The Daily Dose

Happy New Year

Walk in wisdom toward unbelievers, redeeming the time.  Colossians4:5

Happy New Year!  It’s the new year, and a time for evaluating and assessing all the areas of your life.  What things need to change to make 2021 a better year for you and those around you.? Many think that it is the outward circumstances that determine the kind of year you will have. However, you can actually strategize with God to develop a plan to make this a year full of His goodness and grace. From faith to family, finances to friendships, and fitness to fun, all of these areas need to be examined in order to achieve maximum living.  What can you get rid of, change or add to your daily routine to make your quality of life increase?   This process can seem overwhelming, and the majority of people avoid it, but it is definitely an activity that needs to be done on purpose and with wisdom.  Wisdom is the starting point.

In today’s verse, we learn that we can actually redeem or buy back time by walking in God’s wisdom.  This is good news to me because I spent so many years of my life walking in the opposite of wisdom . . . foolishness.  How much time did I waste and loose because I failed to take the time to start with wisdom? The good news is that my Heavenly Father has provided a way for me to buy back/redeem that time.  The best explanation I can give is that it is a supernatural work of God that He has placed within my ability.  It’s not that I get to go back in time and do it all over again.  Quite frankly, that doesn’t sound like much fun anyway.  It does mean that I get to do new things that His wisdom leads me to.  As I seek God’s wisdom in every area of my life, I find that even the places I seemingly lost because of foolishness, somehow now I can use to make better choices and also to help others.

This passage says to walk in wisdom to the outside world.  Even though I used to be on the outside, now that I know how to get wisdom, I can walk toward others out there and take wisdom to them and their circumstances.  This brings satisfaction and fulfilment.  I no longer live in the foolishness of my own ideas, now I walk in the wisdom of God and can help others to do the same.

Now, the question I know you are asking is: “How do I get wisdom in all areas of life?”  The answer is by asking. James 1:5 says that if you don’t have wisdom, ask God because He gives it generously without pointing out where you have missed it in the past.  He is gracious, loving and eager to help, the only requirement is asking.  However, after you get God’s wisdom, it is up to you to follow it, even the times it doesn’t make sense to you.  Following God’s wisdom will always take faith.  You have to know and believe that He wants the best for you and when you get the thought or idea after asking your Heavenly Father, you by faith, take the steps in the direction He is pointing you to.

Today I want to encourage you to start your new year by submitting every area of your life to God’s wisdom.  Take some time to pray and get wisdom in each area and them ask God for the plan to take the steps of faith required to accomplish it.  As you walk in His wisdom, you will begin to notice that you are using your time more wisely and getting more accomplished.  You will start to eliminate the things that are stealing, wasting and killing your time and replace those with the things that will redeem it.  Take some time to study those who have follow God’s wisdom in the Bible and the many different ways His wisdom works.  This will help you to know your Father better and the way He works with people, including you.  Make 2021 your best year ever by walking in wisdom and redeeming all the time you have lost in foolishness.

Today’s scripture reading: Colossians 4:5-9

Be vigilant

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it (prayer) with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ,”  Colossians 4:2–3

Prayer!  I am so thankful for it.  God, our Father made a way that we could talk directly with Him.  Not only that, if we learn to listen, God talks to us when we are in prayer and thanksgiving.  We can actually converse with God, our Heavenly Father!  What a great privilege and honor.  Prayer is also a time to talk with God about others who need His help and encouragement.  Today’s passage gives us direction on how to pray for others.  It says meanwhile, or at the same time, we are earnestly and intensely praying, we should be diligently praying that God would open the doors for us and others, that there would be new opportunities to share the Word of God, the good news and to talk about the mystery of our salvation in Christ Jesus with those around us, wherever we are.

