Simeon, A Certain Hope

I recently wrote this devotional for our Women's Ministry at church. It was in regards to Christmas but I really feel it speaks to any season of life. So much of our life is spent waiting - waiting to enter something, waiting to exit something, waiting in the midst of pain, waiting in the midst of joy. Simeon is a wonderful example of joyfully waiting his whole life for one thing - a fulfilled promise from the Lord.

Do you wait in expectation that Christ will meet your needs?  Not our desires or wants (always) but our needs according to His glory?  Simeon waited his whole life to see Jesus. God promised it to him. Rest in this truth:  God keeps His promises.

Simeon, A Certain Hope

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon Him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Luke 2:25-26

The only things we know about Simeon were written in a few verses in Luke. We are certain he was a faithful man who loved God and walked with Him all the days of his life.   We also know that the Holy Spirit was upon his life and promised Simeon he would not die until he saw the Messiah. 

What strikes me as fascinating about this precious man’s life is that he waited. Not only did he wait, but he waited with great anticipation for “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:31-32) Simeon grasped the magnificent gift that was coming not only for the Jewish people but for the Gentiles as well.  He understood that salvation was for all peoples.  God will use and honor people who wait with great hope for Him. His whole life was devoted to one thing: seeing Christ and knowing that a Redeemer had come to rescue this world.

After Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord as the firstborn male, the Spirit led Simeon into the temple and he held baby Jesus and blessed Him.  Simeon went on to worship the Lord and joyfully exclaimed that he could depart this world with great peace because his eyes had seen the salvation that had come (Luke 2: 29-30).  As Paul exclaimed in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, to die is gain” is probably an accurate description of Simeon’s heart.  

Simeon’s countenance and radiant joy was so obvious that in verse 33 it says “and his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.” Mary and Joseph were in awe of the things spoken about their son. 

Are you waiting expectantly for Jesus?  He is returning again one day and that is the good news of our great hope!  Our Savior lives and will return for His people.  This Christmas, reflect on the joy of your salvation!  May one aged Jewish man give us a glimpse of what patiently hoping in all the promises of God looks like.  Simeon looked upon the face of baby Jesus and he worshipped because He knew God’s promise had come to pass. 

With great JOY,
Leeanne

Our Peace

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,from you shall come forth for me  one who is to be ruler in Israel,whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth;then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace."

Micah 5:2-5

English Standard Version (ESV)

"Here in a dark cave as a flickering torch casts high shadows of long-horned oxen on the rough-hewn logs, there is no sound but the munching of hay by the cattle.  In the midst lies the young mother, forgetting for the moment her discomfort, for in her arms lies the Babe, her baby boy.

Who would dream that He is the Kings of kings and Lord of lords?  Those chubby little hands that clasped the straw in His manger crib were soon to open blinded eyes, unstop deaf ears, and still the troubled seas. That cooing voice was soon to be lifted to command demons to depart and teach men of the Way, and to raise the dead. Those tiny feet were to take Him to the sick and needy and were finally to be pierced on Calvary's Cross.

That manger crib in remote Bethlehem became the link that bound a lost world to a loving God. From that manger came a Man who not only taught us a new way of life, but brought us into a new relationship with our Creator. "

Billy Graham, Christmas the Father's Gift p.24

Beginning Advent

"Is not my word like fire, says the Lord" Jeremiah 23:29

"And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,  and you shall call his name Jesus. he will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High And the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Luke 1:30-32

I love Advent. As I get older I realize the deep need I have to devote more and more time in worship and prayer to Christ during this season. I awoke extra early this morning for prayer and study time and as I pulled out my special "advent journal" I began reading through the past few years and was overcome with one thought -- He is faithful. As I read the pages I felt so overwhelmed with gratitude for His faithfulness. Prayers I wrote in 2009 to prayers I wrote just last year. Jesus Christ is the same and His word is a comfort to me when nothing else satisfies. His word is like fire.

