Bringing gifts

A Christmas lawn light display honors the birth of Jesus. Included in the manger scene are the wise men who brought gifts. In the Bible it says that they came to the house, so they came later to see Jesus. We often hear of things in the Bible with traditions instead of truth. The important thing here is that Jesus came as a babe and he was honored by the wise men bringing him gifts. This is the season for gift giving. I am amazed by some who give so generously, I suppose it is a gift, to be able to give. 

Last night our church blessed us with a wonderful dinner. After the dinner we were given gifts, I did nothing to deserve being gifted by the pastor or by a friend, but I suppose that is what giving is about. Jesus was the greatest gift ever given. We were unworthy but he gave himself to us to pay the price for our freedom. He made us to be children of God so that we may continue to live forever with him. How could we refuse such a gift? The greatest evil is to refuse this free gift and to forbid others from hearing the gospel so that they too may receive the gift.

We may think we have little to give, but we can share the greatest gift to others, the good news that Jesus has come and that through him our sins are forgiven. Go tell others of this wonderful gift, it is the greatest gift that anyone can receive; salvation by grace,through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 
Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Look up

The park is only a mile from our home, so when the last light of the day comes and I need refreshing I find solitude there. I see the LORD's creation as the sun dies in the west. How beautiful are the western skies through the majestic oaks from the pond boat dock.

The air is crisp and the beauty of God's creation takes my breath away. If it is so beautiful here, how much more beautiful will be our heavenly home?

John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

John 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

The silent ripples in the pool mirror the beauty of the sunset. We too are to mirror the beautiful light that is Jesus.

Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

John 14:5  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

Mark 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 

Mark 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 

Mark 16:18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 

Looking towards the eastern sky through the oak, the  clouds are a cooler pink and blue.

Mat 24:27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

Streaks of pink clouds show the urgency of moving before the last light goes out.

Mat 16:1  The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 

Mat 16:2  He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 

Mat 16:3  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 

My heart knows that the world of man's doing is a mess, having removed the foundations of truth, the word of God. The creation shouts that the Lord lives!

Job 19:25  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 

Job 19:26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 

Job 19:27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Luke 21:25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 

Luke 21:26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 

Luke 21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

Saving lemons

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 

Rev 22:2  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 

The leaves on our lemon tree were weighed down with snow. The nights were below freezing so it seemed like a good idea to pick some lemons.

Lemons are rich in vitamin C. A lack of vitamin C can cause a disease called "scurvy," a disease characterized by spongy and bleeding gums, bleeding under the skin, and extreme weakness.

There are a lot of oils and flavor in the lemon peel. I like to use a peeler to remove the skin from a whole lemon without too much of the bitter white pulp. These peels can be candied and used in recipes that call for lemon zest or lemon oil. Place the peels in a pan, cover with water and boil for 5 minutes. remove the peels from the pan and set aside, dump the water and add a 1 to 1 mixture of water and sugar, 2 cups water and 2 cups of sugar, in that ratio. Bring the sugar water to a boil,  add the peels, boil until translucent. remove the peels from the pan and spread them on waxed paper and sprinkle with sugar. The dried peel may be frozen or kept in the refrigerator. The sugar water can be saved for a sweetener in tea or coffee, with a lemon flavor.

 I cut the lemon in four sections and squeeze them in a strainer into a bowl.

 The juice can be frozen in ice trays then repackaged in another plastic container to keep it from evaporating. One ice cube is about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Now I have the best parts of the lemons for lemonade, cookies, or other lemon recipes. This is a healthy fruit to have available.

Possession

 In Christ Jesus we are blessed. The beauty of his creation we enjoy. The LORD is good and he wants to bless His people.

 To be Spirit possessed is a wonderful thing, if the Holy Spirit is in control but there are other spirits; fallen angels, demons.

 A demonic spirit may control you to do evil. The spirit of antichrist is a demonic spirit. This spirit is active now in these end times, removing every godly thing from society. He cannot remove the Holy Spirit from our hearts.

