Day Twenty-Three Christmas Scripture

^{Christmas is a Time for Blessings.  I absolutely adore this scripture to be able to bless a friend or family member.  It speaks such glorious truth and has so much power.  If you are ever in need of a good word for someone to encourage, give them a hope, or show them how much our heavenly Father loves us, this is amazing.  To know how much He loves us and wants to bless us is comforting.  Pass that word and blessing on to others.  At Christmas it's easy to get swept away with grumbling or worry or arguing but take heed and catch your tongue or your heart.  This is a time for blessings.  Let his power and glory work through you.  Others will see the light in you and His love and want more of that.  They will say, "what does she have?"  Bless them today and every day!  Merry Christmas!}

Ephesians 3:14-21

 For this reason I kneel before the Father,  from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.   I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Day Twenty-Two Christmas Scripture

Christmas is a time of giving thanks to the Lord for all that He has done.  Give with love and willingly.  The Lord knows your heart if you give grudgingly or with motive.  He will in turn bless you more abundantly than you could ever imagine.  It says it in His word so it is Truth!  Take your earthly mind out of the equation and look at His word. 
Isn't this a most spectacular word? 

"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."
This is like food for my soul.  It excites me and gives me great hope.  He WILL supply all of your needs according to His glory and riches.  Give thanks for His love.  What an amazing gift.  Rejoice!

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.   And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.  Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.  And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.   Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Day Thirteen Christmas Scripture

We are moving right along.  Can you believe it's been 13 days already?  Wow!  Christmas celebrations will be here before you know it.

This is the perfect time to shed the old and start fresh with new forgiveness, compassion and humility.  Is there someone that you have been holding a grudge against or feel you need to apologize for something?  Or is there someone that has apologized to you that you have not forgiven totally in your heart?  If we eagerly want our Father's forgiveness, how can we expect His when we can't even forgive our neighbour for something they have done?  The best thing you can do for yourself as we near the end of 2012 is find forgiveness in your heart.  As the following scripture reads, "let the message of Christ dwell in you richly."  Sing to the Lord with gratitude!

Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.   And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.   Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.   And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.