All through the instrumental introduction, I was praying. We’d had a busy day – a busy week, a busy month – and many people were on my heart. Their needs and their joys played through my mind as the musicians on stage wordlessly proclaimed Christ’s glory.

Then it was our turn to join in.

As we stood to sing in the pew and the lights rose over the choir belting out a medley of carols, I searched the rows for any familiar face. But my mind was full of faces, and it occurred to me: all of us who know Christ have signed up to be part of the eternal Christmas Choir.

All of us who know Christ have signed up to be part of the eternal Christmas Choir!
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Someday, I’m going to stand next to my dear mentor and we’ll sing together about the worthiness of our Savior.

Someday, my struggling friend and I will lift our voices in praise to the Lord who has made all things right.

Someday, I hope, our neighbors and the kids in Sunday School and the people whose salvation I pray for regularly will be there with me magnifying the God who I see working now to draw them to Himself.

Someday, you and I will meet in a world without end and will harmonize “holy, holy, holy” before the throne of God!

On that day, we won’t be self-conscious about our voices. We won’t fuss about who we’re directly beside and who we’re not. We won’t worry about falling out of sync or missing a line or if we’ve got our part in the harmony right.

We’ll be in perfect unity, and there will be no “resounding gongs or clanging cymbals” because we’ll be singing love having been made perfect by Love Himself (1 Corinthians 13:1).

I can’t wait.

This Christmas…

>> I’m grateful Jesus came and made a way for us to praise Him right in the presence of God.

>> I’m grateful Jesus is with us – all of us in the body of Christ- enabling us to praise God together despite our failings and fallout.

>>And I’m grateful that Jesus is coming again, and we’ll praise Him perfectly, in harmony, then. If we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we already signed up for the choir!

And to all of you who I’ve had the joy and privilege of interacting with at #RechargeWednesday, I can’t wait to sing with you on that day! I’m stepping back from hosting the linkup once a month as God is calling me to serve more in other ministries, so I’ll miss praising Him together with you as regularly here. But I’ll still be around, and be thanking Him for you!

Did you know you signed up to join a Christmas Choir? Join my friend @BethanyMcIlrath as we pause to celebrate Christ together. Share your blog! #rechargewednesday #Grateful @bethanymcilrath
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The post The Christmas Choir You Already Signed Up For appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Decorating our home for Christmas on Thanksgiving weekend has become a mother-daughter tradition since our oldest was about 2. I remember the first time I gathered the Christmas ornaments and gave her the assignment of placing the smallest ones on the tree’s lower branches.

With Christmas carols playing on the surround sound system, she squealed with delight, mumbling the words of the songs while carefully placing about 20 ornaments on one single lower branch — a memory I captured on camera. It was one of many moments I will forever treasure in my heart.

While carefully unwrapping the manger scene figurines for my foyer table this year, I paused to look closely at the three magi in the set. Draped in ostentatious robes, the artist was careful to portray the paradox of the moment: rich, illustrious men prostrated before a newborn in a feeding trough.

It’s a part of the manger scene that, although historically wrong, is true to its core message. Even though the three kings did not come to the manger but rather to Christ’s humble home in Jerusalem about two years after his birth, Matthew records in his Gospel that they indeed “fell to the ground and worshiped him.” (Matthew 2:11)

Certain characteristics of the three wise men heighten the significance of their worship of Israel’s promised Messiah. First, they were gentile, making them the first gentiles who worshipped Jesus. Secondly, we know that they were intellectuals. They were called Magoi or “magicians” — a known term for Persian philosophers and priests. Thirdly, according to scholars, they were most probably from Arabia, since it is said they came from the East, and Arabia is called the Land of the East in Scriptures.

The gifts they bore were also products of that country: gold — a treasure that was brought as a tribute for Jesus as king; frankincense — a treasure used to honor Him as God with the smoke of incense; and finally, myrrh, to symbolize Jesus’ sacrificial death since myrrh was used in embalming the dead. Each of these gifts was significant. Each of them was priceless. Just as priceless as the long journey these mighty men took, following the light guiding them to Christ.

