Let Your Light Shine

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Many folks choose a word of the year. Me included.

In 2024, I focused on the word contentment and spent the year reflecting on being content in all circumstances. At times, I struggled with the thought of contentment. Other times, I counted my blessings. By the end of the year, I found myself being more thankful than ever.

In December, amidst the preparations for Christmas, I prayed about a word for 2025. It seemed like the word light popped up everywhere I turned, in Bible readings, in songs, of course, all the holiday lights, and even in my Dove dark chocolate square.

When I looked up Bible verses with the word light, I found two truths to focus on, and I’ll be honest, being light feels a bit overwhelming, but I know God is calling me and will equip me.

John 8:12 reminds me Jesus is the light in a dark world. He offers hope against the darkness and fills my heart with light. In this world we live in, there is a spiritual war between the darkness of sin and the light of Jesus. Because I’m a child of God—I’m also a warrior of light. A bearer of good, hope, and love.

To help me shine for Jesus, I’m reflecting on the Fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Imagine how bright we’d shine as God’s children when we take on all of these attributes. As a warrior of light, I’m also a prayer warrior, bending God’s ear to survive and thrive.

I pray I don’t fail to be a light for Jesus, as I seek God’s help in shining for him.

What will 2025 bring for you? I pray it is a year filled with hope and light.

Happy New Year!

Here comes 2025! 

I pray for a year filled with hope and joy for each and everyone.

 

Trust, Draw, Listen

Psalm 28:7-8
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.
The Lord is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one (Jesus).

I love the words that David wrote in this psalm. He’d been through so many trials, temptations and tribulations, yet he looked to God. He’d tried doing things his own way and failed. But he knew where to turn. He fell before the Lord with praise because his strength came from Him. He trusted completely and understood that God shielded him from danger. 

God hasn’t changed. He remains the strength of his people. Gathering with folks each week for worship reminds me that God is my fortress of salvation.  We sing, pray, listen to the wisdom of the Bible, share in communion and dwell in His presence. There are times that my soul is so stirred that my heart leaps for joy, just like the psalm says. What a glorious reminder of His love.

As I prepare to enter another year, my prayer is to trust in God, draw closer to Jesus, and listen to the Holy Spirit.

I pray your new year will be filled with praises and joy.

Christmas Blessings

 

Celebrate Christmas~Joseph

Matthew 1:19-21, 24-25
Because Joseph her [Mary] husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Joseph trusted the Lord. 

As a child, I heard the story of Jesus' birth. We learned of the trek to Bethlehem, angels singing, shepherds visiting, and of course Mary giving birth to the baby Jesus. I imagined the animals surrounding the manger, the sheep baaing and cows mooing, but I didn't give much thought to Joseph. In the story, he knocks on the inn keeper's door, and he leads Mary to the stable. I knew he was present, yet he disappeared into the background.

What I've learned since:
Joseph was kind, compassionate, and faithful to God. He truly loved Mary. I'm not surprised by any of this. In God's plan to bring Jesus into the world, he chose two people who adored and trusted Him. Joseph and Mary's engagement, as binding as marriage is today, could only be broken by divorce. Rather than expose Mary as pregnant before wedlock, Joseph planned to quietly divorce her and set her free. Otherwise, she could have been stoned to death for adultery.

Thank goodness the angel gave Joseph the low down on God's plan. On hearing the angel's words, he could have run the other way. Joseph could have laughed in the angel's face. Instead, he chose to trust God's plan. His faith overcame his fear.

As we celebrate Jesus' birth, let's delight in the Lord with faith like Joseph. He tossed his fears aside and trusted in God. If Joseph could do that in his circumstance, surely, we can too.

I pray as we celebrate the Christmas season, we consider Joseph's faith and his trust in God.

Have You Taken the Time?

I'd been looking for a nativity to place outside.

Many were too expensive or elaborate.

I wanted one that simply pointed to the Christmas story.

Then I discovered this lovely metal cutout at Hobby Lobby.

Now, each time I see it, I'm reminded of why we celebrate.

It only takes a moment to remember the reason.

To think about and pray thank you for Jesus' birth and sacrifice.

I hope you take the time to remember the sweet baby who changed the world.

 

Celebrate Christmas~Mary

Luke 2:6-7
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She [Mary] wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Bumping along on a lowly donkey, nine months pregnant, Mary prepared for the birth of her son, Jesus. She made the journey with her betrothed, Joseph, to the town of Bethlehem where they'd be counted and registered to pay taxes. Towards the end of a pregnancy, most women are mighty uncomfortable. I can't imagine riding a donkey on rough roads and bouncing around. But, Mary’s faith trumped her discomfort.

Womanhood arrived early in Mary's day. History determines her to be anywhere from fourteen to seventeen, a child in our culture. Yet her love for God matured and grew in her few years. The angel who delivered the news that she'd give birth to the Messiah, recognized this young woman's faith.

Mary, being the faithful servant, accepted the angel's proclamation with grace and trust.

Trust plays a huge part in Jesus' birth. Joseph trusted enough to wed Mary.  The angel trusted God as he delivered his messages. The shepherds trusted the angels and ran to see the baby. And Mary trusted God with the glorious phenomenon of Jesus' birth.

As Mary bumped along, I can't imagine the discomfort. But she moved forward as God called her. She birthed the baby in a stable, most likely a cave where the animals were fed and watered. Hopefully, she had clean straw and fresh water. Regardless, Mary welcomed her child with joy that night.  

As you think about the troubles of life, the inconveniences, the losses, the illness, think about Mary. In her discomfort and what was likely a troubled time for her, she moved forward with trust and faith. Regardless of what's behind us, let's keep our eyes on Jesus and celebrate the joy of this season.

Stop for a few moments and breathe in the spirit of the season. Capture the essence of joy Jesus brought to us. Then breathe out and share his hope.