We know we are to share the love of God with others, the problem is somewhere along the line we got the idea that we should just go out and do it, never considering that prayer and preparation are needed to be effective.  Paul told the church to pray for God to open the door for his team to get the Word out. Think about it, the Apostle Paul who was probably the greatest witness of the gospel, asked other Christians to pray for open doors for them to share the Word.  How much more do we as believers today, need that same prayer?  We can pray each morning for God to open the doors and give us the words to reach those around us, whether it is in our neighborhood, at our job or in our school, the Holy Spirit will actually go before us and prepare hearts, open doors, and give us words and timing to reach into the lives of others.  How much more effective we would be if we would remember to pray this way for our lives and those we know who have a heart to share God’s love with lost and hurting people.

Another opportunity to pray this prayer is for missionaries around the world.  Those who have chosen to spread the good news of God’s love in other nations.  We can and should be praying for open doors and hearts as they take the gospel to people who have never even heard there is a Savior.

Today I want to encourage you to begin to pray this scripture for yourself and for all believers.  Pray that we would be empowered as God opens doors, provides opportunities, and prepares the hearts of all those around us.  Pray for God’s people to have a greater love for others (the God kind of love) and that we would turn the world upside down just as the church did when it began 2000 years ago.

Today’s scripture reading:  Colossians 4:2-6

You were designed

Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:23

This is an amazing passage of scripture. It is actually step by step instructions on how you were designed/created to operate. In the same way a piece of equipment comes with an instruction manual, God gives us the manual for life in this passage. Colossians 3 is a guaranteed success formula. It is absolutely astounding how we read over these directions and never stop to think, “This could be the answer I have been looking for.” I have written many times before about meditating God’s Word day and night for success and blessing. (Joshua 1:8) Also, how we are like trees planted by the rivers of waters when we keep God’s Word on our thoughts continually. However, In this passage, we actually have the owner’s manual on how this thing was set up to work. God created people this way. This isn’t a set of rules or suggestions to try to control you to make life easier for other, this is the action handbook of how we were made and designed to operate. The reason we have so many issues in the world is because very few people are actually living according to the “rule book”. In other words, very few of us are following the design we were created to follow.

So, let’s take a look at each personality God created and the specifications He designed each one of us with. Identify the names you go by and discover if there are any of the step by step instructions you may be missing.

Wives  –  submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their husbands in everything.  Ephesians 5:22, 24

Husbands  –  love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word.  So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.  Ephesians 5:25-26, 28

Children  –  obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”  Ephesians 6:1-3

Parents  –  do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Bondservants (employees) – obey in all things your masters (employers) according to the flesh, not just when they are watching, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.   Colossians 3:22

Masters (employer)- give your bondservants (employees) what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”   Colossians 4:1

Child of God  (holy and beloved) – put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with and forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body; and be thankful.   Colossians 3:12-15

This is the procedure that works and these are the actions that get good results. The reason is because this is the way we were designed by our creator. God didn’t make us to be anything or anyone we think we want to be. He made us to fit into these designated roles and then follow the operation manual on how to be successful in them. Curiously enough, when we begin to walk in the way we were designed, those around us start following their part of the handbook too. We are the pieces in the puzzle of life and when we are in the place were were designed to fulfill, we all make a beautiful picture together.

Today, I want to encourage you to identify where you could have missing parts in your design.  Whether you are a husband, wife, parents, child, boss or employee, decide today that you are going to be the best you can be by following the designer’s instructions, regardless of how others are acting.  Make the choice today to become the godly person you were designed by your Creator to be and watch how your quality of life begins to take a turn for the better. You were born with a set of instructions and you are here to represent the LORD Jesus, doesn’t it make sense to read the manual to represent Him the way you were designed to?

Today’s scripture reading: Colossians 3:18-25

Let peace by your guide

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15

The next part of Colossians 3 is a list of activities that draw us closer to God and others.  In the same way that the previous verses (discussed yesterday) list sin that pull us further away from God, verses 12-17 teach us how to become more like Him.  I will list them the same way I listed the activities that are to be put to death in yesterday’s dose.  I would like to point out that the majority of the list today are things you have to put on, they do not happen automatically just because you are a Christian.  You have to plan ahead of time and purposefully do these things until they become who you really are on the inside.