They knew power, possessions, and prestige, and yet, bowed before a toddler in awe and adoration, setting aside their prominence and pride, thus acknowledging that his presence subdued their earthy position and wealth.

Three kings bowed before a toddler, in awe and adoration, setting aside their prominence and pride, thus acknowledging that their earthy position and wealth were subdued by His presence. #Christmas #Christmas2022 #MerryChristmas…
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I thought about the magi when I came across the third beatitude while studying the Sermon of the Mount:

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”  (Matthew 5:5)

While teaching new concepts of righteousness, Jesus conveyed to his followers that meekness is one of the characteristics that God seeks from us. The meek (or humble) are blessed, or “happy,” as a better translation of the Greek word used in the original text.

Meekness is not a popular word these days, and many equal it to weakness. But meekness, as taught by Jesus, is not adopting a low view of oneself, nor is it discrediting our accomplishments or refuting material blessings. Meekness, in this sense, is characterized by humble submission to God.

• The meek lay aside their pride and bear provocation without having to send back a harsh answer.

• The meek are cool when others are hot and choose to forgive, yet again, instead of calling for revenge.

• The meek lay aside their agenda and make great sacrifices to help others and honor God.

• The meek recognize, just as the three kings did, that even the mightiest are poor before the one who spoke the stars into existence.

Meekness is not a popular word these days, and many equal it to weakness. But meekness, as taught by Jesus, is not adopting a low view of oneself. Meekness, in this sense, is characterized by humble submission to God. #Christmas…
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As I think about this Christmas, when families will gather to celebrate and share gifts, I cannot help but think that so many people dread getting together because of ongoing conflicts.

Regardless of the battles among family members, most will come bearing gifts — a tradition started by the three kings themselves. May their humble submission to God inspire us to remember what Jesus taught us on the Mount that day: Blessed are those who humbly submit to God, offering others peace, forgiveness, and grace.

May this Christmas be a time of reconciliation and peace for our families as we heed the words of the One whose birthday we celebrate.

May this Christmas be a time of reconciliation and peace for our families as we heed the words of the One whose birthday we celebrate.#Christmas #Christmas2022 #MerryChristmas #ChristmasIsComing #TisTheSeason #KeepChristinChristmas
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Linkup is open. Jesus said: 'Blessed are the meek.' Let us heed the words of the One whose birthday we celebrate. May we set aside our differences and pride and make Christmas a time of reconciliation and peace for our families.…
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The post The Best Christmas Gift You Can Give {Recharge Wednesday Linkup} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

My romantic view of a stable vanished when I watched a camel project bodily filth in the direction of onlookers. My childhood notion that the first Christmas was all joy for the main characters evaporated too. Mary and Joseph experienced a bevy of challenges. 

In other words, the first Christmas included real people with real problems—people like us. Joseph’s faith inspires me.

Joseph Chose Kindness

Today, people justify destructive behavior because someone or something offended them. Joseph demonstrated kindness during major disappointment.

“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly” (Matt. 1:18-19 NLT).

Joseph’s fiancé returned from out-of-town three months pregnant. Her story about an angel’s visit and being a pregnant virgin must have stunned him. How could he have been so wrong about Mary? 

Under Moses’ law, anyone guilty of adultery would be stoned (Lev. 20:10). Joseph doubted Mary’s explanation, yet he showed kindness when he believed she’d betrayed him. He chose a quiet divorce to protect Mary from public shame.

Kindness allows the wrongdoer to return to God and His people. In Joseph’s case, when Mary’s reputation was cleared, he had to deal only with having doubted her story. He had no regrets about how he’d handled the matter.

Joseph Showed Courage

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit’” (Matt. 1:20 NIV).

