Miraculous Details

I was reading Matthew 1-2 this morning, and I decided to write down every miraculous detail that happened in Jesus’ life as a baby. Here they are:

1. Mary, a virgin became pregnant with Jesus, God’s Son. 

2. An angel of the Lord told Joseph not to be afraid to marry Mary—she was pregnant with God’s Son and his name was to be Jesus. 

3. Wise Men followed a star to Bethlehem. 

4. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of Bethlehem, Egypt, & Nazareth. 

5. The star led the Wise Men to Jesus. 

6. Gifts of provision were given to Jesus. 

7. Wise Men were warned in a dream not to go to Herod. 

8. Joseph was warned in a dream to go to Egypt. 

9. Jesus’ life was spared in the destruction of male babies. 

10. Joseph was told in a dream to go to Israel because Herod had died. 

11. Joseph was warned in a dream to go to Galilee. 

God orchestrated Jesus’ life with great detail. He was God’s Son, after all! But so are you—if you’ve chosen to be adopted by God. He’s orchestrating your life with the same kind of miraculous detail—even if you’re not aware of it! Do you think it’s an accident that you live where you do? That you have THIS job? Are going to THIS school? Are married to THIS person? God’s been orchestrating details for your favor since you were born. YES!! We all live in the miraculous. He knows how to work with every choice you make—and turn it for your good. Be still today and look for the miraculous. Write down what you see. I think you’ll be amazed!

100% Right!!

We think we’re 100% right all of the time, don’t we? We may even scoff at those who disagree with us. But…are we? I mean, what are the odds that we are 100% right ALL OF THE TIME?? It’s impossible. I think we might be surprised at God’s assessment of the correct percentage. 

So why do we insist that we are right? I think it’s pretty obvious. Pride. We want to prove we know what we’re talking about! We don’t like being challenged. We assume our character or our integrity is being attacked. We might even dig in our heels for a good fight if we’re corrected. I’m guessing most of the things we argue over on a day-to-day basis have nothing to do with the Word of God—which is the one truth on which we should be unshakable. But the interesting thing is we’re probably wrong on a lot of our interpretation of the Bible!

What would God have us do?

•Listen to the other person with an open heart and open mind. We might learn a new perspective and it might bring understanding. 

•Let it go. Most of the things we argue over aren’t even worth the debate—and we’re probably not going to change the other person’s mind. We need to learn to hold our tongue. 

•Examine ourselves. Why do we want to “win” so badly? Confess the sin of pride. 

•Submit to God. He tells us to avoid useless debates. 

•Honor our brother. Relationships are more important than being right. 

I hope to get this down before I die!

“he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.”

I Timothy 6:4-6

Community

This morning, I was remembering the way things were in my childhood. We had so much community! Our neighborhood was a hive of activity in the evenings. The adults would sit outside in their lawn chairs while we kids played games all over the neighborhood. My parents had deep friendships and my mom was very hospitable. We had friends and family over to our home all the time. The adults also played 42 and would have game nights at each other’s homes. I grew up with community. 

After I married Andy, we developed community everywhere we went. We’d invite friends over for a meal—or the guys would play long hours of the game Risk. As we grew spiritually, we met with friends to Praise and Pray. Our kids remember P&P as a profound time of community. It was deep and meaningful. And we grew more and more in love with God. 

Why do we need community? Because life is hard and because God told us we would need it! It’s where you find friends, fellowship, fun, and faith. I don’t know that I consciously thought about wanting community—I just had a deep need for friendships.  (I also had the example of my mom’s hospitality!) I know that I could call any of the friends I’ve had community with in a time of trouble—and they’d be right there to help! Those are deep relationships. 

In Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;” One of the Hebrew meanings of “life” is “community!”  There is LIFE in community!!  Ask anyone who has had deep and meaningful relationships where their lives are intertwined with others. They’ll confirm it is LIFE.  

How do you build community? Invite a family over for a meal. Ask if they like to play games you enjoy. One group of ladies I knew all had desperate needs—so they met to pray. Community grew out of that. Sit outside in your neighborhood with extra chairs around you and a cooler of drinks to share. As neighbors come out, invite them to come sit. Be curious. Ask about their lives. Go to church and get involved—community will grow if you invest yourself. And…don’t let a cluttered house stop you!!

Is it risky to get involved in community? Maybe. You have to be vulnerable to open your lives and home. But I’d tell you the payoff of investing in one another’s lives is HUGE!! Our culture has become isolated and people are suffering mentally and spiritually because of it. It’s time to swing the doors of our homes and lives open to show our children how to live in community!!

Choose LIFE!  Choose COMMUNITY!

Babylon

Did you know the city of Babylon will be rebuilt? Saddam Hussein began the rebuilding in his lifetime—and the USA even contributed $700,000 towards it (and we all know that probably means even more). It will be rebuilt—and become the world’s greatest city of commerce. The Bible tells us this in Revelation 17 & 18. 

Every time I read Revelation 18:12-13, I shudder. It describes the merchandise that the great city of Babylon sells. Things like pearls, scarlet, and ivory. But it ends with: THE BODY & SOULS OF MEN (meaning men, women, & children)!! 