1. Put on tender mercies – Gentleness/compassion
2. Put on kindness – generous acts
3. Put on humility – preferring others first
4. Put on meekness – quiet, not loud and boastful
5. Put on longsuffering – endurance
6. Bearing with one another – hanging on in the tough times
7. Forgiving one another – let go of hurts with love
8. Forgive as Christ Jesus forgave you.
9. Put on love because it is the bond of perfection – love holds us together
10. Let (give entrance to) the peace of God rule in your hearts, which you were called to
11. (you) Be thankful – always looking for the good things
12. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom – meditate God’s Word daily
13. Teach and build others up in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs,
14. Sing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
15. Do all things in word or deed in the name of the Lord Jesus,
16. Give thanks to God the Father through Jesus our LORD.

Notice that after you do the “putting on”, the door is open for God’s peace to come in.  Not only that, God’s peace can be your guide through life.  If there is no peace, you can be sure there is no faith involved.  Peace in God and His Word can direct you through any crisis, problem or circumstance you face in life.  It is a gauge or measuring stick of the amount of God’s Word at work in your life.  By listening to His Spirit on the inside and confirming that voice with His Word, then His peace will lead the way to the goodness He wants to get you to.

Today I want to encourage you to let God’s peace rule in your heart and be thankful.  Thank Him for the plan He has for you. Thank Him for leading you day by day. Thank Him that you know and follow that plan and thank Him that His path is always plain and clear for you to see and follow.  Let peace lead you through your life journey and while you are at it, enjoy the ride!

Today’s scripture reading: Colossians 3:12-17

Get rid of impurities

Therefore, put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.  Colossians 3:5

Yesterday I talked about being too earthly minded and how setting your sights on things of the earth can limit your effectiveness in your eternal purpose.  Today, I want to talk about steps we can take to turn more of our daily attention toward the things of our Heavenly Father and His plan for us as individuals.

Today’s verse contains a list of activities that lead us away from growing in our relationship with our LORD. The list continues throughout the rest of the reading for today.  These are also habits that lure us from the path of His blessings and goodness.  As you read through the list below, consider carefully if any of these acts have crept into your life without you noticing.  Sin is very sneaky and often disguises itself as something that can be justified as needful or good.  An example of that would be criticizing others on the pretense of helping them to improve, but the underlying truth is that it makes you feel better about your own shortcomings.   You may justify in your heart “At least I’m not that bad”.  Hopefully, you will not be able to relate to many of these habits but examine yourself on each one by bringing them before the LORD as you consider.

I would encourage you to talk to Holy Spirit about each item in the list below and ask Him to expose and reveal to you any area where any of these acts may have come into your life.  As you talk with Him, turn each of these sinful activities over to Him and ask that He expose them if they try to get close to you and empower you to never fall into them.

1. Sexual immorality – without morals in thought or deed

2. Impurity – mixed with the world’s standard to become harmful, low quality or ineffective for God’s kingdom

3. Lust – strong desire for what is unhealthy physically, emotionally and spiritually

4. Evil desires – wanting what is against or in the opposite direction of God

5. Don’t be greedy/idolatrous, worshiping the things of this world.

6. Get rid of anger – feelings that try to come when something unfair, painful or bad happens. Rather submit these feeling to God immediately.

7. Rage – violent anger

8. Malicious behavior – intentions to cause harm especially by hurting someone’s feelings or reputation

9. Slander – false statements about others that causes damage to their reputation

10. Dirty language – unclean, unfair, dishonest or unkind words

11. Don’t lie to each other – covering up the truth

12. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

13. Don’t consider if you are a Jew or a Gentile (racial differences), circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free.   Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Today I want to encourage you to make a fresh commitment to be cleansed of all unrighteousness by turning over every area of your life to God.  He has forgiven you and cleansed you, you only need to ask to receive all the goodness He has made available for your life.  Determine to live your life free from the stains of the world and its ways by receiving God’s grace to walk out His plan in all honesty and purity of living. What better way to start 2021 than living free of impurities.

