Blog Break

Numbers 6:24-26, ESV
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His
countenance upon you and give you Peace.

From my heart to yours
Merry Christmas and may God's
richness go with you into the New Year.

MWB will resume 01-08-2024
Stay in The Word - Miles of Smiles, Beverly

od's Love Story

Some of the Grands had fun recently with invisible ink; I didn't have the heart to tell them that stuff's as old as I am! Do you remember what God said of His choice of a king for His people ... "I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after My heart, who will do all My will." (Acts 13:22, ESV). From Bethlehem came King David, God's choice of a king; years later, from Bethlehem came The King of kings. First, born in a manger but most significantly born-again in the hearts of all who receive Him! Francesca Battistelli sings, "Make my heart Your Bethlehem - Be born in me." I'm confident no writer could have woven together as great or a more beautiful story than The Father's through His Son, Jesus Messiah: from the heart of The Father to my heart, to your heart. Quite simply, this is the message of Christmas ... God's love story.

Merry Christmas from my heart to yours
Miles of Smiles, Beverly

The Center

Finding the center - Mister Bill and I approach this very differently: he and his trusty tape measure get precise measurements while I just eyeball it. We all know The Center of the Christmas season but we struggle [in all the craziness] to hold Him fast in our hearts. One thing I find missing this time of year are intentional moves toward The Savior. The psalmist writes, "Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, and praise Him in the congregation of His godly ones (believers) ... Let Zion's children rejoice in their King ... For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation." (Psalm 149:1-4, AMP). We are  deliberate in so many things - wrapping gifts, preparing food, setting a Christmas table, etc.. Why then are we so casual, so negligent about humbling our hearts in worship? No wonder we find ourselves... off-center. I must confess while my method of finding the center is quick and easy and effortless, Mister Bill's method of finding the center is more deliberate and precise - it's actually spot-on. Do you find yourself a bit [or a lot] off-center right about now, let me challenge you to find a quiet spot, be still, listen closely to hear the faint cry of Bethlehem's Infant - The Holy One as He invites and welcomes you near. There at His feet, we find ... The Center.

Love Without Limits

In a few short weeks, our family will welcome a new little one - like the other Grands, we will see him, hold him and greet him with all the warmth and love of a family. And so it was with Mary and Joseph at Jesus' birth - His birth, however, had a divine twist: Jesus had always existed! John writes, "In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God." (John 1:1-2, AMP). We must not forget that Elohim - Mighty God, Creator - exists outside of time and space; He WAS and IS and ever WILL BE. He is unlimited by time; "in the beginning" [as noted in Genesis 1] refers to when time began for mankind - not for God. It's actually quite mind-boggling to consider that He Who is restricted neither by time nor power, stepped into time in human form - not because He could but for one reason: to bring us back to Him through Jesus, His Son. How is it we dare snub Him, ignore Him, reject Him Who loves unconditionally within the confines of our seconds, hours, days, weeks, months, years ... our lives? "See what kind of love The Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." (1 John 3:1, ESV). His love existed outside of time and space yet took on human form so He could reach us where we are. That is the love we celebrate this Christmas times - love ... without limits.

Wonder of Wonders

 What strums the heart's chords of love and tenderness more than a baby. How else could God have expressed Himself in such love and tenderness towards us! It is "because of and through the heart of tender mercy and loving-kindness of our God, a Light from on high" dawned upon man. You may recall at Mt Sinai, the people trembled and feared to approach God yet we read the shepherds "made haste" to Bethlehem to see The Wonder of Whom the angel spoke (Luke 2:15-16). Wonder is the emotion stirred by something awe-inspiring or astounding. The coming of God in human form - that is, Jesus the Messiah - is certainly The Wonder of all wonders. God's plan to rescue and deliver humanity from the darkness of sin and death is most awe-inspiring and astounding. I suggest our world has effectively desensitized us so that we've lost our sense of wonder. The angel's announcement stirred the wonder of the shepherds: "And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child. And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them." (Luke 2:17-18). In the busyness of this week, do not dismiss even the smallest of things that present a moment for you to pause and stop what you're doing, to draw near to the manger, to bow head and heart, to ponder and worship... the Wonder of wonders.

Sweet Chatter

 Oh, don't we love to hear little ones as they begin to talk, putting words together and speaking in complete sentences - I'm not sure there's anything sweeter to the ears! John's father, Zachariah, said this of his son: "And you, little one, shall be called a prophet of the Most High; for You shall go on before the face of the Lord to make ready His ways, to bring and give the knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness and remission of their sins." (Luke 1:76-77, AMP). A prophet - one who speaks to the people on behalf of God; in John's case, one who shares with others God's gift of salvation for all men. Hmm, sounds much like what we're commanded to do as followers of Jesus: Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples ... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." God's message of Jesus the Messiah through John is no different that our message [of Jesus the Messiah] - the salvation of man offered freely to all who believe. During this coming week in family-and-friends gatherings, there will be much sweet chatter about many wonderful things. No more wonderful topic can be spoken, however, than the message of Christmas: One Who came to "shine upon and give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct and guide our feet in a straight line into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79), AMP). Will you speak of Jesus this week; of all things, will you engage in this ... sweetest chatter

