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How do your return God’s Love and Favor?

I wrote about the fact that God wants to be your Valentine in my last blog post. https://thankfulinallthings.com/god-wants-to-be-your-valentine-will-you-accept-his-gift/ He has offered us an incredible gift that we can only enjoy if we accept it. A week later, we went from the romance of Valentine’s Day to the somber reflection that came last week on Ash Wednesday. I had never put the two together until now. Interestingly enough, next year, they will fall on the same day. https://thedialog.org/featured/rare-meeting-valentines-day-and-ash-wednesday/ I was struck how close Valentine’s Day communicating God loves us and wants to be in a relationship with us. Ash Wednesday take us into the Season of Lent which gives us the opportunity to think about how we return that love. So many people look at Lent as a period of time where they give up something that will help them in some way. What if we took the 6 weeks to move into a deeper relationship with The One who created us? As an example, maybe we give up alcohol, chocolate, snacking after dinner, etc. Good for us but do, when we miss it, do we let it remind us how God misses us when we don’t show up and spend time with Him? Joel 2:12 reminds us the purpose of fasting. ““Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” You see, as my friend Tamra Andres reminded me, “just because something is good (giving up x…….) doesn’t mean it is from God. Only when it’s from God can it always be good.” (author unknown) So what are you going to do differently during Lent to show God you are grateful that you are His child?

I think this Season of Lent should be a time where we return the love that God has bestowed upon us. Nothing will bring the Lord more joy than if you make a decision to spend more time with Him as you prepared to celebrate His Son’s death and resurrection. Think about it. You can tell someone you are grateful for their love and that they are special to you but if you can’t find to spend time with them, will they think you mean it? Like the story of the Prodigal Son, the Father is waiting and when you choose to come be with Him, He will run out to meet and embrace you. “When the father saw the son, he did the unthinkable—he received the son back with ecstatic joy and celebration, and he ran to meet his son while he was still at a distance” (Luke 17:17-20).

Another way of returning God’s favor is by leaving behind what you think might be how you want to spend your time and resolve that over these next several weeks you will be intentional about serving others. By spending more time with God and committing to loving/serving others, we will give Him the honor and glory which He so richly deserves and for what he asks of us. Mark 12; 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[There is no commandment greater than these.” Our obedience to Him is our greatest gift to the One who wants to be our Valentine. May Lent be a season where you run to Him who wants nothing more than for you to be in His embrace.

Please subscribe to this blog if you haven’t already. I would love to have you get email notifications when new content is posted. I can be reached by email at michael@mrg7175.com

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God wants to be your Valentine! Will you accept His gift?

Valentine’s Day was this week.  I had a thought that had never occurred to me before.  I realized God wants to be my Valentine?  Instead of a gift or flowers, He sent His Son to show me His love.  Like the gifts or cards I received from loved ones, I can’t enjoy what God offers unless I accept them

Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”  An unopened gift in someone’s hand communicates this same concept.  Like Monty Hall used to say on Let’s make a Deal, “You can’t know what is there until you look inside”  What I am trying to unwrap here (pardon the pun) is similar to what I wrote about a month ago.  https://thankfulinallthings.com/is-there-a-veil-keeping-you-from-seeing-life-from-gods-perspective/
God loves you so much and is offering you an abundant life.  https://www.biblehub.com/john/10-10.htm He Loves you and wants to be your Valentine; The One you choose to love.  

Like Monty Hall used to say on Let’s make a Deal, “You can’t know what is behind Curtain #3 without trading what you have to me.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKNuweTpgvU  The problem with the game is you might be hoping for a car but instead you get a goat eating some hay.  The good news is that is not how it works with God.  Yes, you need to trade (surrender) what you have to Him but there is only an abundant and purpose filled life that comes with that trade.  
God wants to be your Valentine not just on February 14th but every day and in every moment.  He wants you to choose Him as the one to love.  Open the card (Bible) and read how He loves you and wants the very best for you.  Open your heart and accept the gift that only He can give.  The gift of His Son Jesus who came so His Father’s joy may be in you and that your joy and life may be made complete.  John 15:11  


Won’t you say yes to God’s request to Be your Valentine?  He is knocking on the door of your heart.  Waiting with a gift in His outstretched hands.  When you do, you become a fellow heir of the grace of life, allowing your prayers to not be hindered.  Once you become His Valentine, you will find yourself wanting to share the gift He has given with everyone around you because everyone needs this type of love, God is the only one who can love you perfectly. When you have a relationship with God and experience His love, it empowers you to love others in the same way God loves you. What more can you ask for a Valentine’s Day wish? 🙂
Thanks for supporting this blog.  Please share it with others who you think it might encourage.  If you haven’t already, please subscribe so you can receive email notifications when new content is posted.    I can be reached by email at michael@mrg7175.com  I look forward to hearing from you.  

