Traditions - Change?

“I am the Lord, and I do not change...”

‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬a GNT‬‬

“Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 CEV

Do you or your family have traditions? Holiday’s (food, details, etc.), Game day celebrations, school productions, plays, band recital, and more?

Growing up, one of my fond memories is that my mom would make birthday (sheet) cake for Jesus at Christmas time. This was always carrot cake, with cream cheese frosting and walnuts on top. We would enjoy the cake at some point after singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. 

My husband’s family celebrated Christmas Eve by attending church, having soup, or other sort of food spread, and opening stockings. The items inside the stockings were wrapped as well. 

When we got married we combined these (and other) traditions. My husband isn’t super fond of soup, so we would have chili and cornbread, or sandwiches, or something else easy.

As our kids grew up, one didn’t like carrot cake, so some years we had chocolate cake. Most of us like carrot cake, at some point it became a two-tier round, one year my father-in-law asked if we could add raisins into the cake, so we did - Yum!

My husband makes baklava and it has the most amazing mixture for part of the layering process, I discovered sprinkling that on top of the frosting of the carrot cake took it to a whole new level! 

We’ve served brownies, or other treats, but always birthday cake for Jesus.

What changed? 

The cake flavor (sometimes)

Adding of raisins

Changing the topping

Celebrating on various days in December based on travel, church services, extended family celebrations, etc.

What Never changes?

God - Psalm 90:2 / 102:27 

His Love - Psalm 100:5 

He doesn’t lie / Can’t lie - Numbers 23:19 His Faithfulness - 2 Timothy 2:13

He Is Unchanging - Hebrews 6:17

No Variables / No change - James 1:17

Everything around us changes, however we can TRUST God to be consistent and He will never change!

My prayer for you is that as 2023 comes to a close and enter into 2024, that you would continue to trust the Lord regardless of what ever you face.

Get Out Of The Tent

 Get Out Of The Tent

“Genesis 15:5 “And the Lord brought Abram outside [his tent into the night]…”

Step One: Get out of the tent!

Step Two: Look Up! 

“Look now toward the heavens…”

Step Three: Believe God!

“And Abram believed the Lord,…”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭15‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“I am the Lord who brought you out...””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Before getting out of the tent Abram was complaining that God hadn’t followed through on His promises. 

Right after “…the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In the middle is getting out of the tent! A change of perspective. 

Sometimes we want to loathe in self-pity, doubt, our sin, time lost, promises forgotten, etc. 

I believe God wants us to get out of our tent, focus on Him and His promises. 

He’s with us in the tent, He is calling us out of the tent, where He will also be with us, and then to venture into the unknown where He will lead us and is there with us as well. 

My prayer for you is that no matter where you are: in the tent, still looking up, or on your journey forward that you would allow God to be your shield and your great reward! He will give you strength and be with you every step of the way. 

Advocate

Assert

Defender 

Vindicate

Overseer

Champion 

Attendant

Trustee 

Escort

“…we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ b KJV‬‬

“Speak up for the people who have no voice, …”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬a‬ ‭MSG‬‬

It has been a challenging few weeks! 

My mom went into the hospital with diabetic related symptoms. We were in the emergency room for approximately ten hours until she was admitted. 

She was in diabetic coma for a time, and had moments of just not feeling well. There were times it looked hopeful for her to be discharged, and then something would happen that made them want to continue to watch her. 

During her stay she was officially diagnosed with dementia. We knew that this was a possibility, but to hear it is still hard. 

I am my mom’s medical power of attorney, and with this now my job to care for her and ensure she receives the care she needs going for, I’ve had a lot of phone calls, shake a few trees, and be firm on my stance.

I try to be kind yet firm. As I typed out various words that spell advocate, I have had to walk in all of those shoes on and for my mom. 

I also have an advocate, Jesus! 

He has done all for me and even more than I can imagine! 

I’m thankful for his wisdom, grace, mercy, etc. during this difficult time. 

My prayer for you is that you look to the Lord, the only one that can fight for you on all fronts and stand in the gap when you have nothing left to give. 

Trust over Blame

Trust - Word of the Year for 2023. 

So far this year, I know people fighting cancer, a friend that moved without her house selling first, our son starting a business with a friend, my mom in the hospital, new jobs, the unknown and TRUST! 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Trust 

Blame 

Trust says I don’t know what’s going to happen but I know and rely on the one who does. 

Blame says it’s not going as planned and it’s all God’s fault. I trusted Him and it didn’t work out.

If we trust COMPLETELY that means we must choose not to depend on our understanding.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We can’t depend on ourself and on God. 

We than have to continue in the trust cycle by seeking. As we seek his will in all we do (depending on God) - He will show us the path to take. 

Beki