Boast In Him

For sure we've witnessed things during our lives that seemed virtually impossible. I never imagined, aside from Dick Tracey, I'd see people talking to their watches! Jehovah God majors in things thought to be both improbable and impossible. The angel said to Mary, "For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment." (Luke 1:37, AMP). Mary had just received news that would prove not only scandalous but unlikely and physiologically impossible. We humans dearly love to boast of our grand accomplishments. Now, remember King Nebuchadnezzar: "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30, ESV). God corrected that high and lofty attitude "while the words were still in the king's mouth" (V.31-33). When we boast, let us do so rightly: "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord Who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight,' declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV). God [alone] is The One Who brings about the impossible and the improbable; in Him alone do we boast. Mary humbly submitted to be used of God to bring to mankind our greatest boast: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV). Oh, what a reason to exalt Jesus - feel free to boast in Him!

Simple Obedience

We all know what party favors are - those neat-treats we get to take home with us. One definition of the word "favor" is "a gracious, friendly, or obliging act that is freely granted." The word is perhaps too casually used these days but know this: it is extremely significant to be favored by God! The angel greeted Mary in this way: "Hail, O favored one [endued with grace]! The Lord is with you! Blessed (favored of God) are you before all other women." (Luke 1:28, AMP). Of all the young women in Nazareth, why Mary - she must have wondered the same thing! May I suggest we find the best answer a few verses later: "Then Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said.'" (V.39). Mary's humble and submissive heart to God was key to the gracious favor of Almighty God. It is a foolish notion that God's children can expect to receive His favor apart from humble obedience. Jesus could not have been clearer: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15, ESV). As a mother, nothing made me prouder nor brought me more joy than when my boys just simply obeyed. Simple obedience - that is what Mary offered; God knew her heart and that her obedience would serve His purpose in bringing The Savior into the world. Elizabeth affirmed God's choice as she [too] greeted Mary, "Blessed (favored of God) above all other women are you! And blessed (favored of God) is the Fruit of your womb!" (V.42). What is the simple thing God is asking of you today? You can answer Him best by ... simple obedience.

Take a Hand

One of my sweetest memories as a first-time mother was taking my son's hand, holding it tightly as we walked across a city street. At the time, he was none to fond of the secure grip I had! As he spoke to Mary of her pregnancy, the angel said: "And listen! Your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is now the sixth month with her who was called barren ... And she [Mary] went to the house of Zachariah and, entering it, saluted Elizabeth." (Luke 1:36, 40, AMP). One of the most foolish moves Believers make during difficult times is attempting to walk-through hard times ... alone. God said, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV). The Father never intends for His children to experience despair or become discouraged from feelings that they walk alone. Jesus Himself said to His followers in John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends," which is exactly what He did for those who love Him. How characteristic of God that He ordained it that Mary and Elizabeth walk together at this time - giving to one another love, encouragement and support. God has kindly and graciously given us other Believers - that is, the Body of Christ, His Church - with whom to walk hand-in-hand. It's very likely someone you know has their hand extended ... take it and grip it tightly!

Grand & Glorious One

Every parade has a grand marshal. Sometimes it's a hometown hero or perhaps an elected official. Whoever it is, he has the honor of being the first in line, I've often heard anything is better than being behind the horses! By the world's standards, there was certainly nothing grand or glorious about Jesus' birth. Though by simple and humble means, every detail of Jesus' birth was part of God's grand and glorious plan to rescue mankind from sin and death. While Jesus left the splendors of Heaven but He did not leave His magnificence behind! His divine glory would be the defining difference in this Child from all others. It was for the proclaiming of God's glory that Heaven's grand marshals appeared in the Bethlehem sky: "And suddenly there was with the angle a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" (Luke 2:13-14, KJV). One day in the future, once again a grand and glorious declaration will sound throughout Heaven: "Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." (Revelation 5:12, KJV). Just as Jesus humbled Himself as lowly infant and [later] suffering servant, God calls us [also] to humble our hearts so we can exalt The All-Glorious One. Through Emmanuel - God with Us - The Father presents His eternal Love for all people. He IS the ... Grand & Glorious One!

Extraordinary

There is great interest today in family ancestry, and the use of DNA has led to some interesting discoveries. The genealogy of Jesus is distinctly recorded in The Gospel according to Matthew. The line is drawn between Abraham and David with great care to "Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, Who is called the Christ" (Matthew 1:16, AMP). It would seem quite common except for one significant detail: "But he [Joseph] had no union with her as her husband until she had borne her firstborn Son; and he called His name Jesus." (V.25). Jesus' ancestry was anything but ordinary! It would be Luke who recorded Mary's question to the angel, "how can this be, since I have no [intimacy with any man as a] husband?" (2:34). Sinful man needed an extraordinary deliverer, and it would be an extraordinary conception: "Then the angel said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and so the holy (pure, sinless) Off-spring which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God.'" (V.35). Jesus' roots were of the Abrahamic and Davidic line yet His paternal divinity of God Himself! As promised, Jesus was an extraordinary conception, an extraordinary birth, an extraordinary baby, an extraordinary deliverer of mankind. "That's why we praise Him - That's why we sing - That's why we offer Him our everything - That's why we bow down and worship this King - Cause He gave His ev'rything - Cause He gave His ev'rything." Extraordinary!