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I am grateful for my Proverbs 31 wife


Has it really been three years?  Thought of this post when I was reading Proverbs 31 today.  It always makes me realize how grateful I am for my wife. Particularly when I was suffering from Guillain Barre Syndrome during 2019.   http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelguthrie Enjoy this repost from 2020 🙂FEBRUARY 3, 2020 BY MRGBLOG

I am Thankful for all Things but especially my Proverbs 31 woman. Proverbs 31 came to mind when thinking about what my wife, Dottie. Her support has been incredible over this last year and our marriage is stronger now than ever before.
Here is what her sister shared about Dottie being a Proverbs 31 woman. Dottie epitomized the proverbs 31 woman before you were sick. While you were sick she perfected the role. Dottie has always showed her strength of character as a wife and mother. Family first always providing and sacrificing for them.Food… for a skinny girl who really does not like to eat she plans and prepares nutritious food for her loved ones. Food for you was a priority for Dottie when you were in rehab and coming home. No idle hands… sewing lettering reading studying.  She is clothed in strength and dignity…Dottie  always can handle tough situations Stronger than she knows She speaks with wisdom… Listens and speaks wisdom Dottie thinks about what she is going to say and how it should be said Takes notes to help her remember what to ask the doctors and therapists when you were in rehab She has the support, love and admiration of her children and husband. She fears the lord   Studies and prioritizes her relationship with God


I have started paraphrasing scripture while recovering from Guillain Barre Syndrome. It has helped me practically apply the verses that speak out to me. Proverbs 31 came to mind when thinking about what my wife, Dottie. Her support has been incredible over this last year and our marriage is stronger now than ever before.What follows are verses from Proverbs 31 with quotes in bold type from others who watched and wrote me about how God has made Dottie into someone quite special.10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.  She allowed her heart to love you more through adversity. She dug deep. She allowed herself to entertain the worst possibility “What if he dies” and then moved on and fought each day. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  She stayed in the moment and was determined not to let her thoughts get ahead of her, knowing that being present for Michael would best serve them both — a most generous and loving illustration of “in sickness and in health.” 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. I saw that same adoring face many times. Now, along with that face I witnessed her strong faith-filled, gracious, clear thinking advocacy and encouragement for Michael. the gift of faithful presence. Sitting. Watching. Holding space for God to do his work.  13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.  She also read and entertained herself in those long days. She adjusted to each change in venue. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.  Dottie was organized at the hospital and at home an delegated when she could not be both places 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers but Dottie allowed love ones to help her care for you and her 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  She loved on each staff member. She shared you with your family and with your friends. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.  Dottie’s tenderness, grace, and love shone brightly but beneath that surface was a fierce and determined protector. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  Dottie used her keen mind to listen and learn all things medical pertaining to you 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  she kept the unknown future at bay by  savoring each of Michael’s accomplishments no matter how small it might seem and focusing on the immediate needs of the coming day She did it really well-with grace and mercy. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  She believed her God for good. She stayed in high alert mode for months. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; Dottie allowed the kids to deal with Michael”s illness in their own way. She never made them feel they weren’t doing enough. her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” She was intentional in caring for her own primary needs, sleep nutrition and spiritual encouragement from friends.  30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  Most of all Dottie kept her focus and trust on God. She continually gathered and processed available information — through the daytime and in the quiet of evening. I treasure the moments we spent together during our visits especially our evening talks, reviewing the day’s milestones and looking ahead to what might unfold during the next day or weeks.   31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. My words now. I honor and cherish her for every day giving me peace and a the words from her friends say, her care for me brought praise from all who witnessed it.

Thank you for reading this blog.  I would love for you to subscribe so you can get email notifications when new content is posted.  You can reach me by email at michael@mrg7175.com
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Is there a veil keeping you from seeing life from God’s perspective?