Today’s scripture reading: Colossians 3:5-11

Too heavenly minded?

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”  Colossians 3:2

There was an old saying years ago that became very popular at the time.  It was, “If you are too heavenly minded you will be no earthly good”.  I’m not exactly sure where it originated.  However, as I recently thought about the statement I thought, “I don’t think there is any scripture to back it up.”  In fact, I could think of only scriptures that said just the opposite.  Therefore, I now believe the statement is a deception that may have taken some off track.  It would be more truthful to reverse the statement to say, “If you are too earthly minded you will be no heavenly good.”  It seems to me that the last is more accurate than the first with much more support from the Word of God.

Today’s key verse encourages us to set our mind on things above, those are the heavenly things, not to be confused with religious rules and rituals.  The things above are what Jesus talked about in His ministry when He was here in the world.  He kept His conversations about the things of God and His Kingdom.  I think it is safe to say that He was more heavenly minded than anyone who ever walked on this planet.  What I’m saying is that if we keep our mind on things above, we will not be distracted by the things of the world.  We will not be led astray by the things of the world and we will not be worried about the things going on in the world.  We do however, keep these worldly concerns before our Father in prayer and ask how we can use our influence for the kingdom of Heaven in every world circumstance.

Philippians 2:5 admonishes us to have the same mind or way of thinking that our Savior Jesus did.  That way of thinking is clearly laid out for us in the gospels and recorded in the life of Jesus.  If we begin to study and live by the example that Jesus gave us, we will become so heavenly minded that we will be goodness for the whole earth, just like Jesus was.  His life exemplified the phrase “heavenly minded”.  There has never been anyone who did more earthly good than Jesus and no one ever more heavenly minded.

Today I want to encourage you to become more heavenly minded and more earthly good.  Looking at and thinking about the things going on in the world today can only make us less effective to those around us.  Instead, turn your attention to the things of heaven and what God is working on in the world.  Hebrews 12:1-2 says that we are to get rid of the weights of the world by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, in that way we can run in this life to accomplish all the plans God has for us.

Today’s scripture reading: Colossians 3:1-4

What’s in your heart?

These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.  Colossians 2:23

Back in Paul’s day, there were rules among the Jewish people that provided many opportunity for offense if not followed.  Paul called them regulations of the world.  Even though these rules were made up and enforced by the priest and religious leaders, Paul says they are basic principles of the physical nature.  The laws were: do not touch certain things, do not eat certain things and do not handle/carry certain things.  These “certain” things were defined in the law and the people were watched over carefully to ensure they were keeping these laws.  Paul says that the enforcers of these laws thought they were wise in the process.  However, he goes on to say that their wisdom was founded in self-imposed worship, false humility and harsh treatment of the body.  He finishes by saying: Keeping these laws are not helpful in exposing the evil desires within a person’s heart.

Today, we have laws that are not for religious reason, but still physical and seemingly necessary for health and well being.  The “laws” actually look similar to the religious laws of Paul’s day.  Verse 21 describes those laws and we can easily translate them into our modern day health regulations.  Colossians 2:21 says, “Do not touch,(wash your hands) do not taste, (Where a mask) do not handle, (Social distance 6ft apart)”  While they are not bad actions to do and comply with, some would obey and enforce these rules as religiously as the leaders did in Paul’s day and be offended by those who do not closely comply. Yes, we understand that these are preventative measures that can be taken to protect from diseases that are in the air or carried by others.  However, the way some would enforce these rule seem like they are depending their eternity on them, but we know that the real issues of eternal life come from within a person’s heart.

