December 15th. Ten Day Countdown Begins.
This blog challenge is to encourage us to PREPARE room for Him in our hearts this Christmas. The purpose is to encourage us all to OPEN THE GIFT that is right before us!
We get so busy with so many other things, that we will have to be intentional to prepare room for Him in our hearts. Take 10 ( ten minutes) to meditate on Scripture, possibly journal your thoughts and what God is speaking to your heart, and then pray.
Look Up!
Verses Day #1
“There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress…The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy.” Isa 9:1-3
“For unto 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.” Isa 9:6
Most of us have seen and heard these verses before. They have become the catchphrases of Christmas. But like a worn out pair of shoes maybe they have lost their shine. These words, this description of what Jesus was born to do and be, is life changing. These words are powerful. Ask God to help you be renewed in the truth and power of these familiar verses.
Todays Focus: Wonderful Counselor
- The word wonderful means: astonishing or marvelous.
- Counselor comes from the Hebrew word yaats, which means to advise, resolve, guide, purpose. With those definitions I can say, ” He is my wonderful advisor, my wonderful resolver, m wonderful guide and my purpose.
Our problems will always be present. Life after Eden has always been riddled with problems. Human sin, fallen world, people trying to find their way. So when Isaiah prophesied that those in distress and darkness would see the light and have great joy, he was predicting the coming of the savior. And, as he speaks of the child to be born, our savior, he identifies him with titles and names that we can now focus on to bring us to a place of knowing him more intimately.
Today remember: Jesus who became man, died so that we could all be brought into personal restored relationship with God. He lives now, though we can’t see him. He desires to be our guide. He, through the His Spirit, is our counselor. He is wonderful.
Look In! Question:
What do you need advice on today? Can you stop right now and talk to God. Jesus came and with his birth, we too can have spiritual re-birth. We can be made new. Our messes can turn into His Message at work in us. This is what the word redemption means…he bought us back through his death, to have relationship with the God who created us. And, in that, He is here to counsel and advise us.
Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit being our counselor in John
John 14:26
“But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative, and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit, he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you. I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart. and the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives.”
Jesus was speaking to the disciples. He was soon to be leaving them. His work, what he came for, would soon be done. He came to live and die, that we might have access through His blood to God. But before he left he was promising them that the Holy Spirit would be working in them, teaching them, reminding them, guiding them. It is His Spirit, alive in us today, that does the same thing for us.
So on this first day of the Holy Days of Christmas Countdown…..do some business with the Father. If you are like most people, your life is not perfect and has lots of stuff…maybe especially at this time of year. Remember that Jesus came that we might have a counselor, a guide, a light to our path. Survey your personal path and as you do ask God for light and guidance in any area that has been crowded out by darkness.
Finally: Stop yourself several times today and thank God that He is Wonderful. Thank Him that He is your Counselor. Lift up your most pressing need to Him in prayer. Thank Him that He came to give you light and life. ( A good tip is to set some kind of alarm to remind you to pause for a moment to do this. After doing this for awhile, thanksgiving and reflecting on Scriptural truth through the day becomes a daily habit that brings peace of mind.)
Look Out!
Who can you bless today? What good can you do for another person? Who is in a place of darkness, discouragement or loss that could use a card, call, meal or smile from you? Your life makes a difference. The Holy Spirit lives in you. Give the gift of Christmas this day. It’s not about living happy, but living holy!
Thankful for my Amazing Heavenly Father who will guide and direct my steps for the rest of my days!
Debbie