Have you ever become aware that you are not seeing things clearly because of something getting in the way?  That things can look a bit distorted and out of focus like the photo above? For those who are regular followers of this blog, you know that 2023 is a year I want to RISE UP/P; to be Resolved Intentional Serving Expectantly so I Unleash God’s Purpose/Passion in my life.  https://thankfulinallthings.com/are-you-ready-to-rise-up-p-with-me-in-2023/ I am hoping and praying that I can encourage others to do the same.  To truly Rise Up, we need to have a purpose enabling us to have a true Focus on what we are looking at or where it is we want to go.  I think that purpose is to follow Christ so that God can provide that clear vision that is not distorted by what the world wants us to think is the way to happiness.  It is a vision that is contrary to what many think fulfillment looks like to them.
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The veil I talk about here can be removed when we allow ourselves to hear God’s voice and follow him.  “Following Jesus means following Him wherever He leads. It is living out an absolute trust in His judgement and plan for my life. Regardless of the hard situations that arise, my faith in Jesus tells me He is Lord of my life. All of it; the easy, hard and in between.”-Busy Blessed Women blog post. https://busyblessedwomen.com/jesus-said-follow-me/ Loving Him with all our heart, Loving others as He loves us, and then trusting Him with the outcome.  Unfortunately, most of us cannot understand this until something happens in our life that we can’t understand or have no control over.  Our friend 🙂 Oswald Chambers writes, “Troubles always make us look to God, but His blessings tend to divert our attention elsewhere”  Isaiah 45:22 exhorts us to “Look to me, and be saved”  https://www.biblehub.com/isaiah/45-22.htm

Our church welcomed our new pastor this morning.  He preached on 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 https://biblia.com/bible/niv/2-corinthians/4/1-6. Check out this link in the coming days to hear the sermon https://www.trinitycville.org/Sermons-And-Audio
In unpacking these 6 verses, he taught us that we are all heralds who are bring the Gospel (the Good News) into the world.  You see the Heralds jobs back in the day were to go places and proclaim what their Master or King wanted their subjects to know.  Like what I wrote last week, their words they spoke mattered because of The One who sent them to convey the message.  They spoke under and with the authority of the ruler who had sent them. He also reminded us that we are all His servants who are to bring the gospel (Good News) to our family, friends, and neighbors. The picture he described was us being given the opportunity to bring those we love platters of food prepared by a renowned chef. As a servant and a herald for our Father, my words to you are, the feast God offers is so much better. It is a banquet that lasts forever.  Not until you allow God to take the veil from your eyes, will you ever see life as He intended you to view it.  A life created by Him that can only be truly enjoyed when we live it out knowing “He wants us to pursue the desires of our heart but His are the plans that will prevail forever”  https://www.biblehub.com/proverbs/19-21.htm  My prayer and hope is that this will help you RISE UP/P allowing you to have God Unleash His Purpose and Passion into your life bringing clarity as to what God intends for your life.  

Thanks for taking the time to read what I have written.  I truly hope that it will encourage you in some way.  Like the heralds, my desire to is to bring a message from the One who loves you that allows you to know you are special and a child of God.  Please subscribe to this blog if you haven’t already.  I can be reached by email at michael@mrg7175.com
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Our Words Matter especially when they are backed up with loving actions.

I am reading through Proverbs this month as there are 31 days in January and the book has 31 chapters.  Not to get ahead of myself but I love that chapter 31 is about “The Wife of Noble Character”.  It will launch us into February and give us a two week head start to preparing for Valentine’s Day.  But I digress……….:) Proverbs 15 has 30 verses.  https://www.bible.com/bible/116/PRO.15.nlt  9 of them remind us that our words matter.  These verses exhort us saying, what we say can either hurt or encourage those to whom the words are directed. , , Although Proverbs 16 is about the Lord directing our steps, https://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/16.html8 of 33 verses in Proverbs 16 are about the impact our words can have on others.  