How corrupt, debased, and contemptible! Honestly, the picture which comes to my mind is Epstein Island. Can you imagine the horror of a small child you love submitted to such debauchery, lewdness—and sin? No wonder their souls are sold. They have to shut down to survive. 

Babylon will be destroyed again in one hour. God will repay her double according to her works. The foul land will become the habitation of demons. Kings, businessmen, and ship captains will weep over its destruction—which is completely disgusting to me.  

Men, women, and children should not be for sale—either in online photos or physically—bodies and souls. God is very serious about this detestable behavior. The great city of Babylon will be destroyed in one hour because of it. I imagine there’s a level of hell reserved for those who propagate this abominable sin. 

People should not be for sale. Ever. Period. And they wouldn’t be…if people quit buying. 

Phenomenon

Have you ever seen so many strange phenomena in the sky as there are right now? I could have posted 100 photos like these—all taken from Facebook and from all over the world. Most of these are screenshots from

videos. Many are natural phenomenon like the red sprites…but the fact that they’re appearing so often and all over the world makes it newsworthy. I’m taking notice. Why? Because God said signs and wonders would appear in the skies in the last days. 

Keep looking up! You’ll see more and more strange phenomenon. And soon?  Jesus!

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” 

Luke 21:25-28

A Heart that Says “Yes” to God

Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of His Son. The angel, Gabriel, came to Mary and told her God’s plan…but gave Mary the choice of whether to step into this significant role. I know God doesn’t tell us everything about the future, but I believe somehow Mary understood the cost of this decision. And her acceptance of the plan almost cost her marriage to Joseph—until an angel shared the truth with him. It certainly cost her reputation.  Can’t you imagine the wagging tongues in Nazareth? 

Mary endured a lot of pain as the mother of God’s Son:

•Gossip about her pregnancy

•Disbelief of Joseph

•Conflict between her children (the perfect son vs. the not-so-perfect children)

•The persecution of Jesus’ ministry and disbelief by many—including spiritual leaders

•Watching her son’s torture and crucifixion

But God also sent her a lot of encouragement:

•The encouragement of Elizabeth

•The shepherds hearing the angels proclaim Jesus’ birth

•Simeon declaring the arrival of the Messiah

•Anna declaring the arrival of redemption

•God speaking to Joseph in dreams

•The wise men worshiping Jesus

•Being a part of the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry

•The miracles

Mary was a normal human being. I think we see this in Mark 3. Jesus’ brothers and Mary came to where Jesus was. They (at least the brothers) had decided Jesus was out of his mind! As a mom, have you ever been caught in the middle of your children’s conflict? Our normal response is to “fix it!” I think Mary had come for that very reason. When Jesus was told his mother and brothers were outside, he said, “Who are my mother and my brothers? It’s those who hear the word of God and do it!” In that moment, He was saying everyone has a choice to say “yes” and follow him—even His mother and brothers. We know Mary chose to follow Him—she was a part of His ministry. But it wasn’t until after His resurrection that his brothers saw the truth and followed Jesus!

Mary was just like you and me. She was a sinner in need of a savior. The difference is that she was miraculously pregnant and gave birth to her redeemer. I like what Jack Hayford says, “Mary’s miracle is intended to be ours. We can all be pregnant with the promise of God.”

Have you said “Yes” to following Jesus? What promise has God given you? Did you know that every promise of God is filled with its own inherent power to explode into our circumstances? It is! God wants to take you on the journey of a lifetime—it may be full of highs and lows like Mary’s. But I think, at the end, your heart will be full of thanksgiving for how the hard things made you grow—and full of wonder and praise over each fulfilled promise of God. 

Anxious

Every time we pack a bag, Bear gets anxious. His big questions is, “Will I get to go??” And then when I begin packing his things, he gets so excited! The morning of the big trip, he watches to see if I fill his water bottle. When I do, he begins running in circles and then from one end of the house to the other, looking for a way of escape to make sure he gets in the car! He doesn’t begin to settle down until he’s about 30 minutes into the trip and has had a drink from his water bottle.  His anxiety spikes again as he begins to figure out where we’re going.  Call me crazy—but he knows! At least he knows if it’s Tulsa, Dallas, or Red River where three of our kids live. He recognizes their neighborhoods and begins yelping—wanting out of the car!!

Yesterday, as I watched his anxiety all over again, I began to see myself. I get anxious when God has me at a full-on stop! Has He forgotten me? Am I going to get to go into the world and affect His kingdom? Why am I still at home? And when I see movement, I wonder, “Is this it? Am I going to get to go? Can I share the love and good news of Jesus with the world? Or is everyone else going—and I’m left home again? As God picks up MY things and begins preparing them, I’m about to jump off rhe charts with excitement!  It’s for me! It’s for ME!!! 

Sometimes the better part of our walk with Christ is being still. But oh, how I chafe at being still. I should be content with spending intimate time with God. But I’m a doer—I love the action. And I don’t want to be left out on what God is DOING!!! I know each season is important. You’d think I’d have it down by now—but I don’t.  

I’m just like Bear—anxious to not be left behind!!