The angel addressed Joseph’s fears. Mary carried God’s Son. But to take pregnant Mary as his wife made him look immoral. Would their synagogue, families, and friends shun them and his carpentry business? 

Once Joseph knew God’s plan, he put aside his fears. Trusting God provides courage to follow Him despite our fears.

Joseph Trusted God’s Guidance

The Bible says God shares insights with those who walk with Him (Pro. 16:9; John 16:13). God directed Joseph step by step.

“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him’” (Matt. 2:13 NIV).

God’s ways—and timing—are not mine—they’re better (Is. 55:9). God directed Joseph when he needed it—not before. 

Joseph Obeyed God 

Joseph demonstrated the obedience of faith. 

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife” (Matt. 1:24).

“So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt” (Matt. 2:24 NIV).

He left, perhaps on foot, leaving behind what they couldn’t carry. He lost customers and started over. Joseph trusted God’s provision for the unknown.

Joseph Lived Within His Means

 At Christmas, we may feel pressured to overspend. The Christmas story shows Joseph’s humility.

“But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering” (Leviticus 12:8 NIV).

At Jesus’s circumcision Mary and Joseph couldn’t afford to offer a lamb. They offered “a pair of mourning doves or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:24).

May Joseph’s example inspire us to trust God as we sojourn in this broken world.

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The post Let Joseph Inspire Your Faith this Christmas {Recharge Wednesday Linkup} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Being in ministry, I didn’t expect diamonds. But I thought I’d get something special.

Our first Christmas together I asked for something pretty and practical—a leather day planner. I unwrapped my gift. It was a planner. A vinyl planner. Not even pleather that at least resembles leather! No chocolate, no stocking, no ho, ho, ho. Can you say “Let-down”?

Unrealistic Expectations

I’ve discovered the expectations we hold, especially concerning holidays, can rob our joy. The thing is, we often don’t realize we’ve put these expectations on ourselves or others until they aren’t met.

Can you relate?

• You imagined a smiling extended family gathered around your dining room table. But this year your family members aren’t speaking.
• You anticipated a Christmas bonus, instead your boss laid you off.
• You’d planned a tropical vacation, instead you had to replace your heating and air conditioning unit.
• You expected your family to cooperate for one day, but your family’s never watched Hallmark.

The expectations we hold, especially concerning holidays, can rob our joy. Often we don’t realize we’ve put these expectations on ourselves or others until they aren’t met. #RechargeWednesday @debbieWwilson
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Great Expectations

Reading about the first Christmas realigned my expectations. If I’d been Mary, I would have expected the mother of God’s Son to receive a bit of pampering—at least a private room, a bed with clean linens, and a midwife. Mary could have focused on her hardships. Who gave birth in an animal stable without any family to comfort or celebrate with her? Like Prissie in Gone With the Wind, Joseph probably didn’t know nothin ’bout birthing babies.

Isaiah 55:9 says God’s ways are higher than our ways. We know higher is better. Think higher grades, higher quality, or higher value. God’s ways aren’t just a little better; they are immeasurably better as the heavens are higher than the earth.

How could “no room for them in the inn” be better (Luke 2:7)? The inn may have been a guest room in someone’s home or a walled-in area around a well without the private suites we’d expect. I picture a hurricane shelter filled with cots and bedrolls. People would mill around and surely gawk at a woman giving birth.

The manger became the sign that identified Jesus to the shepherds. He was the only baby that night in a manger. The stable or cave that held the manger provided Mary and Joseph privacy the packed inn would have lacked. It also offered a quiet place for the shepherds to visit and worship the infant Christ.

If Joseph and Mary’s families had believed their story, Mary may have stayed behind. Their lack of support made sure she was in Bethlehem. Their doubts, if they had been with her, would have been a distraction, not a comfort. God chose shepherds to share their wonder and angels to celebrate with the couple. God didn’t meet my expectations of how to care for the mother of His Son. He did exceedingly better.

