Thursday, December 30, 2010

Merry Christmas ~ Day 30

December 30

Luke 2:36-38 (NKJV) Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

This is an amazing section of scripture in so many ways. This is the only scripture in which the Prophetess Anna is mentioned, but it speaks volumes about her.

Notice the scripture says she was “of a great age”…and the math equals about 91 years past her virginity…so she’s gotta be older than 100, right!!??!! Our culture is very disrespectful of the elderly in our communities. We don’t want to “hangout” with them, learn from them, or even think they do anything fun or important. It is so sad. I have a lot of sweet sistas who are of retirement age.

If you are an older woman I hope you are encouraged that your best days are not necessarily behind you, but they can be in the now and also in the future. If God can bless Anna in her “greater” years ~ He can and wants to bless you as well! We do not hit a certain age and then poof we are no longer valuable or useful in His kingdom…that, my sistas, is a lie from the enemy ~ so don’t listen to it or think it!

From what this scripture says about her and from what I have read about biblical widowhood, Anna is a faithful woman of the Lord. She lived her life in His service ~ for His glory. It says, “…who did not depart from the temple”. From that I take that she clung to God ~ He really was her life and length of days ~ her all in all.

“And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord,” …this makes me think that the Spirit told her who Jesus was. He was Who she was looking and longing for. She was blessed to live and see Him.

It also says, “and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Can you imagine all the people she would tell? It says she was at the temple serving God day and night. I have to think, with her being a woman, that she could not contain herself but told everyone she saw.

Can you even imagine it, you are going about your day, serving God and then there He is, the One prophesied about is right before you. She was blessed indeed!!

So, where are you right now? What might you need to do with this lesson? Has God convicted you of anything? Have you been encouraged by this scriptural glimpse into the life of Anna? If you have been convicted, then be quick to repent and obey what He is saying to you. If you are encouraged ~ bless Him.

Let’s all praise Him for His goodness, faithfulness and love. He is so good to us and just like Anna ~ we are blessed indeed!

Merry Christmas ~ Laurie Kay

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Merry Christmas ~ Day 29

December 29

Luke 2:25-35 (NKJV) And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

I love Simeon.

This portion of scripture is such comfort for me. There is so much to share and you need to do a lot of work today, so, start out in prayer. Ask God to enlighten the eyes of your understanding so that you would see wonderful things in His Word. Ask Him to help you gain a heart of wisdom from His Word. Ask Him to speak fresh and new to you during this time.

Things to notice and ask for God’s wisdom and guidance:

*Simeon was just and devout ~ what does that mean?

*He was waiting for the Consolation of Israel ~ what does that mean?

*The Holy Spirit was upon Him ~ why is this specifically mentioned?

*The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would see the Lord’s Christ before he died ~ how does that make you feel?

*He went to the temple that day led by the Spirit ~ do you think that the Spirit told him that Jesus would be there or just that he needed to go; and why do you think that?

*Simeon took Jesus up in his arms and blessed God ~ he held Him…it makes me cry…how precious that is to me…to hold Him ~ embrace Him…did he hold Him like we do with our little baby…nuzzling Him in love and affection ~ what do you think about this?

*To thank God for letting him depart in peace ~ what a way to live before you die…he beheld God’s Son ~ what are your thoughts?

*Salvation for all peoples ~ all peoples ~ light of revelation for Gentiles and glory of Israel ~ what does that mean to you?

*Simeon’s words made Joseph and Mary marvel ~ how much marveling can one person take ~ think about all the Lord had done for them.

*He says to Mary ~ not Joseph ~ about the piercing of your own soul…I would love to know why not Joseph too ~ what are your thoughts?

These will be great things to learn from Him face to face! Praise Him for His Word, girls, and the time you spent with Him!

Merry Christmas ~ Laurie Kay

Merry Christmas ~ Day 28

December 28

Matthew 2:1-12 (NKJV) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

Today is a fun lesson!!

We are just going to raise questions for you to think about and answer…so have fun! If you need help, do searches on the internet…use a variety or sources – put in the questions; look up this section of scripture in commentaries. You will not be disappointed in the time you spend searching for answers.

*Do you notice that this scripture uses the term wise men and not kings ~ they were Magi ~ which are astrologers. Why do people think they are kings? Who are they really?

*They go to Herod thinking that they would find the newborn King. Do you think that they may have thought that Herod had a son who was to rule?

*It says men but no number is given…many people believe there to be three because there were three gifts given. What do you think?

