Epiphany: Our Coming King

"Every good and perfect gift
is from above,
coming down from the Father
of heavenly lights,
Who does not change
like the shifting shadows.
He chose to give us birth
through the Word of Truth,
that we might be
a kind of firstfruits
of all He created."
(James 1:17-18)
Beloved, I pray that your Christmas was filled with the hope, love, joy, and peace of Jesus Christ!

As we begin to clean away the remnants of our celebration, and as the world moves along, expediently but blindly going about its business, I encourage you to linger in the glory of Christ. Move beyond the celebration of the manger to the appreciation of the cross. And look beyond the appreciation of the cross to the anticipation of the coming King.

Today begins a twelve-day journey from Trumpet and Torch Ministries, specifically written to keep us Christ-centered and King-focused as we move from 2008 ("The Year of the Lord's Favor") to 2009 ("The Year of the Harvest"). "Epiphany: The Coming King" provides three daily devotions (one for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), conveniently delivered via e-mail. Click here to receive twelve more days of Christmas!

Precious friends, God is so good to intersect the hearts of those who love and live for Him "at such a time as this" (reference Esther 4:14). It is indeed a divine blessing to share the privilege of serving our Lord with you.

Precious Father, I thank You for Your goodness, Your love, and Your good gifts, especially the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As our traditional Christmas observances end, precious Father, I pray that we would remain filled with the ebuillient joy of the Wise Men (reference Matthew 2:10), the humble amazement of the shepherds (reference Luke 2:8-20), and the unshakeable faith of Mary (reference Luke 1:26-38, 46-55; 2:19). May we acknowledge that the baby in a manger is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and may we live pure and holy lives in anticipation of the establishment of His righteous and eternal kingdom. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our coming King! Amen.

"In the presence of God
and of Christ Jesus,
Who will judge
the living and the dead,
and in view
of His appearing
and His kingdom,
I give you this charge:
Preach the Word;
be prepared in season
and out of season;
correct, rebuke and encourage--
with great patience
and careful instruction."
(2 Timothy 4:1-2)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "The Waiting is the Hardest Part"
• "Ready or Not"
• "Time is Short: Seek the Lord While He May Be Found"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!
Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

"Now there was
a man in Jerusalem
called Simeon,
who was righteous
and devout.
He was waiting
for the Consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit
was upon him.
It had been revealed to him
that he would not die
before he had seen
the Lord's Christ."
(Luke 2:25-26 )
Oh, beloved, I am so excited! Today is Christmas Eve, and I feel like a little girl with butterflies in my tummy and joy in my heart. Yet, my anticipation is not for gifts but for the Gift. Not for presents but for the Presence. Not for fun but for the One.

It strikes me especially this year that we celebrate our Lord's birth on a day and in a season when He was not actually born, but that's another post for another day. Regardless, we celebrate. And we appreciate. And we anticipate.

We celebrate ... His birth.

We appreciate ... His sacrifice.

We anticipate ... His return.

And, it is in anticipation of His return that my stomach dances, my heart sings, and my flesh tingles. The waiting is the hardest part, but wait I must. Not passively but actively. Not dejectedly but expectantly.

"In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation."
(Psalm 5:3)

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."
(Psalm 27:13-14)

"We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His Holy Name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in You."
(Psalm 33:20-22)

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."
(Psalm 37:7)

"Wait for the LORD and keep His way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it."
(Psalm 37:34)

"I wait for You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God."
(Psalm 38:15)

"I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry."
(Psalm 40:1)

"I wait for Your salvation, O LORD, and I follow Your commands."
(Psalm 119:166)

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning ... O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption."
(Psalm 130:5-7)

"Blessed is the man who listens to Me, watching daily at My doors, waiting at My doorway. For whoever finds Me finds life and receives favor from the LORD."
(Proverbs 8:34-35)

"... Wait for the LORD, and He will deliver you."
(Proverbs 20:22)

"I will wait for the LORD, Who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him."
(Isaiah 8:17)

"Yes, LORD, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for You in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for You. When Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the LORD. O LORD, Your hand is lifted high, but they do not see it ..."
(Isaiah 26:8-11)

"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!"
(Isaiah 30:18)

"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, Who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways ... "
(Isaiah 64:4-5)

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new each morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.' The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD."
(Lamentations 3:22-26)

"But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always."
(Hosea 12:6)

"The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind."
(Micah 5:7)

"But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me."
(Micah 7:7)

"For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
(Habakkuk 2:3)

"... Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to com on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights."
(Habakkuk 3:16-19)