Live Above

We all have circumstances - a sum of determining factors often beyond our control. The question we all face is whether we live above or beneath them. Scripture says, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place under these circumstances: when His mother Mary had been promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be pregnant [through the power] of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:18, AMP). Those were some challenging circumstances, don't you agree? It's not uncommon that we are challenged daily - even multiple times daily - with circumstances; before us is the quandary how we will respond. The kicking, screaming and panic-stricken approach typically doesn't improve things; neither does the strategy of ignore-it-and-it-will-go-away. I suggest a problem we all may have is that we have idolized our circumstances - that is, we selfishly orchestrate our days rather than trusting God with every second, minute, hour ... yes, every circumstance. We learn Joseph and Mary both had a heart and an ear for The Lord; even in challenging circumstances, they listened and obeyed the voice of God, humbly and obediently surrendering to their parts in bringing The Word to dwell among us. Paul gives us God's perfect encouragement: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV). Seeing every circumstance as an opportunity to rejoice is best - live above your circumstances!

More of Him

The Mister and I have long been fans of homemade ice cream. A few months ago we invested in a countertop ice cream maker - that was not a wise decision! Scripture speaks of One Who is most satisfying: "O satisfy us with Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning [now before we are older], that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." (Psalm 90:14, AMP). That ice cream maker is the bomb! ... if only it made more at one time. The pursuit of more is a fairly good descriptive of what we all do; more is what drives us for the newer, the bigger, the better, the most proficient, etc. Read on: "And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands - yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it." (V.17). Mary seems to echo these words as she says "my soul magnifies and extols the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47). Honestly, what more is there than The Word Who became flesh and dwelt among us - Jesus Christ, Emmanuel! Oh, how we need more ... more ... more ... more of Him.

Deliverer

Most mothers [I know] can render a comprehensive account of her baby's delivery. The best advice I can offer is ... don't get us started! I'm not sure what Mary or Joseph would have to say about the actual delivery of Jesus but we know a few details regarding their search for a place for His delivery. "She gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7). I've been amazed at how much more accommodating hospital rooms are today than when my own children were born; nonetheless, the accommodations matter very little once that "bundle of joy" is received into the parents' arms. Truth is, the delivery details of Jesus in human form is relatively insignificant to The Message of Hope delivered to mankind. The Hope of Christmas isn't the delivery - no, the Hope is The Deliverer and His Deliverance from darkness to light, from death to life. "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth. That Your beloved [followers] may be delivered, save with Your right hand" (Psalm 108:6-7, AMP). Mary and Joseph delivered the One Who would deliver their own souls! Jesus ... promised Messiah ... Deliverer.

All Faculties

How grateful I am for my Mister Fixit! There are few things, I've learned,that he cannot fix even if it takes some imaginative fa-niggling. David wrote, "O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises, even with my glory [all the faculties and powers of one created in Your image]." (Psalm 108:1, AMP). That word "fixed" shares the qualities of firmness, stability, established, secure, enduring, settled - all leading to a sure and certain confidence. Perhaps like me, you know what it's like for your heart too to wiggle-and-waver rather than be fixed confidently in [unwiggling and unwavering] trust in God. Scripture sayd Joseph obeyed the angel and married Mary; that Mary found joy in her unexpected circumstances; that the shepherds left their posts in search of the Savior. Like David, did they know God had promised in His holiness the establishment of David's dynasty (Psalm 108:7) and that the scepter would not depart from Judah (Genesis 49:10). You see, Jesus' arrival to earth fulfilled God's promise The King would come; The King did come and His Kingdom established in the hearts of men. Furthermore, The King will return for His people. David's words are a call to praise for every heart belonging to The King. This season, let us fix our hearts on confident praise of and to The King with everything we've got - that is ... all faculties!

Just Wonderful

What is wonderful?  Fantastic - Magnificent - Marvelous - Splendid - Amazing - Incredible - Miraculous - Remarkable - Spectacular?  You thinking of chocolate, clean sheets, kittens, homemade vegetable soup? Yeah, me too. The Psalmist wrote of God's wonderful works, and how the very knowledge of God is "too wonderful for me." (Psalm 139:6). The Hebrew word for wonderful is "pili" meaning incomprehensible - beyond man's ability to comprehend. Simply put, it's a wonder!  It certainly is a wonder to me that God would love me but it's no wonder to Him! Before the foundation of the world, He knew me and designed me to live holy and blameless thus glorifying and magnifying Him. You know what's a wonder? That God loves me so deeply that He became flesh to change my sin-stained condition.  Bethlehem's Baby – magnificent, marvelous, splendid, amazing, incredible, miraculous, remarkable, spectacular … just wonderful.