Today, we remember Martin Luther King.  He certainly was a man whose words encouraged and motivated others to commit to making a difference.  Here is what I wrote about him last year.  
 On this day do you remember? There is a reason that Dion’s song, “Does anyone here” https://youtu.be/a5hFMy4pTrs remains one of my favorites. When we fret about where our world is today, look back. I was 11 when JFK was killed and 16 when Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King were also assassinated. It was a very divisive and scary time. My question on this MLK Day is not do we remember these men, but in our remembrance, how does it motivate us to be better men and women?I had the privilege of helping our local newspaper find people to share their thoughts on what Martin Luther King’s life meant to them. Here is the link should be interested in what was written https://dailyprogress.com/specialty_publications/page-s01/page_ae2d0e53-5094-53ca-9d82-7d42579185d9.html Dr. King lived a life that left a legacy for all to follow. It causes us as Jeff Burton writes, to “ask ourselves, how is it today that I can act; what can I do to leave this place better than I found it; to do our small part to inspire others for good” Nathan Walton, in the publication noted above, asks, “What story are we telling?…..This day gives us an opportunity to tell a new story for our own moment” As we look back this MLK quote should help to move us forward.  “We have come a long, long way but we still have a long, long way to go.”City of Promise ED, Mary Coleman writes that our story needs to be one where we have learned from the past so we can be exhorted to help make a brighter future. She asks, “Where do we go from here? Will we choose chaos or community in a unified manner that King describes as persevering togetherness.” Yes! There is my 2022 Word. Unity. Uncompromised Never-ending Intensity Toward YES! We can be motivated by others to make our story one that sets an example for those around us. It can be a story line that causes Breakthrough by lifting up others and like MLK, motivating them to pursue peace while making a positive difference in the world versus creating divisiveness and selfishly ignoring those who need our help. Dr King was in no way a perfect man. But he was a man who believed he was redeemed by His Creator and called into a work that would ultimately cost him his life. This gives me hope as I hope it will you. It teaches nothing is impossible for those who love God. Luke 1:37 promises us “that we have the privilege of serving a God who can literally do anything, and there is nothing that is impossible for him.Therefore let us strive to live out the beatitudes noted in Matthew 5:1-12Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you like Dr King.
When we live our life this way, we will leave our personal legacy that others will continue because of the way we motivated them. May we all honor Dr King but choosing our words carefully in an effort to changing the world for good not for evil.  Please subscribe to this blog so you can receive an email notification when new content is posted. I can be reached by email at michael@mrg7175.com
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Does having a purpose driven life create pressure or motivation in your life

Last week I shared my word for 2023, RISE.  In the blog, I shared that I want to RISE UP/P this year.  I want to be Resolved, Intentional, Serving, Expectantly Unleashing God’s Purpose and Passion.  Interestingly enough, I had the chance to listen to a Podcast where my thoughts were challenged.  The guest on the show took exception to the concept of a Purpose Driven Life that Rick Warren wrote in his best selling book twenty years ago https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56495.The_Purpose_Driven_Life  She shared that America has been traumatized by the pressure that everyone feels to have a purpose and leave a lasting legacy so that one will be remembered.  There is no doubt that the pressure to succeed, to make something out of yourself, can eat you up and spit you out.  The lack of life balance has caused many to wake up one day with the regret and question of. “what have I done with this life?” 
I would like to offer you a different perspective on having purpose. 
Instead of it being seen as a negative, Knowing who you are meant to be can help free you up to live an enriched and fulfilled life. 
It can be as simple as leading others to a desire to make a positive difference in the world no matter where you are placed.  One can rise up to this endeavor no matter if they care for kids, bag groceries, run a company, etc. Whether it is personal or in business, it is about building relationships not being transactional.  Not trying to chase the deal or get something out of a friendship but instead asking the question how can I serve?  The negative pressure the podcast speaker spoke about can be alleviated if one finds something they love versus feeding their ego or doing something to appease someone else. 

Here is another way of looking at seeking wisdom on how your life is to be lived.  I am reading through Proverbs this month.  Chapter 10  challenges us to seek wisdom while also heeding God’s discipline to find the way life was meant to be lived.  Yes it is our life to live but verse 17 says by ignoring correction we can lead others astray.  https://biblehub.com/proverbs/10-17.htm You may not think you are a leader but others are watching how you do life.  