" 'Therefore wait for Me,' declares the LORD, 'for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them— all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.' "
(Zephaniah 3:8)

" 'Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had know at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.' "
(Luke 12:35-40)

" 'The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.' "
(John 3:29)

"... 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from His mouth. You will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.' "
(Acts 22:14-16)

"The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
(Romans 8:19-25)

"Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed."
(1 Corinthians 1:7)

"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God."
(1 Corinthians 4:5)

"... They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, Who rescues us from the coming wrath."
(1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men ... while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good."
(Titus 2:11-14)

"And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised."
(Hebrews 6:15)

"... Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him."
(Hebrews 9:28)

"But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."
(Hebrews 10:12-14)

"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."
(James 5:7-8)

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through Whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him."
(1 Peter 3:18-22)

"Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."
(Jude 1:21)

"When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, 'How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until You judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?' Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed."
(Revelation 6:9-11)

In the commercialized craze of the season, let us still ourselves as we wait at the manger. But let us never stop at celebrating only the infant Jesus. For the baby will soon return as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Our glorious Savior will soon visibly rule with unmistakable, undeniable, and eternal justice and righteousness. And the waiting will be over.

As you celebrate His first coming and anticipate His second, may your Christmas be richly blessed with the love, hope, joy, and peace found only in Christ Jesus.

Precious Father, oh, how I thank You for the gift of Your Son! Oh, how I wait for Him! Lord, the waiting is hard, and some days I feel as though I can not wait another minute. Yet, as I wait, and until He returns, I stand firm in Your power and authority, completing the task that You've given me and all who belong to You: to proclaim the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I remember how He Himself waited for more than thirty years to fulfill the reason for which He was born, and I stand amazed that even we wait for Him, He is waiting for us and preparing a place for us in our eternal home (reference John 14:2). Father, I pray that the secular is superceded by the spiritual during this Christmas season and that the world will be on notice to acknowledge Your Gift and to anticipate His return. "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, Price of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." (Isaiah 9:6-7). It is with celebration, with appreciation, and in anticipation that I pray in His Holy Name. Amen.

" 'My righteousness
draws near speedily,
My salvation
is on the way,
and My arm
will bring justice
to the nations.
The islands
will look to Me
and wait in hope
for My arm.
Lift up your eyes
to the heavens,
look at
the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish
like smoke,
the earth will wear out
like a garment
and its inhabitants
die like flies.
But My salvation
will last forever,
My righteousness
will never fail.' "
(Isaiah 51:5-6)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "Homeward Bound: I'll Be Home for Christmas
  (if Only in My Dreams)

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!
Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Homeward Bound (I'll Be Home for Christmas ... if Only in My Dreams)

"But in keeping
with His promise
we are looking forward
to a new heaven
and a new earth,
the home of righteousness."
(2 Peter 3:13)
Oh, beloved, I am homesick. As Christmas Day approaches, my longing for home intensifies. The desire within my heart, however, is not for a place on this earth. My longing can not be satisfied, no matter how lovely or familiar my surroundings, for the home I crave is one that I have not yet known but for which I have been created: eternity with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As I yearn for for the new heaven, the new earth, and the home of righteousness that Peter describes, my heart swells and my eyes tear as I reflect on the fact that God sent His Son away from that perfect home to dwell among us. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. ... The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-2; 14).

Jesus left the right hand of the Father to enter the world in the most humble of births and to leave it in the most humiliating of deaths. His sole purpose: to provide us with the opportunity to spend eternity in His presence. " 'For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.' " (John 3:16-18).

Within each of us, God created a yearning to dwell in the perfect love, peace, and righteousness of His presence. Some of us may not realize that the unsatisfied longing in our hearts is actually the desire for Him; it is a Divine void that can never be satisfied with worldly things. There is no surrogate for Jesus, and there is no substitute for Heaven. The very best earthly home is but a foreshadowing of the heavenly blessings that await us in our eternal home. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12; reference also Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 8:5, 10:1).

Even as I participate in the celebrations of this season, remembering the incomparable gift of Christ's birth and the inconceivable grace of His death, I am yet unsatisfied, inwardly aching to be in the presence of my Father and my Lord. "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in Heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling ... Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We ... would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:1-8).

While I am earthbound, I do thank God for the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit, my constant Divine companion, Who soothes my heavenly homesickness with the promises of what is to come and the encouragement to stay the course in the meantime. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18).

I am encouraged by the faith of those who have lived before me, such as Abraham, who, "when called to go to a place that he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:8-10).