I feel an igniting in my heart for His word lately. As I prayed, I wrote this out in my Advent journal. It is word for word and exactly what my heart is reflecting for the season. I wanted to share it with you:


2013 - December 1

Lord, a new advent season is here. Lord, let You be my great joy this season. Let me not fall into comparisons or trivial things that make me view my/our advent as less. Let my jealousy be only for YOU!  Give me bright eyes for your glorious jewels and let me not fall into any form of legalism this season on the whens, where, how, do this, memorize this, create this, draw this, craft this, study this....

Let it be season where I draw deep into your well and drink over and over and over and over. May I leave Christmas far more deeply in love with you and desiring to dust of all the world says it can offer.

May my affection for You not be overshadowed with even good things. My heart Lord can get too caught up in what I should be doing because that is just "what you do". Will you make my advent and the family's advent exactly what WE need as a family.

Lord, give the kids a heart for You, your word, Your goodness, Your vision, Your salvation, Your hope, Your glorious joy, Your love, Your peace, Your great gift of Jesus.

You are all we need this Christmas. You are advent. You and you alone will make this season spectacular.

You are El Roi. The God who sees me.

Search my heart and remove anything that interferes with You.

In the Only Name that saves,
Amen


-----------------

This advent Jill and I will be posting in anticipation of "the coming" . May your great hope in Christ be renewed as we remember, watch and prepare.

Family Devotional
The Name of God:  El Roi "The God who sees me"
Attribute:  His kindness (or favor like he spoke to Mary)
Reading:  Matthew 2:1-14

Personal Devotion
In my personal reading I read John Piper devotional from his 2013 advent book and then I add in the verses below.

http://dwynrhh6bluza.cloudfront.net/resources/documents/5544/DG_Advent_eBook-2013.pdf?1384881563

The Birth Of Jesus Advent reading:
December 1 - Luke 1:30-33

Jesus is...  Advent reading:
December 1 - Revelation 22:13

The Coming King Advent reading:
December 1 - Genesis 3:14-15

"One Another" Advent reading:
December 1 - John 13:14


Monday, December 2:

Family Devotional
The Name of God:   Adonay "Lord, Master"
Attribute:  His Joy
Reading: Luke 1:46-55

Personal Devotion:
John Piper's advent book
http://dwynrhh6bluza.cloudfront.net/resources/documents/5544/DG_Advent_eBook-2013.pdf?1384881563

The Birth Of Jesus Advent reading:
Luke 1:41-42

Jesus Is... Advent reading:
John 6:35

The Coming King Advent reading:
Genesis 22:18

"One Another" Advent reading:
John 13:35

(My friend Norma Weekman composed these verses a few years ago and I have treasured them). This week I will share what we are doing for the season. I have a few things I have put together along with other ideas from different people far more talented than me!)

With Great JOY,
Leeanne

Walking in Thanksgiving

As we embrace the season of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share a beautiful devotion by Spurgeon. I love when he says "mercy abides forever."

This week I am purposefully immersing myself in all the Psalms of praise and thanksgiving. He is so very very worthy and because of Christ alone we are transformed!  

Walking in Thanksgiving,

Leeanne

-----------------------------------

Thanksgiving with Spurgeon

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1

It is all we can give him, and the least we can give; therefore let us diligently render to him our thanksgiving. The psalmist is in earnest in the exhortation, hence the use of the interjection “O,” to intensify his words: let us be at all times thoroughly fervent in the praises of the Lord, both with our lips and with our lives, by thanksgiving and thanks living. Jehovah, for that is the name here used, is not to be worshipped with groans and cries, but with thanks, for he is good; and these thanks should be heartily rendered, for his is no common goodness: he is good by nature, and essence, and proven to be good in all the acts of his eternity.

Compared with him there is none good, no, not one: but he is essentially, perpetually, superlatively, infinitely good. We are the perpetual partakers of his goodness, and therefore ought above all his creatures to magnify his name. Our praise should be increased by the fact that the divine goodness is not a transient thing, but in the attribute of mercy abides for ever the same, for his mercy endureth for ever. The word endureth has been properly supplied by the translators, but yet it somewhat restricts the sense, which will be better seen if we read it, “for his mercy forever.” That mercy had no beginning, and shall never know an end. Our sin required that goodness should display itself to us in the form of mercy, and it has done so, and will do so evermore; let us not be slack in praising the goodness which thus adapts itself to our fallen nature.

—Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David 

Victory

As a Christian, there’s always that fine line of sheltering your children from the world and what it has to offer and exposing them to the world and giving them the tools and strategies to handle it and be an effective witness.  I teach at a very small school that my children attend.  It is a blessing in many ways.  They are getting a great education, there are many Christian families and other families who are just good people.  The Bible says to make disciples and go out into the world and share the love of Jesus.  It says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”  (2 Corinthians 5:20) I want to teach my children to be His ambassadors.

Not too long ago, my middle child, who is in 1^st grade, came to me and was appalled by what she saw in a science book from her room.  It showed pictures of evolutionism.  From an early age, we (along with my neighbors) have taught my children that the Bible teaches that God created us.  We have read books to them, watched videos and given them all kinds of important facts to support this view.  My daughter was passionately explaining to me why this was false from the book and also shared the same to another student.  On the way home, I took the opportunity to tell her how proud I was of her sharing her beliefs as it is part of her.  I also told her that we can pray for those who do not believe this.  

However, once she has shared God’s Truth it is up to God to do the rest.  We cannot be disrespectful of other’s views and beliefs.  She understood.  She asked if she could bring her Bible to school and share from God’s Word why she believes God created man and woman. 

I was in awe that my little seven year old would be so bold and evangelistic.  I thought about how ignorant I was at that age.  This is important to her.  Her life’s path and choices will indeed be so different from mine in my childhood because she has Truth and wisdom. I was choked up and crying on the way home that day from school.  One of my kids noticed and said, “Mommy, what’s the matter, why are you crying?”  I simply replied that I was so proud of my children and Truth that they live by.  

Warmly,

Jill

The Birds and The Bees

  

It is inevitable that our children will learn about how babies are made and the intricacies of sex.  As a child, I vividly remember getting my sex education on the bus in 2^nd grade as I listened to the older kids.  I would not say it was healthy or an accurate depiction of the way God intended it to be.  I was well taken care of by my parents, but communicating these types of topics were ignored and uncomfortable.  I remember when I was fourteen and I got my period.  I told my mom while we were on our way to softball practice, she almost hit a tree on our street. 

I made a conscious decision that no matter how uncomfortable it was going to be, I wanted to be the one that gave my children God’s perspective on love, sex and baby making.  My oldest daughter has always been emotionally mature.  So, I knew the day would come sooner than later.  However, I did not expect it when she was seven.  She has always been inquisitive and whenever she asked questions that centered around babies and where they come from I told her that God gave us each one of our children out of love for each other.  That was enough until she started to put two and two together when one of our dogs got neutered.  How was it that he could no longer make babies? 

I took a deep breath and brought her into the guest bedroom at my parent’s house,  as we were visiting there over the summer.  I explained to her body parts, what they do and how a baby is conceived.  She asked questions like, “Do you and daddy still do it?”  I went on to explain that God intended it to be an act of love shared between a husband and wife, although some people in the world abuse it and do not do it out of love.  I told her  that daddy and I did because we loved each other.  She asked some other mature questions and it turned out to be a great conversation.  Until…my mom and I were putting all three kids to bed that night and my daughter looked at my mom and said, “Do you and Papa still do it?”  I fell on the ground laughing and I think my mom was speechless.  So I quickly recued her and said, “Remember I told you it was an act of love.  Nana and Papa still love each other.” 

It made a great story to tell and laugh about.  I am grateful that God was preparing my heart to share this with her.  My other two children are not quite old enough and emotionally mature enough to handle that conversation.  But, I’m ready when they are. 

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”  Genesis 2:24

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”  Hebrews 13:4

Warmly,

Jill

Intimate Theology - John 11:26

I absolutely love Oswald Chambers. He is so deep theologically but gives you such a personal view of Christ. I love in his devotional yesterday when he said, "And I am staggered when I think how foolish I have been in not trusting Him earlier."  Such a great question to really mediate on. How many times do I look back on times in my life and recall that same feeling. "If only I would have trusted Him deeper, richer, sooner, longer, completely, etc."

What is your source of unbelief today?  Is it time to be staggered by the Lord's faithfulness? 