So where is the balance.  Yes, we comply with rules and regulations of the physical nature to protect and ensure the health of others that we love and come into contact with. However, lets take a look a little deeper into the heart to discern what really matters.  Many are saying 2020 has been the weirdest, wackiest and worst year ever, but I would ask:  “What happened to you?”  Answers would vary to: “I had to wear a mask.”  “I couldn’t go to work or school.” Or maybe “We couldn’t go out to eat or shop.”  I know there were bad things in the world going on, but the majority of people maintained life by making a few minor adjustments.  Overall, the reports of great growth in the kingdom of Heaven should overshadow all the evil that has tried to overrun this year.  God’s Kingdom has grown in unprecedented measures in 2020 and the LORD of the harvest has been sending out laborer like never before in history.

Today, I would ask you to examine any evil desires in your heart.  Take a deep look within to see if you are holding any area back from your Heavenly Father.  A question to ask yourself would be, “what things am I afraid of?”  Fear in your heart indicates the areas you have not turned over to God and are trusting Him to handle.  Once you identify your fear, quickly turn those things over to Him and receive your peace of mind today.  Not in following a lot of rules and regulations, but in following the love and goodness of your Father. Then pray the LORD of the harvest to continue to send out laborers to bring in the final harvest before He returns (Matt. 9:38).

Today’s scripture reading: Colossians 2:20-23

He brought peace

““Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodness to men!”  Luke 2:14

Peace is a priceless gift!  It is worth everything but cannot be purchased.  It is a gift that was given to us when Jesus was born.  Many think that peace on earth means that people will live together without conflict or disagreement, but what Jesus brought us was peace with God in heaven.  He brought the peace of heaven to earth!  Before that time, there was a great distance between God and His people, but when Jesus came, He became the bridge that reached between mankind and God.  Now we personally have access to God and not only that, we can receive Him as our Father!  He didn’t want to just have a people to command and order around, He wanted a family.  He became our Father and His love empowers us to be successful in all areas of life.  In all that, He provided a peaceful relationship with Himself, which produces peace in our hearts/lives.

So what is peace?  Some would say peace is calmness, rest, order, or harmony with others.  While these definitions are true, the God kind of peace is much deeper.  Let’s take a look at what God said in His Word about peace.  Peace is the guard of your heart.  It lets us know when our heart is right with God.  Philippians 4:7 says, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  If peace is missing from your life, it is a sign that you need more of God in your heart.  Peace is a ruler.  Peace measures whether we are thankful for all God has brought us through and called us to.  Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”  Peace is a fruit or result of God’s Spirit living inside of us. Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”  Peace demonstrates if we are walking out our life through God’s Spirit or in our flesh.  Romans 8:6 says, “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Lastly, walking in the peace of God will allow us to complete the second part of today’s verse.  When we decide to walk in the peace of God, we are then able to exercise good will toward others.  This time of the year provides a wonderful opportunity to bless others with a kind act or word.  It is also an opportunity to share God’s great love with those around us and to be reminded of His great love for us!

Today I want to encourage you to allow God’s peace to fill up your life.  Don’t be stressed about all the things you want to get done before Christmas Day.  Instead, let the peace of God fill you up.  Spend time with Him and tell Him how thankful you are and how much you love Him.  Make this Christmas about your relationship with Him.  Don’t forget He is the reason why we are celebrating this great day, the day He became a person to live with us, save us, and fill our life with peace . . . The God kind of peace!

Today’s scripture reading:  Isaiah 9:1-7

The kings

“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:11

The wise men came from the east to the house where Jesus lived with His parents.  The probability is that Jesus was about two years old.  He was clearly not a baby but a “young child”.  As a toddler, He still didn’t know He was the King of kings, but the wise men sure did.  