And, I am encouraged by the promises of the Lord Himself:

"My people will live
in peaceful dwelling places,
in secure homes,
in undisturbed places of rest."
(Isaiah 32:18)

" 'But you, O mountains
of Israel, will produce
branches and fruit
for My people Israel,
for they will soon come home.' "
(Ezekiel 36:8)

" 'They will come trembling
like birds from Egypt,
like doves from Assyria.
I will settle them
in their homes,'
declares the LORD."
(Hosea 11:11)

" 'At that time
I will gather you;
at that time
I will bring you home.
I will give you
honor and praise
among all the peoples
of the earth
when I restore
your fortunes
before your very eyes,'
says the LORD."
(Zephaniah 3:20)

This Christmas, I rejoice in the knowledge that even as I remember the birth of my Savior and yearn to be forever in His presence, He, too, is remembering me and preparing my eternal home. (Oh, my eyes are just brimming with tears as I write this! I can hardly see the computer screen ...) " 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.' " (John 14:1-4).

So, although I am currently in the world, I am not of the world (reference John 15:19, 17:16). I am temporarily earthbound, but I am always homeward bound, dreaming of my eternal home. One day soon, I will be home for Christmas; I will be home with Christ Himself ... forever. I'll no longer dream of home, I'll be home. Home, sweet home. I pray that I will see you there.

Precious Father, thank You for preparing an eternal home for me! Thank You not only for preparing it but for showing me the way there, through the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I praise You for creating me so intimately, personally, and uniquely; You know the desires of my heart for You planted them within me. How I long for the day " 'When the Son of Man comes in His glory ...' " (Matthew 5:31). How I yearn to hear " 'the King say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.' " (Matthew 5:34). Come, Lord Jesus, come! I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

"Then I saw
a new heaven
and a new earth,
for the first heaven
and the first earth
had passed away ...
I saw the Holy City,
the new Jerusalem,
coming down
out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride
beautifully dressed
for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice
from the throne saying,
'Now the dwelling of God
is with men,
and He will live with them.
They will be His people,
and God Himself
will be with them
and be their God.
He will wipe every tear
from their eyes.
There will be
no more death
or mourning
or crying
or pain,
for the old order
of things
has passed away.'
He Who was seated
on the throne said,
'I am making
everything new!'
Then He said,
'Write this down,
for these words
are trustworthy
and true.' "
(Revelation 21:1-5)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "A Star is Born"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!
Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

A Star is Born ...

"... A Star will come
out of Jacob;
a Scepter will rise
out of Israel."
(Numbers 24:17)
Oh, precious friends, how I've missed you! I was ill during Thanksgiving but still counted my blessings. I pray that regardless of your circumstances, you, too, were richly blessed!

Since I last wrote, I have been star-gazing, marvelling at the wonder of God's creation. About two weeks ago, I noticed two bright stars, or what I thought were stars, in the sky. As they did not appear to be part of a commonly seen constellation, I was drawn to them and wondered why I had not noticed them before. Before I was able to research them, I became ill, but while I was bed-ridden, I learned that the stars were actually the planets of Jupiter and Venus, and on the evening of December 1, 2008, they appeared in close proximity with a crescent moon--a rare astronomical phenomenon not mathematically predicted to occur again until November 2052, 44 years from now.

For a brief time, the three brightest objects in the sky (following, of course, the sun) formed a smiley face in space!

(Stargazers at Kathmandu.
Photo courtesy of Gopal Chitrakar/Reuters.)

The heavenly "smile" filled me with delight and drew my heart to remember the joy of the Magi, who traveled to Bethlehem for the occasion of Christ's birth. They "saw His star in the east" and came "to worship Him" (reference Matthew 2:2). In Matthew's account of Magi's visit, " ... the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." (Matthew 2:9-11).

The Magi were "overjoyed" to see the star--not because of incredible phenomenon of the star itself but because of what the star indicated: the arrival of the Messiah, the King of the Jews.

Oh, precious ones, even today and ever since, the Lord posts indicators all around us. Every day, we, too, are blessed by demonstrations of His mercy, His grace, and His love. Every day, there are signs of Messiah's impending return. Are we overjoyed by what the signs represent? Are the indicators what we expect? Are we even noticing them?

When Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, most missed it. He was not what they were expecting. Isaiah records, "... He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him." (Isaiah 53:2). (Sob! This Scripture always brings a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes!)

