Joy in the Morning

the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. Matt 2:9-10

When I was a child, I never sneaked under the tree to peek at my presents like my friends or classmates would, but I would like to shake the packages or imagine what was inside. I always saved the excitement and mystery for Christmas morning.

We never opened gifts on Christmas Eve. It was family tradition to open gifts on Christmas morning. All of my siblings would run down the stairs together with anticipation and excitement.

Christmas may not look or feel the same as it did in our youth. As my late mother would say, “Nothing in life remains the same.” Although times and season change, Our Savior, Our Father remains the same.

You may be dealing with grief and loss of a loved one, loneliness, health issues or anticipation for what the New Year will bring, but the miracle of Christmas brings us compassion for others and gratefulness for what we have.

We are living in instability and uncertainty of what life will bring, but God is faithful. He remains our anchor and the rock of our foundation.

Although our foundations may shake, Our Father is our spiritual GPS that navigates us through the uncertainties of life. Jesus brought joy to the world through His love for us.

“An angel of the Lord appeared to Him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is the Holy Spirit. And she will bring the forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matt 1:20-21

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name “Immanuel” which is translated, “God with us.

The magnitude of His love never changes. It’s not superficial or fickle. It’s stable and guaranteed. May you be blessed with His Christmas presence this season and may you walk with His peace throughout the New Year.

Merry Christmas and have a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Scripture Reference

Luke 6:48-49

Defying the Odds | Pick up Your Stones

And David spake to the men that stood by him saying what shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and take away the reproach from Israel for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that should defy the armies of the living God? 1 Sam 17:26

In the climate we live in today, we are facing giants on every side. We are unsure of our present situation and wonder about our future. If we perceive the environment with our natural eyes, the giants we face seem insurmountable and overwhelming to fight. We cannot fight these giants in our own strength, but we have all the tools and resources through the Spirit of the Most High. We are more than able to defeat and conquer the enemies, tactics, schemes, strategies, and plots that are destroying the fabric of our country, our region and our family.

David said, “Moreover, the Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, go and the Lord be with thee. 1 Sam 17:38

And Saul armed David with his armor, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head, also he armed him with a coat of mail, And David girded up His sword upon his armor, and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said unto Saul, I cannot walk with these; for I have not tested them. And David put them off him. 1 Sam 17:39-40

And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherds’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. 1 Sam 17:40

The equipment and weapons Saul provided was the standard protection made for war. Saul believed he was equipping David with the best gear for the job, but David felt otherwise. He had to use what he felt was comfortable for him. Something so simple as a handful of rocks seemed so unpredictable to slay a giant, but David had to fight according to the way he was accustomed to.

What is in your hand? How do you fight your spiritual battles? Is it the battle cry of praise and worship? Fasting? Prayer? Speaking the Word? Or a combination of all of the above? We must understand how to war in the Spirit in these difficult times ahead. We must be able to stand in opposition in unfamiliar territories and uncomfortable spaces. Our eyes must be fixed and focused canceling out all distractions and turbulence from the enemy’s camp.

We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Rom 8:37

What are you facing today? Are you facing fear or anxiety? Do you need to shift your perspective or mindset? Are you confused or disoriented? Are you frustrated or angry? Do you need healing in your body? Pick up your stones.

The Lord will contend with our enemies that every attack is null and void. The fear that we carry is false evidence appearing real.

David said to the Philistine, thou comes to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defiled . 1 Sam 17:45

This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand, and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee, and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines, this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And, all this assembly shall know that the Lord save thee not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hands. 1 Sam 17:46-47

And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth. 1 Sam 17:49

So David prevailed over the Philistine, with a sling and a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him but there was no sword in the hand of David. 1 Sam 17:50


The Future Glory of Zion

https://youtu.be/E_GsKLJcum8

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees, Say to those who are fearful-hearted, Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.

Then, the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert

The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water, in the habitation of jackals, where each lay, there shall be grass with reeds and rashes.

A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it. But it shall be for others, Whoever walks the road , although a fool, shall not go astray.

No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it. It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, And the ransomed of the Lord shall return.

And come to Zion singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:3-10


Additional Scripture Reference

Psalm 69:35-36

For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah, that they may dwell there and possess it. Also, the descendants of His servants shall inherit it. And those who love His name shall dwell in it.

Psalm 126 – The Whole Chapter