Speak Up

Speak up for those who have no voice, 

for the justice of all 

who are dispossessed.

Speak up, judge righteously,

and defend the cause 

of the oppressed and needy.

Proverbs 31:8-9

Take some time today to check out some of the organizations who are already at work. There are several diffferent venues listed that reach out to those around the world. Join one in their effort through support and/or prayer.

Voice of the Martyr
Bibles Unbound (This is one that is very dear to me)
Compassion International 
Soles 4 Souls
People Loving People - This one is a Nashville organization

*Please add a link to any you have a heart for in the comments!!

Joy!

Joy to the world- The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King...

This popular Christmas hymn is a prayer- And a Revelation song!

Just like so much of the Bible, what was and is, will be even more. Here's an example: King David in the Old Testament was the glorious King of Israel who ushered in the golden age of their earthly kingdom which then flourished under his son Solomon. King David was in fact a shadow of their greater King and kingdom to come: Jesus Christ. That kingdom was temporary. Christ's will be eternal. This is just one of many examples the Bible gives us of foreshadowing events.

In the same way, the old carol Joy to the World does the same thing. It sings joyfully of the birth of the Messiah, His triumph for us, and His reign. Yes, our hearts prepared room for Him, our Savior reigns in our lives, His blessings flow, and He rules with truth and grace.....but how much more so when He returns! Praise God for our Lord who IS come!!

Sing through this hymn today. Praise Him for what He has done and will one day do in perfect completion. Joy! Joy! Joy to the world!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Christmas Wish

Christmas is the celebration of the impossible becoming real: God took on flesh and was born a helpless baby for us.  If you think about it, that is ridiculous! Why would He do that? Because He desired a relationship with and loved us just that much.

So instead of thinking about Christmas lists, parties, and eggnog, I'm going to dream of the impossible. With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) and Jesus said that if I have faith and do not doubt, amazing things can happen! (Matthew 21:21-22). The key is His will: Now this is the confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for. 1 John 5:14-15

So I want you to dream big in this "impossible to reality" season. Leave an anonymous post with your impossible wish....and let's see what happens. You just might see God this Christmas!

Tearing

We don't make a practice of tearing our clothing when we ask God for forgiveness any more. Though I bet that if we did, we'd take it a little more seriously- or put on something that was worn out. 

The Israelites  use to come before the Lord when asking God's forgiveness and rip their outer tunic as a symbol of mourning what they had done. Though it started out as being done during a time of strong emotion (Gen 37:29, Ezra 9:3, Isaiah 37:1), it is mostly done today only at funerals for Jews and has been reduced to a small portion of cloth or a black ribbon they wear. 

But, why? Why did they do that at all? To show brokenness of self and the need for God to intervene. It was a practice in faith- in essence. Tearing your clothes shows coming to the end of one's self and the need for a greater power - God - to intervene and take care of them: Even to take care of the basic need of covering one's self.  It was a great physical reminder of their spiritual state. But man, as we well know, can take anything and forget the true point....

Tear your hearts,
    not just your clothes,
    and return to the LORD your God.
    For He is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger, rich in faithful love,
    and He relents from sending disaster.

Joel 2:13

We must never forget the point of why we do what we do: Be it saying the Lord's Prayer, reading our daily devotional, giving to the poor, or taking the Lord's Supper. It is our hearts He wants. Not our routine. 

Think about what you are doing with/for the Lord today... and make sure your heart is in it.

When I "Choose To" Think About the Lord

Following Jesus Christ is a choice.

Everyday you choose to pray to Him....or not.

    You choose to read His Word....or not.

    You choose to obey Him....or not.

    You choose to listen to the Spirit....or not.

    You choose to think of Him most....or yourself.

    You choose to give Him....or give in.

Today, I felt horrible.....until I chose to think about the Lord.