Oh, beloved, the Lord moves among us even now, but we must refocus our eyes to recognize Him! In this precious Advent season, stress often crowds our joy of His birth. Activities encroach upon our time at the manger. Excessive spending robs us of our true gifts. Noise blunts our hearing. Commercial decorations blind our eyes. Our elaborate stage sets overpower the Star.

The Star has been born. For those who recognize Him, the Star shines among us. One day soon, He will return in full glory. And, this time, no one will miss Him.

Precious Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ! Oh, forgive us, Father, for relegating Him to a backstage prop when He is the Star of the show! During this Advent season, may we recognize Your Light, and may we reflect it to others (reference Daniel 12:3; Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:14-16). I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, "the Bright Morning Star" (reference Revelation 22:16). Amen.

" 'I, Jesus, have sent My angel
to give you this testimony
for the churches.
I am the Root
and the Offspring of David,
and the Bright Morning Star.' "
(Revelation 22:16)

"And we have the word
of the prophets
made more certain,
and you will do well
to pay attention to it,
as to a light shining
in a dark place,
until the day dawns
and the Morning Star
rises in your hearts."
(2 Peter 1:19)

" 'Only hold on to what you have
until I come.
To him who overcomes
and does My will to the end,
I will give authority
over the nations ...
I will also give him
the Morning Star.' "
(Revelation 2:26-28)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "Ready or Not ..."
• "A Holy Harvest"
• "Cling to the King!"
• "Making Scents ..."
• "Time is Short ..."

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Count Your Blessings

"Blessings crown the head
of the righteous ..."
(Proverbs 10:6)
Thanksgiving blessings, dear friends! As I thought about what to write in acknowledgment of our American holiday this week, every focus seemed too expected, too familiar, too trite. But, after taking it to the Lord in prayer, He spoke to my heart, "Count your blessings."

In the past, I have chafed at this greeting ("Blessings!") because I often perceive it to be commonly and cavalierly offered, seemingly without the reverence and respect due to such Divine favor. I have resisted using it myself because, regrettably, the word "blessing" has been much misused by some who have twisted it to suit their own interpretation of earthly prosperity. While the Lord can certainly bless one with physical and material wealth, position, and power (and there are Biblical examples of such blessing), the most important--and I believe the purest-- form exists in the spiritual blessings granted through faith in Christ Jesus and obedience to God's law.

Those whom the Lord blesses, I believe, are pure of heart, delighting in God's revealed and written will, choosing to live faithfully and trustfully in the sovereign care of their gracious and loving Father, using His blessings not for selfish pursuits or exploitative purposes but for the benefit and blessing of others. The blessed are not those who are temporarily happy due to earthly circumstances but those who are consistently joyful due to eternal expectations. Blessings are not found in earthly storage units but in heavenly storehouses (reference Matthew 6:19-20), and the most bountiful blessings on earth are but a shadow of the heavenly reward awaiting the Lord's faithful!

Below are a representation of Scriptures, which define those who are "blessed". Beloved, I pray that as you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, you will meditate upon God's Word, fully embracing your Divinely bestowed blessings and fully acknowledging the Lord Who favors His faithful. And please know that "I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." (Philemon 1:6-7).

Count your blessings ...

"Blessed is the man
who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers."
(Psalm 1:1)

"Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered."
(Psalm 32:1)

"Blessed is the man
whose sin
the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit."
(Psalm 32:2;
see also Romans 4:7-8)

"Blessed is the nation
whose God is the LORD ..."
(Psalm 33:12;
see also Ecclesiastes 10:17)

"... blessed is the man
who takes refuge in Him."
(Psalm 34:8; see also 2:12)

"Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods."
(Psalm 40:4)

"Blessed is he
who has regard for the weak ..."
(Psalm 41:1)

"Blessed are those
You choose and bring near
to live in your courts!"
(Psalm 65:4a)

"Blessed are those
who dwell in Your house ..."
(Psalm 84:4)

"Blessed are those
whose strength is in You,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage."
(Psalm 84:5)

"O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man
who trusts in You."
(Psalm 84:12;
see also Proverbs 16:20;
Jeremiah 17:7)

"Blessed are those
who have learned
to acclaim You,
who walk
in the light
of Your presence, O LORD."
(Psalm 89:15)

"Blessed is the man
You discipline, O LORD,
the man You teach
from Your law."
(Psalm 94:12;
see also Job 5:17;
Proverbs 29:18)

"Blessed are they
who maintain justice,
who constantly do
what is right."
(Psalm 106:3;
see also Isaiah 56:1-2)

"Blessed is the man
who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight
in His commands."
(Psalm 112:1;
see also Proverbs 28:14)