The (above mentioned) speaker and I are in agreement on one thing for sure.  Our life should be one that is stress free and without the pressure of measuring up in some way.  God promises peace and joy even in the midst of difficult circumstances.  How can that be you might ask.  My answer from both the old and new testament is quite simple.  He calls me to love Him with all my heart and love others as He loves me.  https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+22:37-39  The life of peace and joy free from the anxieties of the world comes when we live our lives doing these two things and then letting go and trusting Him with the outcome.  

Thanks for reading this blog post.  It means more than you know.  If you haven’t already please subscribe so you can receive email notifications when new content is posted.  I can be reached by email at michael@mrg7175,com
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Are you ready to RISE UP/P with me in 2023


It is that time of year again. Most of you have already begun to think about what you hope to accomplish in 2023.  I certainly have done the same and look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for me.  One way I do this is by choosing One Word https://getoneword.com/ on which to focus.  As I wrote last year, I think about what my Word will be during the Season of Epiphany. Epiphany means “a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way”

I use the season between Christmas and the manifestation of Jesus https://www.britannica.com/topic/Epiphany to reflect and focus on what I think God wants my focus to be for the coming year.  It is different than resolutions.  In fact, I use my word to help me make the most out of every moment of every day.  The last few years have seen me focus on Prayer, Generosity, Embrace to what I think was my most impactful word last year UNITY.   https://thankfulinallthings.com/if-you-focused-on-one-word-in-2022-which-would-you-choose/ So many amazing things happened both personally and professionally because of concentrating on Unity. 

I am grateful that the last 10 days of the year slow down from a business stand point.  Like in the song from Rent, I use it as an opportunity to look back and measure the year https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/rentcast/seasonsoflove.html
525,600 minutes
525,000 moments so dear
525,600 minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

Brad Caldwell who I hope to meet one day challenged folks this week to not be afraid to look back before you rush to set new goals and make New Year’s resolutions.  He asked a legitimate question, “Now that the year is over, would your word be different than the one you set on January 1st?  If you had known, “would you have crafted other goals than the ones you so confidently set for yourself for 2022?

I have no doubt God provided me an epiphany with the words from previous years and I felt the impact of my Uncompromised Never-ending Intensity Toward Yes (UNITY) this year.  I am counting on the same with my word for 2023 as I endeavor to RISE to whatever circumstances come my way.  I break down the word this way: Resolved Intentional Serving Expectantly and as I RISE UP/P my actions will be about Unleashing (God’s) Purpose/Passion for my life. 

Matthew 13:33 says – “The kingdom of Heaven is like a yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”  The dough needs to be kneaded so the proteins begin to line up in such a way that strands of gluten develop and create a structure that allows for the trapping of gases and the dough to RISE.

I want God to kneed into me the yeast I need to RISE UP/P and be the person He can use for His good pleasure.  May I submit my life to Him so in a way that The apostle Paul referred to our bodies as “jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV). To say that we are clay in the hands of the Potter acknowledges God’s handiwork as the Master Potter, or Creator, of our physical body.  May it be in 2023. 

I would love to hear what your One Word is for 2023.  I can be reached by email at michael@mrg7175.com.  If you haven’t already, please subscribe so that you can receive email notifications when new content is posted. 
                                                           
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The greatest gift of all………


Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   
               

The four candles of Advent represent Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love.  This morning the center candle is lit reminding us that Christ came to be the light of the world.  For unto to us a child is born.  Sure we need to give Santa his due but today we celebrate that the waiting is over and Hope is here!  As dark as the world might seem, a light shines beckoning us forward.  Stop for a moment and think of the darkest place you have ever been.  It is so dark there that you can’t even see your hand in front of your face.  Now imagine you have a pin light on your key chain.  No how small that light, it breaks through the pitch black.  No matter how dark, the least glimmer of light diminishes the darkness.  This is what God through His son, Jesus, wants us to know.  

