of Christ do hurting people find such incredible hope. In those desperate times when we feel like we don’t have an ounce of strength, He will gently pick up our heads so that our eyes can behold something ~ something that will keep His hope alive in us. Lisa Beamer’s husband, Todd, was killed on flight 93 back on September 11, 2001. Lisa said, “The choice for me and for you is to either look at all things I have lost or the things I have. To live in fear or to live in hope…Hope comes from knowing I have a sovereign, loving God who is in every event in my life.” Always remember that LOVE is the seed of hope.
Let me leave you with some encouraging scriptures from God’s Word. These scriptures will give you hope this Christmas season and allow you to experience His healing truth.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick. (Proverbs 13:12)
Sustain me as you promised, and I will live; do not let me be ashamed of my hope. (Psalm 119: 116)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. (Jeremiah 29: 11-12)
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)
My Prayer For You and for me ~ Dear Lord, make me a woman/man of Hope. If I become discouraged let me turn to You. If I grow weary, let me seek strength in You. When I face disappointments, let me seek Your will and trust Your Word. In every aspect of my life, I will trust you, Father, so that my heart will be filled with faith, hope, and praise, this day and forever. Amen!
THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON AND IN THE NEW YEAR, MAY YOU REST IN THE DEEP ASSURANCE THAT IN KNOWING HIM YOU HAVE EVERYTHING!
*MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MY HOME TO YOURS!!!!!!!!
16 Dec
O Come All You Faithful – Come And Behold Him!
O Come all you Faithful! How many of you just sang this song in your heart – O Come all ye Faithful … Joyful and Triumphant? It is a song of young and old. Angelic beings even know this song. It is a song of a God who loves us so much that He came as a baby and who trusted his parents to care for him. He was vulnerable to the cares of life just like you and me, yet; He believed in you so much to accomplish his purpose that He sent His son, Jesus, Son of God. I often wonder what the heavens must have been like as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit discussed going down in human form. Were the angels whispering? Did the Universe break forth with a celebration? Did the animals stir from their sleep? Did the fish swim toward Bethlehem? Did the trees wave their branches? I believe the whole earth sang in glorious celebration!
Just like an expecting family – I believe that when God sent His Son to the earth all creation was stirring with excitement. Even those who did not want to believe knew of His arrival. After all God created us in His image. For those who did not believe, I think their very DNA from the Father stood alert at the coming of the newborn King.
No one knows exactly when a baby will come but the Heavenly Father. He speaks and the womb (God’s creation) moves at His command. It was true for Jesus and it is true for You!
At God’s command let there be:
Authority – light and darkness
Heaven and Earth – firmament (the vault of heaven; sky) in the midst of the waters;
Establishing – waters under the heaven gather into one place and let the dry land (earth) appear; Let the waters be called Seas;
Seed – Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields see, fruit trees;
Orders our Steps– Sun to shine by day and the moon and stars to guide us by night; let them be for signs and seasons – days and years
Depth and Height – great sea creatures to cover the depths of living water and birds to fly over the expanse of the heavens
Pleasure – Animals
Dominion – Man and woman in His image. God’s very DNA fills you today!
Blessing and Honor – Rest to ponder the goodness and righteousness of the Lord
Did you think this was a creation story? Well it is. God created all of this for you to reproduce His glory on the earth as it is in heaven. Sadly, many men still could not see it, so God’s amazing grace gave you the greatest evidence of all – His Son Jesus. A baby, born of a virgin, now in flesh appearing came to life for us. A baby who was vulnerable, in need of a parent to care for Him – feed him, cloth him, bath him, change him and teach him. He was faced with the same consequences and choices we do; He was given everything you already had from your Heavenly Father. God’s creation and purpose for us never changed. Jesus resurrected what was already given to you.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:6,7 (NIV)
O Come all ye faithful….Come and behold Him…God’s ultimate creation story!
Posted in Ministry Messages
Tagged Christ, Christmas, Creation Story, Faith, Faithfulness, Love
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01 Dec
THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS!
“I CAME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY.” ~ JOHN 10:10
THERE WERE MORE Christmas gifts to open, but my wife, Kate, announced, “Okay, everyone, time to get ready.” Kate is the rector at our small Episcopal church, and she had to lead a morning service.
I gritted my teeth. Why, I wondered, can’t we be like normal families? Everything is different in a clergy household. Sunday is a workday, holidays are workdays. Saturdays are sermon-perfecting days, and every week seems to bring some fresh reason why the rector needs to be out several evenings in a row. I’m not always good-natured about this situation. We got dressed, and our son, Benji, climbed into his stroller. Walking along the quiet streets, I had to admit it was nice to be outside ~ cool air, bright sun, hillsides tawny with winter-brown grass.
A couple dozen people gathered in the sanctuary. Those wonderful Bible verses were read: “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.” We gathered around the altar for Communion. I looked around at everyone’s warm, happy faces. Taking the bread and wine, I felt foolish and glad at the same time: foolish for begrudging this wonderful life at the heart of God’s work in the world; glad that my church community, and Kate, loved me anyway.
Teach me to be thankful at all times, Lord.
This article is a Preview from the 2014 Edition of Daily 
uideposts and written by Jim Hinch. The Daily Guideposts is a book of 365 uplifting devotionals.
“Christmas is the season of joy; of holiday greetings exchanged, of gift-giving, and of families united.”
Posted in Sheila's Heart
Tagged Christ, Devotionals, Families, Greetings, Hope, Inspiration, Joys of Christmas
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