Today, the wise men are often called kings, but the Bible doesn’t really say that.  What we do know about them is that they studied the stars and they were magi.  We know this because the star is the reason they came looking for the King of the Jews.  Obviously they had some ancient manuscript of the prophecy of His coming and that the star would be the sign.  Many believe that the Babylonians took these writings when they carried away the Israeli people into captivity.  They probably also had Daniel’s writing from when he lived among them.  This would explain them coming from the “east”.

What is really important about this is that these men came from another country to worship Jesus!  They were the first to “fall down” and worship Him.  This is significant because they would have been the first gentiles that came to Jesus and they were not turned away.  If they really were kings, then they were the first kings to bow to the King of kings.  What a great picture of the coming day when all nations of the world will bow down to Him!!  On top of all that, they brought treasure to Him, some of the most precious resources in the world, gold, frankincense and myrrh.  This was a blessing from God to provide for His Son while He was on the earth.  These gifts also enabled Joseph to take his family out of the country to protect them from the wrath of the crazed King Herod.

Today I want to encourage you to consider the wise men coming from a far country to worship Jesus.  Then consider how you can follow their example and fall down and worship Him!  Give Him your greatest and earnest praise for coming into the world and becoming the King to save all people from sin!  Don’t wait for that day when He returns to get us, worship Him today!  He is worthy of all our praise!  He is the King of kings and LORD of lords!

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 2:1-12

Do not fear

“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”   Luke 2:10-11

So, it’s only two days until Christmas and of course everywhere you go, you can hear Christmas music as a constant reminder that it is almost here. There are a couple of thoughts that have really touched my heart this year about Christmas.  The first idea is how the angels were strategically placed to be ready to make the announcement the instant the baby was born.  As soon as baby Jesus took His first breath, an angel of the Lord was sent to a nearby field where the shepherds were.  It was nighttime, but the angel didn’t wait to see if the shepherds were awake or sleeping, he just stood there until someone noticed him. (I’m sure it didn’t take long.)  Of course, the first thing he says is “Don’t be afraid” because it was obvious that they were.  He quickly went on with the news he had been waiting to tell all evening as the angels waited for the baby to be born.  He said I have some really exciting news and it’s good news for all people!  (not just the Hebrew people) Then he tells them that their Savior is born.  God in flesh.  The Creator has become part of His creation.  After that he is joined by a choir of angels and they all rejoice together!  What a celebration!!

The second thought is what a great miracle it was and is still today and will be for all eternity.  God had made this plan from the beginning of creation – to become a man.  He must have been as full of joy as the angels were as He watched and anticipated Jesus’ birth.  I have always known that it was good news for us, the people who needed a Savior.  However, up until this year, I hadn’t considered how God the Father must have rejoiced.  Now when I think about Him, I consider how He had been waiting for this moment longer than any person on the earth.  He had talked about it from the beginning of time.  He told His prophets for thousands of years.  We see these words throughout the Old Testament as prophecies or predictions of what was to come.  However, the truth is the prophets were writing what was in God’s heart.  God was talking to them about this glorious day!  He made the announcement that He was coming to make things right almost continuously throughout the scriptures.  God was coming to live with us, to be in a body and likeness of people and to experience the things we experience.  He wanted a relationship with us so in order to accomplish that, He took on flesh.  He loves us that much!  His heart was to make a creation that He could become a part of not just to rule over, but to live with and be a family.  He made us so He could be our God and Father!  It was joy in His heart to become a man!  Hebrews 12:2 says, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” This is a new and joyous revelation to me!!   

Today I want to encourage you to consider that great love our Heavenly Father has for us.  He didn’t just come to save us, although that was the most important thing to us.  He came because He wanted to become a person with a family.  Keep this in mind as Christmas day approaches and rejoice with our Father for His wonderful plan that was accomplished the night Jesus was born in the earth.  Thank Him for the plan He has for the future days in the world and give glory to Him that we will one day live with Him forever!

Today’s scripture ready:  Luke 2:8-14