Beauty on a Cold Day

Posted on December 30, 2014 by mbizy1mbizy1

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. He is like a tree planted along a river bank with its roots reaching deep into the water…” Jeremiah 17:7, 8

Where’s Mary? Can you find her below?

An evil knot!

Click here to see another blogger’s lovely winter photos.

The Wonder of it All

Posted on December 23, 2014 by mbizy1mbizy1

What wonder! What utter amazement that the babe of Bethlehem was destined to be my savior and king. He is the unfolding of the tender mercy of our God. He would shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death. His name was Jesus for He would save his people from their sins. “And the child grew… and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke 2:40

In manhood the Spirit of God led Him to an old rugged cross where Jesus, innocent of all wrongdoing, died a cruel death. Victorious, His death banished forever the power of sin over our lives. Triumphant from the grave, He secured His rightful place as king upon the throne of our heart. So Jesus became the light of the world. The one preparing a dwelling for us where the truest reality of all is a place called Heaven.

In this year of our Lord, 2014, will you join me in kneeling before the manger in awe and worship? Then together, rising refreshed, we are ready to faithfully serve with all our loyalty and devotion, the babe from Bethlehem who became our king.

Click here to read another blogger’s thoughts on the greatest Christmas present of all.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Blessings Better Than Presents

Posted on December 16, 2014 by mbizy1mbizy1

Did you know that all the Santa Clauses of the world can’t hold a candle to Almighty God? While the gifts we give or receive often break in a short time, God gives gifts that last forever. The best of these is the gift of salvation, Jesus dying on the cross to pay for everything we have ever done wrong. God has warehouses, storehouses full of gifts for us. Can you see the gifts? Your name is written on them.

God also owns the cattle on a thousand hills. All we have to do is lasso a few when we have real needs. That lasso is prayer. His gifts aren’t limited to just this earth. “May the God of your fathers, the Almighty, bless you with blessings of heaven above and of the earth beneath.” Gen 49:25 All the universe belongs to God. Everything you see and the things you haven’t seen are all part of God’s resources and gifts. We are rich because all that God owns is available to us. “The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth.” Prov 10:22 By the way how many blessings do we have? “I will make my people and their homes… a blessing. And there shall be showers, showerings of blessing.” Ez 34:26 I think I need two umbrellas, no three!

How do I live a life to receive big abundant blessings? The book of Deuteronomy tells us, “I am giving you the choice today between God’s blessings or God’s curse.* There will be blessing if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I am giving you today, a curse if you refuse them and worship the gods of these other nations. Deut 11:26-28 Look, today I have set before you life and death, depending on whether you obey or disobey. I have commanded you today to love the Lord your God and to follow his paths and to keep his laws, so that you will live-, and so that the Lord our God will bless you- But if your hearts turn away and you won’t listen- if you are drawn away to worship other gods- then I declare to you this day that you shall surely perish.* I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life or death, blessing or a curse. Oh that you would choose life- choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him and to cling to him, for he is your life and the length of your days.” Deut 30:15-20 Are you ready for the bountiful showers?

These showers represent God at work in our life doing exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think. This holiday season I wish you God’s blessings because they are better than the best presents! God bless you!

*Curse- Harm, disaster, unhappiness.

*Perish- A life that falls apart and comes to a sad end.