 Our ministry team went to McDonald's following the rest home service, The discussion we had was on the end times. Jesus could come at any time. The saints will welcome Jesus but the ungodly will curse him and try to hide.

Leaving the restaurant the sky was ablaze with color. I went for my camera that was in the car trunk and took these pictures of the sunset. I noticed that the music was not in the trunk so I went back to the rest home to get the music folio. I spotted the music on a chair. There were two women in wheelchairs in the room who had taken part in our praise service. One of the women mentioned a woman in the home that yelled obscenities continuously. "She is demon possessed." Down the hall I could hear an agitated voice. "She needs deliverance, some godly men need  to go in and drive out those demons." The tormented woman yells "get out, get out", when alone. I can imagine how difficult it must be for the caretakers to try to care for her. She swears at them and continues to say, get out, get out. I went to her room and saw a person who looked old like a meth user, but who may have been only 40. her drinking glass had been thrown across the room on the floor. I spoke the name of Jesus and prayed, asking that she be at peace. She wanted no part of Jesus and continued saying get out, get out. In spite of her obscenities hurled at me, I prayed and spoke the name of Jesus. I knew the scripture that said when a devil is cast out, if not replaced by the Holy Spirit, seven more would come. To cast out one spirit could bring seven times more. Prayer is needed.

Mat 12:43  When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 
Mat 12:44  Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 
Mat 12:45  Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. 


Mat 17:21  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. 

I suggested to the woman in the wheelchair  that she continue praying for the tormented woman  and have others pray that God would give her peace and that she would be able to be delivered. 


Jas 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 

There are precious saints at that home who love the Lord and there are those who have no desire for him. The demon possessed lady needs our prayers. Her lack of peace depresses those around her. When we bring praise music and testimonies it brings life and hope and encouragement. LORD God, still the voice of torment and bring peace, in Jesus name, amen.

Spinning

The Holy Spirit works in the people of God to do many things for his glory. Often work is done in secret to benefit others. The LORD used skilled hands to build his temple and the LORD is still using gifted hands for his glory.

Exo 35:25  And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
Exo 35:26  And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.
Exo 35:27  And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
Exo 35:28  And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
Exo 35:29  The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
Exo 35:30  And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
Exo 35:31  And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Exo 35:32  And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 35:33  And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

My wife weaves beautiful things from colored yarn to give to others. Who can put a value on service for the LORD, but the LORD himself? Keep your hands busy and your mind meditating on his word. All to Jesus I surrender all.

? All to Jesus I Surrender - YouTube

Ice

 The water on the pool cover was still frozen this afternoon, trapping some leaves and making designs for us to see. 

 Help me out with these images. This one looks like a spider crab. They have small bodies and very long legs. Being a scavenger the Jewish laws call them unclean.

Deu 14:9  These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat: 

Deu 14:10  And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you. 

 I see an "A" for Artist. The LORD is the master Artist, creator and pattern maker.

Exo 25:9  According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. 

 I see a cross and the figure of a man.

Luke 24:6  He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 

Luke 24:7  Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 

Luke 24:8  And they remembered his words, 

Luke 24:9  And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 

Luke 24:10  It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 

 Pyramids appear above the storehouse of leaves.

Gen 41:34  Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. 

Gen 41:35  And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. 

Gen 41:36  And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. 

Gen 41:41  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 

Gen 41:42  And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 

Gen 41:43  And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 

I see the head of a great fish.

Jonah 1:17  Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 

Luke 11:29  And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. 

Luke 11:30  For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. 

Fire

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

Fire is a consumer. The Bible speaks of evil souls cast into the fire where they are not consumed. I see things as I look at the fire, perhaps just my imagination. Do you see things in these fire images?

Mat 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 


Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

Mic 3:10  They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. 

Mic 3:11  The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. 

Mic 3:12  Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest. 

The LORD told Micah to speak his words. The people want to hear prophets with easy words and there is no repentance.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 

Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.