Practicing His Presence this Christmas

Hello!

First of all, Merry Christmas!  I'm so excited to have a place to share all of the great thoughts that occur to me as I spend time with the Lord in His Word. What better time to practice His Word and His presence than during this wonderful season of celebration!  We celebrate the Lord and the good tidings he brought when He came humbly to this earth in the form of a little baby.  What a humble entrance, what a magnificent God!  Perhaps we can all try to be a little more like Christ this Christmas, humble, meek, and ready to serve others with the love of our Savior.  Maybe we too can become again like children and our eyes can light up with excitement as we think of the great wonders God has done for us and will do in the coming New Year.

Speaking of humbling things...it seems like it's been quite a while since I've written to encourage others in the Lord.  I guess I feel like I'm heading out of a long "time-out" with God.  The "time-out" I'm talking about is the kind that you get right before your about to take off onto some new mission...you know something that's been stirring up for a while that your just itching to launch.  For me, I was ready to launch my testimony to the world and tell of all the great things God had done for me and how He could do them for others too.  Well, I got a good start, engines fired up, complete diagnostic test, looked ahead to see if traffic was clear and then.....take off!   Only my flight was short and my landing gear was faulty.  I guess God had a few more lessons to teach me before clearing me for take-off.  He is in the control tower and He's calling all the shots! 

I'm so glad that God calls us for a side-talk now and then.  Maybe you too feel like God has called you off the playing field and issued you a "time-out."  If that's the case, then let me encourage you as I also need encouraging.  God allows times of pruning and chastening in or lives to make us better players for His kingdom.  He won't let our plane take off until He's taught us how to balance our flight.  Sometimes as Christians we can become out of balance.  We can become extreme in our thoughts either too zealous, or the opposite, too complacent.  We can let our knowledge of God cause us to be puffed up and judgemental of others if we aren't careful, if love isn't the priority.  If we're out of balance, too legalistic or too carnal in our walk, we can often times do more damage then good with our "good intentions" to minister to others.  I'm learning the hard way that God loves to use His people to spread His glory, yet He doesn't have to!!!  He does it because He's a relational God and that's His way but He can proclaim His glory any way He chooses, even out of the mouth of a donkey! 

It's been quite a journey walking with the Lord since He first inspired me to write "Daughter, Please Come Home" (which by the way has been recently revised and is in line for take-off.) I was so excited to share my testimony with the world and tell all that the Lord had done for me.  I figured I was on my way to a life filled with glorious service in His kingdom!  Yes!  He had pulled me out of the trenches!  He had lifted my sorrow and brought back joy!  He had freed me from my own vices!  But, what if, just what if, I were to fail?  What if He came back to check on my ministry (as if He'd ever left)  and there I was back at the same feeding trough He'd pulled me out of? Well, that was my fear.  I know I'm not alone in experiencing the ups and downs of walking with God and ministering in His kingdom.

What He's shown me however is that it's all His work, not mine.  It's on His terms that He calls us, cleanses us, justifies us, and sends us.  We cannot ever, ever, ever, be perfect enough on our own.  We do fail from time to time.  We truly are like sheep in need of the constant care and reassurance of our Good Shepperd.  We cannot carry out His will without His leading.  We cannot do what only He can.  It is Christ who calls us, Christ who saves us, and Christ who justifies us!  He is the only one worthy of the Father and so that's why He came, the only one able to save us, the only blood able to cleanse us.  We need not be afraid for He is with us!  Therefore, practice His presence this Holy Season, remember, Emmanuel.  Let Christ get all the glory and trust in His completed work.  He will bring about His plans for us in His timing, by His Spirit.  So, if your in a "time-out" with God, rest in Him, enjoy Him, and learn from Him.  He will show you when it's time to get back on the field!

Today's suggested reading: Colossians 1:3-29

To Christ be all glory!
Merry Christmas!

Sharon Marusteri

I Know My Heavenly Father is Faithful

I can surely testify that the Lord is faithful to His Word. In fact, the day that I surrendered my heavy burdens to Him, I knew that a very heavy weight was lifted from me, and the yoke of the Lord is always easier than what we try to carry ourselves. This doesn't mean that you won't make mistakes or sometimes pick up a heavy burden again, but if you will walk in the power of His Holy Spirit, you will not carry it long before the Lord will reveal to you that you have need to lay them down again and take rest in Him

I would like to assure you, that no matter what you have been through, God loves you. He loves you with an unconditional, undying love. He will take your deepest hurts and heal them if you will let Him. You don't have to walk anymore in this world feeling like you have failed.

You can do all things through Christ who will strengthen you! (Philippians 4:13)