Sometimes we fail to appreciate God’s perfect provisions for our lives because we’re looking for something different. Birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas all arrive with ideas of how we should be treated. Expectations inflict unnecessary pain and strain our relationships.

What assumptions are you putting on yourself and others? How would surrendering those expectations relieve your disappointment? How would believing that God wants the very best for you and is sovereignly ruling over all the circumstances of your life affect your attitude and gratitude?

God used my husband’s disappointing gift-giving habits to provide the greater gift of realistic expectations and focusing on the priceless gifts I receive daily. (Happily, my husband has also become more in tune with special occasions.) Let’s not allow unrealistic expectations to suck the joy out of Christmas.

Merry Christmas, dear friends!

Part of this post was adapted from Little Women, Big God.

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“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.'” (Luke 2:10)

Most of the time, we’re waiting on good news of some kind. We’re checking our inboxes, hoping for the call or the text, and scrolling our social media feeds. Maybe we’re waiting on something monumental, or perhaps just a little happy moment.

What good news are you waiting for?

The announcement of a milestone moment in a loved one’s life? The baby to be born? The job offer or promotion? A notification from the airline that the price dropped and now you can afford that vacation? Amazon to say the package has arrived?

Sometimes we wait for a long time for a particular piece of good news. Other times we don’t realize we were waiting until the moment arrives and we feel realize we’ve switched from anticipation to rejoicing.

When Jesus came, people like Anna and Simeon who had been waiting a long time rejoiced in the promise at last come true. Others, like the Shepherds, were struck with surprise.

But the good news was good for all, and it still is.

Whatever good news we’re waiting for or will simply rejoice in when it’s announced, it’s just a small taste of the good news declared on the first Christmas.

We call good news “good” when it:

• Meets a desire or need
• Changes something for the better
• Gives us hope for the future

Considering the criteria, Jesus is the ultimate good news!

Jesus is the ultimate good news!
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His promises and presence meet our deepest desires and needs. His life, death, and resurrection changed everything for the better, making the way for us to have a personal relationship with God. Jesus gives us such hope for the future that whatever we struggle with today, we can look ahead with courage and anticipation that all will be good in the end.

The good news of Jesus can change how we wait today.

Thinking about some good news I’m hoping and praying for lately, the good news of great joy announced back in Bethlehem changes how I wait. I don’t have to wait cynically, because my greatest needs and desires are already met in Christ. If it seems nothing is changing for the better, I can trust God is making everything new in the everlasting way that matters most. Maybe the future looks scary and challenging to me, but what’s guaranteed in Christ is worth rejoicing in!

How about you? When you consider the good news of Christ, how does the way you wait for other good news change?

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LINKUP is open. Join my friend @bethanymcilrath to rejoice in the good news of Christ and consider how He changes the way you're waiting for other good news this Christmas. Share your blog! #RechargeWednesday
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But what are those intangible gifts we can offer to others and hope to receive in return?  As I was pondering things like love, forgiveness, encouragement (all great gifts), the Lord captured my attention when He whispered to my heart:

Karen, grace is the greatest gift, a good and perfect gift (James 1:17) that came down from Me to you as my Son the first Christmas.

Grace is the greatest gift, a good and perfect gift (James 1:17) that came down from Me to you as my Son the first Christmas. ~ Your heavenly Father #gift #grace @FridayKaren
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Grace Defined

(1.) Google defines grace as “courteous goodwill.” So I find it interesting how grace plays a major role in the Christmas story along with goodwill (desire to do good to others, act of kindness, charitable gift). 

An angel announced the Savior’s birth to shepherds, “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!’” (Luke 2:13-14, NKJV, emphasis mine)

The Savior embodies God’s grace and desire to do good to us and offer us kindness. And Jesus Christ remains the greatest act of charity (spiritually needy) known to mankind.

(2.) Grace in Christianity is “the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it…the favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God.”

