Peace? Goodwill? Christmas is Coming,

It is that time of year again. The time of rejoicing because our Saviour came!
It is also the time when satan is rampant with rage at the knowledge he is impotent against the Lord of Hosts. I do not advocate laying every adversity at his feet, for many troubles are unfortunately self inflicted, when wrong choices have been made and the consequences are devastating. We make many mistakes, and have to pay for them by the law of results and retribution, but the fact remains that Christmas is the time when so many people suffer unexpectedly, and heartbreak is the theme of the season. Satan is too willing to use his opportunity to raise those questions in the minds of the afflicted, “Why does God allow such tragedy? If God is so good, why could he not prevent this disaster?”
Coping with sudden tragedy remains a problem that is not easily solved, even those in a close relationship with the Lord finding the difficulties of acceptance of His will only within His Presence. His Word sheds some light on the ways to cope, but Christian fellowship remains a key for comfort.
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God, 1John 4:15.
As a little boy so wisely said when someone helped him in a troubled time, “Jesus came, with skin on.”
Jesus came in the flesh, and was seen and touched by many.
A friend recently sent a message that they were at Larnaca in Cyprus where Lazarus supposedly lived and died after he was brought back to life by Jesus. He died again and his remains are said to have been found there.
An empty tomb proclaims my Saviour lives!
He knows our hurts and grief. He understands our pain. Already too much has been suffered in the prelude to the Christmas celebration, and I think He suffers too as He sees what is happening.
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 (NLT)
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past. Ps 57:1 (NLT)
The NIV says I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
At this time of year many people need these verses as comfort, but how much sadder for those who do not know the One referred to as the help and refuge that is needed. Jesus Christ said, If anyone opens the door (of heart and mind, to accept) I will come in and sup (eat, drink, live) with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20.
Don’t wait! If you don’t know Him, meet with Him now!

Procrastinating Posting

With giving God the Glory being a priority, I yet do some weird things that become major boulders in my walk with Him.
I came across a web site that opens its doors to writers for the month of November, giving a challenge to write a novel of 50 000 words before midnight on the 30th! Well, there seems to be a lot of cricket going on, which keeps my other half occupied between DIY bouts, so although the month was already underway, and I was about to leave for a week-end conference, I took up the challenge.
The month was already a week under way before I got some notes together, and managed my synopsis, and now, on the 11th, having garnered more notes and scattered ideas, I have an unbalanced and shaky story underway. Without a LOT of editing it won’t be seeing the light of day in black and white for a long time, but the fun of new discipline is getting to me. It is not getting to others though, and my almost 16 000 words is not impressive to those who starve around me!
The idea is to teach Truth in Christian principles to young folk today who may be looking for help. Life is not getting easier for them, but we live in exciting times. I want them to know that God looks down from Heaven on the entire human race. He looks to see if there is even one with real understanding; one who seeks for God. Psalm53:2
Having enjoyed a great Baptist Women Conference, and heard so many ladies sharing on their concerns for their young families, I know I am not alone in the desire to see God’s Will being done. The knowledge that It is not His will that any should be lost, 2 Peter 3:9 keeps me hoping that many will hear His voice and turn to Him. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, says: I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16
How great to know His grace and mercy works on, even in me!