"Blessed is he
who comes
in the name of the LORD."
(Psalm 118:26a;
see also Matthew 21:9;
Mark 11:9;
Luke 13:35, 19:38;
John 12:13)

"Blessed are they
whose ways are blameless,
who walk according
to the law of the LORD."
(Psalm 119:1)

"Blessed are they
who keep His statutes
and seek Him
with all their heart."
(Psalm 119:2;
see also Luke 11:28)

"Blessed are all
who fear the LORD,
who walk in His ways."
(Psalm 128:1;
see also Proverbs 8:32)

"... blessed are the people
whose God is the LORD."
(Psalm 144:15)

"Blessed is he
whose help
is the God of Jacob,
whose hope
is in the LORD his God."
(Psalm 146:5)

"Blessed is the man
who finds Wisdom ..."
(Proverbs 3:13)

"Blessed is the man
who listens to Me,
watching daily at My doors,
waiting at My doorway."
(Proverbs 8:34)

"... blessed is he
who is kind to the needy."
(Proverbs 14:21)

"... the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all
who wait for Him!"
(Isaiah 30:18;
see also Daniel 12:12)

" 'Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' "
(Matthew 5:3;
see also Luke 6:20)

" 'Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.' "
(Matthew 5:4;
see also Luke 6:21b)

" 'Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.' "
(Matthew 5:5)

" 'Blessed are those
who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.' "
(Matthew 5:6;
see also Luke 6:21a)

" 'Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.' "
(Matthew 5:7)

" 'Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.' "
(Matthew 5:8)

" 'Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called
sons of God.' "
(Matthew 5:9)

" 'Blessed are those
who are persecuted
because of righteousness,
for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.' "
(Matthew 5:10)

" 'Blessed are you
when people insult you,
persecute you
and falsely say all kinds of evil
against you because of Me.' "
(Matthew 5:11;
see also Luke 6:22;
1 Peter 3:14, 4:14)

" 'Blessed is the man
who does not fall away
on account of Me.' "
(Matthew 11:6;
see also Luke 7:23)

" '... blessed are your eyes
because they see,
and your ears
because they hear.' "
(Matthew 13:6;
see also Luke 10:23)

" 'Blessed is she
who has believed
that what the Lord has said to her
will be accomplished!' "
(Luke 1:45)

" 'Blessed is the man
who will eat at the feast
in the kingdom of God.' "
(Luke 14:15)

" '... blessed are those
who have not seen
and yet have believed.' "
(John 20:29)

"So those who have faith
are blessed
along with Abraham,
the man of faith."
(Galatians 3:9)

"Blessed is the man
who perseveres under trial,
because when he has stood the test,
he will receive the crown of life
that God has promised
to those who love Him."
(James 1:12; see also 5:11)

"Blessed is the one
who reads the words
of this prophecy,
and blessed are those
who hear it
and take to heart
what is written in it,
because the time is near."
(Revelation 1:3)

" 'Blessed are the dead
who die in the Lord
from now on.' "
(Revelation 14:13)

" 'Behold, I come like a thief!
Blessed is he who stays awake
and keeps his clothes with him,
so that he may not go naked
and be shamefully exposed.' "
(Revelation 16:15)

"... 'Blessed are those
who are invited
to the wedding supper
of the Lamb!' "
(Revelation 19:9)

"Blessed and holy are those
who have part
in the first resurrection."
(Revelation 20:6)

" 'Behold, I am coming soon!
Blessed is he
who keeps the words
of the prophecy
in this Book.' "
(Revelation 22:7)

" 'Blessed are those
who wash their robes,
that they may have the right
to the tree of life
and may go through the gates
into the city.' "
(Revelation 22:14)

May you, my precious friend, be richly blessed!
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3). Precious Father, I thank You for the gifts of Your grace, Your mercy, Your love and Your Salvation. I thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, whom You sent to atone for my sinfulness and to provide the only Way to Your Holy presence. I am grateful for Your blessings, and I pray that I will never take them for granted. I pray to look "intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and [to continue] to do this, not forgetting what [I have] heard, but doing it—[so that I] will be blessed in what [I do]." (Reference James 1:25). I give You thanks and praise in the name of Jesus Christ, the Blessed One (reference Mark 14:61; Luke 1:42; 1 Timothy 1:11, 6:15; Titus 2:13). Amen.