(3.) Maybe you’ve heard it defined as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. When we think about the love and mercy and favor underserved by us, yet freely given to us through Christ, we see grace as the most wonderful gift ever given.

(4.) Grace came in the form of a baby in Bethlehem. Grace grew into a man who spoke about God’s Kingdom and performed miracles. And Grace died on Calvary’s cross, rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

Grace came in the form of a baby in Bethlehem. #grace grew into a man who spoke about God’s Kingdom and performed miracles. Grace died on Calvary’s cross and rose from the dead. @FridayKaren
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Grace Extended 

Because God extended, and continues to extend grace to us, we extend it to each other.

(1.) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)

(2.) “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

(3.) “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33) “And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many…followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.” (Acts 13:43)

(4.) “To love God is to cooperate with His grace. And since I’m so very aware of my own need for grace, I must be willing to freely give it away.” (Lysa Terkeurst)

(5.) “Grace releases and affirms. It doesn’t smother. Grace values the dignity of individuals. It doesn’t destroy. Grace supports and encourages. It isn’t jealous or suspicious.” (Charles Swindoll)

Amazing Grace

God extended amazing grace to us at such a high price…His Son.

(1.) “Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound) That sav’d a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.” (John Newton)

(2.) “Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. And grace is power, not just pardon.” (John Piper)

(3.) “Grace needs to be the air we breathe, the atmosphere we live in, whether in church or in the home.” (Allen Snapp)

(4.) “We are born broken. We live mending. The grace of God is the glue.” (Eugene O’Neill)

Grace is the gift that keeps on giving.

When we reflect on all we know about grace, we conclude it’s a great gift to receive and give. While it may not be under our tree, we choose to wrap it in love and humbly offer it this Christmas and year-round.

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LINKUP is open. Join my friend @FridayKaren to see how grace may not be a gift under our tree. But like the heavenly Father, we choose to wrap it in love and humbly offer it this Christmas and year-round. Share your blog! #blog
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The post The Gift of Grace {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

I’m familiar with silent nights. Because they track me down and schedule dates on my calendar. You see, I lose my voice about once a year, unable to squeak out a single word.

Laryngitis sets up residence in my vocal cords. But it’s never a good time.

Five years ago, silence struck with a job interview the next day. And it happened once with three speaking events coming up, the first in only three short days.

Still, I was rendered silent against my will. My voice takes short vacations without even asking me for permission to leave. The nerve!

Silent Night

Late into silent nights, I try every known home remedy. I sip on herbal tea with honey and fresh lemon. Under the canopy of a bath towel, my face hovers over steam rising up from the sink. Also, I pop throat drops in copious amounts.

It’s no secret, I’m fond of talking. Me and words are BFF’S. “Verbose” should be inscribed on my forehead or near my mouth. Rest assured of my family’s reaction to periods of silence: “Praise God!”

Yet, words in considerable number usually adhere to my wishes whenever I need them. But on silent nights, words fail me.

Have you ever fallen silent, unable to speak? Or, maybe something or someone left you speechless.

Holy Knight

Lyrics to the Christmas song, Silent Night, paint the setting of a holy night in history. The introduction of a baby to the world. A holy night for a Holy Knight.

Set your eyes on these definitions for knight:

• The rank given to a man of noble birth, for honorary military duty, or for services to his country (Google).
• “A defender, champion, or zealous upholder of a cause or principle” (The Free Dictionary Online).

The baby Jesus was of noble birth. Nobility inherited from His royal lineage and the God of the universe.

“I, Jesus…am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16 (ESV)

Further, God assigned His Son an honorary military duty that brought a notable silence into the world. The military meaning “to silence” indicates “to still enemy fire” (Dictionary.com).

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (ESV)

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (ESV)

Born King, Knight, and spiritual Warrior, #Christ came to silence enemy fire with His work on the cross, an empty tomb, and His Word. #Christmas @FridayKaren
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As the champion of righteousness, Christ triumphs over evil, the enemy, and all of Satan’s artillery in our life. And as Holy Knight, Jesus upholds the cause for holiness.