The prophet Isaiah predicting the birth of Jesus.  Matthew https://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/4-16.htm shared that the people were living in darkness meaning they had chosen to live in a way outside of God’s intention.  CS Lewis stated it this way in his book Weight of Glory, Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

Maybe a faith journey is something you can’t imagine. It just doesn’t make sense.  Tim Keller writes in Hidden Christmas, “Until you turn the light on in a dark room, you can’t begin to know what is in there.” I pray this Christmas that we would seek God’s Wisdom versus the world’s.  May we all, like the Wise Men, seek to find and bow down before the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. The One who came so that we would know that God loves us.  It is the greatest gift of all and unlike worldly presents, it will never perish.  So, “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail” Isaiah 51:6

 
As the old campfire song promises; It only takes a spark to get a fire going.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tadZ8nCLBsI  “Once you experience it, the light will show you all you were meant to know and provide the wisdom you seek.  Only then will you live the life God desires for you.  
Merry Christmas from all of us.  May this blog help you remember the “Reason for the Season”.  I can be reached by email at michael@mrg7175.com

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May you experience the wonders of His love

Somehow I got my signals crossed this year.  I had the first candle representing peacewith the 4th and last designating love.So bear with me as I share my thoughts on what Christmas teaches us about how we are to love one another.
The season of Advent andScripture reminds us to Have HOPE https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JER.29.11.NIV , Share JOY https://biblehub.com/john/15-11.htm so that you can experience the PEACE that the angels promised the shepherds.  https://biblehub.com/luke/2-14.htm  Maybe I put Love last because of 1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  Tina Turner asked in her classic song, “What’s love got to do with it?” The bible answers this question with “it has everything to do with it.”  Jesus in John 16;27 says, “No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” We celebrate Christmas because God loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son.  He came to redeem us so that we might have the opportunity to know real love.  It is important to remember that if Easter doesn’t happen, there is no reason to celebrate Christmas as:

Oswald Chambers explains it this way. “The inner reality of redemption is that it creates all the time. And as redemption creates the life of God in us, it also creates the things which belong to that life. The only thing that can possibly satisfy the need is what created the need. This is the meaning of redemption— it creates and it satisfies our truest need to be in relationship with God.  

He stands knocking on the the door of each of our hearts.  (Revelation 3:30) He won’t barge in but waits for us to “ask Him in so that we can receive” (Matthew 7:7) 
Tina Turner sings,
I’ve been taking on a new direction
But I have to say
I’ve been thinking about my own protection
It scares me to feel this way 
Don’t be scared.  Let Go and Let God.  Only can we then experience the “wonders of His Love.” And when we do, love others as He loves us so they can experience the true spirit of the Season.  

I can be reached by email at michael@mrg7175.com.  Please subscribe to this blog to receive email notifications when new content is posted.  Happy Holidays everyone.  
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What is the real meaning of Joy!

 
The third candle lit on the Advent wreath recognizes the virtue Joy. Charles Stanley says “True Joy is found when our hearts are awakened and therefore our lives transformed by the riches of God’s love. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. God longs to make you a joyful person from the inside out. He does not want our joy based on circumstances or the fleeting whims of the world. He desires us to wait on Him to fill us up so we can go out and spread that Joy. Allowing yourself to be filled with His Holy Spirit allows your mindset to overflow with satisfaction and hope. That spill over can’t help but positively impact those paths we cross.Unfortunately, many are asking the question, why don’t I have that Joy or where is the Joy in my life? Paul in His letter to the Romans answers those questions. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Why is this the answer? Because we need to look to God for the four virtues of Advent and not what the temporal things the world offers. Many people make the mistake of thinking Joy means being happy. Instead, experiencing Joy means being content and at peace no matter what the experience. Pastor E.V. Hill preached a message on this saying, “We think of ourselves all packed up and ready for God to move us to a happier place. Instead, when God’s moving truck pulls up, we realize He is is not moving us out, He is moving in and has lots to unpack.” For our Joy to be made full, https://biblehub.com/john/16-24.htm we need to get rid of our worries and anxieties so the Lord can bring in Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace into our lives. The more we can remember Jesus is our greatest Joy so we get rid of stuff that is keeping God from entering in to our lives, the more He can be present and teach us His ways.
He wants and desires for us to bloom where we are planted bringing beauty to those who benefit from seeing your Joyful countenance.
So on this third Sunday of Advent as you wait on the Lord, ask yourself what is holding you back? What circumstances, fears,anxieties,doubts,etc are keeping you from allowing God to move into your life? Christmas reminds us that finding Joy is possible because :
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (one of 55 Old Testament prophesies fulfilled in Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection https://www.jesusfilm.org/blog-and-stories/old-testament-prophecies.html )May this 3rd Sunday of Advent fill you with Joy. Please subscribe to this blog so you can receive email notifications when new content is posted. I can be reached by email at michael@mrg7175.com