"When the Son of Man
comes in His glory,
and all the angels with Him,
He will sit on His throne
in heavenly glory.
All the nations
will be gathered before Him,
and He will separate the people
one from another
as a shepherd separates
the sheep from the goats.
He will put the sheep
on His right
and the goats
on His left.
Then the King will say
to those on His right,
'Come, you who are blessed
by My Father;
take your inheritance,
the kingdom prepared for you
since the creation of the world.' "
(Matthew 25:31-34)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "Fruitful or Fruitless?"
• "Because He Says So"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Ready or Not ...

" 'So you also must be ready,
because the Son of Man
will come at an hour
when you do not expect Him.' "
(Matthew 24:44)
Oh, precious friends! I am so delighted to be back at the keyboard! The past week and a half has been busy, and while my flesh cried out for time to write, my spirit patiently waited upon the Lord's timing.

Many reflections are swirling about in my head and in my heart. I want to write about faith in the fire, as righteously exemplified by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. I want to write about greed, deceit, and the love of money, as unrighteously demonstrated by Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. But the word that the Lord has given me for today is "ready".

Among the definitions for "ready", this particular one struck me: "completely prepared and in fit condition for immediate action or use".

Completely prepared for immediate use. Completely fit for immediate action. Oh, beloved, does that description fit you? Does it fit me? Does it fit the Church, the bride of Christ?

Much is being said, written, speculated, predicted, and prophesied right now about end times. I suppose there are such signs in each generation, and there are certainly many indicators of end times present in today's world. But, dear friends, it really shouldn't matter whether Christ returns tomorrow, next month, next year, or a hundred years from now. We should be ready, regardless.

We do not know when Christ will call for His bride. " 'No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.' " (Matthew 24:26, see also 24:50, 25:13; Mark 13:32; Luke 12:46). We do have signs of the end of the age as recorded in God's Word (reference Mark 13 and Luke 21). But, dear ones, I believe that our purpose is not to live in conscious analysis of current events and select passages of Scripture. Rather, I believe we are to live in the unconscious synthesis of the Holy Spirit (reference Galatians 5:16-26) and the entire Word of God. That seamless manifestation of His Truth, His Light, and His Love can radiate from us only when we are completely surrendered to the Lord.

The Bible states "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." (Proverbs 25:2) and "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7). The Lord reveals Himself everyday ... in every way. But, precious ones, I don't believe that we are to seek to exist in the ecstasy of His signs and wonders. In order to be of service to the Living Lord, we must descend from the joy of our mountaintop experiences and live in His Truth and in His Light, down on the ground in the midst of the battle.

Living every day as a soldier in the Lord's ground troops is not for the weary, the uncommitted, or the faint of heart, and the Lord winnows His warriors (reference Judges 7:1-8). It is hard work, often requiring us to slog through some most undesirable circumstances. But, precious ones, faithfulness and obedience in those seemingly unglorious assignments are precisely what readies us for His return.

What glory does He get from a watching world, which perceives Christians as incubated and intubated in a Holy bubble? If I may be so bold, I submit that the Lord's greatest glory comes not from periods of untested joy and prosperity, but from periods of proven faithfulness and obedience, purposefully independent of earthly circumstances. From faith in the fire, a la Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3). From faith in the absence of fact, demonstrated by Noah (Genesis 5:28-9:29; Hebrews 11:7). From faith in fearful circumstances, characterized by the obedience of Abraham (Genesis 22:1-18; Hebrews 11:8-10). From faith in circumstances beyond human control, reasoning, and understanding, characterized by Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38, 46-55, 2:19). From faith in the face of death, represented by Stephen (Acts 7:54-60), and ultimately, embodied by Jesus Christ Himself.

The faith of these, and the faith of countless others--known and unknown, named and unnamed, past and present--was and is a ready faith, cultivated by a carefully chosen lifestyle, which consistently honored and glorified the Lord. None were perfect, but all were faithful. Long before (more than 500 years before!) the Lord directed Noah to build the ark, "he walked with God" (Genesis 6:9). Long before Abraham became our Divinely appointed patriarch, his life was characterized by prompt obedience to and faith in the Lord (Genesis 12:4, 15:6, 17:23, 22:3, 22:8). By continually walking with God, by constantly seeking His face, by consistently searching His heart, they were--and we are--made ready for the day of our greatest test of faith.

Beloved, let us cast off every shred of complacency and mediocrity, clothing ourselves instead with the full armor of God (reference Ephesians 6:10-18), including "the readiness that comes from the gospel" (reference Ephesians 6:15). Let us be ready. Let us be completely fit for His service. Let us be completely prepared for His immediate use.

He's coming ... ready or not.