Jesus. Is. Our. Holy. Defender.

The baby #Jesus came with a purpose. A timely birth orchestrated for a timely death. But Christ was raised to life again. Hallelujah! #Christmas @FridayKaren
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Holy Night

Christmas celebrates the Savior. A silent and holy night. In momentary glimpses of His Holy presence on this earth, I’m rendered silent. Unable to squeak out a single word.

One day we shall see the Holy Knight face to face. In that moment, I will fall on my knees speechless before a matchless King.

And I’ll be at the mercy of His Holiness. When I am able to utter a sound, I will glorify the name of Jesus loud and clear.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Latin for “Glory to God in the highest” (Wikipedia).

But until I see Jesus, wordy me will raise my voice for the One raised to give me life…the Knight who deserves all praise and honor.

Merry Christmas! Come let us adore Christ!

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LINKUP is open. Join my friend @FridayKaren as we come and bow before #Jesus and adore Him. As we worship Christ at #Christmas ... and all year long. The King is coming back! Share your blog!
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“Sorry you all had to sit through that,” the quietest woman in the room grinned, “because that was just for me.”

We all know what she meant.

One of the amazing abilities of our Lord is reaching out to us individually while reaching out to us all.

His sweet love and unique relationship with each of His children involves personal gifts and private moments. There are inside jokes and memories that hold us warmly, tucked into His care.

One of the kindest, more precious things the Lord has taught me is this: He doesn’t just care for me, He cares about me.

One of the kindest, more precious things the Lord has taught me is this: He doesn’t just care for me, He cares about me.
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Sometimes the sunrise’s streak of gold peeking over the trees is just for me.

The weather isn’t what everyone wanted, but He did it for me. I asked last night.

Whoever donated those exact boots to the thrift store didn’t know it, but they were just for me, an unexpected gift from the Lord.

My husband’s shoulder, though not his own selection, isn’t too large or too small. It’s just right- made, I believe, just for me and my heavy head.

As I speak to God on a matter, asking a specific question, He rephrases it back to me with an answer through the song on the radio proclaiming truth I need in that moment. The lyrics are familiar, but that time, He played it just for me.

At the end of one Saturday, I am tired of struggling and weary. Settling into bed, I open a book I’ve been struggling to enjoy, one I’ve grown tired of plodding through. I’m reading it only because I committed to. But THAT chapter rubs salve on my soul. Words just for me, custom shaped from an author’s keyboard to my aching heart by the Lord’s own hands.

I open the Good Book, the only one I’m known to actually hug goodnight, to the page I left off on. This is His word, active and alive, and it quickly enfolds those feelings of fear in the triumphant embrace of the one who died just for me. Words spoken a couple thousand years ago, spoken right now to me by the same Savior.

In the words of the Isaiah 25:1, “Lord, you are my God.”

And because of Christ, I’m more than just God’s creation, set on my course alone. I’m God’s child.

Because of Christ, I’m more than just God's creation, set on my course alone. I’m God's child. @BethanyMcIlrath
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Do you know if you’re His child, too?

As His child, do you see God’s good gifts- the just for you kind?

It’s a precious gift, this truth that God cares so much for just me and just you.

It’s a precious gift, this truth that God cares so much for just me and just you.
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We’d love to hear in the comments about something God’s done just for you this Christmas season!

{A version of this post was previously posted here}

LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

Linkup Party is open! This week, my friend @BethanyMcIlrath shares a profound truth that fills this Christmas with significance: God cares for you and me in a very private, individual way. Join us & Share your blog!
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The post Just For You {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Praise the Lord, we can be generous! @BethanyMcIlrath
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We Have A Supply to Give From

“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.” –2 Corinthians 9:10

Sometimes we feel like we can’t afford to be generous. But our supply is ample. God himself provides for us!