Walking in Faith,
Leeanne

-------

Intimate Theology

Do you believe this? —John 11:26

Martha believed in the power available to Jesus Christ; she believed that if He had been there He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a special intimacy with God, and that whatever He asked of God, God would do. But— she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha’s theology had its fulfillment in the future. But Jesus continued to attract and draw her in until her belief became an intimate possession. It then slowly emerged into a personal inheritance— “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ . . .” (John 11:27).

Is the Lord dealing with you in the same way? Is Jesus teaching you to have a personal intimacy with Himself? Allow Him to drive His question home to you— “Do you believe this?” Are you facing an area of doubt in your life? Have you come, like Martha, to a crossroads of overwhelming circumstances where your theology is about to become a very personal belief? This happens only when a personal problem brings the awareness of our personal need.

To believe is to commit. In the area of intellectual learning I commit myself mentally, and reject anything not related to that belief. In the realm of personal belief I commit myself morally to my convictions and refuse to compromise. But in intimate personal belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ and make a determination to be dominated by Him alone.

Then, when I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me, “Do you believe this?” I find that faith is as natural as breathing. And I am staggered when I think how foolish I have been in not trusting Him earlier.

Adversity

I think it is a huge misnomer that if and when you become a Christian, life will be easy or perfect.  The world often looks at Christians as being judgmental, self-righteous and living the perfect life.  NOT!  From my itty bitty perspective, when I became a Christian, my focus and choices changed.  I stopped focusing on myself and started focusing on Jesus and the life He led.  I started reading the Bible and learning God’s Truths and how to abide in them.  So, in that regard…my life became a whole lot better because I was making wiser choices with God as my compass.  Life is still filled with issues, problems, tragedy, death, bodily ailments and emotional uproars.  The way these problems are handled and perceived can significantly change.  I often say to my husband, “Life is about problems and the way we handle them.”

Why does God allow adversity?  This is a loaded question.  First of all, we live in a fallen world.   From the beginning with Adam and Eve succumbing to the forbidden fruit, God’s original creation was altered.  Secondly, God uses adversity to show us our profound need for Him.  Why would we need a savior if our life was perfect?  The Bible talks about Paul and his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). The apostle wrote, “I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (verse 10)

As our dependency on the Lord increases, we learn more about Him.  We become more like Him.  God uses our past adversities to help those in similar situations.  God does not waste anything.  God provides the courage to meet any demand from our trials and tribulations.  Genuine courage is not chilled by our fears and circumstances.  The courage and confidence of Christ to handle any circumstance can only come from Him.  By faith, we become courageous. 

Lord God in Heaven, I thank you that you know every moment and circumstance in my life before it even occurs.  Help me to rely on you more and less on my own strength.  I admit, in my own weakness I am insufficient.  Fill me with your Holy Spirit and guide my thoughts, steps and choices.  Remind me of your sovereignty and that you are the Prince of Peace, Mighty Counselor and Physician of all physicians.  Even the waves obey you.  I pray in Christ’s name, for your guidance though all of my life.  

Warmly,
Jill

EMOTIONS - Dictator or Indicator?

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Matthew 26:41

The world tells us, “Do what you feel!”  Contrary, the Bible says that our hearts are deceitful and that our flesh is weak.  Emotions are God given.  They help us to respond to life with happiness, sadness, fear, worry, excitement, joy, etc.  I vividly remember a time in my life when my emotions dictated all of my choices--the way I felt is how I would make my decisions.  If I felt like I wanted to purchase something I would do it.  If I was mad at someone I would react and let them know.  If I had a fear about something it would consume me and keep me from doing something or push me into doing something.  My emotions were an impulse to my actions.  What I didn’t realize is that my emotions were constantly changing—day to day and sometimes hour to hour.  So, after making an emotional decision I would often regret it or have wasted time and energy worrying.  

I am continuing to learn that our emotions have great purpose.  However, without God’s Truth and wisdom they can be futile. For every feeling there is God’s Truth to compare it to.  The Truth will set your emotions straight.  The Truth will validate or invalidate your feelings.  The Truth will bring you peace or discontentment.  Prayer and letting time pass will allow your emotions to be indicators and not dictators for your decisions.  

“Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God’s] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.”