Precious Father, oh glorious Lord, I thank You for incomparable and inconceivable eternal kingdom plan! I thank You, Lord, for the treasured glimpses of Your delight in our faithfulness, which encourage us as we trudge forward on the ground below. Please help us remember that our plodding is not without purpose and that our sole responsibility is to remain rooted and ready in You. I pray that our witness would go before You, "... in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17). May we " 'be dressed ready for service ...' " (Luke 12:35), and may we sound a clear call so that others will ready themselves for battle (reference 1 Corinthians 14:8). On the day of the Lamb's wedding supper, may we be found worthy to hear those precious words, " '... For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.' " (Revelation 19:7) I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Leader and Commander (reference Isaiah 55:4). Amen.

"Praise be to the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In His great mercy
He has given us new birth
into a living hope
through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead,
and into an inheritance
that can never perish, spoil or fade--
kept in Heaven for you,
who through faith
are shielded by God's power
until the coming of the salvation
that is ready to be revealed
in the last time.' "
(1 Peter 1:3-5)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

• "A Battle Rages; Stand Firm!"
• "Because He Says So"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Wishing Well: Be Careful What You Wish For!

" ' ... the Most High is sovereign
over the kingdoms of men
and gives them
to anyone He wishes ... ' "
(Daniel 4:17; see also 4:25, 32; 5:21)
There's a well-known saying: "Be careful what you wish for", which subtly underscores the fact that what seems so wonderful on the surface may not be the blessing for which we hope. To put it more bluntly, if we wish for anything contrary to the heart and Word of of God, we can be sure that whatever we desire will be our downfall.

The 2008 US Presidential elections are over. There is not enough time or space here to articulate the significance of choices that were made, but, before we further flesh out this morning's reflection, let us remember that, as Christians, our battle is not against other human beings, all of whom our God created in His image. Our battle is against the Lord's enemy, the great deceiver. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12).

The battle, in fact, belongs to the Lord, and if you've read the back of the Book, you know the Lord wins the war! But Divine sovereignty does not negate human responsibility, and, as long as we are on this earth, we are to stand firm on this earthly battleground, clothed in the full armor of God (reference Ephesians 6:10-20), uncompromising in His Word, and unyielding in His purpose.

The day after the elections, I turned to the eighth chapter of 1 Samuel and sadly reread the account of Israel demanding an earthly king. They were not satisfied under the rule of the King of kings; they wanted an earthly king "such as all the other nations" (v. 5) had, and they pestered Samuel to appoint one.

As Samuel prayed with a troubled heart, the Lord told him: " ' ... it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their King. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.' " (v. 7-9). Verses 10-17 recount the actual burdens that would accompany the kingship for which the people wished, but, not seeing the proverbial forest for the trees, the people pressed on, unrelenting in their desire for an earthly ruler.

Samuel warned, " 'When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.' But the people refused to listen to Samuel. 'No!' they said. 'We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.' When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. The LORD answered, 'Listen to them and give them a king.' " (v. 18-21).

The Lord chose to turn the people over to their wishes, and they lived in the consequences of their desire. Hindsight is 20-20 vision, as another saying goes, and, in retrospect, I am certain that after the Lord granted their wish for an earthly king, many of of the Israelites recognized that the grass is not always greener on the other side (where are all these sayings coming from today?!) and wished that they had been more discerning in their demands.

There are good earthly rulers, and there are bad earthly rulers, but all are under the sovereignty of God, Who "sets up kings and deposes them" (Daniel 2:21). Scripture records the accounts of all kinds of rulers, all of whom were used for the Lord's purposes. Jeremiah 22 is one portion of Scripture that details God's judgement against evil kings, and this particular passage strikes my heart: " ' People from many nations will pass by this city and will ask one another, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this great city?' And the answer will be: 'Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and have worshiped and served other gods.' " (v. 8-9).

Beloved, regardless of who is temporarily granted earthly authority and power, our love and loyalty must never stray from the Lord Jesus Christ, "the ruler of the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5). No human being can ever fulfill our desires for abundant freedom, love, protection, and welfare. Those pangs of longing will be softened here on earth only by the peace that comes from personally knowing and publicly acknowledging the Lord Jesus Christ, and one day, for those who persevere in faith, in trust, and in love, those longings will be forever and fully satisfied as we joyfully enter our heavenly home where "the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17).

In the meantime, precious ones, let us move forward as Paul did: "... straining toward what is ahead ... press[ing] on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14). Let us choose carefully and let us wish well, remembering that "the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17).