We Can Give Because God Gives

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.” –2 Corinthians 9:11

God enriches us in every way so that we can cheerfully give of what He so freely gives us.

One of the great privileges of being a child of God is that we are abundantly blessed with so many limitless gifts- all of which God intends for us to share.

We are…

Blessed to be a blessing.

Forgiven to be forgiving.

Graced to give grace.

Loved to love.

Our Generosity is an Expression of Thanks

“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.” –2 Corinthians 9:12

When we give of what God has so freely given us, we’re demonstrating thankfulness to God too. He gives such good gifts, with so much abundance, that we overflow expressing our praise.

We’ll Never Run Out of Something to Give

 “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” –2 Corinthians 9:15

The truth is- we’ll never run out of reasons to be thankful to God. So, we’ll never run out of something to give. The source of life Himself lives in us!

LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am EST!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

LINKUP party is open with@BethanyMcIlrath - We are… Blessed to be a blessing. Forgiven to be forgiving. Graced to give grace. Loved to love. Our Generosity is an Expression of Thanks. JOIN us?
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The post Why We Can be Generous {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Born the first day of December, I enjoy celebrating my birthday in the same month as Christmas. Every year my special day proves fun-filled and momentous. And since it’s my birthday, I smile if I want to…smile if I want to…smile if I want to.

But where did the expression “Let’s paint the town red!” originate? And how exactly does one go about it when celebrating?

Painting the Town Red

I found a plethora of answers. Here’s a few:

• From Google, Go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly; celebrate, have a party, live it up, have a ball.
• Go on a drinking bout; get drunk. Some believe it refers to setting something on fire (The Free Dictionary).
• Violence. Dating back to the 1800’s, an article in The Phrase Finder, “The allusion is to the kind of unruly behavior that results in much blood being spilt.”

It’s sad that a phrase of merriment is associated with drunkenness and violence.

Still, there’s no unruly behavior going on when the Friday’s celebrate. For my birthday, keep in mind the glitter and sparkle of painting the town red. Besides the birthday girl, yours truly, the entourage of red painters include: my husband, son, daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren and mother-in-law. No doubt, we’re a wild and crazy bunch.

The Red Blood of the Lamb

A powerful Bible story describes “much blood being spilt” to paint the town red. In Exodus 12, the Israelites put blood from a lamb without blemish on two doorposts and the panel above the door of each house. The Lord’s Passover.

It gave protection from the final plague God brought on Pharaoh and the land of Egypt for refusing to release His people from slavery. Every firstborn male, people and animals, would die.

“When I see the blood I will pass over you and I will not destroy your firstborn children when I smite the land of Egypt” (verse 13, TLB ).

After that fatal night, Pharaoh let the people go. So the Lord instructed His people to celebrate the Passover every year.

Red for Christmas 

Years later, a perfect Lamb without spot or blemish once again provided passover blood. Jesus, God’s Son, willingly gave His life and blood for spiritual death to passover God’s children. Physical death may strike, but spiritual death cannot touch those in Christ.

Jesus, God’s Son, willingly gave His life and blood for spiritual death to passover God’s children. @FridayKaren #celebrate #Christ
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“But [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19 AMP).

In December, my birth month, we also celebrate the birth of Jesus. Joy marks the occasion and God, the Father, smiles. Because when we celebrate Jesus coming to earth, we also celebrate Calvary’s cross and the resurrection.

When we celebrate Jesus coming to earth, we also celebrate Calvary’s cross and the resurrection. #Christ @FridayKaren
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Let’s join God’s celebration crew; spread the glad tidings of Jesus; share the good news of the gospel, and proclaim that much blood was spilt to give us life.

Let’s celebrate! And let’s paint the town red!

Link up is open! @FridayKaren looks at how to paint the town red at Christmas by joining God's celebration crew, spreading glad tidings, and proclaiming that much blood was spilt to give us life. JOIN us and share your blog.
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The post Let’s Paint the Town Red {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.