Blessings Divine in 2009

Posted on December 27, 2008 by valerie

Christmas is a time when our hearts should be filled with joy, but often we let
our lust for worldly things crowd out the reason for the season…celebrating
the birth of our LORD.

Our holiday celebrations make us too busy to go to church and then we wonder
why we’re not happy.

As we prepare for the New Year, it is important to make time to worship God
and ask him for a fresh vision for your future.

God says in Proverbs 29:18…
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Happiness comes from obeying God, even when it means inconvenience,
hardship, or rejection from people.

As the wise men were searching for the blessed Christ child, God sent a star to lead them.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Matthew 2:10

They were wise, because they laid down their plans and followed where God led them.

When they found Jesus, they were overjoyed and bowed down to worship him and
gave treasures from their heart.

They weren’t too proud to get down on their knees and worship a child in a dirty, smelly barn.

These men sacrificially denied themselves and offered their lives and gifts as a thank offering.

Their obedience helped Mary and Joseph in their financial crisis, so they could flee to Egypt
to protect their son’s life.

God divinely warned the wise men in a dream, not to obey Herod, but return to their own country,
by another route.

An angel of the LORD instructed Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt at night, to keep them safe
from harm.

What if they’d said, God we’re tired and we don’t feel like moving right now…

Their prompt obedience was vital to protect the life of their son.

When Herod heard he was mocked by the wise men, he became
very angry and ordered all the children in Bethlehem and the
surrounding coasts to be killed, from 2 years old and under.

This was to fulfill the prophesy in Jeremiah 31:15…

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Matthew 2:18-19

What pain must have pierced the hearts of those families who lost their children.

Herod was a ruthless dictator who also murdered his wife, 3 sons, mother-in-law,
brother-in-law, uncle, and many others during his reign.

After Herod’s death, an angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling
him it was safe to return. He took Jesus and Mary to the land of Israel, but
when he heard that Archelaus reigned in Judaea, in place of his father Herod,
he would not go farther, but turned to parts of Galilee.

They eventually returned to Nazareth; so the prophesy could be fulfilled…
He shall be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:23)

As we prepare our hearts for the New Year, let God lead you to the holy child in the manger,
born for our salvation. God loved you so much that he came down to earth in the
form of a baby. He endured cold, pain, hardship, prejudice, persecution,
and death for our sins.

Let’s give him the treasures, he longs for…

our worship, our praise, and spreading the gospel to others…

Let us seek all who are lost, and point them to the star…

Jesus… to light their way and give them hope.

Jesus is the only one who can rebuild lives and broken relationships,
heal the sick, and save us from eternal death.

I pray you will open the priceless gift God has given you this Christmas and cherish Him with
your whole heart.

Let him tear down the walls of sadness, depression and unforgiveness.
Trust him to recreate something beautiful from your failures of the past.

Make time to worship your king, spend quiet time with him,
so he may prepare you for your mission in the New Year.

Follow the Star and believe in the Miracle of Jesus!

Humble yourself before your wonderful Counselor, and allow him
to govern and rule your heart and family.

Let the Prince of Peace give you peace and joy beyond all human
understanding.

Offer to him your time, gifts, and life as a living sacrifice.

Sow seeds toward your future and watch the LORD multiply
and bless you divinely in 2009.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace,
and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

May the LORD give you a fresh vision for your future, protect

you from evil and temptation, and prosper your family

abundantly in the New Year. In Jesus’ name we ask it.

And all God’s people said…

Amen, Praise the LORD

Your sister and servant of the LORD,

Valerie Rousseau