Precious Father, what a holy, just, righteous, and incomparable King you are! My mind can not begin to comprehend the depths of Your love, mercy, and grace. But neither, precious Father, can I comprehend the shallowness of our own hearts. Please forgive us for swaying whichever way the wind blows (reference Isaiah 24:20; Matthew 11:7, 22:16; Mark 12:14; Luke 7:24; 2 Timothy 3:6), and please help us stay firmly rooted in You. I pray that Your people will choose carefully, discern divinely, and wish well. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ--King of kings and Lord of lords! Amen.

"The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!'
And let him who hears say, 'Come!'
Whoever is thirsty, let him come;
and whoever wishes,
let him take the free gift
of the water of life."

(Revelation 22:17)

If this topic sparked your interest, see also ...

• "Resolute in Absolute Truth"
• "In God We Trust"
• "Applying Amos"
• "A Holy Harvest"
• "A Battle Rages: Stand Firm!"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Resolute ... in Absolute Truth

"As the time approached
for Him to be taken up to heaven,
Jesus resolutely set out
for Jerusalem."
(Luke 9:51)
Today is Election Day in the United States of America. As I write this (at 6:00 am EST), polls are opening. Men and women are voting. Many important positions will be filled and many important issues will be decided today, but none are as pivotal as the election of our president and vice-president.

Yesterday, a much treasured friend and sister in Christ called and asked me about my current state of spiritual awareness and discernment. She wanted to know how and what I was feeling.

I answered, "I am resolute. I am at peace, but I am resolute."

That description was not premeditated. It is not a term that I'd use describe myself, but it is the word that the Lord gave me at that moment.

Interestingly, my dear friend shared that "resolute" was the exact word that she had been given Sunday night to pray over one of the associate pastors at our church. (I just love the Lord! He is amazing!)

I believe there's more to that connection, and I am still praying through it, but, for the purposes of today's post, I think "resolute" fits quite well with what the Lord is impressing me to write about today's election.

In today's reflection Scripture (NIV), Jesus was resolute as He "set out for Jerusalem". My NIV study notes indicate that the literal translation of that phrase is "set His face to go to Jerusalem". It also references Isaiah 50:7: "Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame." The study notes for that Scripture state: "Like the prophets, the servant will endure with great determination."

Resolute as defined by several sources means ...

- unwavering, undaunted.

- firm, steadfast, fixed in purpose or belief.

- convinced; satisfied; sure.

- determined; decided; fixed; steadfast; steady; constant; persevering; firm; bold; unshaken.

Beloved, I am unwavering in my belief of God's Truth. I firmly believe that "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD ..." (Psalm 33:12). I also am sure of Isaiah 60:12: " ... the nation that will not serve You will perish; it will be utterly ruined."

Much rhetoric is flying, as always during an election year. Much is being said. Much is being promised. Much change is forecast. Words fly according to the way the political winds blow. Foundations sway. Sands shift beneath the surface of well-polished and carefully crafted appearances.

There is only one thing that is sure. There is only One person in whom Truth, Light, and Life are absolute (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). There is only one way that I can vote today, and that is according the the principles and commands of God's Holy Word. I resolve to honor the sanctity of His created life. I resolve to uphold marriage as He designed it. I resolve to support His people, Israel.

No human leader will perfectly fulfill all the duties and responsibilities, but, to effectively govern with Divine justice and righteousness, one must have the Lord Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of the administration. I resolve to cast my vote for the person who best represents God's heart and best meets His criteria. As a Christian, I must be so resolved, for one day, I will stand before my Judge, Who will hold me accountable for choices made within my knowledge of Him.

As "Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem", He knew exactly what events were before Him. It wasn't pretty, but it was the purpose for which He was born.

As I resolutely set out for my polling place today, I do not know what the results will be after the votes are tallied. It may not be pretty, but it will be what the Lord has purposed.

I can not presume to assume what will transpire in the days, weeks, and months ahead, but I do know this:

God is sovereign.

God is just.

God is righteous.

And, one day soon, Jesus Christ will return to visibly rule His kingdom.

Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Precious Father, thank You for the gift of this day! Thank You for the blessing and privilege of serving as salt and light in a bland and blind world. Thank You for Your promise in Isaiah 11; how I long for its fulfillment! May Your will be done today, oh Holy God, on earth as it is in heaven (see Matthew 6:9-13). I pray in the name of Jesus Christ--Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Amen.

"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.
Of the increase of His government
and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over His kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this."
(Isaiah 9:6-7)

If this topic sparked your interest, see also ...

• "In God We Trust"


• "Applying Amos"


• "A Battle Rages: Stand Firm!"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.