Ephesians 2:3

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Warmly,
Jill
 

Great Things He Has Done!

"Good morning!  As Fall is rolling in to September I have found my early mornings to be a precious time. We have a screened in back porch and I drink my coffee and study God's word as I hear the birds chirping and life beginning for the day. It is like an early morning refuge for me. I have a place I drive through the country that I call my "decompress" place. It is peaceful, relaxing, and allows me to be quiet and listen.

So many days all I hear is noise. Good noises - my children playing, music, friends chatting, my husband singing (he has a great voice but doesn't like it to be known), the birds, the school bus, the neighborhood kids playing hockey in the street.

Then, there are the noises that drown out everything. The constant battle in our mind of the truth of God's word verses Satan's lies. I have talked to several people this week alone that feel Satan is attacking them. He knows just what will get us in a downhill spiral too. Last week I had a tough week. This week I feel refreshed. What is the difference? I fought back last week with God's truth in His word.

One verse that comforted me last week was Exodus 20:6:

But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations for those who love and obey my commands (NLT)

This verse brought me such peace. God is doing great things right now and I felt Satan attack every single one of them last week. What I realized is that God desires to lavish us and will keep pouring His love out to a thousand generations.  He is a covenant God.

Exciting things are happening at "Praying Through Life".  Jill and I wrote a devotional book three years ago called "Praying Through Pregnancy". The Lord has opened up doors for us and we are happy to say it is in the pre-production phase of publishing. Our goal is to have it ready before Christmas. We can barely wait to show you the cover!  Our incredible designer Michele is working on some final touches. She is amazing!


Also, I have an article being published tomorrow at http://www.incourage.me/. (In)courage is a website for women and is connected to DaySpring. God led me out of a trial a few years ago and I'm happy to share it with you. I pray He uses it.

To God be the Glory!  Great things He has done and will do for thousands of generations,
Leeanne

Psalm 66

Friends,

It has been a long week - new schedules for the kids, doctor and dental appointments, Jill had work and a funeral, church responsibilities, and the day to day of life. Many blog posts came to mind but God's word was really a place of great refreshment this week for me so I thought perhaps that would be a great truth for all of us this weekend. Dwell in His presence and linger in His Holy Scripture. My two favorite men in the whole wide world have birthdays this weekend!  Should be a sweet time. 

May you rest in the sufficiency of God's Truth and Word this weekend.

Leeanne

--------------------------

Psalm 66

¹ Shout for joy to God, all the earth!^(A)
2     Sing the glory of his name;^(B)
    make his praise glorious.^(C)
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!^(D)
    So great is your power
    that your enemies cringe^(E) before you.
⁴ All the earth bows down^(F) to you;
    they sing praise^(G) to you,
    they sing the praises of your name.”^[a]

⁵ Come and see what God has done,
    his awesome deeds^(H) for mankind!
⁶ He turned the sea into dry land,^(I)
    they passed through^(J) the waters on foot—
    come, let us rejoice^(K) in him.
⁷ He rules forever^(L) by his power,
    his eyes watch^(M) the nations—
    let not the rebellious^(N) rise up against him.

⁸ Praise^(O) our God, all peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard;
⁹ he has preserved our lives^(P)
    and kept our feet from slipping.^(Q)
10 For you, God, tested^(R) us;
    you refined us like silver.^(S)
11 You brought us into prison^(T)
    and laid burdens^(U) on our backs.
¹² You let people ride over our heads;^(V)
    we went through fire and water,
    but you brought us to a place of abundance.^(W)

¹³ I will come to your temple with burnt offerings^(X)
    and fulfill my vows^(Y) to you—
¹⁴ vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
    when I was in trouble.
¹⁵ I will sacrifice fat animals to you
    and an offering of rams;
    I will offer bulls and goats.^(Z)

¹⁶ Come and hear,^(AA) all you who fear God;
    let me tell^(AB) you what he has done for me.
¹⁷ I cried out to him with my mouth;
    his praise was on my tongue.
¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened;^(AC)
19 but God has surely listened
    and has heard^(AD) my prayer.
²⁰ Praise be to God,
    who has not rejected^(AE) my prayer
    or withheld his love from me!