Holidays

Happy New Year

/ Gail Johnson / 11 Comments 
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)

While searching for scriptures to use for this post, I came across Isaiah 41. Not really a Happy New Year scripture. But I think it is a fitting one.

As I look through my memories of 2022, I can see God’s blessings. But if I’m honest, I can also see the hardships just as well. My accident, months of pain and recuperation, my mom’s and dad’s health issues, and my brother’s death.

Still, there is a God in heaven.

And when beginning anew, whether it be a day, year, or something as simple as a new project, it is comforting to know He is already there waiting for us.

Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. (Psalm 40:5)

He has a plan. All we have to do is follow in His footsteps.

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21)

We cannot control the circumstance of this coming year. But one thing I know is we are not alone. He is with us and has everything under control. Let us forge ahead in confidence!

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. (Psalm 62:8)

Happy New Year, dear one.

Revelation

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

The LORD hath made known his salvation:

His righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

He that remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel:

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Psalm 98:2-3 KJV

The Song

Joy to the Word was written by Issac Watts in 1719. The lyrics are based on Psalm 98. If you get a moment from your busy schedule, read it. It is a power-packed passage sure to invigorate and give you strength for your day! Now, let’s take a look at the song.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing.

But as many received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:12-13 KJV

Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns: Let all their songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment

and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD will perform this.

Isaiah 9:7 KJV

No more let sins and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,

Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Galatians 3:13 KJV)

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth

John 1:14 KJV

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 1:17 KJV

Joy to the World – Isaac Watts, 1719 Public Domain

Merry Christmas, sweet friends!

Expectation

/ Gail Johnson / 4 Comments

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2 KJV).

Expecting a king to deliver them from Roman rule, many missed the significance of the star, stable, and the babe asleep in the manger.

The Song

O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary,
and, gathered all above
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King
and peace to all the earth.

How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray,
cast out our sin and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Immanuel!

Words by Phillip Brooks

Music by Lewis H. Redner

Public Domain

Prayer

May our eyes and hearts be open to the blessings before us!

The Video