*They came to worship Him. Why?

*Why didn’t Herod send any of his own men with the wise men?

*The star is not still…"it went before them and stood”, why was the star moving?

*At some point they did not see the star because it says, “when they saw the star they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy"? Why are these Magi so joyful?

*It says, “they had come into the house,” why not stable, cave or barn?

*Why are gold, frankincense and myrrh the gifts?

*Who warned them in a dream and why?

I hope you had a great time thinking through this scripture. Did it come alive in a new way for you? I pray it did and I hope you have a great day!

Merry Christmas ~ Laurie Kay

Monday, December 27, 2010

Merry Christmas ~ Day 27

December 27

Luke 2:21 (NKJV) And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Today lets focus on Jesus…who is He? Start in prayer and ask God to open your eyes so that you would see wonderful things from His Word today. Read these scriptures out loud ~ sometimes we “see” new things when we read and hear them at the same time. Then let the Words sink into your soul.

John 1:1-5 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

Isaiah 60:1(AMP) ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

Psalm 119:105 (AMP) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

John 8:12 (AMP) Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.

Isaiah 9:2 (NIV) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

Isaiah 42:6 (AMP) I the Lord have called You [the Messiah] for a righteous purpose and in righteousness; I will take You by the hand and will keep You; I will give You for a covenant to the people [Israel], for a light to the nations [Gentiles],

Isaiah 60:3 (AMP) And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Merry Christmas ~ Laurie Kay

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Merry Christmas ~ Day 26

December 26

Luke 2:8-20 (NKJV) Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

I really love that God chose to announce His only Begotten Son’s birth to shepherds first. These shepherds were “living out in the fields”. They were not the wealthiest people; they were also not in the most sought after job position. What are your thoughts about God’s choice?

We have seen a lot of encounters where an angel appeared to a human…but here it also adds that “the glory of the Lord shone around them”. After the angel gave the news and what the sign was to be ~ it says, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” It was not just one angel that came down for this announcement…but a multitude of heavenly host.

I love that, after the angel and multitude of heavenly host leave, the shepherds make haste to see this Babe that they are told about in such a dramatic and fabulous way. They make it all known and all marvel. “Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”

Oh my gravy, what a night they had! I would be on cloud nine for years from that experience…it would consume my thoughts…how amazing to even try and imagine it all! I can be pretty creative in my day-dreams, and I still think that even what I imagine can’t compare with what really happened…I don’t think Hollywood could even come close to illustrating this scene…what do you think? Can you even imagine this majestic scene?

Glory to God in the highest!!

Merry Christmas ~ Laurie Kay

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas ~ Day 25

December 25

Luke 2:1-7 (NKJV) And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Merry Christmas!! It is Christmas Morning! All our devotional time has been working up to this very day. I pray you have a very merry and blessed day in Him, beloved. As you face your day, remember the greatest gift ever given ~ Jesus.

We have spent so much time in His Word and in prayer ~ seeking Him for help, wisdom and strength ~ that you should be “armored up” and ready to face anything that comes your way. When you are faced with “that relative” who may be a thorn to you ~ be a blessing. Show the love and grace that you have been shown. All the patience He has had with you ~ give that out.

In fact, pray for your day right now. Pray for the things/people/situations that have been difficult in the past. Pray that those people come to know Jesus and live for Him. Pray that today would be so different from every other time your family gathered that it be a “day only God could have made” kind of day.

Seek peace. Seek love. Seek Jesus.

Merry Christmas ~ Laurie Kay

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas ~ Day 24

December 24

It’s Christmas Eve ~ it’s finally here! All that we have been working towards is coming tomorrow. So today we are going to have another Selah Day. Please take as much time as you can to go and reread each Day from Day 1 to Day 23. You can read just the scriptures that we looked at, or read the whole BLOG.

Please remember: don’t skip over today. Yes, this is a busy time of year for all of us and, yet, taking intentional pauses and reflecting or meditating on His Word can yield great profit for your inner man.

It is very helpful to take this time and allow it to be a checking point for you…how are you doing with applying what you are learning to your life? How is the stress level in your daily life? Are you finding yourself talking more with God and listening to what He is trying to tell you as you go about your days? Are you being revived and blessed in Him?

Spend some time in prayer with God ~ thank Him for all the things you have learned and seek Him about how you answered your check point questions.

Ask Him for the help you need…He is a good Daddy and wants to help you and lead you in the way you should go.

Enjoy this new day in Him!

Merry Christmas ~ Laurie Kay