Christmas is For-Giving

Christmas is a beautiful time of the year. It is a time of wonder and giving. It is a season when family members come together and enjoy the warmth of one another's company. But for some, Christmas stirs up negative emotions. I believe that some who are reading this blog have been hurt from the words and actions of others. My prayer for you this Christmas is that you would know the healing power of Jesus' love.

During Christmas, we celebrate the birth of a King. Jesus, born in a manger, lived a perfect life, and then paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. When He hung on that tree, He experienced stark separation from God the Father. He allowed His heart to be broken so we could receive healing in our own hearts. He lives in the hearts of those who have invited Him in. But He can't fully express Himself through us if we harbor unforgiveness towards others.

The only way to have a heart that's whole and free is to learn to forgive others – in fact, Christmas is for-giving. When we forgive, we set ourselves free from the chains that bind us, and we give God's love to others. When we forgive, we can look to the Holy Spirit to show us how we should love the person who has hurt us. We become like a flower that opens its pedals to the world. God wants the fragrance of His love to flow through us. He does not want us to be closed to others. He wants us to be an open door.

Sometimes forgiveness is a process that begins with a choice – an act of faith that is not dependent on the way we feel. We may have to bring our hurts before the Lord more than a few times, but eventually, with His help, we can forgive.

This Christmas, let's allow the love of God to flow in us and through us. Let's take the time to allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and to show us if there are any areas in our heart that need God's healing touch.

Dear Holy Spirit,

I ask you to to search my heart. Please show me if I am holding unforgiveness against anyone. Come and heal me Lord. I choose to forgive those that have offended me. Make my heart an open door. I receive your healing, Lord, in Jesus name, Amen.

The Holy Spirit is His Name

He’s my Helper, He’s my Guide
He has come alongside
He’s our Lover and our Friend
He’ll be with us till the end

His power none can tame
The Holy Spirit is His name
He can resurrect the dead
He reminds us of what Christ said

He brings glory to the Lamb
He is the Great I Am
He is patient, He is kind
He is Truth, He does not lie

He’s the One who lives within
Frees us from the will to sin
Sends us to the lost
Points us to the cross

The Holy Spirit is His name
He’s not interested in fame
If we keep our consciences' clean
His heart we will not grieve

The Holy Spirit is His name
Through His power we are changed

We love you Holy Spirit
You are precious to behold
Like the wind we feel you
Though we do not see Your form

Come Oh Holy Spirit
Come invade our space
Welcome Holy Spirit
We long for Your embrace

In the Middle

                                          This post from the past encourages us to take joy
                                           in our daily work....                                       

                                          Here in the middle of the mundane

Your Presence can be discovered

In the center of our daily grind

We can honor You

When we work as unto You, Lord

                                          Joy rises

We can find purpose

In a day well spent 

We will work quietly with our hands

For You reward honest diligence

With Your abundant blessing 

I am a co-laborer with You

In business and ministry

For You ordained both 

Thank You Lord

For including me in Your divine plan

Amen

The Greatest Superhero

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8

Everyone loves a hero. This is evident when we witness the popularity of the Marvel-inspired movies like Spiderman, Iron Man, and The Incredible Hulk. Many of us are drawn to these icons of courage and goodwill. The hero always comes out on top, always defeats the enemy.

They are bigger than life. Stronger, faster, braver. Christ is also a Hero – the greatest Hero of all. Yes, He has “super powers”. Yes, He is the ultimate Victor. But the greatest attribute that this God-man displayed was His emptying of Himself.

When He laid down His life for the human race. He, who was and is God, became servant of all. And Jesus said the greatest among you would be your servant (Matthew23:11).

The comic books are full of superhuman beings that conquer the world. They are fictitious, but we serve a God who is 100% real. He is Almighty, All Powerful and yet he humbled Himself for our behalf. He who knew no sin became sin for us all. He paid the price of death on a cross so that we would not have to. Three days after He died, the great power of the Lord was unleashed; He rose from the dead.

He secured a place in heaven for those who will accept His forgiveness. His word says that all of us have sinned and fall short of His glory. We deserve to be doomed to an eternity of spiritual darkness. But Jesus, took the bullet for our sin. He suffered, died, and victoriously rose again from the grave! If you haven't embraced Christ's forgiveness, - forgiveness from the greatest hero who ever lived, and who died and lives again - come and pray this prayer....

Dear Almighty God,

Thank you for sending Jesus, the greatest Hero of all, to die in my place. I admit that I am a sinner, that I need Your powerful forgiveness. I believe You rose from the dead. Lord, I surrender all to You. I receive your forgiveness, and I choose to serve you all of my days. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

If you prayed this prayer from your heart, you have been born again. You have been given a place in heaven, and you have been adopted into God's family. Here are some helpful hints to aid you in your growth as a new believer.

• Read the Bible – it is food for the soul.
• Pray – Talk to your Heavenly Father. He is Your Friend and He will talk to you as well.
• Start attending a Spirit-filled church that teaches the word of God.
• Tell others about your newfound relationship with Jesus.

Congratulations! This is the most important day of your life. Remember always that God loves you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at toya_tom@yahoo.com.

He Gives Each His Dream

From before the dawn of time

We were aimed for His design

The Father formed us with a destiny in mind

He gives each His dream

Within our hearts we can see

Just what He has called us to be

Dreams await us

Like the sun behind the clouds

Dreams await us

The Spirit will unveil the shroud

But we must seek Him

Then pursue the dream

We must believe Him

Let the invisible be seen

Write the vision down

It shall surely come to pass

Write the vision down

And wisely act

God is for us

He is never against

If our dream is from Him

His approval we will sense

Go forth like an arrow in flight

Accomplish His will

Go forth like an arrow in flight

And hit the bullseye  

Great Things

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing, He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14

Our Lord did great miracles while he lived upon the earth. He opened the eyes of the blind. He enabled the lame to walk. He even raised the dead. Those who have been born into the Kingdom of God can also do miracles in Jesus name. Our Lord said that we could do even greater miracles than he because he was going to the Father.

We can heal the sick and even raise the dead in the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the greatest things we can do is pray for unbeliever's to find Christ. We can pray for a great revival and a great awakening. We can seek God for the salvation of the multitudes. It is our privilege and should be our passion. As we pray, God will move, and as we make ourselves available, God will use us. With God all things are possible. Let's believe our Lord for great things!

Dear Father God,

Thank you for your desire to use me. Thank you that in Jesus name I can believe you to move mightily to bring healing, miracles, and salvation to others. Fill me with your passion to pray for revival among your people and for an awakening that brings conviction and deliverance to the unsaved. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The Seed

The seed of God’s word
In fertile soil
Generates the life and character of God

With perseverance

We will reap if we faint not

If we nurture this seed

It will flourish
The harvest awaits us

We sow in our own hearts

And in the hearts of others

The Holy Spirit hovers over

The seed of God’s word in our hearts

There’s enormous potential in a seed

Just like the atom
Within it lies power
Power to produce
Power to push through the hardened clay
Even through the cemented areas of our hearts

God’s word is highly exalted

It accomplishes all that it is sent by our Lord to do

But we must remove the weeds

That seek to choke the life of the word of God

Guard your heart with all diligence

For it is the wellspring of life