Rejoice

These aren't quite the December pictures one would expect, but like so many others, we have had warmer weather and barely any snow.  We have had a lot of gray, rainy days with little sun.  Some of these pictures are recent but others go back a few months.

As always the light I see in this weary world is what causes me to rejoice!  The True Light that gives Light to every man....came into the world  (John 1:9).  For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness, made His Light shine in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).  Read this verse slowly and take time to really hear what it is saying.


Oswald Chambers wrote:

His Birth in History. “…that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it. He did not emerge out of history; He came into history from the outside. Jesus Christ is not the best human being the human race can boast of— He is a Being for whom the human race can take no credit at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate— God coming into human flesh from outside it. His life is the highest and the holiest entering through the most humble of doors. Our Lord’s birth was an advent— the appearance of God in human form.

His Birth in Me. “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you…” (Galatians 4:19). Just as our Lord came into human history from outside it, He must also come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to become a “Bethlehem” for the Son of God? I cannot enter the realm of the kingdom of God unless I am born again from above by a birth totally unlike physical birth. “You must be born again” (John 3:7). This is not a command, but a fact based on the authority of God. The evidence of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that “Christ is formed” in me. And once “Christ is formed” in me, His nature immediately begins to work through me.

 God Evident in the Flesh. This is what is made so profoundly possible for you and for me through the redemption of man by Jesus Christ.

Immanuel - God with us!  (Matthew 1:23)   Thank you for the Light of Your Presence!

Hope

Rays of hope.  That's what these pictures remind me of.   What is hope?...an anxious expectation; a feeling of trust; expecting God to show up in my situation; absolute certainty of future good.  I can bank on that hope, trust it and feel secure in it...be satisfied with it...long for it.

Hebrew 6:18 & 19 tells me I have hope set before me or offered to me so I may be greatly encouraged.  How does this encourage me?  It gives me assurance that all of God's promises will come true for me/us!!...and my future is firmly in His hand for my good!  This hope is an anchor for my soul (my life, breath, desires, affections, appetite), firm and secure.  I am tied to the very throne of grace. My promised future is sure; it is steadfast (constant, unwavering, solid); and it is the finished and purchased work of Jesus.

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you...." Ephesians 1:18

Loved

Yep...I told you I couldn't stop taking fall pictures!  I have to hang on to this time of year as long as I can!   Loved - that is how I feel when I experience this beauty.  His beauty!  His grace!

1 John 3:1 says "How great is The Love the Father has lavished (given abundantly/extravagantly) on us that we should be called children of God."  God is Love (1 John 4:8) - therefore He lavishes Himself on me!  Why?  So I can be His child!  Wow!  Crazy amazing!
Romans 8:15b - 17 "....you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by Him we cry, Abba Father (close relationship).  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.   Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,..."  What more could I want or need?  So thankful He shows me His Love everyday - without it I would feel lost and hopeless!

I just heard this song today by Chris Tomlin:  

"Good Good Father"
I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like

But I've heard tender whispers of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you're pleased
And that I'm never alone

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

I've seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching
For answers only you can provide
Cause you know just what we need
Before we, we say a word

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

You're a Good, Good Father
And I'm loved by you

You are perfect in all of your ways
Perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, It's who I am
[x2]

You are perfect in all of your ways
[x3]

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBwXHpKVS5I